After the mind-reading and gossip-eating incident, officials in the imperial city were demoted one a

Ye Yaoyao removed the silver needles and put away her medicine box.

"Okay, let's go out."

Fu Ling helped Chen Ranran lift Granny Xu up, and the group left via the original route.

Someone was collecting swill in the backyard, and the servants guarding the backyard closed the door and stood by.

Ye Jingyang picked up a stone from the ground and hit the servant's pressure points, knocking him unconscious. The group then managed to escape safely.

Madam Chen has arranged a marriage for Chen Ranran and won't abandon her. By secretly stealing her away, they can avoid trouble for a while.

Back at the Ye family home, Chen Ranran and her companion were temporarily placed in Ye Xiyao's courtyard. After an hour of fussing, they finally had their breakfast.

Ye Yaoyao prescribed the medicine for Granny Xu and began preparing for tonight's plans.

"Fuling, come here."

"Miss, what do you want?"

Fu Ling quickly walked up to Ye Yaoyao and asked respectfully.

"Prepare a set of men's clothing that fits me."

"Men's clothing? Miss, where are you going?" Fu Ling asked in surprise and confusion.

This matter needed to be known by others; Ye Yaoyao only told Fu Ling.

"I have to go to the Peony Pavilion tonight. I have something to take care of. My mother and the others can't know about this. You can pretend to be in my room tonight."

Ye Yaoyao lowered her voice and spoke to her seriously.

"No, I'll go with you." Fu Ling shook her head, clearly anxious about going to the Peony Pavilion.

She had only been in the capital for a short time, but she knew what the Peony Pavilion was. If something happened to Ye Yaoyao if she went there alone, she would be held responsible.

"I'm not alone. Uncle Ji will stay by my side to protect me. Don't worry, you can help me cover up at home."

Ye Yaoyao patted Fu Ling on the shoulder to reassure her.

Ji Xiao was clearly a master. Fu Ling hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded and turned to prepare men's clothing, silently praying that her mistress would be safe and sound tonight.

At the Chen residence, the family was having dinner. While elegantly picking at her food, Madam Chen casually brought up the matter of a marriage alliance.

"Young Master Guo, do we have any daughters?"

Chen Yuanzhao looked bewildered. Didn't he only have one son?

The young master Guo that Madam Chen mentioned was the nephew of the wife of the emperor's brother-in-law.

A shrewd glint flashed in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly as she plotted her own scheme: she wanted to curry favor with the Empress Dowager's brother.

"My lord, have you forgotten? My sister gave birth to a daughter for you, Ranran!" Madam Chen said coquettishly.

Upon hearing Madam Chen's suggestion, Chen Yuanzhao remembered that his first wife had said when she was pregnant that if they had a daughter, she would name her Ranran.

"Oh! You can decide this matter."

"A daughter isn't worth his trouble," Chen Yuanzhao said casually, as if it were just a trivial matter.

"Ok."

Madam Chen's smile grew even brighter, her heart filled with pride, as if she could already see the glorious future she would enjoy after currying favor with the Emperor's brother-in-law.

However, not long after, a servant rushed in, looking flustered, to report:

"Madam, I can't find Miss, and Granny Xu is also missing."

"What? How could an old woman who's on her deathbed and a frail young woman have disappeared from the mansion?"

Mrs. Chen stood up abruptly, her smile vanishing instantly, replaced by disbelief and anxiety.

Her shrill voice echoed in the room, and the servants all lowered their heads, not daring to breathe.

"This servant does not know. This servant has asked, but no one has seen Miss."

"A bunch of useless idiots, they won't even let anyone go out and search."

Mrs. Chen angrily waved her arms, sweeping all the bowls, chopsticks, cups, and plates off the table. The sound of shattering porcelain echoed in the room, leaving the floor a mess.

Chen Ranran couldn't have gone out alone; she must have been taken out by someone.

"I really underestimated her. She actually has someone helping her. Who could it be?"

Mrs. Chen paced back and forth in the room, muttering to herself, her face contorted with anger.

She racked her brains, but couldn't figure out who had helped Chen Ranran.

After finishing her dinner, Ye Yaoyao told Liu Yunshu that she wanted to stay in her room and read medical books.

"Fuling, hurry, hurry, get the clothes out."

Ye Yaoyao returned to her room and eagerly urged Fu Ling to quickly put on men's clothing, carefully hiding self-defense drugs in various places to ensure that nothing went wrong.

"Miss, please be careful and come back soon."

Fu Ling looked at Ye Yaoyao with a nervous expression.

"Don't worry, Uncle Ji is here."

Ye Yaoyao smiled confidently, flicked her folding fan, opened it, and waved it a few times in front of her chest.

She examined herself closely in the bronze mirror, a sly glint in her eyes.

"With an androgynous face, no one should be able to tell that I'm a woman!"

Fu Ling nodded in agreement. Ye Yaoyao was still young, and her beautiful face made it difficult to tell whether she was male or female.

"Miss, it is indeed difficult to tell your identity from your appearance. You must be careful."

"I know, I'm leaving. If my mother comes, you'd better deal with her well and don't get caught."

After Ye Yaoyao finished speaking, she turned and walked outside.

"Miss, you must come back soon."

Fu Ling only hoped that the lady wouldn't come over tonight, and silently prayed that everything would go smoothly.

As night fell, a vermilion pavilion stood out in the quiet streets; this was the famous brothel, Peony Pavilion.

Several colorful lanterns hung in front of the building, their dim light filtering through the thin gauze and illuminating the crowds coming and going at the entrance.

The carved gate was wide open, and from inside came the sounds of string and wind instruments and the coquettish laughter of a woman.

At this moment, standing in front of the gate were a noble and handsome young master and a burly man with a wine gourd hanging from his waist.

"Young master, come in and have a look!"

A graceful woman walked up to Ye Yaoyao.

"Achoo!" The woman's fragrance was so strong that Ye Yaoyao sneezed.

"Is this your first time here, young master? You'll get used to it soon." The woman chuckled and pulled her inside.

Stepping into the building, the lobby is spacious and luxurious, with thick carpets covering the floor.

In the center of the lobby was a large stage, where several dancers dressed in sheer gauze danced gracefully.

The hall was already filled with men who came to seek pleasure, some holding scantily clad beauties in their arms and groping them, while the girls laughed charmingly.

Ye Yaoyao sighed inwardly:

Here, people indulge in sensual pleasures and revelry; however, behind this superficial prosperity lies endless sorrow.

"Oh, here comes a very handsome young master."

A woman dressed in fine silk and satin, adorned with pearls and jade, appeared before Ye Yaoyao. She was around forty years old but still possessed a captivating charm.

Even heavy makeup can't hide the marks of time; her face wears a worldly and obsequious smile, and her eyes reveal shrewdness and calculation.

"Are you the madam here?"

"Yes, is this your first time here, young master? Everyone here calls me Yan Niang."

Yan Niang looked Ye Yaoyao up and down, and smiled knowingly when she saw her ear piercings.