Upon hearing this, the ice-cold expression on Huai'an's face finally showed a crack. She was greatly alarmed, but still tried her best to remain calm and composed, saying indifferently, "So, General Xiao is one who readily believes hearsay."
Xiao Ke laughed heartily. "Not exactly, but..." He paused, wanting to create suspense, but seeing that Huai'an's face remained impassive, he had no choice but to play his last trump card. "Just now, when I returned to my room, I saw a beautiful and charming woman inexplicably appear inside. Her appearance, well, it bore some resemblance to the princess's portrait sent over a while ago, but her origins are unclear. Young Mistress Ping is knowledgeable and has met countless people. Would you be so kind as to lend your expertise and help this general identify her?"
A silence fell over the private room. The green smoke from the teapot drifted languidly, making a faint hissing sound. In the adjacent room, bowls and plates clattered, cups and wine glasses clinked, the sounds of laughter and playful banter highlighting the stillness in this room.
Huai'an said without expression, "I personally buried the deceased princess."
"In other words, Young Mistress Ping doesn't believe me?"
"I hold an official position. General Xiao should address me as 'Lord Ping'." Huai'an clearly lost patience and didn't want to continue feigning politeness with Xiao Ke.
"Oh, a mere Major General dares to demand my address?"
"A mere Major General did defeat the renowned General Xiao. Would you say that's worthy of mention?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ke suddenly stood up, glaring fiercely at Huai'an. "Perhaps my legwork isn't as good as yours, but when it comes to strategy, hmph, I'm streets ahead of you." He placed his hand on the knife at his waist, his eyes burning with fierce anger.
"General Xiao, don't be anxious or angry. Don't get worked up."
Xiao Ke didn't get angry but laughed instead. "Just wait and see. The alliance between Qi and Zheng is destined to fail. When we meet on the battlefield, don't blame me for breaking your fancy footwork." With that, he turned and flounced away.
The sliding door slammed loudly against the doorframe.
Huai'an immediately stood up, walked to the door, gently pulled it open, concealed her presence, and peered out. She saw Xiao Ke's figure stomping angrily towards the depths of the long corridor.
Seeing him pull open the sliding door of a room deep inside and noting its location, Huai'an immediately slipped out of the private room.
Although she couldn't be sure if Xiao Ke was just bluffing, since there was a lead, she should investigate.
She saw a waiter walking up the stairs and immediately stepped forward, pulled him aside, and slipped a silver ingot into his hand, quietly instructing him, "Brother, please go to that room and see if there's a young woman inside."
The waiter was confused, but feeling the heavy silver in his hand, his heart filled with joy. Assuming Huai'an was there to catch her husband having a secret rendezvous, he agreed and went inside carrying his tray.
Huai'an waited anxiously outside, silently counting the moments. Fortunately, the waiter came out quickly.
He bowed slightly. "Madam, there is indeed a young woman inside."
Huai'an was both surprised and delighted. She hadn't expected Xiao Ke to be telling the truth. She quickly said, "Thank you. May I ask what the woman looks like?"
"I didn't get a clear look in the moment, but her appearance is definitely not as outstanding as yours." The waiter glanced up at her, his face full of flattery.
"What is she wearing?"
"A light brown cloud-patterned shirt and a light vermillion silk skirt."
Those were indeed the clothes Huai'an had left at the small residence, but then again, clothes with such patterns and colors were very common.
"Any special ornaments?"
"Probably not."
Huai'an patted the waiter, signaling that he could leave, and then pondered for a moment. Although she couldn't guarantee that the woman was Ruo'cheng, she would definitely not feel at ease without confirming it herself.
But what if she really went to that room and knocked? Whether the person inside was Ruo'cheng or not, it would confirm Xiao Ke's suspicions. Even if Huai'an made up some excuse, he would conclude that Ruo'cheng was still alive and that Great Zheng had deliberately deceived them. In that case, Southern Qi would have sufficient reason to raise troops.
Huai'an was in a dilemma, not knowing which choice to make.
