Before entering Darugachi’s room, a very beautiful woman emerged from the house.
Her skin was snow-white, her eyes brimming with allure, her curves pronounced, exuding myriad charms, the kind that could rival the Four Great Courtesans of Yihong House.
At that moment, the woman stretched out her hand to stop Qimu Ge and Chen Jie.
Then she said, "Please hand over your personal weapons."
This request was directed at Chen Jie, who, upon hearing these words, said nothing and handed over the Chrysalis Short Blade that was tucked into his waistband to the woman, who then placed it on a tray held by a maid standing beside her.
"Please raise your hands."
Chen Jie raised his hands, and the woman searched him. Finding no weapons, she stepped back.
She made a ’please’ gesture with her hand.
Qimu Ge said, "Come in with me."
Upon saying this, the two entered the room, which was large and furnished with many expensive pieces and various gold and silver ornaments, clearly indicating immense wealth.
The room was divided into two sections, with an inner door made of pillars and beams in the middle, and gauze curtains hanging on the door.
From behind the gauze curtains, the faint voice of a woman could be heard: "Oh, where did this beggar come from, dressed all dirty like that?"
"Yes, keep such people at a distance. They carry diseases; don’t let it spread to us."
The voices carried through the gauze to Chen Jie’s ears, causing him to frown slightly, but he said nothing. Indeed, his clothing was tattered.
His coarse clothes were in shreds, as he had just returned from escaping disaster.
However, at that moment a man’s voice bellowed, "Get out!"
Startled by the voice, the women immediately stood up, rustling as they scurried away.
At that moment, the curtains were also drawn back, and a refined middle-aged man dressed in white Han clothing, with his hair disheveled and feet bare, strode out.
The man was lean, with a goatee typical of Han people. Unaware of his identity, one might have mistaken him for a Han scholar.
This image was a shock to Chen Jie.
It was very different from his impression of the Mulan people, known for their rugged appearance and distinctive ethnic attire, like Qimu Ge, who carried some Mulan traits such as clothing and special life details.
Yet this man before him was dressed not in Mulan attire but rather had the air of a Han scholar from the Wei and Jin Dynasties, with an indescribable sense of ease and boldness.
This was nothing like the deeply calculated strategist lurking in the shadows, balancing the powers of Mianshui that Chen Jie had pictured in his mind.
Instead, he resembled a Han reclusive scholar.
"Greetings to Lord Darugachi!"
After a long pause, Chen Jie promptly saluted with folded hands.
Darugachi glanced at Chen Jie and then said, "Sit."
Hearing this, Chen Jie saw Darugachi sitting on a mat in front of a low table. Not far from him was a similar table.
This seating and the low table reminded Chen Jie of the gatherings of scholars from the Qin and Han Periods.
Before the Song Dynasty, scholars, or high-ranking officials, would sit at separate tables during feasts.
And kneeling to sit was a custom unique to the Han people; the grassland nations such as the Mulan people were not accustomed to this posture, and even during the Qian Song period, people did not prefer to sit in this manner.
Chen Jie sat down, imitating Darugachi.
Darugachi smiled and asked, "Can you drink?"
Chen Jie paused for a moment before replying, "Yes."
"Good, bring the wine."
Soon, five maids, each holding a tray, knelt in front of the banquet. Each tray contained a different type of wine.
There were various kinds, including the kumis exclusive to the Mulan Clan, the Han people’s rice wine, and grape wine from the Western Regions!
"Which would you like to drink?"
Chen Jie pondered briefly before answering, "Any will do."
Darugachi said, "Leave the Han wine; take the rest away."
The rice wine was left behind, and several maids came forward to pour a bowl of it for both Darugachi and Chen Jie.
Darugachi drank it all in one gulp, then exclaimed, "Ah~ The sages of ancient times all died lonely, only those who enjoyed their drink left their names... Haha, good wine, good wine."
Chen Jie also drank his wine in one go.
The wine was indeed rich and fragrant, but Chen Jie didn’t taste its quality; maybe he just didn’t have a palate for it.
Moreover, Chen Jie was confused. He had arrived, said not a word, yet drank a bowl first. What was he here for, to mooch a drink?
And Darugachi was not what he had expected, was he?
Chen Jie knew Mulan people enjoyed their liquor, and in the court, which Mulan Noble did not drink?
Yet what did this attire mean, and quoting Li Bai’s poetry from the start? You are a Mulan Noble, not a Han wanderer; you’ve lost me.
Chen Jie was lost in his chaotic thoughts.
Suddenly, Darugachi spoke: "Chen Jiusi!"
Chen Jie bowed with clasped fists.
"You sought me out, but surely not just for that cup of wine."
Darugachi gazed at Chen Jie, holding the jade bowl in his hand.
"My Lord, I have come to seek justice."
Darugachi laughed: "Seek justice, interesting. The Han people have their County Magistrates, the guilds have their Gang Leaders, do you really have to seek out a Mulan person for justice?"
Immediately Chen Jie responded, "My Lord, the County Magistrate does not meddle in matters of Jianghu, and the Gang Leader I wish to accuse is none other than the Gang Leader, Nan Batian."
Upon hearing this, Darugachi’s face showed a hint of amusement as he said, "Challenging the mighty, you have quite the audacity!"
"If my grievance were not as deep as the sea, who would dare to challenge?"
"Is there truly such a grievance?"
"Grievances reach the heavens; snow in June is insufficient to soothe."
Hearing this, Darugachi waved his hand and a maid immediately poured another bowl of wine. Darugachi swirled his bowl, saying, "But in this world, not every grievance can be redressed."