On this day, Jǐng Mù had come to investigate a case in Chunshui Alley involving an official secretly operating a brothel.
Jǐng Mù had sent people to keep watch for many days before finally uncovering some clues, and today was the day he would seal the establishment.
Because the official behind this matter held a relatively high rank, Jǐng Mù had to personally take action.
After everything on his side was settled and he efficiently prepared to withdraw his men and return to the Dali Temple, he saw the General’s Residence’s carriage parked below the brothel next door.
The entire General’s Residence had only one male master currently living in the capital.
Thus, Jǐng Mù instructed his subordinates to take the people back themselves, while he went alone to the neighboring brothel to ask who had arrived in that carriage.
The old madam had just witnessed this young official arresting the owner of the flourishing brothel next door. Naturally frightened, she answered every question without hesitation, practically wishing she could personally draw portraits of Shū Chángyù and the others to offer them up.
She had only spoken a few sentences when Jǐng Mù already knew it was Shū Chángyù.
He did not waste time exchanging pleasantries with the old madam and simply ordered her to take him to Shū Chángyù’s room.
The old madam thought to herself:
Could it be that after sealing the place across the street, this official has come here to conveniently capture another official visiting a brothel?
However, brothels were legal in this dynasty, and visiting prostitutes was naturally legal as well.
But although the old madam thought this, she did not dare say a single word.
What did the law matter?
These officials wearing official hats were the law themselves.
When they arrived at the door, there was no servant waiting outside.
The old madam naturally understood why.
Earlier, when the two young gentlemen had entered, the courtesan Hongyu had caught a glimpse of them and immediately taken a liking to one of them. She had insisted on pretending to be an untouched courtesan and entering to serve that gentleman. She had also begged the old madam to send away the person stationed outside the door.
For such a matter, how could the old madam refuse?
If Hongyu had the ability to cling to this young gentleman, she would naturally not be short of the money needed to redeem herself.
Thus, the old madam had quickly arranged everything for her.
Now, with no servant outside the door, the old madam acted as if she had seen nothing and personally opened the door for the official.
The moment the door opened, another young gentleman appeared inside.
Hongyu was currently lying delicately against the lap of the gentleman she had taken a fancy to at first sight.
For a moment, the charming atmosphere inside drifted out through the doorway.
The old madam also keenly sensed that the aura of the person beside her suddenly became several degrees colder.
It faintly resembled those wives who came to brothels to drag away their husbands caught seeking pleasure.
Seeing such a battlefield-like scene, the old madam hurriedly turned around and left first.
“Jǐng Mù?”
Shū Chángyù’s vision was slightly blurred.
He helped up the pipa-playing woman who had accidentally “fallen” onto his lap, and then saw Jǐng Mù standing at the doorway like a guardian deity.
His expression showed no emotion.
His eyes were deep and unreadable.
Jǐng Mù gave a faint “mm,” directly closed the door, walked inside, and sat down beside the table.
Those dark, shining eyes continued staring at him quietly.
The gaze was so intense that Shū Chángyù felt his back grow cold.
Seeing that he had treated her gently and kindly, almost as if there was some affection involved, the pipa girl’s thoughts became active.
She stood up but did not return.
Instead, she placed the pipa aside, lightly rolled up her red sleeves, and poured wine for everyone at the table.
When passing behind Shū Chángyù, her delicate fingers like green onion shoots lightly brushed across his back, lingering teasingly on his shoulder for a moment.
Shū Chángyù shuddered at the touch.
He frowned and turned to look at the pipa girl.
Wasn’t she supposed to be an untouched courtesan? Why was she acting so improperly?
Before he could reprimand her, he heard Jǐng Mù coldly say:
“Leave.”
The pipa girl was startled by his icy voice.
Looking up, she saw the official glaring at her with displeasure.
She froze in fear.
Then she heard him repeat:
“Leave.”
This time, his voice carried a strong warning.
The pipa girl immediately became angry.
I’m serving him, not you. That customer hasn’t even said anything—what right do you have to chase me away?
At that moment, she heard Shū Chángyù coldly say:
“Didn’t you hear him?”
Only then did she reluctantly bow, pick up her pipa, and leave.
After this interruption, Shū Chángyù had completely lost his mood.
He did not know why, but both in his previous life and this life, he had always been exceptionally uninterested in physical desires.
Perhaps the overwhelming power and authority he possessed had already satisfied the desires in his heart. Therefore, he was indifferent toward everything else.
This woman’s subtle teasing did not make him feel even the slightest bit tempted.
Instead, his first thought was:
This person is trying so hard to please me. She must want something from me.
Thinking this way, he only felt annoyed and had no other thoughts.
“You can leave as well.”
He instructed the qin-playing courtesan.
The music stopped.
The room became completely quiet.
And with the quietness came awkwardness.
Fāng Yúqiān had noticed that the young official who entered earlier possessed extraordinary bearing. After hearing Shū Chángyù call him “Jǐng Mù,” he vaguely guessed that this person belonged to the Jǐng family of the imperial city.
Thus, he did not dare casually start a conversation.
However, he still wanted to ease the atmosphere.
“Things are indeed much quieter now.”
He smiled.
“I originally felt that a brothel was not really a place for discussing principles. Yet I still followed the customs and pretended to appreciate elegance. Now that the music has stopped, I actually feel much more comfortable.”
Shū Chángyù stared at Jǐng Mù’s deep, unreadable eyes.
It felt as though he was enduring some kind of accusation.
His entire body was uncomfortable.
He had come here for serious business, not to seek pleasure.
That woman had suddenly thrown herself onto him herself, and his waist still hurt from the impact.
