“I just saw…” Shen Lixue looked again. The street was still bustling with people, but the handsome, cute man in black was nowhere to be seen!
"What did you see?" Dongfang Heng pressed, glancing out the window. Apart from ordinary pedestrians, there were no special people or things.
"It's nothing, I must have misread it!" Shen Lixue gently rubbed her forehead. She had misheard earlier and now she had misread it. Was she just too tired?
"There's been a lot going on today, and you must be tired. Have your meal and go back to your residence to rest!" Dongfang Heng suggested softly, his gaze deep. Shen Lixue's cool brows showed a hint of weariness; she was indeed exhausted.
"Hmm!" Shen Lixue nodded, eating her food half-heartedly, her thoughts already wandering out of the restaurant, drifting into the void: Where exactly did Ye Qianlong go?
Ye Qianlong followed the lewd man, turning left and right, until they arrived at a magnificent building. The three large red characters "Wan Hua Lou" on the plaque above the gate shimmered in the sunlight.
Heavily made-up women stood at the entrance, enthusiastically beckoning customers: "Young master, don't leave, come in and have a drink..."
The so-called Wan Hua Lou (Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion) was a place dedicated to entertainment, catering to everyone from high-ranking officials to people from all walks of life. In addition to alluring young women, it also housed handsome and effeminate male officials to satisfy the needs of different guests.
A middle-aged woman appeared at the gate, heavily made up and striking seductive poses. The lewd man's eyes lit up, and with a fawning smile on his thin face, he hurried forward: "Mama Hua!"
The middle-aged woman glanced at the lewd-looking man indifferently and said disdainfully, "What kind of third-rate scum you've brought this time?"
The lewd man chuckled wickedly, his voice low but still unable to conceal his arrogance: "This time, I brought the best stuff, Mom, please take a look!"
What kind of top-quality stuff could someone like you possibly bring along!
The middle-aged woman's casual gaze lit up instantly when she saw Ye Qianlong. She quickly walked a few steps to Ye Qianlong and looked him up and down. Her old eyes were full of shock: This man is really handsome, even more handsome than the immortals in the paintings. He is truly the best of the best.
Madam Hua was wearing a semi-transparent, bright red gauze dress, with most of her chest exposed, creating a rather erotic scene. Ye Qianlong stood quietly as if he hadn't seen it, his eyes clear as a spring, the strong scent of perfume wafting over him. He frowned slightly and looked at the lewd man: "Where is Li Xue?"
"Li Xue is inside. You'll see her if you come in with us!" The lewd man secretly winked at Mama Hua. This handsome man was still outside the Wan Hua Lou. They had to keep him in line and not let him escape.
Madam Hua understood and led the two into the Wan Hua Lou with a smile: "Yes, yes, Li Xue is inside, come in quickly!" Her admiring gaze kept sweeping over Ye Qianlong. In all her decades of life, this was the first time she had ever seen such a stunningly handsome man. He was truly a feast for the eyes...
Inside the brothel, guests frequently strolled by, their arms around young women, their expressions quite intimate. Upon seeing Ye Qianlong, they were all stunned. Who was this man? He was truly breathtaking!
Ye Qianlong ignored them all, following closely behind Mama Hua and the lewd man, his handsome face beaming with a pure and radiant smile: "I'm about to see Li Xue, that's wonderful!"
"Is he an idiot?" Mother Hua quietly asked the lewd man.
He was tricked into coming here. Once inside the brothel, any normal person should be able to tell what kind of place this was, but he showed no intention of running away and kept following them forward.
Although there are many guards and thugs in her brothel, and he couldn't escape even if he wanted to, he's already in a pit of fire and doesn't know how to escape. He must have something wrong with his head.
The sleazy man was unimpressed and whispered, "As long as he's handsome and rich, that's all that matters. Who cares if he's stupid or not? Besides, if he's too stupid to run away, Madam Hua will have an easier time!" After wandering around the capital for so long, he finally found such a top-quality guy. He had to sell him off and get a good price for him.
"Where did you find this? I hope it won't cause any trouble?" Mother Hua asked again, still worried. In their line of work, they were driven by profit, but they didn't want to get into any big trouble. This man in black was too handsome and too noble, unlike an ordinary person.
“I’ve lived in the capital for so many years, and I know the noble families and wealthy merchants in the court like the back of my hand. This man looks completely unfamiliar; he’s definitely from out of town. Even if he’s gone missing, no one will care much. You can rest assured!” The lewd man patted his chest to assure her, his tiny green bean-like eyes gleaming. He quickly stretched out his stinky hand in front of Mama Hua: “The man has been delivered. Hurry up and give me the money.”
"You'd better guarantee that this person is completely innocent!" Madam Hua warned sternly, taking two silver notes from her sleeve and tossing them to the lewd man.
