55 Take me to a brothel

"Elder Sister!" Lin Zijin exclaimed, nearly toppling into the lake had it not been for Li Moqian, who quickly reached out and caught her, sparing her from a watery plunge.

Lin Yuejiao scrambled up from Rong Yu's body, biting her lip as she glared at him. "You—why didn't you catch me?"

With his martial arts prowess, this fellow must have intentionally watched her fall right into his arms.

"A great beauty threw herself into my arms, what reason do I have to refuse?" Rong Yu mused, blinking slowly. His fan-like eyelashes were breathtakingly charming.

Lin Yuejiao could only glare at him, though Rong Yu was long accustomed to teasing her daily, and the smile at the corners of his lips only deepened.

Pulling herself up from Rong Yu, Lin Yuejiao turned away, wishing to ignore him. But as she took a step, she trod on her own skirt once more. Although the Goddess Rainbow Immortal Dress was exceptionally gorgeous, its long, trailing hem made movement rather clumsy.

Before she could steady herself, with a solid *thud*, she tumbled heavily against Rong Yu's chest yet again.

"Lin Yuejiao, what are you trying to do to me? There's no need for a sneak attack; I won't resist." The amusement swirling in the depths of Rong Yu's eyes made him look remarkably handsome.

Lin Yuejiao swore by all ten of her fingers that she held not the slightest untoward thought toward Rong Yu. Even as she maintained a stoic face, however, the tips of her ears had already turned crimson.

How humiliating—falling twice in a row.

The first time she had landed in his arms, but the second time was even more unspeakable: she had practically tackled him to the ground.

"I didn't mean to." Lin Yuejiao prepared to scramble up once more, but this time, Rong Yu wrapped one arm around her waist. As he stood up, he hoisted her with him, setting her down right beside him. His magnetic voice was cool and composed: "Don't run around. Sit next to me."

Only after making sure she was securely seated did he release his grip.

Lin Yuejiao had no desire to sit so close to him, but taking in the cramped space of the small boat and looking down at her cumbersome skirt, she ultimately let the matter drop.

Another step or two and she would likely suffer a third fall; there simply wasn't enough room to walk properly here.

"Elder Sister, I wasn't paying attention just now. Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself from the fall?" Lin Zijin asked with concern.

Lin Yuejiao waved a hand at her. "I'm fine, it doesn't hurt. I didn't fall onto the ground, after all."

"The Heir Apparent makes quite a convenient human cushion," Li Moqian teased with a smile, taking a seat opposite Lin Yuejiao and Rong Yu.

Lin Zijin sat on the same bench as him, her cheeks involuntarily flushing.

"This is lotus seed tea brewed from fresh lotus seeds picked just today. Please have a taste, my ladies." Li Moqian picked up the tea stove, pouring the clear brew into cups and setting them before the group.

Lin Yuejiao remained unruffled, but Lin Zijin had never sat quite so close to Li Moqian. Simply sitting beside him had already made her blush, and hearing him speak, she didn't dare to chime in, keeping her head lowered as she cradled her teacup.

Lin Yuejiao took a small sip and smiled. "The lotus seed tea is slightly bitter yet tenderly fragrant, carrying a faint, elusive hint of sweetness. With the addition of lily bulbs and goji berries, the aroma is even more delightful. You two certainly have the leisure of mind. Today is the grand ceremony for the Zhaohuang Selection and Conferment, yet the Chief Examiner and Deputy Examiner are both here stealing half a day of leisure from the floating world."

"Caught red-handed in our laziness. Fourth Miss, I haven't yet congratulated you on being conferred the third-rank noble maiden title, becoming the sole top-rank noble maiden in Jiangnan. Congratulations, truly a cause for celebration," Li Moqian said with a smile. "Thanks to your blessing, the Heir Apparent has made a tidy little profit."

Lin Yuejiao was momentarily stunned. "A tidy little profit?"

"After your leg was 'broken,' everyone assumed Lian Shi'er was bound to take first place in Jiangnan, so they rushed to place bets at the gambling houses. It really netted the Heir Apparent a fortune," Li Moqian said, unfurling his folding fan with a chuckle.

Lin Yuejiao looked toward Rong Yu. "So you were the one running the gambling house behind the scenes. I was wondering who had the audacity to wager that I would undoubtedly claim first place. It turns out to have been Your Lordship."

