Chapter 2, The Duel in Jiangnan

The last rays of the setting sun create a hazy yellow halo on the reeds, while the water ripples, once azure, gradually appear dim. A thin mist emerges from the layers of twilight purple at the horizon. The campfire has extinguished, leaving only black ashes. With a gust of wind, they scatter and drift away

The woman in white trembled upon hearing this, lightly brushing her forearm, which had developed a layer of fine goosebumps. With a voice full of sorrow, she said: "Young Master Du's talent is renowned throughout the capital, and the number of beautiful women enchanted by him is beyond count. This rain has indeed come at the right time, allowing me to see Young Master for a moment. This bamboo curtain is even better, as it prevents me from seeing Young Master and subsequently longing for him!"

The bookkeeper quickly took it over, sincerely wanting to get closer to Yanran, sweetly calling her "sister" as if coated in honey. With a quick glance, he spotted a white figure behind the bamboo curtain and smiled, saying: "Sister, your name is truly beautiful; a smile from Yanran can topple a city!"

She wore a simple silver bracelet on her wrist. Du Xinyan couldn't help but recall the image of Shen Xiaofei dressed as a lotus picker on the river, a smile appearing at the corners of her lips. Whether it was the lotus picker or the girls from the water town, he felt that this natural beauty was far more beautiful than the extravagant attire of the noble ladies in the capital.

In a corner by the lakeside, a thatched cottage is partially obscured by the green plum trees. The yard is enclosed by a bamboo fence, and the wooden door is tightly shut. The cottage has no walls on any side, only fine bamboo curtains separating the interior from the outside. Inside, facing the lake, a woman can be faintly seen through the curtain, dressed in a flowing white gown, while a maid kneels beside her, preparing tea. Another maid sits quietly next to her.

Du Xinyan dipped his chopsticks in tea and drew a sword on the table, the tip of the sword curved like a crescent moon, which was precisely the mark of Wei Zihao

"Is this enough to trap me?" Du Xinyan slowly pressed the jade clasp at his waist and unfastened a blue belt that was one inch wide and four feet long. He shook it in his hand, and the belt instantly straightened. It turned out to be a soft sword without edges or points, its blade shimmering with a faint glow under the firelight, resembling a flowing lake. He self-deprecatingly remarked, "Zihao, you have been eager to see my sword, yet after battling me over a hundred times, you have never laid eyes on it. I never expected that today it would be used to cut reeds."

A small boat glided away from the thatched cottage, instantly covering a distance of over ten zhang. Shen Xiaofei, her face veiled with a long scarf and wrapped in a cloak, held a delicate bone oil umbrella, standing at the bow of the boat, admiring the misty rain over the lake, not even casting a glance at them. Beside her, Yanran and Wushuang, who held a long sword, stared at them intently.

The boat was approached by a girl of about sixteen or seventeen years old, slender in figure, wearing a short blue jacket and a skirt of the same color. Having spent years making a living on the water, her skin appeared dark and rough, which further accentuated the bright and spirited black eyes beneath her neatly cut bangs

Du Xinyan's shoes have become wet, which is quite uncomfortable. Considering she has been rowing for nearly an hour, her bangs are already damp with sweat, and her face has taken on a dark red sheen. It is time for her to take a break

"You are mine! No one can take you away!" She sighed contentedly. Tilting her head, she looked at Du Xinyan for a while longer and then whispered with a smile, "I really wish it could stay like this forever, but unfortunately, you are about to wake up."

The woman rowing the boat smiled at him, exerted herself, and the boat glided out of the waterway. Before him, the scenery brightened; they had finally emerged from the reed marsh. Small sandbanks, a bit farther away, resembled green cushions floating on the river's surface. The river channel had widened significantly, allowing for a more expansive view.

Xiao Fei seemed not to hear their words, her eyes reflecting a misty river in the depths.

Du Xinyan and Xin'er were just about to board the ship when an old man, smiling, stopped them: "Please, Young Hero Wei, go alone."

