After Transmigrating, My Younger Brother Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 8

That day was far from ordinary.

Outside the window, the drizzle gradually intensified into a torrential downpour. Inside, Song Heng tossed and turned, unable to sleep, a persistent unease gnawing at his heart.

Lu Yin had led a detachment to Cangzhou to investigate the Prince’s embezzlement case. They were supposed to return today, and even if delayed, they would have sent word explaining the reason.

Yet as of now, there was no news.

He strained his ears, listening intently to the sounds outside.

For days, no matter what Song Heng did, the Prince remained passive. Even when Song Heng secretly imprisoned Prince Jin’s trusted aides, the Prince made no attempt to negotiate, letting his men scream themselves hoarse in the dungeon.

Though Prince Jin was his enemy, he had always retaliated swiftly. After Song Heng had humiliated him in court today, Prince Jin would surely seek revenge tenfold tomorrow.

Suspicion gnawed at Song Heng’s mind. Could Prince Jin be planning a surprise attack? With his forces currently stretched thin, if Prince Jin truly intended to kill him tonight, this night might well be Song Heng’s last.

Song Heng lay with his eyes closed, unable to fall asleep, tossing and turning until the sky began to lighten. After a sleepless night, he was utterly exhausted.

Just then, the rain began to subside, with occasional droplets clinging to the eaves before slowly dripping down—drip, drip—like a lullaby that brought a faint sense of peace to his heart.

The faint dark circles beneath his eyes betrayed his sleepless night. His consciousness was already drifting into a hazy state when he suddenly heard a barely audible sound.

Splash! Someone had stepped heavily into a puddle, accompanied by the faint clinking of metal. The sound grew from a steady pace to a frantic rush, until Song Heng could no longer count how many people were converging on his residence.

He struggled to rise from his slumber, but his eyelids felt as heavy as lead, rendering him completely immobile.

A sudden chill pierced his heart. He realized he had been drugged, and his enemies now had him trapped like a turtle in a jar. Unfortunately, Song Heng was that turtle.

The clashing of armor echoed outside his gate as they pounded forcefully on the door. He heard his servant’s frantic shouts abruptly silenced.

Growing increasingly desperate, he tried to bite his tongue to regain consciousness. But to his dismay, the contact between his teeth and tongue felt as ineffective as scratching an itch—utterly useless.

His body felt limp, utterly devoid of strength.

Need some help, handsome? A woman’s voice suddenly echoed through the deathly quiet room.

He froze, inwardly alarmed. The drugs had so thoroughly dulled his senses that he hadn’t even noticed someone entering.

He couldn’t pinpoint the woman’s location, but her voice carried a unique, playful charm.

Her tone reminded him of someone teasing a starving stray cat they’d found by the roadside, just to pass the time. Though he didn’t understand the term handsome, he sensed no malice in her words.

From the woman’s perspective, a sleeping beauty lay peacefully on the bed, seemingly at her mercy.

Knowing he could hear her, she couldn’t resist teasing him. Three hundred gold for my help. I might not be able to fight, but I guarantee I can get you out of here safely.

Three hundred gold could buy three top-tier mansions. Song Heng didn’t have that kind of money, but his immediate priority was escape.

Gritting his teeth, sweat dripping from his forehead, he nodded weakly, having exhausted his strength.

If she was going to demand such an exorbitant price, he wouldn’t hesitate to take advantage of her offer without paying a single coin.

In the next instant, Song Heng heard a faint, fleeting laugh. Then, he felt his body lighten as he was caught in soft, warm arms.

The clamor of battle faded from a roar to a whisper until it vanished completely. Instead of the chaos, he heard only the wind and the steady, even breathing of the woman carrying him. Her breath was calm and measured, betraying no sign of strain.

Song Heng immediately recognized her as a rare woman with exceptionally deep Inner Strength. He resolved to recruit her to his cause.

After an indeterminate amount of time, he finally mustered the strength to speak. Fifty gold, he rasped, is that enough to make you my Shadow Guard?

For how long? she replied.

The haggling he had anticipated never materialized. She answered with uncanny composure, as if she had foreseen his question.