Finally, she sighed. Let them raise troops if they wanted. Anyway, such a battle would come sooner or later. The most important thing right now was Ruo'cheng's safety.
Having thought it through, she no longer hesitated. She strode forward, walked to the depths of the long corridor, and raised her hand to knock on the door, but her wrist was suddenly grabbed.
Huai'an immediately turned her head and saw Huan Sui's face filled with panic, but his tone was extremely calm. She heard him ask in a deep voice, "What are you doing?"
Huai'an was taken aback, secretly wondering when Huan Sui had appeared here. She hadn't noticed him at all.
Huan Sui seemed to have guessed her confusion and said quietly, "Ziran told me. I was in the next room just now."
Huai'an said "Oh," realizing that her second brother was worried about her and was afraid that following her secretly would seem disrespectful, so he had asked Huan Sui to protect her in secret.
She felt both annoyed and amused. Her second brother had clearly said that her martial arts skills were among the best in the Great Zheng Dynasty. Did she still need protection?
Huai'an paused, and seeing Huan Sui still looking at her, she turned her thoughts back, pointed to the door of the room, and whispered, "Maybe she's in here."
Huan Sui pulled Huai'an and flashed into an empty room.
As soon as he bolted the door, Huan Sui turned to Huai'an and said, "Do you really think Xiao Jianren is that stupid?"
His expression was cold, but a hint of anxiety was hidden in his eyes.
Huai'an frowned, not understanding.
"It's a trap."
"I know."
"You know and you still went?"
"I can't let go of any opportunity to find Ruo'cheng."
Huan Sui sighed. "I know Ruo'cheng's whereabouts."
Upon hearing this, Huai'an's eyes widened, her expression of surprise and doubt even greater than when facing Xiao Ke just now. "You know!?" She didn't even realize that she hadn't used honorifics.
Then why didn't you tell me! Huai'an wanted to shout at Huan Sui. What are you still standing here for?
"I came to take you there."
"Where?" Huai'an continued, frustrated and anxious, "Why didn't Your Highness go first and then send someone to find me?"
Huan Sui rubbed his forehead. "That place... it's inconvenient for me to go alone." He rarely hesitated to speak, looking uneasy and restless.
"Where?"
Huan Sui coughed, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, and finally said, "Yexiao Pavilion."
Huai'an said "Oh," finally understanding the reason for Huan Sui's complex expression.
If one were to talk about the most famous tavern in the capital, Yexiao Pavilion would undoubtedly be it.
It wasn't because its wine was particularly fragrant or strong, nor was it because its decor was particularly grand.
Rather, it was because of its most talked-about characteristic—
Spring Night.
Legend had it that everyone who had been to Yexiao Pavilion would experience the true meaning of "one night of spring bliss." Although every guest kept their mouths shut, the more mysterious it was, the more people flocked there.
Folk legend said: Yexiao Pavilion could draw out everyone's deepest desires and make them come true.
Even though it was expensive, some people would go bankrupt just to witness the splendor of "Spring Night" with their own eyes.
And Huan Sui, as a prince of the current dynasty, naturally couldn't let people see him personally going to this so-called "place for seeking pleasure." Strong criticism from officials was a minor matter; if he carelessly incurred the emperor's wrath, it could become an unforeseen disaster.
Therefore, Huan Sui could only come to find Huai'an to go with him.
Bringing his fiancée to a tavern, although it would still invite gossip, could at least silence some of the officials' mouths.
On the way to Yexiao Pavilion, Huai'an remembered something. "Your Highness, how did you find out?"
Huan Sui was feigning sleep by leaning against the carriage. He said "Hmm?" before reacting and said faintly, "I have my own channels."
"Did you also go to Tian Dong Shop to ask?"
"Not exactly."
Huai'an originally wanted to continue pressing, but in the end, she gave up.
It seemed that when Huan Sui asked her to ask her second brother where he got his information, he had already planned to use his own "channels" to obtain news.