The book boy, dressed as if he had lost his soul, forgot the usual admonitions of his young master and hurriedly followed after him. The young master in the blue robe was soaked through, yet his steps did not quicken; he could only glare at the book boy with a look of frustration, shaking his head in resignation. His gaze, however, swept from the head of the charming maid to her feet, and he secretly chuckled to himself, remarking that the beauty of Jiangnan was indeed remarkable, as even in seeking shelter from the rain and casually knocking on a door, one could encounter such a lovely sight.

Her fingers traced down his nose, stopping at his lips, "The flute you play is very beautiful, are you also a lonely person at heart?" Her voice became gentle, as soothing as flowing water

Without a word, I gazed intently at the sandbank ahead, no longer asking questions.

Xiner watched the small boat row towards the center of the lake, shivering with cold as he tucked his neck in. He asked in confusion, "Young Master, is she really the young lady of the Shen family? Goodness, how have we encountered her four times in just over half a year? Even after leaving the capital, it seems too coincidental to run into her like this, doesn't it?"

"Wushuang, please do not tell the young lady what I said; I was merely guessing." Yanran stuck out her tongue and smiled playfully

Du Xinhe looked at the image and a bitter smile floated on her lips as she gazed at Shen Xiaofei, who was standing in the boat, murmuring: "This woman, disregarding the law, has repeatedly targeted officials of the court. Should I invite her to sit in the Supervisory Office for a while?"

At this moment, there suddenly came voices from outside, the tone urgent, calling through the bamboo curtain: "Caught in a sudden downpour, it has disturbed the tranquility of the host's home! May I trouble you to allow me and the two young gentlemen to take shelter under the eaves from the rain?"

Xiao Fei's boat swayed and rowed towards the shore. Hei Lianhu then turned back to the Black Stone Beach water stronghold. The man rowing beside him finally asked: "Boss, they are all officials, why help Miss Shen instead of Lord Du?"

Du Xinyan held the wine bowl and became lost in thought, eventually putting it down and murmuring: "So it turns out that the intoxication of spring breeze is sour"

Du Xinyan did not stop walking, wearing a smile: "What should we do? I serve as an official in the same dynasty as Shen, forcing the young lady to throw herself into the lake. If this gets out, it will tarnish the young lady's reputation"

In the drifting mist and rain, the green mountains on both banks are like淡墨 brushed lightly, and the sound of the flute from the maple-covered mountain unexpectedly intrudes, ethereal and leisurely. She has cast aside wealth and power, the calculations of the human heart, leaving only freedom and joy. She stands still, her oiled paper umbrella unable to withstand the assault of the rain and mist, her cloak densely soaked with moisture. In the distance, the riverbank is already shrouded in a hazy mist, yet Xiao Fei feels that beneath the cold plum tree stands a figure in a green robe, faintly smiling at her.

Du Xinyan lay in a deep slumber, and Xiao Fei remained silent, quietly watching him from beside him. The sunlight shone warmly, and the gentle breeze blew softly. She sat beside him, hugging her knees, with the sky high and the clouds light, in a tranquility where she could hear her own heartbeat

I will send them home. Du Xinyan picked up the aquatic plant nest, glanced to the right, gathered his internal energy, and with his blue robe fluttering, leaped over.

Early spring in February. The willows are budding with green.

The young man in blue quickly clasped his hands in gratitude and said, "Thank you, miss. It is good to be able to avoid this rain." His gesture of respect was heartfelt, and his thanks were sincere, which inevitably endeared him to those who witnessed it.

The boatwoman seems to be quite shy. Occasionally, she would slightly purse her lips and turn her head to steal a glance, only to repeatedly meet Du Xinyan's smiling eyes. When the red clouds cast their glow, they would also tint her smooth cheeks. She would feel embarrassed and turn her head away, her bamboo pole striking the water more urgently, making the boat move more briskly

The boatwoman stared at him blankly, blinking her eyes, seemingly at a loss for words due to her emotions. She pointed at his wet shoes and the damp hem of his clothes, gesturing slightly.

