Chapter 33: Chance Encounter

Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Chance Encounter

Through their brief exchange, Zeng Anmin gained a basic understanding of the young man before him, Shen Jun.

Following normal logic, his deceased uncle, Shen Liu, had no heirs. This meant Shen Jun was the sole legal heir of the merchant Shen Mansion. He didn’t have to do a thing; he just needed to follow the natural progression of events to take over the Jin Taiping fleet and become the wealthiest man in Liangjiang Commandery. There was absolutely no logical or emotional reason for him to murder his aunt in front of the mourning hall.

After being seduced by his aunt... he went to the Imperial Music Bureau. This was a hot-blooded young man.

Moreover, during their conversation, the man spoke clearly and fluently. If he hadn’t meticulously planned this out in his head beforehand, then it proved he wasn’t lying. But if it was meticulously planned... how could someone with that level of intelligence run off to the Imperial Music Bureau right after committing a murder?

With that kind of intelligence, he wouldn’t have killed anyone in the first place. He could have simply waited until he smoothly took over the Jin Taiping fleet, then dealt with everything else later.

Therefore, there were two possibilities. First, someone in the Shen Family didn’t want him to take over the fleet and deliberately orchestrated this case, sending someone to report the crime right after he left the mourning hall. Second, the murderer really was Shen Jun, and he was just a massive idiot who didn’t play by the rules...

Between these two possibilities, Zeng Anmin felt the first was far more logical. After all, in a merchant family like this, such underhanded, backstabbing schemes were all too common. What Zeng Anmin needed to do now was go to the Imperial Music Bureau and question the courtesan, An Shiyi. He needed to see if this Shen Jun really was a massive idiot.

Ninety percent of the people involved in this case were from the Shen Family. However, in Zeng Anmin’s eyes, the members of the Shen Family were currently major suspects, so he didn’t trust them.

At the Imperial Music Bureau.

It was a government-run brothel. Throughout past dynasties, the Imperial Music Bureau was a place only high officials and nobles could afford to enjoy. Just to attend a basic tea session here cost a full thirty taels of silver! And even then, securing a woman’s company wasn’t guaranteed; it entirely depended on whether the lady was willing.

To ensure the investigation went smoothly, Zeng Anmin had directly brought two squads of Red-clothed Guards from the Observation Department.

"Observation Department handling a case! Idlers, clear the way!"

Accompanied by the thunderous clatter of hooves, the Red-clothed Guard riding at the very front barked in a gruff, highly intimidating voice. At those words, the commoners scattered like frightened birds. In an instant, the entrance to the Imperial Music Bureau was completely deserted.

Zeng Anmin slowly dismounted, with Dachun following closely behind him in a highly respectful manner. Seeing the fear in the eyes of the young ladies and brothel servants at the entrance, Zeng Anmin remained expressionless.

"My lords, our Imperial Music Bureau runs a legitimate business... Young Master Zeng?!"

The Madam hurried forward to greet them, but the moment she looked up and saw Zeng Anmin, astonishment flashed across her face.

Seeing the Madam, Zeng Anmin couldn’t help but freeze for a moment. She was beautifully plump! And she still possessed all her mature charm! After a glance, Zeng Anmin snapped back to his senses. He thought, "TV dramas really are all lies! To think such a seductive and voluptuous Madam is portrayed so poorly on television..."

Memories surfaced in his mind. His predecessor seemed to have had some dealings with this Madam, who was named Yunniang.

"The usual... Uh." Zeng Anmin quickly swallowed his words and put on a stern expression. "Yunniang, I am here today on official business. Quickly call for the courtesan, Shiyi. I have a few questions to ask her."

As he spoke, Zeng Anmin led Dachun through the doors. Yunniang followed closely behind, a troubled look on her still-charming face. "Lady Shiyi is feeling unwell today... It’s not very convenient."

