Chapter 189: I Know Your Depth, and You Know My...

Chapter 189 I Know the Depths of Your Heart, You Know Mine...

Sooner or later, death or not.

The man before them was none other than Black Tooth.

His attire at this moment was quite similar to Chen Yi’s—both clad in black robes, with a black iron mask concealing their faces beneath the hood.

The difference lay in Chen Yi’s extra black cape and the conical hat atop his head.

Yet both men stiffened upon hearing Black Tooth’s words.

Lu Yu Xue stood momentarily stunned, while Chen Yi immediately held his breath, carefully suppressing his presence.

Had Black Tooth not concealed his arrival earlier, and had his eyes been fixed solely on Lu Yu Xue, he might have been trapped as well.

Observing Lu Yu Xue’s hesitation, Chen Yi quickly composed himself.

If not for the prior time Black Tooth had arrived without hiding his form, and with his gaze unwavering on Lu Yu Xue alone, he might have been ensnared too.

Lu Yu Xue, regaining her composure, instantly revealed a seductive smile, her eyes drifting downward as she cooed:

“I, your servant, wondered who dared emerge at this late hour to startle me—surely it was the venerable Black Tooth~”

“You weren’t here to collect the reward from that matter, were you? Has the silver already reached your hands at this hour?”

Black Tooth remained unmoved, his eyes cold and devoid of any emotion, asking slowly:

“You... where... did... you... go?”

Lu Yu Xue’s expression remained unchanged, her smile unwavering as she replied:

“The venerable one surely knows I was merely inquiring about Liu Wu’s whereabouts, lest there be any issues with his identity. I personally visited his office to confirm.”

“And the result?”

“There were no problems at all~ Liu Wu is truly the son of the Liu family. I merely went to see him, nothing more~”

Black Tooth scrutinized her thoroughly, giving a slight nod:

“Such is the case... I have wronged you. I thought you might reveal that matter.”

Hearing this, Lu Yu Xue pouted:

“The venerable one is far too suspicious, your servant. We share the same allegiance to the Bright Moon Pavilion—how could you suspect me so readily?”

“Yet you still haven’t answered—has the silver already reached your hands?”

“Naturally.”

“Then well done, your servant has done well to assist the venerable. I’m certain the leader will reward you generously upon hearing of this~”

Black Tooth offered no confirmation, about to take a step forward, when his gaze suddenly shifted to the alley entrance behind them, his voice chilling:

“Who is there?”

Upon hearing his words, Chen Yi’s heart skipped a beat—had he been discovered?

Without hesitation, he suddenly felt a wave of icy killing intent radiating from his own body.

It came from Black Tooth himself!

Realizing the situation, Chen Yi knew he had been discovered.

His thoughts raced; he ceased hiding his presence and form.

Yet his first action was not to reveal himself, but to remove the mask from his face and tuck it into his cape.

Only after completing these motions did he speak, his smile fading:

“Black Tooth venerable, you are indeed a true master of the martial path among the upper three tiers. Liu Wu here—he’s always been so cautious, I’m impressed you detected him.”

As he spoke, he walked toward the alley entrance, turning to face the two figures within.

Seeing him, Black Tooth’s expression shifted slightly:

“Liu Wu?”

Lu Yu Xue was equally surprised:

“How did you find your way here?”

Chen Yi glanced at her, his smile gradually turning cold, his voice soft and venomous:

“Why am I here, Yu Xue? Naturally, I followed you, your ladyship.”

Yu Xue’s eyes flickered with confusion:

“Following me?”

Chen Yi sneered:

“You think I don’t know you’ve been probing Liu’s household, testing him?”

“Once last night, once tonight—do you trust me, or don’t you trust your own son?”

As he spoke, his eyes never left hers, a mocking glint in his gaze.

A female tiger in hiding, eh? You’ve got the nerve to change your tune.

Yu Xue stared at his eyes, her heart pounding with uncertainty.

