Chapter 4: Huan Yi Pavilion (1)

“Which room will I be staying in?” After scanning the courtyard, Wu Rui’an found none to his liking. He pointed at Yao Yao’s room and joked, “That one looks good—great lighting, a big bed, and even a window.”

“That room is too close to mine; you can’t stay there,” Di Jiang said, contemplating for a moment before pulling out a set of keys from her sleeve and handing them to him. She gestured toward the door and said, “Go left when you exit, and that’s where you’ll stay.”

“Where?” Rui’an took the keys, looking completely confused. “I didn’t see any other rooms in this quadrangle.”

“Yes, all the rooms are occupied, so yours isn’t in the courtyard.” Di Jiang led him into the hall, lifted the curtain, and pointed to an empty house on the left across from the pharmacy.

It was Zhong Xu’s coffin shop, which had been vacant for a long time.

“You’ll stay there,” Di Jiang raised her eyes and pointed to the coffin shop across the street.

“A coffin shop?!” Rui’an exclaimed in shock. “How can I possibly live there? That’s for dead people!”

“How could it be for the dead? It just sells coffins for the deceased. Are Zhong Xu and Changsheng not alive? Don’t they live there comfortably?”

Di Jiang led him across the street. When he stood frozen outside, she urged, “Hurry up and open the door.”

“How do you have the key to this place?” Rui’an frowned.

“After Master Zhong left, he left the keys with me,” Di Jiang replied, her expression calm, revealing neither joy nor anger. However, Rui’an could sense her energy sinking slightly.

“Where did Zhong Xu go?” Rui’an asked.

“I don’t know,” Di Jiang shook her head. “He left a long time ago, even before you did.”

“Ah, I see…” Rui’an’s lips unconsciously curled upward as he reached for the door. With a loud clatter, the door swung open, releasing a wave of musty air mixed with thick dust that settled on both of them, causing them to cough violently.

“Cough, cough, cough—” Di Jiang covered her mouth and waved away the dust in front of her face.

Rui’an stepped back instinctively, his eyes red. “How can anyone live here?”

“I’ll have Shuxiang and Yao Yao clean it up later,” Di Jiang forced herself to appear nonchalant and walked inside. She saw paper offerings piled up in the corners, only a few scattered coffins standing against the wall, and tables and chairs covered in dust—clear signs of neglect over a long period.

The sight stirred up emotions in Di Jiang. She remembered how she used to come here frequently to deliver things, only to be scolded and chased out by Zhong Xu. Unconsciously, she smiled at the memory.

Rui’an followed her into the house and was startled to see her standing in the middle of the room, smiling faintly.

“What are you smiling about?”

“Hmm?” Rui’an’s question pulled Di Jiang out of her reverie. She shook her head and replied, “Nothing.”

With that, she led him into the inner room.

The staircase was also covered in dust, with moth and insect carcasses scattered everywhere. The more Di Jiang looked, the sadder she felt. Even being scolded and chased out in the past seemed better than this. Now, the desolate and dilapidated state of the place made her heart ache with sorrow.

Zhong Xu’s courtyard was similar to Di Jiang’s, except it faced a different direction and lacked a large banyan tree. Both their main bedrooms were on the second floor, facing each other. On ordinary days, opening the windows allowed them to see one another—though Zhong Xu rarely opened his.

After going upstairs, Di Jiang entered Zhong Xu’s bedroom for the first time. Just like its owner, the room was incredibly plain. There was nothing but a bed and a wardrobe.

“This is too shabby!” Rui’an panted heavily, trying to suppress the rising anger in his chest. Ignoring him, Di Jiang walked straight to the window.

With a loud “clatter,” the bedroom window swung open. From here, she could see the bright red lantern next to Di Jiang’s bed in her own room.

“It’s perfect! I’m very satisfied!” Rui’an waved his hand grandly and casually wrapped his arm around Di Jiang’s shoulder.

Startled by his sudden movement, Di Jiang tried to break free but felt his grip tighten instead.

“Your Highness, please show some restraint,” Di Jiang’s face turned cold, her eyes radiating a chilling gaze that startled Rui’an.