The woman in white slightly nodded her head, the maid who was brewing tea set down the small stove in her hands, lifted the curtain, and hurriedly opened the wooden door while holding up an oiled paper umbrella

As the boat disappeared into the misty rain of the lake, Du Xinyan's figure flashed into the thatched cottage. He anxiously searched among the ruins and finally found the black clay wine jar, which was filled with ashes from grass and wood. He reached into the jar and pulled out a handful of the damp substance mixed with ash, bringing it to his nose for a sniff, and his expression immediately turned peculiar.

Yangzhou, with its riverside location and proximity to the sea, is situated at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Huai River. As a fertile region in the south of the Yangtze River, it has been the source of tribute rice transported by waterway to the capital year after year. The court established the Jiangnan Road Grain Transport Office in Yangzhou, which is directly governed by the Ministry of Revenue. Due to its location within the jurisdiction of Jiangnan Road, it is also overseen by the governor of Jiangnan Road.

Du Xinyan and her servant stood silently under the blue plum tree, allowing the cold rain to drench them

Du Xinyan chuckled softly. A pot of wine had quickly reached its bottom, basking in the warm sun, beside the tranquil reed beds, with an unpretentious girl nearby. He felt an urge to take a nap. Du Xinyan relaxed and lay down on the grass, closing his eyes. A sense of languor emanated from his very bones. He wanted to open his eyes, but his eyelids felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. He struggled to open his eyes, but all he could see was darkness

He did not arrive at the Grain Transport Office first. Following the edict of Emperor Ming, the officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Jiangnan Circuit Supervisory Office had already conducted a thorough investigation of the Grain Transport Office from top to bottom. Every step, from the collection of rice to its storage and loading onto ships, was meticulously examined. More than half a month had passed since the incident occurred, and despite the secret order from Emperor Ming for him to go to Jiangnan, the Ministry of Revenue and the Jiangnan Circuit Supervisory Office had found nothing.

He held the steamed bun in his hand, breaking off a piece and putting it into his mouth. The white bun released a sweet and fragrant taste as he chewed. He ate slowly, savoring each bite. After finishing, he clapped his hands and unexpectedly broke into a smile, his eyes shining brightly in the darkness

From the surface of the lake came a charming scolding: "If you choose to intrude, whom can you blame? My young lady has treated you with fine wine, yet you accuse her of poisoning? A dog biting Lü Dongbin does not recognize a good person's heart! Even if we burn the thatched cottage, we won't let you shelter from the rain! You deserve to be drenched like a drowned rat!"

Du Xinyan smiled: "Wait for someone, wait for a black stone on Black Stone Beach"

With a swift push of the bamboo pole, the small boat glides through the water like a bird. The river channel narrows from wide to narrow, and the small boat navigates through the dense reeds, with the riverbank no longer visible behind. The withered reed leaves from last winter have not completely fallen, while new green leaves have already sprouted and stretched out. These reeds have grown in a tangled manner for many years, flourishing like two walls pressing against the waterway. At first glance, it seems the small boat is charging straight into the thicket of reeds, but with a deft push of the bamboo pole, it skillfully veers into another waterway.

You and Yanran wait for me on the boat. She disembarked and looked at Du Xinyan lying on the ground, her eyes squinting with a smile.

"Xiner!" The young gentleman in blue glanced at that hand, and for some reason, he suddenly thought of the tender white hands of the lotus-picking girl. He furrowed his brows and scolded Xiner, then changed to a smiling face and bowed again to the bamboo curtain, saying: "Scholar Meng Lang, please do not blame the young lady. I, Du Xinyan, express my gratitude for the favor of sheltering from the rain."

