Ji Chun stood at the door of the study, waiting for the servant to announce his presence. Soon, Yun Zizhuo emerged, his expression indifferent and his tone far less enthusiastic than when they had first met. "What brings you here, Dashi?" he asked coolly.
Ji Chun felt a pang of guilt at Yun Zizhuo's sudden change in demeanor. Realizing that the matter he wished to discuss wasn't suitable for public ears, he hesitated before saying, "Could we... speak somewhere more private?"
Yun Zizhuo gave him a measured look, then snorted and turned back into the study. The servants outside understood the gesture and stepped aside, leaving the two men alone. Ji Chun entered the study to find Yun Zizhuo leaning back in his chair, his gaze cold and detached. "Go on," he said.
Ji Chun took a deep breath. "I came to clarify two things. First, about what happened with Su Ran in the Third Young Master's wife's room that night. Su Ran was invited into the courtyard by the Third Young Master's wife herself. She tricked him into drinking drugged wine and staged the scene to draw attention. Second, regarding the identity of the Third Young Master's wife—on our way to Tongcheng, we passed through a town where she was a newly selected courtesan named Wenshi. Su Ran bought her freedom, but she left after only a day. That's why Su Ran recognized her when he saw her at Liuyun Manor."
Ji Chun paused, watching Yun Zizhuo's reaction. The man's brow furrowed, his expression growing serious as he absorbed the information. After a moment of silence, Yun Zizhuo spoke. "You're saying Nangong Wanmo was a prostitute?"
"Yes," Ji Chun confirmed with a nod. Though he hadn't paid much attention to the bride that day, he trusted Su Ran's account, especially given the circumstances of the drugging.
Yun Zizhuo's eyes narrowed. "So, you're claiming Su Ran didn't insult her, but she framed him instead?"
Ji Chun nodded again. "That's correct."
"Then why would she do such a thing? Is there some grudge between her and Su Ran?" Yun Zizhuo asked, his tone skeptical.
"As far as I know, there's no grudge. I can't understand why she would act this way," Ji Chun admitted, his own confusion evident. He had been pondering the same question. Why would Wenshi, after successfully concealing her past and marrying into Liuyun Manor, risk everything to frame Su Ran on her wedding night?
Yun Zizhuo's eyes darkened as he muttered, "What is this woman playing at?" He didn't trust her. Her sudden appearance in Liuyun Manor, coupled with the scandal on her wedding night, had already caused enough trouble. If not for his eldest brother's intervention, the manor's reputation would have been severely damaged. He couldn't fathom why his younger brother had chosen such a woman.
A knock at the study door interrupted his thoughts. Yun Zizhuo stood and opened the door, his expression hardening as he addressed the servant. "What is it?"
"Second Young Master, Su Gongzi is no longer in the courtyard," the servant reported, glancing nervously at Ji Chun.
"What?" Yun Zizhuo's face darkened. "You couldn't even keep track of one person? Get out and prepare to be punished!"
Ji Chun's heart sank. Su Ran still hadn't returned. He couldn't shake the feeling that something had happened to him. The only person in Tongcheng with a grudge against Su Ran was Yun Ziyu, the Third Young Master. After yesterday's confrontation, it was clear Yun Ziyu wanted Su Ran dead. Why hadn't he considered this sooner? Regret gnawed at him as he turned to Yun Zizhuo. "He didn't return last night. Could the Second Young Master send someone to look for him?"
Yun Zizhuo's expression soured further. Ji Chun's persistent concern for Su Ran, at the expense of their former camaraderie, was infuriating. "Dashi, are you ordering me to help you find that criminal?" he snapped, his voice low but seething with anger.
"That's not what I meant," Ji Chun replied, struggling to keep his tone calm despite his growing anxiety.
Yun Zizhuo scoffed, clearly unconvinced. "Perhaps he ran off on his own. Dashi, you're worrying too much."
Ji Chun bit back a retort, not wanting to escalate the tension. He nodded perfunctorily. "Then I'll take my leave." As he turned to go, he paused and added, "Ji Chun has always considered Zizhuo a friend. For what happened yesterday, I apologize."
Yun Zizhuo lowered his eyes, silent for a moment before murmuring, "I know." Just as Ji Chun stepped out of the room, Yun Zizhuo added, "I'll send someone to look for Su Ran."
"Thank you," Ji Chun said quietly before leaving the study.
As he walked away, his mind raced. Wenshi was at the center of this mess, and she likely held the key to Su Ran's disappearance. However, as a monk, it would be improper for him to seek her out alone. He would have to wait until nightfall to act. Along the way, he overheard whispers among the servants—rumors that the manor's lord had locked the newly married Third Young Master in a secret room. If that was true, finding Wenshi tonight might be easier than he thought.
