"Master, what's going on?"
Yun Xiao shook her head, unsure of the current situation. She kept her gaze fixed on the movement opposite, watching the wedding procession disappear into the distance.
The black-clad figures moved like moles, darting across the eaves. The man at the forefront raised his hand, and a large group of them leaped from the rooftops, attacking the wedding procession.
Chaos erupted in the crowd. Civilians on both sides screamed and scattered. From within the procession, the Royal Guards of Eastern Qin and the preceding five hundred horsemen sprang into action, engaging the attackers.
The street instantly became a battlefield. The civil officials within the procession were terrified and regretting their presence.
Prince Lin also joined the fray. The scene descended into pandemonium. The onlookers, who had initially come to watch, fled in all directions. In a short while, Jiuhua Street was deserted, leaving only the assassins and the wedding procession.
"Master, who do you think those assassins are? Do you think they'll be captured?"
Yun Xiao observed them closely. Each assassin possessed formidable skills, but they were not fighting with their full strength. It was clear they had no intention of killing anyone; their goal was to disrupt the wedding procession, thereby causing trouble for Shangguan Yao.
As this thought crossed Yun Xiao's mind, the leader of the black-clad men let out a long cry and waved his hand. Dozens of them, with orderly and swift movements, leaped onto the rooftops in the blink of an eye.
When a guard attempted to pursue, Shangguan Lin, with a stern expression, waved his hand and commanded, "Do not delay the wedding procession. Do not fall into the enemy's trap of luring the tiger away from its mountain."
He then turned and ordered a guard beside him to immediately take his token and go to the Ministry of Justice to mobilize troops to capture these assassins.
The guard acknowledged the order and departed. The wedding procession continued towards the imperial palace, but the earlier joy had been replaced by a palpable sense of unease.
Yun Xiao and Wanwan turned back and entered the room, silently speculating about the identities of these individuals. It was evident they had no intention of killing. If they had, someone in the wedding procession would surely have died. However, so far, apart from the scare, no one had been harmed.
Furthermore, these black-clad men were agile, swift in their movements, and could come and go as they pleased, indicating they were a highly capable group of assassins.
Where had they come from?
Wanwan couldn't help but ask, "Master, who do you think it was?"
"Who cares who they are? The point is, if it makes Shangguan Yao unhappy, then I am happy."
Her principle was always not to dwell on what she couldn't figure out. Things would eventually reveal themselves, like a path appearing when one reaches the mountain, or seeing sunlight through the trees.
Jiuhua Street, Rouge Pavilion.
This was the most enchanting haunt for the people of Yanjing. It operated discreetly during the day, with its doors shut and shutters drawn. At night, it blazed with lights, filled with music and dancing – a place men most enjoyed frequenting.
The women of the Rouge Pavilion, even the maids, were all elegant and well-presented. Not to mention the courtesans themselves; each was as beautiful as a flower, celestial in appearance. They were not only beautiful but also skilled, proficient in all the arts – qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Thus, the Rouge Pavilion's reputation as the premier pleasure house in Yanjing was not unfounded but built on genuine merit.
It was just a wonder how so many beauties had gathered under one roof.
The Rouge Pavilion boasted ten famous courtesans, the most prominent among them being Mo Ruyan, the confidante of Prince Lin.
Mo Ruyan was not only beautiful but also proud, rarely deigning to look at ordinary people.
To win Mo Ruyan's favor, one needed not only wealth but also status. And the person must also possess refined literary talent. In this vast Yanjing, perhaps only a man like Shangguan Lin could capture her eye.
On the third floor of the Rouge Pavilion, in a private chamber not open to the public.
A set of fine purple sandalwood furniture was arranged on both sides. In the center of the room stood a carved round table, upon which rested a large vase painted with delicate figures of ladies, holding several budding lotus flowers.
A string of crystal beads hung in the middle of the room, shimmering brilliantly as sunlight streamed in. A large bed, draped with luxurious brocade, was vaguely visible within.
Fragrant smoke curled from a small censer, filling the air with a refined aroma.
A divan was placed against one side of the room, adorned with a deep crimson brocade quilt. Upon it reclined a slender figure, his eyes half-closed, still as a jade sculpture. His ink-black hair cascaded onto his chest, exuding a sensual allure.
His thin lips formed a perfect curve, yet held no hint of a smile. Even in stillness, a cold, ruthless aura enveloped him, dominating every corner of the room.
Not far away, a serene and beautiful woman was playing the qin. The melodic notes drifted, echoing melodiously in the air.
Suddenly, light footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a respectful voice: "Master, they have all returned."
"Mm," the man on the divan's eyes snapped open. His soul-piercing dark pupils held a chilling undercurrent, making one gasp involuntarily. A wave of cold seemed to wash over them. With just a single glance, this man could instill terror and scatter one's very soul.
"Tell them to go and rest."
"Yes." The person receded into the distance, returning to their usual demeanor.
This time, the man did not close his eyes. A fleeting trace of gentleness flowed through his cold gaze before it was quickly replaced by a chilling undercurrent. He spoke coldly to the figure behind him.
"Any news yet?"
"Yes, Master. We haven't found her whereabouts. We only know she is in the capital, but not where."
Zhui Feng spoke cautiously, sensing that his master was in a displeased mood. The reason for his displeasure was the loss of the girl's trail.
Consequently, he had been in a poor state for some time, and his subordinates lived in constant apprehension, fearing a single misstep would incur their master's punishment.
But where had that girl hidden herself? Last time, Lue Hua had sent a message saying she had appeared in Su City and had even escorted her out of the city.
Unexpectedly, her trail had gone cold. In his anger, his master had punished him with a month of confinement.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched the man's lips. She was indeed his girl, so full of tricks.
If he found her this time, how would he punish her? A spanking, or perhaps marking her with his brand, so that if she ran away again, she would be easily found.
As Murong Chong pondered, a rare warmth flickered in his deep, ghost-like eyes, bringing a sigh of relief to Zhui Yue behind him.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the door again, and a clear, gentle, and alluring voice was heard.
"Master."
"Come in," Murong Chong's voice was as cold as ice, devoid of any emotion. Yet, it was this placid, unremarkable voice that made one tremble involuntarily.
As his voice faded, a graceful figure entered. Her exquisite and charming face, with delicate brows and luminous eyes that rippled like gentle waves, a perky nose that displayed her proud nature.
Her lips, as vibrant and soft as cherry blossoms, were now curved into a smile. But it was a simple smile that held one captivated, truly a smile to overthrow cities and enchant nations. She was the most famous courtesan of the Rouge Pavilion, Mo Ruyan, and she indeed possessed the capital for her arrogance.
She walked in gracefully, unable to conceal her radiance. A hint of admiration gleamed in her dazzling eyes as she fixed them upon the man reclining lazily on the divan.