The east and west sections of the Kunning Palace were set aside exclusively for Empress Qian's maids to rest in rotation.

The Empress and the Imperial Noble Concubine ranked the highest in the imperial harem. Thus, their servants were different from the inferior concubines' maids, who had to seek residences outside the Palace after their shifts.

Sulian rushed to the west side room with the reporting maid. Before she entered the door, she could hear a faint weep floating from inside.

Sulian pushed the door open and went in.

The room was not big and its furnishings were plain. Nonetheless, it was neat and tidy. On the east side, two narrow beds were set side by side. Yanwan was lying on the inner bed, sobbing quietly with her face against the wall.

Two other maids were sitting on the bed edge, muttering as if to comfort Yanwan. Seeing Sulian arrive with a servant, they hurriedly got up and curtsied.

"Leave us. I'll talk to her."

Sulian's gentle face clouded as she ordered solemnly.

The two maids and the reporter did not dare to stay longer, so they quickly exited one after another.

Hence, only Sulian and Yanwan were left in the side room.

Leaning her curvy body on the bed, Yanwan was still whimpering. Her unceasing tears and trembling shoulders would grieve anyone who cast their eyes upon her.

Sulian gently approached her and slowly bent over to sit on the bed edge. Frowning in infinite melancholy, Sulian quietly watched her, savoring her sorrows alone.

Such a delicate and tender young girl deserved to be loved and cherished, but now she cried so sadly. How aggrieved she must be.

She sighed and then heard Yanwan speak in her trembling voice without looking back.

"Madam, why are you here? It's better to let me die alone!"

"Silly child! You are youthful and pretty. Why depressed so? Think about it. You may have a clean death, but Her Grace and I will bear the blame for life!"

Sobbing, Yanwan immediately turned around and grabbed Sulian's sleeves with her cold hands wet with tears.

"Good Madam, I never complained about you and Her Grace. It's just that since I went to the Master's Mansion, I've been eating and sleeping under the same roof with Master Leng. Now he despised me and abandoned me on a whim!"

"We have served in the Palace for long and both know the snobbery of this place and how people can kill me with a single glance. Instead of being drowned in spit, I'd rather hang myself!"

Then Yanwan started to rise from the bed but was held back by Sulian.

"What are you doing?! Tell me, what's on your mind?"

Yanwan buried her face into Sulian's arms and burst into tears. It took a while before her whine fell in silence.

Sulian wiped away her tears and consoled her,

"Dear girl, it is no use crying over the spilled milk. Tell me your thoughts honestly. It was my idea to send you to Leng's Mansion in the first place, and now I want to help you as much as I can. But before that, don't you need to bare your heart first?"

"I..."

Yanwan stopped crying, and her tearing eyes rolled to meet Sulian's inquiring and encouraging gaze. Immediately she looked away, her face flushing red.

Playing the damp handkerchief between her fair fingers, Yanwan said softly,

"Speaking of the matter, I'm grateful to Her Grace and you. I was born into a poor family. Even if I'm to retire from the Palace, I'll have to marry an ordinary man."

"Before being sent to Leng's Mansion, Her Grace had made it clear, and I set up my mind with no second thoughts. It was a blessing to serve the Master. He is not a bad man. Though he dislikes me, I'm willing to be a concubine if not his spouse..."

Overjoyed, Sulian suppressed her emotion not to bring it to her face. Pretending to be dissatisfied, she snorted coyly,

"Huh! Dislike you? How can he? Some may call him the Eastern Depot Master in command of an army. The truth is he is a eunuch nonetheless! Now that he's granted a fair maiden like you who take a liking to him, how dare he dislike you? He's blessed to have your favor! It's not up to him whether marrying you. Her Grace will make the final decision!"

Proclaiming aggressively, Sulian fixed her eyes on Yanwan with a complicated smile.

"Yanwan, Her Grace chose you because of your wits. You are clever. After you become the Master's Wife in ease and comfort, remember Her Grace's kindness and always be loyal to her."

Yanwan hurriedly got out of bed and crawled under Sulian's feet, earnestly promising,

"Rest assured, Madam. I owe Her Grace and you a debt of gratitude that I shall remember forever and never forget!"

...

"Outrageous."

In Kunning Palace, Empress Qian snarled and tossed her sleeves angrily.

"He is threatening me with Yanwan. How could you play into his hands?"

Empress Qian coldly glanced at the chief maid and spoke no more.

