Yanzi Town wasn’t far from the Baoquan County seat. Jiang Si and her group arrived there after just a couple of hours.
The town was bustling with people coming and going.
Yu Jin observed the passersby and smiled, “Seems quite a few people are interested in those hundred taels of silver.”
Seeing the town more prosperous and lively than expected, Jiang Zhan’s interest was piqued. “I’ll go ask about local specialties.”
One of Jiang Zhan’s greatest pleasures was collecting local delicacies and unique trinkets for his sister at every place they visited.
Taking advantage of Jiang Zhan’s absence, Yu Jin moved a step closer to Jiang Si.
Sharp-eyed A-Man noticed this, putting her hands on her hips and glaring, hoping this presumptuous suitor would back off.
Yu Jin completely ignored A-Man’s existence and asked in a lowered voice, “Is Master Chi’s missing daughter another victim?”
Jiang Si knew she couldn’t hide it from him and nodded.
“Still planning to play ghost?”
Jiang Si nodded again.
If she wanted Master Chi to report to the authorities, she couldn’t approach this matter as an ordinary person.
A stranger coming to say, “Your daughter was killed by a powerful noble from the capital, quickly report it to seek justice for her!” wouldn’t work.
Evidence? There was none. How did she know? Well, she couldn’t say.
Unless someone had lost their mind, they wouldn’t act on such claims.
Of course, Master Chi’s daughter was indeed missing, and he might be half-believing, but facing capital nobility was daunting for a common person – how could he act on a stranger’s word alone?
The most prudent approach was still to use Phantom Firefly to appear as Miss Chi’s spirit in a dream.
From Miss Li’s words, it was clear Miss Chi had been lively and free-spirited. Such a girl must have grown up cherished, surely having a deeply loving father.
“At midnight?”
Jiang Si gave Yu Jin a look.
What else? Showing up in broad daylight would be asking for trouble.
“Take me with you,” he stated matter-of-factly.
Jiang Si’s face darkened.
Yu Jin smiled, “Take me along, and I promise not to say a word. If you need to kill someone, I’ll hand you the knife. If you’re playing Ghost, I can fan the ghostly wind with a fan. I’ll be more useful than your maid.”
The young maid’s pretty face twisted momentarily, suddenly feeling deeply threatened.
Being a favored head maid wasn’t easy, and now there was competition for her mistress’s favor!
“And if I don’t take you?”
Yu Jin waved at Jiang Zhan, who was buying ice treats nearby, and said with a smile, “I’ll tell your Second Brother.”
Jiang Si: “…” She wanted to kill this shameless fellow!
“So what will it be? Take me along or shall I tell your Second Brother?”
“Master Yu—” Jiang Si took a deep breath, maintaining her composure.
“Yes?”
“This behavior makes me dislike you even more.”
Yu Jin’s expression didn’t change: “I’d rather you dislike me than let you take risks alone.”
“It’s only a risk if there’s uncertainty—”
Yu Jin cut her off: “Nothing is absolute. Besides, even if you think there’s absolutely no danger, if I think there is, that’s not acceptable.”
Jiang Si opened her mouth but was too angry to speak, turning away instead.
“Second Brother Jiang is coming back,” Yu Jin reminded her with a light laugh.
“Fine, follow if you must.”
Yu Jin couldn’t help but smile.
“What’s so amusing?”
“I just told Miss Jiang a joke.”
Jiang Zhan’s face fell as he held the ice treats.
To think someone would try to amuse his Fourth Sister while he was buying her treats – this was truly impossible to guard against!
“I have an even funnier joke, Second Brother Jiang should hear it too…” Yu Jin secretly sighed as he wracked his brains for a joke.
It wasn’t easy trying to please both A-Si and his future brother-in-law.
Yanzi Town was neither large nor small. Due to its convenient location, travelers from the north and south often stop here to rest. It had everything from taverns to teahouses and inns. At the town’s edge lay a vast lotus pond, now in full glory with endless green leaves.
Learning of this attraction, Jiang Zhan wanted to take Jiang Si and Yu Jin there.
Having reluctantly agreed to work with Yu Jin, and having arranged for him to first inquire about Master Chi’s household, Yu Jin made an excuse to decline Jiang Zhan’s invitation.
Jiang Zhan was glad to have Yu Jin away from his sister and enthusiastically took Jiang Si boating among the lotus. They returned to the inn at dusk, having thoroughly enjoyed themselves.