Chapter 32: Returning to the Brothel

The alley was pitch black. Luo Zijun and Su Qingling walked one after the other toward the glowing mouth of the alley. Luo Zijun carried a food container, which held the meal his sister had specially prepared for his master.

"Senior Sister, even if you walk behind me, if I really wanted to pinch you back, you wouldn't be able to escape," Luo Zijun said, turning his head to tease her.

Su Qingling replied with a cold expression, "Want to try?"

"Not now," Luo Zijun said. "If some people can't win in a fight, they tend to tattle."

"Hmph." Su Qingling ignored him.

When they reached the end of the alley, Luo Zijun saw the brightly lit street bustling with people. Realizing it was not too late, he turned and said, "Senior Sister, there are so many people on the road. Why don't you head back on your own?"

As Su Qingling stepped out of the darkness, her tall, slender figure and cool, refined demeanor appeared both clear and ethereal under the moonlight and street lamps—elegant and captivating. She raised her eyes to look at him. "Your sister told you to see me home."

Luo Zijun shrugged. "It’s not far. Just go straight to the pharmacy; Master doesn't have a key, so he must still be waiting for you there." He had to go to the brothel later.

Su Qingling narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure you aren't going to see me off?"

Before he could answer, she added coldly, "Even if you wanted to, I wouldn't want you to. Hmph!" With that, she left.

"Senior Sister, I didn't say I wouldn't see you off! I was just making a suggestion," Luo Zijun called out behind her, fearing she would complain to his sister tomorrow.

Su Qingling ignored him and hurried away, her dark hair and soft skirt rippling like water in the night breeze. Her tall figure soon disappeared into the crowd.

"It’s one thing to be tall, but that temper is just as 'large'..." Luo Zijun muttered. He stood at the alley entrance for a while longer to ensure it was safe, then stepped out and blended into the crowd, heading toward the Celestial Pavilion.

When he had left home, he had secretly hidden the stack of manuscripts in his sleeve. He was due to register at the academy tomorrow, and things would likely get busier, so he decided to find Miss Chujian tonight to discuss publishing his work. If she had connections, that would be ideal. If not, he would have to ask Su Bie, though he wanted to avoid that unless absolutely necessary. Su Bie had a loose tongue, and it would be troublesome if word got out.

After all, he planned to write *The Golden Lotus* and *The Flower's Biography* in the future. If his sister and brother-in-law found out, it would be social suicide.

Lost in thought, he soon arrived at the Celestial Pavilion. The young women, dressed in colorful, sheer gowns and adorned with elaborate makeup, were twisting their waists by the entrance and the second-floor railings, beckoning guests with seductive smiles.

As soon as Luo Zijun approached, a woman grabbed him and pulled him inside. "Oh my, what a handsome young master! Is this your first time here? Do you have a favorite girl in the house? If not, let this sister serve you tonight, how about that?"

"Are you the most 'seductive' girl here?" Luo Zijun asked. "If not, I don't want you."

The woman paused, then giggled. "You’re so amusing, young master! If you choose me tonight, I can be as seductive as you like, hee hee hee..."

As they entered the building, a tall young woman in a grey-white dress stood across the street, her eyes narrowing as she watched them.

"My, what a beautiful lady!" A drunken youth spotted her and approached with a lecherous grin. "Miss, you..."

*Thwack!*

A scream rang out, causing the girls at the brothel entrance to turn. A young man was on his knees, clutching his stomach, vomiting blood with a pained expression. Behind him, the tall girl walked away coldly.

Not long after, a knock echoed at a residence in Willow Leaf Alley.

"Oh! Isn't this Young Master Luo?" Just as Luo Zijun was being ushered in by the girl named Shuishui, the sharp-eyed Mama Liu spotted him. Liu Ju hurried over, her wrinkles blooming into a smile. "Young Master Luo, why have you come alone tonight?"