Du Xinyan woke up. He shook his head, and his body felt normal, as if he had merely taken a nap in the warm spring sun. Memories surged in like a tide. His pouch was placed beside him, but his token was nowhere to be found

When the earth seal is opened, the wine pours out, a bright red and viscous liquid, exuding an amber glow, with a rich aroma wafting through the air

Soft spring rain falls from the sky, dampening clothes without soaking them. The spring chill is biting, and this gentle rain carries the cold fragrance of plum blossoms. The lake surface is shrouded in mist, and the picturesque scenery of Jiangnan perfectly embodies this sentiment

On the outer side of the dense reeds to the right, there is a patch of thick aquatic plants, and a large black duck is quacking loudly, seemingly searching for its chicks

What is your esteemed surname, young master

Yanran smiled and said: "You have completely captivated him; how could the young lady be in any danger? If anything happens, the young lady will signal with her flute. Wushuang, I think the young lady is most likely in love with Master Du!"

Du Xinyan's face is bathed in sunlight, bright and serene

As the boat entered a waterway, a small clump of water plants lay across the path ahead, where two newly hatched ducklings were chirping loudly. The woman rowing the boat stopped, allowing the vessel to drift slowly closer. She leaned down to scoop up the clump of water plants and looked around, hearing the ducklings calling from the right. Upon glancing down, a hint of urgency appeared on her face.

The terrain of this water area resembles a ginseng plant. After branching off from the main river channel, the tributaries spread out into various sizes of waterways, resembling the fibrous roots of ginseng in a network-like distribution. The waterways meander, taking on a labyrinthine shape. In the middle, there are four or five small lakes, creating a vast expanse of water. It is indeed an excellent hiding place for water bandits

Yanran's anger had not yet subsided. Puffing her cheeks, she said: "Hmph! How dare he write a poem mocking the young lady as inferior to Ding Qianhe! He deserves to be drenched like a drowned rat! It would have been too lenient if I hadn't drugged his drink today!"

Understood, Miss! She smiled charmingly, took away the flower vase from the low table, and shortly returned with a black clay pot, wrapped in a cloth, clearly indicating that the wine had been kept warm all along

His hand had already touched the bamboo curtain, yet the white shadow within truly moved towards the lakeside. Du Xinyan was startled and leaped out. A beam of sword light came piercing towards him, swift and venomous, it was indeed Wushuang. He had no choice but to turn and retreat. He then saw Shen Xiaofei seemingly floating towards the surface of the lake.

The plum blossoms are in full bloom on Meishan Mountain, with visitors weaving through the hills. Below the mountain, painted boats come and go on Xiaochun Lake, with the faint sounds of silk and bamboo instruments drifting in the breeze

The wooden door opened, revealing a beautiful lady standing there, her laughter ringing like silver bells in the air: "Young master, please come in!" After saying this, she smiled charmingly and returned to the thatched cottage, holding an oiled paper umbrella.

At the bow of the ship stood a tall middle-aged man with dark skin, a circle of short beard standing upright like pine needles beneath his jaw, and his eyes were bright and piercing, exuding an imposing presence

The book boy was completely enraptured, while Du Xinyan looked astonished and urgently asked: "Is it the Drunken Spring Breeze treasured by the Ning family of Shaoxing?"

Upon entering the thatched cottage, a maid with a delicate face cheerfully brought over a brazier and said, "It is rather simple here, young master, please make do and dry your wet clothes."

He took out a short bamboo flute, measuring one inch in length, charmingly emerald green, and blew a call resembling that of a waterbird towards the reeds by the riverbank. Before long, a small boat emerged from the thicket of reeds

Wushuang watched for a while, then stood up and took out a bamboo flute from his bosom. It was an inch long, made of emerald bamboo, and was a lovely shade of green. He placed it to his lips and produced a series of chirping sounds reminiscent of water birds. After a moment, another boat glided over from the reeds. Xiaofei, dressed in white, stood gracefully at the bow of the boat.

"You have fallen asleep, and you do not know what I am doing." She seemed to be encouraging herself, glancing back at the direction the small boat had taken, but the clusters of reeds obstructed her view. Xiaofei brushed aside her veil and gently touched Du Xinyan's lips with her head lowered, feeling the warmth. She quickly raised her head, her face full of sunshine

"Sir, are you still waiting for someone?" The old man asked, puzzled, upon seeing that there were only two of them.

