sbdcsierra Chapter 399 Are you always this rough around the edges?
Chapter 399 Are you always this rough around the edges?
So it's quite a coincidence that Sheng Junyi happens to be in Jiangnan Prefecture today.
"This idea was probably given to him by Young Master Ming, but he probably didn't expect to meet me. He knows my identity, and I know he has a problem, so we just kept it to ourselves. He and Lin Wuji are old acquaintances, I heard they knew each other since childhood. After Young Master Ming left the capital, he probably ended up in the Salt Gang. If I'm not mistaken, he has a relationship with the Eldest Princess, right? It was the Crown Prince who sent him out of the capital. For the Crown Prince to spare his life in the assassination attempt on His Majesty, there's probably only one possibility left," Sheng Junyi said confidently. "The son of the Eldest Princess and Consort Bo."
Lu Yangyang remained silent. Mingruo's identity was both easy and difficult to guess. After all, Mingruo was already dead in the capital, and the son of the Eldest Princess and Consort Bo had also died long ago, so no one would connect the two together.
Sheng Junyi could guess that it was because Mingruo had originally died at the hands of the Crown Prince, but had now been resurrected. That could only mean that the Crown Prince had used a trick to deceive everyone. As for why he had deceived them, it wasn't hard to guess by considering what case Mingruo had died in.
But even though she guessed it, Lu Yangyang didn't intend to admit it. During their trip to Jiangnan Prefecture, Sheng Junyi had helped her a great deal and had just saved her life. Personally, it was hard for her not to change her opinion of him. However, she was still unclear about Sheng Junyi's position, and under these circumstances, there were some things she couldn't say.
Lu Yangyang changed the subject: "Did you agree to their request?"
"Not yet. They promised me that if I cooperate with them and help Lin Wuji completely take down the Salt Gang, the Salt Gang will give me 20% of the profits in the future. In addition, Lin Wuji owes me a favor and can do three things for me unconditionally," Sheng Junyi replied.
Lu Yangyang couldn't help but frown.
Sheng Junyi raised an eyebrow: "You're thinking about the Salt Gang's casino, aren't you?"
A clear look of disgust flashed across Lu Yangyang's eyes.
Gambling is deadly. The casinos run by the deputy leader of the Salt Gang have ruined countless lives, causing many families to be torn apart and lives to be destroyed.
“I don’t know much about the Salt Gang, but one thing is certain: their internal strife is very serious. Lin Wuji, the gang leader, is no longer able to hold his position, which is why he came up with the idea of seeking outside help. If you want to know more, you can ask Young Master Ming.” Sheng Junyi continued, “His condition doesn’t mean much to me, and I’m not interested in the favor he owes me. That’s not what I want.”
Lu Yangyang glanced at him.
That's not hard to guess. If Sheng Junyi now owns Tiancheng Trading Company, its wealth is enough to support him in doing anything. Getting involved with the Salt Gang would be more harmful than beneficial to him. As for the favor with Lin Wuji, unless Lin Wuji can completely control the Salt Gang, the favor would be practically worthless.
Lin Wuji's offer was enough to sway most people, but it certainly wouldn't include Sheng Junyi, who is an enigma in himself.
"When Steward Song came looking for me, I was dealing with them. When I heard that you had joined the Salt Gang, I had a feeling that this matter was not simple, so I simply asked Lin Wuji directly. Lin Wuji needed my help, so naturally he would not neglect me. After learning that you had been sent to the dungeon, he immediately told me the location of the dungeon. Otherwise, I might still be sending people to find the location of the Salt Gang's dungeon." Sheng Junyi was also glad at this moment. If he had not been in Jiangnan Prefecture today, even if Steward Song and the others could have found Lu Yangyang's whereabouts in time, Lu Yangyang would probably have suffered a lot.
He couldn't help but ask, "Is it worth risking your life for that Boss Luo?"
Lu Yangyang thought about what would happen tonight. Although she had sent a message to Sheng Junyi in advance, she couldn't guarantee it would be useful. Even if it was useful, it might not be able to be used in time. And both the people in the casino and the people in the dungeon were extremely ruthless. And these were the most realistic aspects of this world.
She was indeed being somewhat reckless, but the situation was urgent. If she didn't go, even if Lin Wuji himself didn't intend to kill, the Salt Gang was in such chaos that she might not even know how Chief Luo died. Therefore, she had to do it.
However, this incident also made her realize more clearly that the path she wanted to take could not be achieved by her alone; she also needed to have trustworthy and usable people to rely on.
I need to discuss this with Jiang Zhiyi when I get back.
Lu Yangyang looked at Sheng Junyi: "It is true that one should not risk one's life so easily, but there is no such thing as whether it is worth it or not, only whether I think it is something I should or should not do."
Sheng Junyi looked at her for a long while, then chuckled softly: "Indeed."
There is no such thing as worth it or not in this world, only whether you want to, should, or can.
Lu Yangyang finally dried her hair, casually ruffled it a few times, and then tied it into a bun with a hairpin, creating a Taoist nun's hairstyle.
Sheng Junyi looked at her with a puzzled expression: "You combed your hair like this?"
Lu Yangyang replied casually, "It's convenient. I'm going out for a bit, I'll be right back."
Upon hearing this, Sheng Junyi stopped worrying about her Taoist nun hairstyle: "Where are you going? Do you need any help?"
Lu Yangyang planned to visit Xiao Qi, the old beggar who had adopted them. He was clearly no good; he'd colluded with the deputy leader of the Salt Gang to do human trafficking. She'd killed A Da, and that news would surely get back to her. She wondered what the old beggar might do to him.
She couldn't rest easy without going to check on the person and bringing them out.
There's no point in hiding it, Lu Yangyang said. "The little beggar who led the way for me today might get involved. I need to go find him."
Sheng Junyi also stood up: "Then let's go together."
Just as the two got up to leave, a maid brought over the brewed medicine. Sheng Junyi glanced at Lu Yangyang, who then took the bowl and gulped it down in one go.
Sheng Junyi: "...Are you always this rough around the edges?"
Lu Yangyang rolled her eyes: "I'm in a hurry. Do you expect me to blow on it and wait for it to cool down before drinking it sip by sip? Don't you find it bitter? You live by the sea, why are you being so nosy?"
After saying that, she pushed past him and left.
Sheng Junyi: "..."
Lu Yangyang didn't quite remember how to get to the dilapidated house that Xiao Qi had taken her to today, but she roughly remembered the location. It should be one of the abandoned houses in that area. She could only rely on her senses to search around there one by one.
It was past midnight, and the streets of the entire city were unusually quiet. Apart from patrolling soldiers and night watchmen, there was hardly anyone out and about. The more remote the area, the more eerily silent it became.
But there was one place that was still brightly lit, where the aroma of wine and cosmetics mingled together, and laughter and song filled the air.
In the backyard of a brothel called Nanfeng Pavilion, a dozen young boys were stripped naked, blindfolded, and bound hand and foot. They stood in a circle around a circular pool, which was filled with an intoxicating aroma. The pool contained not water, but wine.
Xiao Qi was among the group of boys, his eyes blindfolded and his body shrouded in darkness. The shame of being naked made him instinctively clench his toes.