“Ahem! I just happened to pass by and ran into the musician you were looking for. I suppose Bitong led you the wrong way, so I brought her to you.”
Lin Rou’er cleared her throat awkwardly, breaking the heavy silence first—though she stiffly turned her face aside.
Only then did Jiang Zhuo notice the woman standing behind Lin Rou’er: a musician in the uniform of the Music Bureau. It must be Madam Li, the one she had been searching for earlier.
“Music Officer Jiang… after I changed clothes, a maid said she could take me to the main hall, but she led me around several times and still couldn’t find the way…” Knowing she had caused trouble, Madam Li spoke with reddened eyes.
“It’s fine. If we head to the front courtyard now, we should still catch the final piece.” Jiang Zhuo, feeling even more embarrassed than Lin Rou’er, instinctively looked away. But given her soaked state, she had no choice but to ask, “Madam Lin… could I trouble you to escort Madam Li back to the main hall?”
“And why should I help you?” Lin Rou’er asked, chin lifted proudly.
Indeed—she had no obligation whatsoever to help.
Jiang Zhuo pressed her lips together, unable to respond.
“Hmph!” Seeing Jiang Zhuo at a loss, Lin Rou’er snapped at her attendants. “What are you standing around for? Hurry and escort Madam Li to the front hall! Do you want to delay the Marquis’s birthday banquet?”
What a sharp tongue—yet soft-hearted.
Jiang Zhuo looked at Lin Rou’er with sincere gratitude.
Once Madam Li had been led away, Lin Rou’er turned back to scold Jiang Zhuo again.
“And you? How long do you plan to stand in the water? Trying to pretend you fell in so the Marquis will feel sorry and favor you?”
Only then did Jiang Zhuo react and begin wading toward the shore.
The moment she stepped out, the cold night air struck her wet clothes, and she couldn’t help shivering.
A pale pink outer robe fell over her shoulders.
“Thank you, Madam—”
Before Jiang Zhuo could finish expressing her gratitude, Lin Rou’er cut her off.
“I didn’t help you! I just don’t want you accusing me of pushing you into the water.”
Despite her words, Lin Rou’er still brought Jiang Zhuo back to her own room and helped her change into dry clothing.
Fortunately, their builds were similar. Jiang Zhuo fit her garments perfectly.
As for Jiang Zhuo’s wrinkled, soaked Music Officer uniform, it had to be wrapped and carried away.
“I am indebted to Madam’s kindness today. Please rest assured, I will wash these clothes thoroughly and have them returned to you.”
Before leaving, Jiang Zhuo bowed formally and earnestly.
“You think I, Lin Rou’er, would treasure these shabby clothes?” Lin Rou’er waved irritably. “Anything you’ve worn, I find filthy. Even if you send them back, I’d just have them burned!”
“Yes!” Jiang Zhuo still replied cheerfully. “So your given name is Lin Rou’er. My name is Jiang Zhuo. If you ever need help, I’ll do my best!”
“Pah! What a mouth! I’m living perfectly well here. Why would I need help from a low-ranking music officer?” Lin Rou’er looked even more agitated. “You annoy me just by standing there. If you really want to be useful—then get out! And don’t show up in front of me again!”
Seeing the maid ready to usher her out, Jiang Zhuo sensibly took her leave and hurried toward the main hall.
By the time she arrived, Ling Heng was already seated in the position of honor, gently swaying a golden folding fan, every inch the elegant nobleman.
There was no trace of the vile scheme he had participated in just moments earlier.
When he noticed Jiang Zhuo, his gaze lingered on her with unmistakable ambiguity—
Appreciation. Amusement. Possessive intent.
Knowing she was already marked, Jiang Zhuo simply smiled sweetly at him—in open provocation.
Not everyone coveted the Marquis’s wealth. Not everyone feared his power.
Her father was no longer in the capital, and her own life wasn’t worth much.
If Ling Heng forced her hand, mutual destruction was not impossible.
At the center of the hall, Gathering of Immortals in High Tones was being performed.
The zheng shimmered, strings harmonized, and Madam Li’s flute soared above it all. The lively atmosphere reached its peak.
With this piece, the banquet entered its climax. The Music Bureau’s duties were mostly done. Jiang Zhuo slipped behind the folding screens and finally exhaled.
Wearing Lin Rou’er’s pale-pink embroidered robe, she stood out conspicuously among the uniformed musicians.
“What happened to you? I leave for a moment and everything turns upside down!”
The first thing Qin Caiyun did upon seeing her was criticize her harshly.
“Caiyun, don’t be like that…” a timid music officer tugged at her sleeve, comforting, “Jiang Music Officer only fell into the water while trying to find Madam Li.”
“Yes, without Music Officer Jiang, we wouldn’t have had enough performers for the finale,” another chimed in.
“People are unpredictable. Who knows why she’s dressed like that?” Qin Caiyun snorted, though she stopped mocking her further. “My sister already heard you fell into the water. She said you should leave early and stop embarrassing yourself here.”
Would Qin Liuyun really say something like that?
Jiang Zhuo felt a twinge of embarrassment.
“What Music Officer Qin meant,” another corrected gently, “was that since you were frightened, you may return to the palace early. She will handle the remaining work.”
“…That’s what I meant!” Qin Caiyun huffed and looked away.
Jiang Zhuo gave a helpless smile. She knew herself that this outfit was far too conspicuous to stay any longer—it had already attracted multiple stares when she entered.
The Marquis’s estate was a place of trouble; the less attention, the better. It was wiser to leave now while guests were fewer.
She nodded, gave instructions to her colleagues, said her farewells, and left the estate alone.
Since Qin Liuyun’s rank was half a grade higher, Jiang Zhuo did not take the Music Bureau’s carriage she’d arrived in. Instead, she chose an ordinary carriage belonging to the Etiquette Bureau.
…
“Did you get all the information?”
Watching the carriage fade into the night, Qian Yunyi—one of the capital’s notorious libertines—licked his lips.
“Everything checked, young master! The Marquis didn’t give that little beauty a seat. Before the banquet even ended, she boarded a plain carriage with no family emblem. Clearly, she’s from a modest household.”
The servant puffed out his chest proudly.
“With that outfit, she looks like a concubine. Probably someone sent to the Marquis and rejected.”
Qian Yunyi recalled the brief glimpse he had of her behind the folding screen. Just one look—and he considered himself a veteran of beauties—was enough to leave him certain of her charm.
“Tsk, tsk. Someone like that, rejected? What does Marquis Ling want, a celestial goddess?”
“Who knows? But the Marquis has no eye for treasure—tonight, young master, you’ll have the fortune instead.”
Qian Yunyi narrowed his eyes, swung onto his horse, and signaled with a wave.
“Bring more men and follow! Don’t ruin my good night!”