Outside the door stood a master and a servant, both drenched. The young master, dressed in a blue robe, had a handsome face and stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the pale plum blossoms with an air of tranquility. A hint of a smile lingered at the corner of his mouth, as if the chilly spring rain had nothing to do with him, for he seemed to be standing in the warm spring breeze under the bright sun. The servant, dressed in a scholar's attire, hunched his neck under a bundle to shield himself from the rain, his pair of glossy eyes blinking as he watched the wooden door with great agility

The woman rowing the boat took a bite of her steamed bun and turned back to smile, as if she was very pleased that he liked it

Whenever he is in a bad mood, he cannot help but make this gesture. Seeing this, Xin'er shuddered and thought to herself that the young lady of the Shen family must be doomed.

The old man smiled and clasped his hands, saying: "So it is Young Hero Wei, I have long admired you."

She stretched out her hand to grasp the sunlight, filling her palms with it, which inevitably lifted her spirits. After walking a few steps, she turned back, took out a steamed bun, and placed it beside him, as if trying to persuade herself: "Just leave one! I am not being kind to you; if you don't eat enough, you will be even hungrier!"

He picked up a handful of ashes and sniffed it, confirming that the fragrant herb was indeed placed in the fire. She was not shy; she deliberately sat upwind to avoid the intoxicating smoke.

Not far away, a large black duck swam to the patch of water plants, and the sound of its quacking came through, full of joy

Wushuang said quietly: "Du Xinyan is the esteemed disciple of the Elder of Tianchi. He has grown suspicious and will not be easily deceived again"

At the opening of the bamboo curtain, a hand holding a tea bowl belonging to a woman in white is revealed. Delicate and slender like an orchid, it is three parts whiter than the white garment itself

She jumped off the boat, wrapped the rope around the stones on the shore, took out a bundle from the boat, pointed at his shoes, and gestured to tell him to build a fire so he could dry his shoes and wet clothes before leaving. She also opened the bundle to show him the steamed buns and a jug of wine inside.

In the distance, the sand gulls and egrets flapped their wings, and all that could be heard between heaven and earth was the faint sound of the wind. This tranquility made him feel a sense of relaxation as if he had returned to the retreat at Luofeng Mountain. He stood behind the boatwoman and suddenly asked, "What is your name?"

Heihei laughed: "The current official is not as good as the current manager. Lord Chen, the governor of Jiangnan, is a disciple of Minister Shen, while Lord Du is a court official, and our relationship with them is as distant as ten thousand miles. Lord Chen has firmly established himself in the position of governor, and there are many benefits from the grain transport association. We are not helping Miss Shen, we are helping Lord Chen! Do you understand?"

By the river stands a solitary tea shed. On the stove, a large tin teapot is boiling, and steamed buns are being prepared, with two square tables set up. An old man, thin and hunched, dressed in a gray cloth short shirt, is sitting in front of the stove, tending to the fire. Upon seeing a guest, he quickly claps his hands and stands up

The fragrance of tea finally wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of plum blossoms in the crisp, clear atmosphere, creating an indescribable sense of comfort and pleasure

What an arrogant woman, clearly burning down the house and not allowing us to seek shelter from the rain!" Xin'er exclaimed in anger.

The river wind on a spring night blew a chill all over. Du Xinyan leisurely took out a delicate little fire starter from his pouch. He pulled some dried reeds to ignite a fire for warmth

Du Xinyan took off her shoes and socks and placed them by the fire. Seeing her pick up a steamed bun and walk away, he knew she was shy and dared not look at his bare feet. He took a sip of wine, and a warm sensation rose from his abdomen, involuntarily exclaiming, "This wine is quite good"

The world of the rivers and lakes has its own rules. When individuals from the rivers and lakes intervene in court affairs, they can no longer rely solely on the rules of the rivers and lakes. After much contemplation, Du Xinyan decided to personally make a trip to Heishi Beach to gather information about the situation regarding the Cang Gang.

