The night deepened, but the Yu State River became even more bustling.
A group of constables from the Yu State County Government, having changed their clothes, gathered in groups and flocked to the entertainment district.
"This damn curfew is killing me."
"Who doesn't agree? Posting notices every day is exhausting."
"That mysterious swordsman probably fled Jiangnan Dao long ago. What's the point of our efforts?"
"That would be for the best."
....
Han Wenxin turned to the few who were still grumbling. "Enough, enough! We're out here to have fun. Let's not bring up those bothersome things."
"Han is right. Let's enjoy ourselves tonight."
Constable Qin nodded in agreement.
The group skillfully entered the pleasure boat, and soon inside, the sounds of clinking glasses and flirtatious laughter could be heard.
Before long, Han Wenxin emerged, holding a beautiful woman.
"Xiaohuan, tonight I'll show you what I'm capable of," Han Wenxin said, his face flushed with excitement.
With An's medicine, Han Wenxin felt he could take on ten men tonight.
"Oh, you rogue, as if I don't already know your prowess?" Xiaohuan laughed and poked Han Wenxin's forehead with her finger.
"No craftsmanship, no ceramics. Everyone calls me the Yu State Vajra."
Han Wenxin laughed proudly and then retreated into a private room at the back of the pleasure boat with the woman.
Just before entering, he secretly took out a pre-prepared pill—sleeping pills.
"Slow down... don't be in such a hurry... uh-uh."
Soon, sounds of laughter came from the private room.
But half an hour later, Han Wenxin felt extremely uncomfortable.
"Oof!"
"Oof!"
A foul smell wafted through the air, and Han Wenxin froze.
"Han... Constable, what's going on?"
"I... I don't know either."
Han Wenxin suppressed his abdominal urge, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
Xiaohuan noticed something was amiss with Han Wenxin, thinking it was just getting to the crucial moment.
But Han Wenxin found it increasingly unbearable.
"Not good!"
Han Wenxin's body tensed, and he ran madly toward the boat's exit.
"Constable Han!"
From the bed, Xiaohuan watched in shock as Han Wenxin clutched his behind while running away.
"Move! Move, all of you!"
Bursting out of the private room, Han Wenxin, his eyes bloodshot, shouted at everyone ahead.
Everyone, in the middle of their revelry, stared dumbfounded as Han Wenxin suddenly charged out.
Wasn't Constable Han enjoying himself?
What's going on?
Why is he clutching his behind?
"Water! River water! Move aside!"
Han Wenxin stumbled, pushing aside Constable Qin, clutching his behind, and leaped into the river like a pig being slaughtered.
"Splash!"
Splashing water everywhere, causing waves that rocked the entire pleasure boat.
.......
An Jing changed his clothes and returned to the pleasure boat.
By this time, Zhou Xianming was already tipsy, several wine cups in front of him, muttering to himself, "The inchworm's retreat is to seek faith. The dragon and snake's hibernation is to conserve life..."
"Mr. Zhou, it's late. We should head back," An Jing said, approaching Zhou Xianming.
"Late?" Zhou Xianming chuckled foolishly. "It's not late yet, I still want to drink."
"More drinking?"
An Jing raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say you would provide enlightenment to the school children tonight? Delaying important matters isn't good."
Having obtained the clue, staying here with Zhou Xianming would be a waste of time.
Zhou Xianming's face darkened immediately. "Yes, we should go back."
An Jing nodded slightly. The two then stepped out of the pleasure boat and called over a nearby boatman.
At that moment, a scream resonated in the distance, followed by a loud splash into the river, startling Zhou Xianming.
"Who is that!? How uncivilized!"
Zhou Xianming furrowed his brows and scolded.
An Jing whispered, "Let's go, let's go. If it's Jianghu people, they might notice us. If we end up getting slashed by their blades, it wouldn't be worth it."
"We should just hurry onto the boat and leave."
Hearing the word "Jianghu," Zhou Xianming shuddered, closed his mouth, and kept silent.
Though he often talked about Jianghu stories in teahouses, he was, in reality, just a scholarly coward. An Jing remembered an incident where some Jianghu ruffians came to drink and listen. Zhou Xianming had gotten to a thrilling part of the story and announced a pause, intending to resume the next day. But those ruffians wouldn't let him leave. Zhou Xianming initially refused to continue, but when they placed a knife to his throat, he went weak at the knees, almost kneeling, and had to continue the story obediently.
As Zhou put it himself, "A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall."
"An is right. The more you talk, the more you lose. The more you speak, the more you harm others. A gentleman seals his mouth thrice. Let's leave quickly."
Zhou Xianming shivered and urged An Jing to hurry onto the boat.
.......
Jishi Hall, the lights were dim.
Zhao Qingmei took out An Jing's old autumn clothes and was mending them.
"Miss, Master An and Zhou Xianming went to the Red House pleasure boat."
Tan Yun said quietly.
Zhao Qingmei kept her head down and said nothing.
"And he went into a room with a songstress named Man Yue...."
Tan Yun's voice grew softer, carefully watching Zhao Qingmei's reaction.
Zhao Qingmei paused, then continued mending the autumn clothes.
Seeing this, Tan Yun, who knew Zhao Qingmei well, understood that the quieter she was, the angrier she was inside.
"Miss...."
"You should rest now."
"Yes."
Tan Yun sighed softly and left the room.
Even as she left, Zhao Qingmei continued to mend the autumn clothes, seemingly unaffected by Tan Yun's words.
Outside the hall, Tan Yun sighed deeply and looked at the black puppy lying on the ground, saying fiercely,
"Indeed! Not a single man is any good!"
"What's gotten into you?"
At that moment, An Jing entered, catching Tan Yun's words and feeling puzzled. Had Tan Yun been deceived by someone?
"Nothing. I'm saying this stupid dog has no sense of loyalty!"
Tan Yun ignored An Jing and pointed at the black puppy. "We feed it, give it a home, yet it keeps going out to eat filth. This dog really needs a beating."
With that, Tan Yun kicked the black puppy.
"Awooo!"
The black puppy, napping, was startled awake by the kick.
"What's wrong with you? Why are you taking it out on the dog?"
An Jing, puzzled, poured himself a cup of tea. "Were you mistreated or deceived?"
Tan Yun, her eyes fierce, glared at the puppy. "No, I just want to teach this dog a lesson. It doesn't appreciate anything. We feed it, give it water, and a safe home, yet it keeps running outside."
"Don't you think that's infuriating?"
"Woof, woof!"
The black puppy barked in grievance.
"Indeed, it is infuriating...."
An Jing nodded, thinking Tan Yun was acting strangely today. He then put down the teacup and headed inside.