Her question silenced him. Fifty gold would be more than enough to buy a life, let alone the services of a woman of unknown origins. Signing her into servitude would be far more economical.

They seemed to have stopped moving. The howling wind vanished, and the strands of hair that had been whipping wildly across his face settled back against his temples.

The woman paused for a moment, then spoke bluntly I’ll give you a discount. Twenty gold, and you let me go after Prince Jin dies. How about that?

A few birds flapped their wings overhead, leaving behind a profound silence.

As if fearing his refusal, she added, Buying me is a sure thing. No risk, no deception—it’s a bargain.

Just then, Song Heng regained his strength and opened his eyes. A childish, laughably absurd fox mask stared back at him. For reasons he couldn’t explain, he nodded in agreement.

In truth, by the time of his death, he had given her far more than twenty gold pieces. She had kept her promise, protecting him until his final moment. Yet he never saw the true face beneath that mask.

Song Heng.

Song Heng snapped out of his daze, inexplicably mistaking Song Zhen’s face for Jade Face’s. He blinked hard and asked, What is it?

Zhu Zhenzhen had her arm around Lu Yin’s shoulder. Though only moments had passed, they were already acting like old friends. Her casual touches, however, made Lu Yin blush and flinch away.

She burst into laughter, flicked her wrist, and conjured a flower from nowhere, tucking it into Lu Yin’s hair. You look like a girl now! she teased.

Song Heng averted his gaze, his eyes darting around before drifting back to them. Noticing they were ignoring him, he raised his voice slightly. Why did you call me?

Zhu Zhenzhen’s smile lingered as she replied, her lashes fluttering slightly, We went to the market today to buy you new robes. You can give them to A’Yin.

A’Yin? When did they become so close?

Song Heng forced a smile and agreed, Alright.

The daylight had already faded, and it was getting late. Zhu Zhenzhen told Song Heng, Take him upstairs to wash up first. I’ll sit here a while longer. Just call me when you’re done.

Song Heng led Lu Yin upstairs. As they reached the final step, he paused, turning to find Lu Yin looking at him with confusion. Song Heng glanced down at the person below without a word before continuing into the room.

The main hall was now deserted. Coincidentally, the bustling crowds of the day had vanished by nightfall. Apart from meal times, no more than three tables were occupied.

Zhu Zhenzhen seemed to have an idea. She hurried out of the inn.

By the time she returned, night had completely fallen. The hall’s earlier lanterns were extinguished, leaving only a single lamp burning on a table.

Unfazed, Zhu Zhenzhen stepped over the threshold and headed for the stairs.

As she passed the table with the lamp, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist.

She threw a punch, her fist stopping just short of the man’s nose. Another second, and it would have landed squarely on his face.

Sister, where have you been? The familiar voice echoed in the empty space, Zhu Zhenzhen quickly retracted her fist.

Just running errands. Why weren’t you waiting for me upstairs? She hadn’t expected to be back so late.

What were you doing?

The pitch-black environment made Zhu Zhenzhen uneasy. She shook her hand a few times to free it, tersely replying, Buying some clothes.

This kid has quite a grip.

She strode up the stairs, but after a few steps, she realized her little tail wasn’t following. She turned back and pulled him along.

Get some rest. We can talk tomorrow. We’re hitting the road early, so let’s get a good night’s sleep.

Song Heng remained silent, but he trailed closely behind her. Zhu Zhenzhen took it as a sign he’d heard her.

When they entered the room, Lu Yin was already asleep. Zhu Zhenzhen spread out the other bedding on the floor and whispered, Go to sleep. It’s late.

Seeing him still standing motionless in the shadows, looking sulky, she pondered her actions that evening, raised an eyebrow, and finally understood.

Does Song Heng think I abandoned them and ran away?

Zhu Zhenzhen approached him. I went out to get you more clothes. You gave yours to Lu Yin, leaving you with fewer. I bought two new sets for you at the tailor’s shop.

She smoothed Song Heng’s fur. Come with me tomorrow to pick them up, okay?

