Expelled from the Duke's mansion, the fake heiress is richer than a country.

In the pitch-black alley, two unusual noises occasionally rang out.

However, soon, even more melodious and poignant music drifted from Chaoyang Pavilion, completely masking the somewhat eerie commotion.

Yu Wanran hid on the rooftop, observing the movements at the Chaoyun Pavilion gate.

Women came and went, and wealthy and powerful men came and went in an endless stream. The pimps and thugs guarding the door wore lewd and obsequious smiles as they greeted the guests.

Chaoyun Pavilion has a powerful background; its patrons are all prominent figures in Tongcheng. Others come from afar, drawn by its reputation—it's a veritable den of iniquity. You can't get by here without a keen eye.

Just as she was about to get up and continue exploring inside, Yu Wanran suddenly noticed one of the pimps who looked very familiar. After a closer look, she was astonished.

That pimp was actually the skinny beggar, one of the enemies who killed Yu's father in his past life!

However, it's not unusual to become a lackey of Chaoyun Pavilion. By committing a few heinous acts and harming a few innocent women, one can submit their pledge of allegiance to Chaoyun Pavilion.

Wasn't that the pimp she killed before just like that?

Unfortunately, despite their wholehearted dedication to Chaoyun Pavilion, the pavilion didn't take them seriously. The guy who was thrown off the cliff and shattered to pieces has yet to be found by anyone from Chaoyun Pavilion.

Like the pitiful courtesans, they are both consumables, coming and going.

Yu Wanran's gaze was icy as she stared at the thin beggar for a moment before turning and crawling forward on the rooftop. Avoiding crowded and conspicuous areas, she made her way to a charming two-story building.

This is the central location of Chaoyun Pavilion. Upstairs are the boudoirs of the top courtesans, and downstairs are private rooms for entertaining VIP clients. They offer private spaces for discussing illicit transactions, or one can go upstairs to enjoy a life of pleasure.

Even if you have money, you can't necessarily get into this building.

It was late at night, but there were still a few rooms where waves of passion were surging, and from the cracks in the half-open doors and windows, came soft moans that made one's face flush and heart race, mixed with vulgar and obscene words.

Yu Wanran carefully climbed over the eaves to the second floor, avoiding the thugs patrolling downstairs, and crouched down to search for her target in the corridor.

As she passed a door, she heard a familiar male voice coming from inside, which made her stop in her tracks.

found it!

Her former eldest brother!

Xiao Baichen was a womanizer. Not only did he keep a harem of women, but he also frequently visited Chaoyun Pavilion to seek pleasure and keep the most popular courtesan as a mistress. However, no matter how much he liked her, he couldn't bring her into his mansion; otherwise, wouldn't Duke Xiao break his legs?

Yu Wanran listened for a while by the door, and what she heard was Xiao Baichen's incessant complaints, saying that the old man at home was too strict and he couldn't bring his beauty back to the mansion.

Yu Wanran pried open the door and pushed several half-dazed rats into the room. Then she closed the door, climbed back onto the roof, and waited for the show to begin.

A moment later, a woman screamed and a man shouted curses from the room. The two guards who had been downstairs taking advantage of the prince to frequent prostitutes stumbled upstairs and were greeted by their disheveled master.

Just as Xiao Baichen arrived, he was nearly scared to death by the squeaking black rat that scurried onto his bed! He was furious and furious, pointing at the madam who had rushed over and cursing her.

"What kind of filthy and stinking place is this? The room is teeming with rats and you haven't cleaned it? Or do you not take me seriously and are deliberately giving me this shabby room to disgust me?"

The madam was terrified, waving her handkerchief and crying out for justice. But before she could even call out "Young Master," the enraged Xiao Baichen slapped her hard across the face!

The person being whipped was spinning around, then collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain.

Yu Wanran, peeking from the rooftop, smiled slightly. She quietly slipped back to the small inn where she had stayed, following the path she had come from.

