Qin Yang was slightly taken aback when he saw the madam's enthusiastic smile.
In his memories, Huaxiang Tower was a place even the original owner could not afford. He rarely came here.
For this madam to still remember him, her memory was truly impressive.
Qin Yang remained composed and asked softly, "Madam, do you still remember that brother of mine?"
"Young Master Qin has so many friends. How would I know which one you mean?"
The madam's words were watertight.
"Li Baling, of course."
"The last time he came to Huaxiang Tower, he said the Spring Orchid Courtyard had quite a nice atmosphere."
"I want to reserve that room tonight."
Qin Yang smiled.
A flicker of fear passed through the madam's eyes.
After steadying herself, she resumed her smile. "Young Master Qin, you really came at an unfortunate time. The Spring Orchid Courtyard was reserved last night."
"How about I arrange the Summer Chrysanthemum Courtyard for you instead?"
Qin Yang smiled without quite smiling. "Who reserved it? Tell me at once."
"Young Master Qin, we truly cannot disclose our guests' names."
The madam shook her head.
"Fine, then."
"Reserve the Summer Chrysanthemum Courtyard for me."
Qin Yang did not press the matter. He directly set down a silver ingot, patted his backside, and left.
The madam's eyes lit up at the sight of money, and she happily saw Qin Yang out.
Qin Yang left Huaxiang Tower without looking back.
He was certain that Huaxiang Tower had a problem. The madam was merely concealing many things from him.
Since it was still early, Qin Yang returned directly to Qin Manor and continued practicing the Po Jun Saber Technique and the Primordial Qi Shield.
A day of grueling cultivation passed.
The Golden Crow sank, and the sky dimmed.
Qin Yang changed into fitted martial attire and headed toward Huaxiang Tower.
After nightfall, lanterns lit up. From afar, Huaxiang Tower blazed with brilliant lights, exceptionally eye-catching.
Carriages and horses crowded its entrance, making the place extraordinarily lively.
For the dignitaries and wealthy nobles of Linjiang City, this was one of their few entertainments at night.
The madam was dressed as flamboyantly as a flowering branch, constantly greeting guests at the entrance.
When she saw Qin Yang approaching, she warmly came over as well.
All manner of demons and monsters came to spend money at Huaxiang Tower, and the news circulating here was a chaotic jumble.
She knew a little about Qin Yang's affairs too.
With his father missing, he had turned the tide and scattered the ill-intentioned Twin Snake Gang.
Naturally, she did not dare slight such a person.
"Young Master Qin, why are you alone?" the madam asked with a beaming smile.
"What, I cannot come alone?" Qin Yang countered.
"Of course not."
"The Summer Chrysanthemum Courtyard has been prepared for you."
"Which young lady would you like?"
The madam smiled.
"I want to listen to music."
"Arrange a young lady who sings well for me."
Qin Yang spoke casually.
He had not forgotten the original owner's initial intention.
"Certainly."
"The girls here all sing little tunes better than the next. I guarantee you will be satisfied."
The madam wore an exaggerated smile.
She had a servant lead Qin Yang away, while she naturally went to attend to other distinguished guests.
After passing through the main hall and entering the rear courtyard, the surroundings became noticeably more tranquil.
The attendant led Qin Yang past several small courtyards before finally stopping at an exquisite one.
Qin Yang walked straight into the room.
Several maidservants had long been waiting. They poured him tea and water, massaged his legs, and kneaded his shoulders.
Qin Yang did not resist. As though some instinct had been awakened, he looked thoroughly pleased.
Before long, wine and an assortment of delicate side dishes were brought in.
A beautiful, slender woman stepped inside with lotus-like steps.
"This servant is Yaoju. Greetings, Young Master Qin."
"Haha, sing for this young master." Qin Yang laughed loudly.
Yaoju nodded gently, went to sit before the room's guqin, and began lightly plucking the strings with her fingers as she sang a cheerful melody.
Several maidservants also came before Qin Yang and began dancing gracefully.
Qin Yang watched with great interest, picked up the wine pot, and drank alone.
Yaoju's little tunes truly were quite good, making one's heart race like a restless monkey and filling the mind with wild fantasies.
After several songs, Qin Yang had the maidservants withdraw.
Yaoju also tactfully came to Qin Yang's side.
"Yaoju. I heard something strange happened at the Spring Orchid Courtyard in your Huaxiang Tower."
Qin Yang casually said as he chewed peanuts.
"Who did Young Master Qin hear that from?"
"Why have I never heard of such a thing?"
Yaoju shook her head slightly.
Yet the moment Qin Yang saw her evasive gaze, he knew she was lying.
With a faint smile, he took out a banknote.
"This matter has spread all over outside. What is there not to say?"
At the sight of the banknote, Yaoju's expression shifted slightly, and she carefully put it away.
"Young Master, it is not that I wish to hide it from you."
"It is simply that Madam Lian forbade us from speaking of it."
Yaoju lowered her voice and kept glancing outside, afraid someone might overhear her.
"Do not worry. There is no one nearby."
"Tell me. This young master likes hearing such stories most of all."
Qin Yang smiled.
"It was half a month ago, during the Qing Tian Festival."
"A girl named Youlan died in the pond at the Spring Orchid Courtyard."
"I heard that when she was found, she was covered in wounds."
As Yaoju spoke of the incident, fear colored her expression.
"How did she die?" Qin Yang continued asking.
"That night, Young Master Zeng was in her room."
"You may not know this, but Young Master Zeng was a pervert. He loved tormenting us most, and many people did not dare take his business."
"But Youlan seemed to be in urgent need of money, so she accepted this job."
"In the end, perhaps Young Master Zeng went too far and failed to control himself. Youlan was tortured to death alive."
"Afterward, I heard Young Master Zeng merely paid a little money, and the matter was treated as though it had never happened."
Yaoju spoke softly.
"But I heard the events afterward were even more exciting."
Qin Yang smiled faintly.
"The events afterward..."
"They were terrifying."
Youlan took a deep breath, trying not to be so afraid.
"For several days after Youlan died, nothing happened."
"But that Young Master Zeng came again and specifically requested the Spring Orchid Courtyard."
"As a result, Young Master Zeng died an unnatural death that very night. His corpse was found in the pond."
"That day, many constables came, but after investigating, they only concluded that he had slipped and drowned while drunk, then closed the case."
"But we all believed it was Youlan's ghost coming to claim his life."
"Madam Lian invited several monks to conduct rites, and she sealed up the Spring Orchid Courtyard."
"But I heard that on the day of the Qing Tian Festival, business was too good, so Madam Lian opened the Spring Orchid Courtyard again."
"That very night, several girls who went to accompany guests all died."
"Just like Young Master Zeng, they all slipped and drowned in the pond at midnight."
The more Youju spoke, the more terrified she became.
Whoosh~
Suddenly, she saw a figure flash past the window and shrieked in fright.
Qin Yang covered her mouth.
"What did you see?" Qin Yang barked in a low voice.
"I just saw a shadow flash past the window."
"Could it have been Youlan's ghost?"
Yaoju's body began trembling.
"With me here, what are you afraid of?"
As Qin Yang spoke, he suddenly struck and knocked Yaoju unconscious.
After placing Yaoju on the bed, Qin Yang rose and walked to the window, pushing it open.
The courtyard outside was pitch-black. Where was there any figure?
"Hmm?"
But when Qin Yang looked down, he saw that the flowers and plants at the foot of the wall had withered and turned black.
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