Chapter 1482: Miao'er
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Chapter 1480: Miao’er
What kind of vulgar, seductive, wicked woman dares to touch my Little Senior Sister?
The courtesan’s fair, delicate hand was clamped by Mo Hua as if it were a pig’s trotter, leaving her somewhat stunned.
Bai Zixi’s gaze also turned subtle.
Just then, another courtesan dressed in pink, captivated by Mo Hua’s handsome appearance, couldn’t help but soften her posture and lean toward him, her hands reaching out to wrap around his waist.
Before Mo Hua could react, Bai Zixi’s eyes flashed, and she too raised her chopsticks, clamping the woman’s hand to prevent her from touching her Little Junior Brother.
The scene became rather peculiar for a moment.
A group of courtesans stared at Mo Hua and Bai Zixi with strange expressions.
Only then did Mo Hua snap back to his senses. He coughed twice, set down his chopsticks, and ordered: “You may withdraw for now. Return later… we have important matters to discuss.”
The women looked puzzled but dared not disobey the guests’ command. They bowed respectfully and replied, “Yes, young master,” before filing out one by one.
However, once behind the screen, they covered their mouths with handkerchiefs and whispered among themselves:
“What could two men possibly have to talk about… Could it be… And they even come to a brothel, making us watch… how scandalous.”
“Ah, these days, not only do women compete with women for men, but men also compete with women for men.”
“Who knows which of these two young masters is competing for whom.”
“Speaking of which, this pair is truly handsome. Even if it meant giving up my status as a chaste courtesan to serve them for the night, I’d be willing.”
“Do all the good things just fall into your lap? You’re quite the dreamer.”
These courtesans gossiped in hushed tones, their voices too low and blocked by the screen to reach the room.
But Mo Hua and Bai Zixi both possessed strong Divine-Sense, and every word fell clearly into their ears.
In the elegant room, the two sat side by side.
Mo Hua’s face, illuminated by candlelight, bore a faint blush.
For some reason, Bai Zixi also felt a slight unease.
The atmosphere in the room grew subtly ambiguous, hard to define.
It wasn’t until Bai XiaoSheng walked in and saw the empty room, with Mo Hua sitting beside his Little Grandaunt—neither drinking nor speaking—that he couldn’t help but feel surprised.
“What’s going on? Where are the ladies?”
Mo Hua coughed. “I asked them to leave for now.”
Bai XiaoSheng exclaimed in astonishment, “No way, none of them caught your eye?”
These were among the most beautiful and talented chaste courtesans in the Jade Fragrance Pavilion.
He had called them over with great effort, relying on his own reputation, to sing and dance for his Little Grandaunt.
You, Mo Hua, were merely benefiting from the arrangement.
And yet, you, insignificant Mo Hua, still aren’t satisfied? Do you want to switch to another batch?
It wasn’t that Mo Hua wanted to switch, but rather…
After a moment of contemplation, Mo Hua whispered to Bai XiaoSheng, “The Jade Fragrance Pavilion is a brothel, right… A brothel… and that’s it?”
Bai XiaoSheng rolled his eyes, wishing he could slice Mo Hua in half with a sword.
What do you mean, ‘that’s it’?
What more did you expect?
In front of my Little Grandaunt, could I possibly take you to indulge in carnal pleasures? Why don’t you just fly to the heavens?
Bai XiaoSheng said, “Didn’t I tell you… In brothels, there are still chaste courtesans who truly sell their talents, not their bodies, making a living through song, dance, and music.”
“Although it’s a place of pleasure, it’s not entirely about indecent transactions.”
“Of course, most Qingguan inevitably end up turning into Hongguan, but at least while they’re still Qingguan, they must abide by the rules.”
Mo Hua pondered.
Bai XiaoSheng said firmly, “You want to meet a Hongguan? That’s impossible.”
Whether Mo Hua met a Hongguan or not, he couldn’t care less, but the Little Grandaunt was different.
Just bringing some Qingguan before the Little Grandaunt to sing and dance was already a grave offense.
If he were to be so audacious as to let a Hongguan, who traded in flesh, taint the Little Grandaunt’s eyes, then he truly deserved death a hundred times over.
Mo Hua said, “What Qingguan or Hongguan? That’s not what I’m asking.”
Bai XiaoSheng was taken aback.
Mo Hua shook his head. “I already said I came here on serious business. Who cares about Qingguan or Hongguan? I don’t know what kind of unclean thoughts you have in your head all day.”
