The two who came out later were Chu Feng, who always had a stern face as if someone owed him money, but in reality, he was a kind-hearted person despite his cold exterior.
The other was Dai Mei. When Dai Mei spoke, she always sounded alluring, captivating to the bone. Many men lost their senses upon hearing her, but only those who knew her well knew how venomous her heart was. The more alluring her voice, the more poisonous her schemes.
Duan Mu, Chu Feng, and Dai Mei were Liu Liu's three capable subordinates, usually handling everything on the streets for her. Chu Feng managed the inns and teahouses, Duan Mu managed the gambling houses, and Dai Mei took care of the brothels.
The three of them kept the street running smoothly, rarely requiring Liu Liu's attention, except for major decisions, when they would send someone to inform her.
"Duan Mu, what's gotten into you now? Haven't I punished you enough recently?" As Liu Liu's clear and cold voice echoed, Duan Mu immediately released her obediently.
Despite Liu Liu's slender and petite frame, her temper was extremely fiery. If anyone angered her, they would face severe consequences. Therefore, her three subordinates respected her and feared her at the same time.
They had all personally witnessed how Liu Liu dealt with others, to the point of flaying them alive.
"Boss, you're here," Chu Feng and Dai Mei said in unison, their faces breaking into smiles. Liu Liu cast a strange glance at Chu Feng. This fellow looked even more terrifying when he smiled than when he didn't, appearing as if he was plotting something. She coldly stated, "You should stop smiling."
After speaking, she led the way into the building. Yunxiao Pavilion was the largest building on Black Street, resplendent and luxurious. Everyone knew that the boss of Black Street, Qi Ye, lived there, but they didn't know that it was just a rumor. The ones living there were merely her three subordinates.
Inside Yunxiao Pavilion, upon entering, one was immediately greeted by a jade-green screen, blocking all views of the interior. This screen was constructed from stacked stones, covered with green vines that arched and intertwined, creating a verdant barrier.
Turning past the green screen, the sight ahead was bright. Lush trees and exotic flowers were scattered about. Beyond the long, carved corridor, various rare flowers and plants were planted, filling the air with fragrance.
In the center of the courtyard was a lotus pond, with blooming lotuses and playful goldfish. A pavilion was built over the pond, its surroundings bordered by white stone railings. The two ends of the bridge were carved with beast heads and lion bodies, making it quite beautiful.
Past the pavilion was an open courtyard, enclosed by three small buildings, forming a natural well-like space. In the center of the open area, a table and chairs were set up separately. The carved, rectangular table and chairs could seat twenty people for a meal. This was where Liu Liu entertained guests.
The central small building was Liu Liu's residence. Although she had never lived there, no one dared to occupy her space.
Chu Feng and Duan Mu lived in a small building on the east side, while Dai Mei lived alone in a small building on the west side. Each building was equipped with four maids. The male servants who handled the cleaning only tidied the courtyard and were not allowed to enter the small buildings freely.
Liu Liu walked into the building, followed closely by her three subordinates. Chu Feng asked with concern, "Boss, why are you here in the middle of the night?"
"Don't mention it, Boss has run away from home," Liu Liu waved her hand indifferently. Immediately, exclamations rang out, "What, run away from home?"
Could it be that the sky was raining red, or that their mother was getting married? The boss, who always presented herself as a well-behaved girl, had run away from home. Something must have happened. The three pairs of eyes stared intently at Liu Liu, who was sitting nonchalantly, swinging her legs.
Unfortunately, the woman seemed oblivious, having no intention of telling these people anything. She merely waved dismissively, "You all can go down. I'm tired. We can talk more tomorrow?"
"Boss? I won't be able to sleep!" Duan Mu fawned near Liu Liu like a dog, blinking his eyes pitifully and speaking.
Upon seeing his foolishness, Chu Feng closed his eyes and wailed inwardly. This guy was finished. Didn't he know their boss's decisive personality?
