Chapter 105: The "Slim Horse of Yangzhou"!

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Unexpectedly, Zhang Zhiji stated in this note:
“Have Li Yuanjing use his connections to introduce Vice Chief Wang Qian to meet me, Zhang Zhiji!”
Putting aside what exactly was going on, or what secret dealings existed between Zhang Zhiji and Vice Chief Wang Qian, the fact that Zhang Zhiji had been monitoring him all along was now undeniably confirmed!
Although Li Yuanjing had originally aligned himself with Zhang Zhiji for impure motives,
still, who would play such games with Zhang Zhiji?
To go as far as setting up surveillance and issuing orders so swiftly?
Li Yuanjing was by no means an intolerant man—over the years, he had witnessed all sorts of disgusting things.
But Zhang Zhiji’s current maneuver truly disgusted him!
It also allowed Li Yuanjing to make a clearer judgment of him.
This fellow was overly cunning; though he appeared to be a noble scion, in reality, he was unlikely to achieve anything grand.
This realization made Li Yuanjing exhale deeply, calming himself to reassess the situation more prudently.
Who would have thought—after a lifetime of scheming, he was actually deceived by Zhang Zhiji...
However, after some reflection, Li Yuanjing felt no regret.
After all,
Zhang Zhiji’s sudden appearance was something Li Yuanjing’s intelligence network could not have foreseen, let alone understand who he truly was.
Moreover, with Dong Ye’s interference back then, Li Yuanjing had been forced into a corner with no other choice.
Though things now looked somewhat grim, even if Zhang Zhiji were to fall, it certainly wouldn’t happen overnight—
not with the British Duke’s backing and Emperor Longtai behind him.
In other words,
Li Yuanjing’s decision to board Zhang Zhiji’s ship was fundamentally sound; he just needed to be doubly cautious moving forward!
In fact,
Li Yuanjing even owed Zhang Zhiji some gratitude.
If Zhang Zhiji hadn’t appeared, how could the stagnant and lifeless waters of Fengcheng have been stirred and revitalized?
Without stirring these deep, stagnant waters, how would Li Yuanjing have had a chance?
...
Though he had Zhang Zhiji’s orders, Li Yuanjing did not rush to find Liu Yun and Vice Chief Wang Qian. Instead, with keen interest, he went to a small garden nearby and struck up a conversation with a delicate and refined dancer.
By now, Li Yuanjing was quite familiar with Zhang Zhiji’s character.
This man was extremely controlling.
Since he handed the note to Li Yuanjing, it was clear he had been targeting Vice Chief Wang Qian for a long time.

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The reason Zhang Zhiji wanted Vice Chief Wang Qian to come through his side and meet him was no surprise—it was all part of his usual cunning schemes, including setting up Li Yuanjing’s role.
Thus, with the banquet still ongoing, Zhang Zhiji would surely step out again soon to put on a show and control the situation.
At that time, Li Yuanjing could whisper to Zhang Zhiji in front of Liu Yun and Vice Chief Wang Qian, or carry out some brief performance, which would undoubtedly be more effective.
“Your name is Caixue?”
“A beautiful name, truly beautiful—just like you. May I ask where you are from, miss?”
At this moment, Li Yuanjing had already struck up a conversation with the dancer named Caixue, smiling as he inhaled her pleasant fragrance.
Caixue was young, about fourteen or fifteen, not very tall, yet well-developed... quite well-developed indeed...
Even though she was now wearing thick cotton clothes that concealed her figure, Li Yuanjing estimated she was easily a full D cup...
Caixue evidently held a certain fondness for Li Yuanjing, a clean and young scholar.
After all,
he was far better than those greasy, bloated middle-aged rich men.
“To answer master’s question, I am from Yangzhou in the Jiangnan region...”
Caixue’s small face flushed slightly as she spoke cautiously.
Her voice was soft and sweet, filled with the tender charm of the water towns of Jiangnan, making it extremely pleasant to hear.
What stunned Li Yuanjing even more was...
this was the first time anyone had ever called him “master”...
“Heh.”
“Miss Caixue, since you are from Jiangnan, how did you end up here in the northern lands? The journey must have been long and arduous, no?”
Li Yuanjing now held a good impression of Caixue, smiling as he asked.
“Master...”
Caixue called softly, her voice delicate enough to make Li Yuanjing feel a slight shiver, yet she sighed mournfully:
“Master, I am not as fortunate as you. Since I can remember, I have been wandering everywhere...”
“Well...”
Li Yuanjing was momentarily at a loss for words.
Originally, he had intended to tease Caixue about the notorious “Yangzhou lean horse,” but suddenly realized that the so-called “Yangzhou lean horse” was nothing but a tragic, suffering soul.
Even the questions he had about whether Caixue could go out overnight were suppressed deep within his heart.
He hurriedly bowed deeply to Caixue and said:
“Miss Caixue, I truly apologize. I was reckless. Please forgive me...”
“Hmm...”
Caixue evidently hadn’t expected Li Yuanjing to apologize to a mere young girl like herself. After all, she had clearly seen him sitting in the upper right seat during the banquet.
That alone confirmed that Li Yuanjing’s status was no ordinary one.

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She quickly covered her mouth, giggling quietly:
“Master, you flatter this humble servant. How could I possibly be worthy of you? Knowing you makes me very happy...”
“Really?”
Having much experience with women in later years, Li Yuanjing naturally knew how to win their favor, and quickly put on a delighted smile:
“Miss Caixue, you really don’t dislike me?”
Caixue’s face immediately flushed red. She wanted to speak but didn’t dare. After a moment, she shyly nodded and cast a coy glance at Li Yuanjing...
Even with all his scheming, Li Yuanjing nearly lost his heart to Caixue...
Mainly because this young girl was truly pure. Despite obvious professional training, she had not been homogenized into some formulaic act—she remained as pure as the snow in this small garden.
This stirred a worldly desire in Li Yuanjing.
After all,
having such a girl by his side to attend to him...
life would truly have hope...
After a moment, Li Yuanjing’s voice grew slightly hoarse as he asked:
“Miss Caixue, I wonder, is it possible for you to buy your freedom? And how much silver would that require?”
“Ah?”
Caixue let out a soft cry, hastily covering her mouth with jade-like hands, her bright eyes shining and trembling as she said:
“Master, you—you want to help this humble servant buy her freedom?”
Li Yuanjing’s face was thicker than a city wall; he feigned earnestness:
“As long as Miss Caixue is willing, I will do my utmost.”
“Master...”
Just as Caixue tenderly called him and was about to speak, a commotion erupted outside. People were loudly hailing “Young Duke.”
It was indeed Zhang Zhiji making his appearance again.
Caixue, clearly understanding the situation, quickly said obediently:
“Master, you should attend to your important matters first. I will likely stay here for a few more days. If you truly wish... there will definitely be a chance...”
Li Yuanjing was overjoyed and hurriedly replied:
“Very well, Miss Caixue. I shall go meet the Young Duke now.”
“Please, master...”
However, as Li Yuanjing walked away briskly, he did not notice that—
as Caixue watched his retreating figure, the charming youthful longing in her eyes vanished without a trace!
Instead,
it was replaced by a chill far beyond her years!