Huzi said, “This Lu Xi is said to have studied alongside the eldest young master Lu, and the two are practically inseparable. The eldest young master Lu treats this Lu Xi closer than he does his own brothers and sisters.”
“That’s understandable,” Qin Yining said. “Even with blood siblings, when it comes to family struggles and conflicts, it’s hard to guarantee that friction won’t arise. Servants who spend day and night by one’s side can actually become closer than blood siblings.”
She was like this with Qiu Lu, Bingtang, Ji Yun, Xian Yun, and Qiu Lu—they had followed her through life and death, through ups and downs. The late Rui Lan had even sacrificed her life for her, something she would never forget for the rest of her life.
Pang Xiao also nodded. “If that’s their relationship, then Lu Xi’s engagement must have been approved by the eldest young master Lu, perhaps even personally chosen by him. Something must have happened to make the eldest young master so furious.”
“This subordinate has not been able to investigate the true reason behind it, my lord.”
Qin Yining said thoughtfully, “Did you investigate Lu Xi’s attitude toward this matter?”
“That’s where it gets strange. The maid was sold to Caixiang Pavilion just a few days ago, and Lu Xi immediately became a regular customer there, visiting daily to drink flower wine.”
“How interesting.” Pang Xiao stroked his chin with an amused smile. “It seems Lu Xi remains deeply devoted to his former fiancée.”
“The young master sells her, while Lu Xi visits her daily—won’t this create a rift between master and servant?” Qin Yining asked Huzi again, “What kind of person is this eldest young master Lu?”
“Replying to Madam Ning, the Lu family is already one of the most prominent households in Danzhou Prefecture. This place is far from the capital—’the mountains are high and the emperor far away’—without comparison to the main family, this branch has become the sole authority here. Whether in commerce or official circles, this branch of the Lu family excels greatly. I heard that newly appointed officials, both major and minor, must come to the Lu family to ‘pay their respects.’
“This eldest young master Lu is the legitimate eldest son of the main line of this branch. He’s a romantic character with superior methods. At twenty-four years old, Master Lu has already entrusted most of the family business to him. I also inquired among the common people, and everyone speaks highly of this eldest young master Lu. I haven’t heard anyone say he’s the type to oppress men and bully women.”
Qin Yining said, “So his selling his trusted aide’s fiancée to a brothel is highly suspicious.”
“Yes. People outside are speculating that the maid must have committed some heinous crime. Though some say treating a young woman this way is too cruel, most people still believe in the eldest young master Lu’s character.”
Pang Xiao’s phoenix eyes narrowed with mirth as he smiled at Qin Yining. “Seems we have our evening entertainment destination.”
Qin Yining couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you planning to take me on a tour of Caixiang Pavilion?”
“Precisely my intention.”
Qin Yining laughed. “How strange—I was eager to go see this spectacle, and I was worried you wouldn’t agree. How are you different from others? If it were someone else, who would take their wife to drink flower wine?”
“Not quite—you’re merely one of this lord’s concubines right now.” Pang Xiao lifted his chin with an extremely arrogant expression.
Qin Yining burst into laughter and curtsied. “Yes, this concubine will certainly serve the lord well. Please show mercy and don’t cast this concubine away.”
“My beauty, my heart and soul—how could this lord bear to cast you away?”
Pang Xiao’s large hand unceremoniously reached for Qin Yining’s hand. Qin Yining laughed heartily and dodged away.
The two began playfully tussling, both seeming to return to their youth. Watching this, Huzi grinned foolishly and quietly withdrew to find Bingtang outside.
After evening meal, Qin Yining and Pang Xiao left with Huzi, Bingtang, and Ji Yun.
The Elite Tiger Guards who had originally accompanied them were left on the painted boat by Pang Xiao.
He explained in low voices to Qin Yining, “The Elite Tiger Guards carry too strong a military aura—it would inevitably reveal our identities. It’s more convenient for us to act this way.”
“I understand. Besides, with you and Huzi here, nothing will happen.”
Pang Xiao smiled and nodded.
Danzhou City at night was brightly lit. Unlike the capital and the old capital, there was no curfew here. Many pedestrians still moved about the streets, and vendors carrying their loads gathered near the flower districts to do business.
Caixiang Pavilion was extremely easy to find. On the entire bustling street, only Caixiang Pavilion was a three-story structure with front and back buildings.
Before entering, Pang Xiao first led Qin Yining and their group around Caixiang Pavilion to observe. They discovered that the back building was built beside the water. In this season, green vines still climbed the walls, and moisture hung in the air.
Returning to the front entrance, the sounds of strings, bamboo instruments, and boisterous laughter drifted from inside the building.
At the entrance, several gaudily dressed young women immediately swarmed over like bees upon seeing a tall, handsome man approach, waving silk handkerchiefs to solicit business.
“Oh my, young master, you haven’t come for quite some days.”
“Young master, come sit in my room—good wine and dishes are all prepared for you.”
…
Pang Xiao held Qin Yining’s waist, walking with a swaggering gait. Though he hunched his back and contained his chest to restrain his aura, he remained an extremely outstanding playboy type, most welcomed by these women.
