"Forget it. Every twist of fate is ordained. Do as you please."
Qing Qianxue lifted the tea and took two light sips.
Through the workings of chance and destiny, he could glimpse a thread of heaven's secrets, but all he could do was warn Xie Ciyan.
He simply did not know whether that extra sliver of uncertainty amid the unseen workings of fate could help Ciyan break his shackles and find a happy ending.
As the two sat in silence, a dart flew through the window.
The young guard beside them quickly stepped over and removed the note attached to it.
After reading its contents, he struggled to keep his expression composed.
"Master, my lord, the two young ladies of the Jiang family have gone to the Cloud Fragrance House..."
"Cough, cough! Gone where?"
Xie Ciyan choked on his tea, took the note for a look, and slammed his hand on the table without hesitation.
"Qian Xue, just look at this destined bride of mine. She's actually gone off to a brothel!"
Public morals are going to the dogs! Truly going to the dogs!
No! I'm calling off the engagement first thing tomorrow morning."
Even Qing Qianxue, ordinarily so detached and composed, struggled to maintain his expression.
After leaving the tavern.
Still eager to watch the original novel's male lead get beaten up, Jiang Yourning thought it over at length before taking Jiang Wanrong along to see it.
After all, if Jiang Wanrong dared to rescue him, she could simply pick up a brick and knock her out first.
By then, the sky had gradually begun to darken.
The Cloud Fragrance House had officially opened for business, and it was positively bustling.
Candlelight flickered, and a sea of voices roared.
Unlike other brothels, the Cloud Fragrance House was the largest in the capital, sheltered beneath the shade of powerful backers. Beauties filled its halls, and even its madam was graceful and strikingly lovely.
As such, sending the girls outside to solicit customers was simply unheard of here.
When Jiang Yourning and Jiang Wanrong reached the entrance to the Cloud Fragrance House, Jiang Yourning produced a Silver Sycee, and the attendant at the door cheerfully ushered them inside.
After all, no one had a grudge against silver.
They were only two young girls. They could hardly stir up any waves in the Cloud Fragrance House.
"Madam Chun, find us a private room with a broad view, and send over two girls with outstanding talents."
With a grand flourish, Jiang Yourning placed the silver in Madam Chun's hand.
With that air of easy familiarity, she hardly looked like a first-time brothel visitor.
"Certainly. This way upstairs, young ladies."
Naturally, anyone who could run such a large Spring House was no pushover. Madam Chun recognized Jiang Yourning at a glance and began privately guessing the identity of the veiled Jiang Wanrong beside her.
Fusheng was making her debut that day, and quite a few distinguished guests had come to the Cloud Fragrance House.
Given Jiang Yourning's usual temperament, it was perfectly normal for her to come out of curiosity. Besides, if this little troublemaker really caused a scene and damaged anything, the Jiang residence could hardly run away.
And so Madam Chun settled the two of them into one of the Cloud Fragrance House's private rooms with a broad view.
"Ningning, let's leave after a little while. It won't be good if Father and Mother find out."
Jiang Wanrong surveyed her surroundings. Listening to the occasional coquettish protests and dirty remarks drifting in from outside, she flushed and shifted uneasily in her seat.
Perhaps she should never have taken an interest in the lunatic her younger sister had mentioned several times. She should have gone straight home.
"Don't worry, Sis. Once we've had our fill of the show, we'll leave through the back door.
No one will find out we visited a brothel."
Jiang Yourning winked at Jiang Wanrong.
Leaving early was out of the question.
Never mind how pretty the girls at the Cloud Fragrance House were-there was absolutely no way she would miss watching that damned psycho get pummeled.
Soon, two girls entered, one carrying a guqin and the other holding a tambourine.
One wore misty green, like a lotus rising from clear water.
The other was dressed in red, as bewitching as a crimson rose.
"Weak Water (Smoke Gauze) greets you, young ladies."
"Please rise, both of you. There's no need to be so formal. Any little performance will do."
Jiang Yourning stood sweetly and walked over to help them up with thoughtful care.
Next, the beauty in green played the guqin while the beauty in red danced with her little drum.
The flowing notes left a lingering sweetness.
Paired with the red-clad woman's seductive dance steps.
It was quite a lovely sight.
The two passed the time this way before the main show.
At one point.
Several people suddenly appeared outside the private room opposite theirs.
Jiang Yourning immediately called for a pause in excitement and, without hesitation, asked the two pretty young beauties to leave for the moment.
After all that waiting, the main event is finally here!
Let me set up my little stool. Time to watch the show~
Hearing Jiang Yourning's voice, Jiang Wanrong involuntarily straightened a little and glanced across.
Two young gentlemen in luxurious clothes led the way.
Behind them, two guards with pointed mouths and monkeylike faces dragged a man in black into the private room.
They did not close the door.
From Jiang Yourning's vantage point, everything across the way was in full view.
Soon, two women who looked to weigh at least two hundred pounds apiece entered the room and began stripping the male lead while forcing wine down his throat.
Tsk, tsk. I have to say, the male lead really had it rough early on. Look at how badly they're tormenting him.
No wonder his mind got twisted and he wanted to off everyone without discrimination. He's earned that much.
A psycho character like this is so thrilling, especially with such a handsome face~
Sigh... If I were just an ordinary passerby, I'd definitely be squealing "Hubby!" a couple of times over a character like him.
But now, for the sake of my precious life, buddy, please do me a favor and die...
Listening to Jiang Yourning's thoughts, Jiang Wanrong studied the man opposite them, and her heart involuntarily skipped a beat.
So he had turned bad because he had been treated unfairly.
Just as a trace of pity rose in Jiang Wanrong's heart, the man opposite them looked over, as though he had sensed something.
His eyes held a gloom and malice that would not fade.
Caught off guard by that look, Jiang Wanrong startled so badly that she fell straight off her chair.
That fleeting flutter of attraction and newly kindled pity instantly shattered into crumbs with the pain shooting through her backside.
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