Du Xinyan gazed at the figure of Xiao Fei, graceful and poised, standing on the misty lake with an air of languor, almost resembling a person from a painting, lost in admiration. At that moment, a whiff of smoke suddenly wafted by his nose. Turning around, he saw that the thatched cottage had unexpectedly caught fire from the kitchen, accompanied by a strong smell of oil smoke. The rainwater fell, producing a crackling sound, clearly indicating that the materials used to build the cottage had been soaked in oil beforehand. The fire spread with the wind, prompting Du Xinyan to quickly grab the letter and leap out of the cottage. Before long, the thatched cottage was completely consumed by flames.

The woman propelling the boat with a bamboo pole pushed it swiftly into the reeds like an arrow. As she raised the pole, her sleeve slipped down, revealing a section of her wrist that was pale and unexposed to the sun.

Du Xinyan was taken aback, his face beaming with spring-like warmth: "I dare not, it is indeed I."

The reed marsh was quiet, with only the sound of the wind that came with the night and the chirping of waterfowl returning to their nests. He gazed into the distance and finally saw the vast sandbars forming a line of shadows around him, as the sky had completely darkened. The evening breeze lifted his blue robe, and Du Xinyan's figure gradually transformed into a blurred shadow, merging with the night.

There are numerous tributaries along the waterway from Yangzhou to the capital, with rivers winding and lakes densely scattered. Du Xinyan suspected that the tribute rice had been swapped on the water. He calculated the journey of the grain transport ship, examined the map, and focused his attention on an area called Heishi Beach.

This sandbar is not large, approximately 10 to 12 zhang wide and several zhang long. At the edges, there are a few clusters of reeds, while the center features a patch of fresh green grass. Looking outward, the sparse reed beds in the distance connect to form a shallow green carpet, with the undropped reed leaves drooping. The clear alternation between the old and the new further evokes the feeling that spring has arrived

Wushuang took the bamboo pole from Yanran's hand and with a strong push, the boat glided forward as if flying. Half an hour later, the boat had navigated through the reeds, and ahead on the waterway was another boat anchored.

By the time dawn arrived, he had woven dozens of reed bundles, his fingers had been cut and bled in several places. The firelight illuminated his handsome face, with a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth, yet only his eyes and slightly furrowed brows revealed the emotions within him

Du Xinyan gazed at the small boat, her eyes slightly squinting

Du Xinyan then said to Xin'er: "You should return to the inn first." After saying this, he lifted his robe and boarded the small boat

Yanran opened the boat and concealed herself among the reeds. The dense shadows of the reeds obstructed Wushuang's line of sight, and Wushuang suddenly asked, "Miss, will you be in danger alone?"

She began to act, emptying everything from Du Xinyan's pouch, and picked up the badge of the Inspector General of Jiangnan, smiling with satisfaction.

If you come in, I will have no choice but to throw myself into the lake said Shen Xiaofei with a playful smile

Upon hearing this, Yanran's delicate face flushed with a hint of shyness, enhancing her beauty. She shot a glance at the book boy, stamped her foot, and lifted the curtain to enter the inner room

He lowered the water grass nest, using the buoyancy of the intertwined water plants to leap back gracefully, landing steadily at the bow of the boat, his shoes and the hem of his blue shirt already splashed with water. Du Xinyan smiled nonchalantly: "Look, the mother duck has found them."

The woman in white noticed that he did not drink and realized that he had recognized her. She glanced at Yanran and the unswerving Wushuang beside her, dressed in white, accompanied by two maidservants; it was her oversight. She took a delicate sip of tea and, in a tone that was cool and aloof like that found in the Falling Maple Mountain and the Accumulated Emerald Garden, said slowly: "Where is it sour? Young Master Du clearly stated that the wine was poisoned!"

