Chapter 62: A Grudge Settled Today

The burlap sack failed to be placed over Ye Chutang’s head.

She took out a sharp dagger from her space and sliced the dirty burlap sack in half.

Two men, who had been holding the sack ready to put it over her head, appeared.

Although they wore face coverings and ragged beggar clothes, the skin that showed was clean.

It was clear that their appearance was a disguise.

One of them pulled a knife from his boot and said viciously, “Behave yourself and surrender, or I’ll take your life!”

Ye Chutang played with the small knife in her hand, smiling as she replied, “I’m afraid you don’t have the ability.”

As her words fell, the knife in her hand flew out, striking the man’s chest, piercing through it.

“Help…”

He uttered a single word before collapsing to the ground, dead.

The other man, stunned by the sight, forgot to run, staring wide-eyed as Ye Chutang pulled the bloody knife from his companion’s chest and pressed it against his own neck.

The knife was warm and sticky, making him break out in a cold sweat.

“Please… spare me, miss!”

As he begged for mercy, his legs gave way, and he knelt down.

The sharp knife slashed his carotid artery, and blood sprayed out.

Ye Chutang: “…”

“Luckily, I dodged fast enough, or I’d be covered in blood, wasting a good outfit.”

After speaking, she squatted down and used acupressure to stop the bleeding of the terrified man.

Although this method was much less effective than using silver needles, it was enough for her to extract information about the person behind the plot.

Ye Chutang pulled off the man’s face mask while wiping the blood from her knife and asked, “Who sent you?”

By now, she already had a guess about the mastermind.

Xu Kang!

Although she had offended many people, they were all tough characters. If someone truly wanted to harm her, they wouldn’t send two fools.

And now, the stunned man confirmed her suspicion.

“My master’s name is Xu Kang, he’s the son of the Grand Historian.”

“And what did he want you to do to me?”

“First, beat you up, then cripple your legs, and throw you… throw you to the Yingchun Courtyard.”

Yingchun Courtyard was a well-known mid-level brothel in the capital.

Hearing this, Ye Chutang smirked coldly.

“Sounds like you’re not dying for no reason.”

After finishing her words, she broke the man’s neck, disguised herself as him, and headed to Yingchun Courtyard.

She was certain Xu Kang was there, waiting for her to fall into his trap!

When Ye Chutang arrived at Yingchun Courtyard, it was still before dusk.

The sun was slightly tilting in the west, blindingly hot.

The girls, dressed in extravagant clothes, were standing at the door, waving their handkerchiefs to attract customers. The heavy smell of makeup filled the air.

“Young master, come inside, listen to music, enjoy a dance, hold one in each arm, living like a god!”

Ye Chutang hooked her arm around the girl’s shoulder and grinned devilishly.

“In that case, I’d like to experience it for myself, how wonderful it can be!”

“Certainly, young master, you look unfamiliar, this is your first time here, right?”

“Yes, if I’m pleased, I’ll come often.”

Upon entering the Yingchun Courtyard, the sounds of silk and bamboo filled the air, and graceful women came into view, fully displaying extravagance and decadence.

Since it was still early, there weren’t many customers.

Ye Chutang immediately spotted Xu Kang sitting in a private booth on the third floor.

He had ordered several girls, and their faces were close together, barely piecing together an image of Ye Anling.

“False affection!”

Her voice was low, and the girl beside her didn’t catch it.

“What did you say, young master?”

Ye Chutang casually lifted the girl’s chin and said, “I said I want to go to the third floor.”

The madam, hearing this, immediately waddled over.

“This young master is new here and might not know our rules. To go upstairs, it costs ten taels.”

Ye Chutang took out a silver note worth twenty taels and handed it to the madam.

“Bring me the finest wine, the best food, and the most beautiful girls.”

The madam’s eyes lit up as she took the silver note, and her handkerchief brushed against Ye Chutang’s face.

“Please, young master, go upstairs. I’ll arrange things immediately. Hong Luan, Yun Yan, Ru Xue, Zi Wei, come here and attend to this young master.”

Four women, each with their own charm, approached Ye Chutang and escorted her upstairs.

