Chapter 33 Cheng Jiaojiao, disguised as a man
Hongxiu walked over with tears in her eyes.
"Mom, Hongxiu has lived up to your expectations!"
The madam under the peony flower was a brothel madam. Her stage name was Red Peony; people in her line of work had long since lost their own names.
Hong Mudan was a woman in her forties. She had a plump and rounded figure, and judging from her slightly weathered face, she must have been a stunning beauty in her youth.
Red Peony stroked her hair, her eyes once again filled with tender affection and indulgence.
"Very good, at least I didn't raise you for nothing!"
The girls in the building all came to congratulate them:
"Congratulations, Sister Hongxiu!"
"Congratulations, Sister Hongxiu!"
"Great, you've finally gotten what you wanted!"
Just then, a waiter trotted over.
"Mom, the guests in the South Third Private Room say they want to invite Miss Hongxiu over!"
Hongxiu was slightly taken aback.
When Hong Mudan saw that his hands were empty, her face immediately darkened: "My Hongxiu just won first place tonight and is very popular now. How can they just call her over like that! Don't they have anything to offer?"
A money-making machine that's been painstakingly nurtured should naturally be sold at a high price. If just anyone can summon her, what's the point of her title as the most beautiful courtesan?
She's still waiting for Hongxiu to earn money so she can support herself in her old age!
"The young master didn't give any money. He said that if Miss Hongxiu knew what was good for her, she should go over there."
"What arrogance!"
Just as Red Peony was about to lose her temper, Red Sleeve stopped her.
"Mom, I still have to go there this time."
"Hongxiu!" Red Peony glared at her disapprovingly. She'd only just been crowned the queen of flowers, and she already thought she was all grown up?
"Mom doesn't know this..."
Hongxiu then told her how Master Huang had bribed the referee to cheat, and how it was the young master in the South Third Private Room who sent someone to deliver a message, which allowed her to escape unscathed.
After hearing this, Hong Mudan's angry expression froze for a moment; she still understood the principle of repaying kindness.
"...Then go! Just be careful not to linger too long! And don't get taken advantage of! I'm still waiting to sell you for a high price!"
“I know, Mom.”
The South Third Private Room offers the best view under the entire peony blossoms.
Looking down from here, the entire lobby is laid out before you.
The stage was right in the middle, and every girl's clothes and appearance could be seen clearly.
Even the smallest actions of those below can be clearly seen.
Inside the private room sat a young man in fine clothes, with a personal bodyguard standing beside him, and two guards with swords standing at the door.
After decades of struggling in the world of prostitution, Hongxiu has also learned some skills in judging people.
The young man before me is clearly of high status and wealth.
Besides, he was kind to us first, so there's absolutely no harm in associating with him.
Hongxiu composed herself, took light steps, and slowly approached, bowing gracefully to the noble young man seated in the seat.
"Hongxiu greets you, young master. I am very grateful for your reminder earlier; otherwise, I would have missed out on becoming the top courtesan. I am deeply grateful for your kindness!"
The young man in brocade robes raised his eyes and glanced at her, his gaze revealing a hint of approval, his voice slightly childish.
"You're at least sensible."
He thought to himself that he had done her such a big favor, and if she took advantage of becoming the top courtesan and became arrogant, then her reign as the top courtesan would be over!
Hongxiu always wore a smile and maintained a dignified demeanor.
The young man got up from his seat and walked slowly around Hongxiu, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe without any attempt to hide it, scrutinizing her from every angle.
Ultimately, the focus fell on her face, which was so perfectly made up that there wasn't a single flaw.
I was too far away to see clearly just now. I was simply amazed.
Now that we're so close, I can finally see her bright red lips under the light, her alluring eyes, and the silver powder that shimmers on her face as the light changes!
It made his heart flutter!
When Hongxiu raised her eyes, she met that innocent face and couldn't hide the affection in her eyes!
Her face flushed instantly, and she asked shyly, "What advice do you have for me, young master?"
The young man coughed lightly, deliberately distorting his voice.
"Your makeup is very unique, especially your lip color and eye makeup. You're the only one who looks different here. I'd really like to know where you bought your blush and face powder?"
In the dead of night, even the red-light district on the street had fallen silent.
The moon hung high in the sky, occasionally disappearing behind the clouds.
Red Peony waited anxiously outside, only to see Red Sleeve emerge from the private room.
She immediately pulled Hongxiu into another room and closed the door.
"Why did you take so long? Take off your clothes and let me check!"
"Mother, there's no need to panic. That young master is a woman disguised as a man."
————
On the deserted street, a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy, dressed in fine clothes, strolled leisurely, fanning himself with a folding fan.
A closer look reveals that this young master has a slightly petite frame and a more delicate figure than other boys his age.
The bodyguard behind her spoke up, "Miss, there's an outbreak of disease in the military camp. You can't go in!"
"I know, I'm just strolling around outside." Cheng Jiaojiao looked around, unable to hide her curiosity.
This absolute freedom is so comfortable.
“Mother sent me here because she heard about the epidemic and was worried about my brother.”
Cheng Zhian: ......
Even if Madam is worried, she wouldn't send you here, would she? It was clearly Miss who escaped on her own!
"Quickly find someone to ask around and see which direction Jishui Village is in? I need to find that Jixiang General Store!"
Cheng Zhian glanced at the street and couldn't even find a dog. Where did this person come from?
"Miss, why don't we go back to the inn first?"
————
The military camp was vibrant and bustling with activity in the early morning.
Today marks the third day since the elixir was delivered.
Recovered patients and their families work under the scorching sun.
The gloom on his face vanished, replaced by anticipation for the future.
For them, saving their lives was more important than their homes destroyed by the flood.
There's an old saying: "As long as the green hills remain, there's no worry about running out of firewood!"
"Currently, there are still 23 people with fever and 31 people with minor injuries who have not yet recovered. Fortunately, all the critically ill patients have been brought out of danger and no one has died today."
At this moment, in the Crown Prince's tent, Commandant Zhao Jingxing was reporting on the epidemic situation of the day.
The Crown Prince nodded: "Since Miss Jiang's medicine arrived, no one has died. This epidemic is finally coming to an end."
Qin Zhao turned to look at the letter on the desk, the one his mother had written urging him to return to the capital.
Just then, Cheng Fang lifted the curtain and entered, carrying a steaming bowl of noodles.
The irresistible aroma of instant noodles instantly filled the air. A poached egg and a few tender vegetable sprouts were also placed on top.
"Instant noodles for His Highness's last night are naturally meant to be a farewell gift for His Highness."
Since Qin Zhao first tasted this food called instant noodles three days ago, he has become its most loyal fan.
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