Chapter 36: Following Like a Shadow
Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Following Like a Shadow
Liang Wan interrupted him coldly, without a shred of politeness.
In his stunned silence, Cao Jun watched her stride away. The night was already pitch black. Her clothes were thin, and as the evening breeze blew, her long sleeves fluttered, making her look increasingly frail and delicate. Yet, all that remained in his memory was a pair of dark, shining eyes filled with unyielding defiance.
He lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on the peach blossom sachet in his hand.
Liang Wan’s steps grew heavier as she walked. She wondered if this was what was meant by "haste makes waste." She had exhausted all her efforts, only to return empty-handed in the end.
Outside the Prime Minister’s Mansion, the streets were empty. The chilly night wind swept over Liang Wan, leaving her feeling deeply lost. According to her original plan, once Chancellor Cao had conclusive evidence, he could immediately apprehend Wang Su, and she would be able to return safely to the Liang Mansion. Instead, not only had she failed to save Wang Tingyue, but she also found herself with nowhere to go.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to rally. This was no time to lose heart; she still had to find a way to save Wang Tingyue. Since Wang Su knew she was the one who stole the secret seal, he might use Wang Tingyue to force her into submission. If that were the case, Wang Tingyue wouldn’t be in any immediate life-threatening danger, at least for the time being.
Thinking of this, she decided she should first find a temporary place to stay, and then—
"You jumped out of the carriage halfway just to look for Cao Jun?"
A head suddenly popped out from behind her, startling Liang Wan so much she nearly jumped out of her skin. Once she got a clear look at the person, she turned around in exasperation. Clutching her chest, she snapped, "Young Master Zhou, could you please not appear so abruptly every time?"
"Just a moment ago, you were calling me your savior. How can you turn on me so quickly?" Zhou Yun scoffed lightly, crossing his arms. "Don’t tell me you flew into a rage out of humiliation after being rejected?"
Liang Wan glanced at the long-eaved carriage parked not far away, then looked back at the man in front of her, whose smile carried a hint of schadenfreude. She felt a profound sense of helplessness.
"Why exactly have you been waiting for me all night, Young Master Zhou? You might as well just say it!" Her pale, translucent face was tinged with a faint rosy hue from her anger, making her look far more vibrant than her feigned fragility during the day.
Zhou Yun gave an enigmatic smile. Disregarding all etiquette, he simply grabbed her wrist and dragged her toward the long-eaved carriage. "Let’s put everything else aside for now. Tell me, do you have anywhere to go at this moment?"
Liang Wan shot him a look and honestly shook her head.
Zhou Yun beamed brightly. "Then this is perfect."
Liang Wan wondered what was so perfect about it. Anyone offering unsolicited favors was undoubtedly harboring ill intentions! Standing before the carriage, she hesitated to get in. She certainly didn’t want a repeat of being sold out the moment she turned her back.
"Young Master Zhou and I have only met a few times. I really feel too embarrassed to impose on you—"
Zhou Yun paused briefly before his gaze suddenly sharpened. "Oh no! Wang Su’s government soldiers!"
Using both her hands and feet, Liang Wan scrambled up into the carriage and hid inside the cabin. Zhou Yun followed her, hopping onto the carriage. As he lifted the curtain, he saw Liang Wan pressing herself against the window, cautiously peeking outside. The corners of his mouth curved up in a smile. He turned his head and instructed the driver outside, "Let’s go."
Liang Wan turned her eyes back and caught sight of his blinding smile. She was just about to lose her temper when he beat her to it.
"Aren’t you being a little too paranoid? If I really wanted to harm you, would I need to go to such great lengths?" Finishing his sentence, he lifted the hem of his robe and sat down, crossing his legs casually. "I am the Crown Prince’s Tutor, after all. Would I really stoop so low as to abduct a sheltered young lady like you?"
True. If Zhou Yun really wanted to harm her, all he had to do was shout, and it would be over. Even in her past life, Zhou Yun had never been a heinous villain. On the contrary, he had even been implicated when he staunchly defended Chancellor Cao. He possessed a sense of loyalty and compassion rarely found in the Imperial Palace. Unfortunately, loyalty and compassion were destined to lead to an early grave in that place.
Despite knowing this, Liang Wan still harbored a lingering unease.
