Chapter Eight: Now This Is a Real Misunderstanding
Night.
The sweet voices of orioles and swallows filled the entire Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, exuding an atmosphere of vibrant spring.
Lu Zhou sat in his room, his brows tightly furrowed.
Today, he had thwarted Shen Changbai’s plan to preserve the Embroidered Garment Envoy, disrupting both the arrangements of the Embroidered Garment Envoy and the Thousand Bulls Guard. Such a coincidence—would Chao Lu suspect him?
Lu Zhou pondered for a moment; the answer was certainly yes. If he were Chao Lu and his plans were unexpectedly derailed, even if Lu Zhou’s actions were entirely reasonable and proper, he would still suspect him—especially since Lu Zhou had only just arrived in Shenzhou City.
In fact, Lu Zhou could have chosen not to expose Wang Er, first informing Gao Zhuang and then letting the Tea Bureau make the final decision. His task was merely to keep an eye on Shen Changbai. But if he turned a blind eye, that child would be doomed.
It was too late for regrets now; what mattered was how to avoid arousing Chao Lu’s suspicion.
After a brief reflection, Lu Zhou’s brows relaxed.
Another might not know what to do in this situation, but he was different. He had experienced such circumstances countless times—it was simple for him.
He was now Lu Zhou, Captain of the Thousand Bulls Guard.
He must act in accordance with the duties of a Captain of the Thousand Bulls Guard; he would do exactly what such a captain should do—and even act the part of a captain who feared for his own life.
With this in mind, Lu Zhou took up his brush and recorded the day’s intelligence, preparing two reports: one for Anger, and one for Gao Zhuang.
Yet today, the two reports were entirely different.
...
Chao Lu held the report Anger had delivered, and halfway through reading, he actually smiled.
“This cowardly Lu Zhou…”
In the report, Lu Zhou wrote that Wang Er was likely more than just an ordinary villager from Qingxi, but he dared not investigate further. He also sensed something amiss with Shen Changbai, but again, dared not look deeper.
He requested Chao Lu to make all decisions.
Then he spent several pages explaining how busy he had been lately, unable to take on additional tasks.
Thousands of words, all with a single central idea—
I am busy; dangerous matters should not involve me.
Chao Lu tossed the report onto the table, his fingers tapping lightly as he tried to judge its authenticity. In truth, there was little to judge; the useful content was nearly zero. His concern was whether Lu Zhou himself was problematic.
After a long while, he finally shook his head.
He could find no fault with Lu Zhou. Even if Lu Zhou had plenty of “problems” himself, it was precisely these “problems” that made Chao Lu feel he was not a problem.
He glanced at Anger standing nearby and asked, “Did you find anything when I sent you to investigate Lu Zhou?”
“No,” Anger replied.
Chao Lu nodded, “It’s probably just a coincidence, but we can’t be careless. If I’d known, I shouldn’t have sent him to the Prefect’s Office in the first place.”
...
Anger said, “You were worried he’d be too idle.”
Chao Lu truly feared idleness—idle hands lead to trouble, especially with Lu Zhou and Chao Jin’er entangled in some unresolved karma. That made him even more uneasy.
Chao Lu waved his hand, “Forget it, let’s set him aside for now. Is there anything else?”
Anger nodded, producing another report from his coat and handing it over.
“There’s one more thing: while investigating Lu Zhou’s background, I inadvertently discovered something about Shen Changbai…”
“Oh?”
A cold gleam flashed in Chao Lu’s eyes as he took the report. It was short, only a single line, but after reading it, a faint smile curved his lips.
“How interesting…”
...
Apricot Grove Apothecary.
Caw.
Caw.
Two low cries from a crow. The window to Gao Zhuang’s room silently opened, and a crow with black feathers flew inside.
After reading the intelligence, Gao Zhuang burned it as per protocol, then rebuked the crow, “You were far too careless. Even if Wang Er is an agent of the Embroidered Garment Envoy, your actions put yourself in danger.”
