Chapter 107: What I Did Was Not Wrong

Captain Jiang stood inside the Northern Administrative Court, deep in thought.

"No leads at all?" he asked, looking at the two Jinyiwei in front of him.

The two Jinyiwei shook their heads.

"None at all," they responded.

"Lord Jiang, what exactly did that woman residing in the Guan Temple do? If it's so important, why not capture her outright but instead just keep her under surveillance?" one of the Jinyiwei couldn't help but ask. "Is it to use her as bait or for some other reason?"

Captain Jiang frowned.

"Is that your business to ask?" he said. "Just do your job, why so many questions?"

The Jinyiwei looked somewhat embarrassed.

"Of course, we understand. It's just that the orders for this matter are so vague. If we knew which case or which person was involved, it would make the investigation easier," one of them said.

"Do you think every task is that easy?" Captain Jiang snorted in response.

The Jinyiwei, seeing he would say no more, knew better than to press further. They nodded in acknowledgment and stepped back.

Captain Jiang furrowed his brows again.

The woman in question was a former palace maid who had once served the Crown Prince. But plenty of palace maids who had served the prince had been released, and yet this one received such attention—it was indeed strange.

In fact, one might say it wasn't so much attention as it was protection.

Whatever the case, it had to be related to the late Crown Prince. Anything involving the Crown Prince's matters was personally handled by Lu Yunqi, who wouldn't share even with him.

"The less you know, the better."

Lu Yunqi had once said this to him.

Although Lu Yunqi was famously ruthless, he treated the Jinyiwei under him quite well.

Since Lu Yunqi had forbidden him from asking, he didn't ask. His role was simply to carry out the orders.

As Captain Jiang was letting his mind wander, he heard a commotion ahead, as if someone had arrived. He frowned and looked over, his expression soon becoming somewhat peculiar.

Five people entered from outside the gate, clad in ordinary robes, but it was clear they were no ordinary people.

"Oh my, isn't this Master Jin?"

One of the Jinyiwei exclaimed.

Several Jinyiwei came over to surround them.

"Look at this, the hero from the northern lands!"

"Come and see!"

The courtyard was filled with playful banter.

Jin Eighteenth and his companions turned red, remaining silent.

It was, indeed, a comical situation. As the Jinyiwei, they were figures everyone feared, despised, and detested. Yet by a twist of fate, they'd ended up fighting alongside the government soldiers from the northern lands, eventually returning to the capital for accolades. Remembering how the citizens in the streets had cheered for them as heroes on that day, they couldn't help but feel complicated emotions.

Lu Yunqi stepped out. At the sight of him, the laughing Jinyiwei instantly fell silent, and the courtyard became solemn.

Lu Yunqi's gaze landed on Jin Eighteenth. Jin Eighteenth lowered his head and knelt down.

"My lord," he said hoarsely.

Lu Yunqi's expression remained unmoved, showing neither happiness nor anger.

"Why aren't you wearing your official uniform?" he asked.

"Maybe they prefer soldier uniforms more," a Jinyiwei murmured softly from the back.

Jin Eighteenth's face reddened further, and he lowered his head even more.

"Do you want to transfer to the Qingshan Army?" Lu Yunqi asked, then turned to Captain Jiang. "Process their paperwork."

Jin Eighteenth quickly looked up.

"No, no, my lord!" He crawled forward a few steps, his expression pale. "I don't want that. I was born as one of the Jinyiwei and will die as one of the Jinyiwei."

Lu Yunqi made a sound of acknowledgment.

"Then why aren't you wearing your uniform?" he asked.

"I failed my duties and have no face to wear it," Jin Eighteenth said softly, his voice hoarse, with his head bowed.

"You've done well," Lu Yunqi said. "Why would you have no face to wear it? Miss Jun returned safely. You've come back with great fanfare."

Jin Eighteenth and the others looked up in disbelief.

Sarcasm?

But Lu Yunqi never joked, nor did he speak sarcastically.

Did this mean…

"Go and change now," Captain Jiang said. "There's a lot of work. The time for resting has been long enough."

Jin Eighteenth and his companions were overjoyed, bowing fervently in gratitude.

"Thank you, my lord. Thank you, my lord," they said, their voices choking with emotion.

