Chu Qiao wandered around the streets, snatching a money pouch from a powdered-faced young gentleman. Wearing Zhuge Yue’s clothes, which fluttered in the night breeze like Taoist robes, she leaned against a large tree and opened the pouch. The heavy silver coins gleamed brilliantly, making the young woman’s eyes light up. She happily whistled and then briskly walked up the street, turning into a clothing shop.

Shortly after, a handsome young gentleman emerged from the shop. His eyes were like autumn water reflecting cold stars, his lips red like cardamom. He held an elegant folding fan, the perfect image of a noble family’s son.

As Li Ce had said, Tang capital was now in chaos. The central army had been instantly marginalized, many noble families completely uprooted and driven from the capital. People were anxious, with many migrants on the move. Those hunting for Chu Qiao were numerous—apart from Li Ce, various factions were secretly searching for this woman who was extremely important to Yan Bei, Da Xia, and the Bian Tang Crown Prince. Because of this, all inns and taverns had become mandatory checkpoints, with many spies deployed.

After careful consideration, Chu Qiao decided that instead of staying at an inn, she would hide in a brothel or gambling house. Though crowded and chaotic, these were the best hiding places. No one would imagine that a severely injured woman, hunted by various forces, would brazenly hide in a gambling house.

It was already very late. The central boulevard and several main streets were silent, but Smoke Flower Street was bustling with excitement. The street was rather narrow, yet lined with numerous brothels standing shoulder to shoulder. Lanterns burned brightly, and on the balconies, courtesans in gaudy attire giggled and flirted. The scent of powder on their handkerchiefs was suffocating. The street was filled with prostitutes actively soliciting customers, grabbing and touching them.

“Young master, are you alone? Why not come in and sit for a while?”

Someone grabbed her arm, and Chu Qiao stopped, feeling instantly disgusted. This woman was not young anymore, at least thirty-five years old. The cheap powder on her face had a pungent smell, almost falling off in flakes as she moved. Her scarlet dress was also cheap, her breasts already sagging, with the exposed half showing a dismal grayish-white color. One glance revealed her profession. Her eyes, however, showed the shrewdness of a seasoned veteran. Seeming to notice Chu Qiao’s youth, she placed her soft hand on Chu Qiao’s shoulder, leaned in close, and asked with a smile, “Would you like some company?”

Chu Qiao was slightly startled, not expecting such openness in Bian Tang. In Da Xia, such public solicitation wasn’t permitted. Though Da Xia also had brothels, they were mostly government-run, and ordinary people couldn’t enter them.

Despite her surprise, Chu Qiao concealed it well. As a former high-ranking commander of the 21st century Intelligence Department, she had seen all kinds of situations. She smiled knowingly and asked playfully, “Sister, what’s your price?”

The prostitute was taken aback. Seeing that Chu Qiao, though young with a slightly immature voice, carried herself with experienced manners, she dared not quote an outrageous price. She smiled and said, “Lake touring is five wei zhu, two qian silver for each time. Since you’re such a handsome young master, I’ll give you a good deal for the whole night—five qian silver.”

Ten wei zhu equaled one qian, ten qian equaled one zhu, and ten zhu equaled one gold zhu. When Chu Qiao and Liang Shaoqing were sold as slaves, they cost only a few gold zhu. This woman knew her declining value and wasn’t asking for much.

Chu Qiao smiled slightly and shook her finger.

The prostitute thought she was haggling and quickly said, “Then one qian silver per time, two qian for the whole night. Young master, you come here often and know the rates. I can’t go any lower.”

Chu Qiao shook her head and said, “I’m not saying it’s expensive. We’re just not compatible. How about this: introduce me to a quiet, good place, and I’ll give you one gold zhu. What do you say?”

The prostitute was overjoyed upon hearing this. One gold zhu was probably half a year’s earnings for her. She happily led the way.

Chu Qiao had originally planned to go to a gambling house, but such places were crowded and chaotic, not suitable for rest. She knew that prostitutes like this would be familiar with renowned brothels. Sometimes when customers were dissatisfied with them, they would refer them to brothels they knew, earning a commission. This arrangement saved her much trouble.

Following the prostitute, Chu Qiao soon arrived at a brothel. This establishment had a large front and appeared to have some class, though its location was somewhat remote, not as bustling as the others further up the street.

A man who looked like a manager came running out, bowing and scraping before Chu Qiao, addressing her as “young master” and “sir” with honeyed words. His expression changed when he turned to the prostitute. Although they tried to lower their voices, Chu Qiao could hear them.