“I’m sorry, I was just too excited. Thinking about sleeping while gazing at Miss Di Jiang’s room...” Rui’an stopped mid-sentence after receiving a fierce glare from Di Jiang and corrected himself, “Thinking about sleeping while seeing Miss Di Jiang’s room makes me so happy I can hardly contain myself. Thank you, Miss Di Jiang—I am extremely satisfied.”

“I’m glad you’re happy,” Di Jiang chuckled, slipping out of his embrace and returning to the pharmacy to find Shuxiang and Yao Yao.

“Clean the house thoroughly so His Highness can live comfortably. If we succeed in this deal, a month’s rent will be enough to buy two quadrangles! You must take good care of him,” Di Jiang instructed.

“Yes!” Hearing that Rui’an would stay permanently thrilled Yao Yao beyond measure. Without a second thought about money, she grabbed a basin and cloth and rushed across the street.

Shuxiang followed behind, shaking her head in exasperation.

Left alone in the pharmacy, Di Jiang idly leaned on the counter to review the accounts. Amidst a pile of messy notebooks, she found a plain floral journal. Flipping through it, she discovered names and stories written haphazardly—names like Mei Jie, Lao Pan, Tao Yuan, and even Jiang Qionglin under the chapter for the Peony Gentleman.

Though the book was filled with misspelled words and illegible scribbles, Di Jiang understood—it was Yao Yao’s self-written Flower Deities Record . The characters within represented her twelve flower deities.

Di Jiang burst into laughter, finding the collection utterly amusing. She laughed heartily, her body shaking with mirth.

“So it seems Yao Yao has already met Jiang Qionglin. Otherwise, how could she have written his name in her Flower Deities Record? She must have visited Huan Yi Pavilion and been captivated by him at first sight, placing him as the Peony Deity in her record…”

Realization dawned on Di Jiang, and she decided on a plan.

She was curious to see the legendary Peony Gentleman, whose fame had spread far and wide. Did he have three heads or six arms? How could even Yao Yao, who admired Rui’an so much, lose her heart to him?

With nothing better to do, Di Jiang took some money and headed east toward Changle Lane, also known as Yanghua Liuxiang Street.

Meanwhile, Rui’an remained by the second-floor window, watching Di Jiang alternately laugh and look suspicious in the pharmacy. Seeing her sneak out, he immediately went downstairs and told Yao Yao, “I’ll be back shortly.”

“Where is Your Highness going?” Yao Yao, who was covering her nose and mouth with a cloth to avoid the dust, quickly chased after him and called out, “Don’t forget to cover your face, or it’ll be disastrous if someone recognizes you!”

“I know, thank you.” Rui’an waved dismissively without turning around. As he walked, he let his hair fall loose to cover his face, pretending to be deranged.

Rui’an followed Di Jiang step by step, turning left and right, crossing bridges until the surroundings grew increasingly familiar. When he saw the glaring signboard reading “Changle Lane,” his vision blurred, as if struck by lightning.

After all, he was a regular here—more familiar with this place than his own home. Even though he hadn’t been here in three years, he might still encounter acquaintances.

What was she doing in this red-light district?

In broad daylight, no less…

Rui’an’s mind raced with suspicion. He hastily tore at his clothes and messed up his hair even more, ensuring no one would recognize him.

Changle Lane twisted and turned, lined with private courtyards offering entertainment. Among them, Baihua Courtyard was the most famous, housing more entertainers and foreign dancers than all the other establishments combined. It was a favorite haunt for scholars and gentlemen—and naturally, Rui’an’s usual spot.

It was nearing noon, so most of the girls were still asleep, and the madams wouldn’t rise until the afternoon. Fortunately, there weren’t many people around now; otherwise, Rui’an would surely be recognized.

If that happened... the consequences would be unimaginable.

Just as Rui’an was filled with anxiety and doubt, he suddenly noticed Di Jiang turn onto a small path. At the end of the road stood an inconspicuous yet tastefully decorated courtyard. The sign above the door read “Huan Yi Pavilion” in neat characters.

Rui’an’s mind exploded. He remembered Yao Yao saying, “The top escort at Huan Yi Pavilion, the Peony Gentleman Jiang Qionglin, is the most beautiful man since Your Highness—talented, handsome, and exclusively serving female guests.”

Di Jiang… She actually came here to hire a courtesan behind my back?!