Upon hearing Duan Tianqi's words, everyone stared at Hong Ling in disbelief.

"What... what does this mean?" Huang Xi asked in surprise. "Isn't the owner of the Red Dust Restaurant Master Weng? When did it become your turn, Hong Ling?"

Hong Ling looked at the astonished looks on everyone's faces and couldn't help but sneer, "Hmph, for so many years, Master Weng has never hired a steward to manage Fengchen Restaurant, nor has he interfered in the restaurant's affairs, big or small. Do you still think that Master Weng is the owner of Fengchen Restaurant?"

The women exchanged glances, seeing confusion in each other's eyes.

Seeing that no one knew the truth, Hongling sneered and continued, "Actually, Master Weng has been preparing to find a suitable candidate among us, but because the strength of the seven of us is almost equal, he has been unable to choose the most suitable candidate for a long time. You are all simple-minded by nature, so naturally you have not seen through Master Weng's intentions!"

"Is this...is this for real? Don't try to fool us!" Huang Xi was somewhat skeptical.

“Miss Hongling is right, that’s true! Moreover, Master Weng has already said that whoever is the first among you six to escape from this dungeon will be the owner of the Wind and Dust Inn, and you will all have to submit to her and obey her orders!” Duan Tianqi said with a half-smile.

Hong Ling proudly raised her chin, as if she were already the mistress of that brothel.

Huang Xi stared at Duan Tianqi in astonishment. "This, how is this possible? Master Weng would never..."

Suddenly, Huang Xi's expression changed, and she turned to look at Hong Ling. "Oh! I understand! The reason you came into the dungeon with us is simply because you don't want Master Weng to know that you've been in contact with Duan Tianqi in secret! Then, here, you can directly see which of us is on your side, so you can eliminate those who are disloyal and secure your position as the mistress of the brothel!"

Hearing Huang Xi's analysis, Cheng Xi frowned and narrowed her eyes as she looked at Hong Ling. "What a clever scheme! No wonder you've been secretly trying to win over your customers. So you were planning to take over the entire Fengchen Restaurant!"

Listening to their conversation, Qingqing, standing in the corner, clenched her fists, her brows furrowed as she watched the women, remaining motionless...

Hong Ling smiled slightly. "Hehe, clever! You're all right, but it's a pity you realized it too late! The situation is now settled, and you have no chance to turn things around! I'm destined to be in charge!"

Hong Ling smiled smugly, then turned to look at Cheng Xi. "Cheng Xi, did you still think I was preparing to raise funds to leave Fengchen Restaurant and make way for you, the eldest sister?"

Upon hearing Hong Ling's words, Cheng Xi's face darkened. She had indeed always thought that Hong Ling was planning to leave the brothel, which was why she was so eager to build good relationships with every customer.

"You're really dreaming!" Hong Ling sneered repeatedly.

"Ha, yes, but I never expected that you wanted to become the owner of the Brothel!" Cheng Xi clenched her fists, hating her own stupidity. If she had discovered her purpose earlier, she wouldn't have let Hong Ling succeed so easily in winning over Duan Tianqi.

"So that's how it is... So you orchestrated all of us being imprisoned? And it had nothing to do with Gu Liyan?" Green Embroidery raised her head, staring blankly at Red Silk.

Hearing Lüxiu's words, Qingqing abruptly raised her head, looking at Hongling with a serious expression. If this were true, then Gu Liyan had no grounds to implicate them at all...

"Hahaha, you've finally hit the nail on the head! That's right! With Master Weng's status and position, who would dare to touch anyone from my Fengchen Restaurant? It's just that Gu Liyan is too dazzling, which caught the king's eye. But if anyone's to blame, it's Gu Liyan for being too arrogant and disdainful of everyone. He actually refused the king's request, even refusing the position that was second only to the king. He's utterly foolish!"

Hongling laughed loudly, coldly looking at Huang Xi and Lüxiu, "Of course, not only is he stupid, you are too! You were completely fooled by me, and in the end you even put on a show of sisterly affection, hahaha, you are utterly stupid!"

Green Embroidery, her face grim, slumped to the ground, already bowing in submission.

Huang Xi was furious and glared at Hong Ling, saying:

Even so, I will not let you become the master of the brothel so easily!

As soon as he finished speaking, Huang Xi lunged at Hong Ling and threw a punch.

"Hmph, overestimating yourself!" Hong Ling was a level higher than Huang Xi, and in no time at all, she knocked Huang Xi to the ground, who was coughing up blood in a miserable state.

Seeing this, Chengxi rushed forward, but was defeated in less than a dozen rounds.

"Hong Ling!" Cheng Xi collapsed to the ground, her face pale, her eyes cold as she stared at Hong Ling, angrily calling out her name.

"Hmph, apart from Lan Ying who can fight me, do you think any of you can even touch a hair on my head?" Hong Ling sneered.

Upon hearing Hongling's words, Lüxiu suddenly remembered something and turned to question Duan Tianqi:

"Where is Lan Ying? Where did you take Lan Ying?"

Duan Tianqi chuckled, "Of course—I ate her!" He then licked his lips, still savoring the moment, and added, "That girl has a really good figure, but I didn't expect it wasn't her first time! Tsk tsk tsk, what a pity!"

Green Embroidery trembled; his meaning was clear. Pointing at Duan Tianqi, she glared angrily, but couldn't utter a word, "You actually...you actually dare..."

Green Embroidery took a deep breath, turned to look at Red Silk, her eyes red and filled with tears as she roared, "Red Silk! Even if you want to become the master of the world, why... why didn't you save Lan Ying!"

Hong Ling's gaze was cold, and she said nothing.

Duan Tianqi laughed and said, "Hey, hey, what are you talking about? Lan Ying is a bargaining chip that Hong Ling gave me!"

"What?!"

Everyone stared at Duan Tianqi in shock, then turned to glare angrily at Hong Ling—it was Hong Ling who had offered Lan Ying to Duan Tianqi!

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!