Chapter 157: Night Encounter

As night fell, Zhou Yi and the others were already waiting outside the Ruijin Palace.

The Brave King paid a visit to Yi Qingchen at the Plum Retreat, and then set off leading the team alongside Zhou Yi.

Meanwhile, inside the Nine Radiances Tower, it remained a paradise for countless men. However, there were those who rejoiced and those who worried.

The joyful ones were naturally those who could not afford the silver and usually could only stomp their feet in regret.

The worried ones were those who had finally scraped together enough silver, ready to taste the sweetness of the beauty.

The root cause of all this was that Miss Wangyou had expressed her desire to go out for a stroll tonight.

As the current top star of the Nine Radiances Tower, Yi Zhichun was exceedingly generous. Whether to receive guests or not depended entirely on Wangyou's own mood.

Whenever she was willing to receive guests, she would. If she wanted to go out, she could do so at any time. She only needed to send someone to report it in advance. After all, as long as Wangyou remained here for a single day, countless men would flock over with vast amounts of silver and gold, even if it cost a thousand pieces of gold just for a single glance.

Yi Zhichun had never expected that the little girl she had casually picked up at the entrance back then could achieve such success in so short a time. Truly, one cannot judge a person by their appearance just as the sea cannot be measured with a pint cup; she had almost misjudged her.

Noticing that seventy to eighty percent of the ten-tenths of the guests in the house were about to leave, clutching their silver and gold because Wangyou was not receiving guests tonight, Yi Zhichun narrowed her eyes slightly and beckoned Xiaoyun over, whispering a few words into her ear.

Shortly after, those guests who were about to leave instantly turned around, each of them lifting their money high and shouting, "Give it to me, give it to me..."

As for the reason, it was very simple.

Yi Zhichun had Xiaoyun find a cup with a lipstick mark in Wangyou's room, euphemistically calling it: kissed by a beauty. In a word, it goes to the highest bidder.

In just that short span of time, the price had already been bid up to astronomical heights.

Standing in the corner, Xing'er and Wangyou watched, extremely displeased as Xing'er said, "Miss, look, Madam didn't even ask and just let Xiaoyun barge into your room without permission. This is going too far."

No matter what, the rightful owner was still standing right here; shouldn't she have asked first?

Wangyou put on her veiled hat and lowered her head, saying, "My very person belongs to the Nine Radiances Tower, and which piece or item in this house does not belong to Madam?

You silly little girl, have you forgotten whose hands hold your deed of sale?"

These gentle words instantly caused Xing'er's face to crumple into a bitter expression.

Seeing her look, Wangyou could not help but burst into a chuckle: "Rest assured, Madam never forces anyone in what she does. Look at the sisters in the house, which one of them isn't here of her own free will?

Besides, although the deed of sale is in Madam's hands, we are free to stay or leave as we please.

You, there's no need to frighten yourself."

Xing'er raised her gaze and secretly glanced at her mistress; it seemed... that really was the case.

Thus she said no more. Just as her mistress had said, the Nine Radiances Tower belonged to Madam, and they belonged to Madam as well, so Madam could do whatever she pleased.

Besides, it wasn't a day or two that Madam loved money.

Of course, Wangyou was not going out for no reason. For her to leave the Nine Radiances Tower right when it was most crowded and lively, there naturally had to be a reason.

And this was the very reason she was leaving tonight.

Given the methods of the Three Evils, she knew very well that the sooner this matter was resolved, the better. Moreover, the Demonic Son was capricious; if she delayed too long, who knew but that she might end up on the receiving end of a blade herself.

It was just somewhat difficult to slip away when there were so many lively people about. Not to mention that Xing'er could not be brought along, nor was this bustling crowd the right time to slip away.

After strolling for about another quarter of an hour, the men and women around them gradually grew denser. Taking advantage of the jostling crowd, Wangyou quietly released a hair-thin insect. The insect crawled all the way up Xing'er's fragrant shoulder, rushed straight to her fair, slender neck, and gave her a sharp bite.

Xing'er felt her vision instantly turn black, the world spinning as she lost consciousness entirely.