Sulian pressed her hands together, explaining obediently,

"Your Grace, please calm down. I only said that for your sake. I beg you to reconsider."

Leng Qingtang is nothing but a treacherous eunuch who's as slippery as an eel. The fact that he dared to send back Yanwan means he already holds a grudge against us. The Spring Banquet accident was irreversible. Are you going to lose him in a fit of anger along with Yanwan's life?"

"..."

Empress Qian raised her head abruptly with an enlightened expression. She was stunned to speechlessness.

Sulian paused, allowing the Empress to ponder on her words carefully, and then continued with her head low,

"Your Grace, please think about it. In the beginning, it was us who drew Leng Qingtang over. After the accident at the Baohe Palace, it was you who ordered the Honor Guards to lock down the Eastern Depot. Although you meant to protect Leng Qingtang, I'm afraid that over time, he will grow to believe the alienating words that you betrayed him. Why bear the blame for nothing?"

"The Eastern Depot is nothing. If he wants it, you might as well give it back to him and let him know that you've saved him again at this critical moment. If Yanwan does a good job and keeps Leng Qingtang's heart, are you still afraid that he and his Eastern Depot will not be under your control in the future?"

Empress Qian looked down in silence. After long consideration, she clenched her fists determinedly.

"Help me change clothes. I'll visit His Majesty at the Qinming Hall!"

...

The Western Depot.

Ming Lan was shocked by the detailed report. After sending the informant away, he paced in the main hall with his hands behind his back.

The information was that "Pei Rushi" mentioned by Yanwan a few days ago did exist. Originally, she was a rank-fifth chief cook of the Concubinary Kitchen, and she had an affair with Leng Qingtang in her youth but never wedded him because she was older than him. Before retiring, she was bestowed to Lord Protector, Zheng Ran, as his concubine by Emperor Jingxiao. It happened more than ten years ago.

Zheng Ran, the Provincial Magnate of Dayi, was granted lordship at a young age thanks to his invincibility and achievements in wars during the reign of the previous emperor.

Ming Lan was originally not interested in Lord Protector Zheng’s deeds. Yet combining the news sent by An Hong a few days ago and the Garden's manager’s confession, he had attained surprising clues.

Seventeen years ago, Emperor Jingxiao married Leng Qingtang's love, Chief Cook Pei, to Lord Protector Zheng.

In the snowy winter night eleven years ago, the house of Lord Protector Zheng was slaughtered. The whole family and all the servants were gone overnight and hundreds of people lost their lives.

Lord Zheng had two sons and one daughter. The eldest son died of a bizarre illness years ago. The second son went missing years before the massacre. Only one daughter called Wanruo remained, who was born by Pei Rushi.

He deduced from Nanny Gu’s confession that the sickly five-year-old girl Gu Yunxi entered the Garden eleven years ago after the slaughter of the Zheng family.

Looking into the air, Ming Lan reckoned on his fair long fingers.

Yun Guaner was sixteen this year. Back to eleven years ago, her age was the same as that of Lord Protector Zheng's deceased daughter Wanruo.

Suddenly, a light broke in upon him.

Shocked by his bold guess, Ming Lan felt a chill down his spine that made his hair stand on end.

He knew that Leng Qingtang was not philanthropic. The Youzhu Garden was strict in the selection, so how could a frail girl enter at will?

Ming Lan's eyes darkened at a loss. Intuitively, he felt more and more suspicious about Gu Yunxi's identity. If he could solve the puzzle, he would have been able to defeat Leng Qingtang.

Who was Gu Yunxi? Where should he start to investigate her identity? He was caught in perplexity.

...

The shattered morning light kissed Yunxi's face gently. She felt mildly cold between her eyebrows and at the corners of her eyes.

As instructed by the Master, Gu Yunxi and Cheng Wanli went to Shili Street to the south of the capital to find a brothel named "Wanhua Tower", where a famous top courtesan called Fu Danqing resided.

It was said that the woman was not only good at singing and dancing but also excellent at calligraphy and painting. Hence many noblemen in the capital and rich businessmen from other provinces were attracted there by her reputation. They would spend a fortune on Lady Fu's performance or calligraphy.

And this woman was born lofty and would charge only ten pounds of gold for each calligraphy and painting, no more and no less. Thus, she was nicknamed "Ten Pounds Fu".

Gu Yunxi got up early in the morning and rushed to Shili Street with Cheng Wanli and Qinger.

