After Rebirth, I Married my Archenemy - Chapter 72

Qun Qing spoke such words purely to gauge Lu Huating’s intentions. Over the past couple of days, Lu Huating seemed to be in a good mood. Putting herself in his shoes, if Lu Huating had fallen into her hands like this, she would also be feeling smug.

As soon as she finished speaking, Qun Qing felt a strong force pull her toward him. Before she could react, the restraints on her were quickly loosened.

Taking advantage of the moment, Qun Qing flexed her wrists.

Lu Huating’s long lashes fluttered slightly. He didn’t look at her but directed his gaze toward the bustling first floor. 

“This place isn’t safe. Look below, at the table near the carved pillar.”

Qun Qing followed his line of sight and saw a group of seven or eight burly men gathered around a table, throwing dice. One of them, a broad-shouldered and thick-waisted man, unintentionally raised his head, giving her a clear view of his face. She furrowed her brows. 

“He looks familiar… Isn’t that Cui Zhu’s illegitimate younger brother?”

“Cui Hao,” Lu Huating said calmly.

Qun Qing recalled that the Cui family had all been imprisoned and remembered someone named Cui Hao, who had escaped from prison with the key to the Cui family’s treasure vault. Meng Guangshen had been tasked by imperial decree to pursue him.

Looking around the gambling den again, she sensed a hidden murderous tension amid the lively atmosphere. The guards at the entrance leaned lazily against the door, unaware that several men dressed in civilian clothes had infiltrated, moving about as if searching for someone.

It seemed a fight might break out soon. No wonder Lu Huating had let her go.

However, if these people were Chancellor Meng’s pursuers, why was Lu Huating fleeing faster than them? It was as if he knew Cui Hao’s whereabouts like the back of his hand.

After a brief thought, Qun Qing asked, “Was Cui Hao deliberately released?”

Lu Huating smiled without answering. Instead, he looked up at her, the candlelight reflecting in his eyes, giving her the illusion that, at this moment, nothing was more intriguing to him than her. 

“Why are you wearing a veil?”

Qun Qing smoothed her skirt and sat across from him. 

“This place feels unsafe.”

“You know it’s chaotic, yet you still came. What’s so urgent that it couldn’t wait until tonight when I return?” Lu Huating poured her a drink.

On the table lay an untouched plate of black rice cakes. After her recent activity, Qun Qing felt a bit hungry. Just as she reached out with her chopsticks, Lu Huating moved the plate away. He called over a nearby maid and said, 

“Cold food spoils the flavor. Have it reheated.”

The maid, charming and quick-witted, replied, “How could we treat you so poorly, my lord? Let me bring you a fresh serving.”

Soon, a plate of steaming black rice cakes was served, their warm fragrance wafting through the air.

But Qun Qing didn’t touch her chopsticks. “How much leverage does Advisor Lu want? I’ve never seen anyone treat a political adversary this way.”

Through the steam, Lu Huating chuckled. “Have you heard the story of raising venomous creatures?”

He continued, “It’s said that an eastern martial artist raised venomous creatures in a jar, planting them on his back to cultivate an indestructible technique. The more ferocious and poisonous the creatures, the better the results. But if they were only half-dead, his skills wouldn’t improve.”

Qun Qing listened quietly and then said, “I’ve only heard of venomous creatures turning on their master.”

Lu Huating’s expression froze for a moment. Before he could respond, she had already lifted her veil and started eating the black rice cakes.

“Where were you just now, Liu Niang?” he asked after a pause.

Hearing that name from his lips, Qun Qing’s eyelashes trembled. She knew Wen Su must have reported the situation to him.

“I went to Gold Street to visit an old acquaintance and noticed that several old silk merchants have all gone bankrupt. Doesn’t Advisor Lu find that a bit coincidental?”

Lu Huating said, “Is my lady here to assist me in official matters?”

Qun Qing replied, “I have something to say to Advisor Lu. Do you have time to listen?”