Liu Liu raised her hand, moving as fast as lightning. A muffled groan was heard, and Duan Mu slumped to the side. Liu Liu clapped her hands, gesturing to Chu Feng.
"Now you can sleep. Take him back. You two won't have trouble sleeping, right?" She blinked her eyes at Chu Feng and Dai Mei with a mischievous innocence. The two of them flashed away faster than rabbits, leaving behind only a sentence: "We can sleep."
Chu Feng dashed out, then remembered he had forgotten Duan Mu. He turned back, picked up the guy, and rushed out again.
Cui'er walked in from outside the door. Seeing the two figures fleeing in panic, she muttered curiously, "What happened again? Miss isn't a ghost. More importantly, why is Duan Mu unconscious?"
"What are you mumbling about? Go to sleep," Liu Liu suddenly spoke, very close to her, startling Cui'er. She patted her chest, repeatedly exclaiming, "My Seventh Young Master, even if your martial arts are good, can't you not be so scary? This servant's courage is very small."
"Going to sleep," Liu Liu acted as if she hadn't heard Cui'er's complaint. With a flash, she floated upstairs, not walking at all. Cui'er watched with wide eyes as her body drifted gracefully.
Miss was almost like a ghost, even her walking was a float. And her martial arts seemed to be getting better and better. Did this mean many more people were about to suffer under her tutelage? Cui'er thought resentfully.
A furious shout came from upstairs: "Cui'er, bring water! Seventh Young Master wants to sleep."
"Oh, alright," Cui'er quickly put down her bundle and ordered a young maid at the door to fetch water and send it up. Those maids dared not enter the building without being summoned. The young maid quickly delivered the water, and Cui'er also carried her bundle upstairs.
Liu Liu was already sitting at the vanity, removing the human-skin mask from her face. Cui'er quickly put down her bundle and rushed over, "Seventh Young Master, let me."
"Mm," Liu Liu nodded and turned her face, allowing Cui'er to remove the human-skin mask, revealing her own face, stained with blood. Except for that blood-red birthmark, her entire face was damnedly beautiful. Her eyebrows were like a crescent moon, her eyes shone like stars, her skin was like snow, and her cherry-like mouth was naturally red without makeup.
She looked beautiful no matter how she viewed herself, yet outside rumors claimed that Miss was still the ugliest woman in the capital.
The capital had three "Firsts."
Grand Tutor Lou's daughter, Lou Sijing, was the capital's renowned foremost talented woman.
General Zhenyuan Jin Nuotian's daughter, Jia Li, was the capital's foremost beauty.
Prime Minister Liu's daughter, Liu Liu, was the capital's foremost ugly woman.
Rumor had it that in this imperial harem selection, Lou Sijing and Jin Jia Li would undoubtedly take the lead, gain the favor of the current Emperor, and secure the top positions. Even Lou Sijing and Jin Jia Li believed they were guaranteed to win.
However, these two competitors were very accomplished, leading to constant open and covert struggles without a clear winner. Thus, victory or defeat would depend on this selection, based on whom the Emperor chose.
Unfortunately, no one would have expected that if Liu Liu entered the palace, she would undoubtedly take the lead. This was because the late Emperor had left a will stating that if Liu Liu entered the palace, she would surely become the Empress. Although the late Emperor's intentions were not entirely clear, this was an undeniable fact.
"Seventh Young Master, it's done," Cui'er carefully placed the human-skin mask back into its box. Liu Liu came back to her senses, stood up, and went to the washbasin to clean herself. She decided not to think about it anymore and to rest early, as she had things to do in the morning.
"Seventh Young Master, are you hungry? I'll prepare some snacks," Cui'er asked with concern. Liu Liu shook her head, "No need, I'm very sleepy. I'm going to sleep. You can go to sleep after you've tidied up."
"Mm," Cui'er nodded. She was indeed a bit sleepy too. Whatever it was, they could discuss it tomorrow.