For some reason, thinking that Huan Sui was hiding things from her and didn't want her to know his intelligence channels, Huai'an suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable. She felt as if she was being treated like an outsider, and while feeling disappointed, she suddenly realized that she had no grounds to be angry. After all, apart from that illusory childhood betrothal, she and Huan Sui weren't even friends.
Seeing Huai'an remain silent, Huan Sui continued, "I will tell you in the future."
Huai'an lowered her eyelids. "I wouldn't dare."
Seeing Huai'an adopt such a distant manner again, Huan Sui sighed softly in the darkness, but ultimately said nothing more.
Arriving at Yexiao Pavilion, it was already early night. Darkness enveloped everything, thick clouds covered the sky, not a single star was visible, and the entire Linfu Street was pitch black, except for the brightly lit Yexiao Pavilion, which looked like a beacon on a dark sea from afar, illuminating the sailors' way home.
The two got out of the carriage, but the doorman didn't come forward to greet them, merely waved his hand lazily. "Two guests, please come inside."
As she walked, Huai'an turned to Huan Sui and asked, "Your Highness, do you know where?"
Huan Sui shook his head. "I only heard that yesterday afternoon, around Shen hour (3-5 PM), when the building was empty of guests, a carriage suddenly arrived in front of Yexiao Pavilion. The carriage door opened, and two roughly dressed men supported a frail woman into the building. The woman wore a veiled hat, so her face couldn't be seen. I only heard the men's rough voices saying a few times, 'Be careful under your feet, esteemed guest, don't fall.' But I don't know exactly where they took her."
"In that case, how can we be sure it's Ruo..." Huai'an suppressed the word "Ruo'cheng," fearing that someone might hear and use it against them.
"It is indeed hard to say, but the time the woman appeared coincides exactly with the time Ruo'cheng went missing. This Yexiao Pavilion is only a few miles away from that small suburban residence. It's a case of darkness under the lamp, precisely the kind of place that would be excluded from most people's line of thought."
Huai'an pondered for a moment, and it seemed to make sense, just like she hadn't considered Yexiao Pavilion at the beginning.
But Yexiao Pavilion was a large tavern in the capital. It was common for some noble men and women to come and go. Who could guarantee that the woman was Ruo'cheng?
Well, since it was also on the list given by Tian Dong Shop, she might as well take a look.
The two strode inside. Yexiao Pavilion was as bustling and crowded as they had expected, with no empty seats. Waiters and runners hurried back and forth, loudly greeting guests, completely different from the doorman's earlier laziness.
A woman dressed as a proprietress came forward. Seeing that the leader of the guests wore wide-sleeved robes and a dark cloak, with an extraordinary bearing, she secretly rejoiced, thinking that a wealthy patron had arrived. Just as she was about to greet them warmly, she suddenly saw a young woman appear beside the gentleman. Although the young woman's hair was tied up and she wore an embroidered waistband and a round-collared robe with wrist guards, her masculine attire couldn't hide the elegance and nobility in her bones. One look was enough to tell that she was also a wealthy patron.
The proprietress sighed inwardly. Although Yexiao Pavilion didn't restrict the gender of its guests, most of those who came to "seek spring night" were men. It seemed that these two weren't here for that purpose.
Huan Sui first addressed the woman, "Are you the proprietress here?"
The woman gracefully bowed. "This humble servant is. May I ask if the young lord is also here to participate in the 'Spring Night Gathering'?"
Huan Sui was taken aback upon hearing this.
Spring Night Gathering?
He was only stunned for a moment before understanding. He glanced at the woman, gave a soft "Mmm," as if in response.
The proprietress looked at Huai'an beside Huan Sui with slight doubt but didn't ask anything. After all, having spent many years in the pleasure quarters, she knew when to speak and when to keep her mouth shut. So, she turned and gestured, "The seats on the first floor are full. Please follow me upstairs, young lord. This humble servant will arrange a private room for you."
Huan Sui glanced back at Huai'an, then turned and followed her upstairs.