Lu Huating lowered his gaze to the floor below. The infiltrators were scanning each table of gamblers, slowly closing in on Cui Hao’s table.

Qun Qing picked up a piece of black rice cake, flicked her wrist, and tossed it downstairs. It landed perfectly in the back of Cui Hao’s collar.

Completely engrossed in his game, Cui Hao only felt something warm slip down his back. Startled, he covered the back of his neck. Turning his head, he noticed the ominous atmosphere and immediately broke out in cold sweat. Not daring to look for the culprit, he discreetly slipped into the crowd.

Seeing this, Lu Huating’s gaze deepened, though his lips curved into a faint smile. 

“So you can talk and watch a show at the same time. Now, however, there’s no show to watch.”

He wasn’t angry, which confirmed that Cui Hao was indeed bait he had deliberately released to toy with Meng Guangshen’s men.

Qun Qing said, “I can either be an obstacle or an ally. I just want to ask if the words you once said still hold true.”

“What did I say?”

“You said the incident at Qingjing Temple wasn’t Prince Yan’s doing and that you were looking for the killer.”

Lu Huating’s gaze turned serious.

Qun Qing continued, “I’ve lost my family at Qingjing Temple and might lose more to Prince Zhao and Chancellor Meng. I want to investigate personally. Since we have overlapping interests, why not cooperate?”

Lu Huating seemed surprised. After a long pause, he asked, “Do you want to return to the palace?”

Eating another piece of black rice cake, Qun Qing replied indifferently, “Isn’t that what Advisor Lu wants?”

Lu Huating finally understood her keen interest in the affairs of Xuzhou. She was accumulating leverage to negotiate with him. Yet, hidden behind her veil, her expression remained unreadable. For some reason, the thought left him feeling uneasy, and his fingers tightened around the teacup.

“The prince is suspicious, and I seek the Chief Secretary’s help to resolve it. In return, I will assist with the official affairs of Xuzhou,” Qun Qing said. Then, she added, “Is what I’m offering enough as leverage?”

“Not enough,” Lu Huating replied, finishing the wine in his cup.

Qun Qing fell silent for a moment before retrieving the Yufei pill wrapped in a silk handkerchief from her sleeve. She placed it on the table and said, “I also brought this for the Chief Secretary. This should suffice.”

As she said, she picked up the wine pot on the table and filled it for Lu Huating.

During the consultation, the woman had mentioned that silk merchants in Xuzhou were fond of Yufei wine, though she didn’t know how Yufei pills and wine could be combined. Curious, Qun Qing looked at the Yufei pills in her hand and dropped one directly into a wine cup.

Unexpectedly, the pill dissolved quickly, causing the wine to froth and foam, releasing an intense, alluring fragrance.

What Qun Qing didn’t anticipate was the reaction it triggered. As the scent spread, servants passing by, maids standing nearby, and even a few gamblers hurrying past turned their gazes toward the table. Their eyes were sticky with greed, making Qun Qing uneasy.

Moments later, a strikingly beautiful maid emerged from the shadows. She approached the two with a respectful bow and said, 

“My lord and my lady, are you merchants who have come from afar? My boss requests your presence.”

Qun Qing exchanged a glance with Lu Huating, her unease mirrored in his faint frown. Neither had expected this development. Remaining composed, Lu Huating picked up the wine cup, blew away the foam, and took a measured sip. 

“And who might your boss be?”

Qun Qing’s knuckles tightened on the edge of the table, betraying her tension. Lu Huating glanced at her briefly, his expression almost reassuring.

The maid, noticing his sip, lowered her eyes and replied, “The boss’s surname is Song. He owns the largest silk business in Xuzhou and awaits you with wine at the Huayue Tower next door.”

Lu Huating rose to his feet and extended his hand toward Qun Qing once more.

The two of them changed seats, heading upstairs. As they ascended, Lu Huating casually dusted off his sleeves and remarked, 

“I’ve heard that Dongyingfang is part of Mr. Song’s private estate. I specifically came here hoping to meet him, but I’ve never had the chance. Who would’ve thought a sip of wine would earn me an invitation?”

