Chapter 128

Chapter 128

◎We Have Been Waiting for Miss Luo for a Long Time◎

Luo Wanqing walked out of the courtyard and saw Zhang Yiran already waiting at the door.

Seeing Luo Wanqing's attire, Zhang Yiran was slightly taken aback, then turned his gaze away and led the way forward, saying, "To Si Shi, Lady Liu."

The two left Xie Manor together. Zhang Yiran couldn't help but glance back at Luo Wanqing, who found it odd and turned to look at him, asking, "Why does Lord Zhang keep looking at me?"

"Oh," Zhang Yiran, caught off guard by her question, looked towards the street, seemingly embarrassed, "I was just suddenly curious about what Lady Liu originally looked like."

"Why are you suddenly curious about that?"

Luo Wanqing was puzzled. Zhang Yiran pondered and said, "The first time I met Lady Liu, she had already changed her appearance. Later, she seemed to use someone else’s face. Seeing Lady Liu dressed as an ordinary girl today, I couldn’t help but wonder. If Lady Liu hadn’t been imprisoned..."

Zhang Yiran thought for a moment and couldn’t help but smile, "Lady Liu should be in the prime of her life at this age."

"I am in the prime of my life now," Luo Wanqing said contentedly, "I have a sword, a position, and abilities. This is the best age one could ask for."

"Lady Liu is right," Zhang Yiran nodded, "I was being shallow."

Luo Wanqing smiled and changed the subject, "Do you know who Cui Niang is, whom your father went to see at Ming Cuilou?"

"I don’t know."

Zhang Yiran shook his head and pondered, "But I think she must not be an ordinary person."

Luo Wanqing knew Zhang Yiran was sharing everything he knew and nodded, then said, "Then now I am your guard, escorting you to find someone?"

"Alright."

After settling their roles, they headed towards Ming Cuilou.

Ming Cuilou stood by the lakeside on the outskirts of town. It wasn’t mealtime, so it looked rather deserted. Zhang Yiran led Luo Wanqing to the entrance, and before they could enter, a waiter approached with a smile, "Are you here for a meal?"

"No," Zhang Yiran replied seriously, "I’m here to find someone."

The waiter looked puzzled, "Find someone?"

"I’m looking for a woman named Cui Niang," Zhang Yiran said politely, "Do you know her?"

At the mention of "Cui Niang," the waiter’s expression changed slightly, and he smiled apologetically, "Sir, you must be mistaken. There’s no Cui Niang here."

"Eight years ago, I came here," Zhang Yiran immediately responded, "I even saw her. If she isn’t here now, she was here then. Could I speak to the owner?"

"Sir," the waiter, seeing Zhang Yiran’s persistence, looked displeased, sizing him up, "Are you here as a guest or to cause trouble? I’ve worked here for eight years and never heard of Cui Niang. Please leave."

"Very well."

Zhang Yiran nodded and said, "If I can’t find Cui Niang, I’ll find your owner. Please let me see him."

"Who do you think you are?" The waiter’s expression turned fierce, "What are you? My boss doesn’t meet anyone just because you say so. If you have money, eat; if not, get lost!"

"Money is not an issue."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing took out a silver ingot and handed it to the waiter, smiling, "Please inform your boss. We mean no harm."

"You’re trying to bribe a beggar?!" The waiter, seeing the silver, showed no mercy, slapped it away, and shouted angrily, "Get lost!"

Before he finished speaking, Wanqing had already grabbed the silver and pulled the waiter, pressing his hand behind his back and stepping on him forcefully, coldly saying, "Don’t refuse the polite way and choose the rough way. Call your boss."

The waiter, pinned down, immediately screamed, "Help! Someone help! Lawlessness!"

"There is law," Luo Wanqing said coldly, "Call your boss out, and I’ll show him the law."

With that, Luo Wanqing threw the waiter up. As he was thrown, his expression changed dramatically, and Luo Wanqing kicked him hard. He instantly went on high alert, crossing his arms to block her kick.

