Chapter 254 Jin Fang Mu Shizi?
The night in Moyang City was ripped open by the lights of Fangfei Tower, leaving a festering wound.
It has been more than four months since Mu Xi entered Fangfei Tower, and Moyang City is still under Gao Quan's control. Mu Xi even secretly blames Prince Yu, Mu Ji, for being too weak. Why is it that after so long, the city is bustling with activity and prosperity, while Mu Ji has not yet been able to retake the capital?
Every night, two strings of glass palace lanterns hang high above the vermilion gate of Fangfei Tower, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of silk and bamboo instruments mixed with perfume. Inside the main hall, a thick golden-red velvet carpet covers the polished blue brick floor. The guests, some impeccably dressed and others in a drunken stupor, seem to have never experienced war or known the hardships of life.
Mu Xi was dressed in coarse linen clothes, and her face was covered with a thin layer of lard mixed with stove ash, making her face look yellowish-black.
Having fallen into such a predicament, what else can one do but accept it?
In such a place, preserving one's life and one's innocence are both unattainable dreams, but thanks to Cao Pan'er, she has been able to survive until now.
Mu Xi didn't need to pretend to be ugly at first, and no one paid any attention to her.
After his food, clothing and daily necessities improved day by day in Fangfei Tower, his health gradually improved and his complexion returned to normal. At this time, in order to hide his condition, he had to put on black face paint, hunch his body, and pretend to be a fool who was ignorant of human relationships, so that he could get away with it.
At first, Liu Mama, who bought her, felt that she had lost out, and in a fit of anger, she sent Mu Xi to the backyard to work as a rough maid doing laundry.
Mu Xi was physically weak and unable to do heavy work. She was scolded and beaten by the head servants every day, but she was willing to endure it, because it was better than being forced to sell herself.
On the other hand, Cao Pan'er went all out and, after only a month at Fangfei Tower, she had already made a name for herself, and two months later she became the top courtesan. This delighted Liu Mama, who prepared a private room for Cao Pan'er on the fourth floor of Fangfei Tower.
Cao Pan'er then took the opportunity to force Mu Xi out of the backyard's rough servants and made her her personal maid, so that Mu Xi would suffer less.
On the other hand, when Tao'er first entered Fangfei Tower, her beautiful peach blossom eyes were the first thing people noticed, but she refused to give in and suffered quite a bit.
After struggling for another two months, she finally couldn't hold on any longer and gave in to learn various skills. However, she had a natural talent for singing and dancing, and her instructors quickly discovered her talent for "gentle dance." She then devoted herself to practicing dance and within a few months became a dancer of some renown.
In this way, Liu's mother was not in a hurry to let her borrow customers. Instead, she wanted to slowly build up her reputation so that she could sell Tao'er's "first night" for a better price when she became famous.
Tao'er was temporarily safe, but she did not forget her past friendship. She took the obedient but plain-looking Zhelan to her side and made her a sister to practice dancing with, and also a maid to take care of her daily life.
At this point, all four were safe for the time being. Although each had made their own sacrifices and suffered their own grievances, they lived in peace for a while.
Time flew by and the year was drawing to a close, and Fangfeilou's business was booming.
Cao Pan'er had a constant stream of patrons every night. Liu Mama gave her the stage name "Jiang Xue" and she wore a scarlet dance dress that was as thin as a cicada's wing, which outlined her graceful figure. Her eyes, as clear as autumn water, were captivating and mesmerizing.
As her maid, Mu Xi could not bear to look at Cao Pan'er in such a state, but there was nothing she could do but silently lower her head, running up and down, doing her best to take care of Cao Pan'er's daily life.
She genuinely wanted to do more for Cao Pan'er; otherwise, the overwhelming guilt alone would have drowned her.
That night, as usual, Mu Xi went to the kitchen in advance to order drinks. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, she added more water to them beforehand, hoping to change the drinks after Cao Pan'er had entertained half of the guests, hoping that Cao Pan'er would drink less.
However, just as Mu Xi returned to Cao Pan'er's private room with the wine and went to the side room to dilute it, Liu Mama's voice suddenly rang out from outside: "Oh dear, young master... here, here..."
As Liu's mother shouted, the door was pushed open with a bang.
Mu Xi knew that another distinguished guest had arrived.
At this time, she would hide in the side room and wait for Liu Mama to finish her greetings and give her instructions before she would carry them out.
However, today, she only stole a glance, and her heart skipped a beat.
A young man in fine clothes, whom Liu's mother greeted, entered the room. Even though three years had passed, she recognized him at a glance—Mu Chong.
In three years, Mu Chong had changed a lot. He was much taller than Mu Xi remembered, and all traces of childishness on his face had disappeared, replaced by an unyielding fierceness.
Now that Mu Chong is an adult, Mu Xi was just thinking about this when she suddenly remembered the entanglement between Cao Pan'er and Mu Chong back then. She almost cried out "Ah!" and quickly covered her mouth, her heart pounding wildly.
Outside, Liu Mama had already invited Mu Chong to sit down and had the pimp set out wine and drinks.
Hearing the commotion from inside the room, Cao Pan'er quickly tidied herself up and gracefully stepped out as well.
Upon seeing Cao Pan'er, Mu Chong was first taken aback, then his eyes suddenly burst with wild joy: "Miss Jiangxue? Ah... So it really is you."
Cao Pan'er was also surprised to encounter Mu Chong here. Her heart sank suddenly, and then hatred flashed in her eyes. She stood still.
Liu Mama was puzzled: "Jiangxue, what are you standing there for? Haven't you met the young master yet? This is the famous young master Jin Fangmu of our Moyang City. His uncle is the former Grand Marshal... ah, no, now he should be called 'Prince Jin'."
Jin Fang Mu Shizi?
King of Jin?
Moyang City changed hands three times, and Gao Quan finally managed to take it back. Mu Xi still vaguely remembered that Gao Quan's hometown was in Jinbei. This was the title he gave himself based on his hometown.
Gao Quan has already declared himself king, so why is Mu Chong still only able to flaunt the false title of "Prince Mu of Jinfang"?
Cao Pan'er's fingers clenched tightly in her sleeve, her nails digging deep into her palms, but she didn't know what to do except stand still.
"You may leave now." Mu Chong seemed to have lost his previous youthful arrogance and unruliness. He didn't expose her, but simply dismissed Liu Mama. Then he beckoned to Cao Pan'er, "Come here and pour me some wine. Let me see if you are worthy of the title of the top courtesan of Fangfei Pavilion."
"Good, good, good... This old servant will go and prepare a sumptuous feast for Young Master Mu." Knowing the situation, Liu Mama led her people out.
Cao Pan'er suppressed her surging hatred, took a deep breath, and finally lowered her eyes to hide the cold glint that flashed in her eyes. She stepped forward as instructed, picked up the white jade wine pot in front of Mu Chong, and poured the clear wine into the cup with her delicate hand.
Mu Liu's gaze lingered on Cao Pan'er's face as she spoke with a smug and sarcastic tone: "I didn't expect you to have learned your lesson after all these years?"
Cao Pan'er's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, then she tried to remain calm and smiled sweetly: "Young master, I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't know you before..."
"Ah..." Before she could finish speaking, Mu Chong suddenly stood up and grabbed her wrist with one hand.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
