Chapter 24

This was the first time Shen Sanniang had called her Yueyue while fully sober.

Before this, it had always been Miss Li, Eldest Miss Li…

This sudden closeness—Shang Rongyue attributed it entirely to last night’s spring breeze.

She could tell that last night, Shen Sanniang had liked it very much.

As for Shang Rongyue herself, the feeling at first had indeed been somewhat uncomfortable. But as the two of them adjusted to each other, it became much better afterward.

And she had always been someone who understood things clearly. She would not lose the will to live because of so-called chastity, nor would she hand over her heart simply because of physical pleasure.

If it was something both sides liked, there was no need to entangle it with too many other factors. As long as both were happy when they were together, that was enough.

In any case, they would part eventually. Since that was so, she might as well think more openly. Leaving behind a beautiful memory was also a good choice.

After sorting out her thoughts, the blush on Shang Rongyue’s face gradually faded, replaced by a relaxed smile.

“Sanniang, don’t try to fool me.” She said, “Last time, you asked me for a sachet. Since you already had one, why did you still torment me?”

“Sanniang really knows how to order people around!”

Since she had discovered this matter, wouldn’t it be a waste not to make something of it? Even if she could get a few extra pieces of plum candy, that would still be good.

Gu Wan could see that ninety percent of the girl’s “anger” was an act, but she did not expose her. Instead, she followed along with her words. “Then what does Yueyue want?”

After all, after last night, there was no harm in coaxing her a little.

Shang Rongyue’s eyes turned in a circle. She thought of how she had only gotten halfway through the night market last time before Shen Sanniang dragged her back because of her milk candy allergy.

She had not had enough fun yet!

Before Shang Rongyue could speak, Gu Wan said first, “If Yueyue drinks her medicine properly today, I’ll take you out to play again. How about that?”

The birthday gift she had ordered for Su Zhaoyun a few days ago had not yet been picked up. Moreover, Gu Wan had another important matter to handle this time.

That was exactly what Shang Rongyue wanted! She could hardly hide the joy on her face, but just that alone felt like something was still missing.

How about…

“Then today, Sanniang has to wear women’s clothes!”

When Su Zhaoyun brought the medicine over, only Li Yueyue was in the room.

“Didn’t the chief come back long ago?” As she spoke, she took the medicine bowl out of the food box and handed it to Shang Rongyue. “Drink it while it’s hot. The effects will be better. But if you feel too unwell, you can first—”

Shang Rongyue smelled the sharp, unpleasant odor. But after thinking of a certain scene, she immediately pulled herself together. She picked up the medicine bowl, tilted her head back, and gulped it down.

She had not even waited for Su Zhaoyun to finish speaking before the entire bowl of medicine was already empty.

After putting the bowl down, she quickly searched for clean water to rinse her mouth. Only after diluting that bitter and sour taste did she turn back and ask, “What was Miss Su saying just now?”

“Nothing.” Su Zhaoyun put away the fruit hidden in her sleeve and did not take it out.

She knew Li Yueyue was afraid of bitterness. She had experienced this when treating her injuries before. In addition, on the day they made almond pudding, seeing the way she poured osmanthus honey over the pudding, it was not hard to guess that Miss Li liked sweet things.

So before coming, she had conveniently brought a few green fruits. They were sour and sweet, and perhaps they would make her feel a little better.

But what was going on today? She had drunk it so readily.

As soon as she put down the medicine bowl, Li Yueyue turned and ran inside. Then she pulled someone out from behind the screen.

Previously, Shang Rongyue had helped Ziying style her hair and braid it. Su Zhaoyun thought she had once again made some pretty hairstyle for the other woman, so she smiled and said, “Did Miss Li dress up Miss Ziying again?”

When Shang Rongyue pulled down the wide sleeve covering the other person’s face, Su Zhaoyun’s hand holding the lid of the food box suddenly loosened. With a bang, it fell to the floor.

Outside, Ziying thought the medicine bowl had been knocked over. Hearing the sound, she entered and also froze at the doorway.

They saw that behind Li Yueyue, Gu Wan was wearing a silver-white flowing immortal dress. A white jade crescent-shaped jinbu pressed against the hem of the skirt, and the silver tassels hanging beneath complemented the bright-thread embroidery on the skirt. Her slender waist was so narrow it seemed it could barely be grasped. Above it, the moon-white front-opening collar was embroidered with small pale-purple flowers.

This person was actually Gu Wan!

Normally, the Young General wore dark fitted clothes or silver armor. Her black hair was also tied up in the simplest possible way. But now, her usual hairstyle had been undone and reformed into a lily bun. A sunflower-shaped huasheng inlaid with agate adorned the front of the bun. A pale green satin ribbon had been tied into a beautiful bow, decorating the back of the bun like a small flower, while ribbons tipped with jade beads naturally hung down as a back ornament.

