An Oriental Odyssey

    It was actually a clear and calm night, the breeze was nice, seagulls and birds passed by, the old man who was fishing at night on the canal had just cast his fishing rod, the hook had not touched the water yet when the waves heavily rocked his boat. When he looked back, the five-storey Qianduan Pavilion ship smoothly pushed the waves and approached slowly. It was carrying all the people in Luoyang who love to seek pleasure and mellow in wine. The scent of the incense wafting through the air made the old man sincerely yearn. He looked at the magnificent ship, the men and women splendidly dressed up, men holding beautiful women looking at him as part of the scenery of the night on the canal.

    There was an even more lively scene within Qianduan Pavilion, it was full of people with lakes of wine and forests of meat, Tianzhu dancers were dancing, and flower petals were gliding all over the room.

    Zhao Lanzhi, dressed in casual clothes, was among the drunkards, secretly observing the many people in Qianduan Pavilion, he couldn't help but sigh: How many sins were flowing under this prosperity? These people in front of him, who are the real drunks? And who are the businessmen conducting illegal transactions? Who are the lazy noblemen? And who would possibly not live to dawn?

    Suddenly he saw Young Master Ye, the one he had still not figured out how to handle. He was wearing a strangely beautiful dark blue robe and was messing around with a few beautiful dancers, then he turned around and went somewhere else. Zhao Lanzhi thought to himself that this Young Master Ye came here to find out the truth about Ru Yue's death. After all his boasting, Zhao Lanzhi would like to see what he can do.

    By the way, it was Yuan'an who was wearing men's clothing. She wandered around for a while, then snuck up to the third floor, she stopped in front of a door, moved the curtain to reveal a door.

    There was a seal from the Luoyang county police posted on the door, it was the room where Ruyue was killed.

    A young waiter came up to stop her: "Ah, customer you can't enter here."

    Yuan'an squinted her eyes and pretended to be drunk: "Why can't I enter? I'm here to find Ruyue. Doesn't Ruyue live here?"

    The waiter said: "Miss Ruyue, she used to live here, but she recently went home to visit relatives. You can look for other more beautiful girls, I will take you to a place. Recently, a few Tianzhu beauties have come in. They are really beautiful. Come with me. Come with me."

    While talking, the waiter went to lead Yuan'an to another place, he took two steps and when he turned around, Yuan'an was gone. By that time, Yuan'an had already lightly entered Ruyue's room. The young waiter was shocked, and after thinking about it for a bit, he was scared: "Oh, that girl Ruyue didn't know when she died, it wouldn't be that she is now haunting here, right?" He quickly ran away. 

    Inside the dark room, Yuan'an stood by the door and looked out for a bit to make sure that no one was coming over again. Then she turned around, and carefully observed the room from the little light that came in from outside the window. In the outer area of the octagonal circled room, there was an open window with no trace of damage. There were several pots of flowers and plants under the window. The branches were well pruned, which showed the careful care of the owner, but they had all dried out now after many days of no watering; on the other wall was a painting of a beauty, Yuan'an can tell at a glance that it was the dead girl Ruyue's. Wasn't she a famous dancer when she was alive? However, she hung up a painting where she's playing the quqin. It was curious. 

    There was the bead curtain separating the inner room, on one side was Miss Ruyue's bed.

    On the other side was a wooden barrel for bathing, and the body figure marking the area the body was found was still on the ground. Everywhere around, there was nothing unsettled. It didn't make sense. What's more, after the murder, the police had searched it already. Even if there was any clue, it is likely that it was destroyed a long ago. Yuan'an couldn't help but feel anxious, she put her hands together, and bowed to the figure marking and quietly said: "Miss Ruyue, if you are here in spirit, give me some tips so that I can find the real murderer who killed you so that Xiaoyu won't suffer an injustice."

    There was a sudden movement outside the door. Someone leaned a lantern in front of the window and looked inside. Yuan'an quickly dodged and hit a standing flower pot. She wanted to reach out to stop it, but she was too late. The flower pot swayed and was about to fall down and smash, but it was stopped by a hand in the dark, quietly righting the position. Yuan'an looked on intently and was quite surprised, it was Zhao Lanzhi.

    The people outside had not left yet, still looking in with lanterns, Zhao Lanzhi stretched out his hand and grabbed her and the two of them hid in the dark, lowering their voices to speak.

    Yuan'an: "Why are you here too?"    

    Zhao Lanzhi: "Same as you, I have to say you are really bold in your investigative measures, you actually dare to bypass the seal from the Luoyang police bureau posted at the door."

    Yuan'an: "What about you?"

    Yuan'an's words had barely gotten out when Zhao Lanzhi covered her mouth so that she could not speak.

    This action was originally natural on Zhao Lanzhi's side, but this sudden gesture made Yuan'an confused. Even though she had a lively and mischievous nature, and never adhered to the rules of propriety like other noble ladies, and that she always dresses in men's clothing, always acting like a boy.

    In actuality, she had never had close contact with a young man before. At this moment, Zhao Lanzhi covered her mouth and she could feel the heat of his palm on her lips. She raised his head and saw his glinting eyes. Yuan'an suddenly felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She was frozen, obediently staying in place, like a well-behaved child. 

    A voice carried over from outside the door, it was the old Mistress of Qianduan Pavilion and the waiter.

    Old Mistress: "Did you hear the movement just now?"

    Waiter: "Faintly, there was the sound of footsteps and the sound of a drawer being pulled. I think I also saw a shadow being reflected when I raised the lantern. Just now, I saw a guest trying to go in and was going to lead them away, but as soon as I turned around, the person disappeared. It was really strange, Ruyue wouldn't have come back to haunt us, right? Ow - why did Mistress hit my mouth? Your hand is so strong!" 

    The old Mistress snapped: "Try to talk nonsense again! If the guests hear that this place is haunted, all the business will be gone! Quickly light the incense here, and if the guests ask, say that it is to repel mosquitoes and flies."

    Waiter: "Yes!"

    After a while, thin smoke floated in through the crack in the door. But Yuan'an was still stiff, and the smoke went down her throat without warning and she couldn't help but sneeze. Zhao Lanzhi was anxious and covered her nose and mouth even more fiercely, so Yuan'an's sneeze was snuffed by his palm instead. The people outside didn't hear anything, and finally left. Zhao Lanzhi breathed a sigh of relief on the inside, and removed his hand, he looked at Yuan'an, and then looked at his palm. Then he rubbed it on his robe a few times, his eyes looked quite disgusted.

    Yuan'an was dissatisfied: "Hmph, I didn't ask for your help!" 

    She was suddenly reminded of an idea, and went straight to the bathroom.

    Zhao Lanzhi hurriedly followed.

   Next to the circle shaped barrel, was a table used to keep soap, towels and other things. In the center was a palm-wide silver snake bject. Yuan'an picked it up and showed it to Zhao Lanzhi: "Look at this."