The madam called over a young boy. “Prepare the finest food and wine for the young master downstairs.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ye Chutang’s back as she went upstairs, her expression shifting slightly. After the boy left, the madam went to the back kitchen’s wine cellar.

The wine cellar had a secret room used for passing information.

The madam quickly wrote a message, “Master, you wanted the person with the back profile. I have seen someone similar. Linglong.”

After signing it, she rolled up the paper and handed it to the person responsible for the intelligence.

Ye Chutang had no idea she was being watched.

After reaching the second floor, she chose the booth next to Xu Kang.

The booths were separated by screens, so they couldn’t see each other but could hear the conversation.

She leaned in close, lifting Hong Luan’s chin and said, “Your eyes look just like Ling’er’s.”

Hong Luan didn’t know who Ling’er was, and lowered her head in shyness.

“To be liked by the young master is an honor for me.”

Just as she finished speaking, Ye Chutang heard a chair crash to the ground from the next booth.

Soon, Xu Kang, who had injured his knee, hobbled over.

Without even looking at Hong Luan, he grabbed her and said, “You’ll come with me.”

Ye Chutang extended her foot, tripping Xu Kang so he fell flat on his face.

As Hong Luan fell, Ye Chutang caught her waist and placed her on a nearby stool.

“Good, sit tight. I’ll handle it.”

She stepped on Xu Kang’s calf and twisted her foot.

“Who gave you the courage to take my person?”

Xu Kang felt as if his leg bones were about to break, howling in pain.

“Stop! Or I’ll make sure you die a horrible death!”

“Have no sense of propriety? Could it be you’re really an idiot?”

Hearing the commotion, the madam immediately came over to mediate.

She fawned over Ye Chutang, “Young master, please calm down. Let me make amends for the mistake. This Xu Gongzi is from the Grand Historian’s family. He can’t be hit.”

“How do you know my father’s position isn’t lower than the Grand Historian?”

With one sentence, she left the madam speechless.

Although the madam had never seen this young master before, his arrogance showed that he had something backing him.

“Come out to play and be friendly, only then will we be happy.”

Seeing Ye Chutang unmoved, the madam had no choice but to squat down and advise the pale-faced Xu Kang.

“Xu Gongzi, you didn’t value Hong Luan before, but now you’re trying to snatch her. It’s your fault.”

Her implication was that Xu Kang should apologize.

Xu Kang didn’t want to apologize, but he feared that if he didn’t humble himself, his leg would be broken.

He endured and finally squeezed the words out between gritted teeth.

“Young master, I’m sorry. I was too abrupt.”

Ye Chutang sneered, “You’ve disturbed my mood to drink and admire beautiful women. Do you think saying sorry is enough?”

“Today’s entertainment is on me!”

Ye Chutang released her foot, “Let Xu Gongzi bear the cost.”

After speaking, she extended her hand to the madam, “Return the silver note, and ask Xu Gongzi for it.”

To the madam, she wasn’t losing money, so she happily returned the silver note.

Xu Kang got up from the ground, seeing the amount on the silver note, and his vision went black.

Twenty taels!

He usually only ordered girls to accompany him and a few small dishes, never spending more than ten taels.

So he had only brought ten taels with him.

If he gave the madam the silver note, he wouldn’t have any money left for his own expenses!

Ye Chutang noticed Xu Kang’s embarrassment and patted his shoulder.

“Didn’t we get to know each other through a fight? Next time, I’ll treat you, Xu Gongzi.”

Xu Kang smelled a pleasant fragrance but didn’t think much of it. Annoyed, he took a step back.

“There won’t be a next time!”

Ye Chutang withdrew her hand and looked at Hong Luan.

“Since Xu Gongzi likes you, go with him.”

Then she ordered the madam to bring her two jugs of fine wine worth over ten taels each.

Xu Kang’s heart bled, but he couldn’t say anything.

Out of sight, out of mind!

He grabbed Hong Luan’s slim waist, limped back to his booth, and sat with a dark face.

As soon as he left, Ye Chutang immediately “took advantage” of him and ordered the top courtesan, Lan Qing, to accompany her.

While the girls fed her, she listened to the sounds from the next booth.

Soon, the effects of the medicine applied to Xu Kang started to take effect.