Chapter 24 - Dress to Impress
The weather was getting colder by the day.
Ye Beizhi woke up very early because today was a special day. He promised to accompany Chi Nanwei to see a shadow puppet show later.
When he opened the door to set off, a cold draft impatiently greeted him, slipping straight down his collar. Ye Beizhi, being in good health, didn't mind the cold, so he braved the brisk breeze and headed toward Chi Nanwei's residence.
It was the crack of dawn so, aside from a few servants, not many people in the escort agency were awake. Occasionally, when a servant or two greeted him with some surprise and Ye Beizhi nodded to his new acquaintances in turn.
Ye Beizhi arrived at the entrance of Chi Nanwei's small courtyard.
Knock knock knock
Ye Beizhi marked his arrival by knocking on the door.
There was no response from the courtyard.
Knock knock knock—
"Who’s knocking so early? I'm coming, I'm coming, stop knocking." A woman's voice came from inside the courtyard, likely a maid who had heard him knocking.
Before long, the sound of a latch being drawn back came from behind the door, which then opened up a crack. A maid peeked through the gap with one eye and immediately saw Ye Beizhi who boldly stood at the entrance.
"Huh? It's Young Master Ye? You should have said something when you knocked. What brings you here so early?" Although the maid complained, she still opened the courtyard door.
Ye Beizhi nodded and hesitantly asked, "Miss Chi… is she up?"
The maid yawned widely, her eyes watering. Hearing Ye Beizhi's question, she rolled her eyes at him and a hint of annoyance peeked through. "Do you even need to ask? It's still so early! Miss won't be up for a while."
Ye Beizhi looked a bit embarrassed. After facing the sleepy maid in awkward silence, he eventually said, "I'll wait a little longer then…"
The maid yawned again and reminded Ye Beizhi that he had more than enough time to go back and catch some sleep. She drowsily closed the door.
Of course, Ye Beizhi had no intention of going back to sleep. He started wandering aimlessly around the escort agency. When he passed by the kitchen, he casually grabbed two buns and began munching on one as he meandered about.
As he was about to turn a distant corner, Ye Beizhi faintly heard some low voices from around the bend.
"Are you sure he's dead?"
"Yes, I've confirmed it. He's definitely dead."
"Well we can't be careless—"
Ye Beizhi rounded the corner and came face to face with the two men talking. It was Zhao Feihu sneaking around with an unfamiliar man.
A tense silence fell upon the trio.
Zhao Feihu and the other man's faces turned unpleasant. "You! What are you doing here!"
Ye Beizhi glanced at the bun in his hand, then at Zhao Feihu in front of him, without saying a word.
Once again, they fell into an eerie silence. It was as if both sides ran through countless calculations about what they were willing to do and what they were willing to lose.
Zhao Feihu suspected that Ye Beizhi may have deliberately eavesdropped on their conversation. If that was true, it became a question of much Ye Beizhi may have overheard.
The two sides were locked in this standoff.
Ye Beizhi broke the stifling atmosphere by making his decision first. Extending his hand, he proffered the bun he didn't get the chance to eat to Zhao Feihu.
Zhao Feihu stared long and hard at the bun in front of him. It had already gone cold from being in the wind for so long. Zhao Feihu took it and said stupidly, "Uh, thanks."
"Mm." Ye Beizhi nodded and walked past Zhao Feihu, continuing on his way.
Zhao Feihu watched Ye Beizhi's back as he sauntered away, still somewhat dazed.
Ye Beizhi faintly heard some discussion come from behind him.
"Does he know something?"
"I don't know if he heard anything."
"Why don't we just take care of him to eliminate any future trouble?"
There came a long pause.
"We'll discuss it later."
Ye Beizhi had remarkable hearing, so he naturally heard every word. However, he gave it little regard.
Ye Beizhi wandered with the wind for a while. When he felt enough time had passed, he returned to Chi Nanwei's courtyard.
Knock knock knock—
The door opened a crack, the same maid as before hid behind the door.
"Young Master Ye, is that you?"