She couldn't do anything to Xiao Yao for the time being, but she had to teach Deng Xueyi, the son of Magistrate Deng, who was ingratiating with Xiao Yao, a lesson first.

Let's see if Chaoyun Pavilion can continue operating after offending Xiao Baichen. This evil den of sinners that forces good women into prostitution will be ripped to shreds even if it doesn't die!

Moreover, there are more than one brothel eyeing Chaoyun Pavilion as the number one brothel in Tongcheng.

Back in her room, Yu Wanran tidied up the traces of her trip and lay down to rest. By the time the people of Chaoyun Pavilion suspected she had been framed, she was already on her way to the capital. Moreover, she had a solid alibi.

At the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), the Yu family father and son woke up yawning, their eyes bloodshot, and went to the kitchen to find cold water to wash their faces.

Rats fought inside and outside the house at night. The other occupants of the room were all poor people like them, who had chosen the cheap inn. The sounds of rumbling stomachs, snoring, teeth grinding, and coughing created a symphony.

I was worried someone might steal something, so I went to Yu Wanran's room. I kept dozing off and waking up startled; I didn't get any sleep at all.

Yu Man secretly regretted it.

When traveling, you shouldn't skimp on things you shouldn't, or you'll feel like you're losing out.

He knocked on the door of his daughter's room. A moment later, Yu Wanran, who had finished packing, came out looking radiant and returned the loose silver coins she had entrusted to him for safekeeping.

Yu Wenbin followed them in, rummaged through their luggage for some flatbread, and the three of them, some sitting and some standing, finished their breakfast with cold water. Looking outside, it was just beginning to get light; the curfew should be over. So they picked up their luggage and went to the counter to check out.

When they arrived at Zhenyuan Escort Agency, it was still early.

Only one bodyguard, responsible for escorting the caravan, arrived. He sat sprawled on the carriage, munching on a large meat bun and gulping down water from his water pouch. The rich aroma of meat wafting through the air made one involuntarily swallow.

In fact, given the Yu family's current financial situation, they can easily afford to eat meat buns occasionally.

But Yu Man and his wife were used to being frugal. They felt that every penny spent was a penny less, and since they couldn't earn it back, they naturally had to consider spending it wisely.

In the courtyard of the security escort agency, several carts were parked, all fully loaded with goods, including horse-drawn and mule-drawn carriages. The drivers, unlike the tough and resilient escorts, huddled in sheltered corners, eating their own rations and chatting idly.

After hesitating for a moment, Yu Man took out the note with the red stamp given to him by the escort agency, and handed it to the escort with a smile on his face to ask the question.

The bodyguard looked rough and tough, but he was actually quite patient. He took the note, examined it carefully to confirm that it was a certificate issued by his own escort agency, and then told the three of them what to do.

"There is still one hour left. We will set off once everyone has arrived. You can find any cargo vehicle to sit in. If the driver allows you to sit in the front, then sit in the front. If the driver doesn't want to sit in the front, then you can only sit on the cargo."

The escort agency only provides protection. Horse-drawn carriages and mule carts are hired to haul goods; it's impossible to set aside one specifically for passengers who join the group.

Unless you're willing to pay to hire another carriage yourself. But that price would be far more than ten taels!

Yu Wanran, familiar with the area, led her father and elder brother to two carts with relatively light loads of goods. After some negotiation with the drivers, they agreed to pay each cart three hundred copper coins, allowing them to carry luggage and ride.

The driver climbed onto the roof of the cart to reassemble the cargo, making sure to leave a recess in the middle so that people sitting on it could hold onto the ropes and wouldn't easily roll off.

But with the wind howling in the freezing cold, you can imagine how uncomfortable it would be to sit there. Luckily, I brought three quilts, so I can wrap myself up tightly, head and body, which will make things a bit better.

Coachmen, being wary of strangers, often dislike having strangers sitting next to them on long journeys.

Although Yu Wanran insisted on giving him the six hundred coins, this way of spending money seemed like water to Yu Man.

He couldn't help but furrow his brow.