Just as she wanted to slip away, she unexpectedly bumped right into someone upon turning around. In her panic, even the veiled hat on her head was knocked off amid the shoving.

All her awkwardness and vulnerability were instantly laid bare without a single thing to hide.

Wangyou smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear, placed both hands at her waist, and curtsied: "Greetings, young master."

Su He reached out to support the beauty, yet a flash of sharp insight was concealed deep within his gaze: "Miss Wangyou, why are you here?

Not long after, Wangyou smiled awkwardly, a subtle sense of unease lurking deep within her heart. She always felt that Baili Su He tonight meant no good.

Glancing back at the wall of people surrounding them behind her, she turned her head and spoke in a soft voice: "Everyone, could you please make way and allow this little lady to take a look?"

With her veiled hat removed, someone recognized her as Wangyou and immediately shouted loudly, "Make way, everyone, let Miss Wangyou have a look."

Wangyou smiled politely at them, and then shifted her gaze to the person on the ground, her fair face instantly draining of color. To describe it as flowers wilting upon the ground under a storm would not be an overstatement.

It made even the unrelated onlookers feel as though their hearts, livers, and lungs no longer belonged to them, aching all in unison.

Instantly, she hurried forward to support Xing'er, shaking her vigorously: "Xing'er, Xing'er, wake up, what's wrong with you?"

Xing'er's face was as white as a sheet of paper, showing no reaction whatsoever. If not for the lingering thread of life, one would surely have thought her dead.

Seeing that she could not be woken, with a crowd watching and Su He present, trying to leave now was no different than ascending to the heavens. Her eyes rolled slightly, and she looked toward Su He with deep affection: "Could young master please help Wangyou carry Xing'er back to the Nine Radiances Tower?"

"It is merely lifting a hand."

"Many thanks!"

With that, she helped hoist the person onto Su He's back, letting him carry her back to the Nine Radiances Tower.

Wangyou intended to take the opportunity to slip away, but unexpectedly, Su He dared to openly and brazenly take her hand in front of the massive crowd. She gasped in immediate astonishment: "Young master?"

Su He offered a faint smile and said, "Since one burden should not be split into two tasks, it is better for me to escort you back to the tower together.

In addition, there is still a matter I wish to inquire about with the miss."

Grasped by those large hands, Wangyou could not help panicking for a moment, and stammered, "What... what matter?"

I... I truly thank you, damn you, and thanks to your entire family as well.

She had already submitted her letter to ascend the mountain for an audience, and if she missed the appointed hour to enter, who knew how she might die?

Looking back at Su He, she now seriously suspected whether he was deliberately here to ruin her plans! Not early, not late, but he had to pick the exact moment when she was trying to slip away.

As if sensing her thoughts, Su He remarked, "Does the miss feel that my appearance is too coincidental?"

How could Wangyou honestly voice what was in her heart? She hurriedly put on a look of coy shyness and said, "N... no, it's just that this is the first time I've been held like this outside, and I... I feel a bit embarrassed."

Seen under the dim lamplight, she was truly a beauty more delicate than flowers.

She had assumed that since Su He came from that place, the upbringing he had received since childhood must be exceptional. Upholding the propriety of a gentleman in public, he surely had to care about the opinions of others.

And the result? Su He did let go of her hand, but his next words nearly caused Wangyou to bite her silver teeth to pieces. He said, "In that case, the miss might as well walk ahead while I follow behind, just to guard against any unforeseen dangers."

"M... many thanks!" Wangyou had no idea how she managed to squeeze out those two words; if she could, she would have loved to devour him alive.

However, there was no other way right now.

If she did not want her identity exposed, she had no choice but to accompany Su He and play out this act to the end, seeing what tricks he intended to pull.

The two of them did not speak much for the remainder of the journey, which benefited the passersby. The top star, whom one might not even catch a glimpse of ordinarily despite offering vast sums of silver, could be looked at freely today, and it was even free of charge.

Oh my, just look at this figure, look at this little face, every part of her is tender enough to drip water, beautiful like a half-opened flower after the rain, seemingly blooming yet not fully open, radiating a vibrant, aqueous beauty from head to toe.

Wangyou had grown utterly sick of hearing such words.

