Chapter 103
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“Master, Li Chaofeng from the pawnshop, Master Zhang from the merchant caravan, and Captain Zhao from the Imperial City Army have already sent messages to us. They’ve arranged to meet tonight. Lu Shi has confirmed that they’ve booked the adjoining rooms, probably reserved for Wang Rong. Master, tonight… are you going?” Lu Yi knelt in front of the bed, not daring to lift his head, and asked in a slightly hoarse voice.
A hand covered in a thin layer of sweat extended to slowly lift the bed curtain, revealing Chu Lishu, who had a pale complexion inside.
“Go, you don’t need to go tonight,” Chu Lishu weakly said.
Lu Yi immediately became anxious. “Master, I can go.”
“No, you stay and recover.” Chu Lishu stood up, his figure a bit unsteady. He lowered his head, looking at Lu Yi whose face was even paler than his own, and the lingering scent of blood emanating from him. He furrowed his brow slightly.
“Next time, when the side effects of Tianxuan Pill occur, don’t come near me. If I attack, you either defend yourselves or escape. Protect yourselves, I still need your useful bodies to assist me.”
“Master, it’s the fault of this subordinate, but tonight’s operation…” Lu Yi said anxiously.
“Everything has been arranged. With Lu Shi providing support from the side, it will be sufficient,” Chu Lishu said directly. “This is an order.”
Lu Yi could only bow his head and comply, then exited.
Chu Lishu called a servant to prepare water for his bath. Since assuming the role of a study companion, the Marquis’s residence had become more respectful towards him, and the servants had become more obedient.
Chu Lishu soaked in the hot water, washing away the painful memories of the entire night before. The bulging veins caused by pain gradually eased.
Upon recollection after regaining consciousness, Chu Lishu felt a bit uneasy when thinking about Lu Shi holding Lu Yi, his eyes red. Fortunately, Lu Yi was skilled in martial arts; otherwise, it might have been a different story. As he pondered this, Chu Lishu couldn’t help but think of Lin Qingyang.
During the last outbreak a month ago, Lin Qingyang managed to save his life under the instinctual defense, making Chu Lishu believe he was gaining control. Lin Qingyang escaped unharmed, and Chu Lishu thought perhaps it was just Lin Qingyang’s good luck.
However, during the last episode, with Lin Qingyang by his side, it didn’t seem as painful. Perhaps, the way he cared for him made a difference.
Unfortunately, losing consciousness prevented Chu Lishu from easing his own pain, and others approaching him would be met with an attack. It seemed he had to rely on himself to endure.
Chu Lishu slowly closed his eyes. The day before, Lin Qingyang had taken Lin Qinglan back to the separate courtyard, and he hadn’t seen them all day yesterday. Today… he wondered what they were doing.
After finishing the bath, Chu Lishu changed into fresh clothes and went straight to the Golden Phoenix Pavilion.
The Golden Phoenix Pavilion had recently welcomed dancers from the Western Regions who liked to wear veils while dancing. In response, the Golden Phoenix Pavilion added a touch of creativity. This time, patrons who paid the entrance fee would receive an eye-covering mask to enhance the mysterious atmosphere. This approach was well-received by customers, especially those who preferred to keep their visits discreet. With the mask, they could enjoy their time openly.
Chu Lishu donned the mask and entered. Soon, Lu Shi also appeared wearing a mask, guiding Chu Lishu upstairs to a private room on the third floor, where they awaited the agreed-upon time.
At the same time, Qi Yan had already brought Lin Qingyang to the entrance. After paying the entrance fee, they put on their masks and entered.
Upon seeing the grandeur and opulence of the Golden Phoenix Pavilion, Lin Qingyang finally acknowledged the reputation of the capital’s top spring pavilion.
This was truly in a different league compared to the Secluded Courtyard Pavilion and Chunxiang Building he had visited before.
Lin Qingyang remembered from the original plot that Chu Lishu, in order to gain control of the most significant information-gathering organization, had directly undermined the Golden Phoenix Pavilion, making the Chunxiang Building the top establishment. Looking at the current difference between the two pavilions, Lin Qingyang couldn’t help but admire Chu Lishu’s capabilities.
Upon entering the gates, they encountered an artificial river adorned with various shaped river lanterns, creating a picturesque scene. The river, with its boats carrying either dancing maidens or musicians, added to the visual delight.
On either side of the riverbank were seats for the guests, and the area was bustling with patrons and accompanying young ladies, creating a lively atmosphere harmonized by the music.
