Chapter 27: The Flower Thief
◎ The most beautiful flower is picked last. ◎
At the small dining table in the Zhan family’s home, Mu Jiaojiao laughed like wind chimes, tinkling merrily.
Shan Cha ate radish pickles, finding them more delicious than before.
The two girls chatted and laughed, A Liu buried his head in his food, while only Zhan Qiyu subtly frowned.
He sensed something was amiss. Someone who referred to himself as “I” was likely no ordinary person.
Zhan Qiyu glanced at the charming girl, feeling the weight on his shoulders grow heavier.
After finishing his meal, he politely put down his chopsticks and left with a cold expression.
Mu Jiaojiao, who had been laughing, sensed something was wrong. She suddenly remembered that Chen Xing’er was close to her Zhan Da Ge’s heart, and her openly teasing remarks were inappropriate.
Her laughter ceased abruptly; she quickly lowered her head and continued eating. Shan Cha, seeing her mistress’s silence, also ate quietly, adding another bowl of millet porridge.
She was going to learn martial arts from Master A Liu that night. Yesterday, she had discovered A Liu’s secret and insisted on learning self-defense to protect her mistress.
After dinner, Shan Cha went to train with Master A Liu, while Mu Jiaojiao prepared a bowl of yogurt drink for Zhan Qiyu.
She heated and cooled the newly purchased milk and added some watermelon, creating a refreshing yogurt drink.
She knocked on Zhan Qiyu’s door. He knew who it was without asking. A slight curve appeared on his lips, quickly disappearing.
“Come in.”
He clearly wished for her frequent visits but pretended otherwise. How long would he have to pretend?
His heart ached, yet he could only continue.
Mu Jiaojiao entered with the yogurt drink, not daring to place the bowl on his desk, setting it down on the table by the window.
She wore a simple light-colored dress, a small velvet flower adorning her hair, making her even more playful and cute.
A shy smile graced her face as she approached Zhan Qiyu, unsure how to speak.
“What is it?”
His hand, holding a book, turned white. Heaven knew how tempting her expression was, almost causing him to forget all the propriety and morality he’d learned. He just wanted her to finish and leave.
“Zhan Da Ge, I’m sorry.”
Her voice was low, unconsciously tinged with a touch of coquettishness, making the man at the desk’s ears tingle slightly.
It would have been nice if she whispered in his ear.
However, Zhan Qiyu only said coldly, “What is it?”
He didn’t lift his eyes from his book, but his attention was captivated by his ears and nose – her unique voice and fragrance, each time she came to his room, making him feel like he was dreaming.
Mu Jiaojiao, unaware of the young man’s thoughts, explained, “Zhan Da Ge, it’s my fault that Cousin Xing’er separated from you.”
She clasped her fingers, then continued, “But I promise I’ll find you a very satisfactory match. Don’t be unhappy about this.”
Zhan Qiyu wanted to laugh. What was she thinking?
When had he ever said he liked his cousin? And this matter was clearly him helping his cousin find a wealthy husband; how could it be her fault?
But she could indeed help with his marriage; the bride had to be chosen by her.
Thinking of this, he nodded, looking at her intently, replying, “Okay.”
Mu Jiaojiao was surprised, excitedly confirming, “Really, Zhan Da Ge? You agree?”
Her eyes shone like stars. Zhan Qiyu, upon meeting her gaze, felt thirsty and lowered his head.
“Mm, if you have nothing else, you can leave.”
Every time, he chased her away when his feelings became too intense. But Mu Jiaojiao left happily, not forgetting to remind him to drink the yogurt drink.
After the door closed, Zhan Qiyu inhaled the lingering fragrance in the room. It was light and pleasant.
The aftermath was uneventful. The Qin and Chen families seemed genuinely inclined to arrange a marriage, but the Qin family wanted to delay.
However, a flower thief suddenly appeared in Yan Hua Town, targeting a woman’s boudoir every other day.
Not only young unmarried women were affected, but also wives whose husbands were away. The magistrate was exasperated.
With the Crown Prince present, the disturbances only increased, forcing the authorities to urgently hunt the flower thief, causing a stir in the town.
Even Chen Xing’er was terrified, sleeping with her mother every night.
For a time, every household with women lived in fear.
Shan Cha relayed the news, which had spread various versions in the marketplace.
