Third Mistress Zhu knew and trusted Zhong Qing very well, but sometimes Zhong Qing's judgment was, well, a little strange.
For example, when Zhong Qing had discovered that Zhu Juntang was frequently meeting with Liu Chang'an, she had reported to Third Mistress Zhu that she suspected Liu Chang'an was an unemployed drifter living with a madam.
That was a bit too absurd.
So, in her eyes, three people getting a hotel room might lead to conclusions completely contrary to those reached through normal judgment. It might not mean she had noticed anything particularly insightful.
Her judgment was simply flawed.
Taking Third Mistress Zhu herself as an example, even if she were merely a woman from an ordinary family, she would never let a man with whom she had no ambiguous relationship book a hotel room for her... unless it was something like a business reception.
"Last year... after you showed me the truth of this world, I was deeply shaken. Then I went out for barbecue and drinks with Liu Chang'an. I got drunk that night, and he took me back to my hotel." Zhong Qing's duty was to provide Third Mistress Zhu with accurate and useful information, not to cause trouble at all costs like Zhu Juntang. So even a shameful matter that was difficult to speak of had to be reported truthfully.
"Looks like he was quite practiced at booking rooms too," Third Mistress Zhu said calmly.
"Huh? No, that was my long-term room at the hotel. He didn't take me to another hotel to get a room," Zhong Qing hurriedly corrected.
"And then? Did one night of spring breeze claim Qing's life?"
"Not quite."
Zhong Qing gritted her teeth, raised her right hand to press against her left cheek, then slid it down to her neck, as