As soon as Qinger saddled on the horseback, she chattered with complaints unhappily.

"Gee, I thought the Master was sending us to a good place. It turned out to be a brothel! If he hasn't met her before, how can the Master know Fu Danqing's beauty and talent?"

Qinger still had lingering fears because of Yanwan. If the Master had related to a woman other than Gu Yunxi, she would have been extremely sensitive and alarming.

Gu Yunxi didn't like to hear about that. She glanced at her while riding the horse and said with a frown,

"Qinger, don't talk nonsense!"

She believed in the Master. Especially after last night when the Master had slightly introduced her to womanly pleasures. She had been embarrassed but also tasted the beauty and sweetness of love. Now she was convinced that she loved the Master and vice versa.

Cheng Wanli looked at them and grinned shyly.

"There are many elite inspectors at the Eastern Depot. The Master won't have to visit the brothel himself for a little information. Qinger, you think too much."

"Humph!"

Pouting her mouth unhappily, Qinger whipped the horse and sprouted ahead of him and Gu Yunxi, leading the journey to Shili Street.

Before long, a team of people followed behind.

Although they both changed into casual clothes, Cheng Wanli and Gu Yunxi could guess that those were the guards from the Western Depot. Those people had been harassing them for a long time and were easy to recognize with their arrogant look.

Gu Yunxi felt that the overnight closure of all galleries in the capital was inseparable from the Western Depot. Now they came to pester them again. She must not let them know their destination.

Cheng Wanli gave a glance to Gu Yunxi and then shouted,

"Yun Guaner, I'll go ahead. Meet me at the Rulan House."

Then he swung his whip and kicked his horse to speed up and disappeared.

Behind them, several guards split their way and chased after Cheng Wanli.

Gu Yunxi knew that the Chiliarch was confusing the Western Depot and didn't take his words seriously.

She quickly caught up with Qinger and explained the matter to her, who subsequently yelled,

"My Lord, I'll see you at the Beilu Temple"

Then she spurred the horse and ran down the fork on the right, tailed by several Western Depot guards.

Gu Yunxi immediately urged the horse to trot as she looked back.

There were still five men following her and she was alone. What should she do to get rid of them completely?

She had already reached the boundary of Shili Street. To not reveal her true destination, Gu Yunxi deliberately slowed down and wandered aimlessly on the street.

Then, before they noticed, she hurried the horse and tried to lose the tail.

However, she miscalculated.

The Western Depot riders still followed closely behind, keeping the speed with her. They did not cut her way off or lose her sight as if they were deliberately luring her to lead them to her destination.

Chest-tightened, Gu Yunxi began to panic on horseback and lost at sea.

At the moment of desperation, a long train of flower carts appeared at the crossroad ahead. The fresh flowers were colorful and eye-catching and were loaded on about seven carts.

Thrilled, Gu Yunxi pursed her lips and whipped the horse's glutes hardly. The horse neighed in pain and speeded up.

As it ran closer and closer to the carts, the horse stretched its neck and lifted its front hoofs, leaping over the cart.

Seeing this, the Western Depot guards hurriedly spurred their horses and screamed ferociously at the back.

"Away, away! The Western Depot is on duty."

But the driver at the head of the carts was horrified and shouted sharply,

"No! It's going to crash! Everyone quickly gets out of the way."

As he spoke, the guards had already dashed before their eyes.

The horses jumped as the driver raised the handlebars to halt the carts. In the blink of an eye, the metal carts weighing hundreds of kilograms were overturned.

Slam and clatter.

The potted plants on the carts fell and smashed on the heads of the Western Depot men and horses.

The crackling with wailing eclipsed the noisy long street and became a more attractive sight.

The crowds stopped and congregated to watch.

The Western Depot men were surrounded by carters as soon as they arose and were surrounded by foreign accents.

"You'll pay! Your horses kicked over our carts and ruined everything. You'll pay!"

"Damn you, peasants. How dare you interfere with the Western Depot's business!"

One of the guards showed his identity card but he was playing to the wrong audience.

"To hell with your 'vested pot'! You broke our stuff and you must pay us money."

The carters insisted and pushed the guards.

"You asked for it!"

"Kick their butts."

"Punch them."

"Ouch! Ah."

Gu Yunxi was parked across the street, watching the two groups insulting and eventually fighting with each other, and finally took a breath of relief.

Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, she turned around her horse and hurried to the direction of the Wanhua Tower.