“They say the flower thief hypnotizes his victims, so they don’t know what happened.”
“The victims didn’t see the thief. They only noticed something was wrong when they felt physical changes.”
“It’s said that the flower thief’s light skills are superb; he leaves no trace when entering homes.”
“The magistrate’s officers are clueless and can’t stop him.”
Mu Jiaojiao sighed. She recalled that there wasn’t a flower thief in her previous life at this time.
But at that time, she was on the road to the capital and knew nothing.
A Liu, however, was serious, instructing Shan Cha, “Shan Cha, don’t go to the market to buy vegetables lately. I’ll go.”
He considered Shan Cha a beautiful girl and worried she might become a target.
But Shan Cha mimicked a hand chop, seemingly eager to kill the flower thief.
Zhan Qiyu, who appeared least concerned, suddenly felt a foreboding. This couldn’t be taken lightly.
The flower thief’s crimes eventually reached the Chen family.
One night, Chen Xing’er slept with her mother, but the next morning, she felt something was amiss.
An inexperienced girl might not understand, but she had been with Qin Feng Hang, so she didn’t dare tell her mother, swallowing her bitterness.
Except for her, almost nobody in the Chen family noticed, so Chen Xing’er cried secretly.
Chen Li Shi, discovering this, attributed it to the Qin family marriage, frequently visiting them.
On the third day of the flower thief’s attacks, the Qin family finally agreed to the marriage.
The condition was confirmation of Chen Xing’er’s pregnancy.
Because Qin Feng Hang was injured from the beating, needing to recuperate. The Crown Prince’s guards were merciless; regardless of his future function, it was currently unusable.
A doctor said it could be gradually recovered, but it would take years, so Chen Xing’er’s child was likely the Qin family’s only hope.
The Qin family kept this secret, manipulating the Chen family, who remained unsuspicious.
However, verifying the pregnancy caused the Chen family to panic.
Mr. Chen was a pleasure-seeking man, always following Chen Li Shi’s lead; he was unconcerned.
But Chen Li Shi was unwilling to let the marriage fail, seeking medical help and using underhanded tactics.
As long as they passed the initial hurdle, there would be plenty of opportunities to get pregnant after the marriage.
Chen Xing’er was initially worried. Having been violated by the flower thief, she felt disgusted. But the incident brought a subtle glimmer of hope.
The chances of pregnancy had increased. As long as she denied it, nobody would know.
Her worry shifted to the flower thief being caught and revealing her secret.
While some rejoiced, others worried. In a dilapidated temple outside the city, Cheng Xing Yao ate roast chicken and drank flower-patterned wine.
Tomorrow was his last crime, and he was excited.
The flower thief was none other than the well-meaning Cheng Daxia.
Despite being a “great hero,” he secretly engaged in petty crimes in Yan Hua Town, culminating in his favorite target for the most fun.
He enjoyed this gradual progression.
However, not all previous cases were his doing; he had a friend from the Jianghu, and they took turns.
He preferred young unmarried women, his friend preferred married women, each with their targets.
His friend had moved to the neighboring town, and after tomorrow, he’d leave.
He ate chicken legs, his mind on the face that haunted his dreams, anticipating tomorrow night.
Cheng Xing Yao touched the vial of secret medicine in his bosom and smiled wickedly.
For a beautiful woman, he’d use his best. He wouldn’t use it on anyone else.
But then he remembered the Chen family girl and felt disgusted, learning she was already pregnant. His planned “opening red” was ruined.
But he refused to believe it, declaring tomorrow night would be a triumph.
Cheng Xing Yao finished the last of his wine, threw the bottle far away, lay back, and closed his eyes to rest.
The next day, it rained.
Another gloomy rainy night. Zhan Qiyu rested behind his desk, looking haggard, as if he hadn’t slept in days.
After a stick of incense, he opened his eyes, bloodshot, his gaunt face sharp and cold.
He couldn’t rest until the flower thief was found.
Shan Cha looked at the heavy rain outside, saying to her mistress, “The flower thief will be out tonight. I wonder if he’ll still harm women in such heavy rain.”
Mu Jiaojiao showed no concern. Few people knew where they lived, so a flower thief was unlikely to target them.
She held a clay pot in her hand, unconcerned, unaware of the danger approaching.
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