However, the force was too strong, and he was kicked into the building, landing on a table with a backflip, glaring fiercely.

In an instant, over a hundred people poured out from Ming Cuilou. Luo Wanqing looked at the waiter kneeling on the table and smiled, "Not bad skills."

She then gestured to Zhang Yiran, who quickly stepped forward and squeezed behind her. She whispered, "Stay close to me."

Zhang Yiran nervously glanced around and followed Luo Wanqing as they confidently entered Ming Cuilou.

As they moved forward, everyone backed away. When they fully entered, the door slammed shut. Zhang Yiran heard the sound and turned to look, quickly saying, "Lady Liu, are we two enough?"

Luo Wanqing ignored him and found a table in the center, motioning for Zhang Yiran to sit down.

Zhang Yiran didn’t dare to speak much and sat beside Luo Wanqing. She flipped the upside-down teacup on the table and poured tea for herself and Zhang Yiran, calmly saying, "It’s not mealtime yet, so Ming Cuilou has little business. I’ll wait here. Either Cui Niang or the owner will come out. If they don’t, when more people arrive during mealtime," Luo Wanqing glanced around slowly, "it won’t look good."

"Who are you, and why are you here?"

The waiter, hearing Luo Wanqing’s words, stood up, took out dual rods from his waist, and said coldly, "If you can’t explain clearly, our boss has no reason to meet you."

"I said, I’m here to find someone."

Luo Wanqing took a sip of water and said, lowering her eyes, "I’ll wait fifteen minutes. If no one comes, I’ll find them myself."

"Arrogant!"

The waiter shouted angrily and raised his hand, "Attack!"

Instantly, everyone rushed towards the central table. Luo Wanqing remained seated, grabbing the first person who charged and throwing them across.

Zhang Yiran, seeing this, held his breath in tension, watching Luo Wanqing sitting still, fighting and throwing without moving an inch.

More and more people gathered around, and those rushing forward became increasingly bold. Luo Wanqing scanned her surroundings and slammed one person's head onto the table.

However, just as she looked around, the person she had pinned suddenly pulled out a knife from under the table. Luo Wanqing instantly turned back, and at that moment, Zhang Yiran grabbed the tea tray and smashed it hard against the attacker's head!

The solid wooden tea tray knocked the attacker unconscious immediately. Luo Wanqing raised an eyebrow in approval and glanced at Zhang Yiran before finally getting up and kicking aside another person. She then grabbed Zhang Yiran and headed upstairs: "Let's go!"

Zhang Yiran followed Luo Wanqing as they rushed upstairs. He exclaimed anxiously, "There's a corridor on the second floor that leads to the inner courtyard!"

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing immediately pulled Zhang Yiran toward it. Swords and knives flashed all around them, but Luo Wanqing kicked each attacker away with ease. Zhang Yiran's heart raced; last time he had a shield when accompanying Luo Wanqing, but this time, he was completely exposed, being dragged and tossed around by her. As they sprinted, arrows suddenly rained down towards Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran. Zhang Yiran cried out in alarm, "Xiniang!!"

Luo Wanqing shoved Zhang Yiran behind her, and as he landed, she twirled her wide sleeves, catching all the arrows. At that moment, someone lunged at her with a palm strike. Luo Wanqing focused and was about to retaliate when a familiar voice called out, "It wouldn't be polite to keep fighting!"

Upon hearing this, everyone froze. The attacker's hand halted in front of Luo Wanqing. She looked up in surprise to see Zhuque walking in from the backyard with a look of disdain. He pushed the person standing in front of her and said, "Do you know her level before you dare to attack her? Aren't you afraid she'll tear your Ming Cuilou apart today?"

"Zhu..."

"Let's go."

Zhuque didn't give Luo Wanqing a chance to speak. He glanced at Zhang Yiran, who was staggering behind, and said, "Young Master Zhang, come along too."