Shuishui looked puzzled. "Mama, does this young master visit often? I don't recognize him."

Liu Ju shot her a glance. "Go and greet the guests. I will serve Young Master Luo myself."

Shuishui joked, "Mama, you can't. This Young Master Luo said he wanted to find the most seductive girl tonight; maybe you should let Sister Mei'er handle it."

Luo Zijun whispered, "Mama Liu, is Miss Chujian free tonight?"

At these words, Shuishui, who was about to leave, stopped in her tracks. She turned back and smiled. "Young Master Luo, there have been hundreds of people looking for Sister Chujian these past two days, from morning till night. Look over there—there are dozens of people still waiting. Sister Chujian hasn't been feeling well and hasn't seen anyone, so you should find someone else. Besides, Sister Chujian isn't 'seductive' at all, hee hee..."

Liu Ju glared at her. "You talk too much! Keep it up, and I'll have your tongue cut out!"

Shuishui stuck out her tongue, smiled at Luo Zijun, and prepared to leave, but she heard Mama whisper, "Young Master Luo, come, let's go straight upstairs. Chujian should be reading at this hour; she hasn't slept yet."

Shuishui paused, turning back in shock. By then, Mama Liu was already intimately ushering the young man toward the stairs.

"Young Master Luo, why did you..."

"I had some business last night, so I had to leave in a hurry. My apologies."

"No worries at all! I thought Chujian had accidentally said something wrong and offended you."

As they climbed the stairs, a maid went ahead to announce them. On the third floor, Liu Chujian was sitting at a table in a pink dress, her dark hair draped lazily over her shoulders. Beneath the hem of her dress, a pair of small, white-stockinged feet were visible, her embroidered shoes set aside. Her delicate willow brows were furrowed, and her beautiful face was tense, clearly moved by the story in the book she was reading. Bi'er sat nearby, quietly practicing embroidery.

A knock sounded at the door. "Sister Bi'er, is Sister Chujian asleep? That Young Master Luo is here, and Mama is bringing him up."

Liu Chujian was stunned. "Young Master Luo?" She immediately realized who it was—who else could be brought up directly by Mama? She quickly put down her book. "Bi'er, help me fix my hair! Where is the hairpin I bought today? Oh, and I haven't put on my shoes yet..."

Bi'er frowned. "Miss, didn't you say last night that this 'frequent-urination' young master was detestable and you didn't want to see him again?"

Liu Chujian froze, only then remembering her words from the previous night.

Bi'er huffed, "He comes and goes as he pleases, not respecting you at all. So many people outside are begging to see you, and you haven't agreed to any of them, yet he doesn't treasure the opportunity. Hmph, Miss, let's not see him. Let's make him wait for a while!"

Liu Chujian hesitated. Just then, footsteps and Mama Liu’s voice sounded in the hallway.

"Is Chujian asleep?"

"Mama, I just knocked, but there was no sound from inside."

"Oh, asleep so early?"

Then, another voice spoke: "Mama Liu, since Miss Chujian is already asleep, I will... well, I probably won't have time tomorrow night either. I'll trouble you again when I have the time."

Liu Ju said, "Young Master Luo, do you have something to discuss with Chujian? Or did you just want to talk and have a drink? If you’re just looking for entertainment, I can find you other girls. You don't know this, but all the girls in the Celestial Pavilion are full of praise for that poem of yours; they are all dying to meet you. If they knew the author was here, they’d be overjoyed. Come, let me take you to see Mei'er and Ziwei; those two have been dying to meet you."

*Creak...*

Just then, the door opened. Liu Chujian stood in the doorway, dressed in her pink gown, barefoot in her white socks, her dark hair loose. She looked delicate and soft, gazing at them with deep, soulful eyes. She bit her pink lip, her eyes shimmering, and said in a soft, emotional voice, "Young Master Luo, please come in."

This time, she wore no veil, and she hadn't even put on her shoes.