Chapter 27 There are bad people among the masses

Chapter 27: There Are Bad People Among the Masses

"Of course I know that, but what does it have to do with me?" Zhou Xianming asked cautiously after a long hesitation.

He was just a weak scholar; what did the turmoil of the Jianghu have to do with him?

"You…"

Officer Han shook his head, "I've been close with Officer Hong lately. He's a Black Robe Guard and knows a lot of information. It's said that the Demonic Sect has been recuperating for decades and might make a comeback recently. I suspect that the recent incidents are very likely related to the Demonic Sect."

"Think about it. If the Demonic Sect wants to re-enter Great Yan, they'll definitely need to gather intelligence. And you, Zhou Xianming, usually tell stories and discuss the Jianghu. Aren't you very knowledgeable and proficient in Jianghu matters?"

Demonic Sect!?

Zhou Xianming was stunned for a moment and said, "I just hear things through hearsay and then embellish them. They shouldn't be taken seriously."

"Damn it!"

An Jing heard this and thought, *I used to take everything you said as a guide for navigating the Jianghu, an encyclopedia.*

"What you said is false, but some people took it seriously," Han Wenxin said, shaking his head.

Han Wenxin's words made Zhou Xianming even more restless.

"But these are all just my conjectures, so you don't need to take them to heart."

Han Wenxin, seeing Zhou Xianming like this, still comforted him.

An Jing also said from the side, "Exactly! Think about it, how could a behemoth like the Demonic Sect target a small commoner like you?"

Zhou Xianming nodded, a hint of fear appearing in his eyes, and said, "The Demonic Sect members are fierce, cruel, and kill without batting an eye. They shouldn't be targeting me."

Han Wenxin put down his wine cup and said indignantly, "They are not just fierce, cruel, and kill without batting an eye; they are utterly insane and commit all sorts of evil."

"When my Qiankun Saber reaches Major Achievement, I will definitely make those demonic scoundrels taste my power."

An Jing watched the two chattering away, feeling like it was a story of one lucky person and two unlucky ones. He couldn't get a word in, feeling isolated by the two of them.

Zhou Xianming still retained a shred of rationality. "No, you can't. Those Demonic Sect members are all extremely vicious experts."

Han Wenxin patted the long saber at his waist and smiled, "Don't worry, before my Qiankun Saber reaches Major Achievement, I won't be looking for these rats for now."

"How many dishes have you had to get you this drunk?" Zhao Qingmei's lips curved into a half-smile, thinking to herself.

"You two little rascals, if our Demonic Sect truly makes a comeback, we'll start by sacrificing you two little bastards." Tan Yun snorted softly, silently pulling out her beloved small black notebook and writing down their names.

"Why do I feel a bit chilly?" Zhou Xianming rubbed his arm.

"Me too. Is this fake wine?" Han Wenxin glared at An Jing.

"This is good wine, the finest vintage from Wuyang Wine House," An Jing said irritably.

"Miss Tan, what are you doing?" Han Wenxin turned to look at Tan Yun, who seemed to be writing something.

"Nothing, just jotting down accounts. You two drink, don't mind me," Tan Yun said casually.

Zhao Qingmei's eyes held a hint of a smile as she said, "Mr. Zhou, Brother Han, don't just drink. Have some dishes. Are the dishes not to your liking?"

"Not at all, how could that be?"

"Yes, these dishes are cooked better than the chef at Tianyun Pavilion."

"Little sister-in-law, you are too hospitable."

"Yes, good at cooking and kind-hearted too."

The two said with a smile.

"Right, right, right, let's have a drink. This wine is really good."

An Jing raised his cup, finally getting a word in.

At the dinner table, there was a brief silence.

"Mr. Zhou, where were you just now?"

"Tan Yun, quickly go pour wine for Brother Han and Mr. Zhou."

After eating and drinking their fill, it was already late. Han Wenxin and Zhou Xianming then left.

"Tan Yun, where's Madam?"

An Jing asked Tan Yun, who was clearing the dishes, after seeing the two off and returning.

"I don't know either," Tan Yun said without turning her head.

An Jing thought for a moment, took out a ladder from the courtyard, and then climbed up it.

Indeed, Zhao Qingmei was sitting on the eaves.

In the twilight, a new moon was slowly rising.

The faint moonlight shone down, as if she was bathed in radiance, like a Fairy stepping out of a painting.

*Such a gentle, virtuous wife, yet you don't know how to cherish her.*

An Jing cursed himself silently, then walked over to Zhao Qingmei's side: "Are you still angry?"

"No."