With that, Zhuque turned around and led Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran inside, leaving everyone stunned.

Seeing Zhuque here, Luo Wanqing was puzzled. Once they were alone, she asked, "Zhuque Envoy, why are you here?"

"You should ask Young Master," Zhuque whispered. "As soon as he heard you were coming to Ming Cuilou, he set off. Ming Cuilou is a top-secret brothel, very deep waters. Why did you come here?"

Hearing "secret brothel," Luo Wanqing instantly understood why the place was so heavily guarded.

Such high-end secret brothels usually cater to corrupt officials and nobles. Places like these are filled with skilled individuals, and indeed, her visit was rather rash.

But if this was such a place, how did Xie Heng get here? And directly into the backyard?

Luo Wanqing thought for a moment and asked, "Does Young Master know this place well?"

"Last time when he inspected Jiangnan, Young Master used a fake identity and came here once," Zhuque whispered. "I'm now his attendant Xiao Zhu. Young Master is Xie Young Master. Guests are introduced here, but they don't ask for detailed identities after entering. Don't blow our cover and cause trouble."

Luo Wanqing nodded, "Understood."

She followed Zhuque deeper into the inner courtyard. The deeper they went, the larger it became. Each room was hidden by plants, ensuring complete privacy.

The rooms were specially soundproofed, but occasionally, the sounds of women's seductive moans could be heard, making Zhang Yiran blush.

Zhuque led Luo Wanqing into the deepest room, where the sound of music greeted them. Zhuque respectfully announced, "Young Master, I've brought them."

Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran entered the room and saw a man in a brocade robe seated high above, looking to be in his early forties, courteous and refined.

Xie Heng reclined in the guest seat, holding a wine cup lazily, his expression cold.

The women dancing around him stopped when they heard Zhuque's voice. The man above smiled and said, "Young Master Xie, your people caused quite a commotion here. Care to introduce them?"

Xie Heng swirled his wine glass and looked at Luo Wanqing at the door.

The musicians stopped playing, and Xie Heng gestured to Luo Wanqing with a slight smile, "Madam."

Xie Heng spoke with a commanding tone, "Come here."

Everyone present was surprised. Zhuque and Zhang Yiran both looked at Luo Wanqing. After a brief moment of surprise, she quickly understood that Xie Heng was giving her a fabricated identity.

She lowered her eyes, not daring to say much, and walked forward to kneel in front of Xie Heng, whispering, "Young Master."

Xie Heng took her hand, straightened up, and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer. Luo Wanqing stiffened, and Xie Heng covered half of her body with his wide sleeves, smiling at the man above, "High Minister Gao, this is my wife. Please forgive us."

"This is your wife?"

The man above was surprised. "I heard the person causing trouble was highly skilled. I didn't realize it was Madam Xie. My apologies for not recognizing you."

Hearing "Madam Xie," Luo Wanqing felt a flush creeping up her cheeks. Xie Heng smiled and raised his cup, saying, "My wife has been mischievous and caused trouble for High Minister Gao. She hasn't visited me in a while, working for this young master. If I hadn't come here," Xie Heng turned to gently lift Luo Wanqing's chin, feigning annoyance, "you might have forgotten me, Madam?"

"I see, Madam came looking for you," the man laughed heartily. "No wonder there was such a fuss. But why did you come here...?"

He scrutinized Luo Wanqing, "Why did you specifically ask for Cui Niang?"

"It was what he said!"

Luo Wanqing's heart raced as she quickly added to Xie Heng's lie, "He said he was coming to find Cui Niang. I... I thought he was with her."

"Oh, my dear Madam," Xie Heng held her close, burying his head in her shoulder and laughing softly, "I made up a name, and you believed it?"

"How was I supposed to know if it was real or not?" Luo Wanqing tried to hide her racing heart, turning her head, "Anyone coming to a place like this isn't good."

