Transmigrated Leftover Woman in Rural Style

Li Xiaonuan went to see Qi Ji the day after Sang Moyun's visit. Of course, she went straight to the clinic. Qi Ji wasn't there at the time; apparently, he hadn't returned all night. Unexpectedly, Li Xiaonuan thought of that red street.

Sang Moyun shared the same goal as Li Xiaonuan. After learning that Qi Ji hadn't returned last night, she concluded that Qi Ji had gone to brothels. This idea coincided with Li Xiaonuan's, and the two exchanged a knowing smile.

But this time, Li Xiaonuan and the others truly wronged Qi Ji. Come to think of it, since Qi Ji was entangled with Sang Moyun, he only went to brothels twice initially to get rid of her. This time, he only went to help Prince Jing and his men destroy the enemy's stronghold.

Last time, due to Li Xiaonuan's kidnapping, Wei Yu and his team inadvertently uncovered the elite team. With the clues provided by Chi Yao, they have been following the trail and have uncovered a considerable network of connections.

Last night was the perfect day for Wei Yu and his team to close the net. Qi Ji, as the ideal candidate for working from the inside, was directly dispatched to the spies' hideout—the Qunfanglou.

The first day of each month is the day the elite spies meet. Of course, only spies of the same rank and group can meet. As for communication between groups, that relies on the female spies in the building.

Qunfanglou has been operating in Yongzhou Prefecture for nearly thirty years. They have branches in several important cities nearby. Their establishments not only feature girls of various specialties, but also prostitutes from different countries.

Most importantly, the prostitutes' skill in currying favor with powerful people was quite astonishing. Take the Qunfanglou brothel in the prefectural city, for example. It is said that quite a few girls have managed to climb up to the positions of officials in the prefectural city, and have even reached the point where they can openly and confidently enter their rooms.

However, the prostitutes always refused the officials' requests to take them as concubines, arguing that they were not worthy of the officials. What was most puzzling was that although the women refused the officials' illegal demands, they still insisted on visiting them every few days.

Throughout the prefectural city, many officials encountered similar situations. Without exception, those targeted by prostitutes had, to varying degrees, access to confidential court documents. Those officials who violated regulations were subsequently isolated after being discovered.

Only now have they realized the mistakes they made, and they are all filled with remorse. Officials labeled as having frequented prostitutes face consequences ranging from a lifetime without promotion to dismissal. If the offense causes significant damage to the state, they will be held criminally liable.

Throughout history, numerous officials have been executed and their families wiped out for leaking state secrets due to their visits to prostitutes. Yet, there are still those officials willing to take the risk and continue their ways. They thrive in the world of prostitution, living lives of unbridled indulgence.

Although Wei Yu and Prince Jing had made thorough preparations, many innocent people were still injured in the process of capturing the spies. Most importantly, two spy leaders escaped in the chaos.

Fortunately, Prince Jing and his men already had those detailed portraits. So the next morning, arrest warrants were promptly posted in the prefectural city, the entire Yongzhou prefecture, counties, and towns, as well as other surrounding prefectures and counties.

As an inside man, Qi Ji was not only responsible for assisting in the capture of key criminals, but also for appeasing and persuading the prostitutes who knew the truth to come forward and testify. Of course, providing information on possible escape routes for the criminals would be even better.

Qi Ji, who had been busy all night at Qunfanglou, was surprised to be met with all sorts of disdain and sarcasm from Sang Moyun as soon as he returned to the clinic. However, he was too exhausted to argue with Sang Moyun any longer.

But Qi Ji still couldn't get a rest, because Li Xiaonuan was waiting for him. Qi Ji's feelings towards Li Xiaonuan were actually a bit complicated. They were at most acquaintances, but he was surprisingly concerned about Li Xiaonuan's impression and evaluation of him.

"Miss Li, what brings you here?" Qi Ji forced himself to be energetic as he came to see Li Xiaonuan.

Li Xiaonuan rose from the stone bench and bowed to Qi Ji. Seeing his tired appearance, she secretly praised him in her heart: He really is a charming and romantic figure.

But she said apologetically, "Dr. Qi, actually I came to speak well of Miss Sang. Of course, I know it's useless for me to say anything, so I don't intend to say anything. I'm just here to go through the motions."

Qi Ji's previously drowsy mind suddenly cleared up a bit after hearing Li Xiaonuan's nonsensical words. He asked in confusion, "Since Miss Li doesn't intend to help, why did you come to see me in the first place?"

Li Xiaonuan said with a smile, "Because I don't want those people bothering me all day and interfering with my work. So, I thought I'd just agree to it and get rid of them all at once. That way, I won't have to waste too much time and energy dealing with them anymore."

Qi Ji felt that there was some kind of implication in Li Xiaonuan's words, but his mind was too muddled to figure it out for the time being.

“But some people won’t give up just because you directly refuse them,” Qi Ji said.

Li Xiaonuan nodded: "That's right. So, to avoid getting into trouble like that, I usually just agree to people's requests. Of course, the request must be reasonable and not illegal or disorderly. Besides, what Miss Sang asked for is just a small favor for Doctor Qi."

Qi Ji finally understood: "So, Miss Li is still pleading for Miss Sang."

Li Xiaonuan did not deny it: "But my main point is to look at things from Dr. Qi's perspective. For Dr. Qi, helping Miss Sang not only does not go against your intention to save lives, but also gets rid of Miss Sang's entanglement, killing two birds with one stone. Of course, by saving the person, Dr. Qi can also avoid Miss Sang's resentment in the future and eliminate a hidden enemy."

"So, helping Miss Sang is entirely beneficial to me, right?" Qi Ji looked at Li Xiaonuan, who was trying her best to lure him into a trap, with amusement.

Li Xiaonuan replied seriously, "Of course not. Doctor Qi appeared as Miss Sang's fiancé. So, Doctor Qi is actually sacrificing his own reputation. However, the reputation of men from noble families like you is not important at all, so it can be completely ignored."

Qi Ji felt he had fully regained his senses. He had never known that persuading someone could be done in this way. However, he still couldn't agree. His reason for returning to the capital was to arrange the engagement. How could he, as Miss Sang's fiancé, treat her mother's illness?

Li Xiaonuan hadn't expected that Qi Ji's return to the capital was actually for this purpose. Therefore, she asked with a conflicted expression, "Doctor Qi, can't you really help Miss Sang first before getting engaged? If you ask me, Doctor Qi, you should just get engaged to Miss Sang directly. You two are a perfect match."

No sooner had Li Xiaonuan finished speaking than a sharp rebuke rang out from the corner behind her: "Who would actually get engaged to this womanizer? Who is a match for such a playboy? Miss Li, I know you've done your best. Thank you. I'm not asking for this man anymore; I'll find another way. Humph, what a cold-hearted bastard."

Seeing Sang Moyun emerge angrily from the corner, Li Xiaonuan suddenly smelled a sour and bitter scent. Qi Ji rubbed his forehead, realizing that what he needed most right now was rest.