Pang Xiao waved his large hand to push these women aside.
A perceptive brothel keeper came out to greet them, leading the group inside.
The women at the entrance watched Pang Xiao’s retreating figure with disappointment, whispering among themselves.
“This young master should be that newly arrived, big-spending young master in the city.”
“What big-spending young master?”
“Haven’t you heard? These past few days, there’s been a particularly handsome young master in the city, always bringing his beautiful concubine around town to play. The way he spends silver—tsk tsk tsk—it flows like water. Who knows what kind of family raised such a handsome young master.”
“I heard about it too. Say, the beauty he’s holding—is that the concubine? I wonder how she looks, how she compares to us sisters…”
…
Pang Xiao paid no attention to others’ gossip. He had already brought his group to the lively main hall.
Palace lanterns hung high in the main hall, colorful ribbons fluttered, and string and wind music never ceased. In the center, a stage was covered with a large red carpet where a woman in revealing attire, her chest and breasts exposed, danced gracefully to the drumbeats.
Around the stage were numerous eight-immortal tables, each packed with customers. Some men drank and played finger-guessing games, others engaged in lively discussions. Unsurprisingly, each table was accompanied by several beauties, creating an extremely lively scene.
At this moment, a beautiful woman around thirty years old approached. She wore a rose-red cross-collar jacket, her hair styled in a peony bun adorned with a fresh peony flower, swaying her snake-like waist as she walked over.
“Oh my, I wondered why the magpies were chattering non-stop since early morning—turns out we have distinguished guests! My young master, Yu Shang pays her respects!”
“Well said.” Pang Xiao casually pulled out a banknote from his chest and slapped it against Yu Shang’s ample bosom. “Find a clean place for me, don’t frighten my sister!”
Yu Shang’s fingers, painted with bright red nail polish, picked up the banknote. Her eyes immediately crinkled with joy, and hearing Pang Xiao’s words, she immediately looked into his arms. “Oh my!”
Yu Shang’s eyes widened as she looked at Qin Yining, couldn’t help but praise: “What a fine couple you make! Your sister is truly an outstanding beauty!”
Pang Xiao proudly held Qin Yining’s waist and planted a kiss beside her mouth. Today Qin Yining wore red lipstick, leaving a crimson lip print at the corner of Pang Xiao’s mouth.
Seeing this display, Yu Shang understood the situation and smiled. “Would you like some attendants, my lord? Our Caixiang Pavilion has blooming flowers of every variety. Though you already have this peony among flowers, even those accustomed to delicacies occasionally enjoy plain porridge to change their palate. Slender or plump, scholarly ladies or gentle maidens—just say the word, there’s nothing Caixiang Pavilion doesn’t have.”
As Pang Xiao followed Yu Shang up the side stairs, his thumb continuously toyed with Qin Yining’s red lips.
“This madam truly knows how to speak. I know finding an absolute beauty like my good sister here would be too much to ask, so just bring all your top courtesans—the most expensive, the most captivating ones. Understood?”
“Yes. Now I understand completely.”
Yu Shang led them to the most spacious and luxurious private room in the center of the second floor. The view here was excellent—opening the window facing the interior of the building provided a full view of the first floor, making it easy to watch the performances below. If they preferred privacy, closing the doors and windows would surround them with seductive pink and red gauze curtains that hung down, creating an ambiguous atmosphere under the dim yellow light of palace lanterns.
Pang Xiao immediately pushed open the window, sat by the eight-immortal table near the window holding Qin Yining, placed her on his lap, and looked down at the floor below with great interest. Huzi, Bingtang, and Ji Yun found inconspicuous corners to stand.
Seeing this arrangement, Yu Shang knew this must be some wealthy merchant’s son and dared not neglect him further. She immediately went out to instruct the brothel keeper to arrange wine and dishes, while personally calling several outstanding young women in the building.
“Serve carefully—the guest in the heavenly character room today is quite exceptional. Be attentive, don’t let his companion outshine you.”
“Madam, whoever comes looking for us sisters brings someone along?”
“This one did, and the one he brought is a heavenly beauty.” Yu Shang said in low voices, “Use all your skills. These young masters from great families just want to taste something wild. Don’t shame Caixiang Pavilion—serve well, and your rewards will be substantial. Go on.”
At the door, she pushed four young women dressed in red and green into the room.
At this moment, Qin Yining was observing the first floor hall with Pang Xiao. Her gaze fell on an eight-immortal table directly opposite the stage. She gently nudged Pang Xiao, pointed in that direction, and whispered, “Over there.”
Pang Xiao saw it too.
That eight-immortal table could be said to have the best location on the first floor. The table was set with eight small dishes—four cold and four hot—but the people seated were sparse, just one man and one woman.
The man’s clothing and appearance marked him as a servant or attendant, wearing a dark blue short jacket. Beside him sat a young woman in pink gauze, pressed close to him, head lowered and sobbing softly. The atmosphere at their table was extremely heavy, utterly out of place in the hall filled with joyous laughter.