"Yes, yes, not good."

Xie Heng lifted his head and seemed to whisper something in Luo Wanqing's ear. She blushed, and Xie Heng looked contentedly at the uneasy Zhang Yiran and said, "Young Master Zhang, since you're here, why not stay and watch a performance?"

Zhang Yiran was taken aback. Xie Heng turned to the man above and smiled meaningfully, "This is Young Master Zhang. Today, consider it my treat. Please make sure High Minister Gao takes good care of him. He's from East Capital, and if he's satisfied, High Minister Gao will benefit."

Hearing Xie Heng's subtle reminder, the man understood and smiled, "Understood. Since you're here at Ming Cuilou, I'll ensure everyone leaves satisfied."

"Then bring all the girls," Xie Heng sipped his wine and pointed at Zhang Yiran, "let Young Master Zhang choose one."

"Of course," the man stood up, "since Young Master Xie's friend is here, I won't disturb. I'll arrange everything for Young Master Zhang."

Xie Heng smiled and nodded in gratitude.

The man left, and the musicians resumed their music. Xie Heng held Luo Wanqing, seemingly enjoying the performance.

Luo Wanqing leaned against him and, seeing no one paying attention, whispered, "Young Master, why are you here?"

"If I didn't come, would you have turned this place upside down?" Xie Heng idly brushed the stray hair from her cheek and looked at the dancer, saying, "It's just about investigating a clue. Why make such a fuss?"

"Do you know the owner of this place, Young Master?"

"Yes," Xie Heng whispered, "the owner here is the head of Consonance Pavilion. Ming Cuilou is just one of his properties. He's a smooth operator, adept at maneuvering, and has countless skilled people under him. Today, you were a bit too presumptuous."

Luo Wanqing immediately responded, "I will be more cautious in the future."

"Hmm," Xie Heng replied indifferently, then continued, "But today he isn't here; it's just one of his managers. It doesn't matter much."

"Then... Young Master didn't need to come."

Luo Wanqing carefully said, "Young Master must have many important matters. You shouldn't worry about such trivial things."

Hearing this, Xie Heng turned to look at Luo Wanqing and joked half-seriously, "What could be more important than Xiniang?"

"Young Master..."

Luo Wanqing felt a bit uncomfortable, wanting to remind him they were on official business.

Xie Heng noticed her stiffness and did not press further. His tone became more serious as he explained, "I've already sent word back to East Capital, informing the Emperor about the iron box. When we return, the box will be handed over to His Majesty. This is my only chance to see its contents before it reaches the capital, which is the most critical task right now."

"Why so eager to inform the Emperor?"

Luo Wanqing found this strange. Xie Heng took a sip of wine, his expression turning slightly cold: "My greatest reliance right now is the Emperor. Since Li Guiyu has returned early, he will surely tell the Emperor about this. If I show any hesitation, the Emperor will doubt me. If I hand over the box without knowing its contents, I might never find out what's inside. And whether it's beneficial or harmful, I'd only know when I die. So—"

Xie Heng turned to look at Luo Wanqing and smiled, "My life is in the hands of Lady Liu of Si Shi."

"I understand."

Luo Wanqing spoke earnestly, thinking about the differences between this life and the previous one.

In the past life, Xie Heng allied with Li Guiyu, naturally not investigating her father's case. Without interest in her father, they wouldn't have found or opened the box. Could her father's unexonerated death and Xie Heng's eventual fate be related to this?

As she pondered, someone knocked on the door. Moments later, the music stopped, and the door opened. Women entered, bowing respectfully to Zhang Yiran and saying in unison, "Young Master Zhang."

"Tsk," Xie Heng glanced at this scene and turned to look at Luo Wanqing, whispering, "Minister Zhang is having quite the good fortune today."

"Are you envious, Young Master?"

Luo Wanqing gave Xie Heng a cool glance. Xie Heng quickly replied, "With Lady Liu of Si Shi by my side, my fortune is more than enough."

