Su Xi comforted Xiao Lian, “I’m fine.” He had just awakened from a nightmare, drenched in cold sweat, and heard their arguments outside. Xiao Lian’s protection touched him deeply. Su Xi looked at the two in the courtyard, recognizing Yun Mei, Jin Yu’s official wife, from the previous argument. “Do you have something to discuss?” Su Xi asked, feeling nervous and unconsciously covering his belly protectively.
Yun Mei, slightly pale and weak, replied calmly, “I’m here to take you to Jin’s Mansion.”
The mistress might want to see you.”
Su Xi’s lashes trembled as he looked at Yun Mei. “Is she doing well?”
In the cold winter wind, Jin Mo, wrapped in a fur cloak, walked along the street to Yanhua Zui. The bright red lanterns were lit at the entrance, and several male attendants lounged at the door. At this time, the sky had not darkened, and only a few sparse customers were present.
Jin Mo entered Yanhua Zui. A sharp-eyed attendant recognized him, swaying his hips and calling out, “Second Master.” Several windows on the second floor opened, revealing beautiful men. Some were combing their hair, while others gazed down, sending flirtatious glances.
Ignoring the men upstairs, Jin Mo pushed away the clingy attendant and said, “Take me to see Ning Zhi.” He remembered the windless night and the man who had stood quietly in the darkness, eyes filled with sorrow.
“So Second Master is still an old lover of Father, coming directly to find him,” the man said with a coquettish smile, layers of rouge on his face. He lifted his skirt and walked upstairs.
Jin Mo followed the attendant upstairs, feeling no disgust towards her face dusted with powder. She stirred his thoughts, recalling Ning Zhi’s journey from a rising attendant to becoming Yanhua Zui’s top courtesan, and now perhaps the madam.
The aging attendant led Jin Mo to Ning Zhi’s door, where an anxious female voice emerged from inside.
“Boss, do you really not know who bought Shen Bi? Or could you tell me which direction the person who bought him went?”
Jin Mo was startled by the mention of Shen Bi, the eldest son of the former prime minister, once noble but now a courtesan—were the rumors true?
