Birds of a Feather

After Zeng Anmin exchanged a few words with his father, everything was made clear.

The misunderstanding was resolved.

"Since you're investigating a case, come in. An Shiyi is inside."

His father cast his gaze toward the window nearby.

Clearly, running into his son in a place like this—

No matter how thick his skin was, he could not quite bear it.

"Alright."

Zeng Anmin had actually wanted to ask what his father was doing here.

But it seemed rather unnecessary, so he kept his mouth shut.

"Miss Shiyi?"

Having arrived outside the screen, Zeng Anmin straightened his clothes, his expression turning proper.

Every gesture he made carried the air of an official.

"Rustle~"

The hanging curtain beside him swayed, and a figure slowly emerged. The moment she appeared, a strange floral fragrance drifted over, rich and intoxicating, making one unable to resist losing oneself in its scent.

She wore white Jasmine smoke gauze soft silk, along with a trailing white Smoke-shrouded plum blossom hundred-water skirt that swept the floor. Soft smoke gauze circled her waist. Her beauty was beyond compare, like a fairy descending to the mortal world.

Her face was even more filled with innocence, like one's first love. It instinctively made people unable to stir up the slightest desire toward her.

As expected of a chaste courtesan—she certainly knew how to package herself.

The ones downstairs practically competed to wear as little as possible, terrified that others would not know they were selling flesh.

"Greetings, sir."

An Shiyi pressed her lips together, her bearing and manners exceptionally dignified.

Zeng Anmin nodded calmly.

"There is no need to be nervous. This official will only ask a few questions before leaving."

Zeng Anmin's voice was steady, his movements measured. Even upon seeing An Shiyi, his gaze remained stern.

An Shiyi blinked and looked at Zeng Anmin with utmost seriousness.

"Please ask, sir."

Her voice was gentle, like a babbling brook.

"Let me ask you this. Three months ago—on the seventeenth day of the eighth month—did Shen Jun, son of Jin Taiping, ever come looking for you?"

Zeng Anmin's expression was stern.

Jin Taiping was known as Jiangnan's foremost ship merchant.

Shen Jun was also a famously lavish spender in this flesh trade.

"Shen Jun..."

An Shiyi's delicate brows lightly furrowed, her eyes sinking into recollection.

After a moment, An Shiyi slowly raised her head and nodded with certainty.

"He did come. If I remember correctly, he arrived at the end of the Rabbit Hour, and he was in a great hurry."

A faint gleam flashed through Zeng Anmin's eyes. He stared straight at An Shiyi for a while before asking,

"Why do you remember it so clearly?"

It had been three months ago, yet she even remembered the exact hour. That was highly suspicious.

It felt a little like rehearsing testimony...

An Shiyi lowered her head. "This servant was still asleep at the time when Yun Niang hurriedly woke me. Young Master Shen was somewhat unable to wait..."

At this point, she pursed her lips, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "That is why I remember it more clearly."

Having heard the entire account, Zeng Anmin revealed an enlightened expression.

Oh, oh, oh!

Then there was no problem.

He could not wait because he had just been teased.

Shen Jun was only seventeen.

And he had been drinking. Being full of youthful vigor was only natural.

That matched up.

Zeng Anmin's old face reddened. He gave a dry cough and was just about to ask another question when his gaze froze.

After a long while, his expression turned grave.

"Before this official came here, did anyone ask you about Shen Jun?"

"No." An Shiyi raised her head in confusion, then added, "Did Young Master Shen commit some crime?"

Zeng Anmin did not answer. Instead, he narrowed his eyes, recalling the face of Xu Yunfeng, the Xuanjing Division's Right Clerk.

There was something wrong with this Xu Yunfeng.

Clearly, Xu Yunfeng had never investigated this case.

If he had, how could he possibly not have come to the Jiaofang Division to question An Shiyi?

Zeng Anmin's brows knotted into a ball.

"Sir?"

An Shiyi raised her head and secretly observed Zeng Anmin through the strands of hair falling over her forehead.