"Congratulations to us both." Rong Yu raised his teacup, the corners of his lips curving upward.

Lin Yuejiao raised her teacup and clinked it against his, a trace of doubt flitting across her phoenix eyes. "Congratulations to us both. But how did you know I would definitely win first place?"

"Because you are Lin Yuejiao," Rong Yu replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world, draining his tea in a single gulp. Even the act of drinking tea looked effortlessly dashing.

Lin Yuejiao pressed her lips into a smile; he actually had more confidence in her than she had in herself.

In truth, Lin Yuejiao hadn't dared to be certain she would secure first place; she wasn't arrogant enough to believe she was invincible under heaven.

She had simply done her absolute best.

"This is the identity jade token for Zhaohuang Academy issued just today." Lin Yuejiao picked up her own and Lin Zijin's tokens, handed them to Rong Yu, and said, "It's too unsafe to carry them around. With July only just beginning and Zhaohuang Academy not opening its doors until the tenth of October, there are a full three months ahead. Who knows how many accidents might occur. The Heir Apparent will likely head to the capital before us, so I'll leave these tokens in your care. When I arrive in the capital, I'll pay a visit to retrieve them. Please, keep them safe for us."

Rong Yu extended a slender hand, palm upward, in front of Lin Yuejiao. "Safekeeping fee."

"You're so rich your only remaining possession is money!" Lin Yuejiao shot him a spoiled, indignant look and huffed, "If you don't help, I won't play chess with you tomorrow."

Seeing her act this way, Rong Yu pressed his lips together. "This counts. It's enough payment."

This woman had actually learned to threaten him now. Not bad, not bad at all; the relationship between them was much closer and less formal than before.

While Lin Yuejiao could converse and laugh freely with both Rong Yu and Li Moqian, Lin Zijin remained seated off to the side, whether because Rong Yu's glacial aura was too overpowering or simply because she was too bashful.

Noticing this, Lin Yuejiao pondered for a moment before turning to Rong Yu. "Heir Apparent, I have something to discuss with you. Could we step aside for a moment?"

Rong Yu glanced at Lin Yuejiao, then at Li Moqian, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes as he saw right through her little scheme.

However, our friend Rong Yu—who cared more for romantic pursuits than for brotherhood—simply gave a calm, affirmative hum, cheerfully selling out Li Moqian and conspiring away with Lin Yuejiao.

With Rong Yu's consent, Lin Yuejiao beamed and said to Li Moqian, "Young Master Li, the Heir Apparent and I have some matters to discuss, so please excuse us for a moment. I must trouble you to look after my younger sister; we'll be right back."

The rather dense Li Moqian detected not a single thing amiss and smiled. "Fourth Miss, rest assured. Seventh Miss Lin is in my care. You two have important matters to attend to, so don't worry about us; go ahead."

Rong Yu and Lin Yuejiao boarded another small boat one after the other. With a single strike of his palm outward, requiring no oars, Rong Yu propelled the boat forward with his internal energy, drifting deep into the dense lotus cluster.

The thick mist over Yunwu Lake rolled in, and in the blink of an eye, the two figures vanished from sight.

A moment later, the sound of the water faded away as well, leaving utter silence.

"What disgraceful words do you have that you needed to tell me in private?" Rong Yu looked at Lin Yuejiao, his gaze half-mocking.

He had known her intention all along, but he simply enjoyed teasing her.

Lin Yuejiao looked back at Rong Yu. "Indeed, I have something to say."

"Oh?" Rong Yu's eyes brightened. There really was something?

Lin Yuejiao solemnly looked Rong Yu up and down from head to toe, and said with the utmost gravity, "What I want to say is: Heir Apparent, you are so terribly handsome!"

Rong Yu choked slightly.

"Words like these required us to speak in private?" Rong Yu was torn between laughter and tears.

Lin Yuejiao nodded as if it were only right. "Of course. Because I'm shy! I couldn't possibly lavish praise like that in front of others. Now that there are no outsiders, I can finally unburden my heartfelt thoughts in one go. Heir Apparent, you are strikingly handsome—extraordinarily so."

He had seen countless admiring glances and heard no end of flattering words. The inner flutter of joy upon being praised was a ripple of emotion that could no longer possibly occur within him.