Looking further ahead, at the end of the river was a massive lotus-shaped stage, its golden-pink color harmonizing with the surroundings like a lotus in the celestial Yaochi. Silken decorations hung from the surrounding high buildings, connecting to the stage, creating an ethereal atmosphere filled with luxury.
At that moment, the rumored Western Region dancers were performing on the stage, accompanied by exotic dance music, instantly transporting everyone into another world.
“How is it? Is it worth it?” Qi Yan asked with a smile.
The corners of Lin Qingyang’s mouth couldn’t help but lift. “It’s worth it!”
“The ladies here are even more worth it, but unfortunately, you don’t fancy ladies. Nonetheless, you can still appreciate beauty. Let’s go,” Qi Yan said, fanning himself as he led Lin Qingyang to a private seat on the second floor.
Lin Qingyang couldn’t be bothered to argue about his preferences regarding women. After all, he didn’t have any particular intentions; he was just joining in the fun.
Once they reached the private seat, Qi Yan called over two ladies, both indeed beautiful. The one accompanying Qi Yan was already nestled in his arms, while the one with Lin Qingyang showed perceptiveness. Seeing Lin Qingyang’s refined demeanor, she engaged in conversation, poured wine, and never became overly forward, avoiding any discomfort for Lin Qingyang.
Hearing that it was Lin Qingyang’s first time at the Golden Phoenix Pavilion, the lady gently introduced some highlights of the establishment. Lin Qingyang, sipping his wine, listened to her talk while enjoying the performance of the Western Region dancers below. For a rare moment, he forgot about the various pressures that had been weighing on his mind, feeling content and indulgent.
“So, are these dancers on the main stage really all from Tubo? They come here to showcase their skills and not sell themselves? They won’t accept any amount of money?” Qi Yan overheard their conversation and curiously inquired.
“Yes, sir.”
“Quite pretentious. I don’t believe your madam wouldn’t take money. It’s just a matter of how much,” Qi Yan expressed his disbelief.
“That’s the truth, sir. No amount of money will do.”
“If a high-ranking official insists on their company, can your madam afford to offend them?” Qi Yan persisted in his skepticism.
“It’s a rule that has been established for a long time. Besides, it’s not just the madam who makes the decisions. Generally, the powerful and wealthy won’t cause trouble in the Golden Phoenix Pavilion. After all, our boss’s surname is Xie.”
Qi Yan suddenly jolted, recalling the identity of the behind-the-scenes boss. If it was Xie’s rule, then the madam wouldn’t dare to be greedy and break the rules.
“These dancers were purchased through hard work by Boss Xie’s people. I believe everyone will give face to that,” the lady said, and at this point, she couldn’t help but feel proud.
Boss Xie, the current president of the largest business consortium in the Great Zhou Dynasty, might be considered just an ordinary merchant. However, it’s crucial to note that the current Empress Dowager’s surname is also Xie.
The Xie family once relied on the Empress Dowager’s prestigious status and, spanning two generations of emperors, grew to become a prominent clan almost comparable to the four major aristocratic families. They were known as the Xie family under the throne.
However, with the rapid progress achieved by the Xie family over the two generations, they became somewhat arrogant and complacent. Lacking the deep-rooted heritage and magnanimity of the four major families, they easily became arrogant, forgetting their manners. They often acted without regard for consequences, and their actions were widely criticized among the common people.
At that time, the late emperor was somewhat constrained by the powerful Empress Dowager, so, like the previous emperor, he turned a blind eye to the Xie family. This led to the abuse of power by the imperial family, frequently disrupting the court’s governance.
The turning point in this matter actually lay in the then-youthful Crown Prince Yuan Ran, who displayed his political acumen and imperial methods for the first time. At the age of thirteen, he began to advise and strategize for his father, the emperor.
In the eyes of young Yuan Ran at that time, they were the royal family, supported by the people, and should prioritize the welfare of the masses. They should never use their privileges for personal gain, and the actions of families like the Xie, who abused their power, were unacceptable.
Under Yuan Ran’s persuasion, the late emperor began to take action. By that time, the Xie family had already offended everyone in the court and the four major aristocratic families. With their actions being widely criticized, it was only a matter of time before they faced consequences. Yuan Ran opened the gateway, and everything that followed fell into place.
Due to the righteousness of eliminating a corrupt relative for the greater good, the late emperor gained the support of the people, and the Crown Prince’s reputation began to spread.
