In the main hall, not only Hailing, but also Xiyuan, Shimei and others became interested and looked at her together. Shilan originally did not want to speak, but because she was anxious and excited, she hurriedly said, "This servant saw Rouge? Miss."
"rouge?"
Upon hearing this, Hailing and Shimei's expressions changed simultaneously. Hailing even stood up from her chair and asked urgently, "Lan'er, you said Rouge, you said you saw Rouge?"
"Yes, I followed her the whole time and checked again and again. It really is rouge, without any difference."
"Rouge is not dead."
Hai Ling became excited, thinking that Yan Zhi had almost died at the hands of the Jiang family army for her sake, and her heart ached. She had been trying to find Yan Zhi's whereabouts, but Mei'er said that someone had indeed taken Yan Zhi away that day, and Yan Zhi should not be dead. However, when she tried to find out where Yan Zhi was, she lost all news. She didn't know if the person who took her away deliberately concealed it or what. In any case, she had no news of Yan Zhi. She never expected that she would have news of Yan Zhi now.
Where is she? Where is she?
Hai Ling anxiously grabbed Shi Lan's hand, while Xi Yuan raised her eyebrows in surprise. Sister Ji was always calm, but she never expected her to lose control like this. Who is that Rouge?
Shi Mei quickly supported Hai Ling and comforted her, "Miss, don't worry, Shi Lan must have inquired about Yan Zhi's whereabouts."
Seeing Hailing's anxiety, Shilan quickly spoke up: "This servant followed Yanzhi into Hongxiu Tower and inquired with the maids there. They said that she had lost her memory and ended up in Yanzhi Tower. Because she insisted on not selling herself, she became a maid running errands in Hongxiu Tower. Now her name is not Yanzhi, but Xiaoxiang."
"Your name is Xiao Xiang. Are you sure she's Yan Zhi?"
Hailing wondered uncertainly what had happened to Yanzhi, why she had lost her memory, why she ended up in Hongxiu Tower, and what had happened in the middle of all this.
Hongxiu Tower was still a famous brothel in Beilu Kingdom, which Hailing knew. She never expected that Rouge would end up in a brothel. Thinking of what Rouge had done for her, Hailing's heart ached again, and her face turned pale. Finally, she stood up and spoke calmly.
"Let's go to Hongxiu Tower. I want to see her. I want to see if she really is Rouge."
"Miss, you can't go like this. No, no, you should change your clothes."
Hongxiu Tower was still a brothel, and women were not allowed to enter. So Shimei and Shilan forcibly dragged Hailing into the room to change into men's clothes. Then they combed her hair and a handsome young nobleman appeared. Seeing that the young lady's face was still very bright, Shimei picked up a brush and drew two thick eyebrows on her. In this way, she finally looked a bit more masculine.
Shi Mei and Shi Lan also changed into men's clothing and prepared to go to Hongxiu Tower. When Xi Yuan saw that everyone was wearing men's clothes and had their hair tied up, she found it very novel, so she also grabbed Hai Ling's arm and wanted to wear men's clothing and go to the brothel with them.
Hai Ling had no choice but to order Shi Mei to find a servant's clothes in the mansion for west Yuan to change into.
The group of people then left through the back gate of the Ji residence and headed towards the Red Sleeve Pavilion.
In the evening, the Red Sleeve Pavilion had already opened its doors for business, bustling with people coming and going. The madam led the girls to greet customers in front of the building.
Of course, these women who greet customers at the door are not beauties from the Red Sleeve Pavilion, but rather some washed-up, unwanted women who would do this kind of welcoming and seeing off.
As soon as Hailing led Shimei, Shilan, and the others to the front of the Red Sleeve Pavilion, the madam and the girls' eyes lit up when they saw them, as if they had spotted prey. They all surrounded them, looking them up and down and clicking their tongues in amazement.
The madam greeted and saw off guests every day, and she was overjoyed whenever she saw Hailing and the others. "This young master is so handsome!" she thought. "Although his eyebrows are a bit thick, they make him look less delicate and very handsome."
