Chapter 29 Part 1: Bathing
The moment Chu Yi stepped into the Flower-Filled Pavilion, he was choked by the overwhelming scent of rouge and powder, coughing several times.
He quickly covered his nose and mouth and walked inside. The fake belly he had used to disguise himself as a pregnant woman had already been discarded. Chu Yi was dressed in a lotus-pink chest-high ruqun, the hem of the skirt swaying gently with his steps. His features were already handsome and elegant, and after dolling himself up in front of the mirror in the rented house, his current appearance did not look out of place in this Flower-Filled Pavilion.
Countless men around him were laughing and frolicking with the women of the Flower-Filled Pavilion. Many men’s gazes also lingered on Chu Yi, making him feel uncomfortable all over.
Chu Yi could only force himself to remain calm and remind Moshu and Lianfang beside him to stay alert.
However, before the words were finished, a portly merchant was walking down from the second floor. His drunken eyes swept across the main hall and were immediately drawn to Chu Yi.
The merchant strode over, reaching out to grab Chu Yi’s wrist. Seeing this, Chu Yi immediately dodged.
The merchant was heavily intoxicated, slurring his words, “Yo, this new little lady looks very unfamiliar! But she’s quite a beauty… I like them fresh. Is it your first time?”
Chu Yi quickly turned and strode toward a less crowded area to hide, but he was unexpectedly grabbed by the waist by the merchant. “Little beauty, I’m in a good mood today. Have a couple of drinks with me, and I guarantee I’ll make you comfortable.”
Chu Yi thought this was bad. He shot a look at Lianfang. Just as he was about to break free, the merchant tightened his grip, forcing Chu Yi to be face-to-face with him, extremely close.
The merchant secretly released his xìnxiāng, nibbled on the side of Chu Yi’s ear, and whispered, “Little beauty, you can earn a thousand gold in just one night. I have plenty of money. It’s just a matter of a word~ I’ll be gentle with you!”
A wave of alcohol-laden breath washed over him. Chu Yi felt nauseous and wanted to vomit but didn’t dare to show any impatience. He secretly reminded himself that the most important thing right now was to escape Sheng Qianheng’s pursuit…
“Sir, this humble lady is not feeling well today and is really not in a position to serve…”
Before he could finish, the merchant impatiently interrupted him, “In this Flower-Filled Pavilion, which little lady has a time when she’s not feeling well? Hmph, hurry up and prepare the wine and food, and keep me company for a night. My taking a liking to you is giving you a chance to soar to success overnight. Don’t be ungrateful!”
The stench on the merchant made Chu Yi feel sick, but the situation forced him to endure it for a while. Fortunately, he had hidden a sleeping powder in his sleeve for emergencies. If this merchant really tried to violate him, he would have to use it.
Sheng Qianheng ordered the soldier to lead the way back to the rented house to check again, but the house was already empty, just as he had guessed…
Waves of drowsiness washed over him, but he forced himself to stay awake.
Just as he was passing by the Flower-Filled Pavilion, he caught a faint scent of Chu Yi. He instantly sobered up and quickly turned to look at the sign of the Flower-Filled Pavilion.
If Chu Yi dared to enter the Flower-Filled Pavilion, with his identity as a Kunze, he would only be devoured by those lecherous men…
He hesitated for a moment, then entered the Flower-Filled Pavilion with a few Imperial Guards.
Sheng Qianheng quickly scanned the people in the main hall. Even if he was extremely sensitive to Chu Yi’s xìnxiāng, he couldn’t distinguish the scent of Danshen in this environment of mixed smells.
Chu Yi was on the verge of holding his breath to ignore the stench on the merchant. When he looked back, he noticed that Sheng Qianheng had already entered the Flower-Filled Pavilion with his men. Instantly, all his plans were thrown into disarray…
How on earth did Sheng Qianheng manage to follow him wherever he went! Did he have a dog’s nose?
In the moment Chu Yi was dazed, the merchant’s hands had already begun to wander. No matter how repulsed Chu Yi was, he couldn’t resist.
He knew that if he resisted forcefully now, he would only attract more attention, which would expose his identity and draw Sheng Qianheng’s attention.
Thus, he could only swallow his anger for the time being and let the merchant pull him along. He raised a hand to the merchant’s chest and smiled faintly. “Sir, don’t be in such a hurry~ This humble lady only said I was unwell, not that I was refusing… Why don’t we go upstairs?”
Only then was the merchant satisfied. He wrapped his other arm around another woman beside him and went upstairs with Chu Yi.
Chu Yi looked sideways at Lianfang and Moshu, signaling them to hide first.
The three of them went up the stairs to the second floor.
Chu Yi was taken into a private room by the merchant. The room was surprisingly filled with beauties of similar appearance. He couldn’t even count them on one hand…
The woman who had been playing the pipa was the first to stand up, walk to the merchant, and take his arm, saying sourly, “Why did you bring another new sister up?”
