Su Chen prepared to make a move.
On one hand, he wanted to see how Ling Tianhe would react.
On the other, he wanted to draw out the person hiding in the shadows who had killed Su Mengbai.
To be honest, Su Chen had never taken Ling Tianhe seriously.
The person he cared about was the one hiding in the shadows, the one who had killed Su Mengbai.
He had no clue who that person was, and couldn't find a target to go after.
So he could only draw them out first.
If that person had designs on Golden Wind Fine Rain Tower or on him, they would surely make a move.
And as soon as they did, they would show the slightest trace.
Then he would find his chance.
As Su Chen was thinking this over,
creak.
The door opened.
Qin Lan, dressed in a white palace gown, walked in from outside, her face bright with smiles.
She came up to Su Chen and said, "Thank you, Tower Master Su, for buying back my contract. I've already retrieved it from the flower house."
As she spoke, Qin Lan took out the contract and set it on the table in front of Su Chen.
Looking at the contract lying before him,
Su Chen's heart stirred faintly.
He hadn't paid to buy Qin Lan's freedom.
He was facing such a great crisis right now; he had no mind to help her buy back her contract.
But his expression didn't change.
Since she thought he was the one who had bought back her freedom, he might as well take the credit!
Of course, he also wanted to know who had helped Qin Lan buy back her contract.
But whoever had done it now must have wanted Su Chen to leave Yuchun Courtyard.
Looks like someone can't sit still anymore!
Su Chen thought.
"Steward Jiang asked when we're leaving Yuchun Courtyard," Qin Lan continued. She walked behind Su Chen and, quite naturally, began massaging his shoulders.
"Steward Jiang—Jiang Chendong. Looks like Ling Tianhe can't sit still anymore. He bought back Qin Lan's freedom, and it seems he wants me out of Yuchun Courtyard!"
As soon as Su Chen heard Qin Lan mention Steward Jiang, he knew who she meant.
Jiang Chendong was one of Ling Tianhe's trusted subordinates.
Su Chen understood Ling Tianhe's intentions.
If he left Yuchun Courtyard, some of the people lying in wait might make a move against him.
And if they didn't, Ling Tianhe would make his own move against Su Chen.
At the thought, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Su Chen's mouth.
Perfect. I was about to make a move against you, too. Let's see who makes whom more nervous!
Su Chen thought to himself.
Then he said to Qin Lan, "Since you've got your contract back, I'll have someone arrange a residence for you. You can move in when it's ready."
He had many secrets of his own.
Having Qin Lan by his side wasn't a good choice.
Besides, as the foremost flower house in Qingcheng City, Yuchun Courtyard was surely not so simple.
So he had no plans to take Qin Lan to live at Su Mansion just yet.
At that moment, in the rear courtyard of Yuchun Courtyard,
Madam Gui, the brothel keeper, once again entered the room where the woman had been earlier.
"Madam, Ling Tianhe and his people bought back Qin Lan's freedom. Looks like they don't want Su Chen staying here any longer," Madam Gui said.
"How has Su Chen seemed to you these past few days?" the madam asked.
"I couldn't sense anything unusual. He's been in Qin Lan's room the whole time and hasn't stepped outside once."
"He drinks and listens to music every day. The rest of the time, he's with Qin Lan. It's as if he doesn't care about what's happening outside at all."
"I haven't seen anything special about him," Madam Gui replied.
She had kept an eye on Su Chen these past few days, hoping to find something unusual about him.
But after watching him, she had come away with nothing.
"Aunt Gui, it seems you misjudged him. Su Chen is no ordinary man," the madam said softly.
"Did you notice something, Madam?" Aunt Gui couldn't help asking.
"Su Chen should know the predicament he's in, yet he hasn't shown the slightest panic these past few days!"
"To remain so composed in the face of danger means he must have some kind of trump card!"
"I'm curious what that trump card is."
"Have that girl Qin Lan keep an eye on Su Chen. I'm very interested in him!"
"By the way, what have the other factions been doing since Su Mengbai's death?" the madam asked.
"They're all waiting for someone to strike first!"
"After all, no one knows who killed Su Mengbai. Whoever can kill him can kill them, too."
"I've heard a rumor. Su Mengbai's death may have something to do with a Fifth-grade Lotus Platform," Aunt Gui said.
"A Fifth-grade Lotus Platform? How could Su Mengbai have anything to do with one? Where did that rumor come from?" The madam's expression tightened as she asked.
A Fifth-grade Lotus Platform was an exceptionally rare treasure.
Only the accomplished Buddhas of the Buddhist sects in the Western Regions could cultivate such a treasure.
It could help a Spirit Refining Realm expert break through into the Refining Soul Realm.
There were also rumors of a Ninth-grade Lotus Platform, a treasure that could bring the dead back to life and restore flesh to bare bones.
But that was only a rumor. No one had ever seen a Ninth-grade Lotus Platform.
"The rumor came from the black market, and it only surfaced this morning!" Aunt Gui said.
"It came from the black market? Then it may well be true."
"Keep an eye on the information coming from Zitan Palace. If there's a Fifth-grade Lotus Platform involved, it should have something to do with them. They'll likely send someone here."
"Yes. I'll investigate at once!" Aunt Gui replied, bowing.
Then she left the room.
After Aunt Gui had gone,
the woman who had been sitting there slowly rose to her feet and walked over to the window.
Outside, the sky was growing dark, as if it were about to rain.
"Someone!"
The woman called out.
A black-clad figure emerged from the shadows of the room.
The newcomer had a curvy figure; it was clear she was a woman. A mask hid her face, making her features impossible to see.
"Go to the black market and investigate where this rumor came from. Find out who started it, no matter what!"
"If I obtain a Fifth-grade Lotus Platform, my strength will surely advance another step. Then I can leave this place and return to headquarters," the madam said.
"Yes!" The black-clad woman bowed, then slipped back into the shadows.
Outside Yuchun Courtyard,
Su Chen looked up at the sky as it gradually darkened.
"Looks like it's going to rain tonight."
As he spoke, Su Chen headed toward Su Mansion.
After he left,
a figure emerged from Yuchun Courtyard.
Watching Su Chen's retreating back, the figure's face darkened slightly. "He didn't take Qin Lan with him. He went back alone. What's he planning?"
This was Jiang Chendong, the man Ling Tianhe had sent to help Qin Lan buy back her freedom.
"I'd better go back and tell Deputy Pavilion Master Ling."
With that, he headed in another direction.
A short while later,
Su Chen arrived at Su Mansion.
When the servants at the gate saw him, one hurried forward and bowed. "Young Master! You're back!"
Su Chen nodded and went straight toward his courtyard.
"Unless something unusual happens, don't let anyone disturb me,"
Su Chen said to the steward hurrying over.
The steward was called Steward Fu.
He had served the Su family for forty years and was deeply loyal to them.
But that was what Su Chen had believed before.
Now, he was on his guard.
"Young Master, I think you should stay at Yuchun Courtyard a little longer and come back after some time," Steward Fu said, looking at Su Chen.
"It's fine. What's meant to come will come," Su Chen said evenly.
Steward Fu was taken aback. Then he said, "In that case, Young Master, I'll arrange for more guards."
"Make whatever arrangements you think necessary," Su Chen said with a nod.
He said nothing more and walked into the room in his courtyard.
He needed to rest and gather his strength. That night, he would go out and take care of something important.
Before you continue