Luo Wanqing ignored him and turned to look at Zhang Yiran, warning Xie Heng softly, "Don't forget our agreement. Don't go too far."

Xie Heng raised an eyebrow but moved a bit away from Luo Wanqing, somewhat disappointed, "Understood, everything is up to the lady."

Luo Wanqing silently glared at him and watched Zhang Yiran choose someone under the manager's urging.

Xie Heng glanced at the women on the floor and asked the manager, "Are all the women in the house here?"

"They're all here," the manager replied promptly, "Rest assured, Young Master Xie. You are a distinguished guest here, and we won't neglect you."

Xie Heng nodded and smiled, saying, "Thank you."

He then wrapped his arm around Luo Wanqing, sipping his wine in silence, watching Zhang Yiran carefully examine each woman's face. Finally, he stopped in front of one and hesitantly asked, "What's your name?"

The woman paused, then slowly looked up. She appeared to be in her early thirties, very attractive, perhaps placed in the last row due to her age. The manager was surprised by this and glanced at Zhang Yiran and the woman, prompting her, "Cui Niang, greet Young Master Zhang."

"Her name is Cui Niang?"

Xie Heng sounded surprised, and the manager hurriedly said, "Yes, her name is Cui Niang. She's been here for years, with exceptional skills. Although she's older now—"

"What a coincidence," Xie Heng laughed, ignoring the manager, "Just the other day, I made up a story about a Cui Niang to annoy my wife. I didn't expect there to be a real Cui Niang here that caught Young Master Zhang's eye. Since it's such a coincidence, why don't we keep her?"

He then looked at Zhang Yiran, "What do you think, Young Master Zhang? Should we keep a few more?"

"One is enough."

Zhang Yiran blushed, trying to sound composed, "Next time, I'll pick a few more."

Xie Heng almost choked on his wine, suppressing a cough and nodding, "Young Master Zhang has great ambitions, excellent choice. Let's keep this one. Xiao Zhu."

Xie Heng waved his hand, and Zhu Que stepped forward, handing a silver ticket to the manager.

Xie Heng looked at the manager and smiled, "Please dismiss everyone else. Leave Cui Niang with us three to play."

The manager hesitated, glancing at Luo Wanqing in Xie Heng's arms, then understood and smiled, "Of course, enjoy yourselves."

He then glared at Cui Niang, warning, "Serve the guests well."

Cui Niang hurriedly agreed and the manager led everyone out. Zhu Que also left, closing the door behind him.

Once everyone left, leaving only four people in the room, Luo Wanqing stood up, moving aside to distance herself from Xie Heng.

Xie Heng glanced at her and sat up straight, resuming his usual cold demeanor.

Zhang Yiran, oblivious to these details, knelt down and stared at the woman, asking, "Cui Niang, do you remember me?"

Cui Niang straightened up, losing her earlier nervousness, and carefully examined Zhang Yiran before nodding, "Young Master Zhang."

She then turned to Luo Wanqing and bowed, "Miss Luo."

This surprised Zhang Yiran, who looked at Luo Wanqing. Luo Wanqing shook her head, and Zhang Yiran remained silent.

Luo Wanqing stood up and gestured for Zhang Yiran and Cui Niang to sit at the central table.

Xie Heng followed, standing near Luo Wanqing's rocking chair, taking out a fan from his sleeve, and lying back like a passerby, listening to their conversation.

The rocking chair creaked as Luo Wanqing watched Cui Niang, with her bridal hairstyle, sit calmly and asked curiously, "Do you know me?"

"Acquaintances."

Cui Niang nodded and then said, "In the past, Lord Luo often brought you to Ming Cuilou. You would eat in the private room while he would go to the backyard to find me."

"Find you?" Luo Wanqing frowned. "You and my father...?"