The merchant pinched the woman’s cheek and coaxed, “It’s more fun with more people. I’m in a good mood today. Every little beauty will be handsomely rewarded~”
Chu Yi gave an awkward smile. What was he supposed to do? Seeing that the merchant’s grip had loosened, he immediately shifted his body away.
He immediately poured a cup of tea. While the women in the room were all focused on the merchant, he sprinkled the sleeping powder from his sleeve into the cup and shook it.
Sensing the beauty in his arms slip away, the merchant immediately pushed away the women who were swarming him.
Hearing the merchant’s heavy footsteps behind him, Chu Yi quickly turned around. He held the teacup with his teeth and said with a charming smile, “Sir, how about this humble lady serves you a cup of tea?”
The merchant instantly felt a rush of blood. He pulled Chu Yi onto the table to sit and replied, “Little beauty, I still don’t know what to call you.”
The moment Chu Yi was lifted, he felt the hair on his arms stand on end. The fat, thick palm made him tremble slightly.
In comparison, he was more accepting of intimate contact with Sheng Qianheng. At least Sheng Qianheng was handsome and a gentleman!
Chu Yi continued, “Sir, after you drink this cup of tea, this humble lady will tell you.”
The merchant immediately leaned in, and Chu Yi lowered his head to pour the tea into his mouth. He took the cup, lowered his head shyly, and said, “This humble lady’s name is Nongying…”
The merchant repeated, “Nongying… a good name indeed! Hahahaha! How old are you? I love the young ones! You look very unfamiliar. Is it your first time entertaining guests?”
Chu Yi had already felt sick to his stomach several times. What kind of disgusting man was this? Preying on the young ones!
“I am sixteen. It is my first time. I hope sir will be gentle… But there are so many sisters in your room. I…”
The merchant immediately looked back and glared fiercely at the women who had ruined his mood. “Get out, all of you! You’ve upset my darling!”
Seeing the women leave the room, Chu Yi breathed a sigh of relief. Now, he just had to wait for the drug to take effect, and he could get away.
The merchant pinched Chu Yi’s chin and studied his appearance, his smile almost reaching his temples. “Darling, now that you’re the only one in my room, how are you going to entertain me?”
Chu Yi unconsciously swallowed, quickly slipped past the merchant, got off the table, and walked away quickly. He then said, “Sir, you haven’t told this servant your identity. If you come again in the future, this servant will definitely find you first…”
The merchant was already blinded by lust. He stared at Chu Yi’s slender waist, wishing he could strip him naked immediately. “I am the Imperial Censor of the current dynasty. A high-ranking official! Darling, I’m very impatient!”
Chu Yi waved his hand. Just as the merchant was about to reach him, he quickly bent down and ran under his arm. “Sir, as the saying goes, you can’t eat hot tofu in a hurry! Let’s take our time!”
The merchant’s vision was blurry. He thought it was just the alcohol. By the time he turned around, he had already taken off his top, revealing his chest…
“Darling, are you afraid I’ll hurt you? It’s always a little painful the first time. I’ll be gentle. It will only hurt for a moment, and then you’ll feel good!”
Seeing that the merchant was already unsteady, Chu Yi took the opportunity to continue circling with him. “Sir, let’s play a game. If you lose, you take off a piece of clothing. If this servant loses, I’ll do the same. How about it?”
The merchant laughed nonstop. “Alright, darling, what do you want to play?”
Chu Yi pointed to a plate of grapes on the table. “Guess how many grapes there are. The one who guesses closer wins. This servant guesses there are more than thirty.”
The merchant: “Then I’ll guess there are at least forty. Darling, come and count.”
Chu Yi loosened his belt slightly and shot a look at the merchant. “Sir, you count, so you won’t say this servant cheated later!”
The merchant stared at Chu Yi’s action of loosening his belt, his eyes shining. “Alright, alright! I’ll count, I’ll count! What a clever darling!”
The merchant was only halfway through counting when his vision was filled with phantoms. In a moment, he fell backward.
Chu Yi didn’t even have time to support him. The merchant fell heavily to the floor with a loud thud.
His gaze fell on the small tent pitched by the merchant. Chu Yi, with a look of disdain, lifted his foot and stomped on it twice.
And he’s the Imperial Censor! What a disgusting person!
Chu Yi took off his clothes and casually draped a thin shirt from the floor over himself. He changed into different clothes as much as possible, mixing the scents on his body. He hoped Sheng Qianheng wouldn’t catch him.
After venting his anger on the merchant, he immediately left the room and closed the door, hoping that no one had noticed the sound of the merchant falling!
