Yun Xiao crooked her index finger like a lotus blossom, her expression like a little fox, but her demeanor was perfectly steady.
Shangguan Yin was both annoyed and amused. He pulled the girl along, leaning down to kiss her, nibbling at her earlobe. A tremor ran through her, and he felt slightly better, then said heartily, "Let's go."
Because she had applied makeup and disguised herself, a grown man couldn't suddenly appear from the Empress's sleeping quarters without startling people. Thus, he had to take her and slip out through the window.
Shangguan Yin instructed Wanwan and Qiao'er to guard the palace gates and not to disturb the Emperor and Empress's rest.
Actually, this was not suspicious, given how affectionate the Emperor and Empress were. It was their wedding season, and the novelty had not yet worn off.
No one expected these two to sneak out of the palace. Zijun, Ziyang, Liuxing, Zhuifeng, and others followed along, and the group quietly departed the imperial palace.
Yan Jing City remained as prosperous and lively as ever. Little did anyone know that the Eastern Qin Dynasty was merely a hollow shell. A slight disturbance could easily cause its collapse.
Yun Xiao and Shangguan Yin, along with others, strolled through the streets. Today, she wore neither men's clothes nor a disguise. Instead, she dressed as a young maid, following behind the group, appearing like a servant girl.
The Emperor, walking at the forefront, though he appeared strong and robust, his imposing aura remained undiminished. On the contrary, his rugged appearance made people feel a bit intimidated.
This could be seen in the gazes of the people on both sides of the street. They likely mistook him for the overbearing Second Young Master, or someone like Shen Jin'an.
Yun Xiao walked and laughed, feeling a little smug. If she were to reveal the Emperor's true appearance, she couldn't imagine what a sensation it would cause in Yan Jing City.
She reckoned that from seventy-year-old grandmothers to three-year-old children, none would escape the Emperor's charm. She wouldn't do something so disadvantageous.
The group headed towards Yan Jing's most luxurious restaurant, Qin Yu Tower.
Qin Yu Tower was very crowded that day, with voices constantly echoing. The main hall on the first floor was packed. Only the second floor had some private rooms. Yun Xiao instructed the waiter to lead them to a private room.
As she was dressed as a young maid, the waiter paid her no mind and led them to a warming pavilion on the outer edge.
Yun Xiao and Shangguan Yin led the group into the warming pavilion. The waiter brought tea and pastries before withdrawing.
In the private room, the two of them sipped tea and talked. Yun Xiao, however, kept her attention on the activity downstairs. She saw people gathering in groups of three or five, speaking in hushed tones. Although their voices were very low, for those with martial arts skills, it posed no difficulty.
Shangguan Yin noticed Yun Xiao's expression and realized she had come out of the palace to gather information. He stopped talking and listened with her to the conversations downstairs.
Suddenly, someone spoke in a hushed tone.
"Did you know? Eastern Qin and Northern Chao are going to form a marriage alliance. This means no more wars."
Another person chimed in, "What about Western Liang? Western Liang and our Eastern Qin are sworn enemies."
"Not anymore. I heard that Western Liang's Eldest Princess married Prince Yun. Although she is long dead, the two countries sent official correspondence, also forming a marriage alliance. So, Western Liang will not wage war with us in the future."
"That's wonderful."
The people at this table seemed very pleased. The subsequent conversations were mostly trivial. Yun Xiao frowned slightly, feeling a bit bored.
However, she soon heard someone say, "I heard the imperial mausoleum was robbed again. That Xishan Kou Ku Blood Bandit has appeared in our Eastern Qin."
"Is that true or not?"
Someone exclaimed in surprise. Yun Xiao's spirits immediately lifted. Shangguan Yin noticed her serious expression and realized she had come out to inquire about the Xishan Skeleton Blood Bandit. However, what could these common folk know?
"Xiao'er, what could they possibly know?"
"Don't underestimate these people. We might be able to get some clues from them."
Yun Xiao then shushed them. Shangguan Yin fell silent and joined her in listening to the conversations downstairs. Indeed, those people had no idea they were being eavesdropped upon and continued their discussion.
"The Emperor was attacked during his wedding. Could it have been those people?"
"I heard that the Grand Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Lord Wen, was also arrested. Why would this happen now? Could it be related to these people?"
"Don't talk nonsense."
"I heard that Lord Wen was close to several important officials in the court, especially Minister Shen of the Ministry of Personnel. I wonder if Minister Shen will protect him."
As soon as this person finished speaking, Yun Xiao and Shangguan Yin's eyes lit up. This was indeed useful. There must be something fishy going on. The Ministry of Personnel controlled the positions of civil officials in Eastern Qin and had always been a critical department. The transfer of officials had to pass through his hands. So, how much did Minister Shen know?
And then there was his extravagant spending. Judging by his son's ostentatious wealth, a mere son of the Ministry of Personnel, who managed to marry one wife and thirteen concubines, one could imagine the extravagance of their Shen Manor. Was there any connection between this and the Xishan Blood Bandit?
Yun Xiao beckoned Liu Xing over, "Go, help me find out where Shen Jin'an is now."
Last time she had beaten him severely and broken a few of his front teeth, she wondered if he was quietly recuperating at home.
However, based on her understanding of people like Shen Jin'an, he was definitely not the type to obediently stay at home. She suspected he was currently hiding in some pleasure palace.
Shangguan Yin raised a thick eyebrow upon hearing Yun Xiao's words, not understanding why she was looking for Shen Jin'an.
"Xiao'er?"
"There's going to be good drama soon. We can extract some information from this Shen Jin'an. Just you wait."
Yun Xiao's lips curled into a cold smile, her eyes chilling.
The subsequent discussions downstairs yielded no more useful information. Yun Xiao and Shangguan Yin continued to chat and drink tea in the private room, naturally awaiting news from Liu Xing.
Liu Xing was always efficient in his work. After only the time it took for an incense stick to burn, he returned and respectfully reported Shen Jin'an's whereabouts.
"Master, your subordinate spent money to inquire from the servants of the Shen Manor and found out that Shen Jin'an has already recovered from his injuries from the last beating. Since Minister Shen forbade him from going out, he has been staying at home recently. However, today he seems to have gone to Wan Xi Pavilion."
"Wan Xi Pavilion?"
Shangguan Yin and Yun Xiao repeated simultaneously. The former name of Wan Xi Pavilion was Yan Zhi Lou.
Because the courtesan Mo Ruoyan and a group of sisters from the establishment had all died, Yan Zhi Lou was sold to others to operate. It was said that Yan Zhi Lou was renamed Wan Xi Pavilion.
Many women bought from the Southern Dynasty were housed there. It was said that these women had skin like congealed fat and faces like blooming lotuses. Each of them was skilled in singing and dancing.
Most importantly, they were known for their boldness and vivaciousness. It was said that they dared to wear clothes that Eastern Qin women did not.
Their upper bodies were adorned with beaded net-like garments, with their bodices subtly revealed underneath. Their high chests were like clouds, attracting wealthy young masters from Yan Jing, who eagerly flocked there.
Shen Jin'an was still known for his lecherous and decadent nature, so how could he miss this opportunity?
"Let's go, we'll go and see too."