Chapter 119: An Encounter with Beauty

Upon hearing the sequence of events, A’Zhu’s eyes were filled with shock, yet a shrewd glint flickered within them.

"Brother Qiao, you say that the Young Master—that man—knows the identity of the 'Leader'? Why didn't you ask him just now?"

"A’Zhu, you still don't understand. I can find out who the 'Leader' is whenever I wish, but some people are different."

"You mean that mysterious person whose identity even he could not uncover?"

"Exactly. While the 'Leader' bears the blood debt of my father, the bond between us is merely nominal; seeking vengeance is simply the duty of a son. But that mysterious person is different. To conceal the identity of the 'Leader,' he first murdered the parents who raised me for over a decade, and then killed the mentor who initiated my training. This is a feud that cannot coexist under the same sky! Unfortunately, even he does not know the identity of this mysterious person. Since he doesn't want me to know who the 'Leader' is, then I shall follow his design and investigate them one by one! I, Qiao Feng, do not believe he can act so flawlessly without leaving a single trace!"

"Brother Qiao, you mean Elder Xu of the Beggar Sect, Master Zhiguang, as well as Tan Gong, Tan Po, and Zhao Qiansun are all...?" A’Zhu appeared deeply startled upon hearing the truth.

"Yes, if nothing goes wrong, all of this was the work of that mysterious person."

"Then why, when we visited Kang Min a few days ago..." A’Zhu stopped mid-sentence, as if realizing something, and fell silent.

"Indeed. At first, I was overjoyed, thinking the mysterious person had finally left a trail, especially since I encountered the so-called 'Leader' while on the road. I intended to go along with the flow and force the mysterious person to reveal himself to save them, but I never expected that wicked woman Kang Min to dare deceive me. Not only that, she nearly made me commit a grave error, nearly causing me to lose... to lose..." Qiao Feng stammered, his voice trailing off.

Seeing Qiao Feng’s awkwardness, A’Zhu found it quite amusing. Playfully, she smiled like a flower and asked in a sweet voice, "Brother Qiao, what did you say just now? I didn't hear you clearly. What were you about to lose?"

"Th-that, that... Oh my, look how late it is! Let’s hurry back to rest; we still have to go find Kang Min again tomorrow." Qiao Feng quickened his pace, fleeing the scene as if his life depended on it.

"Hahaha..." Watching Qiao Feng’s retreating figure, A’Zhu laughed until she couldn't stand straight. It seems that even twins have their commonalities.

***

The next morning, at an inn near Mirror Lake.

"Young Master, it is time to wake up. Aren't we supposed to go to Mirror Lake?" Jiang Yuyan, already dressed, gently shook the still-slumbering Zhu Yu.

Waking up from his dream, Zhu Yu was clearly in a foul mood. He said with irritation, "Don't bother me. We aren't going to Mirror Lake. If there's something to discuss, wait until I wake up."

This response was unexpected for Jiang Yuyan. After a moment of thought, she turned to tell Cao Zhengchun that there was no need to prepare. Upon returning, she looked at Zhu Yu’s sleeping face, her cheeks suddenly flushing with shyness. She then shed her clothes and slipped softly into his arms.

Zhu Yu, still deep in sleep, was clearly unaware of what had happened, but in his dream, he felt he had gained a soft, warm, human-shaped pillow, and he drifted back into a deep slumber.

When the sun was high in the sky, Zhu Yu opened his hazy eyes and noticed the sleeping beauty in his arms. Just as the thought of not disturbing her crossed his mind, Jiang Yuyan stirred and slowly opened her eyes.

"Awake? Get up then." Zhu Yu pinched her pretty cheek near his chest and proceeded to get up and dress himself.

"Young Master, why aren't we going to Mirror Lake today?" Seeing him fully awake, Jiang Yuyan voiced her confusion.

"The matter is settled, so there is no need to go. Tell Cao Zhengchun to find a place with good scenery nearby to spend a couple of days, then we shall set off to return to the palace."

"Yes, I understand." Upon hearing they would be sightseeing, Jiang Yuyan replied happily.

The scenery of Jiangnan lived up to its reputation. He had intended to accompany Jiang Yuyan for a few days, but in the end, even he found himself reluctant to leave. However, no matter how beautiful the scenery, one eventually tires of it. Today, Zhu Yu and his party were preparing to depart Jiangnan and return to the palace.

Having indulged himself for the past few days, Zhu Yu was tired of being cooped up in the carriage. He mounted a genuine blood-sweating steed and rode at the front of the procession alongside Cao Zhengchun.

They had barely been on the road for half a day when they encountered a group of five people—three men and two women—approaching from the opposite direction. Under normal circumstances, the only thing that would happen is that they would simply pass each other by.

However, it was unfortunate that neither side was ordinary, especially given that Zhu Yu’s lust had been piqued. Among the group of five was a woman in white, her temperament ethereal. As the breeze blew, the curves outlined by her dress were enough to make one's pulse race; she possessed a truly graceful figure. As for her appearance, it was indescribable—as if every feature on her face was perfectly natural, without a single flaw.

Influenced by various 'teachers' from his past life, Zhu Yu had a discerning eye; whether it was her looks or the exquisite figure hidden beneath the loose clothing, she was a top-tier rarity. Zhu Yu had to admit that his heart was moved... well, whether it was his heart or his lower half that moved, Zhu Yu knew he had to act now, otherwise, it would all be in vain.

But this was not the modern world; if he were to rudely step forward to strike up a conversation, he would have no justification if someone beat him to death. Of course, Zhu Yu wasn't afraid of being beaten to death, but it would be terrible to die of social embarrassment in the eyes of such a beauty. Unfortunately, in his past life, Zhu Yu had been a lifelong bachelor, and after transmigrating, he hadn't had the opportunity to practice; he could just snap his fingers and enjoy services he never dreamed of in his previous life. Therefore, when it came to flirting, Zhu Yu was a complete novice, and he could only watch helplessly as that graceful figure moved further and further away.

Beside him, the shrewd Cao Zhengchun saw Zhu Yu’s expression and easily guessed his thoughts. Cao Zhengchun cast a subtle glance at the carriage following behind them and whispered to Zhu Yu:

"Young Master, would you like this old servant to invite that young lady to be our guest?"

Hearing Cao Zhengchun’s suggestion, Zhu Yu was genuinely tempted, but he immediately dismissed the thought. If nothing else, the way Cao Zhengchun used the word 'invite' filled Zhu Yu with a sense of guilt.

"Oh, the scenery of Jiangnan is truly beautiful. It’s a pity we are leaving already." Zhu Yu did not reply to Cao Zhengchun’s question, but instead said something seemingly inexplicable.

Cao Zhengchun, reading between the lines, smiled and said, "Young Master, the scenery of Jiangnan is indeed magnificent. Why don't we linger for a few more days?"

"This... that could be done." Zhu Yu said loudly, feigning hesitation, before whispering quickly to Cao Zhengchun, "Investigate. I want all the information on that young lady."