Remaining unswayed by honor or disgrace was merely the most basic of manners.

Furthermore, as a man, he had never felt pleased simply because someone praised his good looks. He wasn't a woman; the Heir Apparent of Loyalty had never cared about such things, or else he wouldn't have habitually worn such an ugly black mask.

"Lin Yuejiao." Rong Yu suddenly reached out, pulling her directly into his embrace, his deep voice rich and magnetic. "I am very pleased."

Caught entirely off guard, Lin Yuejiao stiffened.

*Huh?*

She had merely been looking for a random excuse to gloss over her previous remark; why was the Heir Apparent of Loyalty reacting so strongly?

Still, there was no use dwelling on things she couldn't understand. Men and women should maintain a proper distance, so Lin Yuejiao shoved Rong Yu away and stiffened her face. "Heir Apparent, please behave!"

The fickle Rong Yu, however, did not get angry; his mood was clearly excellent, giving Lin Yuejiao a lesson to carve into her memory.

Next time she angered Rong Yu, she would just have to lavishly praise him once. She wondered if it would work—she must definitely try it another day.

"Lin Yuejiao, in a couple of days, Lin Yi is going to leave Xinzhou with Miracle Doctor Hua Tuo," Rong Yu said.

Lin Yuejiao froze. "Leave Xinzhou? Where to? Why?"

"There is news regarding the Stone Heart Jade over in Yingzhou. Miracle Doctor Hua Tuo and I are heading over to retrieve the medicine, and we're taking Lin Yi with us," Rong Yu explained.

"You're going personally? It seems the Stone Heart Jade won't be easy to acquire." A trace of worry flickered in Lin Yuejiao's heart.

When it concerned Lin Yi, she simply could not remain indifferent.

Rong Yu had been acquiring these five medicinal ingredients externally under the guise of the Four Seas Trading Firm. If it were merely a matter of wealth and glory, the ingredients would have been sold off long ago. The fact that even Rong Yu had to personally secure the Stone Heart Jade indicated that the other party could not be swayed by mere gold, jewels, or high-ranking official positions.

Yet, even among those in official circles who lacked for nothing, a single word from Rong Yu should have sufficed; why would someone still hoard it and refuse to give him face?

"Did that Stone Heart Jade fall into the hands of the imperial family, some reclusive master, or is there actually someone in the imperial court who dares to disregard your face to this extent?" Lin Yuejiao asked quizzically.

Rong Yu chuckled. "Neither imperial family nor court officials. Just an ordinary commoner. Rest assured, courtesy comes before force. If we can't negotiate terms, I'll simply take it by force."

How was it that she actually found herself agreeing with this fellow's shameless style of operation?

It seemed she was just like him—neither of them was a truly good person.

With Lin Yi's life hanging in the balance, Lin Yuejiao could not afford to be soft-hearted.

"If we can acquire the Stone Heart Jade peacefully—even if the conditions the other party proposes are difficult to fulfill—I am willing to negotiate with them. I'd rather not resort to such measures unless absolutely necessary." Lin Yuejiao looked at Rong Yu. "But if it truly comes to that point, for Lin Yi's sake, I will certainly seize it!"

Rong Yu gave a low hum of assent; their views aligned completely, showing a profound mutual understanding.

"Take me with you. If I stay in Xinzhou waiting for news, I'll be sitting on pins and needles," Lin Yuejiao said. "I'd rather go with you both. If any difficult problem arises, having one extra person means one extra mind to figure out a solution."

Rong Yu furrowed his brow. "The place I'm going is not suitable for you."

"What kind of place? If you can go, why can't I?" Lin Yuejiao retorted.

Rong Yu let out a scoff. "Are you certain you want me to take you to a brothel?"

Lin Yuejiao was momentarily dumbfounded. "W-What?"

"The Stone Heart Jade is in the hands of a leading courtesan at the Rouge Pavilion in Yingzhou. The Four Seas Trading Firm tried both soft and hard tactics, but she refused to sell," Rong Yu said in a low voice. "That is why I must go meet her in person. If I cannot acquire it peacefully, I will take it back by force. Of course, getting it peacefully is best; seizing it by force might end in mutual destruction."

