After Transmigrating, My Younger Brother Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 24
They soon arrived at their destination.
Before them lay a river, its waters murmuring gently and sparkling under the sunlight. A willow tree stood by the bank, its slender branches drooping gracefully, swaying in the breeze to softly caress the heads of those beneath.
A stall had been set up in front of the tree, and a long queue had already formed in its shade.
The distance made it difficult to discern the features of the person beneath the tree, but their figure clearly identified them as a woman.
Her skirt spread across the ground like an unfurling flower, her posture ramrod straight.
Only upon closer inspection did they realize the woman wore a veil, revealing only her captivating eyes and the nape of her pale neck as she focused intently on writing.
She rested her brush on the inkstone and fanned the still-wet calligraphy on the red invitation card. Once it was nearly dry, Zhu Zhenzhen presented the card with both hands to the woman in dark blue robes.
Smiling, she said, May you find a worthy partner soon.
A blush crept across the woman’s face as she awkwardly accepted the red post, murmuring a thank you.
Next!
A man’s voice suddenly rang out, making her realize there was someone else beside the woman.
The man’s features were indeed exceptional.
As the woman left with her red post, a scholar in white robes stepped forward.
Zhu Zhenzhen gazed at the fair-skinned scholar before her. Young master, what do you seek? Marriage or career?
The scholar clutched a scroll in his hand, its corners slightly frayed. Career!
Divine Imposter Zhen picked up a black post from the side, solemnly fiddled with it twice, and declared, Since you seek career advancement, take this post home and display it prominently. It will attract career luck. She cautioned, But do not rely on this object too heavily. Your own knowledge remains paramount.
The scholar’s face lit up with joy, and he hastily thanked her.
This recent fad sweeping the Capital was Zhu Zhenzhen’s humble stall.
She had meticulously replicated the design of the Black Nether Post, then created a red version. The red posts were for seeking marriage, while the black ones were for career advancement.
Whether a young lady was waiting demurely for her destined match or actively seeking a partner, she could come here to obtain a red post.
The Black Posts, like the Black Nether Posts, were completely blank. Whether people recognized their value or not, they couldn’t help but glance at them.
For the common folk, these free blessings were simply a source of amusement. Within just two days of setting up the stall, word spread like wildfire, drawing crowds that quickly became overwhelming.
More and more people came seeking the posts, men and women alike. Many women specifically requested Black Posts for career success.
The more people, the better, of course.
Zhu Zhenzhen’s plan was to distribute these posts as widely as possible, ideally until every resident of the Capital had one. At that point, the Black Nether Posts would become a widespread nuisance.
If the thieves came out of curiosity to investigate, her skills would ensure their capture.
If the thieves remained hidden, they had a second step ready.
By the time Zhu Zhenzhen finished writing the last post, the crowd had mostly dispersed.
Having sat for so long, she felt dizzy when she stood up. She swayed slightly, steadying herself against a tree trunk.
But the soft sensation beneath her hand didn’t feel like bark. Zhu Zhenzhen’s eyelids snapped open, and she jerked her hand back.
Did I just… get groped?
She stole a glance at the man beside her. His expression remained perfectly normal, so she quickly changed the subject. So many people came today. At this rate, we’ll be finished in three days at most.
Song Heng gave a soft acknowledgment and retrieved a jar of ointment from a nearby bundle, pulling her closer.
Standing behind Zhu Zhenzhen, he brushed her hair forward over her shoulder. He rubbed the ointment between his palms until it warmed, then gently pressed it onto the back of her neck.
As he applied pressure, Zhu Zhenzhen let out a sigh of contentment.
This feels so good.
Song Heng’s massage skills had steadily improved. He had gone from being unable to gauge the right pressure to now applying just the right amount with each press.
The tense muscles in her neck and shoulders gradually relaxed under his ministrations.
You don’t need to work so hard, Song Heng said, brushing a few strands of hair from his fingertips. You could have Lu Yin do this.
I worry Lu Yin might get into trouble, Zhu Zhenzhen replied casually, her eyes closed in blissful relaxation.
Of course, part of her preference was also because she found it easier to handle tasks like apprehending thieves herself.
Song Heng’s hand on the back of her neck inexplicably increased its pressure.
The sudden pain made Zhu Zhenzhen open her eyes and swat his hand away. She gathered her dark hair back behind her head, muttering, Why are you being so rough again?
The stinging pain on the back of Song Heng’s hand lingered for only two seconds.
Song Heng glanced at the person bending over to tidy the desk and stepped forward to help, systematically organizing the items and returning them to the bundle.
The days passed in this manner until all their Black Nether Posts had been distributed. Gradually, rumors began to circulate throughout the Capital.
The trio deliberately chose to dine at the most crowded tavern, moving their chopsticks slowly while eavesdropping on the conversation at the next table.
Do any of you have a Black Nether Post? one man whispered, peering around furtively.
You mean Prince Jin…
Exactly! he replied smugly. I happen to have two. If any of you want the other one, just butter me up a bit—some silver might do the trick. Who knows, I might just part with it. He pulled out the two posts and slapped them against his palm, his eyes gleaming like a rat’s.
He carried himself with an air of smug superiority, as if victory were already assured.
The atmosphere at the table froze for a moment. The men exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.
Their laughter grew louder and louder, drawing curious stares from other patrons in the tavern.
This infuriated the man.
What’s so funny?! he snarled. You’re throwing away your chance to pledge loyalty to Prince Jin? I’m offering you this opportunity out of the goodness of my heart! Once it’s gone, it’s gone! You’ll be back to suffering and rotting in prison.
When the laughter finally subsided, each man pulled a Black Nether Post from his sleeve and casually tossed it onto the table.
