The Fengyue Tower was still the same as always, with its decadent music and delicate string music. The sound of Zhiyin and several girls playing the zither could be heard outside the tower. On the first floor, Mantu was dancing, but this time Lu Wangji was watching her from the doorway.
The guests arrived in an endless stream, just as before. Logically, these wealthy and powerful families should have been the first to know about the impending war, but they did not leave and came as usual.
"Run? Where can we run to? Before my husband became an official, he was just a lowly soldier, and I was just a village woman. Back when the Xiongnu came to burn, kill, and plunder, I, as their wife, even took up a scimitar and beheaded those beasts. Besides, we are now considered wives of minor officials. Everyone else can be in a state of panic, but we can't be. If the wealthy and powerful families in Pingyang County are thrown into chaos, how will the common people survive? Should we pack our bags and run away with them?"
Today, Madam Liu was sitting in a private room chatting with Madam Zhang, with Liu Xu and Chun Ying accompanying them. The conversation naturally turned to this matter.
“Alas, none of us in Pingyang County have it easy. When the Xiongnu invaded, who cared about high-ranking officials? They killed us without hesitation. If you ask me, life is too short, so let’s enjoy it while we can,” Madam Zhang said to Madam Liu.
"I think so too. Why don't all the girls in your building go to my place to avoid trouble?" Madam Liu said to the two young women.
"Huh?" Chunying and Liuxu, who were suddenly called out, exchanged a glance, somewhat puzzled.
“I said, all the girls in your building should go to my place. At least there are guards and such in the mansion, all retired veterans. It’s safer than the brothel.”
The girls knew that Madam Liu meant well, but...
"This brothel must be the safest place in the entire Pingyang County," the two young women said in unison, rising to their feet and bowing.
"Mrs. Xie's concern"
“But we won’t go, Madam. We’ve gotten used to staying in this building. If there really is a place to be buried, this place is quite nice.”
"Pah! Pah! Pah! Stop talking such discouraging things! You beautiful young ladies, what are you talking about death? You're still young, you have a long road ahead of you." Madam Liu genuinely cherished these pretty girls. Even though they had all ended up in a brothel, a godforsaken place, not one of them had given up on themselves; they were all trying their best to live.
Outside, it was bustling with activity and noise, everyone was busy preparing for tomorrow.
Suddenly, a sharp horn blast shattered the silence, and a wave of Xiongnu soldiers broke through the gates of Pingyang County, accompanied by the thunderous clang of hooves.
The people hurried home; those who could go home went home, and those who couldn't hide in nearby shops for a while. Some who took up arms to resist were killed by the Xiongnu with a single blow, their eyes reflecting the weeping figures of their wives and children beside them.
In the face of war, human life is utterly insignificant.
The invaders roared to the sky, their warhorses neighed, and flames, thick smoke, and screams mingled together.
"What's wrong?"
"Madam! Madam! Something terrible has happened! The Xiongnu have invaded!"
A group of burly men in leather jackets rushed into the brothel at the sound of shouting. They had already heard from their scouts that the women in the brothel were the most beautiful, with the best skin, each one like a fairy.
It is said that the Xiongnu were barbaric, and they did the same when they invaded Pingyang County. They killed people and robbed women indiscriminately, destroying a peaceful place in an instant.
The waiter downstairs was immediately called to the backyard by Cen's mother to avoid trouble. The Xiongnu split into three groups and went up the stairs, ready to rush into the private room.
Seeing that something was wrong, Madam Zhang and Madam Liu tightly shielded Chunying and Liuxu behind them, with Madam Liu drawing her dagger and holding it across her chest.
"If you have a chance, run. Run towards the north gate, and you'll be fine."
"Yes! You two go together, jump out the window in a bit, the carriages are all downstairs, cut the reins and ride away!"
Compared to Madam Liu, who was ready to rush forward and fight at any moment, Madam Zhang's voice trembled slightly; she had never seen such a scene in her life.
——Clang
The door was kicked open by the leader of the group. Before he even got close, a strong stench of mutton hit him.
"Oh my god, what's that smell? Don't they shower, sis?" Liu Xu couldn't hold back any longer. She was a bit particular about hygiene, and the girl said to Chun Ying.
"She probably doesn't care much about grooming herself."
The maids accompanying the two ladies tried to rush forward to block them with their bodies, but were easily knocked to the ground by several men.
Just as the leader was about to reach out to grab Chunying, Madam Liu swiftly drew her knife and chopped off several of his fingers in an instant.
The Xiongnu were babbling incoherently, and then several burly men attacked her. Just as Lady Liu was about to be slashed in the back by a scimitar, Chunying kicked the leader of the men down the stairs. Liuxu flicked her sleeves, releasing wisps of smoke, and then covered the mouths and noses of the two ladies with a handkerchief. She then helped up the two young maids struggling on the ground and gave them the antidote.
"Ladies, please go downstairs to avoid trouble. Fengyue Tower should be the safest place in the whole of Pingyang County. Rest assured, the tower will do everything in its power to protect you."
After saying that, the two girls escorted the two downstairs.
The first floor was already filled with all the guests who had come to the brothel today. The ladies had not yet recovered from their shock when the girl who usually gently applied a face mask to them suddenly kicked several Huns away.
The maids who were escorting the guests downstairs saw someone being kicked down, drew their daggers, and stabbed him in the throat without hesitation.
The girls returned to their rooms, unlocked the darkroom mechanism, changed into the armor that Lu Feigong had made for them a few days earlier, and picked up their weapons to prepare for battle.
The courtesan wore a pink armor, with iron helmets protecting her chest and shoulders, which shone brightly in the sunlight.
"This? This is... Miss Chunying?"
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