Once Lin Yuejiao processed this, she declared, "Normally when you visit brothels, I certainly wouldn't bother you, but this time, I'm definitely coming along! I'm going with you. The moment you described it, I knew that woman would be extremely difficult to deal with. If you happen to fall for her honey trap, your entire operation will be wiped out."

*Normally when you visit brothels?*

*Honey trap?*

Rong Yu raised an eyebrow. He kept himself strictly disciplined and never lingered among flowers; even when entering pleasure houses, it was strictly for business, and he had never once sought out a courtesan.

"The academy doesn't open its doors until the tenth of October. Traveling from here to the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal takes only a month to reach the capital. If any unexpected situation arises, I can return at any time without delaying things," Lin Yuejiao argued. "Besides, I trust that given our progress, it shouldn't take until I leave for the academy to secure the Stone Heart Jade."

Rong Yu raised an eyebrow. "You've just been conferred the title of a top-rank noble maiden, yet you openly leave Xinzhou. Who knows how many eyes are watching you. If it's discovered that you're visiting a pleasure house and become even slightly entangled with a courtesan, you know the consequences."

The status of a top-rank noble maiden was prestigious, but it was also bound by numerous rules.

"Do you take me for a fool? Would I dare leave Xinzhou using Lin Yuejiao's identity?" Lin Yuejiao covered her mouth and smiled. "I've already discussed it with Grandmother. After the selection and conferment ceremony concludes, Zijin and I will go to our estate in the mountains to escape the summer heat. In previous years, the entire family went together, but this year, Grandmother knows that both the first and second branches of the Lin household harbor their own hidden agendas and accidents might happen. She has already agreed that this year, Zijin, Mother, and my younger brother will stay at one estate alone, while Grandmother takes the first and second branches to another."

Pausing briefly, Lin Yuejiao continued, "Our Lin family owns many estates, and Grandmother has specially prepared a private estate that she acquired personally; no one knows where we are staying. We originally planned to spend a little over a month escaping the summer heat there before setting off for the capital. As long as Zijin and Mother provide cover for me, no one will know I'm no longer in Xinzhou."

Xinzhou's summers were long and sweltering. Every midsummer, the aristocratic clans of the city flocked to various summer villas outside the city—this was commonplace.

If not for the Zhaohuang Selection this year, everyone would have already departed for their summer retreats.

Taking advantage of the summer retreat to go into seclusion and quietly slip away with Rong Yu would ensure that not a soul knew.

"Heir Apparent, I can arrange things properly here in Xinzhou. I'm coming with you," Lin Yuejiao reiterated.

Seeing this, Rong Yu nodded. "Very well."

Truth be told, he was also uneasy about leaving Lin Yuejiao behind; having her by his side would give him the greatest peace of mind.

Wherever he was, she would be completely safe.

As the two of them discussed the matter of the Stone Heart Jade, the sun sank below the western hills and evening gradually deepened.

When Lin Yuejiao and Rong Yu returned, they discovered that the entire cluster of lotus flowers was pitch black.

Had it not been for the sound of the flute drifting across the water, they might have thought Li Moqian and the others had long since departed.

"What are you two doing? In the middle of the night, and all the lamps are out," Lin Yuejiao teased with a knowing smile.

Li Moqian's flute music ceased. He lowered his flute and said, "The Heir Apparent and Fourth Miss have returned."

"Elder Sister!" Lin Zijin's face flushed red, and she hurriedly explained, "When I was adding lamp oil just now, the wind accidentally blew them out. We weren't doing anything."

Lin Yuejiao chuckled playfully. "Well, we didn't see anything, so whatever you say goes. Heir Apparent, right?"

"Mhm."

Thinking Rong Yu wouldn't indulge her childish teasing, she was surprised to hear him actually give a very cooperative hum of agreement.

"Elder Sister, y-you're talking nonsense..." Flustered and at a loss, Lin Zijin couldn't explain herself clearly.

Li Moqian smiled. "Seventh Miss Zijin needn't fret. Fourth Miss is only joking with you; she naturally trusts my character."

*I actually wish I couldn't trust it,* Lin Yuejiao thought to herself.

"It's getting late, Zijin, let's head back," Lin Yuejiao said with a smile, turning her gaze back to Rong Yu. "It's settled then. See you in three days."

Rong Yu pressed his lips together. "Mhm."

In three days, they would set off together for Yingzhou.