Zeng Anmin glanced over, meeting her gaze directly.

As though startled, An Shiyi quickly lowered her head, like a girl who had done something wrong.

"Mm, I understand now."

Zeng Anmin slowly nodded. There was no longer any need to ask so much.

By now, he had almost ruled out Shen Jun as the murderer of his aunt.

He shifted more of his attention to Xu Yunfeng, that Right Clerk.

The instant he turned around, he saw the impatient look on his father's face.

"Then I shall not disturb your elegant pleasure."

Zeng Anmin raised his brows at his father.

His father: ...

"Enjoy yourself. Have a wonderful time."

Zeng Anmin bared his teeth in an exceedingly suggestive grin.

After leaving the room, he even personally helped his father close the door.

Once the door was shut.

The room became exceedingly quiet.

His father's face was expressionless.

A faint sharp glint flickered in his eyes as he looked at An Shiyi.

"Does my lord have anything else to ask?"

An Shiyi's expression was incomparably respectful.

His father's voice was flat, impossible to read for joy or anger. "..."

After stepping out, Zeng Anmin turned around and looked at Dachun, who had stood there dazed for quite some time.

"Let's go." Zeng Anmin frowned, shoved Dachun, and took the lead downstairs. "What are you thinking about?"

Dachun still wore that wise yet simple-minded look as he asked,

"Young Master, Master... what were you doing in there with that woman?"

This...

What?!!

Zeng Anmin never could have imagined that Dachun's train of thought would be this outrageous.

The next moment, his face flushed red. He even jumped up and fiercely slapped Dachun across the forehead!

Smack!

Hiss~

This brat's head was pretty hard. Zeng Anmin suppressed his uncontrollably twitching eyelid and said,

"Don't talk nonsense. Since when did I have a father?! The one inside isn't him."

"Oh..."

Dachun blinked, then moved to push open the door, muttering, "Did I see wrong??"

"Get moving!" Zeng Anmin grabbed Dachun by the sleeve and dragged him downstairs.

Xuanjing Division.

Zeng Anmin dismounted and slowly walked toward the government office.

His eyelids drooped, and within his phoenix eyes, he seemed to be pondering something.

Whoosh!!!

A piercing sound suddenly rang out nearby.

Zeng Anmin instinctively looked up and saw an arrow flying at astonishing speed toward the archery range beside him.

Thwack!!!

The arrow struck the bullseye dead center, its fletching still trembling rapidly.

What fine archery!

Before Zeng Anmin could speak, the target exploded apart!

Damn!

Was that a gun?!!

Zeng Anmin was already somewhat dumbfounded. In his previous life, he had only seen this kind of power from a Barrett!

Could a human really shoot an arrow like that??

"Commander, what incredible archery!!!"

Not far away, Wang Deli, the Xuanjing Division Commander, was grinning smugly. He pounded his chest until it boomed.

"What does this count for! If I used my full strength, one arrow would not only blow apart the target—even the wall behind it would explode!"

"Damn it! What are you laughing at?! Believe it or not, I'll shoot an arrow into your wife's bed!"

Hearing this, the corners of Zeng Anmin's mouth twitched uncontrollably.

No wonder his father disliked such crude Martial Artists.

"Huh? Young Master Zeng?! You've finished handling the case and returned?"

Wang Deli spotted Zeng Anmin and jogged over, grinning as he tried to ingratiate himself.

Zeng Anmin bore him no ill will and merely smiled.

"There was a case. I went to the Jiaofang Division and asked Courtesan Shiyi about a few clues."

"Courtesan Shiyi?"

Wang Deli's eyes lit up upon hearing that. He grinned so broadly it was almost exaggerated.

"Two years ago, I was fortunate enough to have her once. Tsk, tsk, she was so tender!!"

As expected of a martial artist. His focus was not on the case at all.

The corner of Zeng Anmin's mouth twitched.

Then you and my father really are birds of a feather!