Chapter 1599: Repayment

“Oh?” Zhao An was somewhat surprised. He had only casually asked for the investigation at the time, knowing how secretive the Golden Embroidered Envoys were in their operations, let alone when dealing with a woman. It would have been normal not to find anything; finding something was unexpected.

Xiao Jianren proudly puffed out his chest. “These past few days, I’ve been working tirelessly, pouring over various dossiers and questioning Lord Seven’s colleagues. I finally found a clue: there was a period when Lord Seven seemed particularly interested in information concerning the Carefree Pavilion.”

“The Carefree Pavilion?” Zhao An was startled. The name was not unfamiliar to him; he had visited it once while passing through Yi Commandery—a mysterious pleasure den. It made sense for Golden Envoy Number Seven to investigate such a place.

Xiao Jianren continued, “One day, before the incident, a colleague happened to see Lord Seven talking with a woman. She had an extremely beautiful figure, but what was even more impressive was her smile. He had never seen such a sweet smile before; just a fleeting glance made that colleague feel as if he had tasted honey.”

After speaking, he looked somewhat troubled. “Unfortunately, that’s the only clue we found; we don’t know the woman’s identity. We originally wanted to ask the eyewitness to draw a portrait, but who knew the fellow couldn’t remember anything other than her very, very sweet smile.”

As a professional intelligence agency, the Embroidered Envoys frequently apprehended suspects. They had internal artists who could draw criminal portraits, and with an eyewitness’s description, they could usually recreate a likeness that was seventy to eighty percent accurate.

However, they never expected that the witness would only remember her sweet smile and pay no attention to her other features. Even the most skilled artist was powerless in this situation.

Zhao An’s heart stirred. “I think I know who that is.”

The Carefree Pavilion, a woman with a sweet smile—a familiar name popped into his mind.

“You know this too?” Xiao Jianren exclaimed in surprise. Even Zhang Zitong stared at him with wide eyes. It was precisely because this lead had been broken that she had impulsively rushed to the prince’s manor to investigate.

Zhao An nodded slightly. “I need to leave for a while. You two must not act alone during this time.”

With that, his figure vanished into the night sky.

Xiao Jianren couldn’t help but gaze at his disappearing back and sigh with admiration, “Lord Eleven is truly unfathomable, inspiring such awe…”

Normally, Zhang Zitong would have ridiculed him for flattering his superior, but now, she found herself surprisingly agreeing.

After leaving the base, Zhao An headed directly towards the city outskirts. He still remembered the meeting point for the Carefree Pavilion from his previous visit.

Of course, along the way, he changed out of his Golden Embroidered Envoy uniform. After all, the Carefree Pavilion operated in the shadows, and appearing in an official uniform would make people avoid him entirely.

Upon arriving at the meeting point, they initially tried to use various code phrases to verify his identity. Zhao An, however, bothered by the hassle, simply produced a jade token and showed it to the person.

The person, initially somewhat arrogant, immediately changed their expression upon seeing the number “333” on the jade token. They stopped asking for any codes and promptly arranged for a splendid carriage to take him.

Zhao An, familiar with the routine, stepped inside. The carriage quickly set off, and he idly rubbed the jade token in his hand. This was given to him during his last visit to the Carefree Pavilion, likely their equivalent of a supreme VIP card.

For security, the Carefree Pavilion’s meeting procedures were incredibly complex, so he was fortunate to have this jade token, which saved him a lot of time.

After resting for a short while in the carriage, it came to a halt.

“Esteemed guest, we have arrived.”

Zhao An dismounted the carriage, surprised to find it stopped in a long passage. Not far away stood the resplendent Carefree Pavilion, its crystal walls gleaming.

Ordinary guests were typically blindfolded and led through a lengthy passage. He had not expected that with this jade token, he could be dropped off directly at the building’s entrance.

Soon, a beautiful maid came out to greet him. “Esteemed guest, please come in.”

She led him to a luxurious room on the top floor. After closing the door, the maid smiled and asked, “There’s an auction tonight, with many rare treasures appearing. Would you like to attend?”

“No interest. I’m looking for someone,” Zhao An shook his head. His last attendance at an auction had caused a lot of trouble, and he didn’t want to complicate things this time.