Seeing that Song Heng, though avoiding her touch, remained obediently lying on the bedding, Zhu Zhenzhen sighed in relief and climbed into bed fully clothed, falling asleep almost immediately.

Lying on the floor, Song Heng once again found himself sleepless. His eyes fixed on the wooden beams of the ceiling, he let his thoughts drift.

Memories from his past life flashed through his mind, mingling with images of Zhu Zhenzhen’s face. He turned over, gazing at the back of the figure in the bed.

In the end, he could only reach a nonsensical conclusion Something’s just not right with me tonight.

Whether Song Zhen lived or died should have been irrelevant to him. Even if Song Zhen had left, he could still live well.

Capital City, Prince Jin’s Manor.

Under the cover of a dark, windy night, crows perched in the manor’s trees were startled into flight by a commotion erupting from the main hall.

A glass teacup shattered into pieces, its contents soaking the wool carpet. Fragments scattered across the rug, where a figure knelt motionless, trembling with fear.

The man seated in the main seat spoke in a deep voice, You’re saying Li Jiadong botched the mission and contracted a lung disease?

The kneeling man trembled, his forehead nearly touching the ground. Yes, my lord. Besides the intruder at Li Manor that day, I’ve also learned that County Magistrate Li’s body… has been discovered.

Useless wretches! What good are you if you can’t even handle this? Prince Jin slammed his paperweight down, raising a large welt on the kneeling man’s forehead. Yet the man dared not utter a sound.

Everyone says, ‘Nurturing a tiger invites trouble.’ It seems you lot won’t even give me that headache. He kicked the man in the chest, then, as if still unsatisfied, hurled a teacup to the floor.

Seal off the news. I don’t care how you do it—just deliver results.

Eliminate Li Jiadong. He’s a useless pawn who dared to deceive his superiors. Keeping him alive would only invite future trouble. Eradicate him completely. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the man.

The kneeling man straightened, bowed deeply, and slowly retreated, murmuring respectfully, Yes, my lord.

Wait. Prince Jin gripped the sandalwood chair, his back still turned to the door. Who’s in charge of Changding City now?

Reporting to the lord, Yan Guiyun of the Yan Clan is in charge.

How much tribute does Changding City provide annually? Without waiting for an answer, he continued, If it’s less than a hundred taels, there’s no point in defending the city. We should send Yan Guiyun elsewhere as soon as possible. It’s just a dead city anyway.

Yes, my lord.

As dawn broke, dappled sunlight filtered through the trees. Before any of the three occupants of the room had stirred, a violent knocking shook the door.

The innkeeper pounded relentlessly until his strength gave out. He paused to catch his breath, hands on his hips, and glanced at the man standing beside him with folded arms and a cold gaze.

He curled his lip. Was that really necessary? The Sun and Moon Inn has always kept money and people separate, but letting them sleep in a bit wouldn’t hurt when you’re asking them to work.

Cheng Jiuxiao offered a strained smile, extending his hand. Easy, easy. Either you return the money I paid to hire them, or you help me with the work.

The innkeeper froze, speechless, but soon began kicking the door with both feet.

Suddenly, a noise came from inside the room, followed by silence. The two men exchanged a glance and kicked the door down together.

Boom! The flimsy wooden door splintered and collapsed. Inside, all three occupants were unharmed, with no sign of intruders.

Amidst the swirling dust, the five people inside and outside the room stared at each other, wide-eyed. Finally, the money-grubber broke the silence. Um, we don’t have to pay for the door, right?

The waiter’s lips twitched slightly as he stole a glance at Cheng Jiuxiao. Seeing a hint of resignation in his eyes, he replied, No, you don’t.

What were you doing in there just now? I thought something had happened, Cheng Jiuxiao asked.

Song Heng, who had been closest to the door, had barely managed to scramble backward as it crashed down, nearly hitting him on the head. Now, his face darkened, he refused to answer, showing none of the docile demeanor he usually displayed before Zhu Zhenzhen.

We thought our enemies had come for revenge, trying to intimidate us, Zhu Zhenzhen said airily, as if the recent chaos were perfectly normal.

Cheng Jiuxiao and the waiter exchanged blank looks.