Chapter 85 (1/2)

Chapter 85: Impersonating the leading Courtesan

Remarks like these were common in brothels, but Jun Huang, Nan Xun, and Qi Yun rarely visited places like this. They couldn't help but frown when they heard the man's words. Jun Huang felt especially uncomfortable. The man clearly had no respect for the woman.

Nan Xun stopped her before she could intervene. He shook his head. In an anarchic place like this it was best not to be a hero. The man was all bark and no bite. There was no reason for her to worry.

In the end Jun Huang decided not to get involved. She expected the courtesan to say something in defense, but instead, she sat down next to the man who had just insulted her and picked up a wine cup. ”If the gentleman will have me,” she said sweetly, ”This woman will serve the gentleman well.”

Jun Huang couldn't believe her ears. Before she could recover from her shock, a group of women surrounded them. The women chattered and tried to stand out from their peers. No one was willing to let the others take the limelight. Jun Huang frowned and took a step back.

Nan Xun had eyes only for Jun Huang. He was worried that she might be uncomfortable. As soon as she stepped back, he blocked the women with an arm. ”My brother hasn't been to a brothel before. Your over-enthusiasm has frightened him.”

”Is the gentleman a frequent guest, then? If you don't have anyone special in your heart, please let this woman serve you.”

”That's right! This woman can play zither and sing for you. The gentleman will not be disappointed.”

”If the gentleman is willing, this woman volunteers to accompany you tonight. From the gentleman's unusual presence, it's clear you are not a superficial man. This woman knows something about poetry and music. I'll be a good conversation partner.”

Every one of these women was talking at the same time, and they didn't have anything meaningful to say. Nan Xun was used to living at the border. He couldn't take this constant chatter. He felt the urge to beat these people into silence, but as a man he shouldn't do that to a woman. He didn't know what else to do.

Jun Huang and Qi Yun burst out laughing when they saw how uneasy Nan Xun was. Even the stoic Nan Xun had something he was helpless against! For a moment, they forgot where they were.

Seeing their open smile, the women changed their targets and went up to them. Jun Huang didn't like physical contact with other people. She flinched when these women grabbed onto her shoulders with soft fingers and played with her dark hair. Some even plastered themselves against Jun Huang.

”Excuse me – ” Jun Huang said awkwardly. Of course, no one listened to her. These women wanted nothing more than to drag her into a private room to monopolize her time.

In her struggle, sweat started to break out on her forehead. She lifted her face a little when she was wiping her sweat away, and she happened to spot Qi Chen on the second floor. He sat there drinking wine with a white jade cup, composed and calm. A stark contrast to Jun Huang's current situation. She leaned to the side. There wasn't anyone sitting across from Qi Chen. It seemed that the person he was waiting for had not arrived yet.

She ducked her head. Qi Chen must not know about her relations.h.i.+p with Nan Xun and Qi Yun. She had to make sure they weren't seen by him. Qi Chen was mistrustful. He would get suspicious. She also had to find out who he was meeting today.

Now that they were surrounded by these insane women, Jun Huang could only abandon Qi Yun. He was a royal prince after all. He would be able to get rid of these women.

Jun Huang patted Nan Xun on the shoulder. He looked down and met her eyes. They exchanged a knowing look. Pointing at Qi Yun, Jun Huang said to the women, ”We are only checking this place out. We don't have money on us to award you girls for your company. That gentleman, however, is an important figure in the imperial city.”

With that, all the women swarmed up to Qi Yun. He shot them a betrayed look, but he had to swallow down his complaint. He knew he couldn't draw Qi Chen's attention now.

Jun Huang and Nan Xun made their way out of the group of women. They both let out a sigh of relief. Jun Huang gestured at him, indicating that they should go upstairs. Nan Xun hadn't noticed Qi Chen, so he didn't know why Jun Huang would want that. He trusted Jun Huang unconditionally, though. Without any hesitation, he s.h.i.+elded Jun Huang with a hand and held onto the railing with the other as they made their way up.

Once they reached the second floor, Jun Huang pointed at a room not far away from them. ”Qi Chen is on this floor. Look.”

Qi Chen happened to turn his head this way when Nan Xun looked over at him. In that split second, Nan Xun had no choice but to drag Jun Huang into the nearest room.

Inside was a woman dressed in an elegant outfit. She was contouring her eyebrows when they broke in. She startled and was about to call out for help. Nan Xun stopped her with a quick hit to the nape of her neck. The woman collapsed before she could get a word out.

Nan Xun caught her and put her on the bed. He then covered her with a blanket. It was the least he could do as a gentleman.

Jun Huang took her pulse and let out a sigh of relief when she ascertained that the woman was unharmed. She never wanted anyone innocent to get hurt because of her. Outside the room were a rowdy group of people. No one had heard the noises they made in the room.

Jun Huang gently tucked the woman in before opening the window on the side of the room. She could see the room Qi Chen was in from here. She beckoned Nan Xun over. ”Qi Chen's there.”

Nan Xun followed her line of sight and saw Qi Chen's back. There was only a page boy pouring wine for him in the room. They were puzzled when they didn't see a third person.