The maid gave him an understanding look. “Does the esteemed guest have a particular young lady in mind?”

He wasn’t here for the auction, and given his demeanor, he wasn’t here to gamble either. That left only one possibility.

She even felt a little eager. If he didn’t have a familiar companion, perhaps she could offer herself. He was a distinguished jade token guest, and he was handsome, unlike other jade token guests who were often old and ugly. If she could win his favor and be taken as a concubine, it would be worth dying for.

“I’m looking for a young lady named Tang Tian’er,” Zhao An stated directly, feeling a little concerned. Tang Tian’er seemed to be the eldest daughter of the Zhenhai Chamber of Commerce, and her visits to the Carefree Pavilion were purely out of interest. He wasn’t sure if she would always be available.

Hearing his words, the maid was visibly disappointed. “Tang Tian’er? There doesn’t seem to be anyone by that name in the pavilion.”

Zhao An frowned, musing that she might not be using her real name. He then described Tang Tian’er’s features.

The maid suddenly realized. “Ah, the esteemed guest means Sister Tang! However, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. Sister Tang is hosting the auction and probably won’t be able to come. Besides, she has never entertained guests…”

Zhao An slipped her a silver ingot and smiled slightly. “Just tell her my jade token number, and she will come.”

The maid was surprised but, sensing his extraordinary bearing, dared not say anything more. “Yes, sir.”

Although her attempt to offer herself had failed, earning such a large silver ingot was still good.

However, she likely believed he was destined for disappointment. Sister Tang never entertained guests; even previous jade token guests who had taken a liking to her had no success.

Zhao An reclined on a soft chair in the room and closed his eyes to rest. A short while later, he opened them.

The sound of hurried footsteps approached, and the door quickly opened. A woman with a radiant smile appeared in the room.

Though it wasn’t his first time seeing her, Zhao An was still struck by her sweet smile. It was the kind that involuntarily lifted one’s spirits. No wonder the Embroidered Envoys remembered only her sweet smile.

“Initially, when my sisters told me, I didn’t believe it. I didn’t expect it to really be you!” Tang Tian’er’s voice was filled with pleasant surprise.

Zhao An smiled slightly. “Miss Tang, you’re still as beautiful as ever, even after all this time.”

Tang Tian’er scoffed directly. “You heartless fellow! You’ve seen my body, yet you’re still so formal, calling me ‘Miss Tang.’ Do you know the trouble I went through, specifically canceling my auction hosting duties, just to see you?”

Zhao An immediately felt awkward. Back in Yunzhong Commandery, when he was being pursued, he had escaped into her room, and she had helped him get through by hiding him in a bathtub.

“Never mind. Considering you even went to the trouble of sending me a set of Rougeko cosmetics, you still have a little conscience. This young lady will reluctantly forgive you,” she said. She then sat beside Zhao An, propping her chin on her hand, her bright, sparkling eyes flitting over him as if admiring a cherished toy.

Zhao An was almost moved to tears. He had bought ten sets of Rougeko cosmetics back then, but for various reasons, he hadn’t managed to give any of them away until now. Finally, there was someone who appreciated them.

“Oh, right!” Tang Tian’er suddenly slapped her forehead as if remembering something. She rummaged through the small pouch on her waist for a moment, then pulled out a bundle of dried flowers. “Those Qinghuo flowers you mentioned earlier—I went to great lengths to get them from the Fox Chamber of Commerce among the demon race. I heard from them that they were almost stolen by a group of bandits. You’re lucky…”

As she prattled on, claiming credit, Zhao An’s expression was peculiar. The Fox Chamber of Commerce?

He recalled trying to purchase Qinghuo from the Fox Chamber of Commerce in Qingqiu Kingdom, only to be told that the last batch had already been reserved by a distinguished guest. He never imagined it was Tang Tian’er who had ordered them to give to him.

A warmth spread through his heart. “Thank you, Sister Tian’er.”

Tang Tian’er wrinkled her delicate nose. “Just two flimsy ‘thank yous’? That’s not sincere enough, is it?”

“Then how does Sister Tian’er wish for me to repay you?” Zhao An asked with a wry smile.

Tang Tian’er leaned closer, the dimples at the corners of her mouth exceptionally charming. “How about you offer yourself to me?”