She knew perfectly well her own probing of Liu’s household had been mere idle gossip, merely to allay Black Tooth’s suspicions.

Thus, she was certain Chen Yi’s words were equally false.

But then...

If Liu Wu hadn’t followed her from Kangning Street to arrive here, then where had he discovered her?

Outside the Western Market?

At the Western Market tailor shop?

Before or after she entered the shop?

Thinking of these terrible possibilities, fearing exposure of her covert identity, Lu Yu Xue felt her skin crawl.

Yet, due to Black Tooth’s presence, she dared not contradict his words, lest he sense something amiss—they both might suffer the consequences.

“Brother Liu, forgive me. I did this to ensure there were no risks.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi smiled inwardly, regarding the composed Lu Yu Xue with mockery:

“If not for that, how else would I have repeatedly shown restraint?”

“Black Tooth, you two are going too far.”

Black Tooth glanced at him, then at Lu Yu Xue, slowly shaking his head:

“This matter is significant. A minor transgression—Liu Wu, you must forgive your brother.”

Chen Yi’s expression softened accordingly, shaking his head:

“You’ve said it yourself, I’m not one to ignore reason. Besides, it concerns your father’s affairs.”

“But if it happens again, don’t blame me for being too harsh!”

“Of course.”

Black Tooth nodded, his ear twitching slightly, then continued:

“This is not a place for idle talk. Let us proceed to the Spring Rain Pavilion to discuss further.”

Chen Yi nodded:

“Perfect. My father has something he wishes to discuss.”

He had intended to visit the Spring Rain Pavilion all along.

Though complications had arisen, he still had no intention of altering his plans.

The three of them then departed toward the Spring Rain Pavilion.

Along the way, Lu Yu Xue clearly had been mulling things over, casting glances at Chen Yi repeatedly, yet daring not utter a single word.

Chen Yi, aware of her gaze, paid it little mind.

There was no need to worry.

After all, what was that phrase he had just said?

I know the depths of your heart, and you know mine… as a “ghost.”

Now he and Lou Yuxue are like ants on a string.

Each knows the other is lying, yet they both consider Black Tooth.

So…

Chen Yì doesn’t believe Lou Yuxue dares to reveal the truth.

Not long after, the three arrived at Chunru Lou, heading straight for the quiet chamber on the top floor.

However, Black Tooth didn’t linger but left ahead, leaving only Lou Yuxue to greet Chen Yì.

Clearly, he went to hide those silver or gold tickets.

Chen Yì and Lou Yuxue both knew it all along.

Yet their moods were vastly different.

Chen Yì sat relaxed, his eyes half-closed against the chair.

Though Lou Yuxue intended to confirm where Black Tooth had hidden the silver, the events beforehand made her more concerned with Chen Yì.

“Brother Liu, what message has your young master brought?”

Yet Lou Yuxue asked in the same sultry tone as before, her face as cold as ice, her gaze at Chen Yì carrying a hint of lethal intent.

At the same time, her fingertip, damp with water, traced several characters on the table.

[Who are you, really?]

Chen Yì blinked, then smiled. “Why the question, Miss Lou? Your writing’s quite good.”

“You?!”

Lou Yuxue, furious, bit her lip, wiped the water from the table, and restrained her anger. “What writing? Are you saying your young master’s handwriting?”

She wrote another line.

[If you don’t explain, we’ll all die!]

Chen Yì smiled, nodding. “Before coming, my young master feared I’d forget, so he wrote a note.”

Then he wrote two characters on the table: “Xishi.”

Lou Yuxue’s expression shifted slightly. She engaged Chen Yì in casual talk while writing.

[Who are you?]

[Guess?]

[You couldn’t possibly be from the Liu family!]

[Why not?]

[What brings you here?]

[Of course—to burn the summer grain of the three cities.]

[You…]

They chattered back and forth for half the day, and Lou Yuxue still hadn’t figured it out.