"Lord Luo and Lord Zhang are my benefactors," Cui Niang explained quickly upon seeing Luo Wanqing's misunderstanding. "Years ago, I was almost beaten to death at Ming Cuilou. It was these two lords who saved my life. Later, they pretended to be my patrons to support me, which allowed the management to promote me from a lowly servant to a better position, making my life much easier."

"If they saved you, why didn't they just buy out your contract?"

Zhang Yiran found this odd. Xie Heng explained beside him, "Ming Cuilou doesn't have the concept of buying out contracts. Moreover, with the abilities of your fathers, they wouldn't have been able to take any woman away from Ming Cuilou."

"That is indeed true."

Cui Niang nodded and continued, "But as long as I wasn't a lowly servant anymore, I could manage my life here at Ming Cuilou. Over the years, I've had little contact with the two lords. They are both devoted to their wives. I merely served as a messenger for them. The two lords were young friends but couldn't meet openly, so they used my place to occasionally share a drink together."

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran felt puzzled. "Why couldn't my father and Lord Luo meet publicly?"

"I don't know."

Cui Niang shook her head and said, "I only know that when they first met me, they were still friends. But later, they never appeared together in public again and even told me not to tell anyone about their acquaintance. Yet, their relationship remained very close."

As she spoke, Cui Niang couldn't help but laugh, glancing at Zhang Yiran and Luo Wanqing. "When you two were children, I heard them talk about setting up an arranged marriage between you."

The sound of the rocking chair abruptly stopped. Luo Wanqing couldn't help but look over, meeting Xie Heng's gaze.

Their silent exchange caught Zhang Yiran's attention, and he exclaimed in surprise, "So... Miss Luo almost became my fiancée?"

"Don't dream on."

Xie Heng's voice came from beside him. Zhang Yiran turned around, only to see Xie Heng giving him a cold glance before looking down at his folding fan, seemingly reminding him casually, "You and Miss Luo have never known each other; it's nothing more than a fleeting thought. Don't dwell on it."

"Thank you for the reminder, Young Master Xie." Zhang Yiran realized his words might have been inappropriate and nodded. "I should ask my mother if there was any exchange of tokens. If there was indeed an engagement, I would need to take responsibility for Miss Luo."

Hearing this, Xie Heng tightened his grip on the fan, seemingly struggling to control his emotions, tapping it against his palm repeatedly.

Luo Wanqing hesitated before reminding him, "It... It's not necessary."

However, Zhang Yiran seemed oblivious to the tension between them and turned to Cui Niang, continuing, "Then, my father and Lord Luo must have known each other for over ten years?"

"Yes."

Cui Niang nodded. "When I first met them, I was only sixteen. Now, I am well over thirty."

With a wistful look in her eyes, she turned to Luo Wanqing. "I've been waiting for you, Miss Luo, for a long time."

"Waiting for me?"

Luo Wanqing asked in confusion. "What for?"

"Lord Luo left me a word," Cui Niang said, taking out a slip of paper from her sleeve. "He said that if you ever came looking for me, I should give you this word."

Upon hearing this, everyone tensed as Cui Niang unfolded the paper, revealing Lord Luo Qushu's handwriting, which read—

"Xin"

---

**Side Story**

Zhang Yiran: "Everyone has to put up with Zhang Yiran's temper, including Xie Lingshu."

Xie Heng: "...Do you want to die?"

Li Guiyu: "Move aside, let me kill him."

Zhang Yiran: "Go ahead. Who does Zhang Yiran fear? Si Shi will avenge me."

Li Guiyu: "..."

Xie Heng: "I'm stepping aside, go ahead."

Li Guiyu: "Forget it. A mere censor is not worth mentioning. I'll go fight for the throne instead."

Xie Heng: "Coward. Unlike you, I don't even bother with such insignificant officials. I'll go conquer the world."

Zhang Yiran: "Ha, I said it. Everyone has to put up with Zhang Yiran's temper. And you, the condemned prisoner."

Luo Wanqing: "..."