Upon hearing this, Bai Zixi also looked at Bai XiaoSheng, her eyes filled with doubt.
Bai XiaoSheng took a sharp breath and sighed inwardly. He shouldn’t have engaged with Mo Hua in the first place—once again, he had been led into a trap by this kid.
Now, in the eyes of the Little Grandaunt, his reputation must have taken another hit.
That treacherous minister Mo Hua has ruined me!
Bai XiaoSheng said irritably, “If you’re not here for the girls, then what are you doing at a brothel?”
Mo Hua replied, “I’m looking for a man.”
Bai XiaoSheng’s face turned a deep shade of red.
Mo Hua secretly handed a wanted poster to Bai XiaoSheng and said, “Looking for this man, he’s a wanted criminal.”
Bai XiaoSheng was truly left speechless by Mo Hua.
How could there be someone like this in the world, always playing with people’s minds?
He took the wanted poster, glanced at it, his gaze suddenly sharpening, and fell silent.
Mo Hua’s expression turned profound as he asked softly, “Have you seen this man before?”
Bai XiaoSheng pursed his lips.
Mo Hua gave Little Senior Sister a look.
Bai Zixi then gently called out, “XiaoSheng.”
Hearing his name spoken by an ‘elder,’ Bai XiaoSheng felt as if his soul had been touched. His scalp tingled, and he sighed helplessly, “I’ve seen him.”
Mo Hua raised an eyebrow.
Bai XiaoSheng had actually seen this Liǔ Sān? It seemed he knew quite a bit about the Jade Fragrance Pavilion, he probably really did come here often.
Mo Hua asked, “How do you know Liǔ Sān?”
Bai XiaoSheng replied, “I don’t really know him. I’ve just seen him a few times.”
Mo Hua pressed further, “And then?”
“There’s no ‘and then,'” Bai XiaoSheng frowned and thought for a moment. “It really was just a few brief encounters a long time ago. Back then, he called himself ‘Young Master Liǔ’ and often frequented the Jade Fragrance Pavilion. He was quite charming and carefree. Later, at some point, he suddenly disappeared, and I never saw him again.”
Mo Hua asked, “That’s all?”
Bai XiaoSheng glanced at Mo Hua. “That’s all.”
Mo Hua pondered for a moment before suddenly adding, “This Liǔ Sān must have had his own purpose for coming to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion… Regardless of what that purpose was, if he wanted to stay at the Jade Fragrance Pavilion, he must have had a lover here. Otherwise, he couldn’t have remained.”
Bai XiaoSheng’s expression darkened.
This was what he hated most about Mo Hua, his mind worked too quickly.
Mo Hua asked him, “Who was Liǔ Sān’s lover at the Jade Fragrance Pavilion?”
Just as Bai XiaoSheng was about to speak, Mo Hua added, “Your Great-Aunt is here. Don’t lie.”
Bai XiaoSheng gritted his teeth. “I don’t know.”
Mo Hua turned his head, about to complain to Bai Zixi and speak ill of Bai XiaoSheng.
“But,” Bai XiaoSheng said bitterly, “I’ve heard some rumors.”
“What?” Mo Hua said.
“This Liu San seems to have been an old flame of a girl named ‘Miao’er’ at Jade Fragrance Pavilion, and he spent quite a few spirit stones on her,” Bai XiaoSheng said.
Mo Hua was slightly taken aback. “You mean… Miao’er?”
Seeing Mo Hua’s reaction, Bai XiaoSheng suddenly frowned. “You know her?”
Mo Hua remained silent.
Bai XiaoSheng’s heart stirred, and he gave a half-smile. “This Miao’er is a courtesan who sells herself for entertainment. If you know her, could it be…”
Hearing this, Bai Zixi couldn’t help but glance at Mo Hua again.
Mo Hua was startled and hurriedly said, “Nonsense!”
Seeing his little senior sister still looking at him, Mo Hua felt a bit guilty and explained, “It has nothing to do with me. When I was doing business before, there was someone whose lover at Jade Fragrance Pavilion was also named Miao’er.”
Bai XiaoSheng didn’t believe him. “Really, such a coincidence?”
Mo Hua said, “Believe it or not.”
He remembered this matter quite clearly.
The name Miao’er was something he had heard from a tomb raider named Scholar during his first time entering the earth.
When Scholar died, he was still murmuring the name ‘Miao’er.’