For a moment, both of them stared blankly.

Facing the strange gazes of the people closest to her, Gu Wan naturally also felt awkward. Ever since she joined the army, she had fewer and fewer chances to wear women’s clothing. Occasionally, during New Year or festivals, when she visited her grandmother, she only wore plain skirts and the simplest hairstyle.

Ever since Gaoji invaded, she had spent her ​unauthorized copy​days in the military camp and had not touched these hairpins, rings, or ornaments for several years.

Gu Wan coughed, forced herself to remain calm, and asked coldly, “Have you seen enough?”

Only then did the two people opposite her pick their jaws back up and continue with what they were doing. Su Zhaoyun put away the bowl, and Ziying helped her pick up the wooden lid of the food box from the floor. Both pretended the people shocked just now had not been them.

But Shang Rongyue did not mind. She took the initiative to pull Gu Wan around in a circle, then asked the two opposite them, “Does she look good?”

Meeting Gu Wan’s icy gaze, Su Zhaoyun asked, “You dressed her up?” Gu Wan actually agreed?

“Mm!” Shang Rongyue lifted her chin, the light in her eyes extremely pleased. “Sanniang promised me she would wear women’s clothes and take me out tonight.”

She turned back and looked at Gu Wan’s dark expression. “Right, Sanniang?”

At this moment, the meaning in Gu Wan’s eyes had already changed. From the turned back and looked at Gu Wan’s dark expression. “Right, Sanniang?”

At this moment, the meaning threat just now, it had become a question: Why aren’t you doing what you should be doing already?

It was only women’s clothing. It was not as if they had never seen it before—although for Gu Wan, true women’s clothing had been when she was younger than seven, wearing twin buns and running around the courtyard with a pinwheel.

Wait.

Su Zhaoyun and Ziying discovered an even more shocking piece of news: Gu Wan was going out dressed like this!

Fortunately, they were going out by carriage. The soldiers had no chance to witness their Young General’s bearing today.

Lanxi stood across from Gu Wan and could not help looking. After meeting Gu Wan’s cold gaze, she quickly lowered her head. But she could not help secretly lifting her eyes again. This repeated over and over.

Until Gu Wan personally warned her: “If you can’t control your eyes, I can help you control them.”

This time, Lanxi thoroughly learned to behave. Along the way, she sat outside the carriage obediently and drove the horses. Even when asking questions, she did not turn her head.

When Gu Wan and Shang Rongyue got out of the carriage, Lanxi deliberately turned around as if she were holding the horse. In reality, she was afraid she would fail to control herself and look, then get punished by Gu Wan.

Gu Wan prodded her arm. “Can you act normal?”

“Replying to Chief, this lowly one is afraid you’ll take away this lowly one’s eyes.”

Gu Wan’s fist was already halfway out when Shang Rongyue’s voice suddenly stopped her. “This isn’t the place from last time!”

Shang Rongyue remembered that the last night market had mostly been stalls and [stolen content]vendors. But now, on both sides of the road before her, there were decorated pavilions, jade railings, carved beams, and painted rafters. One building after another was brightly lit beneath the night sky, forming a stark contrast with the dark stars above.

Gu Wan stepped forward and comforted her, “I know there is a candy shop up ahead. Their plum candies are excellent. I’ll have Lanxi accompany you to buy some later.”

Yay! More candy!

In order not to seem too useless, Shang Rongyue suppressed the joy in her heart and asked, “Then what about you? Aren’t you coming with me?”

“I’m going to the south of the city to pick up Su Zhaoyun’s birthday gift. Let Lanxi accompany you first. Later, we’ll meet at the restaurant in the city.”

They had not eaten before going out, so it was obvious they were going to eat outside. She had not expected Shen Sanniang to have planned everything in advance. She really was a thoughtful person.

Gu Wan instructed Lanxi, “Accompany Miss Li first. Once you arrive at the restaurant, order dishes first. There is no need to wait for me.”

“Yes.”

The three split into two groups and went their separate ways.

Along the way, Shang Rongyue was very happy. There was candy to eat, streets to stroll through, someone to pay the bill, and she no longer had to avoid certain foods. She could eat whatever she wanted. Sure enough, being the bandit chief’s wife was easy!

Seeing the smile brimming between Miss Li’s Read on BaiLianTalesbrows and eyes, Lanxi took the opportunity to ask about Gu Wan.

“Why did the chief suddenly…” Dress like that today?

Shang Rongyue looked back. “Doesn’t she look good?”

Lanxi paused for a moment, then quickly shook her head and said she looked good.

Shang Rongyue smiled. “I also think she looks good. The chief is tall, and putting all her hair up makes her bearing stand out even more.”

