Chapter 58: Wang Yongde, Prefect of Jiangzhou

Shen Residence, Brook Garden, Cloud-view Pavilion.

Within a massive bathing tub, pure white milk rippled like silk, scattered petals in vibrant hues drifting across its surface. Shen Yanxi reclined against the edge, her eyes half-closed. Wet Nurse Yuan Hui stood behind her, carefully combing through Shen Yanxi’s long hair, while Siqi gently washed her arms.

After a night of careful nursing, Shen Yanxi’s spirits had somewhat revived, and she insisted on bathing in the morning, unmoved by anyone’s persuasion.

“Miss, yesterday the young master played several tunes for you. I was just outside the door, listening closely. I thought he was about to play something, but instead he said he would tell you a story first…” Huayan, assisting nearby, began recounting the recent events to her mistress.

The others hadn’t heard the story either, so hearing the tale of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai for the first time, they were deeply moved, sighing and murmuring.

“Miss, you don’t know—after hearing the story and the music outside, I cried my heart out. Then I heard the young master call me in. When I entered, I saw you were crying too. Miss, you heard it, didn’t you?”

Did she hear it? Shen Yanxi seemed caught between sleep and wakefulness, feeling herself endlessly weeping, not knowing why. So that was the story. She wondered where he’d heard it, or if he’d invented it himself.

Thinking of this, Shen Yanxi remembered Lu Jin’s figure. She longed to see him, to ask if he’d suffered these past days. Yet in her current state, how could she face him? Surely she looked dreadful.

And that farewell letter still stabbed at her heart like a thorn. She had no idea what he thought, nor how to face him.

“Miss, yesterday the young master said he would play ‘Butterflies’ only once, never again. Such a beautiful tune—how can he let it go? Miss, when you recover, you mustn’t let him off so easily.”

“Miss, you know, the young master is rather foolish…”

The maids busied themselves tending to Shen Yanxi, all the while chattering about Lu Jin. Gradually, the Cloud-view Pavilion regained its usual liveliness, and the flowers in Brook Garden bloomed more vibrantly.

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Shen Residence, Crescent Pavilion.

“Cousin, what are you doing here? Are you admiring the flowers in my courtyard, thinking of picking one?”

Lu Jin was about to head out to see Shen Yanxi, but upon leaving the study, he spotted Pei Yunrui standing in the courtyard with an air of importance.

Pei Yunrui had just been about to greet Lu Jin when he heard that remark, nearly coughing up blood. Wasn’t that calling him a flower thief?

“There are guests in Plum Garden. Uncle asked me to bring you over to meet them together.”

“I won’t go, I’m busy!” Lu Jin had no interest in receiving irrelevant visitors. His heart was entirely with Shen Yanxi.

Pei Yunrui felt his blood pressure rising. How could Lu Jin be so shameless? The head of the family was calling him, after all! Calm down, don’t get angry!

“What are you busy with?” Pei Yunrui asked knowingly.

“Of course, I’m going to see my wife. I miss her terribly after just one night apart.” Lu Jin’s face was full of longing.

Pei Yunrui was nearly driven mad—he was clearly doing it to provoke him, flaunting that look. Unfortunately, Pei Yunrui had been instructed by his cousin to intercept him.

“There are several of Yanxi’s friends visiting Brook Garden, a bunch of women, so you’re not needed today. Besides, Uncle has business to discuss with you.” Pei Yunrui had prepared all sorts of excuses.

Lu Jin thought it over—there were always many women in Brook Garden, and his presence would only be awkward.

“Lead the way!”

Pei Yunrui stumbled, feeling like he was being treated as a servant. Had Lu Jin become even more brazen after his time in the bandits’ den?

The two walked toward Plum Garden, chatting idly. Lu Jin found Pei Yunrui amusing; there weren’t many people he could tease in the Shen household, and Pei Yunrui was now at his mercy.

“Cousin, were you delighted when I was kidnapped by bandits?”

“Why would I be delighted?” Pei Yunrui hadn’t caught on.

“Haven’t you shamelessly pursued my cousin all this time? If I was kidnapped, wouldn’t you be happy?”

“You’re the shameless one,” Pei Yunrui retorted.

“I don’t pursue my cousin!”

