Volume One, Chapter Nine: Nonsense

Ning Shu retracted her words from before she left. She had already been affected by Shen Ji’s mood. If Shen Ji had revealed the imperial edict and then desperately investigated the whereabouts of the relief funds, even if he ultimately failed to find the stolen money, she would have stepped forward to plead for him before the emperor. While she couldn’t guarantee he would keep his noble title, saving his life would still be possible.

But Shen Ji, on the other hand, revealed the imperial edict only to extort the Song family, rent out an inn for lavish feasting, and then wanted to run off to a brothel to seek pleasure? And he had the audacity to look her in the eye and lie outright?

So far, she had seen no redeeming quality in Shen Ji. If shamelessness counted as a virtue, then he had that in abundance.

Shen Ji didn’t answer Ning Shu’s question but instead seriously asked Captain Chen Liuqi, “Captain Chen, do you know why you couldn’t find any clues about the relief funds before?”

“I’m willing to hear your explanation,” Chen Liuqi replied attentively.

Shen Ji said solemnly, “Because you’re too rigid!”

“Oh?” Chen Liuqi smiled. “May I ask what insight the young marquis has?”

Ning Shu watched Shen Ji with interest. She was curious to hear what twisted reasoning he would come up with and to see just how shameless he really was.

Shen Ji chuckled to himself and asked Chen Liuqi, “Stealing relief funds is a matter punishable by death, right?”

“Of course!” Chen Liuqi nodded emphatically. That was obvious.

Shen Ji smiled wryly and continued, “Think about it—if you were doing something that risked your head being cut off, wouldn’t you feel some pressure?”

“After committing such an act, wouldn’t you want to find a place to relieve that pressure or reward yourself?”

“Isn’t a brothel the perfect place to unwind?”

“Since the money is still in Qingzhou, there must be Fire Worship cultists there too, waiting for the chance to transport the funds away!”

“Who knows, maybe right now some cultist is entertaining himself in one of those brothels?”

Chen Liuqi’s face twitched slightly as he listened. He really didn’t understand how Shen Ji managed to keep a straight face saying such things. To justify going to a brothel with such lofty reasoning was remarkable.

“Then why don’t you investigate at night? Why choose to search in broad daylight?” Ning Shu stared at Shen Ji, suddenly feeling a bit impressed. In some ways, Shen Ji was a rare talent—few could argue nonsense so convincingly.

Shen Ji replied cheerfully, “Brothels are busy and crowded at night, with too many eyes around. The cultists probably wouldn’t come then! At this time, there’s no worry about crowds or not having enough girls available. It’s just right!”

“...” Ning Shu and Chen Liuqi were left speechless. It sounded so reasonable! They just didn’t know whether it was the robbers worried about the lack of girls or Shen Ji himself who was concerned.

“Do you really believe what you’re saying?” After a long pause, Ning Shu couldn’t help but ask.

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