The private room was exquisitely decorated. A well-brewed teapot was already placed on the table, with wisps of green smoke slowly rising from its spout. Leaning against the railing and looking down, the view of the floor below was unobstructed, a prime location.
Seeing the two seated, the proprietress continued, "Esteemed guests, the rules of our Yexiao Pavilion are as follows: noble guests participating in the 'Spring Night Gathering' singing competition must first deposit a keepsake. After the singing competition, the keepsake can be retrieved upon payment of the winning bid."
Huan Sui nodded and was about to reach into his robes, but Huai'an, seeing this, reached out to stop his movement. At the same time, she pulled a jade seal from her waist, the very same Ping family嫡系 jade seal that Ping Yan had shown to Tian Dong Shop.
The proprietress looked puzzled at the item Huai'an took out. She had never seen such a jade seal before, but looking closely, the carving was exquisite and the jade of superior quality. She assumed this young woman must be from a prominent aristocratic family.
Huai'an hadn't turned it over yet, so the proprietress hadn't seen the 'Ping' character engraved on the jade seal. Huan Sui, however, slightly shook his head, and a folding fan appeared in his hand as if by magic. He handed the fan to the proprietress. "The calligraphy on this fan was written by the great scholar Yan Zongyi of the previous dynasty, Master Yan. It's worth more than a thousand gold."
The proprietress took it and unfolded the fan. She saw ink splashed like flying, vigorous and powerful strokes, indeed the work of a master. Looking closer, she noticed a red seal in the lower left corner: 'Recluse of Cangmang Mountain.' It was Master Yan's self-proclaimed title in his later years.
She smiled and bowed. "Young lord has excellent taste. This folding fan is more than sufficient as a keepsake." Then she turned and carefully placed the fan in a velvet-lined tray held by a waiter, and placed a bidding paddle on the table with the number 'Twenty-two' written on it.
"The singing competition is about to begin. Please wait a moment, esteemed guests." With that, she retreated.
Only Huan Sui and Huai'an remained in the private room. The two sat facing each other in silence. After a moment, Huan Sui finally spoke, "The Ping family jade seal shouldn't be casually given to outsiders."
"I know, but I really don't have any other keepsake valuable enough."
"Then why did you stop me?"
"Didn't want you to... reveal your identity." Who knew what kind of object related to Prince Heng's identity Huan Sui would have pulled out of his robes? She was afraid of alarming anyone.
Upon hearing this, Huan Sui stood up, raised his hand, and shook his wide sleeve, causing a series of objects to clatter out. He reached into his robes again and pulled out another set of items.
The table was instantly filled with various things: a greenish-blue jade thumb ring, a token, a stack of silver bills, a string of red agate necklace, a nine-python dagger, a jar of golden wound medicine, several silver ingots, a booklet (Huai'an looked closely and recognized it as the latest Southern Qi legendary storybook 'Secrets of Mountains and Seas' that Huan Sui had given her that day!).
Besides these, there was also...
A jujube flower cake?
"I have plenty of keepsakes that won't reveal my identity," Huan Sui said expressionlessly, making a "please look" gesture.
Huai'an was momentarily stunned by the sight of so many objects. The first question she asked after regaining her senses was, "Does Your Highness like to eat jujube flower cake?"
Huan Sui was taken aback and said, "Hmm."
"Carrying so many things, isn't it heavy?"
"Is it?" Huan Sui swept all the objects on the table into his sleeve with a wave of his hand. Finally, he held up the booklet and waved it in front of Huai'an. "Have you taken a look at this since you went back?"
Huai'an looked embarrassed. She really hadn't read it, not even flipped through it. Someone had kindly given her a gift, but she hadn't even acknowledged it. "Not... not yet."
She paused, then said quickly, "In a couple of days... no, tonight, I'll read it tonight when I get back!"
Huan Sui was about to say something when they heard the sound of a gong from downstairs. "The singing competition begins!"
Hearing the sound, the two quickly leaned over the railing to watch.
It would have been better if they hadn't looked. What they saw was shocking.
