Chapter 709: Changing Course to Eastern Lu, Meeting the Three Ladies
Chapter 709: Changing Course to Eastern Lu, Meeting the Three Ladies
Before the group reached Jiangnan, they encountered Ying Wanli in Jinan Prefecture.
"Old Master Ying?"
"Master Jin!"
"Didn't Old Master Ying go to Kaifeng to investigate a case? Why are you in Shandong now?" Jin Banhua asked.
"The case encountered some setbacks, so I've come to Shandong to seek reinforcements," replied Ying Wanli.
Behind Ying Wanli, a young man with a simple and honest appearance followed, his eyes darting around the group before settling on Yan Dianhong with a cautious gaze.
Ying Wanli introduced, "This is White Hunter, the top expert under General Bear from Beyond the Pass."
White Hunter casually cupped his hands in greeting.
Jin Banhua didn't mind and said to Ying Wanli, "Old Master Ying, what kind of reinforcements are you looking for? I also have some acquaintances in Shandong, whether it's the Beggar Sect experts or Su Rongrong's group of ladies, I know them well!"
Ying Wanli's eyes lit up. "I heard that Master Jin and Miss Su Rongrong once traveled together in the Great Desert. Your relationship must be very close."
Jin Banhua raised her eyebrows. "It seems Old Master Ying needs to disguise himself and infiltrate the enemy's lair?"
Ying Wanli's eyes flashed with a hint of deep meaning. "Master Jin, you're very perceptive."
"It's nothing! I often accompany Old Master Ying, so how could such details possibly stump me?" Jin Banhua laughed heartily, then showed a keen and eager expression, "Old Master Ying, what clues have you found? Tell me, maybe I know some information that could help with your analysis."
Ying Wanli shook his head and chuckled, "Master Jin, you're joking. These are just some random clues. I'm just being cautious, worried that if we encounter the murderer, they might recognize me. That's why I came to seek Miss Su's assistance."
"If you don't want to say, you'll tell me eventually," Jin Banhua shook her head, then pulled Ying Wanli along, "Let's go. We'll take a detour to the Red Rock Cliff of Eastern Lu. It's been a while since I last saw those three, I miss them so much!"
Hua Zhenzhen scoffed, "They're Chu Liuxiang's people, your longing is useless!"
"Who said that?" Jin Banhua humphed, "If Chu Liuxiang doesn't return my White Jade Beauty, I'll eventually capture all three of them and take them to the capital city to settle the score!"
...
The group soon arrived at the Red Rock Cliff of Eastern Lu and coincidentally met Song Tian'er, who was shopping in the village.
"Has Chu Liuxiang found my White Jade Beauty?" Jin Banhua waved to Song Tian'er from a distance.
"Brother Jin! Yan Dianhong and Miss Qu are here too!"
Seeing the three of them, Song Tian'er was also delighted and immediately asked the shopkeeper to add two more chickens and three pounds of beef, "I'll make Five-Spice Roast Chicken and Braised Beef for you!"
"Miss Song, it's me, Ying Wanli. I'd like to meet Su Rongrong, Miss Su," Ying Wanli said with a bow.
"You're friends of Brother Jin, no need to be so formal. Let's go to the boat first!" Song Tian'er called out.
Seeing Song Tian'er carrying a bunch of packages, Qu Wurong hurriedly stepped forward to help carry some.
Jin Banhua signaled to Hua Zhenzhen, who pursed her lips and also came forward to take some of the load.
Then, the group headed towards the boat by the shore.
"Who is this lady?" Song Tian'er asked.
"Jin Banhua's maid," Hua Zhenzhen replied with a dismissive gesture.
Song Tian'er giggled, "You're so pretty. Brother Jin must have taken a liking to you."
"Who cares if he likes me!" Hua Zhenzhen's face turned red, then her eyes flashed with determination, "He often talks about taking you three to the capital city to settle the score."