"Young master, is this your first time visiting our Red Sleeve Pavilion? The girls in our Red Sleeve Pavilion are the most beautiful in Northern Lu. We have all types, from plump to slender, we have them all. As long as you can name it, we have it. We guarantee to satisfy you."
The madam spoke with great enthusiasm and her eyes gleaming. Their motto at Red Sleeve Pavilion was: "Don't let any big fish go, and turn all the customers into regulars."
Hai Ling had no interest in listening to the madam's nonsense. Her face darkened, and she asked coldly, "I heard there's a maid named Xiao Xiang in your establishment. Where is she now? I need to see her, immediately."
Upon hearing this, the madam thought, "So this young master wants to see Xiao Xiang. Could it be that he misses Xiao Xiang? But Xiao Xiang...?"
The madam at the door was lost in thought when screams and angry curses came from inside the Red Sleeve Pavilion. Then, someone rushed out and pounced on the madam.
"Mom, something terrible has happened! A customer has taken a fancy to Xiaoxiang and insists on taking her out for pleasure. Xiaoxiang refuses and is making a scene."
Upon hearing this, Hai Ling and the others in front of the door paid no attention and forcefully pushed the madam who was blocking the door, rushing inside. The madam, realizing what was happening, also rushed in with several pimps.
On one side of the main hall of Hongxiu Tower, a large crowd of onlookers had gathered, each with a girl in their arms. Without exception, the girls were all dressed in flamboyant attire, exuding a strong scent of perfume.
At this moment, the sound of crying could be heard from inside. Hai Ling was furious when she heard the crying. She pushed her way in from the outside of the crowd. Those who were pushed in couldn't help but curse angrily. Unfortunately, the people who walked past ignored them and pushed all the way to the front, where they saw what was happening in the middle.
A fat man with a large head and ears was pulling a maid in a green lotus-colored dress. He was pointing at the maid with a furious expression and cursing her loudly.
"It's your good fortune that I've taken a liking to you. How dare you resist? Do you even want to stay here anymore?"
"Master, I am just a servant who serves tea and water and does menial work. Please don't make me serve you. The ladies in the brothel are much prettier than me."
"Pah, I don't need you to tell me who I like. Today, I've chosen you."
Because the fat man was pulling her along, Hailing couldn't see the girl's face clearly. She walked over step by step, her heart pounding. She was a little nervous. She really hoped that this girl was Yanzhi. If it really was her, she would treat her well.
Hai Ling reached out and put her hand on the little girl's shoulder, and the little girl suddenly turned around and looked over.
She had delicate eyebrows, dark eyes, and snow-white skin, especially the two bright red patches of rouge on her face, which looked like blood.
Hai Ling felt as if she had been electrocuted, and subconsciously said, "Rouge, it really is you."
Not only her, but even the two maids, Shi Mei and Shi Lan, couldn't help but say, "It really is Rouge, we've found you."
All three were somewhat excited, their eyes slightly moist, as they looked at Rouge. Rouge's face, streaked with tears, was pitiful and bewildered.
However, the fat man holding the rouge wouldn't have it and started yelling at Hailing and the others.
"What are you doing? What are you doing? This is the person I've chosen."
As soon as he finished speaking, Hai Ling suddenly raised her hand and threw a punch. Although she didn't have the Wind and Thunder Gloves, the punch was still powerful. The fat man holding the rouge was hit and howled. Hai Ling was still not giving up and gave the order.
"Shi Mei, Shi Lan, give them a good beating."
Shi Mei and Shi Lan were furious when they saw that the man had tried to insult Yan Zhi. They ignored everything else and leaped up to pounce on the fat man. Their skills were not something that ordinary people could withstand, so after a few punches, the man's face turned ashen and he was covered in wounds.
Dressed in men's clothing, west Yuan quickly ran to Hai Ling's side and whispered something to her.
"Sister Ji, please stop hitting him! It would be a real problem if someone died. This man is Zhao Zhu, the cousin of Princess Yan Xiaoxiao of Anyang and the current Vice Minister of Revenue. He is an official of the imperial court. If he is killed, the consequences will be severed."
Upon hearing this, Hai Ling finally ordered her two maids, Shi Mei and Shi Lan, to stop.