ng Qianqian t the Fourth Master in the study, seated in his wheelchair.
Compared to their last eting, he seed largely unchanged. He still carried the appearance of a businessman—seemingly affable, yet undeniably shrewd. His overly refined features could easily make one overlook the fleeting gleam of cruelty hidden within his eyes.
He looked at ng Qianqian. "Should I address you as Lord Yin Hu or Lady Lu?"
ng Qianqian replied, "Suit yourself."
He then shifted his gaze to the man beside ng Qianqian. "And the gentleman at your side is—"
Han Ci greeted him lightly, cupping his hands. "Han Ci of the Imperial Guard."
The Fourth Master chuckled. "My humble business operates with modest ans. Surely I haven’t committed any wrongdoing that warrants both the Twelve Guards and the Imperial Guard visiting at once. I must admit, it makes a little uneasy."
ng Qianqian didn’t waste ti beating around the bush. She spoke directly: "My personal maid went missing in your workshop. She is young and ignorant, trespassing carelessly. I ask the Fourth Master to be magnanimous and allow to retrieve my little sister."
"A maid is worthy of such a grand commotion?"
ng Qianqian unfolded a portrait, her expression unchanging. "She stole an artifact of Miaojiang. As her master, I bear the responsibility. I must find her. Otherwise, if the Miao King takes action, I fear my position will be at risk."
"Oh?" The Fourth Master glanced at the portrait with skepticism. "With such striking features, she hardly looks like a re maid."
ng Qianqian replied calmly, "I’ve always been very discerning. If the Fourth Master finds dissatisfaction with his maids, I could select a few fine ones for you and have them sent over in the future."
The Fourth Master remarked with amusent, "What evidence do you have that she disappeared in the workshop? Did anyone see her?"
ng Qianqian spoke plainly, "Fourth Master, I did not co here to negotiate. If you refuse my courtesy and choose to await my wrath, then I’ll have no choice but to act forcefully."
The Fourth Master sneered darkly. "Are you threatening ?"
ng Qianqian extended her hand and drew a dagger from her waist with the other, slashing fiercely across her palm. Blood splattered onto the Fourth Master’s face.
She threw the dagger onto his desk. "Assassinating a Twelve Guard who is also a court-designated Madam is punishable by execution under the law."
Frozen, the Fourth Master fixed his gaze on the blood dripping from ng Qianqian’s hand. After a mont, he couldn’t help but laugh quietly. "ng Xiaojiu, you’re quite an interesting person. Though I don’t find your threats very effective, I do admire you. You remind of soone from my past. Fine, I’ll grant you this favor."
ng Qianqian’s eyes flickered slightly.
The Fourth Master added, "I have one condition: hand over whoever took her to . I guarantee you’ll be satisfied with the outco."
After so thought, ng Qianqian agreed, "Alright."
The Fourth Master summoned a servant and whispered a few instructions into their ear.
The servant hurried out of the casino. About a quarter of an hour later, he returned to the study.
Listening to the servant’s quiet report, the Fourth Master sighed. "You’ve co too late. She’s no longer in the workshop. However, I can tell you where they’ve sold your maid."
ng Qianqian responded seriously, "Speak."
The Fourth Master replied, "The Wan Hua Tower."
...
"Fourth Brother! Fourth Brother!"
A young man dressed in white watched the retreating figures of ng Qianqian and Han Ci. He hurried upstairs and stord into the study. "What’s that girl here for again? Why doesn’t she ever gamble with ? Did you stop her from gambling with ?"
Ignoring his questions, the Fourth Master picked up the bloodstained dagger on the desk. Pale fingers touched a droplet of blood and brought it to his lips, pausing for a mont mid-taste.
ng Qianqian and Han Ci descended the stairs.
Tan’er, being young, wasn’t allowed into the casino by ng Qianqian, so she sat outside drawing turtles on the ground.
Finally, ng Qianqian erged, her hands covered in blood.
Tan’er’s small face instantly darkened as she threw her charcoal stick aside. "Which bastard hurt my sister? I’ll kill them!"
ng Qianqian stopped her. "No need. Let’s focus on the task at hand."
Tan’er stomped her foot. "Your matters are the most important ones!"
"I’ll buy you candied hawthorn."
