"Alas, how dare we speak so presumptuously about Her Imperial Capital be in danger, but my very life would be at risk!"
"Yes, yes, you are right, young master."
The Blood Refinement Hall knew about this son of the Minister of Rites, but he was all talk and no action.
He's also happy to let people find some minor fault with him.
"As for your suggestion just now..."
Young Master Song caught a glimpse of the door opening, where several young ladies, dressed in different clothes and carrying wooden basins, stood, including Hua Nongying.
"I will mention it to my father. After the Hidden Dragon Assembly, it's time for some celebration. I think the Hundred Flowers Festival is a good idea, but it still needs the officials and His Majesty to decide, which is beyond my control."
"Young master has already done a great favor!"
The Blood Refinement Hall cupped his hands and presented a bottle of pills, saying, "This is just a small gift, nothing more."
"Um?"
Young Master Song seemed dissatisfied with the gift, raising an eyebrow as if to say it was too little.
The Blood Refinement Hall chuckled, "I obtained this item by chance. It is said to be refined from the Nine Yang materials, and is most effective in nourishing Yin and strengthening Yang."
"Okay, you can go ahead." Young Master Song silently put it away.
The Blood Refinement Hall nodded, then exchanged a glance with Luo Yexian.
"Let's go now..."
Luo Yexian looked at the two rows of young ladies that Hua Nongying had brought in, feeling reluctant to leave.
There aren't enough people; that's enough for two mahjong tables.
After hearing Young Master Song say "Leave everything behind," the door slammed shut.
As the two descended the stairs, a cold smile finally appeared on the Blood Refinement Hall's lips.
"Only then will the scene on the day the Heavenly Human City appears be truly lively, making it easier to fish in troubled waters... If the people of the Yin-Yang Hall still can't infiltrate... then the Sect Leader can't say it's because I failed in my duties."
"Hehehe..."
Luo Yexian laughed in response.
Luo Yonghao has always been good at coasting along and waiting for death. Back when he was working for Han Zhen, he was like this when the high-ranking members of the Demon Summoning Cult held meetings. Whenever the Imperial Preceptor mentioned a plan, he would act as the atmosphere-maker.
Anyway, he couldn't figure out what the Imperial Preceptor was up to, so he just laughed it off.
The Blood Refinement Hall immediately felt that Luo Yexian understood him very well.
It seems the plan is already half successful even before it has been implemented.
As he passed the counter, he tossed out a crystal pearl and said:
"Treat the young master we brought well; he is a deity above your heads, so do not neglect him."
"Sir, we treat all guests equally."
"Hehe, you know what I'm talking about."
The Blood Refinement Hall felt that everything was understood without words.
Whoever owns this place, can they really do legitimate business? They'd go bankrupt.
If you're not opening a business for money, are you doing it out of hobbies or interests?
A moment later.
Li Mo, Xie Xuan, Zhong Zhenyue entered.
"Master, I've told you we're running a legitimate business, but that customer from Piaoxiang Pavilion doesn't seem to believe me."
"By the time I chased after him, he was nowhere to be found."
This female manager was formerly a woman working at the Wind and Moon Cottage (a type of brothel), and even earlier, she was a woman from a merchant family.
Later, his family committed a crime, which led to him being forced into a brothel under the Ministry of Rites, and after several twists and turns, he ended up here.
"Then let's return it to the guests of Piaoxiang Pavilion."
Li Mo didn't even glance at the bead; instead, he surveyed the shop's business.
To be honest, it was rather deserted.
He wasn't surprised by this phenomenon. After all, his place was very respectable, and most people who were serious about business didn't go there, so it was normal that business wasn't very good.
"Old Zhong, what are you doing with the beads in your pocket?"
"Huh? Ouch... What's going on? This bead seems to have crawled into my clothes by itself."
Zhong Zhenyue pursed his lips, put the glass bead back on the stage, and muttered:
"I thought we'd be making a fortune once we opened, but it turns out Brother Li has to pay even his own salary..."
"Not everyone is like Brother Xie, who can wash eight times a day, just to wash his feet."
"Then why did you open this shop, Brother Li?"
Zhong Zhenyue didn't quite understand.
Actually, it wasn't just him; anyone in his shoes would have been equally unable to understand.
"Just foot massage seems a bit monotonous... Let's add some other services later, one step at a time. Business will naturally improve as we get more customers."
Li Mo had no intention of making money.
But it's still necessary to make this place a bit more lively.
Xie Xuan coughed lightly and asked, "Where's number 88?"
The female manager said helplessly, "Miss Nongying also went to Piaoxiang Pavilion, and... she's the manager now."
"How come I didn't know?" Xie Xuan was taken aback.
Zhong Zhenyue coughed lightly. "I agree, she gave a bit too much..."
"???"
"..."
Li Mo was speechless for a moment.
He came every day and got a masseuse to wash his feet eight times.
One would rather bribe the owner than not stay at Wind and Moon Cottage.
It's hard to say.
Upon closer reflection, the latter is still stranger. Li Mo tore up all the girls' contracts of servitude, yet he still gave those who wanted to leave some travel expenses.
It's understandable that most people chose to stay, since some girls couldn't survive outside without it. But Hua Nongying was different. How could a beauty on the Hundred Flowers Ranking have nowhere to go?
He even paid out of his own pocket to keep it...
It can't be because of me, can it?
Snap--
At this moment, a series of smashing and arguing sounds suddenly rang out in the Fragrant Pavilion.
"A guest is causing trouble?"
The female shopkeeper, holding the ledger, was taken aback.
"Close the door, let it out..."
Remembering that his master wasn't there, Li Mo coughed lightly and said, "Let's go upstairs and take a look."
Once we got upstairs, the sound became clearer.
It sounds like something:
"I just ate the Nine Yang Pill, and you're telling me this place serves vegetarian food?"
"You think I'm a virgin? Or that this is some property within the imperial city?"
"Hmph, go ahead and scream. Even if you scream your lungs out, no one will dare stop this young master..."
Bang--
Under Zhong Zhenyue's distressed gaze, Li Mo kicked open the door.
He saw the flushed-faced Young Master Song impatiently untying his belt, while a woman seemed frozen in place, kneeling at his feet.
The woman was Hua Nongying. Veins bulged on her neck, as if she was trying very hard to break free from something, but she couldn't move at all, not even close her mouth.
As her eyes darted around, she saw Li Mo kicking the door open and bursting in; a single tear then fell from the corner of her eye.
"Which son of a bitch?"
Young Master Song turned around angrily.
He had longed to see Hua Nongying for a long time, but in the past, his backer here was the Fourth Prince, or more precisely, the Crown Prince, so he dared not act rashly. Now, however, he had no choice but to act, and someone actually kicked down his door.
Li Mo's gaze shifted downwards, and his eyes suddenly softened with pity.
"Tsk..."
"???"