As the sun rose, Du Xinyan recognized the direction and performed lightness skills to soar through the air. When encountering a wide expanse of water, he would throw out a bundle of reeds, using it as leverage to skim across the surface. Even so, he fell into the river several times and wandered among the reeds on multiple occasions

The boatwoman peeled off a layer of black translucent mask from her face, revealing an unparalleled and stunning visage. She approached and pushed him with her hand. Du Xinyan showed no reaction whatsoever. The woman then removed a wooden hairpin from her head and, without any courtesy, aimed it at his hand and thrust it down, yet he still did not respond

Young Master Kuan sat down, and Yanran went to fetch some wine. Although it is spring rain, it is still uncomfortable to be drenched. Yanran smiled slightly, turned to the side kitchen, and soon brought out a jar of Huadiao wine along with several small dishes.

The inner room revealed a vast expanse of lake water. Just a moment ago, there was a boat docked at the shore, and through the bamboo curtain, it was not clearly visible, leading one to mistakenly believe it was indeed a room.

She smiled at Du Xinyan, her nose slightly wrinkling, as if a ripple had been stirred. She gestured for Du Xinyan to sit properly, revealing that she was mute. He had originally intended to extract some information from the boatwoman, but now he couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.

Du Xinyan picked up the token, examined it carefully, and then tucked it into his bosom. He sat down and ate heartily without any reservations. After he had eaten and drunk his fill, he set the tea shed ablaze, tore down the blue cloth curtain, and with black charcoal, wrote in a flamboyant style: "The tea is good, the steamed buns are fragrant, but alas, there is no meat!" Only then did he leave leisurely.

As far as the eye can see, the black stones are scattered across the water, with sand gulls soaring above, and the vast expanse of reeds is sprouting slender green stems, presenting a scene of wild and natural beauty

She silently looked at Du Xinyan for a while, finally believing that he would not wake up, and only then did she breathe a sigh of relief and lower her head to examine him closely

On the boat, Xiao Fei smiled as she embraced a thick cloak, gazing at the misty lake.

Coincidentally, he had a friend from the underworld, Wei Zihao. Du Xinyan heard from Wei Zihao that Heishi Beach was indeed the location of the first waterborne cargo association in Jiangnan, which gave him a bit more confidence.

As the two boats drew closer, Xiao Fei smiled and said, "Thank you, Gang Leader, for your assistance. I will remember this favor. As for Lord Du, I only wish to keep him at Black Stone Beach for a few days. If Lord Du wishes to leave the Gang Leader, there is no need to stop him. However, if he is still at Black Stone Beach after five days, I kindly ask the Gang Leader to send him ashore."

"It doesn't matter, it won't be long before it gets done." Du Xinyan looked at her expression with a hint of amusement, as if he had done something extraordinarily good.

The boatwoman took a small curved sickle, cut the dry reeds, and built a fire. She spread out her bundle on the grass, which contained several large white steamed buns, a packet of fried small fish, a packet of dried tofu, and a small flask of wine

Xiao Fei took out her bamboo flute to summon Yan Ran and Wu Shuang. She boarded the boat, reluctantly gazing at Du Xinyan lying on the grass. After a moment, she sighed softly and said: "The gang leader must have been waiting for a long time, let us depart"

The tea stand is deserted, the tea is hot, and the steamed buns are also hot. On the table lies his token along with a note, written in a crooked manner: "The Caobang treats, Lord Du, enjoy your meal and drink well"

The figure behind the bamboo curtain trembled, and a shy voice emerged, slightly trembling, as if unable to believe its own ears: "Could it be that it is the little Du from the capital?"

Du Xinyan felt a tingling sensation all over upon hearing the final note. With a soft sigh, he remarked: "The wine intoxicates in the spring breeze, and the beautiful person is even more enchanting. It is a pity that the bamboo curtain separates us, for one is ultimately deep within!"

