Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 224: Thirteenth Miss

Chapter 224: Chapter 224: Thirteenth Miss

"Yes!" Fengyu said urgently, "Even if I lose both legs, I still want it."

Xie Xun couldn’t help but laugh, his heart melting completely.

Before Master Miao Yin left the Capital City, Fengyu asked her to search for an antidote for Xie Xun. She also took Xie Xun’s pulse record, though it was unclear whether she had found a cure for the poison.

This matter was still inconclusive, so Fengyu refrained from mentioning it to Xie Xun prematurely. If the antidote couldn’t be found, she’d rather not raise his hopes for nothing—she couldn’t bear to see him disappointed.

"Speaking of the poisoned legs, I suspect this poison came from the Beiman," Xie Xun said thoughtfully. "Second Brother’s eyes were poisoned this time too, and no antidote has been found."

Sitting on the windowsill with Fengyu to enjoy the scenery, Xie Xun continued, "The poisons from Beiman have always been vicious. Zhang Lingzheng attempted to cure Xie Jue and accidentally discovered that the two poisons share the same origin. He suspects there’s a specific herb unique to Beiman."

So, the toxin remained unresolved. But Zhang Lingzheng’s suspicion was still just a guess; both he and Xie Jue lacked in-depth knowledge about poisons, and this matter required verification.

Fengyu was deeply worried too—if the poison was indeed from Beiman, it would be extremely difficult to cure.

What a pity for Second Young Master’s eyes...

Nuanyang hurriedly approached and called out from downstairs, "Master, the Beiman people are here!"

"Got it!" Xie Xun replied calmly. "Let the girls go up. You all stay hidden and wait for Lady Thirteen’s signal."

"Yes!"

The Beiman people were heavy drinkers, and the evening was still young. They guessed it would take more than an hour after their third round of drinks. Xie Xun and Fengyu stayed unhurried—if anything happened, Lady Thirteen would send word to them.

Fengyu had dressed as a man to come to Mudan Building, fearing potential mishaps. Although Lady Thirteen could handle situations well, the matters involving Beiman required extra caution. Unwilling to wait idly for news at the mansion, Fengyu came to take charge herself. With Xie Xun present, she hadn’t brought Qiuxiang or Chunlu along. If Su Yuejiao and Feng Shu decided not to visit Plum Garden, they probably wouldn’t know she was outside either.

An hour later, Xie Xun headed to the main building. Curiosity stirred in Fengyu, prompting her to follow him there. The structure was circular, with side rooms encircling a grand stage at its center. With jade towers and intricate carvings, it was the most lavish den in the Capital City. Guests sat on individual tables flanking the stage, while colorful ribbons danced in the air above. Six girls were performing songs and dances on stage, accompanied by three musicians.

Miss Lan Hua, with her veil half-draped, was playing the pipa.

Tonight, the Beiman people had rented the venue. The girls of Hongxiu Pavilion, dressed in garments as thin as cicada wings, served drinks to the Beiman men. Some of the Beiman were already speaking nonsense while holding girls in their arms.

Fengyu leaned against the eastern railing on the third floor to watch the scene below. Lady Thirteen stood beside her. At the banquet, one Beiman man ran his fingers over a girl’s soft waist, kissing her fervently. Fengyu suddenly recalled how Xie Xun had just fondled her waist.

So this is what the pleasure quarters are like?

Fengyu frowned in disgust. The girls of Hongxiu Pavilion were somewhat afraid of the Beiman men, but they mostly agreed to serve them for the money. Fengyu was here to gather intelligence—if another method could achieve this without raising alarms, she would not resort to such means.

Thus, before Lady Thirteen approached Hongxiu Pavilion, Fengyu specially instructed her: if the girls weren’t willing, don’t force them.

"After this is over, if they wish to leave the brothel, I can help redeem their freedom," Fengyu said softly, feeling that the girls were suffering too much.