Although the Empress Dowager appeared unwilling to witness her maternal family’s wrongdoing and was powerless to stop it, she couldn’t bear to see them face destruction. When she learned that her family was on the brink of extermination, the Empress Dowager, in a desperate plea, knelt at the palace gates, hoping to spare the Xie family.
The late emperor, swayed by mercy, spared a young man from the Xie family who was studying outside the capital. This individual, engrossed in his studies, had not participated in the family’s unlawful activities. It was a concession to the Empress Dowager, providing her with some solace.
However, the family’s name had already been tarnished, and this member, like those from the Liu family, could no longer enter the imperial service. He had to turn to business, and because he was the only close relative of the Empress Dowager’s family, people covertly facilitated his endeavors. He rose swiftly in the business world, soon becoming the largest consortium in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and established the Golden Phoenix Pavilion in the capital.
The owner of the Golden Phoenix Pavilion, Boss Xie, usually kept a low profile and rarely made public appearances. In the original plot, the only time he surfaced was when he learned of the impending passing of the Empress Dowager. After her death, he disappeared once again. By that time, his Golden Phoenix Pavilion and business consortium had already been replaced by the influence established by Chu Lishu. However, there was no sign of retaliation from Boss Xie. It seemed as if he had vanished without a trace, perhaps understanding that without the Empress Dowager, he had lost his backing. Staying would only lead to unpleasant consequences, showcasing his shrewdness.
If he hadn’t slipped away quickly, the protagonist probably wouldn’t have let him off the hook.
At present, the covert owner of the Golden Phoenix Pavilion, with the surname Xie, was the Empress Dowager’s only close relative. Anyone who dared to cause trouble at the Golden Phoenix Pavilion would essentially be disrespecting the Empress Dowager. Her authority still held weight, and Emperor Zhouqing showed considerable respect towards her. It was not something anyone could afford to offend.
However, there were always some ignorant jesters who, unaware of the deep waters behind the scenes, dared to jump right in.
While Qi Yan was casually chatting, there was suddenly a commotion below.
A drunken man jumped onto the stage, insisting on taking away one of the Western Region dancers. While forcefully pulling the dancer, he scattered silver coins, seemingly determined to purchase her for the night.
Naturally, the madam tried to intervene, but when persuasion failed, bouncers were called in to intimidate. Eventually, the unruly guest, grumbling and cursing, was persuaded away by his companions. The music and dance paused for a moment.
After the disturbance below settled down, things returned to normal shortly afterward.
“Seems like there are quite a few audacious individuals,” Lin Qingyang remarked.
“All rich but powerless fools from out of town,” Qi Yan commented.
These people either didn’t know the covert owner’s surname was Xie or were unaware of Boss Xie’s identity. After all, the matter concerning the Empress Dowager’s relative was not something anyone dared to bring up openly. No one dared to use it overtly as leverage. Reflecting on how the Xie family had fallen, both the Empress Dowager and Boss Xie preferred to keep a low profile. The exact nature of their covert retaliation remained unclear.
Therefore, the Golden Phoenix Pavilion didn’t dare to openly flaunt its backing to intimidate people. However, influential figures in the capital were aware of the situation, and everyone had an understanding. As for those without power and influence, if they caused trouble, the madam could handle them.
During the intermission of the dance performance, Lin Qingyang went outside to find the restroom. Impressed by the exquisite architecture of the Golden Phoenix Pavilion, he decided to stroll around for a while.
Suddenly, a sharp cry for help emerged from a corner. Since the entire Golden Phoenix Pavilion was immersed in lively chatter and music, the plea for help was extremely brief and almost went unnoticed. Lin Qingyang even doubted if he had heard it correctly and was about to leave. However, a sense of unease lingered in his heart, especially as the sound seemed to come from a woman.
Lin Qingyang discreetly approached the source of the sound but found nothing. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly turned a corner and bumped into three people.
To be precise, it was two men supporting an intoxicated guest. The guest was covered from head to toe in a cloak and wore a mask designated for customers. Almost hovering above the ground, the trio passed by Lin Qingyang.
Lin Qingyang couldn’t help but think that the person was really too drunk.
As he pondered this, a waft of fragrance suddenly reached him. Lin Qingyang couldn’t help but glance at the departing trio, feeling a subtle sense of something amiss.
Suddenly, he thought of something—the man who had been assisting the intoxicated guest seemed to be one of the troublemakers from earlier.