The problem was, Scholar said he went to Jade ‘Spring‘ Pavilion, so the Miao’er he mentioned should have been a courtesan there.
But the Miao’er involved with Liu San was a girl from Jade ‘Fragrance‘ Pavilion, who just happened to be named… ‘Miao’er.’
Were Jade Fragrance Pavilion and Jade Spring Pavilion actually the same place?
Were these two Miao’ers the same person?
Or perhaps they weren’t the same person, and it was just a coincidence of names.
After all, in places of pleasure, girls named ‘Miao’er’ seemed quite common.
Bai Zixi said, “So, we need to find this Miao’er?”
Mo Hua thought for a moment and nodded.
Whether it was Liu San or Scholar, both were connected to ‘Miao’er.’ This couldn’t be a coincidence; they had to ask about it.
But Bai XiaoSheng said, “No.”
Mo Hua asked, “What do you mean, no?”
Bai XiaoSheng said, “We can’t go find this Miao’er.”
“Why?” Mo Hua asked.
Bai XiaoSheng said irritably, “Didn’t I say? She’s a courtesan, different from a pure entertainer.”
What status does the little grandaunt have? How could she meet a courtesan?
“I absolutely cannot take the little grandaunt to see this Miao’er!” Bai XiaoSheng insisted firmly.
Bai Zixi nodded and suddenly said to Bai XiaoSheng, “Then you don’t have to go. I’ll go with my junior brother.”
Bai XiaoSheng’s mouth fell open, heartbroken. “My great-aunt, please don’t make trouble. If something goes wrong, the ancestor will beat me to death.”
Bai Zixi took out a folding fan from somewhere, waved it gently, and said calmly, “You’ve mistaken me for someone else. I’m not your great-aunt. Right now, I am Young Master Bai.”
Bai XiaoSheng was speechless, thinking to himself that it was over, the great-aunt was in a playful mood.
It was all because of that damned Mo Hua. This kid had corrupted the little grandaunt.
Bai XiaoSheng glared fiercely at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua sighed helplessly. “Why are you staring at me? It has nothing to do with me.”
Bai XiaoSheng sneered, “You’re the root cause of all this.”
But Bai Zixi said, “Enough, let’s focus on the important matters.”
With the little grandaunt speaking, Bai XiaoSheng didn’t dare say anything more.
“But,” Mo Hua hesitated, looking at Bai XiaoSheng, “Where is this Miao’er?”
Bai Zixi also looked at Bai XiaoSheng.
Bai XiaoSheng sighed. “I really don’t know.”
Mo Hua glanced at Bai XiaoSheng’s expression and guessed that this time, he probably wasn’t lying, so he said, “Go and call the young lady from earlier in.”
Bai XiaoSheng didn’t know what trick Mo Hua was up to again, so he could only shake the bell on the table. Before long, four or five courtesans filed in, gracefully bowing to everyone and saying softly: “Greetings, young master, greetings, Master Bai… What may we do for you?”
Mo Hua then asked them, “Is there a young lady here named ‘Miao’er’?”
One of them, a woman dressed in green, looked at Mo Hua, her eyes sparkling, and said in a gentle voice, “To be honest with you, young master, there is indeed a Sister Miao’er.”
Mo Hua said, “Your Master Bai wishes to see this Miao’er’s song and dance.”
Bai XiaoSheng glared at Mo Hua again but didn’t dare to speak up.
“Can you invite this Miao’er here?” Mo Hua asked, then took out several bags of spirit stones and gave one to each of them. “This is for your trouble.”
The woman in green, having received Mo Hua’s spirit stones, looked delighted, but then somewhat regretful, and said: “Young master, Sister Miao’er… is different from us. She handles other matters. We may not be able to invite her and do not deserve your reward.”
Mo Hua said, “It’s fine. These are from Master Bai as a reward for you. Take them first.”
Only then did these courtesans gratefully accept them.
In the brothel, the more popular courtesans earned more money, the more they indulged, the more they earned.
As for these courtesans, unless they became true top performers with patrons, their daily lives were often plain and their income limited.
The spirit stones Mo Hua gave were quite generous, and they couldn’t refuse them.
Mo Hua added, “If you can’t invite her, that’s fine. But can you tell me where Miao’er lives?”
“This…” The woman in green hesitated.
Mo Hua sighed and said, “You don’t understand. Ever since Master Bai caught a glimpse of Miao’er, he has been unable to eat or sleep, restless day and night. All he longs for is to reunite with Miao’er, even if it’s just to sit across from her, drink wine, and listen to a tune. Isn’t that right, Master Bai?”