Du Xinyan stared at the bamboo curtain, his expression uncertain. After a moment, he smiled and said: "Shen Xiaofei, Miss Shen, how many times have you tried to play tricks on me? Since you have gone to such lengths to discover my whereabouts, why bother hiding behind the bamboo curtain? Why not come out and greet me properly?" With that, he stepped forward into the inner room

In the water grass nest, two little ducklings have just grown a coat of down, chirping with their tiny green bean-sized eyes squeezed together. The boatwoman rows her boat over, but the water grass is too dense, forming a net that blocks the boat. She sighs and rows the boat back to the original waterway, reaching out to place the ducklings into the reeds beside the boat, her eyes revealing a sense of tenderness

Du Xinyan remained silent, watching as the boatwoman reluctantly prepared to row away. Only then did he completely let down his guard. He realized he had been overthinking; a girl with warm eyes for a little duck truly posed no threat. After observing her for a long time, he confirmed that she indeed had no martial arts skills

Du Xinyan sat down by herself and arranged the tea bowls on the table in a triangular formation

Xiaofei sat on the grass, her fingers gently gliding along Du Xinyan's eyebrows, feeling the soft and furry sensation at her fingertips. Her slender fingers plucked at his black eyelashes as if strumming a string, watching them spring up one by one from the gaps of her transparent nails. Xiaofei murmured, "Such long eyelashes, do you know that your eyes are very expressive?"

The boatwoman did not even turn her head. Du Xinyan shrugged, it seems she is truly a mute.

In the capital, Xiao Du indulges in wine tasting, reciting poetry, playing with swords, and entertaining with the flute, all of which are done to perfection. One should await him in the intoxication of the spring breeze. As the words fade, they carry a hint of lingering affection.

Du Xinyan naturally first went to Yangzhou, where the Jiangnan Grain Transport Office is located, to investigate this case

Three days later, Du Xinyan, drenched from head to toe, finally reached the shore. Exhausted and hungry, he noticed the tea shed not far away, with smoke rising from the cooking fire, and Du Xinyan smiled

Du Xinyan inquired in detail at the Grain Storage Bureau in Beijing about the process of tribute rice from disembarkation to storage. He learned that the Grain Storage Bureau generally conducts random inspections when receiving grain. By puncturing the burlap sacks with an iron pipe, one can ascertain the quality of the rice inside. However, if officials are slightly negligent, the moldy rice at the bottom of the hold can easily be overlooked. If the Jiangnan Grain Transport Bureau does not dare to tamper with the grain during the receiving and loading process, then the moldy rice on the ship must have encountered issues during transit

The rain gradually intensified. The surface of the lake splashed with countless white droplets, ceaselessly. A cool breeze swept in, causing the delicate bamboo curtain to sway unpredictably

Xiao Fei tucked the sign into her bosom, wrapped the food neatly, and held it in her hand, smiling as she said: "I apologize, you possess great skills, so you shouldn't starve. I merely wanted to trouble you for a few days and conveniently use your sign. I won't be like Wushuang; even if I think of you every day, I would still take action against you. Because before I liked you, I had already assisted the Third Prince, and there is no turning back. Once the Third Prince has gained the throne and I have power, you will not be able to escape." Because before I liked you, I had already assisted the Third Prince, and there is no turning back. Once the Third Prince has gained the throne and I have power, you will not be able to escape.

Heilian Hu laughed heartily and said, "Miss Shen may not possess martial arts skills, yet she is able to confine the esteemed disciple of the Elder of Tianchi. I, Heilian, am truly impressed. Miss Shen, please rest assured, the Caobang will never go back on its word"

"Yanyan, change the wine! Do not neglect the young master!" The voice of the woman in white immediately turned urgent, yet still retained its delicate sweetness, with a fine tone that hinted at shyness.

The Cangbang knows his true identity, so what is the purpose of taking away his token? He looked up at the starry sky, with no moon in sight, unable to discern the direction

As soon as he yanked down the bamboo curtain and stepped out, he inwardly exclaimed that it was not good and quickly turned to retreat, finding the situation before him utterly bewildering.