Chapter 24: Troubled Boat

Chapter 24: Unrest on the Small Boat

As night deepened, the Yuzhou River became even livelier.

The constables from the Yu Prefecture yamen changed their clothes and came in groups to the red-light district.

“This damn curfew is really exhausting.”

“You're telling me, putting up notices every day is tiring enough.”

“That mysterious swordsman probably left Jiangnan Province and fled a long time ago. Why are we putting in so much effort?”

“That would naturally be for the best.”

Han Wenxin looked back at the few people who were grumbling, “Alright, alright. We're out to enjoy ourselves, so let's not talk about those annoying things.”

“Officer Han is right. Let's have fun today.”

Detective Qin nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly.

The group skillfully entered the pleasure boat, and soon sounds of clinking cups, flirtatious laughter, and revelry emanated from within.

Not long after, Han Wenxin emerged, embracing a beautiful woman.

“Xiao Huan, today I'll show you how capable I am,” Han Wenxin said, his face flushed with excitement.

With Brother An's medicine, Han Wenxin felt like he could take on ten people today.

“You rascal, how could I not know your capabilities?” Xiao Huan extended a finger and playfully poked Han Wenxin's forehead, giggling.

“If you don't have the diamond, don't take on the porcelain work. Everyone says I'm the Yu Prefecture's diamond.”

Han Wenxin laughed heartily with pride, then entered a private room at the back of the pleasure boat with the woman.

Just before entering, Han Wenxin secretly pulled out a prepared pill, a calming medicine, from his person.

“Slow down, don't rush, woo woo.”

Soon, giggles came from the private room.

But after a quarter of an hour, Han Wenxin felt unusually uncomfortable.

“Pfft!”

“Pfft!”

A strange smell filled the air, and Han Wenxin also paused.

“Officer Han, what's going on?”

“I… I don't know either.”

Han Wenxin suppressed the urge in his stomach, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

Xiao Huan also noticed Han Wenxin was acting strangely and thought it was a crucial moment.

But Han Wenxin found it increasingly unbearable.

“Oh no!”

Han Wenxin quickly leaped up and ran out of the boat like a madman.

“Officer Han!”

Xiao Huan lay on the bed, staring in astonishment at Han Wenxin's retreating figure, clutching his backside.

“Move! Everyone move!”

Han Wenxin, who had rushed out of the private room, had bloodshot eyes and shouted at the people in front of him.

The revelers were also bewildered, staring blankly at Han Wenxin who had suddenly burst out.

Wasn't Officer Han enjoying himself?

What was going on?

What was he doing clutching his backside?

“Water! River water! Get out of the way, quick!”

Han Wenxin stumbled, pushed aside Detective Qin who was blocking his way, clutched his backside, and jumped into the river like a pig being slaughtered.

“Plop!”

Water splashed everywhere, creating countless ripples that even rocked the pleasure boat.

An Jing changed his clothes and returned to the pleasure boat.

By this time, Zhou Xianming was already slightly tipsy. Several wine cups were placed in front of him, and he was still mumbling incoherently, “The inchworm bends to extend itself. The Dragon and snake hibernate to preserve themselves…”

“Mr. Zhou, it's getting late. We should head back,” An Jing said, walking up to Zhou Xianming.

“Late?” Zhou Xianming chuckled foolishly, “It's not late yet, I want to drink more.”

“Still drinking?”

An Jing raised an eyebrow and said, “Mr. Zhou, didn't you say you were going to enlighten the schoolchildren tonight? It wouldn't be good to delay important matters.”

The clue to the Opportunity had been obtained, and for him to stay here with Zhou Xianming would just be a waste of time.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xianming's face immediately darkened, not knowing what he had thought of, “Let's go back, it's indeed time to go back.”

An Jing nodded slightly, and the two then walked out of the pleasure boat and called a nearby boatman.

Just then, a scream came from afar, followed by the sound of a large object falling into the river, startling Zhou Xianming.

“Who!? How uncivilized!”

Zhou Xianming raised an eyebrow and shouted in a low voice.

An Jing whispered, “Let's go, let's go. If they're Jianghu people, they might take an interest in us. If they give us a few iron blade slices, it wouldn't be worth it.”

“We should quickly get on the boat and leave.”

Upon hearing the words 'Jianghu people', Zhou Xianming immediately shivered, closed his mouth, and said nothing more.

Don't let his usual talk of Jianghu stories in the teahouse fool you; he was actually a frail scholar, and very timid. An Jing still remembered a time when a few Jianghu ruffians came to drink tea and listen to stories. When Zhou Xianming reached an exciting part and was about to finish for the day, planning to continue tomorrow, those ruffians wouldn't let him leave. At first, Zhou Xianming refused to continue, but when the men held knives to his neck, he was so scared his legs went weak, almost kneeling, and had no choice but to continue the story obediently.

In his own words, that was called 'a gentleman does not stand under a crumbling wall'.

“Brother An is right. Loose lips sink ships, and too many words hurt people. A gentleman keeps his mouth shut. Let's go quickly.”

Zhou Xianming shivered and urged An Jing to get on the boat quickly.

Ji Shi Clinic, the lights were dim.

Zhao Qingmei was mending An Jing's old autumn clothes.

“Young Miss, your husband and Zhou Xianming went to the Red Pavilion pleasure boat.”

Tan Yun said softly.

Zhao Qingmei lowered her head, saying nothing.

“Also, he and a courtesan named Man Yue went into a room.”

Tan Yun's voice became even softer as she said this, her eyes cautiously observing Zhao Qingmei.

Zhao Qingmei merely paused, then continued mending the autumn clothes.

Seeing this, Tan Yun knew Zhao Qingmei too well; the calmer she appeared, the angrier she was inside.

“Young Miss…”

“You go rest first.”

“Yes.”

Tan Yun sighed softly and left the room.

Even as Tan Yun left, Zhao Qingmei continued mending the autumn clothes in her hands, seemingly unaffected by Tan Yun's words.

Outside the hall, Tan Yun sighed deeply, looked at Xiao Heizi lying on the ground, and said fiercely:

“Sure enough! No man is any good!”

“What's wrong with you?”

Just then, An Jing walked in, heard Tan Yun's words, and looked a little surprised. Had this little girl Tan Yun been deceived?

“Nothing? I'm talking about this dog, truly heartless!”

Tan Yun ignored An Jing, pointing at Xiao Heizi and saying, “It has food at home, but it insists on going outside to eat poop. You dog, you're asking for a beating.”

Saying that, Tan Yun kicked Xiao Heizi.

“Ow!”

Xiao Heizi was dozing off and was completely woken up by the kick.

“What's wrong with you? Why are you taking your anger out on the dog?”

An Jing looked puzzled, poured a cup of tea, took a sip, and said, “Are you upset, or have you been deceived?”

Tan Yun glared fiercely at Xiao Heizi and said, “No, I just want to teach this dog a lesson. It's too ungrateful. We give it food, we give it drink, and we give it a stable home, yet it runs outside every day.”

“Don't you think it's hateful?”

“Woof woof… Woof woof!”

Xiao Heizi cried out plaintively.

“Indeed hateful…”

An Jing nodded, feeling that Tan Yun was a bit abnormal today, then put down his teacup and walked towards the inner hall.

For some reason, the System blocked this chapter, so I have to resend it.