“The news of someone investigating came from the cat in the house next door, though it did not see the person’s face.”
A cat?
Shi Yu was somewhat puzzled, but he suddenly remembered a remark Mo Yuan had made several years ago.
“I tell you, Fu Zhu is amazing. He can speak with other animals in the mountains.”
Over all these years, he had never personally witnessed this special ability of Fu Zhu’s; today, his eyes were finally opened. Shi Yu pondered this, casting a glance toward Mo Yuan. Mo Yuan kept his eyes closed and nodded slightly, seemingly confirming Shi Yu’s suspicion.
Shi Yu then turned to Fu Zhu to express his gratitude. “Thank you for your hard work, Fu Zhu.”
At this moment, Ah Jiu, who had been bored in the room, suddenly ran over and called out in a milky voice.
“Brother Shi Yu, Ah Jiu is so bored. Ah Jiu wants to go out and play.”
As soon as Ah Jiu entered, he familiarly hugged Shi Yu’s thigh. Mo Yuan watched this scene, feeling a prickle of irritation in his heart. Finally unable to restrain himself, he strode over and effortlessly lifted Ah Jiu up.
“Let me go, you bad person.” Ah Jiu struggled, but it was all in vain.
“No way. Aren’t you bored? This bad person brother will take you out to play.”
Mo Yuan spun Ah Jiu around to face him, wearing a crafty look on his face, and immediately hoisted him onto his shoulder before walking out.
Ah Jiu’s eyes widened, glaring furiously at Mo Yuan.
Shi Yu hurriedly followed them, feeling anxious. “Where is Senior Brother taking Ah Jiu?”
Shi Yu was genuinely afraid of Mo Yuan’s capricious nature; if he got annoyed, what would he do if he just dumped Ah Jiu in the middle of the street?
“There is a lively market not far from here. I am taking him there to look around,” Mo Yuan replied happily.
By now, Ah Jiu seemed accustomed to the posture of being carried by Mo Yuan. He rested his chin on his small hand and lay on Mo Yuan’s shoulder with a look of defiance. As they drifted further away, Shi Yu helplessly watched their departing backs, silently praying that everything would go smoothly. He shook his head in resignation and followed.
The three of them had come out late today, so the market was not very crowded. Shi Yu took Ah Jiu down from Mo Yuan’s shoulder and held his small hand.
“Ah Jiu, you must not run around. Follow your brother obediently.”
Ah Jiu put on a very well-behaved and obedient act, gripping Shi Yu’s hand tightly. Seeing this, Mo Yuan also reached out to hold hands, but Shi Yu nimbly dodged him.
“Why? Are you afraid Senior Brother will get lost?”
Mo Yuan responded with a thick-skinned grin. “Of course, Senior Brother is also a child.”
With that, he forcibly grabbed Shi Yu’s hand. Mo Yuan felt the silk-smooth, delicate texture in his hand and suddenly decided that having Ah Jiu around was not so bad after all. Fortunately, the people in the market were focused on their shopping and did not notice the little farce unfolding here. Shi Yu and Mo Yuan took Ah Jiu to walk around the vicinity, buying some snacks and toys.
Just as they were about to turn back, they suddenly heard a shout from ahead.
“His Highness Prince Bo arrives! Clear the way immediately!”
Prince Bo?
Shi Yu’s heart jolted violently upon hearing this familiar title, his gaze involuntarily locking onto Prince Bo’s carriage. As the carriage passed him, Shi Yu clearly heard the angry curses of the man inside.
“A bunch of useless idiots! You cannot even handle such a minor matter!”
Once the carriage had driven past, the street gradually returned to normal. However, the waves in Shi Yu’s heart were hard to calm. Thinking of the Prince’s curses, he felt a sense of satisfaction. It seemed he was truly furious this time; after so many days, he was still this irritable.
Shi Yu gently patted Ah Jiu’s head. “Let us go. We are going home.”
Beside him, Mo Yuan stared in the direction the carriage had left, seemingly lost in thought. His peach-blossom eyes narrowed slightly, tinged with a hint of ruthlessness.
“Senior Brother?”
Shi Yu was walking in the lead but realized Mo Yuan was not following, so he turned back to call for him. Mo Yuan quickly withdrew his gaze and quickened his pace to catch up.