Lu Yunqi had already walked past them and left.

Outside the Northern Administrative Court, the Jinyiwei prepared themselves for departure. A steward-like man who had been waiting approached Lu Yunqi with a respectful smile.

"Lord Lu, the carriage we borrowed last time from you—my master has asked me to return it," he said humbly.

Lu Yunqi glanced at a carriage parked by the gate. He made a sound of acknowledgment but said nothing further.

The steward, sensing this, also said nothing more and retreated respectfully.

One of the Jinyiwei stepped forward to inspect the carriage before hurrying back.

"My lord," he whispered, "inside the carriage is a gold-encrusted gemstone figurine, about this size." He gestured with his hands.

Lu Yunqi gave another nonchalant hum, mounted his horse, and departed, escorted by the Jinyiwei. The direction he headed was toward the Lu Mansion, which was also where Prince Huai's mansion was located.

Meanwhile, Miss Jun and Zhu Zan had already left Prince Huai's mansion.

Duke Chengguo's sudden bold move to knock on the doors of Prince Huai's mansion meant they couldn't possibly remain there indefinitely. Whatever happened next was uncertain, but it surely would not be anything good.

The two of them walked along the street in silence for a good while.

The sun was already high, and the bustling streets were full of people. Walking one behind the other, their attire drew no notice. Several passersby recognized them and greeted them warmly. Miss Jun occasionally nodded with a faint smile in return, though she seemed to be looking at these people yet also as if she was seeing nothing at all.

Suddenly, Miss Jun stopped in her tracks. Zhu Zan, who had been keeping his head low to avoid others noticing the wound on his face, nearly bumped into her.

"What's the matter?" he asked gruffly.

"I'm hungry," Miss Jun replied, her gaze fixed in one direction.

At the street corner ahead, a food stall was steaming trays of buns fresh out of the steamer, the aroma filling the air.

"There's food at home," Zhu Zan said irritably.

"I want to eat here," Miss Jun said, striding decisively toward the stall like a stubborn child.

"At a time like this…" Zhu Zan began angrily, but Miss Jun ignored him entirely and walked straight ahead. He could only grit his teeth and follow.

Although it was just a simple street-side stall, most customers bought and left quickly, so only two low tables were set up for seating.

Miss Jun and Zhu Zan occupied both.

The vendor, naturally recognizing them, was delighted and accommodating, fully understanding the couple's desire for privacy. He even thoughtfully raised a bamboo curtain meant to shield against the summer sun.

Although the tables were simple, they were wiped clean. Two bamboo steamers of buns were placed on the table. Miss Jun and Zhu Zan each took their share, dipping them in garlic vinegar and eating in silence.

The bamboo curtain shielded passersby on the street from seeing them, but it couldn't block their voices.

"…So Duke Chengguo just brazenly entered Prince Huai's mansion…"

"…Truly loyal and righteous. The moment he heard Prince Huai was ill, he immediately went to visit…"

"…As expected, I knew Duke Chengguo wouldn't sit idly by…"

"…But you say it like that as if His Majesty mistreats Prince Huai…"

"…I didn't say that! Watch your words!"

Conversations rose and then swiftly quieted. The people of the capital were perceptive, knowing well that such a topic carried danger and could easily bring misfortune upon oneself.

Zhu Zan put down his chopsticks.

"I have no idea why my father would do such a thing," he said. "I didn't persuade or implore him to. Because, truthfully, I believe it's meaningless."

It was the first time they had addressed this matter since learning Duke Chengguo had entered Prince Huai's mansion.

Miss Jun gently bit into a bun.

"I also think it's meaningless, but I must admit, I'm still very happy," she said, looking at Zhu Zan. "Just like how, back then, you stole my Immortal Ziying Plant, only to place a single flower on Princess Jiuli's grave."

Was this a compliment to both father and son?

This woman truly had a tongue dipped in honey, flattering people so effortlessly. Look at what she had managed to do—she had his father and mother wrapped around her little finger.

Zhu Zan tugged at the corner of his mouth but then shivered suddenly.

"Don't go making wild comparisons," he said, eyebrows raised and his tone wary. "Offering flowers was my own business. It has nothing to do with you."