A draft found its way through the crack in the door, and the maid wrapped her clothes tighter around herself.
"Come in quickly, it's cold and windy out there. Miss is still getting dressed."
Ye Beizhi nodded and stepped inside.
The maid led the way, with Ye Beizhi following behind.
As they passed by Chi Nanwei's room, Ye Beizhi glanced through the window and saw her seated in front of a bronze mirror.
Chi Nanwei sat in front of a bronze mirror, without makeup, hair flowing freely. The dark tresses flowed like a shaded spring over her slender shoulders, streaming down to her slim waist. Her fingers gently caressed her luscious hair like a fine jade comb. The tasteful fragrance of osmanthus wafted from the room as a gentle breeze slightly her soft strands of hair. Her beauty truly captivated the heart.
Ye Beizhi was momentarily entranced. Chi Nanwei was adjusting a hairpin atop her head when she saw Ye Beizhi standing outside through the reflection in her mirror. She made a funny face at him in the mirror and waved her hand, gesturing for him to wait in the adjoining room.
Ye Beizhi snapped out of his daze and turned to see the maid beside him covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. Feeling a bit embarrassed, he rubbed his nose and headed to the side room.
In the side room, the maid served tea and said, "Young Master Ye, please wait for a moment. Miss Chi will join you shortly."
Ye Beizhi nodded in acknowledgment.
Before he could finish his cup of tea, someone barged into the side room. It was Fang Dingwu, not Chi Nanwei.
"I thought you might be here Brother Ye! I've been looking all over for you!" Fang Dingwu exclaimed as he entered.
Ye Beizhi looked up at him. Fang Dingwu plopped down beside him and grabbed the teapot to pour himself a piping hot cup. He quickly gulped it down.
When he finished drinking, Ye Beizhi asked, "You were looking for me?"
Fang Dingwu put down the teacup, leaned in, and whispered, "The assassin you caught last night is dead."
Ye Beizhi gave Fang Dingwu a sidelong glance, signaling for him to get to the point.
"Brother Feihu and the others interrogated him all night. It must have been very early this morning when he couldn't withstand the torture anymore and bit his tongue to commit suicide." Fang Dingwu's expression was intense.
Ye Beizhi narrowed his eyes, recalling the snippets of conversation he overheard when he ran into Zhao Feihu earlier. However, he kept it to himself and merely nodded calmly.
Ye Beizhi picked up his cup of tea and asked, "Did he say anything?"
"Apparently not. According to those who interrogated him, he was very resistant and endured the whole night without revealing anything."
Ye Beizhi paused. "Does Master Wu know?"
"He should know by now. Someone went to report it earlier."
"But come to think of it, Brother Ye"—Fang Dingwu scratched the back of his head—"what are you doing here?"
Ye Beizhi took a sip of his tea and fumbled over his words a bit. "Earlier, earlier Miss Chi and I planned… on seeing a shadow puppet show."
Fang Dingwu's face lit up with sudden understanding, and he began winking at Ye Beizhi.
Ye Beizhi ignored him.
At that moment, the two of them looked up at the same time as Chi Nanwei entered the side room.
She was delicate and pure like the first snow cover of the year. Elegantly accoutered, she wore a long clean white dress, draped with a snow fox fur shawl, and complemented by a pair of pale fox fur gloves that accentuated her slender fingers.
Her skin was tender, her demeanor relaxed, her beautiful eyes danced around, her peach-like cheeks smiled, her words unspoken, and her breath, like orchids, exuded an indescribable gentleness and charm. In her bright attire, she positively glowed in the early morning rays.
As soon as she entered, the two men inside were dazedly staring at her. Her expressive eyes turned slightly as she asked, "How do I look?"
Fang Dingwu muttered, "Little Sister Chi, how come I've never seen you dress up so beautifully before? Could this be what it means to dress to impress?"
Chi Nanwei's face bloomed bright crimson. She jumped over as if to hit Fang Dingwu, who laughed as he ducked away.
Chi Nanwei, with her face still burning red, walked up to Ye Beizhi who was still in a reverie.
"Let's go."
Comments
Top