Chapter 58: Catching Fish According to Plan

“Ah Ning, Fang Zhi can’t be trusted,” Meng Jun carefully picked up the oilpaper package that had fallen on the deck, dusted it off and tucked it back into his sleeve. “I know you have feelings for her, and now you won’t listen to anyone else. But Ah Ning, let’s take a step back and think about it. Even if this was a trap I set, Fang Zhi clearly knew the sound of the bell would harm you, yet she didn’t hesitate at all. Do you think a lady like that has any true feelings?”

“Harm?” Hu Youning replied without thinking, “Elder Sister Fang is from an ordinary background. If she didn’t get involved, how could she contend with noble families like yours? You forced her to become like this, and now you turn around and criticize her.”

“Young Master Meng, how can there be such reasoning in this world? You’re extremely wealthy, taking all the good things. When it comes to us poor commoners, not having enough to eat or wear is one thing, but we still have to be ordered around by you. Why?!”

He sneered, taking half a step closer to the sword tip, “My mother, to please the Imperial Daughter Li, has been living in fear these past few days, her hair turning white. Has anyone acknowledged her hardships?”

“Imperial Daughter Li enjoys pleasure cruises every night, yet you think she’s in great danger. Simply put, it’s because my mother is a commoner, her life is cheap, how can it compare to those of higher status.”

“As for that Golden Elixir case, do you really think we care?” Hu Youning’s eyes were filled with sorrow, “It doesn’t matter who the Empress on top is.”

“Insolent!” Wei Dan shouted lowly. Discussing the Emperor rashly was a serious crime.

Meng Jun furrowed his brows, “Ah Ning, you can’t speak carelessly like this. I invited you here tonight just to let you see Fang Zhi’s true heart. Now it seems I was too hasty in my actions.”

Hu Youning gave a disdainful smile, “Listen to how Young Master Meng speaks, as if I’m so ungrateful. True heart?”

He snorted, “Do you think I don’t understand Elder Sister Fang’s nature? She may be fickle, but in this world, which lady isn’t fickle? Even the Imperial Daughter Li you’re so fond of, doesn’t she embrace that male entertainer every night for her pleasure?”

“How is it that you can tolerate this jealousy, but I can’t? Young Master Meng, ruining others’ marriages will have karmic retribution.”

Even though Hu Youning knew Fang Zhi’s words, at this moment he seemed bewitched and said with determination, “Elder Sister Fang is destined for great things, I won’t hold her back either.”

“This is utter nonsense.” Wei Dan coldly glanced at Hu Youning who was prepared to die, swinging her long sword to cut open the black cloth bag on the ground, “Why don’t you directly ask who tied her up here to be sunk in the lake, before talking about grand principles.”

Under the moonlight, Fang Zhi, who had just been flirting, lay on the deck with her eyes closed, like a dead fish.

“Elder Sister Fang!” Hu Youning was shocked. He stepped forward to check Fang Zhi’s breathing, then regained his composure and looked up angrily at Meng Jun, “No wonder you lured me here, you really planned to catch us all in one net!”

“Ah Ning, wake up.” Meng Jun was helpless. Although he didn’t know why Fang Zhi was here, it certainly wasn’t the Shu Qin Wang’s mansion that did this, otherwise that maid wouldn’t have tried to stab him.

But Hu Youning didn’t believe it, becoming increasingly agitated, “Right now her breath is weak and she’s unconscious. Of course you can say whatever you want.”

“Meng Jun, the days in Hu village can never be returned to.” Hu Youning smiled sorrowfully, “Now that Elder Sister Fang has met with such misfortune, I won’t let you off easily.”

“Don’t you like that Imperial Daughter Li?” He glared fiercely at the suddenly tense Meng Jun, “In a while, you’ll get to taste what I’m feeling right now.”

“Ah Ning, what do you mean by that!”

“What do I mean?” Hu Youning knelt beside Fang Zhi, his eyes red as he held her in his arms, “I said Elder Sister Fang is destined for great things. Did you really think she came here tonight just to flirt?”

The heart hidden in his chest fell heavily. Meng Jun raised his foot and ran towards the second floor as if he had gone mad.

“Young Master!” Wei Dan’s eyelid twitched. She hurriedly ordered her subordinates to watch Hu Youning and Fang Zhi, then took a few quick steps forward, barely managing to stop him.

“Please don’t believe Hu Youning’s one-sided words, actually……”

Clang—, the sound of cups falling rang out one after another.

“Someone come quickly, Imperial Daughter Li! Please wake up, Imperial Daughter Li!”

In the night sky, the male entertainer’s scream was like an arrow, piercing through the harmony of the silk and bamboo music, and also stabbing into Meng Jun’s heart.

He barely supported himself against the wall, steadied himself, and reached out to push Wei Dan who was blocking the way, “Move aside!”

“Young Master.” Wei Dan was in a difficult position.

Meng Jun closed his eyes slightly, lowering his voice, “I know there are still Secretary Qin’s secret guards on this boat. Don’t worry, I know she has put in a lot of effort for this, I will……”

He took a deep breath, suppressing his chaotic emotions, opened his eyes and said, “I will be careful, and definitely won’t let anyone see through anything.”

Wei Dan silently stepped back half a step, watching Meng Jun who was supporting himself against the wall, walking unsteadily up, “Young Master, remember, you are now just a servant on the pleasure boat.”

Even if the Imperial Daughter’s condition is more dangerous, you can’t casually go forward, let alone show any emotion.

The young gentleman understood her implied meaning.

As soon as he stepped onto the second floor, he was grabbed by the arm by another servant in gray-blue, “Why are you still so slow, don’t you know something has happened to the noble guest on the boat?!”

He hurriedly handed over a basin of hot water, pushing Meng Jun forward, “This water is what the Young Master Qingping asked for, hurry and take it over.”

“I don’t know what’s going on inside, if something really happens, both our heads will be in danger.”

The servant muttered as he walked out, feeling like he had one too many problems to deal with.

Usually Imperial Daughter Li would drink, but she had never fallen asleep like this before. Unfortunately, there weren’t enough people on the boat at the moment. He had to arrange for others to serve that Young Master Qingping, and also notify those on shore to quickly find a doctor.

He was so busy his feet barely touched the ground, and he still had to worry about his own head.

After all, it was that Qingping who didn’t know restraint. He must have made Imperial Daughter Li drink too much, causing this trouble.

As he was about to go down the stairs, he turned back and looked at the figure who had just taken the water basin over. Strange, he didn’t know they had such a handsome young man among the servants.