The night in the capital was different from Yangcheng, it never seemed to have a quiet moment.
Indeed, it was a city that never slept.
Miss Jun steadied her breath, rose, and got out of bed.
Liu'er was sleeping soundly by the window.
This was an ordinary inn, having two beds already made it the best room, but it was very clean. Just as marked on the Chaojing travel map, if you have a bit of money and don't want to suffer yet wish to keep a low profile, this was the first choice.
They came in from the street, bathed and clean, letting the waiter from the neighboring noodle soup shop bring over two bowls of noodle soup, a duck, and two side dishes; master and servant sat opposite each other in the room, comfortably enjoying a hearty meal, then fell into a deep sleep.
Having traveled from Runan before, Miss Jun's body had already adapted, so she felt refreshed after a sleep, but Liu'er did not.
Miss Jun stood by the bed, looking at the deeply sleeping Liu'er, and picked up the thin sheet that had fallen off the bed to cover her waist.
The window was wide open, the moonlight spread across the heaven and earth, mingling with the incessant night lights, the laughter and chatter set against each other, reflecting.
This was the capital, this was the capital indeed.
She had arrived in the capital.
Miss Jun turned, dressed, opened the door, and walked out.
The inn was open day and night for guests to check in, so it never closed its doors, and there were plenty of guests enjoying the nightlife too. Miss Jun passed through the lobby's bustling crowds and entered the night outside.
After midnight, although there were still people walking on the street, it was far quieter than during the day, except for a few busy areas and the locations of brothels, other places had plunged into slumber.
Miss Jun passed through the city gate, walking eastwards along the main street, then through an alley to the north.
There were no bright lights here, only the moonlight paving the way; this was not a busy district, and the Chaojing travel map didn't mark anything special here for eating, drinking, and merry-making.
Crossing one street, two different worlds appeared before her.
On one side, there were lights bright as a fairyland on earth, and on the other lay a solemn, sleeping, untouchable area.
Without the Chaojing travel map, she knew on one side lay the busiest night market street in the capital, its center, and on the other was Imperial Street.
There lay government offices, the imperial palace, and her home.
Miss Jun stood still in the night, watching.
Her sister was a stern person, highly regular in her daily activities, and she kept a tight rein on Jiurong too.
At this time, they surely must have been asleep.
However, she wondered if Jiurong might be secretly hiding in the Castration Room to play, just like she used to.
But no matter what, she would always be found out by her sister, and a relentless nagging lecture was inevitable.
A smile appeared at the corners of Miss Jun's mouth.
She didn't know how long she stood there, but a city patrol came walking by from that side of the night.
Over there, they patrolled openly, but hidden were even more guards, Jinyiwei, Imperial Guards.
Miss Jun lowered her head, turned, and walked toward the bustling night market street. The patrol's lanterns lit up the area as they passed by, and someone even deliberately raised a lantern toward her.
Miss Jun turned her head and stepped further aside towards the road.
Women walking on the street at night were either courtesans looking for clients or being invited to private feasts, or daughters of families making a living in the night market.
The girl had a fair appearance, and her attire was not garish, clearly not the former.
The patrolmen averted their gaze and passed by her.
Only then did Miss Jun raise her head to watch them as they headed towards the night market street.
On the summer night's street, the lights were bright, the river dividing the street gleamed with dazzling flower boats, and the sounds of strings and laughter drifted across the water.
Miss Jun stood on the bridge, looking at the flower boats below, the scents of wine and powder assaulting her with the night breeze.
She knew very well what these flower boats were for, so she did not harbor curiosity, nor did she shy away in embarrassment.
What was there to shy away from? She not only knew about them but had also been on one before.
This kind of thing, of course, was something her master led her to.
Seeing her following behind her master, the owner of the flower boat was very surprised.
"Kids should know everything, only then can they be invulnerable to all poisons," her master said earnestly.
Of course, she knew her master's intention was to embarrass her, the body of a princess.
But was she the kind of person who could be easily embarrassed?
The body of a princess is what's truly invulnerable to all poisons.
She sat unabashedly in the flower boat, watching the scantily clad brothel women singing and dancing merrily.
The singing and dancing on the flower boat were not bad to watch; the food was also pretty good.
Thinking of this, Miss Jun couldn't help but purse her lips into a smile, not knowing from where the alluring scent of roasted food wafted again. She withdrew her gaze from the flower boat, leaped off the bridge with light steps, and turned onto the main street here.
Most of the shops on the main street were closed, with more temporary stalls set up on the roadside, blazing with stove fire and lanterns swaying, lighting up the sparse crowds passing by.
These stalls were selling all kinds of street food. Miss Jun even saw the city patrol team that had passed by earlier sitting at a stall eating, drinking, and laughing.
"Miss, would you like to try some?" the vendors called out to her.
Miss Jun shook her head as she looked on.
She indeed wanted to eat her way down the street, but, having come out spontaneously, she hadn't brought any money.
However, looking around was quite entertaining in itself.
Who could have imagined she would be strolling the streets of the capital after midnight?
Her sister and brother wouldn't think of it, nor would Lu Yunqi or the emperor think of it.
She didn't expect it herself.
Next to her, three or four drunken men stumbled past, giggling and singing some ditty they learned from who knows where, forming a line that took over the whole street. Miss Jun stepped aside to a corner of an alley, watching with a smile on her lips as the group of drunkards passed.
So, this was what the capital's night was like.
Standing at the mouth of the alley and resting her feet, pondering whether to go back or continue wandering, she heard the sound of faint footsteps coming from behind in the alley.
This area was a busy commercial street, with few residences; if not teahouses or taverns, there were establishments for make-up and pleasure. Miss Jun looked back—the alley was dimly lit, with only a few lanterns hanging at a distance, swinging gently.
Muffled laughter came from within.
About four or five men were walking in the alley, varying in heights and builds, all men.
She didn't know which establishment they had come from, but they weren't heading towards the main street; instead, they turned their backs and continued further in.
Miss Jun glanced at them and was about to step away.
"... Why would I deceive you guys? Listen to me, it's not wrong..."
A man's voice came from the alley, seemingly displeased, his voice slightly raised.
Miss Jun paused her steps, turning her head again, and someone with a lantern walked past the street corner, illuminating Miss Jun's surprised face.
Such a coincidence?
Zhu Zan?
She looked at the tallest figure among those men in the dim alley.
Though the light was faint and they were moving further away, if you looked carefully, you could recognize him.
Zhu Zan.
Why had he come to the capital too?
The emperor wanted the Jinyiwei to capture him and bring him to the capital, but he ran away halfway.
Even if the most dangerous place is the safest, he shouldn't have come to the capital, even roaming Henan or Shanxi would be safer.
What is this guy up to?
Miss Jun observed the figures walking further along the alley, hesitated for a moment, then turned and followed them.