Connecting the dots, Lin Qingyang considered a possibility. He quickly caught up but hesitated, recalling the two men accompanying the troublemaker. Realizing he might not be able to handle them alone, he directly approached the passing attendants and pointed at the three men, saying, “I noticed something seems off with those three guests. It seems someone might be in trouble. You might want to send someone to check on them.”
Upon hearing this, the attendants hurriedly went to report to the manager. In no time, the manager and the bouncers arrived at the second-floor private room.
Meanwhile, Lin Qingyang had also made his way to the second floor, discreetly observing.
The manager knocked on the door, and a voice inside responded impatiently. However, the door was soon opened.
“What are you doing? Are you trying to drive away customers?”
The manager, recognizing the troublemaker from earlier, felt a headache coming on. He stepped forward and said, “Sorry for the disturbance, sir. We received reports that someone from your party might be in trouble. We came to check, hoping to ensure our guests’ safety. May I inquire…”
“What kind of trouble? Who’s spreading baseless rumors? We’re perfectly fine, can’t you see? Are you blind?”
The manager was taken aback and peeked inside, indeed finding the three people sitting and drinking.
From Lin Qingyang’s perspective, he could see the three individuals inside, unmasked, openly enjoying their drinks without any signs of having been in trouble.
Lin Qingyang’s mind went blank for a moment.
The manager immediately apologized and, after enduring a barrage of curses, retreated. The manager naturally vented his frustration on the attendants, and the attendant, feeling wronged, had no choice but to endure it. In the midst of the chaos, he couldn’t find an opportunity to bring Lin Qingyang out and explain. Instead, he was led away by the manager for further admonishment.
Meanwhile, Lin Qingyang leaned against the corridor, furrowing his brows. Something wasn’t right. He remembered the person being escorted earlier had a small and not-so-tall build. None of the three individuals inside matched that description. What was going on?
Puzzled, Lin Qingyang was lost in thought. Suddenly, he noticed something sparkling under the closed door of the adjacent private room. As he approached, he discovered it was a Western-style earring.
Lin Qingyang considered finding the manager, but after recalling the earlier situation, he figured it wouldn’t be easy. Contemplating the situation, he concluded that with so many people around, there probably wouldn’t be a serious issue. He decided to enter and take a look.
Upon knocking without receiving a response and confirming that it wasn’t an occupied private room, he pushed the door open and entered.
Soon, Lin Qingyang spotted a figure on a luxurious chair in the corner.
Approaching, he found a Western-style dancer lying in a black cloak on the royal chair. It seemed she had fallen into a state of unconsciousness, confirming his suspicion that the two individuals had placed her here.
Lin Qingyang initially thought of calling for help, but considering the circumstances, he decided not to invite trouble. Instead, he turned to find the manager. However, a sudden, sharp scream echoed from behind him.
Startled by the piercing scream, Lin Qingyang turned around to see that the dancer had already awakened. Her face was pale, her hands wrapped around herself, and she looked at Lin Qingyang in fear. “What… What did you do to me?”
Lin Qingyang: … Suddenly, a foreboding feeling.
“I haven’t done anything. I was the one who found…”
Before Lin Qingyang could finish speaking, the young woman seemed to suddenly feel greatly wronged, breaking down into hysterical screams. Lin Qingyang was thrown off guard, quickly turning to explain, “I’m not one of the kidnappers. I’m here to rescue you. Take a closer look, am I one of those people?”
However, no matter how Lin Qingyang explained, the woman had already gone into a frenzy. Acting out of distress, she started screaming and throwing things around the room. Lin Qingyang, initially caught off guard, was hit on the forehead by a cup. Although he managed to dodge the rest, it was still hard to escape unscathed.
This delay led to the room being surrounded by people who heard the commotion, and soon, the madam and the manager rushed over.
Lin Qingyang, even though he retreated to the corridor, found himself surrounded with no way to escape.
Meanwhile, on the third floor, Chu Lishu suddenly heard a strange cry from Lu Shi.
“What happened? Are they here?” asked Chu Lishu.
“No… not that, Master! That Lin Qingyang guy actually sneaked out to drink with women, and he… he even tried to force himself on a Western dancer and got caught red-handed!” Lu Shi’s words barely finished when he felt a sudden chill. Turning around, he saw Chu Lishu standing next to him, coldly observing the situation on the second floor.
Even with the mask on, Chu Lishu’s dark expression was evident.
At a glance, Chu Lishu recognized Lin Qingyang’s figure in the crowd.
This guy, why would he come here!
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Eyy, always invite himself a trouble. Thank’s for your translation.