Lanxi was very good at grasping the key point: Miss Li thought it looked good.

In other words, the Young General had dressed up today entirely to make Miss Li happy?

She had thought the Young General had deliberately worn women’s clothing to hide her identity!

On the other side, after Gu Wan picked up Su Zhaoyun’s birthday gift, she did not head straight to the agreed location. Instead, she walked in another direction.

The moment she stepped into the entrance of the alley, the scent of rouge and face powder rushed toward her. Some girls stood on balconies, some waved handkerchiefs to greet the people below, and some held pipas, using music to draw in customers.

This was the largest pleasure house in Furong City. Although it could not compare with Tianxiang Tower in Shengjing, it was unauthorized copystill the most exquisite building in Furong City.

At the entrance, the proprietress had a red flower pinned by her temple and spotted Gu Wan at once.

A major reason her business was flourishing was that anyone who came was a guest. Among the many patrons, regardless of whether they were men, women, old people, or mature madams, as long as there was business to be done, she never drove anyone away.

Sometimes, officials and nobles from Shengjing also came because of its reputation. With beauties playing music and gently offering wine, matters were often much easier to discuss.

Wasn’t that the case today? A customer had arrived early and spent heavily to reserve a private room. Seeing how generous the other party was, the proprietress had naturally arranged the finest room for them.

The proprietress swayed her waist as she walked over. “This young lady looks unfamiliar. You must be a new guest of ours!”

A bright red silk handkerchief landed on Gu Wan’s shoulder, and the proprietress wore a warm, charming smile.

Gu Wan did not answer her question. She only replied with three words: “Bichun Pavilion.”

A trace of disappointment flashed through the proprietress’s eyes, but she quickly adjusted her expression and waved over a waiter. “Lead the way for this young lady.”

One incense stick earlier, a man had entered and gone alone to Bichun Pavilion without immediately calling any girls.

The proprietress had thought he was another official from Shengjing here to discuss matters, perhaps finding it inconvenient for girls to be present. Once the matter was done, then he [unauthorized copy]would call for people. So she had only instructed someone to send over two pots of good wine and several plates of side dishes.

She had not expected that the man had actually brought his own girl.

Sure enough, wealthy people played differently. Perhaps he felt that the atmosphere of her pleasure house was joyful and could better add to the mood. In any case, as long as there was silver to earn, she was too lazy to ask too many questions.

When the waiter brought Gu Wan to Bichun Pavilion and pushed open the door, the male lead inside was standing by the window, gazing at the night beneath the starry sky.

“Furong City is not Shengjing. Little Prince Yi is standing by the window and isn’t afraid of catching a chill? If you do, Princess Consort Yi will blame someone again.”

Zhao Shuheng turned back. Seeing Gu Wan, he hurriedly saluted and called, “Older Cousin.”

After confirming that their surroundings were safe, Gu Wan went straight to the point. “I invited Your Highness Prince Yi here today because there is an important matter to discuss.”

Gu Wan explained the military matter to Zhao Shuheng and instructed him, “Right now, the capital is isolated and without support. I hope Your Highness will be careful.”

Zhao Shuheng knew Gu Wan was not someone easily startled. If she opened her mouth to warn him, she must have discovered some clue.

“Tianxiang Tower,” Gu Wan said in a low voice. “My people discovered traces of Sangxie people inside Tianxiang Tower.”

“Sangxie? Didn’t they submit to Great Zhou long ago?”

As soon as these words left his mouth, Zhao Shuheng reacted. If they had truly submitted, why would they hide their tracks in a place of pleasure, and why would they trade banned drugs?

No wonder his older cousin had deliberately set the meeting place here.

“I imagine before I arrived, you already discovered something.”

Gu Wan had deliberately arrived one incense stick late precisely to let this younger male cousin understand that in pleasure houses, fleshly business was only the simplest outer layer. Hidden beneath this surface were deep and overwhelming waves.

For example, in the private room downstairs, the Minister and the Assistant Minister each held a beauty in their arms while discussing shameful deals.

Zhao Shuheng nodded. “Older Cousin, rest assured. Younger Brother understands.”

“Furong City is already like this, let alone Shengjing.” Gu Wan said in a low voice, “Recently, there have been many wandering bandits causing trouble along the official roads around Shengjing. Tell me, if those old wandering bandits were hiding in pleasure alleys, wouldn’t that be interesting?”

In a country this large, there would inevitably be people harboring sinister intentions. But ever since Gaoji began causing trouble, the people had been anxious, and fewer and fewer people traveled along the official roads. Yet the wandering bandits had become increasingly rampant.

