Snow falls and the wind blows - Chapter 30
Therefore, while inside the house, Zhou Yufei, aside from regretting his rash behavior and bumping into the beauty, wasn't too bothered by it, focusing instead on enjoying Xiao Duan's wonderful speech. The other two, however, were incredibly frustrated. Zhao Ting was struggling to process the fact that Xiao Duan was actually a woman, feeling utterly helpless about his past few days of suppressed frustration. Zhan Yun, on the other hand, blamed himself for being so slow-witted and blind—how could he not even tell if someone was male or female! The three of them reluctantly left the house one by one, hoping to get closer to Xiao Duan, calm her down, and perhaps ask about her future plans.
To everyone's surprise, after hearing what Young Master Zhou's supposedly sincere apology, Xiao Duan simply replied, "It's alright," and continued walking forward. Zhou Yufei took another step forward, frantically gesturing to the other two, implying that they should hurry up and come help, or they would really disappear!
Zhan Yun cleared his throat twice and walked to Xiao Duan's other side: "Xiao Duan, we..."
Zhao Ting walked directly in front of Xiao Duan, blocking her path, his deep eyes fixed on the beauty: "Xiao Duan, where are you planning to go next?"
"Get out of the way." Duan said softly, and the three of them were immediately at a loss.
Xiao Duan bypassed Zhao Ting and walked directly towards the carriage. The three of them couldn't follow closely, so they could only slowly move forward. When Qing Zi saw this, she quickly walked to Xiao Duan's side, glared at him fiercely, and pulled him onto the carriage by his arm.
The three watched as the beautiful woman gracefully boarded the carriage and disappeared behind the curtain, then watched the carriage start moving and gradually disappear from sight. Zhou Yufei, his peach blossom eyes half-closed, leaned closer to Chu Hui: "Little brother, do you know where they're going next?"
Chu Hui glared coldly at Zhou Yufei: "Who said I'm your brother?"
Zhou Yufei choked, feeling awkward and hurt, and returned to Zhan Yun's side, sighing softly, "Xingzhi, it's still easier to break through with girls." The implication was that it wasn't that he lacked charm, but rather that the target gender was simply wrong.
Zhao Ting replied irritably, "Yes. You've already sent two people to break through to the next level since you arrived today!"
Zhan Yun held a folding fan, gazing into the distance, a faint smile still playing on his lips. Unless Xiao Duan retired from the martial world and stopped solving cases, they would meet again someday, across the vast land of China. He only hoped that day wouldn't be too far away.
Author's Note: The case is closed! Feel free to point out any discrepancies.
So we need to cultivate a tradition: every time a case is closed, it's time for everyone to share their insights.
Hehe, it's exactly midnight now, I'm going to sleep~
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Chapter One: Snowy Night • Fragrant Breeze
At the end of October of the same year.
Night fell. A cold wind, carrying fine snowflakes, swept across the scene. Few pedestrians were on the road, and those who were there quickened their pace, shivering. The man, dressed in a light blue cotton robe, had a thick layer of snow covering his shoulders, yet his back remained ramrod straight. He tightened the bundle on his shoulders, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, and he glanced at the faint lights in the distance. It seemed he would have to spend the night in this town.
The man used his light-footed skill, using the thin layer of snow on the stone path to glide three to five zhang (approximately 10-15 meters) in a single step. In no time, he arrived at the inn's entrance. Stepping across the threshold, he was greeted by the innkeeper's hurried approach: "Sir, are you here to light a fire or to stay?"
The man gave the old man a cold glance, and the innkeeper quickly explained with a smile, "Well, if you'd like a meal, our inn will certainly treat you well. If you're looking for a room, please go somewhere else; our inn is currently full."
The man pursed his lips and asked in a low voice, "Aren't there even any shared rooms?"
The innkeeper nodded and cupped his hands in apology: "I'm so sorry. You see, the snow has been falling all day, sometimes heavy and sometimes light. So since evening, we've had a lot of people looking for a place to stay."
"How far is the nearest inn towards Jiangning Prefecture?" Tiny water droplets slid slowly down the man's temples and then seeped into his collar. The snow on his shoulders and back gradually melted. The man clenched his teeth, but still couldn't help shivering.
Just as the shopkeeper was about to answer, a clear voice rang out from not far away: "Little Duan?"
Duan Chen turned his head somewhat stiffly, only to see three handsome young men sitting around a table in a corner of the inn, their gazes all fixed on him. Zhan Yun, dressed in a white brocade robe, had already stood up and walked over: "It really is you! Little Duan, I didn't expect to meet you here." Zhan Yun smiled slightly, but his handsome features couldn't hide his joy.
Duan Chen nodded, gritted his teeth, and took a step to leave, but Zhan Yun reached out and grabbed his sleeve: "It's getting late, and the snow is so heavy, where do you think you're going?"
Zhao Ting and Zhou Yufei also put down their chopsticks and came over. Zhao Ting frowned and sized up Duan Chen for a long time. He seemed to have lost even more weight since they last met half a year ago. Zhou Yufei, on the other hand, stared at Duan Chen with amusement. This awkward look of his was quite similar to that of their young Prince Zhao!
