Q: What are people with ulterior motives like?
A: Just like the following three people.
Qin Kou'er sat on a soft chair in the elegant pavilion, carefully watching Lan Linxue standing lazily behind her while strategically maneuvering with Hu Feifan outside, who was ready to strike at any moment. She needed to execute this plan tonight cleanly, efficiently, and flawlessly. She had to get news of Zhao Ling'er immediately, find Shi Mengjian and the ledger faster than those two—speed was paramount. Fortunately, Jun Yannuo had already taken control of the outside world, and after all, this was Yangzhou territory, with her people everywhere, ensuring that things would be twice as efficient.
Lan Linxue was utterly shameless! Shameless to the extreme. Not only did he disguise himself as Mo Hun, but all his subordinates also dressed as Qin Tiange's men. This way, no one would suspect anything as they came and went from Qin Kou'er's elegant residence. He had just sent someone to "steal" Zhao Ling'er, but the real Mo Hun thwarted their attempt from the shadows. It seemed Qin Kou'er had made prior arrangements tonight; anyone who dared to act secretly would lose their head. Lan Linxue acted as if nothing had happened, and Qin Kou'er didn't expose him; everyone pretended not to know. Their so-called cooperation was merely a superficial exchange of interests; behind the scenes, everyone acted independently, relying on their own abilities. His only advantage was that he was in the shadows while everyone else was in the open. He had to seize this opportunity and not let anyone else take it away. As for washing Qin Kou'er's feet, Lan Linxue utterly despised it. What agreement? Bah! If the Crown Prince were to actually kneel down and wash the feet of a pile of money, that would be truly shameless! As long as his goal is achieved, he would be more than willing to wash Qin Kou'er's feet, or even spare her life.
Hu Feifan's men searched the entire area but couldn't find the mysterious person at all; it was as if the person had vanished in an instant. This infuriated him even more. He smiled outwardly but was furious inwardly. He sent men to secretly contact Zhao Ling'er to find Shi Mengjian's hiding place, but they were met with a barrage of rejections. The madam looked like she'd lost her mother, kneeling and saying that in Qin Tian Pavilion's territory, anyone who didn't follow the rules would face certain death. Hu Feifan admired Qin Kou'er for this; a woman daring to establish her own rules in the martial world was truly extraordinary. This filled him with both love and hate. Therefore, after much deliberation, Hu Feifan decided to join forces with Qin Kou'er to capture Zhao Ling'er first. He believed that in a battle of wits, no one present could match Qin Kou'er, the master of Qin Tian Pavilion. His current justification is that Qin Kou'er is his confidante, and he wants to use her to obtain Shi Mengjian's position. As for whether the prostitute is tuning the instrument or playing the piano, he has no interest in her at all.
Therefore, Hu Feifan came to Qin Kou'er's side again to discuss cooperation.
"No way!" Qin Kou'er quickly and decisively refused. "Young Master Hu, why are you also interested in this kind of highly profitable business? Oh, I'll pay the money, I'll take the woman, but you want to ask me something? Well then, I'd like to ask you, what kind of business would make all the gentlemen of the world bring a pile of silver notes to a brothel to compete for the title of courtesan? Since there's something so valuable, why should I tell you? If I find out myself, wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone, and getting my money back?"
Hu Feifan wished he could bite his tongue off. How could he have forgotten who Qin Kou'er was? She was someone who could extract money from dead bones; otherwise, how could she have built Qin Tiange into such a large enterprise in just a few years?! He actually dared to try and take advantage of her—he was practically courting death!
Lan Linxue stood behind him, glancing sideways at Hu Feifan's head behind the mask and sneering. Serves you right! You were asking for it. That damned woman Qin Kou'er is more cunning than a ghost. Even he, the dignified Crown Prince, was tricked by her into washing her feet. What chance do you have, you pretty boy, you freak?! Hmph, it would be best if Qin Kou'er skinned you and used you as a shoe insole. Then let's see what that old bastard Hu Tianyong will be like!
Lan Linxue cursed Hu Feifan behind his back, but Hu Feifan was annoyed but remained calm on the surface.
"How can we let Kou'er do such a losing business! How about this, we split the money for the courtesan competition in half?" Hu Feifan had always hated doing business, believing it was something only petty people did, unbecoming of his status as the heir to the most powerful family in the land. But in this situation, he had no choice but to negotiate with Qin Kou'er, since he didn't have as much money as she did!
Qin Kou'er raised an eyebrow, looking at Hu Feifan with amusement, "Young Master Hu, how much silver did you bring this time?"
"Fifty thousand taels of silver notes! Nationwide exchange!" Hu Feifan felt that this amount of silver was more than enough to buy a prostitute. If Shi Mengjian hadn't been so important, he wouldn't have even given such a woman a second glance.
"Pfft!" Qin Kou'er laughed, extending her five jade-like fingers. "Young master, do you look down on the merchants of Yangzhou, or on the land of Yangzhou? You think you can buy the top courtesan in the Mandarin Duck Pavilion for 50,000 taels of silver? You really know how to insult people!"
This time, even Lan Linxue and Hu Feifan frowned.
Fifty thousand taels of silver—that's a lot of money! You could buy five courtesans, let alone one.
Especially Lan Linxue, after thinking about it, he realized that the most he was willing to pay was 30,000 taels. Otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered spending money; he would have just robbed her! Spending so much money on a prostitute was such a waste!
Seeing that Hu Feifan seemed to genuinely believe the money was enough, Qin Kou'er couldn't help but chuckle and glance at Lan Linxue behind her. It seemed these two gentlemen were just for show, having come to choose the most beautiful courtesan with money meant for beggars.
Qin Kou'er stopped laughing and, with utmost seriousness, propped herself up on one arm and said, "Young Master Hu,..."
"Just call me Feifan! 'Young Master Hu' sounds too formal!" Hu Feifan said, looking at Qin Kou'er with gentle eyes.
Lan Linxue, standing behind him, felt like vomiting.
Qin Kou'er nodded with obvious satisfaction and softly called out, "Feifan..."
Lan Linxue actually gagged this time.
Qin Kou'er gave Lan Linxue a warning look, then before Hu Feifan could pay attention, she continued, "You know Yangzhou is full of wealthy merchants. Any brothel that operates under the guise of a brothel in Yangzhou charges at least 80,000 taels of silver for even a second-rank courtesan's first time, let alone the top courtesan. Otherwise, don't bother coming! As for brothels like Yuanyang Pavilion, with five boats on the Qinhuai River and branches on the shore, the starting bid for their top courtesan is 200,000 taels of silver! See that box downstairs? That's not silver, that's golden gold! 100,000 taels!"
This time, not only Hu Feifan, but even Lan Linxue's eyes widened in astonishment.
Just how much money does that damned Qin Kou'er have?
Qin Kou'er glanced at the expressions of the two men, then calmly picked up her teacup. "Even if you're a penniless old man, watching the show is still an option!"
Hu Feifan and Lan Linxue both pursed their lips and remained silent. The feeling of having no money in their pockets was truly bittersweet!
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