Mo Hua looked at Bai XiaoSheng.
Bai XiaoSheng remained expressionless, but in his heart, he had already blacklisted Mo Hua.
The woman in green was actually moved. After thinking it over, it didn’t seem to break any rules.
A place like a brothel was, after all, a venue for men and women to seek pleasure.
It was perfectly ordinary for a man to take a liking to a woman and spend money and time pursuing her.
The woman in green then said, “Miao’er lives in the second courtyard, in the ‘Flower Tower,’ which is the second of the four towers named Spring, Flower, Snow, and Moon. However, the second courtyard is different from the front courtyard, you can’t just enter freely. You need a token from the madam.”
“Spring, Flower, Snow, and Moon…” Mo Hua silently repeated the words, his heart stirring slightly, then nodded. “Alright, thank you.”
The woman in green glanced at Mo Hua’s face, her cheeks slightly flushed, and said, “It is my honor to serve you, young master.”
Mo Hua gave her another bag of spirit stones and said, “You may leave now. Master Bai and I have some matters to discuss.”
“Yes,” the courtesans replied and left.
Mo Hua said to Bai XiaoSheng, “You stay here. I’ll go to the second courtyard to take a look.”
Bai XiaoSheng frowned. “How will you get in?”
Mo Hua said, “I am a Formation Master. I’ve already checked, the formations here can’t stop me.”
Bai XiaoSheng was taken aback. “When did you see it? How come they can’t stop you? What are you planning to do?”
Mo Hua, however, offered no explanation. Instead, he looked at Bai Zixi, seeming somewhat hesitant.
Bai Zixi said, “I’m going too.”
Though her tone was soft, it clearly brooked no refusal.
Mo Hua sighed. “Alright.”
Although bringing Little Senior Sister along would make the journey less safe, leaving her here was equally inappropriate.
Mo Hua was accustomed to keeping precious people or treasures close by his side.
Bai XiaoSheng said, “I’m going too.”
Mo Hua shook his head. “You can’t.”
“Why not?” Bai XiaoSheng asked.
“Can you conceal yourself? Can you sever cause and effect and erase your aura?” Mo Hua inquired.
“I…” Bai XiaoSheng sighed helplessly. “No.”
Simple concealment he could manage, but it would only fool low-level cultivators. Under the scrutiny of experts, it would be full of flaws.
After all, unlike the cunning Mo Hua, he didn’t rely on concealment for a living.
As for something like cause and effect, it went without saying, he wasn’t particularly skilled in that either.
His Dao attendant could come and go without a trace, but that was his Dao attendant, not himself.
Mo Hua nodded. “Exactly. Stay here, eat meat, drink wine, and watch the courtesans dance. Senior Sister and I will be back soon.”
Bai XiaoSheng was still uneasy.
Mo Hua added, “If anything goes wrong, run outside and find True Person Rong.”
“Rong…” Bai XiaoSheng was startled, then understood and sighed. “Alright.”
Mo Hua turned to Little Senior Sister and said softly, “Let’s go.”
Bai Zixi gave a slight nod. “Mm.”
Then the light dimmed, and amid the misty air, the senior sister and junior brother vanished right before Bai XiaoSheng’s eyes.
Bai XiaoSheng stared at the empty room for a long time, lost in thought, before silently sighing.
…
Meanwhile, outside the private room.
Mo Hua and Bai Zixi, their forms already vanished, walked one behind the other along the pink corridor, passing through oblivious men and women as they continued forward.
The corridor was somewhat crowded, with people gathered in twos and threes.
After walking for a while, Mo Hua thought for a moment, then suddenly turned and took Little Senior Sister’s hand.
Bai Zixi was startled. Her fair, slender fingers twitched slightly, and she instinctively tried to pull away, but the effort was faint.
Mo Hua whispered, “There are quite a few people. Let’s not get separated.”
Bai Zixi hesitated for a moment, feeling the warmth from Mo Hua’s palm, and stopped resisting.
She murmured softly: “Mm.”
Her voice was light and gentle, like a heavenly melody. Mo Hua’s heartstrings trembled at the sound.
Then he slowly relaxed, holding Little Senior Sister’s hand openly and firmly.
The two of them, concealed and hand in hand, walked toward the Spring, Flowers, Snow, and Moon towers deep within the Jade Fragrance Pavilion.