It turned out that the so-called "Spring Night Gathering" singing competition, to put it nicely, was actually a human auction.
On the singing stage, the master of ceremonies excitedly announced, "Zhe character room! A small maid who escaped from the Yuanwai's house, trained for over five months. Pearly teeth and red lips, a graceful figure, quick-witted and excellent at serving. Starting bid: five hundred taels!"
Before the master of ceremonies could finish speaking, the guests below were already agitated, raising their bidding paddles one after another, frantically calling out prices.
Five hundred and fifty taels! Six hundred taels! Seven hundred taels! One thousand taels!
The more Huai'an watched, the more furious she became, her fists clenched tightly. She had never witnessed human trafficking firsthand. Seeing these people treating humans like objects for bidding and auction, a scorching fire suddenly surged in her chest, rushing to her head. She almost drew her sword to strike out.
She shifted her gaze and saw that Huan Sui's face beside her was as calm as a still sea, his eyes deep, with clouds gathering in their depths, his expressionless face watching the boiling crowd below.
Huan Sui's calm demeanor cooled Huai'an down. She gradually relaxed her clenched fists, lowered her raised shoulders, and looked down again to continue watching.
Since the "Spring Night Gathering" was the highlight of Yexiao Pavilion's evening, there might be clues about the "mysterious woman" within it.
The master of ceremonies continued reading the list.
From the Ying character room, a Jiangling county magistrate's concubine with a face like peach blossoms and breasts like melons; to the Hong character room, the remarriage of a Su surname tea merchant's son with a charming smile and beautiful eyes; then to the Xuan character room, a beauty surpassing all others like a celestial being, walking with the grace of a lotus blooming at each step, the daughter of a minister from the East Sea Kingdom.
The crowd was excited, fearing they would miss a great opportunity, eagerly raising their bidding paddles, some not even putting them down.
Time passed bit by bit. Huai'an narrowed her eyes, feeling that she hadn't gained a single clue. Instead, she had watched a night of frivolous men spending fortunes for a night of pleasure, making her feel utterly exhausted.
Until the master of ceremonies announced the last description on the list:
Tian character room!
Upon hearing this, everyone stopped their movements and strained their ears to listen carefully. The goods from the Tian character room had always been the best of the best. They wanted to hear what this one was like.
Princess-grade, from afar, although untrained, with unparalleled talent. Cheeks like crabapple blossoms, skin like flowers. Making the lord king for one night of spring bliss!
Huai'an hadn't even finished listening to the description that followed. The moment she heard the words "princess-grade," a bolt of lightning shot through her spine. Her eyes widened, and she gasped.
Ruo'cheng!
She turned to look at Huan Sui, her eyes urgent and pleading.
Huan Sui nodded slightly and whispered, "We can't startle them. We can only bid and win her, then find an opportunity to act."
Huai'an nodded in agreement.
"Starting bid: five thousand taels!"
Huai'an was struck by lightning again. Five thousand taels! Robbery!
But she saw Huan Sui casually raise his bidding paddle. "Eight thousand taels."
A commotion broke out below. Someone saw Huan Sui and Huai'an in the private room and loudly mocked, "Sir already has such a beauty by his side, why compete with us lonely souls?"
The others followed suit, jeering and clamoring.
Huan Sui completely ignored them, twirling the thumb ring on his hand, looking utterly indifferent and uncompetitive.
Huai'an parted her lips and whispered to Huan Sui, "Do you have enough money?"
Huan Sui raised his eyes and stared at her for a moment, as if wondering why she would ask such a question. Seeing the serious look on Huai'an's face, without a hint of jest, he said quietly, "Enough to buy a hundred Yexiao Pavilions."
Huai'an said "Oh," leaned back in her chair, rested her chin on her hand, and watched the show with ease.
These guys wouldn't win.
Seeing that he had caught a big fish, the master of ceremonies thought about how much commission he could get at the end of the season, and his mouth stretched to his ears. He excitedly shouted, "Eight thousand taels, going once!"