She was so agitated her breathing grew ragged, her chest rising and falling dramatically.

She suspected Chen Yì was from the Xiao family.

Yet all signs pointed to the Xiao family being unaware of the plan against Mingyue Lou.

Even the Patriarch had time to spare, taking interest in Baicai Tang and the Xiao family’s apothecary.

The same was true in the rival market; Xiao Jinghong stayed put.

But Liu Wu wasn’t from the Xiao family. Who could he be?

From the Liu family?

The Liu family was a possibility.

But how could he be in Xishi, following her?

Lou Yuxue most wanted to confirm if her identity as an agent was exposed, yet this person showed no signs, driving her to frustration.

In the end, she wrote: “When will you finally tell the truth?”

Chen Yì raised an eyebrow, writing: “You’re getting desperate.”

“Though I have a big appetite, I wonder if you can satisfy it?”

Lou Yuxue clenched her teeth and wrote: “Speak, then I’ll listen!”

“I want half the silver from this deal, Miss Lou. Will you agree?”

“Dream on!”

“I’m afraid I can’t disclose it.”

Lou Yuxue, still angry, but forced herself to calm, asked: “Won’t you fear me telling Black Tooth you’re not from the Liu family?”

Chen Yì smiled, shook his head, and wrote: “I am.”

“Impossible! If you were from the Liu family, why would you suggest that silver?”

“Guess?”

Seeing Lou Yuxue’s eyes redden, Chen Yì chuckled inwardly, realizing this would only get worse.

After some thought,

Chen Yì wrote: “What matters now isn’t who I am, but ensuring this deal proceeds smoothly.”

“If you’re curious, just bring the fifteen-tael silver as I said.”

Lou Yuxue stared straight at him, weighing the pros and cons.

Though she couldn’t be certain of Chen Yì’s identity or if he knew her agent identity, one thing was clear—

The Xiao family was unaware, and the person before her wasn’t from them.

This certainty eased her mind somewhat.

At least the plan to burn the three cities’ summer grain could proceed; otherwise, she’d never let the Eagle-Eye take such risks.

Her own covert operation at Mingyue Lou would also be affected.

“If I discover you’re sabotaging this, you’ll pay the price!”

Chen Yì noticed her hurriedly wiping away the tension, a sly smile forming: “Miss Lou, with such a powerful force as Mingyue Lou, you wouldn’t deny a cup of tea, would you?”

Yùxuě glimpsed his smiling face and longed to scratch a mark all over it.

But given their present circumstances, she could only fake a smile and charm her tone: "Brother Liu, forgive me—I'll pour you some tea right away~"

Yet when she lifted the teapot, her wrist flicked, and the spout tilted directly toward Chén Yì, pouring tea onto his chest and legs.

Though Yì reacted swiftly, a few damp spots clung to his body.

He gazed at the scheming, triumphant Lóu Yùxuě and could not help but say, choked between laughter and tears:

"Yùxuě, my dear, you—you—"

Before he could finish the word "shrewd," she set down the teapot, leaned close, and patted his arm with apology in her voice:

"Brother Liu, forgive me—I didn’t mean to do that."

But her touch was far more forceful than a mere pat.

Seeing this, Yì let out a low huff, retracting his fist.

Seizing the moment while Lóu Yùxuě was pinned by his overwhelming martial presence, he slammed one hand over her mouth, holding her fast to the table.

"Yùxuě, my dear, I’m sorry."

Trapped in such an undignified posture, her cheeks flushed with a mix of shame and irritation.

Yet she kept her voice coy:

"Brother Liu, what are you doing~? Don’t you dare let go of me?"

"You—"

Before he could finish, the side wall swung open, and Liǔ Láng stepped through the doorway.

Once he saw the scene, his eyes widened in surprise.

"What’s going on here?"

He glanced at Yì, then at the woman being held by him, and burst into laughter:

"A lone man and a woman alone in a room—surely they’ve done what ought to be done, haven’t they? Haha!"