Zhao Qingmei looked at the moonlight above her head.

"Madam, I was wrong," An Jing said, lowering his head.

"Where were you wrong?" Zhao Qingmei, with her back turned, showed a slight upward curve at the corner of her lips.

"I…" An Jing didn't know what to say for a moment.

"Zhou Xianming," Zhao Qingmei reminded him.

*There are bad people among the masses!*

An Jing was stunned. How did Zhao Qingmei know he went to the pleasure boat with Zhou Xianming? Did that brat Zhou Xianming make the first move and accuse him!?

*He's not being straightforward!*

"I shouldn't have accompanied Zhou Xianming to the pleasure boat. I was completely misled by him, but I've always been faithful to Madam and didn't do anything. I can swear to heaven."

An Jing held up three fingers and said, "If I, An Jing—"

"No, don't swear," Zhao Qingmei turned around and grabbed An Jing's hand.

"Madam!" An Jing was deeply moved.

"What if it comes true?" Zhao Qingmei said coquettishly.

"Madam, I really didn't do anything. If you don't believe me, you can try it," An Jing hurriedly said, "My descendants are all still here."

"Pfft!"

Zhao Qingmei could no longer hold back a giggle, then glared at An Jing: "You're just a bad person!"

"Hehehe."

An Jing gently squeezed Zhao Qingmei's hand, knowing that he had passed this hurdle. He felt a weight finally lifted, "Madam, I'll take you somewhere."

Zhao Qingmei asked curiously, "Where are we going?"

"Young Master, Young Miss, where are you going?" Tan Yun asked, coming out after washing the dishes, to find An Jing and Zhao Qingmei rushing out the door.

"You're going out to play and not taking me with you."

Tan Yun wiped the water from her hands and complained.

An Jing pulled Zhao Qingmei to a dock by the Yuzhou River, stepped onto a black-awning boat, and said to the boatman:

"Old Li, I'm using this boat."

The black-awning boat swayed with the river, slowly drifting towards the center of the Yuzhou River.

"Before, my favorite thing was to punt along the Yuzhou River at night with a bamboo pole."

An Jing moved the bamboo pole, and the scenery on both sides continuously receded.

"I know," Zhao Qingmei said softly, then looked at the man she loved to her bones.

An Jing smiled and said, "At that time, I was thinking of bringing her to walk along this Yuzhou River, with me personally punting the bamboo pole, and her standing behind me, drifting in the night."

"Now, that wish has come true."

Zhao Qingmei didn't speak, but a wave of sweetness washed over her, feeling as if her heart was about to burst.

At this moment, the sky, washed by rain, was pristine. Above, stars glittered brightly, shining brilliantly.

"Husband, do you still remember the story of the footless bird I told you?" Zhao Qingmei asked, looking up at the sky.

"What about it?"

"I feel like I'm that footless bird. Do you know what that means?"

"I know. You will never leave me in this life."

An Jing chuckled foolishly.

*With such a wife, what more could a husband ask for?*

"Yes, the two of us will not be separated."

Zhao Qingmei looked at An Jing and said faintly, "Zhao Qingmei's life has no divorce, only widowhood."

An Jing's smile gradually froze.

"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"

Just then, a firework shot into the sky.

The once silent night sky instantly became bright, like a vibrant garden of a hundred flowers, with colorful fireworks filling the entire night.

In a corner not far from the Yuzhou River.

"Why do you say we should help that scoundrel!" Han Wenxin indignantly pulled out box after box of fireworks.

"I don't know about you, but he gave me one tael of silver," Zhou Xianming said happily, lighting the fireworks, "It's just too much."

"Where did he get the silver?"

"How could a doctor not have money?"

"Ji Shi Clinic's consultation fees are very cheap, and the medicine isn't expensive either."

"Small profits but quick turnover, Brother Han. Don't mind these details. Shall we go to the Brothel to listen to music later?"

"No! I'm never going to that place again."

On the Yuzhou River, fireworks sparkled, illuminating the entire night sky.

"These fireworks are beautiful, aren't they?"

An Jing said with a smile.

"Beautiful," Zhao Qingmei murmured, looking at the fireworks in the sky.

"I think they're beautiful too."

An Jing whispered, looking at Zhao Qingmei's delicate, fair face.

*Vast rivers and mountains, human life and fireworks, none are you, yet all are you.*

"You idiot, I wasn't angry at all." "Husband!"

"Hmm?"

"You said you only love me."

"I only love you."

"For this entire life."

"Of course, for life!"

The black-awning boat drifted with the river, and fireworks bloomed in the night sky.