Song Tian'er was startled and quickly said to Jin Banhua, "Brother Chu has gone to Jiangnan and will soon bring back the White Jade Beauty."
Jin Banhua stroked her chin and laughed, "Is that so? But I heard he goes to Cup Throwing Manor every year to enjoy some wine."
"Does he even care about you at all?"
Song Tian'er was startled. "How do you know?"
"Brother Jin, don't scare Tian'er anymore. She's timid and can't take fright."
A gentle voice came from above, and everyone looked up to see a woman in an apricot yellow dress smiling at them.
"Sister Rongrong! Jin Banhua and the others are here!" Song Tian'er exclaimed.
"We saw them too." Li Hongxiu also appeared on the deck, then lowered the board and called out to the group, "Come aboard first."
Ying Wanli was surprised to see Jin Banhua, never expecting that Jin Banhua and Su Rongrong's relationship with the others was so close.
Although he had heard rumors in the capital, as an experienced constable, he naturally knew the exaggerations in these rumors, so he didn't take them to heart.
Now, seeing Su Rongrong and the other two women's attitude towards Jin Banhua...
Could it be that Jin Banhua and Chu Liuxiang's relationship is actually quite good?
Soon, everyone boarded the ship.
Compared to his previous nonchalance, White Hunter now seemed a bit shy and even slightly flushed in the face of the three gentle girls.
Ying Wanli paid no attention to White Hunter but carefully observed the relationship between Su Rongrong, the other two women, and Jin Banhua's group.
After some observation, he was shocked to discover that whether it was Su Rongrong and the other two women or Yan Dianhong and his wife, in their conversations, they all seemed to revolve around Jin Banhua.
"I think Chu Liuxiang's search for the White Jade Beauty is just an excuse. He's probably enjoying being away from you all. Why don't you come back to the capital with me and leave him a note?" Jin Banhua tempted them again.
Li Hongxiu covered her mouth and laughed. "What should we write? Chu Liuxiang steals treasures in the capital, and Jin Banhua steals fragrances on the ship?"
Jin Banhua nodded matter-of-factly. "This time, Hei Zhenzhuang won't be competing with me!"
Song Tian'er shook her head repeatedly. "I heard that the rules in the capital are so strict that they'll kill you. On the road, you'll either meet a Chancellor or a Vice Chancellor, and they often abduct young women. I'm not going!"
Jin Banhua was speechless. "Who told you this?"
Song Tian'er replied confidently, "It's all in the storybooks and novels!"
Su Rongrong smiled and changed the subject, asking, "Brother Jin and Old Master Ying, did you come here for something?"
"I'm fine. I just came to see you all. Old Master Ying has something to discuss," Jin Banhua said.
Old Master Ying hurriedly clasped his hands together. "I've long heard of Miss Su's unparalleled skills in crafting masks that can deceive even the sharpest eyes. I've come to request two masks from you, and I hope you'll agree."
"Old Master Ying is a renowned constable in the world. He deals with the most vicious and evil people. If I can be of any help, I'd be honored," Su Rongrong nodded and asked, "What kind of masks does Old Master Ying need?"
Old Master Ying said, "I need a mask that others dare not look at closely and another one that makes White Hunter appear like a reckless young man."
Su Rongrong nodded. "Please wait a moment, Old Master. I'll be right back."
Su Rongrong didn't keep Old Master Ying waiting for long. She went to the back cabin, selected a few things, and quickly returned with two masks, which she handed to Old Master Ying.
"One looks like an elderly person with a disfigured face, and the other is a slightly dull-looking young man." Su Rongrong explained, "But both masks are quite unique..."
Old Master Ying waved his hand and smiled. "That's perfect. I want them to not recognize us and also be slightly afraid of us, so they'll reveal their flaws."
Su Rongrong nodded in realization. "Old Master Ying, you're experienced in the jianghu."
(End of Chapter)
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