Ask yourself: if they knew there were not many travelers, and the court was increasing efforts to suppress them, would large groups of people truly still choose to conduct roadside robberies? Not only would there be little benefit, they would practically be digging their own graves.

Unless their goal from the beginning was not silver, but to stir up public unrest.

Once the common people lost faith in the court, no one would join the army, and no one would fight for the country. If war came then, perhaps they would not even need to spend a single soldier.

Since Zhao Shuheng had taken office, he had vigorously carried out bandit suppression. The official roads around Shengjing had become much more peaceful. At the same time, Tianxiang Tower had gained a new batch of guests.

Gu Wan passed all the information she had found to Zhao Shuheng. She still had to consider the third prince’s side and could not split herself. Moreover, if her hand reached into Shengjing, it would arouse His Majesty’s suspicion.

But she believed this younger male cousin would not disappoint her.

Speaking of wandering bandits, Zhao Shuheng’s eyes filled with the scene of white lanterns hanging at the Shang family gates. For a moment, he clenched his fists.

During this time, he had been investigating matters related to Fourth Younger Sister Shang, but he had found nothing.

If Fourth Younger Sister had been taken by people from Sangxie back then…

When Zhao Shuheng lifted his eyes, the gloom in them deepened. He cupped his fists and said, “Older Cousin, rest assured. Younger Brother will definitely investigate this matter until the truth is revealed.”

On the other side, Lanxi accompanied Shang Rongyue all the way toward the center of Furong City. When they passed a candy shop, aside from plum candies, Shang Rongyue also enriched her own pockets and bought many candied fruits and pastries.

That medicine was so hard to drink. How could she not prepare more sweets for herself?

They ate as they walked and strolled. At last, they saw the restaurant Shen Sanniang had mentioned. Just as they were about to go in, Shang Rongyue suddenly stopped.

“Let’s wait for Sanniang at the entrance and go in with her.”

When they had been buying pastries just now, the shop had taken out many samples to taste. Shang Rongyue had tasted one piece of each kind, but there were simply too many varieties. One kind had a filling made with nuts and fermented rice wine wrapped in flaky pastry. Shang Rongyue liked it the most and ate several pieces in a row.

Now she felt rather full, so she thought that if she digested a little at the entrance, perhaps she would be able to eat a few more bites at the restaurant.

Lanxi naturally agreed.

People came and went in an endless stream. When Shang Rongyue turned her head, she saw Gu Wan coming out from the alley entrance.

She was tall and beautiful, the kind of person one could find in a crowd at a glance.

“Sanniang!” Shang Rongyue jumped and waved at her. Ignoring Lanxi behind her, she lifted her ruqun and ran toward Gu Wan.

Because she was going against the flow of people, Shang Rongyue moved very slowly. When she was careless, something tripped her underfoot, and her whole body fell.

As her body shook, an inexplicable heat suddenly burst from the bottom of ​bailiantales.com​her heart. Then, a familiar restlessness ignited. Shang Rongyue seemed to see those bugs from yesterday approaching her bit by bit.

Gu Wan vaguely heard the sound and looked over. What entered her eyes was the sight of the girl curled up on the ground, her cheeks flushed, her whole body burning hot.

“Sanniang! I…” Shang Rongyue trembled all over. Like someone grasping at a life-saving straw, she tightly clutched Gu Wan’s skirt and refused to let go.

Gu Wan naturally realized something was wrong. She signaled for Lanxi to go back first, then lifted Shang Rongyue into her arms and returned along the same path to the pleasure house from earlier.

Inside Bichun Pavilion, Zhao Shuheng stood before the table, his mind filled with the scene of his first meeting with Fourth Younger Sister.

The girl had peach-pink cheeks and had reached out to catch the begonia flower drifting down from the branch.

The breeze carried the fragrance of flowers, lifting the hem of her skirt and stirring her hair.

And that scene was something he feared he would never see again.

A heart-piercing pain struck him, and Zhao Shuheng’s fist landed heavily on the table. Especially when he thought of Fourth Younger Sister, powerless to even truss a chicken, suffering harm—how helpless and afraid she must have been—his hatred deepened even further.

If wandering bandits had taken Fourth Younger Sister’s life, then he would wipe out every bandit beneath the heavens. If Sangxie had harmed Fourth Younger Sister, then he would make all of Sangxie accompany her in burial.

Before his thoughts had finished, he saw his older cousin carrying someone as she stepped over bailiantales.comthe eaves and climbed in through the window.

It was a woman. She whimpered softly, seeming to be in extreme discomfort. Her head was lowered and her face buried against Gu Wan’s shoulder, revealing only a pair of ear tips, which were glaringly red.

“I have some urgent matters to handle. I hope Younger Cousin can make things convenient.”

After saying this, Gu Wan carried the person past the screen and went straight toward the bed.