"How come it's only two hundred taels?" The lewd man was surprised after counting the silver. The man in black was so handsome, he was the best of the best.
Madam Hua curled her lips, put her hands on her hips, and said arrogantly, "When you sell to Wan Hua Lou, the price is discounted. I've been running Wan Hua Lou for many years, and countless people have bought from it. The most I've ever bought was one hundred taels. Your two hundred taels is an unprecedented sky-high price. You should be content and not push your luck!"
"Alright, alright, I'll take the loss this time and sell it to you cheaper!" The lecherous man's beady eyes gleamed as he teased, "Once he's settled, Mama Hua, remember to have Xiao Cui come and serve me..."
"You still have a lustful heart!" Madam Hua tapped the lecherous man's forehead hard and scolded him angrily, "Why are you in such a hurry? Xiao Cui is in the side room, she can't run away."
Madam Hua gave a soft hum and swayed as she approached Ye Qianlong. Pointing to a luxurious room, she smiled and said, "Young Master, Li Xue is waiting for you inside. Let's go in quickly!"
"Really?" Ye Qianlong's eyes lit up, and without waiting for Hua's mother to call out, she quickly ran into the room.
Madam Hua's old eyes gleamed with a sinister, smug smile. She was about to send invitations to all the officials who had a penchant for men, inviting them to participate in the auction that evening. She was determined to get a good price for the virginity of this top-quality woman.
This is a magnificently decorated hall. A group of beautifully dressed teenagers are dancing seductively on the stage. Below the stage, a group of men are embracing each other. Many pretty teenagers of sixteen or seventeen are kneeling on the ground in only a thin shirt, respectfully pouring wine for the guests. Some teenagers, with fawning smiles on their faces, are huddled in the arms of ugly men, trembling.
"Li Xue, Li Xue!" Ye Qianlong rushed into the hall, his handsome face beaming with a simple and lovely smile.
The entire hall fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes were focused on Ye Qianlong. They were amazed by her beauty, their eyes sparkling with a glint of desire. She was truly a stunningly beautiful woman.
"Wow, you're absolutely gorgeous. I'll take you all tonight. What's your name?" A tall, burly man, slurring his words and drunkenly approached, reaching out to hug Ye Qianlong.
Ye Qianlong quickly scanned the hall, but did not see Shen Lixue. His clear eyes were filled with deep disappointment. Lixue was not there!
A strong smell of alcohol mixed with the stench of sweat hit the air. A shadow fell over Ye Qianlong's innocent eyes. With a wave of his hand, a shrill scream pierced the clouds and echoed through the sky. The drunken man fell to the ground, writhing in agony. Blood splattered on the ground beneath him. His hands had been cleanly severed, a truly horrifying scene.
"Where is Li Xue?" Ye Qianlong suddenly looked up at the crowd, his clear eyes filled with gloom, and a strong aura of violence instantly surrounded him, making people shudder. The johns who wanted to take advantage of him retreated in fear. This person was too scary, too scary.
"Help...help..." The man with the severed hand cried out in pain, and the patrons were suddenly awakened. Someone shouted, "Run!" The crowd surged towards the door like a tidal wave.
Ye Qianlong stood quietly, motionless, his eyes filled with loss and loneliness. Just as everyone ran to the door, he suddenly swung his palm, and everyone coughed up blood and fell heavily to the ground.
Even the dance stage was instantly cleaved in two, leaving a chasm in the ground, and the male officials who were singing fell to the ground.
Ye Qianlong's enchanting voice echoed throughout the hall: "No one is leaving until you tell me where Li Xue is!"
The patrons mustered their strength and looked at Ye Qianlong. His face was as beautiful as a fairy, and his eyes were as clear as a spring. However, a terrifying killing intent flowed around him, like a demon coming at dawn, which made people shudder.
"What happened?" Madam Hua staggered into the hall and screamed in shock when she saw the customers who had collapsed to the ground, vomiting blood: "What happened?"
A gust of cold wind swept over her. Looking up, she met Ye Qianlong's gloomy gaze: "Where's Lixue?"
"She...she..." Mother Hua trembled violently, her eyes filled with terror. This handsome young man, who had seemed so innocent just moments before, had suddenly become so terrifying.
"She's not here, is she?" Ye Qianlong continued Hua Mama's words, her charming voice carrying a chilling coldness, her sharp aura intimidating.
Mother Flower was terrified and at a loss for what to do. Her legs felt weak, and she wanted to run away but couldn't move her feet. She could only nod sensibly: "She's not here!"
"You actually lied to me!" Ye Qianlong shouted angrily. Mama Hua remained motionless, still looking terrified. After a moment, her body went limp and she collapsed, her eyes wide open and unfocused.