THE FLOWER PALACE'S SECRET

Chapter 15: A Meeting

Lingxiang Pavilion was always crowded with people visiting. The music from the players flowed so melodious to spoil the ears. The dancers who are displaying their talents move around gently and beautifully. Men, women, all fascinated.

The most prominent one here was Li Panran, the most admired dancer girl after Mo Ran. He looks attractive with a light blue dress. He was the second candidate that many men hunted. It seemed, Mo Ran taught all of his dancers so well that they also behaved like him. None of the men who applied and bought them managed to get their wish.

A bottle of wine floated in the air and fell from a table in the corner of the room. Everyone who saw him was surprised, then walked towards the corner of the room. As soon as they arrived, they saw the pavilion owner, Mo Ran, shaking his waist as he clashed with a young woman. Some of them recognized the young woman.

The wine spill hit the floor and some of the clothes worn by people who happened to be in a fairly close distance. Mo Ran his face was already very red from anger. While the young lady, just stood still and folded her hands on her chest, acting arrogant and haughty.

The actions of the two women were seen as fun entertainment. Anyone would be interested when seeing the spectacle of a fight, let alone a fight between women. If fighting each other's mouth is not enough, the possibility of the two continues with each other. If each other is not enough, then usually they will water each other. Walls and poles that stood firm also liked to watch such fights.

Mo Ran was still cursing at the young lady harshly. His attitude became fiercer and wilder than usual. The pretty pavilion owner turned out to be in disbelief when the young lady he had debated insulted his pavilion. The young lady seemed to be indeed fond of looking for a commotion.

Mo Ran almost slapped and grabbed the young lady if only someone did not pull the shawl on his shirt back. Mo Ran was surprised and was about to yell at the person who pulled him, but did not stop him after he knew the face of the shawl puller.

“Already, do not make a fuss with a troublemaker woman like that woman,” whispered the shawl puller.

“But he insulted my place of business!” Mo Ran did not accept.

Someone who was behind the shawl puller came forward. He glanced at Mo Ran and the young woman he was being taken in by. The man then sighed.

“Nona Mo, this guy's right. You don't have to make a fuss with him anymore,” the man said later.

They wondered who the two people who stopped the fight were. When viewed from his clothes, both of them were definitely descendants of nobles.

Judging from the way they talked to Mo Ran, the two of them must have been familiar with the owner of the Lingxiang pavilion. The fight show was no longer interesting because Mo Ran preferred to obey the advice of the two people earlier.

“Zhang Qi, do you already know your mistake?” ask the shawl puller Mo Ran to the young lady.

The young lady was still acting as haughty as before.

“No.”

“You want me to report it to Dad?” ask the shawl puller again. The young lady slightly lowered her arrogance.

“Alright, I confess. But, sister should not report it to Dad.”

That young lady named Zhang Qi then left the pavilion. Mo Ran was still standing in his place in annoyance.

The shawl puller, is Shen Yanzhia. The person behind him was Zhi Hao’er, the little friend and only boyfriend that Shen Yanzhia had. The two of them came here because Lin Zian had both of them search for a bit of information from this pavilion. It was certainly very easy for Shen Yanzhia, as Mo Ran knew her so well that she was free to enter and exit the pavilion.

“What wangye has not come?” mo Ran asked as the three of them were already in a special room upstairs. Mo Ran had already been informed of Lin Zian's orders two days before Shen Yanzhia and Zhi Hao’er came.

“Maybe in a moment,” replied Shen Yanzhia.

A waiter came in with tea and a small snack. Mo Ran allowed the two men to drink.

“Why did you fight with my sister?” asked Shen Yanzhia.

“Zhang Qi insulting my place. I'm obviously angry.”

“That boy, never changed even after I got married and got out of the residence. I'm sorry on his behalf.”

Mo Ran already knew that Zhang Qi often made a fuss. He also knew that Shen Yanzhia was often bullied by her sister. Mo Ran was about to forgive him if only the young lady had not offended him personally. But, since Shen Yanzhia came, she would let Zhang Qi off the hook this time.

A while later, Lin Zian came with Tang Yin accompanied by Xu Chi and Tan’er. Shen Yanzhia deliberately did not bring him in first because Tan’er was busy tidying up the residence as soon as she came out. The four people who had just come then sat in the same place as Mo ran. The large room is now filled with seven people.

“You were so long!” shen Yanzhia grumbled at Lin Zian.

“But I'm not a turtle like you,” said Lin Zian. If only there was nothing important to talk about here, Shen Yanzhia would have made Lin Zian shut her mouth with both of her own hands. But, today's agenda was more important than his debate with Lin Zian.

“Did you find anything?” tang Yin asked Mo Ran.

“A few days ago there was a crazy person coming to mess up. He mentioned a lot of things. He also raved about the flower temple.”

“flower temple?” shen Yanzhia and Lin Zian asked in unison. Mo Ran nodded as he sipped his tea.