Lady Thirteen chuckled and replied with a light laugh, "Miss, you don’t need to feel so guilty. They’ve lived as floating water lilies, learning how to serve people since childhood, and they’re skilled at it. Just as you excel at business, this is their livelihood. With the price you’re offering, it’s enough for them to buy their freedom. These women are some of Hongxiu Pavilion’s most popular stars. Many young noblemen have been their patrons. Compared to ordinary women, they actually live much more comfortably. If they were truly freed, lacking other skills, they might not live as well."

Having spent years immersed in the pleasure quarters, Lady Thirteen understood these girls’ lives deeply.

Her young mistress despised Beiman men and saw serving them as degrading. However, courtesans did not share her sentiments about the humiliation of serving foreign conquerors. As long as they could live comfortably and earn sufficient money, they were willing to serve these men.

"Everyone lives their lives differently." Fengyu sighed, finally understanding a little. She always seemed to learn things from Lady Thirteen that no one else could teach her.

Downstairs, the atmosphere was thick with revelry. After the third round of drinks, the decadence intensified. Seeing Beiman men strip women’s clothing and bite at them, Fengyu’s face turned unpleasant.

"Miss, you should go to the tower and rest," Lady Thirteen said, shielding her from the sight. "I’ll keep watch, and if anything happens, I’ll send someone to report to you." What if Little Marquis learns she had been watching the revelry—it might not sit well with him.

"Alright!" Fengyu was just about to leave when a sudden uproar erupted at the door. Mudan Building’s Protectors failed to stop him as Dugu Jing stormed in with fiery rage. His curved blade slammed against the edge of the stage, sending out an ice-cold flash that startled the girls, their faces now pale in fright. The commotion awakened the Beiman revelers from their drunken stupor.

Fengyu thought to herself, "This is bad!"

Why has Dugu Jing come!

Fengyu hid behind the railing, her position so concealed that she had a clear view of the scene below without anyone noticing her. The Beiman men stood up in unison at the sight of Dugu Jing, though a couple of them were too drunk, clutching girls and muttering nonsense until others pulled them to their feet. Dugu Jing was furious. "Who permitted you to come here to indulge in debauchery? You vile creatures!"

The ten or so girls of Hongxiu Pavilion huddled in a corner, trembling in fear. Dugu Jing’s murderous aura was overpowering, terrifying even them. The Beiman men hadn’t expected his intrusion either. As Princess Huazhen’s dowry had been prepared, they were supposed to leave the Capital City in seven days. The peace talks were settled, leaving them idle in the Capital City, naturally seeking out pleasure houses.

The Yanyang women were delicate and alluring, entirely distinct from the Beiman women, whose charm lay in their boldness and uninhibited vigor. The Beiman men were utterly smitten with the tenderness and grace of the Yanyang women. Over the past few days, most Beiman men had been indulging in pleasure houses in the Capital City, causing numerous street brawls. Xie Xun and the Kyoto Capital Guard had handled several of these brawls, most of which were minor scuffles.

Dugu Jing had recently been summoned to the palace and had not been regularly staying at the post station. Still, he had kept close tabs on his tribe members within the city, ordering them to be on their best behavior and avoid lingering in brothels.

Mudan Building wasn’t considered a brothel—they were merely drinking flower wine. It was unclear why Dugu Jing was in such a furor.

Fuming, Dugu Jing continued to chastise them for nearly fifteen minutes, his words swift and relentless. The Beiman men hung their heads in shame under his rebuke, while his hostile presence frightened the girls even more.

Fengyu asked Lady Thirteen, "What is he saying?"

Lady Thirteen’s grasp of Beiman language was limited, insufficient to decipher such a lengthy tirade. She did manage to catch a few familiar curses often used by the Beiman. From somewhere discreet, Xie Xun observed, while two Beiman Generals attempted to pacify Dugu Jing, their expressions somewhat defiant. Seeing Dugu Jing on the brink of striking them, Fengyu grew anxious that he might take all the Beiman away. "Lady Thirteen, go and persuade him to stay."