BXG - 16

Confrontation

When Qu You regained consciousness, the first thing she saw was a man dressed in deep blue robes, wearing a jade-crowned hat.

Her head throbbed, and it took her a while to regain her bearings.

The man wasn’t particularly handsome but had a refined appearance. Clad in well-fitted scholar’s robes, he smiled as he noticed her waking: “Awake?”

His smile, however, didn’t reach his eyes, giving him a chilling aura.

Qu You realized she was tied to a chair. Turning her head slightly, she saw Bai Ying bound to another chair, still unconscious. For a moment, she felt disoriented. “You… are Master Yan?”

This person had ambushed her and Bai Ying—and succeeded?

Knowing Zhou Tan’s usual cautious nature, he must have sent men to follow her when she left the Ministry of Justice. She had even spotted a couple of watchers while drinking tea earlier, which gave her the confidence to enter Fangxin Pavilion directly.

Those men hadn’t intervened, likely to avoid alarming anyone or because they were still assessing the situation. Since she wasn’t in immediate danger, she decided to probe this man for information.

“Who sent you?” Master Yan Wuping asked softly, his voice smooth and devoid of pressure. “The people downstairs only judge by appearances. But the hairpin on your head—it’s made of sandalwood, and not just any kind, but the rarest small-leaf rosewood. What brings you here?”

She hadn’t realized how valuable the hairpin Zhou Tan had prepared for her was. Cursing inwardly, she forced herself to remain calm: “You haven’t answered my question.”

Yan Wuping raised an eyebrow, amused: “What do you want from me?”

Qu You couldn’t afford to beat around the bush with him. Cutting straight to the point, she asked: “What relationship did you have with Gu Xianghui, who fell from Fanlou?”

“I was her patron,” Yan Wuping replied without hesitation. “The Ministry of Justice hasn’t summoned me yet. Why are you here before them?”

Qu You recalled what Zhiling had written earlier and felt her lips tremble with anger: “Are you the owner of this place? No, who’s behind you? The women here weren’t voluntarily sold into prostitution…”

“Women who willingly enter brothels have always been rare throughout history,” Yan Wuping cut her off, pouring himself a cup of tea with a teasing tone.

“But these women were once respectable!” Qu You glared at him. “You force innocent women into prostitution and humiliate them in such a place! Was Gu Xianghui also…”

“You speak to me like this,” Yan Wuping blew on the tea’s surface foam, speaking slowly, “and you’re not afraid to die?”

“You wouldn’t dare kill me,” Qu You stared at him, speaking quickly. “If you wanted to silence me, you’d have done so earlier. You don’t know who I am yet. Can you afford the consequences of killing me? If I were you, sent here to resolve trouble for my master, I wouldn’t create more problems for myself.”

Yan Wuping remained silent, seemingly pondering. Qu You pressed on: “That hairpin belongs to you, but ultimately, you’re working for someone else. From what I see, you’re educated. How can you feel no guilt doing such deeds? You gave Gu Xianghui that pearl flower—you must have felt something for her. Let me help you!”

Yan Wuping sighed suddenly, setting down his tea.

As if hearing a signal, Zhiling emerged from behind the curtains, kneeling to untie Qu You’s ropes.

Qu You froze, staring at Zhiling, finally recalling that she had been knocked out by her: “You—”

Yan Wuping chuckled faintly: “Next time you encounter a villain, don’t try using this tactic to turn them. Their hesitation to kill you might simply be to extract more information. If you uncover something incriminating, even if you’re royal blood, they won’t hesitate to burn your body and erase all traces.”

Rubbing her wrists, Qu You remained wary: “Who exactly are you?”

“My name is Yan Wuping, personal attendant to Chief Peng Yue of the Temple of Punishments,” he replied. “I handle some unsavory tasks for him. As for specifics, Zhiling should have already told you.”

Zhiling knelt beside him, tears in her eyes. Qu You helped her up, turning back to Yan Wuping: “Why are you telling me all this?”

Yan Wuping’s gaze grew meaningful: “I need your help.”

“Help with what?”

“In a few days, I’ll be summoned by the Ministry of Justice. I don’t know what will happen then,” Yan Wuping glanced at Zhiling, who nodded and moved to untie Bai Ying’s ropes. “Since you’re of noble birth, I need you to protect Fangxin Pavilion. I’ll ensure the Ministry takes away all the enforcers and servants. The madam has been drugged, and there’s no one else inside. If necessary, you must smuggle these women out without a trace. Can you do it?”

Qu You smoothed her sweat-dampened hair, thinking carefully: “I can help you, but you must tell me everything—the full story, your motives, and why you trust me to assist you.”

“Agreed,” Yan Wuping readily accepted, his ever-present smile lingering. “From what Zhiling wrote, you already know—I work for Peng Yue, but I despise his actions. Privately, I want to help these women.”

Zhiling nodded subtly at Qu You, and Yan Wuping continued: “But I’m just a commoner, my life as fragile as floating weeds, much like these women. After much deliberation, we decided to risk everything to drag Peng Yue down with us.”

“So…” Qu You had guessed this when Zhiling wrote those words, but hearing it confirmed still sent a chill through her. “Gu Xianghui conspired with you, gathering information. She chose the busiest day to jump from Fanlou, leaving behind evidence connecting you. You planned this—to draw attention?”

“A clichéd method, isn’t it? But it’s our only gamble.” Yan Wuping replied. “As for why I chose you… Young lady, for a noblewoman to feel even a shred of anger for lowborn women is already remarkable.”

Zhiling gasped softly, surprised to learn Qu You was a woman. Yan Wuping’s sharp eyes caught it, but Qu You paid no mind.

“Did you never consider that the evidence you left only proves your close ties with Gu Xianghui? Though you know many of Peng Yue’s secrets—and perhaps even have proof—how can you be sure he won’t pin everything on you? Even if you take this evidence to the public drum, you’re not the victim. He surely planned his crimes carefully. What crime could they charge him with?”

Yan Wuping studied her, admiration flickering in his eyes: “I’ve thought of all this. Don’t worry—I have a plan.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Ying groaned, clutching his neck. Opening his eyes and seeing the scene before him, he froze: “What’s going on?”

“I’ll explain later.”

“You must leave now,” Yan Wuping interrupted, his tone urgent. “Xianghui’s death brought me here today to deal with her belongings for Peng Yue. As you’ve seen, his men are everywhere outside. Drench your clothes with wine, pretend to be drunk, and stagger out cursing. If you don’t leave soon, the people downstairs will grow suspicious.”

Qu You reluctantly agreed. As she reached the carved wooden door, she suddenly heard Yan Wuping’s low voice behind her: “Why didn’t you ask me why I’m doing all this?”

Bai Ying looked utterly confused as Qu You turned back, bowing deeply with a graceful smile.

It was her first genuine smile since entering the room, and she trusted Yan Wuping would understand its meaning.

In a soft voice, she said: “I already know why you’re doing this.”

Yan Wuping laughed aloud, whistling at her: “Until we meet again.”