Wan Hua Lou is situated right in the center of this flower alley, and from here, walking less than a hundred and ten feet westward would bring you to a bustling crossroads.
However, at this moment, the crossroads are rather desolate, given the recent motion caused by the black-clad men searching vigorously, stirring unrest within the city.
Coupled with the arrival of the literary elite bearing the holy literary plaque, people have opted to stay quietly at home instead of indulging in revelry.
Even those scholars who often look down on others dare not act rashly at the moment.
After all, the esteemed scholars of the literary society are now in the city, and any wayward act that bees known to them could ruin one’s prospects.
Under such circumstances, the entire flower alley is eerily quiet.
Xue An and his group followed a little maid to turn south at the crossroads, and after walking a short distance, they turned into a side alley on the left.
Unlike the splendid main street, this side alley is rather dilapidated, with sewage and garbage scattered across the ground.
Living here are the lowest strata of Ling’an City’s populace.
Yet, at this moment, the slum-like area is also deserted, not a single soul in sight.
After navigating twists and turns along this alley for quite a while, Xue An and his group finally arrived before a rundown courtyard.
The little maid stepped forward to knock, using a rhythm of one short and two long taps.
Moments later, chaotic footsteps were heard from inside, followed by a slightly panicked female voice.
"Who is it?"
"Miss, it’s me!" The little maid replied.
The door creaked open from inside, revealing a paled woman’s face.
Seeing the little maid and the four standing behind her, the woman looked pleasantly surprised.
"Master Zhuo, it’s truly you. Thank heavens, we finally found you!"
She immediately made way, and turned around to shout into the courtyard, "Sisters, e out quickly, it’s Master Zhuo and the others!"
With that call, numerous charming figures suddenly emerged from the otherwise modest courtyard.
It was the girls from Wan Hua Lou!
It turns out they heeded the advice of Qie Weilan and withdrew from Wan Hua Lou but hadn’t left Ling’an City.
Actually, given the capabilities of these weak women, it would be impossible to escape Ling’an City quickly.
Fortunately, these ladies generally had good relations with nearby residents.
In such a situation, they took the opportunity to hide within this slum.
Since it belonged to an almost forgotten corner, their safety was temporarily assured.
Yet, even amidst such circumstances, these girls were still concerned about Qie Weilan and the righteous Zhuo Benzheng, sending out a little maid to gather news.
Unexpectedly, this little maid brought Zhuo Benzheng and his panions back with her.
"Master Zhuo!"
"Greetings, gentlemen!"
These girls curtsied toward Zhuo Benzheng, causing him and his panions to blush, repeatedly stating they were unworthy.
They hadn’t expected that such a trivial act on their part would provoke such a reaction among these girls, leaving them a bit reflective.
In this treacherous world, it’s ironic how these girls possess the most pure and simple feelings.
Whoever treats them well, they treat well in return!
At this moment, the girls noticed Xue An and Ren Ning walking in afterward.
"These two are...?" A girl with a bandage on her forehead hesitantly asked.
This was the very Qian’er who was nearly taken by Xu Gaotian earlier.
Zhuo Benzheng promptly introduced, "This gentleman is indeed our savior, without whom we might have fallen into Xu Gaotian’s hands by now!"
As he spoke, Zhuo Benzheng briefly explained the situation.
After hearing it, the girls’ expressions inevitably changed.
"Might I ask if this young lady is the author Yu Tianqing of the serialized novel ’Runaway Bride, the Domineering Regent Falls for Me’ in Story Digest?" Qian’er inquired.
Ren Ning’s face flushed, and she nodded slightly, "That’s me, do you know me?"
"Wow!"
Upon hearing Ren Ning’s confirmation, the girls present were overwhelmed with excitement.
Qian’er, full of admiration, declared, "Recognize you? You are simply an idol in our hearts! Sister Qie has mentioned you to us many times, and upon reading your works, we were immediately captivated beyond escape!"
"Yes, Lady Yu, could you sign something for me?"
"Rain God, can you tell me if the heroine ends up with the regent at the end?"
These women crowded around with bright eyes, as if ready to eat Ren Ning alive.
Ren Ning was startled, quickly hiding behind Xue An.
This girl, brimming with social anxiety, dreaded this type of situation.
Xue An chuckled, then glanced at Zhuo Benzheng.
"Weren’t you planning to draw the portrait of Qie Weilan? Then start now!"
Upon Xue An’s reminder, everyone remembered the main task.
Especially knowing Xue An came to help search for Qie Weilan, the girls’ enthusiasm surged, quickly gathering the four essential items for the task.
However, Zhuo Benzheng did not hastily begin, instead, smiling with slight embarrassment.
"There’s one more thing needed, otherwise the portrait can’t be accurately drawn!"
"What is it?" Qian’er asked promptly.
Zhuo Benzheng turned even more awkward, his face reddening, "I need an item close to Miss Qie, the more intimate the better, so that I can portray her likeness accurately!"
Upon hearing this, the girls present were initially stunned, then all displayed understanding smiles.
Their smiles only rendered Zhuo Benzheng more flustered.
"No... It’s not what you think. It’s purely that my painting technique requires this!"
Qian’er fought hard to suppress laughter, "Master Zhuo, no need to explain, we all understand, but why are you blushing? Miss Qie’s intimate item will naturally be available, but there’s no need to blush!"
She whispered a few words to a little maid.
The little maid left with a smile and soon returned holding a hairpin.
"Here, this is a hairpin frequently worn by Miss Qie, will it do?"
Saying this, Qian’er handed the hairpin over.
This brought Zhuo Benzheng a sense of relief, "Of course, it will work!"
Yet, for reasons unknown, besides relief, he felt a trace of disappointment inside.
Of course, these thoughts vanished the moment he took hold of the hairpin.
He took a deep breath, clutched the hairpin in one hand, and held the brush in the other, starting to paint on the rice paper with deliberate swiftness.
The group dared not disturb him, watching quietly from the side.
Zhuo Benzheng’s brush moved rapidly, without a hint of hesitation.
Soon, the outline of a woman appeared on the rice paper.
As he worked on the details, Zhuo Benzheng showed no trace of doubt, his brush moving swiftly as if pleting it all in one go.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a portrait of Qie Weilan came into view before everyone.
Zhuo Benzheng’s hand slightly trembling, he set down the brush, stepped back pale-faced.
"Mission acplished!"
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