Servers like these loved silver most of all. Without silver to smooth things over, they would naturally tell certain things in full, scarcely caring about the eventual consequences.
Murong Qing was about to speak when the server returned to the room. He smiled. “Is there anything else you two would like to ask?” Shangguan Jin tossed out more silver. This time, rather than accepting it at once, the server looked up at him.
“I...” With an artificial smile, Shangguan Jin produced his official token. “Don't tell anyone I came today. All right?”
The server dared not be negligent now. “What would Your Lordship like to know?” After a pause, he asked with apparent innocent confusion, “Could it be about what happens at Wanhe House after dark?”
“How much do you know?” Murong Qing deliberately hunched lower and feigned a sickly cough.
The server looked down at her and shook his head. He frankly admitted that he knew little. He was only an odd-job worker, after all, and went home when his shift ended at night.
That suggested the people involved weren't using Wanhe House's own staff. They really were meticulous, Murong Qing thought.
What seemed likely was that these people held formidable positions; surely so many forces would not otherwise dare gather here.
Rubbing her chin, she joked, “Brother Shangguan, are you thinking of these ladies?” Shangguan Jin's expression flickered. “Isn't that what you were thinking of, young brother?”
The server watched them pass responsibility back and forth. Given Shangguan Jin's usual character, he would hardly behave that way. Yet this “young brother” didn't seem the type either.
Did investigating a case require sacrificing so much? Still, surely nothing would happen to him for talking!
He quickly gathered his thoughts. “My lord, there are requirements for entering Wanhe House at night. If you need to investigate, I can ask on your behalf.”
Shangguan Jin stared hard at him and said gravely, “Didn't you say you knew nothing?”
“I don't know what happens inside Wanhe House. But I do know quite clearly what's required to get in.”
Murong Qing knew it would be best if she went herself. Tilting her head toward Shangguan Jin, she smiled and quickly nodded.
The server withdrew.
The food they had ordered arrived next: several of Wanhe House's signature dishes, richly fragrant and full of flavor.
Once the person serving them had left, Murong Qing stood and went to the doorway. She checked the surroundings and, after making sure no one else was outside, closed the door.
Returning to her seat, she looked at Shangguan Jin. He was eating without the slightest hurry.
She had never imagined an investigation could be so relaxed. She'd assumed everyone would be more solemn. Thinking this, she took a bite herself.
Might as well eat. Otherwise, it would all go to waste.
Shangguan Jin quietly took several more bites. After a moment's thought, Murong Qing was about to continue too.
Then the server knocked and entered with a lavishly dressed woman behind him. She seemed only a step away from hanging every jewel she owned on her body.
The woman greeted them. “Both gentlemen wish to go inside?” She came directly to the point without any pretense.
Shangguan Jin pointed at the disguised Murong Qing beside him and handed the conversation over entirely.
She smiled awkwardly. “Miss, I'd like to meet some truly incomparable women. In my dreams, I can neither encounter nor touch such ladies, so I thought I'd try my luck at Wanhe House.” She paused. “This has nothing to do with His Lordship. He's only keeping me company.”
She made a few gestures of affected delight, then seized a chance to turn away and pull a disgusted face.
The woman smiled. “I do have incomparable women here. But that depends on how sincere you are, young master.”
Murong Qing really hadn't brought that much silver. Suppressing her discomfort, she nodded. “Naturally, I'm prepared. I'll deliver it into your arms myself tonight. How... does that sound?”
The woman paid little heed to those assurances. She was thinking instead about how to get the silver, and, above all, she didn't believe Shangguan Jin wasn't here on an investigation.
As already noted, everyone knew what sort of man he was. He killed without blinking and arrested just as readily. The moment he found evidence, he wasted no time sending someone into the Ministry of Justice's prison for a few days.
Her earlier words had been a test of him as well.
“And Lord Shangguan?”
“I've only come to Wanhe House to accompany my friend today. You two may discuss the details. Simply pretend I'm not here.”
Murong Qing couldn't help frowning. Someone with such an imposing presence drew attention whatever he did, all the more so if he sat without speaking.
She merely coughed. “When exactly can I get this entry token?”
As she spoke, she grew so agitated that she nearly threw her chopsticks at Shangguan Jin. Fortunately, she managed to act as though she couldn't bear to give up the fine food and wine before her.
Holding in her anger, she said, “Brother Shangguan, if you're going to be like this... what am I supposed to do about my plans for today?”
Shangguan Jin looked taken aback. “Isn't this your own affair, young brother?”
“How am I supposed to get the token with you here?”
Their exchange was on the verge of turning heated again.
Unwilling to expose her own business, the woman gave them only one token, specifically for Murong Qing.
She drew Murong Qing aside, briefly explained a few details, and hurried out of the room without lingering.
With some distaste, Murong Qing took out her handkerchief and wiped her hands. Turning to Shangguan Jin, she said softly, “Lord Shangguan really does know how to leave all the work to someone else!”
He put down his chopsticks. “Don't worry. We have a way forward for tonight. If you're uneasy about it, I'll go in your place.”
Murong Qing wouldn't pass up a chance to investigate. Deliberately, she withheld what was required to attend. Her meaning seemed quite clear.
But just as the food before them was being polished off, she vaguely caught sight of someone passing behind a curtain not far away.
She put down her chopsticks as a signal to Shangguan Jin. Though this was their first time working together, they had some understanding.
He caught her meaning immediately. Without turning his head, he drew the short blade tucked at the front of his clothes.
Taking someone completely by surprise this way was difficult. Fortunately, the shadow wasn't particularly quick to dodge.
From the figure, Murong Qing swiftly judged that it was a woman, thin and frail from long-term malnutrition. It shouldn't be the woman who had entered the room earlier.
She had no idea how this woman had got inside.
Shangguan Jin reacted swiftly, striking with such surprise that before the shadow could respond, his blade was already held against her.
In panic, she blurted, “My lord, I only... have something important to report to you.”