Despite the abundance of beautiful girls around him, Zeng Anmin kept his gaze straight ahead. Hearing Yunniang’s words, his brows furrowed slightly. He casually found a chair, sat down, and said calmly, "I said I’m here on official business today. Asking a few questions won’t hurt."

"This..." The troubled expression on Yunniang’s face deepened. She looked around, gently bit her lower lip, and then approached Zeng Anmin, leaning down gracefully in front of him. Whether intentional or not, she accidentally brushed against his head.

HISS.

What a masterful "head-cushioning" maneuver... Zeng Anmin sighed internally. He thought, "Are all flesh merchants this sensible nowadays?"

After all, this body belonged to a hot-blooded sixteen-year-old youth. Fortunately, he still remembered his current identity. Just as he suppressed the restlessness in his heart, he heard Yunniang’s fragrant breath by his ear. "Young Master Zeng, to tell you the truth, there is actually an esteemed guest with Shiyi right now... It’s really not convenient."

Oh.

Zeng Anmin raised an eyebrow, instantly understanding what Yunniang meant. However, today was his first day on the job, and he had no intention of giving face to anyone.

"Esteemed guest? Just how esteemed?" he asked. He thought, "In the entire Liangjiang Commandery, who could be more esteemed than my father? Besides, I’m here on official business!"

Zeng Anmin sneered and said, "I’ll give you one last chance. If you know what’s good for you, have her come to me. If you don’t, I’ll go find her myself!"

"Young Master, can you really not make an exception just for today...?" Yunniang was on the verge of tears. She blinked her large, pitiful eyes. "The next time you come, Young Master, I will definitely make sure you are served comfortably..."

She looked truly pitiful. However, Zeng Anmin was dead set on handling his case today. His expression suddenly turned cold.

SMACK!

He slammed his hand hard onto the table beside him. Seeing his action, the two rows of Red-clothed Guards drew the sabers from their waists in perfect unison.

SHING!

The synchronized sound of unsheathing blades was incredibly intimidating. Yunniang and everyone else in the Imperial Music Bureau instantly turned pale.

"Since you refuse to cooperate, don’t blame me for being impolite," Zeng Anmin said expressionlessly. He stood up abruptly, strode forward, and shouted, "Dachun!" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Here!"

"Upstairs!"

"Yes, sir!"

STOMP STOMP STOMP.

The two moved so quickly that no one dared to stop them. They made their way up to the second floor and rushed through a courtyard. Looking at the plaque that read "Flower Pavilion" before him, Zeng Anmin cast a condescending glance down at Yunniang, who was sweating profusely in a panic, and said, "I guarantee that I will leave as soon as I ask a few questions."

With that, he didn’t hesitate any longer and pushed hard against the wooden doors in front of him.

CREAK.

The wooden doors swung open, and an incredibly rich floral fragrance wafted out, immediately refreshing the mind.

"The Imperial Music Bureau’s courtesan, An Shiyi, loves cultivating flowers more than anything else in life," Zeng Anmin murmured. "It’s said that the floral scent in her Water Pavilion is overpowering, leaving people completely relaxed and joyful. It seems the rumors are true."

Zeng Anmin looked deep into the room. What came into view was a graceful... Uh?!

Zeng Anmin’s eyes instantly widened, and his facial expression became utterly spectacular. The air itself fell dead silent.

After a long time, Zeng Anmin managed to force a single word from his throat with great difficulty: "Dad?"

Inside the room, Zeng Shilin stood as straight as a bamboo pole. His face was as dark as deep water, and he didn’t say a word. Those dignified eyes of his exuded an imposing aura without him even needing to show anger.

"Weren’t you going out to enjoy the spring scenery?" Zeng Anmin recalled what his father had said before leaving that morning, clearly remembering his serious tone. He thought, "So he came here to enjoy the ’spring’ in someone else’s bed!"

His father stared at Zeng Anmin and asked in a deep voice, "What are you doing here?!"