In a dark corner, a pair of purple eyes was spying on Gu Yunxi riding away. The man slowly emerged from the darkness and revealed his white clothes.

The robe was fluttering freely in the breeze like the petals of white blossoms, charming the world with unearthly grace.

Fanning himself, Lu Qiange curved his lips in a faint and clear smile.

Before long on her way, a vermilion and gorgeous pavilion leaped into Yunxi's vision. And sugary moans were kissing her ears.

"Come here, my lord..."

"Sir, do visit me often..."

Gu Yunxi rushed to the building, stopped, and looked up.

Under the blue sky and white clouds stood a four-story mansion decorated with red drapes. It was exquisite and luxurious in appearance and was discharging lustful radiances.

A plaque hung on the lintel on the ground floor with two golden words written on it: Wanhua Tower.

Several tempting women were leaning against the pink jade handrails on the second floor, waving their fragrant handkerchiefs to giggly solicit to the downstairs.

When they saw Gu Yunxi dressed handsomely in men's clothes, they were naturally very eager.

A stable boy had arrived early to take Gu Yunxi's horse. And the landlady greeted her personally, delightedly welcoming the good-looking young man into the building.

It was the first time Gu Yunxi came to the brothel in disguise. She was very nervous at first and only relaxed slightly after chatting with the landlady.

There was no suspense in meeting Fu Danqing. Gu Yunxi placed two heavy ingots of gold in the landlady's palm and directly stated her intention.

The landlady copped the gold in her palms and stared at them with eyes shining with excitement. Flatteringly, she grinned from ear to ear.

Without further ado, she happily led Gu Yunxi into the top courtesan's room on the fourth floor.

The room was furnished elegantly, much more refreshing than the gaudy decoration downstairs.

The sun shone through the carved window, where the curtains danced as the breeze blew.

There was no need to elaborate on the musical instruments, the dressing table, the cabinets, and the perfumed bed inside the room.

At the most conspicuous spot, a huge rosewood marble desk was placed before the east window. There were various copybooks, inkstones, and stacks of rice paper on it. Beside them, a large porcelain pen holder with plum blossoms contained many brushes of different sizes. On the other side, three big wolf-hair brushes were stored on a jade penrack.

On the west side of the desk was an exquisite sandalwood corner table, where fresh flowers were filling the air with fragrance. By the table, a beautiful woman was sitting cross-legged, fiddling with gold-traced tea-sets.

The woman was not wearing luxurious jewelry but only a silver-lined purple chiffon gown with begonia flowers. The dress was bright and extravagant, awing the inspector with its fairy feminity.

Some of her hair was tied up into a side bun with a white jade lotus hairpin, and the rest of it cascaded down her back casually.

Noticing the visitor, she stood up smilingly, curtsied, and then introduced herself. She was the top courtesan of the Wanhua Tower, Fu Danqing.

Curious, Gu Yunxi couldn't help but cast her gaze at her and admired her from head to toe.

Her skin was fairer than snow, and her features were comely. Without heavy makeup, she merely tinted the end of her brows, rouged her lips, and drew a vermilion five-petaled plum flower in the center of her eyebrows. The eyes she cast at Gu Yunxi were limpid and gleaming with charms.

Gu Yunxi admired the pure beauty of the woman and thought to herself,

"The top courtesan of the Wanhua Tower indeed! The vulgar belles downstairs were no comparison to her!

They both sat down.

The landlady brought precious refreshments with a servant, and then they withdrew successively from the top courtesan's chamber, leaving the privacy to the guest.

Sipping the tea, Gu Yunxi chatted with Fu Danqing. She told Fu that she was a medicine merchant from Jiangan Province. Attracted by her reputation as "Ten Pounds Fu", she came to humbly ask her to draw portraits of three beauties according to her description.

Then she put a bag of gold on the table.

The pouch weighed one hundred pounds, enough to buy ten works of Fu Danqing.

It was out of an emergency that Gu Yunxi had made such a lavish move. She hoped dearly that she could obtain the three missing damsels’ portraits today, so she would not give Fu any reason to refuse.

Fu Danqing glanced at the bulging brocade pouch with the slightest interest.

Smiling silently, Fu Danqing raised her eyes suddenly and looked directly into Gu Yunxi's eyes. Gently and softly, she spoke,

"Lord Yun, I thank you for your good intentions. However, to paint for you, I'll need something other than gold or silver."