“The madman said the flower temple was the answer to everything. He also mentioned a name that seems very familiar,” he continued.

“Name?” ask Zhi Hao’er.

“Xiao Yanzhi's. You guys ever heard of it?”

“You mean, the Crown Prince who died eighteen years ago? Brother of the Emperor? Uncle from wangye?” mo Ran asked. Shen Yanzhia nodded.

“Because uncle died, my father was forced to ascend the throne.” Lin Zian added. Everyone nodded in understanding. The story is recorded in a gold inked book. Everyone in this imperial city already knew of the bitter incident that befell the previous Crown Prince. Dead on the battlefield.

“The madman also called someone surnamed S. I don't know what clan he really meant. He said, The Crown Prince and the flower temple are the mistress of people surnamed S it.”

“Can we trust a madman?” ask Tang Yin.

“I'm not sure. But, what's wrong with trying?” added Lin Zian.

“Where is that madman now?” asked Shen Yanzhia.

“Do not know. The security guard dragged her out without telling me.”

After further discussion, the seven men then agreed to inform each other. Lin Zian also asked Zhi Hao’er to investigate a place called the flower temple outside the capital because Lin Zian had heard of a temple filled with flowers, which was a flower, and coincidentally Zhi Hao’er was being commissioned by the Minister of Finance to visit and oversee the western part of the capital. Lin Zian and Shen Yanzhia walked out of the pavilion after bidding farewell to Mo Ran. His second servant, Tan’er and Xu Chi followed him from behind.

The streets of the capital that passed were always crowded. Food stores, gambling houses, brothels, inns, pawn shops, jewelry shops, and others were always filled with people day and night. Even street vendors and beggars cannot escape sight.

Today's weather is sunny, the air temperature is not so cold. Autumn seems like it's really going to end. Perhaps, soon the sky will be filled with clouds. The capital will soon be covered in cotton-white snow. Shen Yanzhia had already thought of a way on how she would survive this winter. His current status had changed, and there were definitely many things he could no longer do. Along the way, Shen Yanzhia did not say much. His brain swirls between passing through the winter and investigating the case secretly with his herd.

Investigating cases? This is the first for him. Shen Yanzhia realized that the danger she was about to face was no joke. If revenge to the person who bullied him could only get him sentenced to confinement and kneeling, an investigation into a case like this could cost him his life.

In fact, something like this might affect his family as well. Shen Yanzhia had never thought of retreating. This time, he could definitely solve a great mystery that would have an impact on the life and history of the current imperial dynasty.

Seeing Shen Yanzhia speechless like never before, Lin Zian started to worry. What happened to the queen? Ever since exiting the Lingxiang pavilion, Shen Yanzhia had become quiet. He was eager to ask, but it seemed that Shen Yanzhia's mood was being bad. No good, it was better for him to be silent than to make Shen Yanzhia angry again. That angry woman could be more terrifying than a wolf.

The horse carriage suddenly stopped.

“What's up?” lin Zian asked from behind the curtains of the carriage window.

“There is a crowd in front, Sir,” replied the horse coachman.

Shen Yanzhia's daydream came to a stop. He then peeked through the curtains that covered the front door of the train. After leaning forward, then he can see clearly who and what is the object of attention of people.

Shen Yanzhia jumped down followed by Lin Zian.

“Custom crazy women! I finally found you!” shen Yanzhia exclaimed after looking at it from a closer distance. A woman who was inspecting the body of a large human turned her head to see who was calling her that way.

“What have we ever met?” ask the female physician.

“Tabib is crazy, you remember me right? Some time ago we met in a crowd of men half alive and half dead it.”

“Ah, you're the bride who asked me if I'm crazy right? And the man beside you, he forced you to carry you, didn't he?”

Shen Yanzhia turned to the side. Lin Zian stood up with an astonished look and wondered. Shen Yanzhia did not realize that Lin Zian was coming down from the carriage with her.

“Wangfei, what is he-’’

“Betul. Physician, where is that half-dead, half-living man now?”

The physician glanced around him. Then he whispered,

“There's at my house. I was planning on dissecting her after she regained consciousness.”

“Can I see it?” asked Shen Yanzhia.

“This guy is also coming?” asked the healer while pointing at Lin Zian.

Shen Yanzhia nodded.

“Good, but you can't bring your waiter and parade guard.”

Lin Zian then gestured hand to Xu Chi. After which, all the guards accompanying them left, including Xu Chi and Tan’er. The healer then walked in front, letting himself lead the way.

“Wait, how about the big man's body earlier?” Shen Yanzhia took the time to ask.

“Of course must be transported. Otherwise, he will block the path all day and start to rot,” replied the healer calmly. His face was innocent like without sin.

Ah, that big man is dead apparently, inner Shen Yanzhia. Lin Zian who witnessed the strange behavior of these two women could only fall silent and sigh. It seemed, Shen Yanzhia had met the same person as her strange and annoying self. ***