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In Rong Shu's words, "Aunt Guo" referred to Guo Jiuniang, the proprietress of the Spring Moon Building, the most renowned pleasure house in Wujiabridge of Yang State Prefecture.

Rong Shu's acquaintance with Guo Jiuniang was due to her mother.

In reality, the true owner of the Spring Moon Building was Rong Shu's mother.

The establishment was one of the secret assets left to her mother by her maternal grandfather.

Before becoming the madam of the Spring Moon Building, Guo Jiuniang had been her mother's trusted maid, renowned for her prodigious drinking capacity. Whenever her mother, disguised as a man, engaged in business negotiations at banquets, Guo Jiuniang was the one responsible for intoxicating their adversaries.

When her mother married into the noble household, she only took Zhou MaMa along with her.

Not wanting to confine Aunt Guo and others to the depths of the mansion, she returned their indenture contracts and gave them a substantial sum of money, allowing them to live the lives they desired.

But Guo Jiuniang refused to leave, opting to stay in Yang State Prefecture and manage her mother's business ventures there.

It was under her stewardship that the Spring Moon Building gained fame step by step in the region.

"Aunt Guo is like a sister to Mama. When I was young, I wandered off once, and it was Aunt Guo who sought Uncle Shi Yi and found me. That's when I learned that the Spring Moon Building belonged to Mama. The girls there are all orphans, preferring to stay at the Spring Moon Building with Aunt Guo rather than marry into respectable families. Just like Mama, Aunt Guo is a kind-hearted person."

On their way to the Spring Moon Building, Rong Shu kept up a steady stream of conversation.

Gu Changjin didn't interrupt her, simply listening quietly.

He was a perceptive man and knew full well what she was trying to convey.

As the saying goes, when the nest is destroyed, no egg remains unbroken.

If Liao Rao were found guilty of treason, even those innocent around him would likely suffer collateral damage.

The courtesan, Lv Yi, who had captured Liao Rao's heart, originated from the Spring Moon Building. Rong Shu's mention of this was a subtle way of telling him that the establishment wouldn't aid in villainous deeds – at least, Guo Jiuniang wouldn't.

Gu Changjin understood that her words weren't meant to engage him in conversation, but rather for Guo Jiuniang's sake.

He was content to hear anything she had to say. Whether it was about her daily meals, her whereabouts, or her activities, he would relish every word.

Back then, the letters Shiinu sent about her filled no less than nine pages.

Back then, I found Shiiun tedious, always rambling about insignificant matters. But now, every word in that letter seems insufficient when I recall it.

The tale of a young girl's nine years would likely fill countless pages.

In the letter, she never mentioned being abducted, her connection with Guo Jiuniang, nor the profound loneliness and helplessness she once felt.

Sent away at such a tender age without a father or mother, it was a traumatic experience for a four-year-old that no one would wish to relive.

Now, as he trails behind her, listening to her talk about Guo Jiuniang and Lu Shiyi, the fragments of her past in Yangzhou unfold before his eyes.

Suddenly, he remembers the phrase she repeatedly muttered in her dreams:

"Mother cannot forget Zhaozhao, Mother will come back for Zhaozhao."

At the time, he dismissed those sleep-talking words as ordinary. Now, they resurface, bringing a dense ache that spreads through his heart.

Perhaps his prolonged silence has stirred unease within her.

The girl pauses under the enchanting, lively lights of the Spring Moon Building, turning to look at him.

Gazing into her eyes illuminated by the lamplight, Gu Changjin suddenly realized what had always drawn him to her.

A subtle ripple disturbed the depths of his icy, oceanic gaze.

With a resigned acceptance born from a willingness to gamble and accept defeat.

His Adam's apple shifted slightly as he replied, "Mm, I understand. If you trust someone, then I, too, can place my faith in them."

As his words faded, a graceful and slender woman hurried down the corridor from its end. Upon spotting Rong Shu, she exclaimed, "You ungrateful wench, you finally remembered your Aunt Guo!"

Glancing casually behind Rong Shu, Guo Jiuniang caught sight of Gu Changjin's stern expression. Her meticulously made-up face froze involuntarily.

Isn't this Young Master Yun who's been visiting Spring Moon Building for several days in a row?

Guo Jiuniang had a vivid memory of this man.

There was no other reason than his exceptional handsomeness and extraordinary demeanor.

Men like him were a rare sight, and the girls at Spring Moon Building all harbored budding affections, hoping for a chance to spend a night with this charming gentleman, dreaming together in their shared bed.

Little did they expect that this person had actually come for Lv Yi.

In Yang State Prefecture, it's common knowledge that Lu Yi is someone Governor Liao has taken a fancy to. Who would dare to lay a finger on her?

Lady Guo Jiuniang was still feeling grateful yesterday, thinking how fortunate it was that Lady Lv Yi had been absent these past few days. Had she been present and encountered such a refined and handsome gentleman, perhaps her maidenly heart would have been irretrievably captivated.

In their line of work, the most crucial thing is to guard one's own heart.

It's best to love no one but oneself.

Guo Jiuniang, unable to discern the purpose behind Gu Changjin's visits, led both of them into a room and asked, "Gentleman, you've come here for several days in a row because of Lv Yi. Is that why you're here today?"

Glancing at Rong Shu instinctively, Gu Changjin noticed her composed expression before he softly acknowledged, "It would be best if I could meet Miss Lv Yi. If not, Mother Guo runs the Spring Moon Building, so perhaps she can shed light on some matters."

Upon hearing this, the look in Guo Jiuniang's eyes shifted instantly.

She glanced at Rong Shu and said, "You brought him here. Why don't you introduce this gentleman? I suspect his surname isn't Yun, right?"

In Yangzhou, Shiiun had assumed the alias Yun Shiiun, and he had arranged for Gu Changjin to pose as his elder brother Yun Jin.

Rong Shu held Guo Jiuniang's hand, smiling as she repeated what she had just said to Lu Shiyi.

Guo Jiuniang's reaction mirrored Lu Shiyi's.

Her first thought was that this man was Zhaozhao's recently divorced husband, followed by the realization that he was also that troublesome Censor General.

Upon learning who Gu Changjin was, Guo Jiuniang had a fair idea of his purpose for visiting.

"Is the court investigating Liao Rao?" Guo Jiuniang smiled enigmatically. "Liao Rao is quite fond of women and often visits places like Wujiabridge for amusement. However, he is very cautious, never frequenting the same brothel consecutively and seldom becoming overly attached to any particular girl. Our Spring Moon Building has caught his attention because of Lv Yi, which is why he stops by from time to time."