Volume 1, Chapter 25: Zhao Wujiang, My Shoulders Are So Sore
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Li Yunrui’s cheeks grew even redder. She gave a soft snort to conceal the shy fluster in her heart.
The two entered the room. The waiter tactfully withdrew, respectfully assuring them that they had only to call if they needed anything.
Once the door was shut, Li Yunrui threw herself onto the bed in delight. The journey through half the night had exhausted her.
She had not noticed it while talking with Zhao Wujiang, but now that they were inside, drowsiness overcame her.
Perhaps a bath would refresh her.
“I want to bathe.” Li Yunrui looked around and frowned. “Why is there no water? Zhao Wujiang... could you fetch some bathwater for me?”
“Do you think this is the Imperial Palace, with servants waiting on you hand and foot?” Zhao Wujiang snapped. “I’m here to keep watch on the Sword-Casting Bureau, remember? If you can’t endure a little hardship, go back while you still can.”
Li Yunrui stopped undressing and gave a muffled little “Oh,” her voice thick with grievance.
“Then I’ll fetch it myself... But what if someone recognizes me?”
Zhao Wujiang was speechless. “...All right, all right. I’ll go.”
“I knew you were the best.” Li Yunrui smiled with pursed lips. She knew Zhao Wujiang truly cared about her.
Zhao Wujiang left the room.
When he reached the place where water was drawn, it was pitch-dark, the light dim. Suddenly, a voice full of complaint rang out.
“What a wretched place! They call this a superior room, yet they do not even burn incense inside...”
“There isn’t even... even a decent woman here... No, there aren’t any women at all! How is this young master supposed to sleep?”
Zhao Wujiang glanced toward the source of the voice.
Judging by appearances, it was some pampered young master from a wealthy family.
“Who are you?”
The rich young master noticed the approaching footsteps and sized Zhao Wujiang up.
“Brother, are you a traveling merchant?”
Zhao Wujiang stroked the beard on his cheek and nodded.
“Ah, a merchant. You travel far and wide, so I imagine you know this place fairly well...” The young master moved closer and lowered his voice. “Are there any establishments nearby where one can drink flower wine?”
“No.” Seeing that the man was a kindred spirit, Zhao Wujiang added, “The area around the Sword-Casting Bureau is all residential. If you want wine and women, head toward the Imperial Palace. You’ll get there in about half an hour.”
The rich young master’s face fell.
Of course he knew there were plenty of women near the Imperial Palace. He had grown tired of them and wanted to try his luck on the outskirts of the capital.
“Half an hour... Never mind. I have important business to attend to. Sigh, but what am I to do with myself through this long, endless night...”
“Er...”
Finding the man rather agreeable, Zhao Wujiang reached into his robes and pulled out a yellowed ancient book. He held it out.
“If you’re truly lonely, perhaps this will help tide you over?”
The rich young master glanced at the cover, his face lighting up with delight.
“The Hundred Blossoms of the Spring Chamber!”
The Hundred Blossoms of the Spring Chamber was one of Zhao Wujiang’s treasured pieces of smut.
He had originally planned to sit around outside the Sword-Casting Bureau by himself, and had brought it along to pass the time and ease his loneliness.
Who could have known that Li Yunrui would insist on coming with him?
Now it was impossible for him to read it.
As luck would have it, the young man before him was unable to endure his own loneliness either. Zhao Wujiang decided to hand the book over and let him take it off his hands.
The rich young master flipped through several pages, his hand trembling.
“What a fine book! Brother, where did you acquire such a treasure?”
“Two lechers adrift beneath the same sky—when we meet, let us not ask where the book came from.”
Zhao Wujiang coughed dryly and stuffed the little yellow book into the rich young master’s hands.
The young master hurriedly tucked it into his robes and exchanged a knowing smile with Zhao Wujiang.
But considering his own status, how could he accept another’s favor without repaying it?
He, too, produced a fine jade pendant and handed it to Zhao Wujiang.
“Brother, I hope you will not disdain this. If you ever encounter a problem you cannot resolve for the moment, simply take this jade pendant and come to the Imperial Palace to find me. I will certainly help you.”
Zhao Wujiang nodded and accepted the pendant.
“Then I shall...” The rich young master patted the little yellow book against his chest.
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Zhao Wujiang nodded once more, knowing that loneliness could make a man terribly impatient.
The rich young master smiled again, waved farewell, and departed from the dimly lit place.
Zhao Wujiang leisurely filled a large bucket with hot water and headed back toward his room. As he walked, a thought puzzled him.
“Come to the Imperial Palace to find him? Is he a member of the imperial family?”
...
At the same time.
The rich young master had hidden himself in a side room and was utterly absorbed in the little yellow book. Someone knocked lightly on the door in a steady rhythm.
The door opened, and two attendants dressed as servants entered the room. The moment they saw the rich young master, they dropped to their knees.
“Greetings, Your Highness, the Sixth Imperial Prince.
“Your Highness, we found no trace of Zhao Wujiang along the way. Could it be that we moved too slowly?”
The Sixth Imperial Prince shook his head and laid the little yellow book face down on the table. His voice was solemn.
“Impossible! That fool Zhao Wujiang spends his entire day indulging in wine and women. His kidneys have long since been weakened, so he cannot possibly move that quickly!
“Wait for him outside the Sword-Casting Bureau.”
“Your Highness is wise,” the attendants flattered him enthusiastically.
“You may leave for now.” The Sixth Imperial Prince radiated authority and righteous dignity. “I am going to read.”
“Your Highness is truly diligent. We shall take our leave at once.”
“Wait. Something important seems to be happening inside the Sword-Casting Bureau. There are too many eyes and ears. Do not call me ‘Your Highness’ for the time being. Keep my identity concealed.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Very well, Your Highness. No problem, Your Highness.”
...
When Zhao Wujiang returned to the room with the water, Li Yunrui immediately came over and gave him a coquettish little whine.
“Zhao Wujiang... thank you for fetching the water for me...”
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