cold clothes

"What? Didn't Yunmei die of illness?" Yun Qiu was extremely surprised, then said in a panic, "Ningbi, you can't just say things like that!"

"Sister Yunqiu, I'm not lying! Look, that's the murder weapon used to kill Sister Yunmei, the whole box is full of them!" Lengyi pointed to the box in the corner, and everyone was stunned when they saw the box full of torture instruments.

The commander of the Imperial Guard was in a bit of a headache. He had originally come to arrest Lord Liang for alleged embezzlement, but he hadn't expected him to be involved in a murder case as well.

Liang Shuyun was truly panicked at this moment, and subconsciously retorted, "Commander Hu, that was a wicked woman who framed me! That box has nothing to do with me!"

But clearly no matter how he argued, no one believed him. Between a shirtless adult man and a pitifully crying girl, a normal person would lean towards the weaker side.

"I didn't... Lord Liang just tried to torture me with the things in the box, and when he failed, he wanted to kill me..." Leng Yi sobbed, tears streaming down her face, tilting her head back so that everyone could see the marks on her neck.

“Ningbi, don’t be afraid,” Yunqiu hugged Lengyi tightly with heartache, then looked up at Commander Hu and pleaded softly, “Commander Hu, I believe my sister’s words. I know that the girls of Fengxiang Pavilion are of low status, but please give us justice.”

That single glance was like a lotus blossom opening and a dragonfly skimming the water; the young men present blushed inexplicably. The most beautiful courtesan in the capital had asked you for a favor—who could resist?

Commander Hu coughed twice but managed to hold his tongue. "This involves human lives, and the Dali Temple needs to make a careful decision on this case."

Yun Qiu smiled and said, "This humble woman trusts the Dali Temple and the Commander."

At this moment, Madam Hu finally arrived. She negotiated with Commander Hu, while Yunqiu and Lengyi retreated behind her. Upon seeing Lord Liang being arrested, Madam Hu immediately showed a look of terror. Before Commander Hu could say anything, she revealed everything about Liang Shuyun's cruelty towards Yunmei and the ten thousand taels of hush money. She then tearfully recounted how she had always been subservient to Lord Liang's official power, daring not to speak out against him, and had watched helplessly as Yunmei died a miserable death.

Leng Yi clicked her tongue in amazement at Hu Mama's superb performance, wondering if even a sliver of truth was being conveyed with genuine emotion. Liang Shuyun stood by, looking like an old dog that had been hit by a stone. Unexpectedly, Hu Mama mentioned herself, saying with deep remorse, "I feel most sorry for Ningbi, that little girl. She was closest to Yunmei. Seeing Yunmei's gruesome death that night was a tremendous shock; she was blind for a long time, and just when she finally regained her sight, this happened..."

This statement successfully made Leng Yi the center of attention, with everyone's eyes drawn to her rare blue eyes. Leng Yi felt a chill run down her spine under the scrutiny of various gazes. She didn't know why Madam Hu had brought her up, and felt like she was caught in a spider's web. Madam Hu was definitely up to something, but she could only play along.

Leng Yi timidly snuggled into Yun Qiu's arms, and Yun Qiu embraced her tenderly in return.

Upon seeing this, Commander Hu was filled with rage and wished he could give his life for the two beauties, one big and one small.

"Don't worry, Madam Hu, the Dali Temple will definitely uphold justice!"

"Commander Hu, how can you only listen to one side of the story! I am an official appointed by the imperial court; you have no right to arrest me!"

“You’re mistaken, Vice Minister of Works,” Commander Hu rolled his eyes at him. “I’m here on orders to arrest you on charges of embezzlement and bribery.” With that, Commander Hu waved his hand at his subordinates. “Send Lord Liang to the Court of Judicial Review to collect evidence from this room. Oh, and take that dagger on his shoulder too.” Commander Hu pointed to the dagger on Liang Shuyun’s shoulder.

The dagger was then forcibly removed, and a bloodcurdling scream pierced the sky.

-

Finally, Liang Shuyun was arrested, and Mama Hu handed over all of Liang Shuyun's bills from Fengxianglou, including both the overt and covert ones.

Seeing Liang Shuyun's disheveled state in front of everyone, Leng Yi felt nothing. Perhaps she was too excited to feel anything. She couldn't help but wonder in her heart, is this Liang Shuyun's ending? Can such an ending comfort Yunmei's spirit in heaven?

"Ningbi, let me take you back to Zhuoyu Pavilion." Yunqiu took her hand and led her away. Lengyi followed closely behind her. As they walked, she felt very uncomfortable. After removing the white cloth, she could see all the eyes that were watching her, and meeting those eyes was too oppressive.

They were watching her, even with Yunqiu, the most beautiful courtesan, beside her.

Relief was felt only when they reached the backyard. Yunqiu said calmly to Lengyi, "How does it feel to be the center of attention? You will receive such gazes every day from now on, whether they are admiring, jealous, covetous, or disdainful. The only thing you have to do is to be stunningly beautiful in all kinds of eyes."

"Beautiful enough to topple kingdoms..." Leng Yi pondered for a moment before asking, "What about Liang Shuyun?"

"He committed embezzlement and murder, so he should be sentenced to death, right?"

"You knew all along, didn't you?"

"What are you referring to, Xiao Ningbi?" Yun Qiu stopped and looked down at Leng Yi, smiling faintly.

Leng Yi said indifferently, "You all know about Liang Shuyun killing Yun Mei, and about what happened today, and about Liang Shuyun being reported for embezzlement, right? Everything is under your—no, it should be Hu Mama's—control."

"What exactly is the background of Fengxiang Tower...?" A chill crept up Leng Yi's back, not from the cold winter wind, but from the fear that arose from the bottom of his heart.

At first, she thought it was just a brothel where the girls only needed to lie in bed and sleep with men to survive. Wasn't that what prostitutes did? Besides, the suit she was wearing after transmigrating was definitely not bad. With a bit of luck, she might even become a wealthy man's mistress and live a life of financial security. This was a thought she often had in despair. But then Yunmei's death shattered that shameless fantasy. Yunmei's mottled corpse told her that, you can't just live if you want to.

How arrogant and ignorant she is...

From then on, a deep-seated hatred burned in her heart. She hated Liang Shuyun and Hu Mama. She firmly believed that one day she would become the most beautiful courtesan and avenge Yun Mei. Only revenge could be her motivation to live. But why... why was she so afraid now?

Yunqiu placed her hand on Lengyi's head and said to her from top to bottom, "You don't need to think too much right now, Xiao Ningbi. You'll understand sooner or later."

If you don't think about it, will you understand?

Night enveloped everything in the world, and the bright lights, as dazzling as daylight, gradually faded into the distance. The faint light from the backyard flickered like insects fluttering their wings, and their footsteps made a crisp sound on the fine snow. They walked along the dark path, gradually being illuminated by that hazy, dreamlike white light.

Leng Yi felt that Zhuoyu Pavilion and the front courtyard were like two different worlds. Although they were full of glamorous and beautiful women, they were also as quiet and desolate as snow.

Just then, fine snowflakes appeared before my eyes. Looking up, I saw Wu Xue leaning against the railing on the third floor, her hands in a throwing motion.

She was dressed in pure white, cleaner than snow.