Night fell deeper, and a row of red lanterns hung before the entrance of Xiaoxiang Pavilion in the south of the city, swaying gently in the wind.
Judging by its scale outside, this building was somewhat larger than Red Sleeve Pavilion.
The laughter of women and various cosmetic scents drifted continually out from the doors.
It was quite lively.
Chen Ye stood at the entrance, looked up, and after catching a glimpse of the three-character plaque that read "Xiaoxiang Pavilion", he lifted his foot and walked inside.
The moment he stepped inside, a maid dressed in a plain cyan skirt came out to welcome him.
As if she had been waiting specifically for him, she curtsied and said, "Is this Young Master Chen? The young lady upstairs has already prepared a private room, please follow this maid."
Chen Ye could not help feeling a trace of surprise in his heart.
Clearly, the other party had investigated him thoroughly over the past few days.
His curiosity regarding the strength of Jinxuan Tower inevitably grew stronger.
Chen Ye kept his expression calm, followed the maid as she bypassed the noisy ground-floor hall, and walked up the wooden stairs to the second floor.
The second-floor corridor was covered with a dark red carpet, and the doors on both sides were tightly shut, though the occasional sound of a pipa drifted out from inside, making it much quieter than downstairs.
The maid led him to the door of one of the private rooms, stopped, stepped aside, and said softly, "Young Master Chen, please."
With that, she stood respectfully to the side and spoke no further.
Chen Ye reached out, pushed open the room door, and stepped inside.
The room inside was not large, but it was arranged rather exquisitely.
Right in the middle, a