Therefore, aside from drinking a few cups of apricot blossom wine, he had done nothing.
So why was this brat glaring at him?!
A trace of dissatisfaction also rose in Shū Chángyù’s heart.
He pressed his lips together and remained silent.
Just as he was about to respond to Fāng Yúqiān’s attempt to ease the tension, Jǐng Mù suddenly spoke coldly.
His words were directed at Fāng Yúqiān.
“And who are you?”
His tone lacked any manners whatsoever.
Hearing the hostility in his words, Shū Chángyù frowned and was about to reprimand him.
But Fāng Yúqiān was not angry.
“My surname is Fāng, my given name is Yúqiān. I am a student who came from Huzhou to take the imperial examination in the capital. Greetings, Lord Jǐng.”
Jǐng Mù only gave a cold laugh.
“Oh, you came to take the exam?”
“Then when you enter the examination hall, you must not become nervous and write nonsense. Otherwise, you may lose your head.”
He was clearly mocking Fāng Yúqiān’s fate from his previous life without any restraint.
After all, it had not happened yet.
Saying it now sounded half like advice and half like ridicule.
Sharp and cruel.
“Jǐng Mù.”
Shū Chángyù frowned and warned him.
Earlier, he and Fāng Yúqiān had found themselves getting along extremely well. After talking for a long time, their conversation had turned to the examination.
Fāng Yúqiān had told him about the conflict and hesitation in his heart.
In his previous examination, he had written only words he did not truly believe in to pass the test. After becoming the top scholar, he had always felt troubled inside and wanted to express his true opinions.
If he told others this, those candidates who repeatedly failed would surely beat their chests in anger and accuse him of not appreciating his blessings.
But Shū Chángyù could faintly understand.
This was the spirit of a young man whose ambitions reached the heavens.
Thus, Shū Chángyù roughly knew the reason behind Fāng Yúqiān’s death in his previous life.
His heart was already filled with frustration.
Then he had been summoned to the Golden Palace to take another examination.
Sitting at the center of the world’s power, this young man must have been overwhelmed by confusion and hesitation until he nearly went mad.
Thus, his examination paper became filled with absurd words, and he was executed.
Shū Chángyù was naturally the best person to deal with such a matter.
With only a few words, he had untied the knot in Fāng Yúqiān’s heart.
But now Jǐng Mù had appeared and stabbed directly into someone’s wound.
However, this warning sounded completely different in Jǐng Mù’s ears.
He thought:
The Grand Tutor not only drinks and visits brothels outside, he has also become acquainted with such an outstanding young man.
They have only known each other for a short time, yet the Grand Tutor is already speaking up for him and scolding me.
The grievance and resentment in Jǐng Mù’s heart tangled together.
“I was merely reminding him.”
Jǐng Mù said.
“This time, the candidates from Huzhou are coming to the capital for a second examination precisely to catch those who cheated. When he enters the examination hall, no one knows how he will react.”
Shū Chángyù’s anger immediately surged.
This brat! Every sentence he says is worse than the last!
Just as he was about to speak, Fāng Yúqiān smiled and said:
“Thank you for the reminder, Lord Jǐng. Your words are indeed correct. I will certainly be careful and cautious. Please rest assured.”
His gentle and understanding appearance should have been pleasing to look at.
But in Jǐng Mù’s eyes, it only became more irritating.
This appearance of pretending to be generous must be an act performed in front of the Grand Tutor!
Fāng Yúqiān was extremely perceptive and immediately sensed the hostility radiating from this unexpected guest.
After the two courtesans left, the hostility had been directed entirely toward him.
Knowing that this official did not welcome him, he stood up.
“Unknowingly, I have already spoken with Young Master Shū for more than an hour. I do not wish to neglect my friends next door, so I shall take my leave first.”
Hearing this, Shū Chángyù stood up to see him off.
Dài Wénliáng also stood and cupped his hands.
But Jǐng Mù did not even glance at him.
More than an hour?
This person is truly scheming. He must have said that deliberately for me to hear!
After Fāng Yúqiān left, Shū Chángyù’s expression completely darkened.
“Jǐng Mù.”
He said.
“I am truly too incapable. I can no longer control you, can I?”
Dài Wénliáng beside them trembled in fright and hurriedly reached out to tug at him.
Shū Chángyù had spent so much time with Jǐng Mù, and both of them had returned from the future, so their conversations were not very polite.
But in Dài Wénliáng’s eyes, this was Shū Chángyù ordering around the Second Prince—the dignified Minister of the Dali Temple.
It was simply arrogant.
Jǐng Mù only lowered his eyes and remained silent.
“Good. Truly impressive.”
Shū Chángyù let out a cold laugh.
Ignoring Dài Wénliáng beside him, he turned and walked out.
“Wait—”
Before Dài Wénliáng could react, Shū Chángyù had already left.
Then Jǐng Mù, who had been keeping a cold expression and saying nothing, also followed him out.
“Wait, you two—?”
Before Dài Wénliáng could understand what happened, the room was left with only him.
Outside, Jǐng Mù followed behind Shū Chángyù.
He settled the bill, then packed a jar of apricot blossom wine and carried it in his arms as he followed.
The General’s Residence carriage was still parked there.
When the coachman saw Shū Chángyù come out, he immediately moved to lift the curtain and invite him inside.
“No need.”
Shū Chángyù said coldly.
“In a moment, take Young Master Dài back. Don’t worry about me.”
After saying that, he walked away without looking back.
The coachman was stunned.
Then he saw Jǐng Mù emerge behind him.
The tall official wore his formal robes and carried a jar of wine.
He did not even glance at the carriage.
Instead, he immediately followed after Shū Chángyù.