The maid’s face changed, and she hastily replied, “My lord, you must be joking. The boss only knows the owner of Dongyingfang. I don’t know where such rumors come from, but Dongyingfang has no connection to Mr. Song.”

Qun Qing silently noted that gambling was officially banned in Dachen. If Dongyingfang were indeed private property, they’d never openly admit it.

The gambling house owner was Song Wen, and she couldn’t help but regret letting Cui Hao escape earlier. She suspected Lu Huating had intended to cause a stir tonight and use the opportunity to apprehend Song Wen. Now she worried that revealing the Yufei Pill might have tipped off the target.

Still, it was clear Lu Huating wasn’t going to miss this chance to confront Song Wen.

As they entered the wing room, the first thing that caught their attention was a table overflowing with river delicacies. Plates were stacked so precariously along the edges that some looked ready to fall. Yet, despite the luxurious spread, Qun Qing had no appetite. The faint, sweet fragrance lingering in the air unsettled her, making even holding her breath feel futile.

A voice from inside greeted them: “I heard voices outside. Brother, have you known Mr. Song for a long time?”

The speaker, Song Wen, appeared young, gaunt, and dressed in fine silk. His mannerisms resembled those of a scholar more than a merchant, though the slight darkness under his eyes reminded Qun Qing of Meng Guanlou.

Before she could respond, Lu Huating introduced himself smoothly. 

“My surname is Meng. I brought my wife here from Jiangnan Road to purchase silk. As the saying goes, a strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake. Naturally, the first thing I did upon arriving in Xuzhou was to find out who the largest silk merchant was. I’ll be relying on Boss Song moving forward.”

With that, he retrieved a small box from his sleeve and presented it to Song Wen. Inside, a collection of luminous pearls sparkled.

Song Wen’s smile widened as he understood the gesture. He motioned for them to sit and replied warmly, 

“So you’re here to purchase goods? What a coincidence! I happen to have a new batch of woven double crepes…”

Only to hear a cold voice from under the fence: “We want to sell it to the Hu merchants. The Hu merchants are good at lowering prices. Double crepes are too expensive, not to mention woven ones, so we can’t make any money. “

Song Wen paused: “What about the ancient fragrant satin that is produced in abundance in Xuzhou…”

“The Hu merchants said that after this year’s truce with Xifan, the palace sent a significant amount of ancient fragrant satin there. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely to fetch a high price,” Qun Qing remarked.

“What’s currently popular in the Western Regions is the new material from a few years ago—jacquard silk. I wonder how the price compares to previous years?”

Song Wen pondered briefly before replying, “One piece costs about fifty taels of silver.”

“Too expensive—higher than the prices in Suzhou and Hangzhou, especially this year.” With that, she stood up, tugging at Lu Huating’s sleeve as if to leave.

Song Wen quickly intervened, glancing at Lu Huating. 

“It seems the family business is decided by your wife.”

Lu Huating gave Qun Qing a faint look. “Pardon her.”

Song Wen leaned back in his chair, his expression shifting as he reassessed Qun Qing. He realized this woman had a deep understanding of silk raw materials and pricing, and her assertiveness in negotiating was evident. Moreover, his father-in-law had sent a letter warning that someone from Chang’an was investigating a case, leaving him even more wary.

“It’s just a batch of jacquard silk,” Song Wen said with a conciliatory smile. “If I can make a friend of Brother Meng, what harm is there in letting it go at a better price?” Then, changing the subject, he added, “But I must ask—where did the lady acquire the Yufei Pill?”

Qun Qing considered for a moment before explaining, “While inquiring about silk merchants, we encountered a lady trying to raise money for her family’s illness. She mentioned that this pill is popular among silk merchants and strengthens the body. She sold it to us, but we weren’t sure how to use it.”

