So it was the same the next day.
Pei Tan lingered in the pleasure quarters of Chang’an Street, and such behavior naturally spread quickly. Even in a modest tavern like Wangyue Pavilion, people were already gossiping.
“He’s truly a son of the Pei family. Even after becoming an official, at heart he hasn’t changed—still fond of poetry, wine, and beauties.” At one table, three or four men were eagerly discussing the latest rumor.
“I heard Young Master Pei even wrote a poem for the courtesan of Zuiqing Pavilion. Truly a talented and passionate man.”
“And I heard Minister Wei was there too,” someone whispered.
Only then did they notice another person had been standing nearby, though no one knew how long.
Startled, they turned to see a young girl smiling as she held a wine jug.
“Your wine has arrived.” The delicate girl smiled faintly and placed the jug on their table.
The men’s expressions softened at once.
But the girl turned and left immediately, her graceful figure drawing their eyes after her.
“I heard she’s the tavern mistress’s cousin. Who would have thought she’d be so lovely?”
…
In the rear courtyard, Jing Wan’er soon encountered Zichan’er, who was also carrying wine.
When Zichan’er saw Jing Wan’er coming from the main hall, her face changed at once. She hurried forward: “Miss, what are you doing?”
Jing Wan’er blinked at her: “I just met Brother Chen. He couldn’t carry everything himself, so he asked me to deliver a jug of wine to a guest.”
Zichan’er’s face went pale: “How could my husband order you about so casually? I’ll speak to him later.”
Jing Wan’er looked at her, her gaze clear as water. Zichan’er grew uneasy under it, until Jing Wan’er said softly: “You’re afraid I’ll be discovered, aren’t you?”
Zichan’er faltered, turning her eyes away.
Jing Wan’er’s expression remained calm: “I understand your thoughts.”
Zichan’er had been forced to shelter her. Every day Jing Wan’er stayed here was like a blade hanging over Zichan’er’s neck. How could she not be afraid?
Jing Wan’er continued: “But have you considered—if people notice you suddenly have someone here who does nothing at all, isn’t that even more suspicious?”
The best concealment leaves no trace. The more unusual it is, the more it draws attention.
Zichan’er grew more uneasy, whispering: “I already said you are my cousin.”
Jing Wan’er smiled faintly: “Even a cousin wouldn’t do nothing.”
Zichan’er stared at her, clearly not understanding.
Jing Wan’er explained: “You should know best. If even you can live safely here, it means no one in Chang’an recognizes you. In other words, no one will recognize me either.”
Not only on Chang’an Street, but even in the palace, how many could truly remember the face of a maid? Even if one passed by, the next moment her features would be forgotten. Palace maids were everywhere in the Daming Palace, yet never noticed.
Zichan’er seemed suddenly enlightened, standing silent for a long while.
Jing Wan’er gently took the wine jug from her hands: “If you understand, I want you to help me with something.”
Zichan’er was startled, then asked: “What do you want me to do?”
Jing Wan’er’s eyes were deep: “I want to deliver wine to Zuiqing Pavilion.”
Meanwhile, outside Chang’an, a hundred li away, Pei Xian and his men finally arrived after traveling through the night. They saw the lone inn by the desolate road.
“This should be the place,” Pei Xian said grimly.
One of the Pei family guards added: “I heard the covert agents marked the spot where the body was buried.”
Otherwise, in this desolate wilderness, finding a buried body would truly be difficult.
Pei Xian immediately dismounted and ordered: “Spread out and search. Keep hidden.”
To maintain their disguise as traveling merchants, they had to be cautious. In such a remote place, only the occasional caravan would pass without suspicion. Any unfamiliar faces could easily arouse doubt. Especially since the innkeeper here had already sold his daughter for profit—being bribed by Zong Huo’s men was hardly surprising.
“Found it!” One guard had keenly spotted a patch of soil that was clearly disturbed.
Several men began digging at once, and soon uncovered the girl’s corpse.
Because the Pei family’s covert guards had been busy tracking Zong Huo, they had buried the body hastily. The innkeeper, upon realizing his daughter’s corpse was gone, likely would not bother to search—perhaps even glad it had vanished. Though they were hardened guards, seeing such a young life violated and destroyed filled them with sorrow.
Pei Xian said gravely: “According to the young master’s orders, wrap the body in pine resin. We’ll take her back to Chang’an.”
The resin would mask the stench of decay. Otherwise, even if they presented themselves as officers of the Court of Judicial Review, the city gate guards might not let them pass.
The trained guards quickly set to work, exhuming and preparing the body, then placing it in their disguised carriage.
“Move out,” Pei Xian commanded without delay. “We cannot leave the young master alone in Chang’an.”
Three horses and one carriage thundered down the road, raising dust as they galloped back toward the city.
Meanwhile, Pei Tan had spent the past two days at Zuiqing Pavilion, treated as its most honored guest.
