Chapter 36: Alone in the Dark Alley at Midnight

Jiangzhou, Jianglin.

As the last traces of sunset quietly faded away, the city’s lights flickered on one after another, shining like scattered stars. Under the shroud of night, Jianglin became even more enchanting and full of allure, its beauty deepened by the interplay of light and shadow.

After returning from the Brook Garden to Crescent Residence for lunch, Lu Jin took Xiaobai and Yuanfang with him to stroll through the streets.

He could not delay any longer; he felt himself sinking deeper day by day into Shen Yanxi’s gentle gaze.

To be honest, aside from that humiliating night in the rain, his days at the Shen household had been rather carefree. Hardly anyone interfered with his freedom, and with such a beauty ever by his side, even the staunchest of men would eventually yield.

So, he could not hesitate anymore. He feared his own resolve might waver.

“Sir, let’s head back soon. Miss must be getting anxious!” Xiaobai urged.

“All right, we’ll stroll a bit more and then go back,” Lu Jin replied, gently patting Xiaobai on the head, his gaze drifting into the crowd.

“Xiaobai, if one day I fail you, please don’t blame me, would you?”

“Why would you ever fail me, sir?” Xiaobai looked up, puzzled.

“It’s not what I want, but sometimes things slip by unnoticed, or perhaps I just can’t help it.”

“Then I’d never blame you, sir. I’m your page—I belong to you, and nothing you do could ever truly wrong me…”

Lu Jin gave Xiaobai a gentle pat on the shoulder, saying no more, though his heart ached a little.

Turning to the side, he saw Yuanfang, arms folded, moving along at a leisurely pace as though he were strolling through a country path.

Life is full of things we cannot help—toward ourselves, toward others. I hope you both will be well, and I ask… forgive me!

Lu Jin stopped at a bustling intersection, his eyes sweeping the crowd, a sense of aimlessness rising within him.

Why must I leave?

First, the Shen family made me kneel without asking for an explanation. If they’d beaten me, it wouldn’t have been surprising—that robbed me of my dignity.

Second, though Shen Yanxi is gentle, courteous, elegant, and gracious, at times she inadvertently shows condescension, withholding the respect I deserve.

Third, whether in terms of family or as individuals, our values, ways of thinking, and social standing differ too greatly—we come from two different worlds. This accidental marriage of convenience has cost me my freedom, and I cannot attain the life I truly desire.

And…those three reasons are reason enough!

With his resolve once again firm, Lu Jin’s gaze grew clear and sharp.

He watched the passing crowds and drew a quiet breath. It was time to begin.

“Yuanfang, I can’t walk any further. Go find a carriage, or head back to the manor and send one for me,” Lu Jin said to Yuanfang, who stood nearby, arms folded.

“Huh?” Yuanfang was taken aback. Was the young master always this willful?

“What’s with the ‘huh’? You’re strong—go get a carriage quickly.” Lu Jin had already scouted this spot; even the nearest carriage stable was a fair distance away. This was, after all, a commercial street—who could tolerate the stench of horses crowding the area?

“But sir, if I’m not here, who will protect you?” Xiaobai asked anxiously.

“That’s right—I’m your bodyguard,” Yuanfang chimed in.

“This is the busiest part of the city. What danger could I possibly face here? If anything, following me around every day with you two is what puts me at risk,” Lu Jin retorted.

“Still, Miss instructed me not to leave your side,” Yuanfang insisted.

“So you mean I can’t give you orders anymore?” Lu Jin’s tone sharpened.

“That’s not what I meant, it’s just…”

“Enough with the nonsense! Are you going or not? If you refuse, don’t bother following me in the future—I’ll explain everything to your mistress myself,” Lu Jin interrupted.

“Sir, shall I go back instead?” Xiaobai offered tentatively, mainly out of concern for his master’s safety.

“If you leave, who will keep me company? Look at him—he can’t even manage a word unless forced. What’s the use in relying on him?”

Yuanfang fell silent—was the young master really this dismissive? He simply preferred restraint; a man should be measured in speech.

Xiaobai looked at Yuanfang, torn.

With no other choice, Yuanfang gritted his teeth and went off in search of a carriage.

“Sir, shall we sit in this teahouse while we wait?” Xiaobai suggested.

“No, I won’t,” Lu Jin replied. He still had plans for Xiaobai.

“Xiaobai, what are they selling over there? Why is there such a crowd?” Lu Jin asked, feigning casual interest.