He didn’t forget to close the door behind him. "Carry on—I’m leaving you to it."

When the wall had settled back into place, Lóu Yùxuě, her face reddened with embarrassment, snapped: "Let go of me, you brute!"

Yì released her, stepping back a pace, feigning innocence:

"My lady, I only said not to come—yet here you are, caught in the act and laughed at by others."

"You—"

Seeing his shameless words, she nearly chipped her teeth.

Yet she understood Yì’s intent—to shield her from Bá Shǎ and Liǔ Láng—and had no choice but to lower her eyes, smoothing her clothes while murmuring in a delicate voice:

"All my fault, Brother Liu—your good looks made me momentarily…unsteady~."

No sooner said than she opened the adjacent door, smiling at Liǔ Láng outside:

"Oh, hurry in—there’s something urgent."

"Finished already?"

"…"

Liǔ Láng rolled his eyes so dramatically that Yùxuě’s face flushed anew. He stepped into the chamber, chuckling:

"I’m not late—I was sent by Bá Shǎ himself."

Yì glared at him, signaling silence, then spoke in Liǔ Wǔ’s voice, his tone sharp:

"Where’s Bá Shǎ?"

"Leave, or I’m out."

At that moment, Bá Shǎ emerged from another wall, his voice cutting through the air: "Some matters can’t be delayed."

Surveying the room, he took charge, inviting everyone to sit:

"What brings you here, Master Liu?"

Yì glanced at him, lifted his chin, and said: "My master sent me to ask—when will that deal be settled? He’s waiting to head to the Xué family."

Bá Shǎ nodded: "Earlier reports said Master Liu clashed with Lǎo Hóng Erhu there?"

Yì sneered: "Still asking?"

"If not for that old fool’s lack of etiquette, my master wouldn’t have sent us two here."

"He said if you’d used the same cunning you showed testing my identity on that deal, it’d have been settled long ago."

Bá Shǎ fell silent, then said:

"Tell Brother Liu to report back—I’ll be there soon enough."

"Exact timing?"

Bá Shǎ said nothing, merely glancing at Lóu Yùxuě.

She nodded: "When the skies clear, I’ll arrange it."

Yì looked at her, then at Bá Shǎ, raising an eyebrow:

"Is this deal to be handled by Mistress Lóu? Brother Bá, you’re a long-time elder of the Bright Moon Hall in Shuzhou?"

Upon hearing this, Lóu Yùxuě’s blood boiled. This man was insufferable—poking holes in her plans with not a word of truth, leaving her fuming.

"Brother Liu, laugh it off—I’d never dare act without Black Tooth’s blessing!"

Yì chuckled: "Indeed, that’s how it stands. I only trust Brother Bá."

"Then I’ll return at once."

Bá Shǎ hummed: "I’ll let you know when the time comes."

Seeing this, Yì bid farewell to Liǔ Láng and left the Chūnyǔ Pavilion.

After all had settled into quiet, Bá Shǎ sat still, then turned to Lóu Yùxuě:

"You’ve changed from your usual self. Why?"

Her heart lurched, yet her eyes dared not waver, meeting his gaze as she coyly replied:

"Old master, don’t take offense."

"You know I’m no noble—though I’m a courtesan, in this world I’m bound to find a place."

Bá Shǎ pressed: "Liu Yì?"

"Yes—he’s well-connected, skilled in martial, medical, and scholarly arts. If I follow him, I’ll have someone to shield me from harm."

"And for the Bright Moon Hall, too. He’s a master of medicine—he’ll be of great use."

Seeing her sincerity, Bá Shǎ fixed her with a deep stare:

"No matter your plans, that deal must remain untouched—or you’ll die."

"Of course…"

As Black Ya walked away, Luo Yusnow's face remained composed, yet her heart still burned with resentment.

Liu Five!

Wait for me!

(End of chapter)