Zhou Yun was still chattering away next to her. "I must say, why is a young lady from a scholarly family like yourself so heavily guarded? It’s as if you think everyone is out to get you!" He twirled the fan in his hand, his eyes fixed intently on her.
Liang Wan glanced out the window before lowering her eyes and taking a seat. If someone had been betrayed and sold out time and time again just like her, would they still trust others so easily?
"What exactly do you want from me, Young Master Zhou?"
Seeing that she had lost her earlier sharpness, Zhou Yun curled his lips slightly. "Didn’t you want to repay me? The opportunity to do so will present itself shortly. Or were you just paying lip service?"
Seeing him deliberately keep her in suspense, Liang Wan simply sat obediently and stayed silent. Just as he had pointed out, Wang Su was still looking for her, and she couldn’t return to the Liang Mansion. She truly had nowhere to go. In a way, Zhou Yun’s appearance had indeed rescued her from her predicament.
Or perhaps—
Liang Wan sprang to her feet. "You’re not planning to take me to the Master’s Mansion, are you?" She hadn’t forgotten that Zhou Yun had originally intended to deliver her to Lu Xiu.
Zhou Yun froze for a moment before shaking his head and laughing. "Of course not."
Being laughed at like this made Liang Wan feel slightly embarrassed, and she sat back down. It made sense; the Master’s Mansion wasn’t a place one could just visit on a whim.
"Third Lady, instead of letting your imagination run wild, you might as well wait in peace," Zhou Yun teased with a smile, saying no more.
She had thought that possessing key information from her past life would allow her to turn danger into safety, but unexpectedly—
Liang Wan turned her head away. As the carriage curtains fluttered, her thoughts drifted along with them.
Once the carriage came to a halt, Zhou Yun graciously lifted the curtain and stood to the side, his eyes crinkling with a smile. "After you, Third Lady Liang."
It was distinctly the joy of a fisherman hauling in his net.
Liang Wan hesitated as she stepped out, cautiously scanning her surroundings. Bodhi trees were planted all along the street, lining a vast expanse of magnificent pavilions and towering structures. Bright lights flickered everywhere. Through the heavy veil of night, enchanting sounds of string and bamboo instruments intertwined with the ceaseless murmuring of the Si River.
This was the east side of the city!
The Imperial Palace was located on the west side of Jinye City. The surrounding prominent households all belonged to the courtiers’ residences, making up the old city. The east side of the city, however, had been vigorously rebuilt by order of the tyrant after he grew weary of the old capital. Its most prosperous district was the East Market, and the most renowned establishment within the East Market was Tongle Hall.
Why had he brought her to the east side of the city?
Liang Wan’s heart sank even further. Wang Su knew she had killed Zhang Shi; perhaps he would report her to the Ministry of Justice and use their authority to drag her back. Consequently, she couldn’t just move around freely right now.
Zhou Yun glanced at the deeply unsettled Liang Wan. "Let’s go."
Compared to the brightly lit, resplendent Xuanxiao Danque buildings nearby, the painted pavilions and crimson towers before her were incongruously deserted. The place felt like a silent figure huddled in a noisy corner. In stark contrast to her apprehension, Zhou Yun appeared incredibly relaxed and at ease.
The courtyard was so quiet that only their footsteps could be heard. Liang Wan instinctively held her breath and looked around. Aside from a few dim yellow lanterns, there wasn’t a single soul to be seen beneath the corridors. Only a faint scent of magnolia drifted through the cool air.
To her surprise, the moment Zhou Yun stepped onto the stairs, someone opened the door from the inside. The person, who behaved with respectful courtesy as if they had been waiting for a long time, exchanged a few brief words before leading them inside.
The interior was decorated with red sandalwood, giving it a quaint and elegant feel. Liang Wan walked at the back with her head down, silently memorizing the route. They proceeded until they reached the innermost room, where the maidservant stopped at the entrance. As the door swung open, the elegant room—which should have been filled with the fragrance of tea—was instead suffocated by a heavy, overwhelmingly pungent stench of alcohol.
Zhou Yun swaggered right in. Turning his head, he saw Liang Wan still standing dumbfounded at the doorway. He doubled back, grabbed her wrist, and dragged her inside. "Didn’t you want to repay me? Well, here is your opportunity!"
Behind them, the door shut firmly with a loud SLAM.
Only then did Liang Wan look toward the center of the hall. The moment she got a clear view of the person leaning against the table and drinking, her face instantly went as pale as a sheet.