A beautiful woman played the pipa behind gauzy curtains, while two graceful dancers performed beside her.
“Master Pei, your tea.” Those who knew understood—these two days, Pei Tan had drunk only tea, not wine.
The pavilion’s celebrated courtesan, radiant with charm, offered him the cup with both hands.
Pei Tan slowly rose and said calmly: “Excuse me for a moment.” He walked to the doorway of the private chamber, lifted the curtain, and descended the stairs.
The pavilion was crowded with people coming and going.
Someone bumped into him.
“Lord Pei?” The man smiled.
Pei Tan looked up to see a middle-aged figure with a beard and commanding presence. His eyes flickered in surprise, almost disbelief: “…Chancellor Wei?”
The man laughed heartily, his voice ringing. Passersby immediately grew fearful.
It was Wei Xuanzhen, Chancellor of the Tang.
Wei Xuanzhen turned slowly: “I heard you handled Minister Zong’s case. Truly, Lord Pei, you are young and capable, decisive in action.”
The Zong Huo case had made Pei Tan famous in Chang’an. People whispered that he was like Judge Di—an incorruptible, righteous official.
To compare him with the legendary Judge Di was already extraordinary.
Pei Tan looked at Wei Xuanzhen for a long moment before saying, “To meet you here is unexpected. Forgive my discourtesy.”
Who would have thought a man of Wei Xuanzhen’s rank would personally visit Zuiqing Pavilion? His presence had already filled the establishment with fear, from courtesans to the madam herself.
Pei Tan, now a third-rank official, was not out of place addressing Wei Xuanzhen, a first-rank chancellor, as “this humble official.”
Wei Xuanzhen smiled at him. Though he was of the Wei clan and held the dignity of Chancellor, the Pei family was a noble house of a hundred years. As a direct son of the Pei line, Pei Tan’s standing was not beneath his.
“Lord Pei, since you are here, why not share a drink with me?” Wei Xuanzhen invited.
Pei Tan paused on the staircase, then replied: “Since you invite, how could I refuse?”
Wei Xuanzhen laughed again and beckoned his attendants: “Bring wine upstairs.” He gestured politely, and Pei Tan had no choice but to follow him back up.
It was unclear whether Wei Xuanzhen had already been in a private chamber upstairs. But when he lifted the curtain, it was to the room directly beside Pei Tan’s own.
“Lord Pei often comes to Zuiqing Pavilion?” Wei Xuanzhen asked casually.
Pei Tan replied slowly: “Only recently, when I’ve had some free time.”
Wei Xuanzhen chuckled, gazing at him: “The affairs of the Court of Judicial Review are complex. Even seasoned officials find it difficult to manage. Lord Pei should indeed take time to relax.”
His manner was sincere and genuine.
Pei Tan pressed his lips lightly together: “Thank you, Chancellor.”
By then, attendants had brought wine, and Wei Xuanzhen had already taken his seat. Pei Tan walked over slowly.
In such pleasure houses, crowded and noisy, secrets were hard to keep. Of course, assassins would not be foolish enough to strike here. Thus, those who enjoyed the charms of Chang’an Street included not only a prime minister like Wei Xuanzhen, but also many aristocrats who appeared solemn in court yet indulged in private.
Wine was poured before Pei Tan.
“Come, let us drink together,” Wei Xuanzhen said, raising his cup first.
Pei Tan touched the rim of his cup to Wei Xuanzhen’s, then slowly lifted it.
They clinked glasses and both drained them in one go. A young gentleman of Chang’an might not know how to wield a sword or spear, but he must know poetry, wine, and women.
Pei Tan drank without a change of expression.
Wei Xuanzhen’s lips curved: “Lord Pei, you are still so young. To be honest, when His Majesty appointed you Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, many inside and outside the court were surprised.”
After all, the Court of Judicial Review was a place once occupied by Judge Di and countless other Tang officials. That office had long been shrouded in mystery.
And the Zong Huo case had struck at just the right moment, as if Heaven intended Pei Tan to shock Chang’an the instant he took office.
As the highest official of the Tang, Wei Xuanzhen understood this better than anyone. His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Pei Tan, as though with hidden meaning.
But Pei Tan’s expression remained calm as still water, as if the man before him were not the head of all Tang officials, but just an ordinary person. Such composure could only be cultivated by a great family like the Peis.
The Zong Huo case proved it further. If the current Minister of the Court of Judicial Review had been anyone without such a family background, Zong Huo’s death would never have become the talk of Chang’an.
For the madam of Zuiqing Pavilion, these past two days had been glorious—hosting both Lord Pei and Chancellor Wei. If word spread, her establishment’s fame would soar.
Chang’an had countless brothels and music houses, each with its own hidden treasures. Rising above them all depended on which one the nobles and officials favored most.
The madam even believed that after this, her Zuiqing Pavilion could leap to become the foremost pleasure house in Chang’an.