Vol. 2 - Ch. 69 - Digging Up the Roots of the “River Rogue”

Yuhang County.

On a long street paved with bluish stone—

A group of ragged, mud-smeared refugees sat huddled by the roadside.

This year’s “Peach Blossom Flood” had swept across the coastal regions.

Disaster victims from both banks of the Yangtze had scattered throughout nearby prefectural cities.

Xiaofu held the maid’s hand tightly, her round, black-and-white eyes fixed on the refugees lining the street.

“Sister Sidu…”

“Why are they sitting on the road like that?”

The girl tilted her small face upward, voice bright and innocent as she gazed at the young maid called Sidu.

She carried a vegetable basket hooked in her arm.

Hearing his question, Sidu lowered her head and gently patted her hair, whispering, “Because they were struck by floods.”

“The water swept away their homes… and their fields.”

Xiaofu blinked her wide, dark eyes, puzzled.

“But why?”

“Why did the water wash their houses away?”

“Why don’t they live in better houses?”

Sidu followed her childlike reasoning for a moment.

She shook her head. “I don’t know either.”

“Maybe… the imperial taxes are too heavy, and ordinary folks can’t afford good houses.”

The maid herself was only thirteen or fourteen.

She didn’t really know how to answer such questions.

Back home, she often heard her father complaining that the taxes had been raised again and again…

Most likely, the people’s hardship had something to do with that.

Xiaofu seemed to understand—or perhaps not. She nodded faintly.

They walked on together.

Sidu had only gone out to buy vegetables, but Xiaofu insisted on tagging along.

Only after Chen Ye’s approval did she dare bring her out.

To Sidu, every child in the Orphanage was like a young master or lady.

She had to be cautious.

As they moved down the street—

“Huh…”

Xiaofu suddenly cocked her head, blinking her big bright eyes toward the opposite side of the road.

There, two men dressed in rough yellow hemp shirts were moving quickly, grim-faced, as if rushing somewhere.

Xiaofu’s gaze locked on them.

“What is it?” Sidu noticed the change in her and asked.

The girl tilted her face up, voice serious, “Those two… they kind of look like Sister Xiaolian.”

Sidu froze for a second.

She thought about it, then dismissed the remark.

Probably just childish nonsense.

Xiaofu puffed her cheeks, stealing another glance backward.

But the men had already disappeared into the crowd.

…

Behind a small roadside stall, Xiao Song glanced over his shoulder cautiously.

His companion Xiao Zhou also turned to look.

“What’s wrong?” Xiao Zhou asked.

Xiao Song withdrew his gaze, shaking his head.

“Nothing… just felt like someone was staring at me.”

“More than once.”

“Must’ve been my imagination.”

His eyes lowered, scanning the street carefully.

Xiao Zhou chuckled lightly. “This operation is completely covert. Nobody will notice us.”

“Probably just some wandering martial artist.”

Xiao Song considered that for a moment. “Perhaps…”

“According to intel from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, the river rogue Zhang Shun was sighted in Yuhang.”

“Most likely, he’s a native here.”

The two killers from Qilin Pavilion exchanged a silent look.

They had tracked him all the way from Taihu Lake to Yuhang.

At last, they were closing in on Zhang Shun’s origins.

Xiao Zhou rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Zhang Shun’s a water bandit. Doesn’t have much contact with women out on Taihu Lake.”

“If he’s from Yuhang and comes back… odds are, he’ll spend the night in a brothel.”

Xiao Song’s eyes lit up.

“There’s only one brothel here—the Crimson Joy House.”

Xiao Zhou nodded. “We might find clues there.”

Before joining Qilin Pavilion, both had served as Six Gates constables.

They still carried the habits of investigators.

Walking swiftly, they made for Yuhang’s largest brothel.

The moment they neared the Yuhong Brothel, a heavy cloud of powder and perfume wafted out, so thick it was almost choking.

It was mid-afternoon; few people lingered on the streets.

The two men stepped inside.

On the first floor, Madam Liu, the brothel’s seasoned hostess, immediately spotted the two martial-dressed strangers.

Her eyes sparkled as she sashayed forward, scented handkerchief fluttering in her fingers.

“Oh my!” she cried sweetly, wrapping herself around Xiao Zhou’s arm. “Gentlemen, please, come inside…”

Xiao Zhou’s brow creased in distaste.

Xiao Song only smiled, flicking his wrist to reveal a five-tael silver note.

Madam Liu’s eyes locked on the money instantly.

Sensing Xiao Zhou’s dislike, she smoothly slipped away from his arm and clung to Xiao Song instead.

Xiao Song grinned amiably. “How should I address Mama?”

“Surname Liu,” she cooed.

Though in her forties, Madam Liu still held the faded allure of an experienced beauty—and she knew exactly how to charm.

Xiao Zhou, meanwhile, frowned deeper, uncomfortable in this setting.

Xiao Song handed her the silver, then drew a rolled portrait from his robe.

The drawing depicted Sun Sheng—clear, lifelike, expertly rendered.

Madam Liu accepted the money and glanced at the portrait.

Her expression froze for a fraction of a second.

Then, lips pressed tight, she studied the two men a little longer.

She recognized that brat instantly.

But she hesitated only a breath before feigning surprise. “Who is this man?”

Xiao Song and Xiao Zhou exchanged a subtle glance.

“This fellow owes us money,” Xiao Song said evenly. “He’s from Yuhang too. Mama hasn’t seen him?”

Madam Liu stared at the portrait, brows knitting as if in thought.

After a long pause, she shook her head.

“Never seen him. Don’t know him.”

With nothing more to glean, Xiao Song’s smile turned brittle as he tucked the portrait away.

“Sorry to trouble Mama…”

With that, they left together.

From behind, Madam Liu waved her handkerchief, calling out, “Gentlemen, do visit again when you’ve time!”

Watching their figures fade, her brows drew slightly together. She muttered under her breath, “What trouble did that little bastard stir up now…?”

“For it to follow him all the way here…”

She and Chen Ye had been neighbors for over two years.

Every year, she’d quietly sent some silver his way.

No way would she sell out Sun Sheng for a mere five taels.

Casting a long, thoughtful glance down the street, she let her usual hostess smile return.

When another guest entered, she bustled forward.

“Well now, isn’t this Young Master Zhang?”

“It’s been ages… please, come inside!”

…

Out on the stone street again, Xiao Song and Xiao Zhou walked in silence.

“She’s lying,” Xiao Zhou said flatly.

“Indeed.”

Xiao Song nodded once.

Both former constables had seen the fleeting flicker of truth in Madam Liu’s face.

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