“This pill does indeed have health benefits,” Song Wen said with a smile. “There’s nothing wrong with taking it the way you did, but using ordinary wine is a bit wasteful. Since I’m hosting today, why not let me show you the proper way to enjoy it?”

With that, Song Wen opened a box, carefully placed the Yufei Pill into a wine cup using a silver spoon, and offered the now bubbling, fragrant wine to Qun Qing, his eyes quietly studying her.

Qun Qing hesitated, her hand stopping short of taking the cup. Just then, a slender, calloused hand reached out from beside her and intercepted the cup. Lu Huating glanced at the wine briefly before taking a sip. “My wife doesn’t drink,” he said calmly.

Before he could set the cup down, Qun Qing abruptly reached for it, her fingers wrapping around the rim. The two exchanged a subtle but firm contest of strength, their hands locking over the cup. Lu Huating met her gaze steadily over the edge of the fence.

Song Wen couldn’t help but laugh, noticing how the delicate, fair hands of this lady possessed a surprising strength that made it impossible for the wine cup to budge. 

“Brother Meng, do you need permission even to have a drink?”

Qun Qing retorted, “I don’t drink, and I don’t let him drink too much either.” With that, she snatched the cup, dipped her fingernail into the wine, and said with a pointed smile, “I must say, Boss Song, encouraging people to drink like this—don’t other people’s wives object?”

Song Wen had already poured himself another cup, his cheeks slightly flushed. He exhaled slowly and grinned as he said, “Madam, you must be joking. This isn’t just good for strengthening the body—it’s also beneficial for… marital harmony. Other wives are delighted.”

Neither Lu Huating nor Qun Qing responded. The atmosphere seemed to grow colder, an unsettling silence enveloping the room.

The stillness was abruptly shattered by the clamor of weapons outside. Before anyone could react, the door was flung open, and a servant rushed in, visibly panicked. 

“Something has happened at Dongyingfang! Assassins broke in and started killing people—there’s bl00d everywhere. The crowd’s in chaos, fleeing in all directions!”

Song Wen, sobered by the news, demanded sharply, “Where’s the maid?”

“The Minister of Dali Court just arrived with his men and confronted the scene. For some reason, the county post failed to send a warning. Dongyingfang is now sealed off. Boss, this could implicate you…”

“The Dali Court Minister?” Song Wen’s face drained of color, panic flickering in his eyes. He quickly composed himself, turning to Lu Huating and Qun Qing with a shallow bow. 

“Brother Meng, let’s stay in touch. My apologies, but I can’t see you off properly.”

Qun Qing followed Lu Huating as they left in haste and boarded their donkey cart. Once seated, Jian Su and Wen Su emerged, concern written on their faces. Qun Qing deliberately distanced herself, her voice tense: 

“He drank the wine.”

Jian Su gasped in alarm, casting a worried look at Lu Huating. Observing his calm demeanor, he asked anxiously, “Should we find a clinic right away?”

“No need,” Lu Huating replied indifferently. “It was just a sip. If you don’t taste it yourself, how can you learn how Song Wen gradually drained others of their wealth?”

When they returned to the inn, an elderly man holding a lantern greeted them. His expression shifted from worry to relief the moment he saw Qun Qing. 

“Liu niang, are you all right?”

Close behind, Zhu Su appeared, his tone apologetic. “We tried to stop him, but it was no use.”

Qun Qing reassured Physician Li, then carefully collected the broken porcelain pieces. Using her tail nail, she scraped off remnants of the wine and handed them over. 

“Master, I sought out Yufei wine earlier. This wine is harmful—please examine it and see what it contains.”

As the thought struck her, she grabbed Lu Huating’s sleeve just as he was about to head upstairs. 

“Master, take his pulse,” she urged.

Physician Li moved to act, but before he could, Lu Huating suddenly seized Qun Qing by the wrist. With surprising force, he pulled her upstairs, leading her into the attic. The door shut behind them, and in one swift motion, he pressed her firmly against it.