"Don’t want it!"
Not even candied hawthorn could appease her. The little girl was genuinely upset.
Softly, ng Qianqian said, "We’ll settle this score another ti. How about we beat them up later?"
Pouting reluctantly, Tan’er replied, "Fine."
ng Qianqian headed to the tavern to discuss Bai Yuwei’s whereabouts with Liu Qingyun and Bai Qingchen.
"Wan Hua Tower falls under the Pri Minister’s Mansion’s influence. This matter mustn’t escalate. If the Pri Minister’s Mansion catches wind of it, no one can predict what they might do to my little sister."
The Miao King already humiliated Xun Yu badly, and the Pri Minister’s Mansion has been itching for revenge ever since.
Bai Qingchen proposed, "I’ll go rescue Wei’er."
ng Qianqian shook her head. "You’re unfamiliar with Wan Hua Tower. I’ll go instead."
Liu Qingyun hesitated, eyeing the bloodied fabric wrapped around ng Qianqian’s hand. "But your hand..."
ng Qianqian reassured her gently. "Mother, don’t worry about . I have my ways."
Considering past incidents, Tan’er adamantly refused to let ng Qianqian take such risks alone. If ng Qianqian wouldn’t let her into Wan Hua Tower, she vowed to barge in by herself.
Left without other options, ng Qianqian reluctantly allowed Tan’er to join her.
The two arrived at Wan Hua Tower, which had already opened to welco guests. The main hall was abuzz with music and dancing maidens, an air of enchantnt filling the space.
ng Qianqian wasn’t in the mood for sight-seeing and led Tan’er straight to the third floor.
"Lady Yan, we tried to stop them, but couldn’t..."
A maid entered, panting heavily.
Inside, Lady Yan waved dismissively.
Relieved, the maid withdrew.
Lady Yan sat on a prayer mat, leisurely lifting a teacup. "Ah, what’s going on today? First it’s the Imperial Guard, then people from the Governor Mansion. Who has my Wan Hua Tower managed to offend so thoroughly?"
ng Qianqian spoke casually, "If the Imperial Guard has already been here, it’s rather bold of Lady Yan to keep your doors open for business."
Lady Yan smiled gracefully. "My Wan Hua Tower never closes its doors to guests."
Just as she finished, a flicker of unease crossed her face.
She took a sip of tea and asked irritably, "Lady Lu, what advice do you have for ?"
ng Qianqian sat across from her, staring unyieldingly. "I’m looking for soone."
Lady Yan replied openly, "Go ahead and look. They’re all outside entertaining guests."
ng Qianqian didn’t produce the portrait. Instead, she said directly, "Soone who was sold to Wan Hua Tower today."
Lady Yan’s tea-drinking paused.
ng Qianqian coaxed her gently, "The price is negotiable."
Lady Yan chuckled coldly. "I’m not short of Silver."
ng Qianqian stared straight into her feigned composure. "But you’re short of the secrets I carry. You saved back then to uncover the connection between and the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles’ successor. Give the person, and I’ll tell you what you want to know."
Lady Yan’s gaze snapped to ng Qianqian.
ng Qianqian smiled faintly and called out, "Tan’er, go find her."
"Understood!"
Tan’er marched out, but soon poked her head back in the doorway. "But Sister, where do I find her?"
Lady Yan tapped twice lightly on the desk without a word.
A shadowy figure erged.
ng Qianqian picked up a teacup nonchalantly. "Tan’er, follow him."
Tan’er replied cheerfully, "Got it!"
Lady Yan said icily, "You’d better not try tricking . Otherwise, I may spare your life, but I won’t spare your maid."
Setting the teacup down, ng Qianqian stared solemnly at Lady Yan. "I am the successor of the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles—Madam Chu."
Pa-clunk.
Lady Yan’s teacup fell onto the desk, spilling its scalding contents all over her.
Yet she didn’t seem to feel the pain, her eyes wide and trembling as she stared at ng Qianqian.
"What did you say? You... Repeat that!"
ng Qianqian responded calmly, "I am Madam Chu."
Lady Yan braced herself against the table, leaning forward slightly. Her trembling hand reached for ng Qianqian’s face, her eyes welling with tears in an instant.
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