Thus, she quietly let out a remark: "All beauty is ultimately just a matter of youth."

She spoke very softly, but Su He still heard it and said, "The miss is naturally endowed with beauty, and it is only natural to be admired by all. Why feel so melancholic?"

Wangyou replied, "Oh, young master, which young woman does not love to be pretty, and what person in this world does not love young and beautiful things?

In this world, beauty is ultimately treated with a bit more favor.

Look at that same dress; if a young and pretty woman wears it, people will certainly say it looks good.

Yet if an elderly woman were to wear it, the circumstances would be vastly different. Human nature, at times, is simply like that."

Su He was somewhat surprised by her unusual behavior tonight. Was it because of "her"? Hearing similar words before, "her" had once said something akin to: "You men are simply dishonest.

On your lips, you talk about how heaven is virtuous and loves life, how existence is reasonable—all of that is utter nonsense.

If, if this face were utterly unremarkable, or even hideously ugly, would you still say that you aren't killing me because you love life and therefore let me go?"

Back then, he had remained silent for a long time, just like himself right now, still unable to express himself upon encountering it once more.

Yet "her" had said: "Human nature is nothing more than this. It is your inherent nature; don't speak of it with such righteous grandeur, and don't elevate yourselves as being so great."

Seeing Su He remain silent, Wangyou turned her head back and asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

"No."

"Then what was young master lost in thought about just now?"

"Has the miss ever thought about leaving the Nine Radiances Tower one day?" Su He asked instead of answering.

Wangyou paused for a moment and smiled: "What? Does the young master wish to redeem me?

Do not forget, I am not cheap at all."

Su He also smiled faintly and replied, "Indeed, but unfortunately my purse is light; otherwise, why would I mind redeeming the miss?

After all, this constant reception of guests is ultimately not a long-term solution."

As his voice trailed off, the two of them had already arrived at the entrance of the Nine Radiances Tower. The servant who had taken the medicinal pill had also returned after refining its effects. This time, he had truly reaped the benefits, and seeing someone who came in the morning and returned at night made him even more eager and diligent.

Without needing instructions, he helped Su He put down the unconscious person and called two sweeping maids to carry her back to Xing'er's room.

Seeing that she truly could not shake Su He off at this point, Wangyou simply invited him upstairs. In an instant, rumors spread far and wide that the top star of the Nine Radiances Tower had taken a fancy to a young master.

Su He paid no heed, and Wangyou turned a deaf ear. The two of them simply shut the door to the room and began to speak frankly.

"Since young master did not mention it on the street, was it inconvenient?"

"Miss is indeed intelligent and perceptive."

"Sit." Wangyou walked over to the table to pour a cup of water for Su He, poured one for herself as well, took a small sip to suppress the racing irritation in her chest, and smiled brilliantly, "Now there is no one else in my room, so young master might as well speak plainly."

Su He glanced at the water handed to him, blocked it slightly with his hand before drinking, set down the empty cup, and said, "I wish to inquire about two people from the miss: one is named Guo Lin, and the other is named Wang Quan. I wonder if the miss has any impression of them?"

Wangyou lowered her eyelids halfway, her slightly turned neck revealing a graceful curve. After a long moment, she spoke with a hint of self-mockery: "Does the young master disdain Wangyou's past and find Wangyou dirty?"

"N—no, not at all."

"Then why is young master inquiring about patrons from Wangyou?"

"I... sigh, I simply heard... that the miss showed exceptional care toward those two, and therefore... wished to witness it."

Though this sounded somewhat peculiar, it successfully caused Wangyou to lower her guard. Looking shy and timid, she replied, "If young master is displeased, Wangyou simply won't conduct business with them in the future.

If young master wishes, Wangyou can also..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Su He suddenly stumbled and collapsed to the floor.

Fortunately, the place was lively at this hour, so no one paid attention to the commotion inside the room. With great difficulty, she managed to haul him onto the bed.

Confirming that Su He was entirely unresponsive, she retreated a few steps before turning around, walking quickly to the door, pressing her ear against it to listen for a moment, and then vanished through the crack with lightning speed, disappearing without a trace.

In the end, she had left after all...