“Master Zhuang recently gave orders not to accept strangers. Don’t you know that? The authorities seem to be looking for someone.”

Money truly could make ghosts turn millstones. The prostitute said, “He’s not a stranger. He’s a regular customer of mine.”

The man didn’t believe her. “With you? He actually would? You could almost be his mother!”

“Get lost! What’s wrong with him appreciating my enduring charm? This customer is exceptionally generous. If you don’t want him, I’ll introduce him to another place!”

“Fine, since you’ve already brought him. But if something goes wrong, I’ll hold you responsible.”

“Don’t worry!”

Chu Qiao maintained a neutral expression. She didn’t know who this Master Zhuang was, but it seemed he was either an official or someone with local influence bought by a faction. Indeed, several burly middle-aged men stood at the entrance, their eyes scanning the passersby like knives. They looked at Chu Qiao twice but didn’t pay her much attention. Instead, they focused on passing women, especially those who appeared to be single prostitutes.

They truly were thorough!

Chu Qiao smirked coldly.

“Young master, it’s settled. I’ve arranged everything. Recently, the authorities have been arresting people. They say someone committed a crime, and all inns and brothels aren’t allowed to accommodate unfamiliar outsiders. I had to work hard to arrange this.”

Seeing the woman’s exaggerated, fawning smile, Chu Qiao understood. She took out a gold zhu, placed it in her hand, and said with a smile, “Thank you. It’s yours.”

The prostitute left with profuse thanks. The pimp-like man approached, bowing and scraping, and casually asked, “Young master, you have such a distinguished bearing. Where are you from?”

Chu Qiao deliberately put on a mysterious air and said solemnly, “What I tell you, you must not tell others.”

The pimp stopped in his tracks, and Chu Qiao continued, “I’m from the palace, here to select women for my master.”

The pimp was shocked and looked Chu Qiao up and down. Seeing her youth, generosity, and exceptional good looks, yet with a subtle effeminate air, he suddenly realized, “Could you be from the Crown Prince’s palace, a eun—”

“Shh!” Chu Qiao quickly interrupted, “You absolutely cannot tell anyone, or you’ll face grave consequences.”

The pimp nodded eagerly, saying with delight, “I’ve heard that the Crown Prince often visits the courtesans at Jade Flower House and other major brothels. I never expected our establishment to have such fortune.”

Chu Qiao shook her head and sighed, “Always going to those places gets tiresome. It was Lord Sun who recommended me here, saying your place is good.”

“Lord Sun?” The pimp was puzzled, then suddenly understood. “Sun Di, Secretary Sun! Yes, yes, he’s a regular on this street, though we were too blind to know he had visited us.”

“Haha, the court doesn’t allow officials to visit prostitutes. When they come, they do so discreetly, not openly. So you must be careful with your words.”

The man nodded repeatedly, “You can rest assured, I guarantee to handle everything with utmost secrecy.”

Chu Qiao took out two gold zhu and tossed them generously, “A reward for you!”

The man accepted with a thousand thanks, thinking to himself that people from the palace were indeed different.

This brothel was called Fragrant Pavilion, and it was decorated with elegance. The man led her to a quiet, small guest room and then hurried out. Throughout most of the night, the brothel sent four or five young, beautiful prostitutes to entertain the guests. Believing Chu Qiao to be a eunuch, the women were fully dressed, merely playing chess or music. Chu Qiao sat there bored, nearly falling asleep. Seeing this, the owner withdrew the women and arranged for Chu Qiao to rest, saying they would continue the selection tomorrow.

Lying on the bed, Chu Qiao finally dared to relax. Zhuge Yue hadn’t exaggerated at all; the situation was even more serious than he had described.

Since she knew Yan Xun was disguised as Liu Xi when entering the city, she only needed to inquire about Liu Xi’s whereabouts to find Yan Xun. Liu Xi was from a great family in Xianyang and couldn’t have entered the city without any news. She would rest tonight and make inquiries tomorrow.

Chu Qiao awoke early the next morning when the entire brothel was still quiet. These prostitutes had a habit of sleeping late, and it was indeed too early now.

As soon as she stepped out, she met the pimp waiting at the door. Chu Qiao smiled and said, “I’m going out for a while. I’ll be back tonight.”

The pimp understandingly said, “Yes, yes, you’ve finally come out, you should have a good look around. Would you like me to find someone to accompany you?”

Chu Qiao shook her head, “No need. I know this place well.”

Then, under the pimp’s watchful eye, she left the Fragrant Pavilion. The two big men were still standing at the door and looked at her fiercely as she came out. Chu Qiao looked at them challengingly and even snorted disdainfully. Seeing her arrogant demeanor, they didn’t dare to question her.