Sheng Qianheng had searched the main hall on the first floor from top to bottom but couldn’t find any trace of Chu Yi. He looked up at the second floor. The second floor was all private rooms. It was self-evident what the people inside were doing…
If he hadn’t smelled wrong, Chu Yi must be in this Flower-Filled Pavilion! He had sent the Imperial Guard to block all exits of this Flower-Filled Pavilion, front and back.
If Chu Yi wanted to escape, it would be impossible even if he grew wings!
But he was unwilling to check those private rooms. If he really found Chu Yi in one of them…
The sudden noise drew the attention of everyone on the first floor to the source. Sheng Qianheng slowly went upstairs.
It wasn’t until Chu Yi stepped out of that private room that he saw the red mark on the back of his neck. His back teeth were about to shatter!
Chu Yi secretly looked downstairs and scanned the area but didn’t see Sheng Qianheng.
Could Sheng Qianheng have already left? Then Sheng Qianheng must be a true gentleman, disliking this place of brothels.
He turned, intending to look for other exits in the Flower-Filled Pavilion, when he heard Sheng Qianheng’s voice from behind:
“This little lady’s figure is quite similar to my runaway wife!”
Without looking back, Chu Yi took to his heels, only to have his path blocked by a hidden guard.
He gave an awkward laugh and said, “Officers, this servant is just one of the people in this Flower-Filled Pavilion. What… is this for?”
Sheng Qianheng walked up to Chu Yi step by step until he was behind him. He leaned down close to his ear and asked, “Did you have fun playing hide-and-seek?”
Chu Yi didn’t dare to turn around and could only continue in a woman’s voice, “Sir, have you mistaken me for someone else?”
Sheng Qianheng clapped lightly and laughed. “Oh~ May I ask for the young lady’s stage name?”
Chu Yi unconsciously fiddled with his fingertips, his heart already in his throat. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. “This servant’s name is Nongying.”
“Nongying~” Sheng Qianheng couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. “Playing tricks, chasing shadows… a good name, a truly good name!”
Chu Yi asked, “Sir, can you let this servant leave now?”
Sheng Qianheng naturally couldn’t let Chu Yi leave. He continued to press, “May I ask, did the man in this room serve you well?”
On the high platform in the center of the main hall on the first floor, the top courtesan was holding a pipa, her red lips slightly parted as she sang a seductive ballad. The people sitting below were drinking and playing finger-guessing games, slamming the table when they got excited.
The entire Flower-Filled Pavilion was filled with the clinking of wine cups, the roars of finger-guessing games, and the loud shouts of teasing, creating a lively atmosphere.
The noise was incessant, but Chu Yi could clearly hear his own pounding heart. His back was already slightly damp with sweat.
How could he appease Sheng Qianheng’s anger now? Could Sheng Qianheng think he had been defiled by someone else?
Seeing that Chu Yi hadn’t answered for a long time, the Imperial Guard reminded him sharply, “Young lady, our master is asking you a question…”
Chu Yi felt his feet go numb. With a fierce wolf standing behind him, his thoughts momentarily shut down.
His fingertips trembled slightly. Only then did he remember the foolproof plan Moshu had prepared in advance.
Just as he was about to explain, Sheng Qianheng put his hands on his shoulders, turned him around to face him, and threw him over his shoulder.
Sheng Qianheng said, “Clear everyone out of this Flower-Filled Pavilion!”
Chu Yi felt the world spin and cried out, “Put me down! Sheng Qianheng! Put me down!”
Sheng Qianheng reached up and pinched Chu Yi’s buttock, demanding, “Not lying now? You know I’m Sheng Qianheng?”
The pain from his buttock made Chu Yi’s cheeks flush. He kicked at Sheng Qianheng. “I was just scared just now. I didn’t recognize your voice! Hurry up and put me down!”
Sheng Qianheng carried Chu Yi into the quietest private room on the third floor. He threw him onto the bed and continued to reprimand, “Run? You still dare to run? Chu Yi, you’re getting bolder and bolder, daring to plot your escape right under my nose!”
The back of Chu Yi’s head hit the edge of the bed. For a moment, his vision blurred, and he couldn’t see anything. A ringing sound filled his ears.
In an instant, the light before him was blocked, and the moment the soft lips pressed against his, Chu Yi unconsciously opened his mouth…
The saliva in his mouth was plundered, and everything in his eyes became illusory. Chu Yi only felt a wave of heat wash over his body, and his breathing gradually became difficult.
Sheng Qianheng seemed to have gone mad, like a hungry wolf that hadn’t caught its prey in a long time, only knowing how to tear and plunder. He pushed Chu Yi to the edge of the bed, leaving him no room to retreat.
The moment he saw Chu Yi run out of that private room, all the wicked thoughts in his heart spread uncontrollably… Chu Yi could only be his, and could not be touched by anyone else!
The kiss gradually shifted, landing on the back of his neck.
Their breaths mingled…
