Lan Jin took a sip of tea. "During our period of lying low, stability was the priority. Our steps were slow, and the speed of information wasn't so crucial—corresponding by letter didn't affect anything. Now it's different. All news, big or small, must be delivered promptly. However, you're already a familiar face in the capital, so it's not good for you to come to me often. Transfer Ming Che to the capital for my use."
"Yes."
Lan Jin looked at him. "After preparing for so many years, I will do everything in my power to allow all of us to live openly and honorably in this world."
These words made Wen Xi's eyes burn even more than "I will clear the names of all of us." He was the third generation of exiles. Diluted over two generations, he no longer felt the injustice of his ancestors so keenly, nor did he harbor such deep hatred.
He only wanted to live openly and honorably like an ordinary person. He wanted his children to no longer bear the name of criminals, to live normal lives, marry and have children normally, and even take the imperial examinations normally.
Taking a deep breath, Wen Xi asked, "The people below have heard that the young lady has come to the capital and wish to pay their respects. Would you like to meet them?"
"No need. Continue as before, with everyone fulfilling their duties. There will be time to meet in the future. I remember each person's name. If we succeed in the future, no one will be treated unfairly."
Wen Xi stood up, took two steps back, and knelt on one knee. "This subordinate obeys only the young lady's commands."
If she had even the slightest distrust of him or was unwilling to delegate authority, the young lady should have met those people to let them know who their true master was. Yet she showed no such intention, which demonstrated her trust in him.
Though he was not a scholar, at this moment he deeply understood what it meant to "die for one who understands you."
Lan Jin helped him up. "Tell me some news that wasn't mentioned in the letters but is still worth discussing."
"Yes."
Nearly an hour later, Wen Xi finally left.
Lan Jin returned to her bedchamber. The person who had said she would sleep in her bed was indeed lying there, tossing and turning.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Lan Jin asked, "You waited so long. Why didn't you sleep for a while?"
"I won't be staying long. It would be a waste to sleep through this short time."
Wen Qing moved to her lap, looking up at the young lady's serene face.
At first, she hadn't known the young lady's identity. But at that time, someone had extended a hand to her, and no matter who it was, she would have clung tightly to it.
Even if that person had been a murderous, arsonous demon.
Fortunately, the one who saved her, though having ulterior motives, was a woman with many thoughts but enough respect for her.
They had met when they were young.
Among noble families, matchmaking preparations began years in advance. Since childhood, she had been exceptionally beautiful, and her intelligence was widely known. Though her family background was ordinary, she often received invitations to various banquets.
At that time, the young lady was still very young, following her elders and looking around curiously. With a round face and round eyes, she was lively and bright, smiling at everyone, never causing trouble, and generous with her rewards—servants competed to attend to her.
Back then, she had thought that in a couple of years, this cherished daughter of the Du family, who had everything without needing to fight for it, would likely become the most dazzling among the noble young ladies of the capital for years to come. Unfortunately, before that time arrived, the Du family met with disaster.
When they met again later, she hadn't recognized at all that the person who saved her was that cheerful little girl from the Du family.
Truly knowing her identity, upon closer inspection, she still resembled the young Miss Du Yunzhu from childhood, yet her temperament was so vastly different that one would never associate the two.
Yet it was precisely this girl, who had undergone such a dramatic transformation, who had pulled her back and given her the will to live. Clinging to that hope, she had endured.
Even when her former fiancé—who had once flattered her endlessly, made promises after her family’s downfall only to abandon her, whose family had beaten her wet nurse to death when she sought his help after she was demoted to an official courtesan, and who now, married with children and thriving in his career, came before her with hypocritical affection to disgust her—she could bear it.
Countless sleepless nights, she had pondered many things, but her resolve never wavered.
Two years were enough for her to see just how deep the hatred in the young lady’s heart ran. Anyone else might have given up halfway, but not her.
She understood even more clearly that remaining chaste after two years as an official courtesan was not solely due to her own desperate efforts to protect herself. It was also because the young lady had gone to great lengths behind the scenes, pulling strings and spending who knows how much silver over those two years.
Now that the young lady had come to the capital, even though her situation in the Jiaofang Si grew increasingly difficult, her heart was at peace.
The worst outcome would simply be failure, but at least she would have company on the road to the underworld.
She feared nothing.
Gently stroking the young lady’s soft cheek, Wen Qing smiled. How different it was from the young lady’s tough demeanor!
“Has Young Master Wen left?”
Lan Jin looked down at her. After so long in the Jiaofang Si, Wen Qing had inevitably developed certain habits, such as addressing everyone as “Young Master” or “Your Excellency.”
“Do you need to find him?”
“Recently, the second son of Grand Academician Wu’s family has been visiting me frequently and has clashed with Chen Wei twice already. I want to know more about him in detail.”
Lan Jin understood her intention immediately. “You want to use him to challenge Chen Wei?”
“Exactly.” Wen Qing’s eyes were cold. “Back then, I didn’t expect Chen Wei to save me from hardship, but I never imagined he would be so heartless. And now, he puts on this act of deep affection to disgust me. If it weren’t for the fact that the young lady still has use for me, I’d gladly give him what he wants and then file a lawsuit against him at the yamen.”
The laws of Da Yu explicitly forbade officials from having relations with official courtesans, though such incidents were far from rare. Few official courtesans managed to preserve their chastity.
“Doing so would at most hinder his career for two years, and it might not even take that long. Sacrificing your chastity would only make him uncomfortable for a while. That’s not a worthwhile trade.”
Wen Qing buried her face in Lan Jin’s waist, laughing until her body trembled. “At the time, I thought, if the young lady knew what I was thinking, she’d definitely say it wasn’t a worthwhile trade.”
“Naturally, I never make deals at a loss.” Lan Jin patted her back gently. “‘Feng Deng’ has just arrived in the capital. We can’t move against the Chen family at this time. The capital is full of clever people; we mustn’t give anyone reason to suspect.”
Wen Qing looked up at her. “I didn’t intend for the young lady to intervene on my behalf.”
“I know, but I won’t allow my people to be bullied.” Lan Jin tucked a few stray strands of hair behind Wen Qing’s ear. “From what I know so far, Grand Academician Wu is not aligned with the deposed Crown Prince, nor is there clear evidence that he supports the Fourth Prince. For now, use him to deal with Chen Wei, but keep it under control. Once I’ve investigated the situation more thoroughly, we’ll see.”
The second son in the family, who frequently visited brothels—clearly not valued by his household, let alone getting into conflicts over an official courtesan. A typical spoiled nobleman. Using such a person, Lan Jin felt no psychological burden.
Hearing this, Wen Qing felt even more assured. She truly disliked Chen Wei. If he could be utterly heartless, she might have respected him a bit more. But this current behavior of his was truly nauseating.
"Miss, should I go gather more information about the deposed Crown Prince?"
Lan Jin shook her head. "Stay away from this matter for now. Many are watching the deposed Crown Prince’s residence. We already know an imperial physician entered the estate, and by now, many others must be aware as well. We’ll just wait."