Ji Chun spent the entire day searching Liuyun Manor but found no trace of Su Ran. He couldn't even locate where the Third Young Master, Yun Ziyu, was imprisoned. It was said that only members of the Yun family and their most trusted confidants knew the exact location of the secret room. Ordinary servants and outsiders had no way of finding it.
On one hand, this news brought Ji Chun some relief. The person who hated Su Ran the most in Tongcheng was locked away, which meant Su Ran was relatively safe for now. On the other hand, he couldn't help but worry about what might happen if Yun Ziyu managed to find help.
When night finally fell, Ji Chun changed into a dark robe and used his light-footed skills to move swiftly across the rooftops of Liuyun Manor. He headed toward the courtyard where Wenshi was staying, a location he had discreetly inquired about during the day. Under the cold, bright moonlight, the monk in his dark robe moved like a shadow, finally landing on a rooftop near the courtyard.
To his surprise, only two servants stood guard outside the door of such a large and important courtyard—the residence of the Third Young Master's wife. As he listened, he heard a soft, intimate murmuring from inside. The sound made his heart race, and he quickly understood why the guards were so few.
Though it was against his principles to eavesdrop on such private matters, Ji Chun knew he had no choice. Su Ran had been missing for too long, and no one knew what had happened to him. He needed answers, and Wenshi was the key. Who was the man with her? Why would a woman who had just married into the Yun family engage in such treacherous behavior? Wasn't Yun Ziyu locked away?
With these questions swirling in his mind, Ji Chun carefully lifted a tile from the roof. A sliver of light escaped, allowing him to see into the room below. Clothes were scattered across the floor, and the two occupants were still entangled. Ji Chun felt a wave of disgust but forced himself to focus. He recognized Wenshi immediately—the same woman who had once nestled in Su Ran's arms, laughing sweetly. The man, however, took him a moment to place. When he heard the man's voice, Ji Chun froze.
"My beauty, you truly have some skills!" the man teased, his voice dripping with amusement.
Ji Chun's eyes widened. The man was none other than Yun Mushang, the second uncle of the Yun brothers. He had been seated in the hall with Yun Ziang, the lord of Liuyun Manor, during the wedding ceremony. How could he be here, with his nephew's wife? The situation was beyond absurd.
Ji Chun's mind raced. This woman was not only having an affair with her husband's uncle but had also framed Su Ran on her wedding night. What was her endgame? The more Ji Chun thought about it, the more convinced he became that Su Ran's disappearance was tied to her.
Though the scene below made him want to leave immediately, Ji Chun couldn't afford to. He hadn't yet uncovered any information about Su Ran's whereabouts. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to wait and listen.
Eventually, the two below began to talk.
"Mu Shang, what did Zi Yu say to you?" Wenshi asked in a tender voice, nestling into Yun Mushang's arms. "After that day, he became so cold and distant. He barely spoke to me, and now his Dage has locked him up. What's going on?"
Yun Mushang chuckled darkly. "I haven't even asked you why you decided to frame that man. Could it be that you've taken a fancy to him, hmm?" He pinched Wenshi's chin, his tone laced with suspicion and displeasure.
"No!" Wenshi winced, tears welling in her eyes as she hurried to explain. "You know I'm not… not a virgin anymore. If my husband found out, he'd be furious. It was better to shift the blame onto that man. This way, our secret stays safe."
"Oh?" Yun Mushang's grip tightened, his disbelief evident. "Then why him? Why not someone else? He's quite beautiful—don't tell me you didn't have other thoughts."
"Oh, Mu Shang," Wenshi cooed, placing her hand on his chest. "How could I think of anyone else when I have you? I chose him because… he's the one who ruined me in the past." Her voice broke into sobs, and she buried her face in his chest.
Yun Mushang's expression softened as he watched her cry. The current situation suited him just fine. His foolish nephew, Yun Ziyu, wouldn't be able to touch Wenshi for a while, leaving her free for him.
"Mu Shang," Wenshi pressed, her voice still trembling, "you still haven't told me what Zi Yu said to you."
"Why do you care so much?" Yun Mushang asked, his hands beginning to wander again.
"I've married him, haven't I? Don't I have the right to ask a few questions? Besides, the more I know about him, the easier it will be for us to arrange our meetings," Wenshi replied, her tone sweet and coaxing as she leaned into him.
Author Notes: Good night, babies,*kisses*, love you (づ ¯3¯) づ