Chu Qiao left the Fragrant Pavilion and walked boldly down the street. The wanted posters of this era were crude. Back in Da Xia, she had seen those so-called wanted notices. She had squeezed in with a crowd to look at them for a long time, but still felt they looked nothing like her. Now, dressed as a man and strolling on the street, she was even more confident that no one would recognize her.

She decided to find a place to eat first, then make inquiries at leisure.

Just as she was thinking this, a commotion suddenly erupted at the end of the long street. Chu Qiao stopped to look and saw someone running desperately with seven or eight people chasing behind—local ruffians, waving their arms, cursing and running.

Chu Qiao looked, and her mind went blank. By the time she wanted to turn around, it was too late. The person being chased spotted her with sharp eyes and called out in a desperate voice, “Xiao Qiao! Xiao Qiao! Save me!”

Chu Qiao quickly glanced around and saw that this shout had attracted the attention of more than a dozen people with varying expressions, their eyes sharp, looking nothing like ordinary passersby.

“Xiao Qiao! I’m here, help me!”

Liang Shaoqing, carrying a tattered book bag, hair disheveled, rushed over like a child seeing his mother. His mouth was grinning almost to his ears.

A group of people surged forward. Liang Shaoqing grabbed Chu Qiao’s arm and laughed, “Xiao Qiao, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. This is wonderful! Heaven rewards the diligent; I’ve finally found you! Where have you been? You seem thinner. Have you been mistreated out here? Huh? Why is your expression so strange?”

Chu Qiao was almost in tears. She saw a group of burly men surrounding them menacingly, but even more deadly was that the name “Xiao Qiao” had attracted countless suspicious glances. At this moment, she could almost feel the dense, rapidly approaching footsteps.

“Who are these people?”

Chu Qiao had to interrupt Liang Shaoqing, who was rambling on as if he wanted to announce his birth date and year. The man who had previously been chased like a stray dog now suddenly found his courage. He angrily pointed at those people and shouted, “It’s them! They’re bullying me!”

“You little punk! Where do you think you’re running to?”

A group of burly men shouted angrily.

Liang Shaoqing visibly trembled, but remembering Chu Qiao was beside him, he found courage again and shouted, “Xiao Qiao, help me teach them a lesson!”

His arrogant attitude angered the group. The men roared and charged forward.

In that instant, Chu Qiao faced what seemed like the biggest choice of her life!

Should she beat others or be beaten? That was indeed a question.

Should she continue hiding or completely expose herself? Hiding meant getting beaten, but exposure could mean losing her life. Ah, she sighed silently in her heart, and then at the last moment, before Liang Shaoqing could react, she crouched down and covered her head with her arms.

Liang Shaoqing quickly followed suit, and rain-like punches immediately fell on his head. The bookworm shouted incomprehensibly, “Xiao Qiao, beat them up!”

Bystanders sighed helplessly. A down-and-out scholar and a delicate youth, yet they talked about beating others up—it was truly absurd.

After what seemed like an eternity, when the group finally left, cursing and grumbling, Liang Shaoqing was barely alive. Even the spectators had gone about their business. Fortunately, those men had clear grievances and didn’t harm innocent bystanders. Chu Qiao, unharmed, ran to his side and asked, “Are you okay?”

Liang Shaoqing was tearful and complained, “Xiao Qiao, why didn’t you beat them up?”

Just as Chu Qiao was about to speak, a sudden angry shout came from nearby. Several Bian Tang officials stood beside them, one of them pointing at Liang Shaoqing and shouting, “It’s him! It’s this kid, incorrigible, posting notices everywhere. Arrest him!”

“Ah!” Liang Shaoqing was shocked. His injuries suddenly seemed half-healed as he jumped up nimbly to run, but was quickly caught.

“Xiao Qiao! Save me!”

The official was furious. “Well, well! An accomplice too! Arrest them both!”

If not dying in silence, then transforming in silence. Chu Qiao’s eyes no longer showed flames; they were shooting high-purity sulfuric acid. She glared at Liang Shaoqing but couldn’t utter a word.

With their hands tied behind their backs, the two were taken away by officials under the watchful eyes of a crowd of onlookers.

The bounty hunters took out the wanted posters from their waists and looked at them. There was some resemblance, but wasn’t the target supposed to be alone and highly skilled in martial arts?

It didn’t match, they all shook their heads and dispersed with tacit understanding, each hurrying off to pursue this once-in-a-century opportunity to make a fortune.