“I know,” the crow sighed.
Gao Zhuang was furious, “If you know, why do it anyway? Master Mu Ru always said you were cautious—how could you make such a mistake? Never mind, at least disaster was avoided, and the rescue plan of the Embroidered Garment Envoy was thwarted.”
The crow replied, “The Embroidered Garment Envoy will not give up so easily. They will surely take action again soon.”
Gao Zhuang’s expression was stern, “Your task is only to watch Shen Changbai.”
The crow laughed, “A commander in the field does not always obey orders.”
Gao Zhuang fell silent for a long moment, then sighed, “You’d best prepare a coffin in advance.”
The crow also sighed, “In our line of work, even if we prepare a coffin, who will place us in it?”
It was the first time Gao Zhuang had ever heard Lu Zhou sigh. He had never imagined that someone as cautious as Lu Zhou would harbor such thoughts. The words, once spoken, left a dull ache in the heart.
“All right, you’d better go. The Embroidered Garment Envoy won’t act for a few days. Just look after your own safety—since you’ve ruined their plans, they won’t let you off.”
Gao Zhuang opened the window a crack.
The crow flapped its wings and flew out, vanishing onto the withered old tree in the courtyard.
Night. A crescent moon hung high.
Lu Zhou sat in the courtyard, several jars of wine stacked beside him—brought from the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion. He drank bowl after bowl, quickly.
Suddenly, he set down his cup.
Gao Zhuang said the Embroidered Garment Envoy wouldn’t act for a few days—how did he know?
...
The next day, Qingxi Village.
Lu Zhou returned once more—conducting a case follow-up, as his position required certain records. Yet his attention was on Old Xu. Upon arrival, he discovered Old Xu had already been buried.
To be buried so quickly after death seemed rather hasty.
Lu Zhou’s mind vaguely sensed something, but the thought remained elusive, impossible to grasp.
“Senior Brother.”
A clear voice behind him interrupted his thoughts. With the moment lost, that fleeting notion would be even harder to catch.
The voice was familiar.
Lu Zhou felt a bitter pang in his heart.
“It’s you, Junior Sister. What brings you here again?”
“I overheard villagers talking about Captain Lu from the Prefect’s Office solving a case and saving a child from wrongful accusation. I guessed it was you, and didn’t expect to run into you here.”
“You guessed wrong.”
“Senior Brother, I want to have some tea pastries from Yunxi Tower.”
“I’ve already eaten.”
Lu Zhou did not want to become entangled with Li Zhilan, so he replied offhandedly, “Maybe next time. Besides, Yunxi Tower’s pastries aren’t very good… Junior Sister, I am only a talon of Shuoguo; we’re not suited for each other.”
“So it was a misunderstanding. Even though you’re an official in the Prefect’s Office, your heart for justice remains unchanged.”
“I’m afraid that’s the real misunderstanding.”
“Senior Brother, your heart is filled with righteous energy. That makes me happy.”
“…”
Suddenly, Lu Zhou felt a heavy constriction in his chest.
A cold wind blew, lifting Li Zhilan’s hair and revealing her clean neck. “It’s really chilly today.”
“If it’s cold, why not head home?” Lu Zhou offered a suggestion.
Disappointment flickered through Li Zhilan’s heart. Whenever he said this before, Senior Brother would always drape his long robe over her shoulders. Yet she stubbornly replied, “I won’t go. I have much more to say. Even though I understand your intentions, in the eyes of Zhou’s cultivators, you are still a traitor. Do you realize how dangerous your situation is?”
“Do you know where I’m going right now?”
“No.”
“Just as you don’t know where I go, how can you know what dangers I face? But I can tell you, Junior Sister, I’m headed for the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion.”
“Ah… scoundrel!”
Li Zhilan’s face flushed crimson.
Lu Zhou watched her receding figure, falling into deep thought.
“My performance is already so flawless—how does she see that I still possess a heart of righteousness?”