After several days of investigation, Shi Yu and Mo Yuan had become familiar with the entire Royal City. Other than the Illusory Demon Pavilion and the heavily guarded Prince Bo’s Mansion, they found no other anomalies. After weighing his options, Shi Yu decided to go to the Illusory Demon Pavilion to investigate further. Mo Yuan, naturally, could not let him go alone and followed him without hesitation.
“You can go together, but behave yourself.”
Shi Yu thought of Mo Yuan’s behavior last time and warned him sharply.
“Yes, yes, yes. I will agree to whatever A-Yu says. Everything will be as you wish.”
Mo Yuan was, of course, obedient and subservient to Shi Yu in every way.
The two arrived at the Illusory Demon Pavilion once more, and today it seemed even more boisterous than before. The streets were packed with people rushing inside. Standing to the side, Shi Yu and Mo Yuan heard the excited chatter of the crowd nearby.
“They say the Illusory Demon Pavilion is hosting a grand gathering today. It is going to be incredibly lively!”
“Will Lady Lüzhu appear?”
“Definitely! I heard this year’s winner will get to spend the night with Lady Lüzhu!”
“Let us go, let us go! We must get inside and see!”
Several passersby walked hurriedly into the pavilion as they spoke. Shi Yu heard their conversation and felt that the opportunity had arrived.
“There should be many people in the pavilion today. We will find a chance to go to the third floor later.”
Mo Yuan stood to the side, looking around, and gave a perfunctory response. Today’s Illusory Demon Pavilion seemed even more luxurious than last time; it was clear they had put in a lot of effort. The gathering had not yet begun, and the windows and doors of every room on the second floor were shut tight.
From time to time, aristocratic scions would go upstairs to take their seats. Shi Yu looked around but did not see Jin Yi’s figure; he assumed she must be busy with other matters. Shi Yu led Mo Yuan to the staircase leading to the third floor once again, only to be blocked by a servant.
The servant apologized. “My two young masters, I am truly sorry, but the third floor is not open today. Please take your seats over here.”
As he spoke, the servant gestured for them to follow him. Shi Yu and Mo Yuan exchanged a glance. Shi Yu shook his head slightly, signaling Mo Yuan not to take action yet. They followed the servant to a room on the second floor to wait for the time being.
“Please wait here for a moment, young masters. The gathering will officially begin in half an hour.”
After saying this, the servant turned and walked out of the room. Once he was far away, he called another person over and instructed.
“Go tell Lady Jin Yi that the people have arrived.”
The man hurried away, and the servant returned to the stairs to keep guard.
At this moment, Jin Yi was in Lüzhu’s room, discussing the day’s affairs.
“Jin Yi, are you certain they will come today?”
Before the dressing table, the woman, dressed in gorgeous, flowing emerald green dance attire, was putting on jewelry as she asked Jin Yi.
A sharp glint flashed in Jin Yi’s eyes as the corners of her mouth curled up. “The news has been spread. It all depends on whether they take the bait.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than a knock came at the door. Jin Yi walked over and opened it gently. A waiter standing at the door said respectfully.
“Lady Jin Yi, the people you were waiting for have arrived and are in the room you arranged on the second floor.”
“I understand. Go back to work!”
Jin Yi returned to the room and gently placed her hands on Lüzhu’s shoulders. “The prey has taken the bait. Now, we proceed according to our previous plan.”
Lüzhu looked at the peerless beauty in the mirror, her skin as smooth as congealed fat, and tried her best to curl her lips into her most charming smile. “Very well.”
Shi Yu and Mo Yuan sat in the room for half an hour until, finally, someone opened the door facing the stage.
“Thank you all for waiting. Lady Lüzhu is ready. I just wonder, are you gentlemen ready?”
On the stage, Jin Yi smiled wantonly, like a blooming peacock. Shi Yu happened to look downward just in time to meet Jin Yi’s gaze. Seeing him, she seemed even happier, her eyes becoming even more charming and seductive.
Shi Yu, however, was not attracted. He quietly lowered his gaze and looked elsewhere. Jin Yi did not mind. Once the dance ended, she continued with the proceedings, publicly announcing the theme of the gathering.
Shi Yu and Mo Yuan had no interest in the gathering whatsoever and did not listen to a word she said.