"Manager, are there no rooms available?" Zhan Yun released her grip and took a step to the side. Duan Chen's face instantly darkened. This person! That seemingly casual step actually blocked her way. Coupled with the positions of the other two, she would have to fight if she wanted to leave.
The innkeeper nodded, and Zhan Yun said gently, "That's easy. Xiao Duan, the three of us can share a room with you." As he spoke, he looked at the other two.
Zhou Yufei raised one corner of his mouth, his voice low and seductive: "Duan Chen, come sleep in my room. My bed is a bit... um!"
Zhao Ting withdrew his elbow without making a sound, his deep eyes fixed on Duan Chen: "Go sleep in my room. I'll share a room with him."
Duan Chen's face turned pale and then red. After thinking it over several times, he finally looked up at Zhao Ting and thanked him softly.
Zhao Ting and his two companions had only recently arrived at the inn, and the food and wine had just been served when they pulled Duan Chen over to sit with them. Duan Chen really didn't want to have any more dealings with these three, but they had just given him a room and were so warmly inviting him; if he were to refuse them coldly, it would seem too ungrateful.
The four sat around a square table, each on one side. Zhou Yufei called over a waiter to add another hot dish and a bowl of hot soup, while Zhan Yun picked up a wine jar to pour wine for Duan Chen.
Duan Chen took out a snow-white silk handkerchief from her bosom and wiped the snow from her cheeks and forehead. The snow on her shoulders had already melted, so wiping it was useless. Fortunately, her cotton robe was thick enough that the snow couldn't seep into her undergarments. Zhan Yun watched from the side and secretly shook her head. With the snow so heavy, why didn't this person bring an umbrella? Girls aren't like men; catching a cold is bad for their health. She knew a little about medicine, so why was she so inconsiderate of taking care of herself? Zhan Yun suddenly remembered the first time she saw Duan Chen. It was also snowing lightly that day, and she was dressed in a light blue robe, without an umbrella, brushing past her like a gust of wind, disappearing into the vast snow in the blink of an eye.
The small country inn had no wine cups or goblets; the group used simple earthenware bowls. Duan Chen thanked them softly, then picked up the bowl and took a large gulp. The spicy liquor slid down her throat like a raging fire, burning all the way to her stomach. She took two more sips before her slightly frozen body gradually warmed up. Duan Chen raised the back of her hand to wipe her lips, only to find the three men staring at her with different expressions.
Zhou Yufei picked up a piece of cured meat and put it in his bowl, his peach blossom eyes glancing at the other two with a half-smile. Zhao Ting's expression was cold and he didn't respond, while Zhan Yun smiled and said, "Xiao Duan's drinking capacity is no less than yours or mine."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yufei showed a slight surprise, picked up the earthenware bowl, took a sip of wine, and then smiled at Duan Chen: "How is this wine?"
"The wine is strong and fragrant, like orchids and irises, with a gentle breeze and pearly red hues. Roses are intoxicating, jade mallets are used, and the golden waves of the Blue Bridge herald the spring of ten provinces. Fragrant springs and the wind sway the green bamboo leaves; I would rather drink a thousand cups and never wake up again." After reciting the poem, Duan Chen took another large gulp of wine. His tongue was slightly numb from the stimulation, and his whole body felt warm from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. He couldn't help but sigh softly and then said, "Mixing the spring of ten provinces with fragrant springs creates a unique flavor."
Zhou Yufei chuckled upon hearing this, winking at Duan Chen: "We've met an expert!" This woman is truly fascinating! She drinks with more gusto than most men, has memorized the wines from various regions, and judging by her appearance, she's traveled all over the country over the years, tasting quite a few fine wines!
Zhan Yun drank a bowl of hot soup, then picked up a spoon and ladled out another bowl, placing it beside Duan Chen. "This wine is enjoyable to drink, but too much can hurt your stomach." As he spoke, he glanced at Zhou Yufei with a hint of helplessness; this kid was going to act arrogantly again. That wine was something he had sourced from the Jiangnan region; he kept several jars in his carriage, and he would open one every time he ate. Duan Chen's words had really hit the nail on the head.
Zhao Ting glanced at Zhan Yun sideways, while Zhou Yufei raised an eyebrow and clicked his tongue in admiration: "When did our young master Xingzhi become so virtuous? He's quite adept at pouring wine and serving soup!"
Zhan Yun's cheeks flushed slightly, her crescent-shaped eyes quickly glancing at Duan Chen, her clear voice carrying a hint of coldness: "Yi Ran."
Zhou Yufei smiled, picked up the earthenware bowl, drank the wine, and stopped teasing. He was joking; Young Master Xingzhi only seemed easy to get along with. If a fight broke out, he wouldn't gain the slightest advantage.
Zhao Ting ate quietly, his eyes fixed on the people opposite him. Duan Chen lowered his eyes, drinking and eating, but not touching his rice. He was aware of the three men exchanging glances and glancing in his direction from time to time. But Duan Chen had no intention of getting involved with them. After this meal, they would go their separate ways; he couldn't afford to associate with them again. The last incident was a warning: those who shouldn't be provoked should never be touched. This life, though cheap, was saved by the lives of hundreds of people back then. Heaven have mercy on him; he's survived all these years, some better, some worse. He couldn't let it end up at the hands of these three.
Zhao Ting put down his chopsticks and asked in a deep voice, "Where are you going?"