“Didn’t we already pass by there? We even had their plum juice,” Xiaobai said, glancing at the distant throng.

“Oh right, so we did. I happen to be thirsty—go buy me a bowl of plum juice.”

“Why not just rest in the teahouse, then? You could put your feet up while you wait.”

“The teahouse is dull—I’m craving that plum juice. Go on, quickly. I’ll wait right here.”

“Sir, promise me you won’t wander off,” Xiaobai hesitated, but finally agreed. It was only a short distance, and the crowd was large—what harm could come?

Little did Xiaobai know his master was set on escaping.

“Go on, you’re fussing too much. I’m not a child.”

Watching Xiaobai glance back at every step, Lu Jin sighed inwardly. With you two glued to me, I truly have no other way.

Once Xiaobai had finally squeezed his way into the crowd, Lu Jin slowly stepped back. When he reached a point where a wall hid him from view and Xiaobai hadn’t yet turned, he spun around and melted into the throng, vanishing into the sea of people.

Xiaobai, clutching a bowl of plum juice, struggled back through the crowd, baffled by the number of customers for a single drink.

Muttering to himself, he looked in the direction where his master had stood.

One look—and he was numb with shock. Where had the young master gone?

Panicking, he rushed to where they’d last stood, looked around, but couldn’t even catch a glimpse of him.

Now truly scared, Xiaobai realized that earlier he’d held out hope his master had only wandered to a nearby stall. But now it was too late. The young master was gone.

“Sir, sir, where are you?” Xiaobai called out, searching desperately through the crowd.

——

Lu Jin quickly crossed several streets and came to a shopfront. Under the glow of lanterns, the sign above read “Prosperity Pawnshop”.

He stepped over the threshold and approached the counter, pulling the jade pendant from his neck and handing it over. “Short-term pawn.”

The clerk behind the counter reached out to take the jade.

“One moment! Second Master, someone’s here to pawn a jade pendant—please have a look.”

Why on earth, Lu Jin thought, did ancient counters have to be so high? He could barely get his head above the edge.

Before long, an elderly man in his fifties or sixties emerged. He picked up the jade pendant, studying it for a good while.

“Southern River white jade, mediocre carving, average quality…”

You old fool, do you even know what you’re looking at? That’s top-grade material!

“Short-term pawn, fifty taels. Will you take it?”

“Too little!”

“Take it or not?” the old man looked down on Lu Jin from his high perch.

“I’ll take it!” Lu Jin could barely stand it anymore—this absurd counter made for a terrible customer experience. Standing here, you had no choice but to look up at them, making you feel insignificant and unworthy.

Someday, I’ll open my own shop and show these ancient folks what customer-first really means. How can business be done with such arrogance?

After much haggling, Lu Jin finally received fifty taels of silver and a pawn ticket.

Once outside the pawnshop, Lu Jin’s heart finally settled. Now he had money—not much, but enough, as far as he’d learned about prices these days, to get him back to Shangqing.

His departure was hasty—Yuanfang and Xiaobai were always at his side, leaving him no chance to plan any further steps. All he could do was take things as they came.

Descending the steps, Lu Jin walked along the street towards the southern gate, an area he’d already scoped out. The south gate was close to the Lan River, and there was a carriage stable near the city gate.

Fearing Xiaobai and the others might spot him, Lu Jin took a more circuitous route.

After walking quite some distance, he found himself standing at a street corner, suddenly unsure of himself.

He had stuck to busy streets as much as possible.

But the time spent at the pawnshop and the long walk meant night had deepened—there were far fewer people about.

Summoning his courage, Lu Jin stepped into an alleyway. A grown man, afraid to cross an alley at night—wouldn’t that be laughable?

…In the end, he was too reckless!

In the moonlight, a man stood in the middle of the alley. He wore a cloak and a veil over his face, and held a long, gleaming sword at his side.

“Sorry to disturb you!” Lu Jin gave an awkward smile and began edging backward, thinking to himself that a few more steps and he’d break into a run.

Seeing the man unmoved, Lu Jin grew hopeful—perhaps he was here for other business, not as a highwayman?

A true hero, then! If not for his own cowardice, he’d have wanted to go up and swear brotherhood with him.

Wait—who on earth was this?

Before Lu Jin could finish his thought, a sudden, searing pain struck the back of his neck. The figure before him grew increasingly blurred…

Just how cursed am I?