Adorning Flowers by Night - Chapter 19
Chapter 19
"Then why do you think I treat you so well?"
Why?
Why does she treat me so well?
Why...
Pei Yu wanted to step closer to Lu Ruzhuo to get a better look at her expression, but when the moment came, she found herself inexplicably timid.
In that moment of hesitation, Lu Ruzhuo had already stepped out of the light. Her expression... was no different from usual.
Pei Yu opened her mouth and said, "...Because you and I depend on each other."
Lu Ruzhuo hummed in acknowledgment, her expression indifferent.
Pei Yu felt as if she had said the wrong thing and pinched her own fingertips.
"What do you think, Aunt?" she asked cautiously, keeping pace as Lu Ruzhuo started walking again.
"Think what?"
"Why you treat me so well."
"Because you are my good disciple."
Pei Yu bit her lip.
Lu Ruzhuo added, "Since we're traveling in the Jianghu, from now on, let's address each other as master and disciple in front of outsiders. What do you think?"
Pei Yu thought about it. Calling her Master was no different from calling her Aunt, and it actually added more of a Jianghu flair.
She immediately and happily agreed. "Yes, Master."
Lu Ruzhuo stopped to look at her and smiled faintly.
"Master, what are you smiling about?"
"Nothing."
Pei Yu had a gut feeling she had fallen into some kind of trap, but what could Lu Ruzhuo possibly want from her? If she wanted it, she could even take her life.
Her life had been saved by Lu Ruzhuo in the first place.
Pei Yu decided not to dwell on what she couldn't figure out. In the end, her aunt would never harm her.
At the county yamen.
The coroner had already finished examining the external wounds on the bodies. Magistrate Wang clipped the preliminary autopsy report into the case file and ordered a bailiff to report to the prefecture by express horse.
The murder case had exceeded the scope of what a single county could handle.
As night fell.
The county yamen was brightly lit. All the constables had been dispatched to patrol the streets with torches.
Lu Ruzhuo and Pei Yu sat on the highest roof in the city, a sword resting on the green tiles beside them.
All was silent, with only the moonlight illuminating the eaves.
Normally, Pei Yu would have been chattering nonstop with Lu Ruzhuo, even about uninteresting things.
But today, she felt a sense of peace and warmth, so much so that speaking would have disturbed the atmosphere.
The hours dripped by like a water clock, and the night wore on.
Pei Yu gradually grew sleepy.
Lu Ruzhuo reached out, wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and guided her down to rest her head on her lap. "Go to sleep," she said gently. "I'll keep watch."
Pei Yu closed her eyes and found a comfortable position in her embrace, murmuring, "I'll take over for the second half of the night."
"Alright." Lu Ruzhuo gently combed her fingers through her long hair, the black silk slipping through her fingers.
"You have to remember to wake me."
"I know," Lu Ruzhuo said with a smile.
Soon, the sound of even breathing came from her arms.
Lu Ruzhuo looked down, her eyes fixed on Pei Yu without blinking.
Suddenly, the woman's fingers moved, and a stream of sword qi shot out.
A smear of mosquito blood appeared on a nearby wall.
Without the sound that disturbed her peaceful dreams, Pei Yu slept even more soundly.
The night passed, and the person truly did not return.
The two went back to the inn to wash up briefly. After breakfast, they headed to the county yamen together.
Magistrate Wang was busy in the yamen courtyard, still wearing yesterday's official robes, with dark circles under her eyes.
"Ladies." She offered a simple salute.
Seeing her haggard face, Pei Yu steeled herself and said, "Your Honor, the one-night period has passed. We must be on our way."
Magistrate Wang said, "I will see you two off."
Pei Yu waved her hand. "Your Honor is busy with official duties. There's no need to see us out."
"Very well." Magistrate Wang walked them to the gate, saying apologetically, "Please forgive my poor hospitality."
"You're too kind, Your Honor."
Pei Yu left with Lu Ruzhuo, carrying her sword.
They had only walked a short distance when the sound of a fine horse neighing came from behind. Pei Yu glanced back to see a rider on horseback stopped in front of the yamen. It was a constable in red.
The constable dismounted and said something to Magistrate Wang.
Magistrate Wang's expression changed slightly, and she hurried toward Pei Yu and Lu Ruzhuo again.
Pei Yu was confused.
Magistrate Wang said, "I must ask you to stay a while longer."
Pei Yu and Lu Ruzhuo returned to the yamen once more.
Magistrate Wang introduced the man to them. "This is Constable Zhang Jiang, sent by the prefect."
She looked at Pei Yu, momentarily unsure how to introduce her.
Pei Yu took the initiative. "Jinyiwei Battalion Commander. My surname is Pei."
Constable Zhang's expression remained unchanged as he said, neither servile nor overbearing, "Zhang Jiang greets Official Pei."
Lu Ruzhuo, who had been quiet all this time, suddenly spoke. "Could you be the 'Divine Constable of Jinzhong,' Constable Zhang?"
Constable Zhang revealed a hint of surprise upon hearing this.
Magistrate Wang was also quite astonished.
Pei Yu looked at Lu Ruzhuo.
Lu Ruzhuo said, "For Constable Zhang to come all this way, could it be that there's a new twist in the case?"
"Precisely," Constable Zhang said in a low voice.
On the way to the autopsy room, Pei Yu and Lu Ruzhuo walked at the back. She reached out and touched Lu Ruzhuo's little finger, asking in a low voice, "Aunt, is this Constable Zhang very capable?"
"Master."
"Right, Master. How do you know Constable Zhang, Master?"
"I've heard his name." Lu Ruzhuo deliberately slowed her pace even more, leaned close to Pei Yu's ear, and whispered, "This man is very famous in Jinzhong. He has solved many bizarre cases."
Pei Yu's ear grew slightly hot. Just as she thought to pull away, Lu Ruzhuo had already moved back.
"How are his martial arts?"
"Not as good as yours."
"..."
"You don't believe me?"
"No." Pei Yu thought, I'm just a little warm.
"Zhang Jiang's blade skills are excellent. Your experience is lacking, so you might not be able to defeat him easily."
"Mm." Pei Yu lowered her head and said nothing.
"We're here." Magistrate Wang's voice came from the front. "Please, come in."
Constable Zhang entered first, with Magistrate Wang close behind.
Pei Yu and Lu Ruzhuo walked side by side. Just then, Lu Ruzhuo took a step forward, entering the room first. Pei Yu looked down at the path, and her palm suddenly felt warm.
Lu Ruzhuo had reached out and taken her hand.
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