"Nine thousand taels," the guest in the private room opposite quietly raised his bidding paddle.
Huan Sui also quietly bid, "Twelve thousand taels."
Another commotion erupted below.
Later, the guests in the open areas on the first and second floors, although some still struggled to compete, ultimately couldn't outbid Huan Sui's calm confidence and deep pockets.
Finally, the final bid settled at seventeen thousand taels.
The proprietress personally entered the private room and congratulated Huan Sui. "Congratulations, young lord, for winning the most exquisite 'Spring Night' in the history of our Yexiao Pavilion! This humble establishment is truly honored to lead you to the 'Tian character room.'"
Seeing that Huai'an didn't seem to be avoiding the situation, she asked, "May I ask if this young mistress will be accompanying the young lord?"
Huai'an was about to answer when she heard Huan Sui say faintly, "Otherwise?"
"Please forgive me, young lord, it was this humble servant being too talkative." She glanced suspiciously at Huai'an, seeing her sitting calmly by the side, so she pursed her lips and thought to herself: Sigh, the young masters of aristocratic families are really chaotic. Bringing a woman into a spring night room, could it be that they want a threesome...?
"This... this 'Spring Night'," Huan Sui cleared his throat, "no, how did you find this 'Spring Night'?"
Upon hearing this, the proprietress's face flashed with surprise. The waiter beside her quickly bowed and replied, "Young lord, this is probably your first time here, so you might not be familiar with the rules of our Yexiao Pavilion. Anyone who wins a 'Spring Night' can simply enjoy themselves and doesn't need to ask about the origins."
Huai'an frowned. "Is today's bid for one night only, or a buyout?"
The waiter respectfully replied again, "Naturally, it's only for one night. Yexiao Pavilion does not allow buyouts."
The furrows between Huai'an's brows deepened. She opened her mouth to ask something else, but saw Huan Sui turn his head and give her a slight nod, indicating that they should wait until they actually saw Ruo'cheng before making any plans.
So the two of them stood up. The waiter stepped forward, bowed respectfully again, and took out a black cloth. "Forgive me, please allow this humble servant to cover your eyes, esteemed guests."
The waiter blindfolded the two of them, gently placed his hands on their shoulders, and led them forward.
Presumably, this was to prevent others from knowing the layout of the pavilion, thus obscuring the vision of guests entering the rooms. But what Yexiao Pavilion didn't know was that these two were elites in the military. Marching in the dark at night was common for them. This slight loss of vision was no obstacle at all for them to perceive the path in other ways.
After making seven turns and walking over ten meters, they finally stopped. Huai'an smiled inwardly. Who would have thought that this "Tian character room" was actually in the depths of the long corridor outside their previous private room? It was so close yet seemed so far, and they had even been led through several unnecessary turns, truly making a fuss over nothing.
The door creaked open, and the waiter led the two inside. After untying the black cloths covering their eyes, he quietly retreated.
The two turned around and saw that the room was exquisitely furnished. Several delicate dishes and a pot of Nu'er Hong wine were placed on the table, along with three sets of bowls and chopsticks.
A pot of hot soup simmered in the corner, the firewood was of the highest quality, burning without a sound. An unknown incense burned on a small table, its light and refreshing fragrance filling the room.
In the very center was a large bed covered with silk curtains. The corner window was slightly open, and a gentle breeze drifted into the room, swaying the silk curtains. A figure could be vaguely seen sitting upright within.
Huai'an took a step forward first, ready to call out "Ruo'cheng," but the two words caught in her throat when she saw the person by the bedside.
The person by the bedside raised her eyes to meet Huai'an's gaze. Her emerald green eyes held the same surprise and astonishment as Huai'an's. She parted her lips, and the voice that came out was as clear and melodious as a silver bell, yet faintly tinged with the vicissitudes of having survived a calamity.
"Huai'an?"
Huai'an opened her mouth wide in surprise and disbelief, staggered back a few steps, and murmured, "Eldest Sister-in-law?"