One, two… He counted slowly, rubbing his eyes in disbelief. The entire table was filled with Black Nether Posts!
How can there be so many… Yours are all fake! Only mine is real!
A hot-tempered man retorted, Empty words! Why do you say ours are fake?
The others chimed in, their accusations converging on him.
Realizing he couldn’t win the argument, he fell silent and slunk away in disgrace.
Zhu Zhenzhen struggled to suppress her laughter, which made the corners of Lu Yin’s lips curl into a smile.
The situation was unfolding exactly as they had planned. They had lost count of how many such disputes they had witnessed that day.
Lately, such arguments had become commonplace on the streets of the Capital.
Zhu Zhenzhen’s voice still carried a hint of amusement. I think it’s time to move on to the next phase.
Their next step was to lure the snake out of its lair.
With Black Nether Posts now ubiquitous in the Capital, anyone who knew their purpose would inevitably investigate whether their own posts were genuine.
But no one in the Capital would be foolish enough to openly ask Prince Jin about them.
The Black Nether Posts were Prince Jin’s clandestine scheme, born of his treacherous ambitions. To openly present the posts to him would be tantamount to declaring his disloyal intentions to the Son of Heaven.
Prince Jin would never personally involve himself with the Black Nether Post, at least not openly.
They only needed to employ a few subtle tactics to lure those carrying the Black Nether Posts to seek verification.
Zhu Zhenzhen had already sent word to Yan He, instructing him to proactively take responsibility for the matter before Prince Jin.
Yan He merely needed to make a few public appearances to convince the doubters. Once that was done, no one would question the authenticity of the posts as judged by Zhu Zhenzhen and her group.
They set up their stall again, this time in a more secluded corner, operating only at night.
The protagonist had shifted from Zhu Zhenzhen to Lu Yin.
The thieves had seen their faces, and crafting new human skin masks would take a month—too long to wait. They had to make minor alterations to address the immediate crisis.
A woman slowly stepped into the dimly lit alley from the street.
She wore a rose-colored, high-waisted ruqun. As her sleeves slid down her forearms, they revealed twisted silver bracelets, each adorned with several jingling bells that chimed with every movement. Her gait was uncharacteristically restrained she dared not walk as usual, instead concealing her face behind a round fan and moving cautiously, terrified of giving herself away.
Several figures were already waiting in the alley. As the woman approached, their eyes turned toward her.
Zhu Zhenzhen had taken special care to paint his eyebrows, draw a floral beauty mark on his forehead, and apply lip rouge. Fortunately, his naturally slender frame and good looks made him convincingly resemble a young woman, albeit slightly taller than average.
Lu Yin pinched his throat to raise his voice, Bring out the goods.
One by one, the group produced their wares.
Pairs of eyes glared at him, as if fearing he might tamper with the items.
Lu Yin concealed his lips behind his fan, strolling past them with a casual glance and a quick touch. This was all it took to discern the authenticity of the goods.
The counterfeit items had been tampered with long ago, making them easy to identify.
He moved down the line, enduring the hostile stares, and declared calmly, All counterfeit.
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Someone was about to protest when another voice cut in.
The man facing Lu Yin glared, his words dripping with menace, bordering on outright aggression.
Impossible! Look again! Examine them more closely!
Lu Yin shot him a sidelong glance, inwardly scoffing. What’s the point of shouting? Can fake turn into real? If it could, I’d just pick up some pebbles, yell a bit, and turn them into silver.
Still, he patiently took the items and inspected them again.
The materials of the invitations were different. Lu Yin had personally selected the counterfeit materials there was no mistaking them.
He raised his eyes and pressed the invitation against the man’s chest.
His tone was firm and left no room for doubt Fake.
The man shoved the invitation roughly into his inner pocket, leaning forward as if to strike. But before he could raise his hand, two figures in black robes appeared on either side of him.
Their faces were hidden behind masks, but the swords they held had already been drawn two inches from their sheaths, a clear threat.
You ignorant fool, the man spat. Yan He must have been blind to send you here.
He cursed under his breath, glaring fiercely at the trio before leading his small group of followers away.
From the moment the confrontation began, the crowd in the alley had been whispering among themselves, their hesitant and doubtful gazes fixed on Lu Yin.
There were at least a dozen invitations circulating. Could it really be that none of them were genuine? Was the woman before them truly ignorant of their value?
Lu Yin had long sensed the commotion behind him, and the crowd’s uncertain gazes now swept across his face in waves.
Relying on his commanding presence, he addressed the remaining onlookers, his voice measured and deliberate
If you doubt my words, feel free to inquire at Prince Jin’s Manor. If you possess genuine invitations, so be it. But if they are counterfeit…
Lu Yin drew out the last syllable of his sentence, leaving his words hanging in the air, then abruptly shifted his tone, his voice striking like a hammer against their hearts. …See if Prince Jin will skin you alive!
Whoa, he can actually talk tough? Zhu Zhenzhen thought.
Lu Yin immediately softened his voice. Besides, I’m handling matters for Prince Jin. Of course I must be extra cautious. Rest assured, everyone.
In her past life, Lu Yin had been just like this—quick-witted, agile in thought, and blessed with a silver tongue. This made his subordinates utterly devoted to him.
Lu Yin slowly fanned himself with his round fan, gauging that he had stirred up enough emotion. He shot Zhu Zhenzhen a meaningful glance.
Zhu Zhenzhen stepped forward, shielding him behind her. Lowering her voice to a masculine timbre, she declared, That’s enough for today. The young lady is tired and cannot continue. If you persist in such rudeness tomorrow, you’ll be explaining yourselves to Prince Jin in person—with your heads in your hands!
With that, she turned and strode away, ignoring the crowd behind her.