Chapter 68 Willow City Ghost Painted Skin (26)

Xie Jing's expression had softened considerably when he saw Qin Jiujiu standing beside him, but after hearing her words, his face darkened further.

His pitch-black eyes fixed on Qin Jiujiu, his thoughts unreadable, but the intensity of his gaze instilled a sense of dread.

The other girls observed Xie Jing. He was handsome, though he seemed a bit unwell, having remained silent since they arrived. Considering this, they found some logic in what the girl had said.

However, Nanfeng Pavilion was not a place just anyone could enter, nor was it accessible on a whim.

Xie Yun and Bai Qianluo had already been ushered inside, surrounded by others, while the three of them were blocked at the entrance.

The girls did not disperse. The one closest to Qin Jiujiu said haughtily, "Nanfeng Pavilion is not a place you can just walk into! If you're not here for the ladies, then leave!"

As she finished speaking, she scrutinized Qin Jiujiu from head to toe with a hostile glint in her eyes, remarking, "A young lady like you, what are you doing here... Do you perhaps wish to learn some skills from your sisters?"

Her tone was sharp and malicious, and her gaze towards Qin Jiujiu was exceedingly unfriendly.

Xie Jing clenched his fists, his impatience palpable. Fearing he might erupt and expose his identity, Qin Jiujiu instinctively reached out to take his hand. Her fingers intertwined with his, slowly loosening his clenched fists.

Liu Jin, who had gone inside to find the madam of Nanfeng Pavilion, emerged and immediately saw the tense situation. The madam rushed to mediate.

"Girls, hurry inside to entertain your guests!"

Despite the madam's smiling face, her words were clearly stern. The girls' previously arrogant demeanor immediately weakened, and they quickly scattered.

Seeing this, Qin Jiujiu immediately released Xie Jing's hand, but for some reason, his expression grew even darker.

Xie Jing's mind was filled with Qin Jiujiu's recent words about him being incapable. She had said it more than once, which truly infuriated him.

The madam beamed even more, almost bowing to Liu Jin.

The person before her was the City Lord's most beloved daughter, a person of noble status whom she could not afford to offend.

Although she didn't know why they were here today, she dared not pry. If she displeased the lady, her Nanfeng Pavilion might as well close down.

At that moment, a beautiful woman appeared at the entrance, holding a fan and dressed more plainly than the previous group of girls, yet her alluring aura could not be concealed by her white attire.

The woman held her fan, lightly obscuring the lower half of her face, and gave the madam a slight nod.

Upon seeing this woman, the madam turned to them and said, "Please, come in. As per the County Princess's instructions, everything inside has been arranged!"

Knowing that Xie Yun and Bai Qianluo were also brought by Liu Jin, the madam exchanged a look and signaled for the other girls to retreat. They looked reluctant, as if a prize they had almost caught had escaped, but they obediently withdrew.

The ransom note stated that the City Lord was to deliver money to Room Number Three on the top floor of Nanfeng Pavilion. However, the top floor of Nanfeng Pavilion had been closed for a long time.

It was rumored that a male courtesan had committed suicide on the top floor previously. The male courtesan was said to be homosexual and had a clandestine affair with a general from the Imperial City.

Legend had it that this general spent a fortune to book the entire top floor of Nanfeng Pavilion, where he would indulge in nightly trysts with the male courtesan. Later, the general was recalled to the Imperial City by imperial decree.

Subsequently, for reasons unknown, the top floor was sealed by the authorities. Even if it hadn't been sealed, the male courtesan's death was said to be gruesome, and no one would dare drink and revel there.

This incident had occurred twenty years ago, and very few people knew the truth. The madam had only taken over this establishment in recent years and was not privy to these details.

However, with Liu Jin's intervention, the top floor, sealed for twenty years, was naturally reopened.

According to the madam, the City Lord had indeed brought his personal guards the previous day. However, very few people knew about this matter, and he had instructed them not to alert anyone, so the madam naturally dared not spread the word.

When Liu Jin requested to go to the top floor, the madam, realizing she could no longer conceal it, revealed that the City Lord had indeed visited the top floor yesterday.

She explained that they had come in plain clothes and had specifically requested not to attract attention or require service. Therefore, they did not know when the City Lord had left.

"In that case, just like last night, do not make a fuss, and do not mind us!"

"County Princess, please proceed upstairs. Everything has been arranged on the upper floor as per your instructions! To be safe, Chun Bi will accompany you!" Seeing Liu Jin about to refuse, she preempted her by saying, "Rest assured, Chun Bi is mute!"

This statement dispelled their doubts. Having someone nearby was beneficial; if they needed help later, she could assist.

Liu Jin nodded in agreement.

The beautiful woman in white fanned herself, her voice as melodious as a lark's. She called out, "Chun Bi!" and a girl of about fourteen or fifteen emerged from behind a screen.

The girl had a demure appearance. She bowed to everyone and then stood obediently to the side, remaining silent.

The six of them ascended the stairs one after another. The madam glanced briefly before leaving. The white-clad woman, however, lowered her fan abruptly, her eyes dark and unfathomable as she gazed in the direction they had gone, her gaze deep.

The rooms on the top floor were clearly dusty from long disuse. Liu Jin had specifically instructed that no one should clean them, and even the twenty-year-old seals remained, now a dull yellow.

The air was filled with the smell of dust and a musty odor from long absence of light, making it uncomfortable.

Chun Bi, clearly acting on instructions, walked at the forefront, leading them to Room Number Three.

The furnishings on the top floor were items popular twenty years ago, now outdated. However, their focus was not on this. Xie Yun and Bai Qianluo had observed carefully on the way up and found nothing suspicious.

After leading them into Room Number Three, Chun Bi closed the door and left.

Xie Jing watched Qin Jiujiu's eyes dart around, looking as if she had seen a ghost. He felt disdain but unconsciously moved closer to her.

As he approached, the unknown fragrance emanating from him wafted into Qin Jiujiu's nostrils again. The scent was subtle, yet Qin Jiujiu found it inexplicably domineering, much like Xie Jing himself. Despite his outwardly indifferent demeanor, she felt he was a very overbearing person, someone she dared not provoke.

She suddenly recalled smelling this scent before she had fainted yesterday, and in the dream she had had afterwards, he was enveloped in this same fragrance.

Could the reason for having such dreams be that this scent had an aphrodisiac effect?

She certainly did not want to have such dreams again!

Thus, Xie Jing soon noticed the person beside him subtly distancing herself by a few steps.