Pei Yunrui: “……”

“Old Pei, tell me honestly, were you the inside man when I was kidnapped?” Lu Jin accused him out of nowhere.

“Don’t talk nonsense! I searched everywhere for you, turned over countless bodies. Instead of thanking me, you accuse me? How could you be so shameless?”

“More shameless than pursuing my cousin?” Lu Jin laughed. He was genuinely touched, but he’d never admit it—how else to tease him?

Pei Yunrui’s head buzzed, the phrase “shamelessly pursue my cousin” echoing like persistent mosquitoes.

“Cousin, why are you walking so fast?”

“Don’t follow me!”

“Then I’ll go back to see my wife!”

“Get back here!”

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Entering the Hundred Flowers Hall, Lu Jin saw several people. At the center, on the wooden couch, sat two men, one of whom was his father-in-law, Shen Hao; beside him was a refined middle-aged man.

Several chairs were arranged below. On the left sat a tall, burly, dark-skinned man who resembled a giant ape, and beside him a shriveled old man—the pair made a peculiar sight.

“Father,” Lu Jin hurried to Shen Hao’s side; he didn’t recognize the others.

“Mm, go greet the gentlemen,” Shen Hao signaled.

“Brother-in-law, let me introduce you,” Pei Yunrui interjected.

“Prefect, this is my brother-in-law, Lu Jin. Lu Jin, this is Lord Wang, the Prefect of Jiangzhou.” Pei Yunrui pointed to the refined middle-aged man in the seat of honor.

“Greetings, Prefect!” Lu Jin bowed.

“Mingyuan is truly fortunate. I never expected the top scholar of Jiangzhou to be your son-in-law. He is indeed handsome and a good match for Yanxi,” Wang Yongde smiled at Shen Hao.

“You flatter us, Prefect…” Shen Hao replied politely.

“Lord Wang overpraises,” Lu Jin responded.

“This is General Nanmen Yue, Commander of Jiangzhou,” Pei Yunrui continued.

“Greetings, General Nanmen!” Nanmen as a surname? Shouldn’t it be Ximen? He’d never heard of Nanmen in his previous world.

“You seem a bit frail, young man,” Nanmen Yue sized up Lu Jin.

Who isn’t frail compared to you, tower of muscle?

“This is Magistrate Yang Yu, our local county magistrate,” Pei Yunrui went on.

…

After the greetings, it was time for business. Lu Jin hadn’t expected Wang Yongde to speak first.

“Nephew, could you recount the events of your kidnapping?”

Without hesitation, Lu Jin briefly described his experience after being taken by river bandits, focusing on the period until Xiaobai returned.

“How did you manage to get back?” Facing the head of the table, Lu Jin noticed his father-in-law shaking his head slightly, giving him a hint, so he made up a plausible excuse.

“Brother Lu, I heard you encountered government soldiers after being taken aboard the bandits’ boat?” Nanmen Yue thundered, his voice booming.

“Yes, but we were crouched down, surrounded by things, so I couldn’t see clearly,” Lu Jin replied.

“Try to recall any details—can you tell which unit the soldiers belonged to?” Nanmen Yue’s intense gaze fixed on him.

Lu Jin glanced at Shen Hao. What was the meaning of this? Xiaobai had already explained this part.

“Just speak plainly. We suspect the soldiers were from Jiangzhou. Such rotten elements must be rooted out. The Prefect and General are both here; don’t worry,” Shen Hao said gravely.

With his father-in-law’s cue, Lu Jin felt reassured and emphasized the encounter with the soldiers.

“You say the bandits claimed to be from the Songzhou Pu family fleet?” Wang Yongde interjected suddenly.

“Yes,” Lu Jin answered. Was the Pu family significant?

“Prefect, isn’t the Pu family based in Songzhou? Could it be…?”

Wang Yongde frowned in deep thought, then shook his head. “It’s unlikely. Perhaps I’m overthinking…”

“Never expected such traitors under my command. I will give you an explanation when I return,” Nanmen Yue said, his face fierce.

“You are too kind, General Nanmen,” Lu Jin replied, though inwardly puzzled—how could they draw such conclusions from so little information?

…

Lu Jin hadn’t expected the meeting to last all day. He dined with them, listened to their discussions, and gained a deeper understanding of this era.