"That young master is so handsome, he looks unfamiliar. Is this his first time here? Let's go ask him!"
Leading the way was Shen Zhou'an, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Punishment. His surname Shen was not related to the Emperor's, just a coincidence.
His cheap father had once said that Shen Zhou'an's abilities were average, but he was obedient. Whatever task was assigned to him, he would diligently complete it. He never questioned why he was asked to do something, just worked hard.
But he had a virtue that many officials in the Ministry of Punishment lacked: he was good-looking.
His cheap father's obsession with appearances rivaled that of Emperor Xuanwu.
Jiang Xinyue was self-aware. If she disguised herself as a man, she would be exposed as a woman in no time. The height and build differences between men and women were significant.
The ladies of Yihong Tower made a living from this; they could easily distinguish between the sexes.
Just a few steps would reveal the difference.
So she... disguised herself as Shen Zhou'an's maid.
It was rare for someone to bring a maid to a brothel, but bringing an exceptionally beautiful maid was seen as the mark of a wealthy, playful young master.
"Oh, this young master is a rare guest!"
A beautiful woman swayed her hips and bumped Jiang Xinyue out of the way. Many men around were ready to show their gallantry and reach for her slender waist.
A large hand suddenly reached out from the side, catching the beauty's willowy waist before anyone else could.
The man wore an expensive purple robe and a rare, expensive-looking white jade pendant around his waist.
Anyone with a bit of sense could tell this purple-robed gentleman had a formidable background, not to be trifled with.
"Your Majesty..."
Jiang Xinyue covered her mouth in shock, her voice barely audible: "Why are you here?"
Emperor Xuanwu smacked his lips: "I couldn't stand the thought of you pretending to be another man's woman. If you must be with a man, why not me?"
Shen Zhou'an dared not put on airs anymore.
At the sight of the Emperor, his tall figure bent.
The heavily perfumed Madam thought Shen Zhou'an was the biggest catch of the night, but now there was a handsome man who made even the golden boy bow. She tried to repeat her previous tactic.
"Oh, this lord is so..."
"Swish!"
A gleaming knife blocked the Madam's approach. The Emperor didn't even glance at her, just led Jiang Xinyue to a private booth on the second floor.
The Madam rolled her eyes at their backs: "Tch! Pretentious."
The second-floor booth had three sides shielded, with beaded curtains blocking the view of the stage.
Shen Zhou'an and several other disguised officials were each seated by the ladies of Yihong Tower, while Wang Dequan and a few bodyguards stood guard inside and outside the booth.
"I've already had someone investigate. Yihong Tower is an asset of the Mansion of the Duke of Cheng. With a powerful backer, they've been rampant locally. I've never been here before, so I didn't know about their misdeeds. It's said that new girls here are auctioned off for their maiden nights. If your cousin was sold here, she'll definitely be auctioned off tonight."
So, they just needed to wait and see.
Jiang Xinyue suddenly thought of what Noble Lady Jiang had told her about the Duke of Cheng planting spies in her cheap father's Ministry of Punishment. She moved her lips but ultimately held her tongue.
Tattling was more effective when it came from someone else's mouth than from Jiang Xinyue herself.
From the second floor, they could see the entire layout of the stage. The guests below were impatient, clamoring: "Madam, isn't there supposed to be a new girl auctioned off tonight? Where is she? Bring her out quickly!"
"What kind of heavenly beauty is she? Our Third Lord Qu has been waiting all night. If she's not pretty, we'll smash your Yihong Tower."
The Madam flattered them: "Don't be impatient, Third Lord! If she weren't a gem, how could I trouble you? She's truly this."
She raised her thumb: "Beautiful as a flower, lively and cute, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Clearly a noble lady kept in the inner chambers, never stepping out. Guaranteed to satisfy you."
The flattered man was young, tall and thin, with dark circles under his eyes, looking like he was overindulging in pleasures.
Third Lord Qu chuckled and took out a banknote from his sleeve: "If I'm satisfied, you'll get your reward."
"That's the Duke of Cheng's nephew, Consort De's cousin. He should call the Duke of Cheng his uncle."
No wonder the Madam treated him differently.
Before she could ask, the Emperor had already explained: "The Qu family of Qin Province saved the late Emperor's life three times during his campaigns. After the country stabilized, the Qu patriarch returned home and handed over his military power. So, the late Emperor granted the Qu family a get-out-of-death-free card."
This was the fundamental reason why the old lady of the Mansion of the Duke of Cheng dared to beat the Empress.
The Emperor hadn't taken action against the Duke of Cheng because he knew the Qu family had a get-out-of-death-free card. As long as it was still with them, no matter how big the mistake, the Duke of Cheng and Consort De could be pardoned.
No wonder the Duke of Cheng didn't choose any of the noble ladies in the capital, but instead picked the daughter of the Qu family from Qin Province.
It was clear he coveted their get-out-of-death-free card, so he dared to play these underhanded tricks, right?
Jiang Xinyue was once again glad she had kept her wits about her and preserved the evidence of Consort De's plot against the royal offspring, given to her by the late Empress.
Otherwise, with such a big card, wouldn't it have been a waste?
She even suspected that the Emperor was also gathering evidence of the Duke of Cheng and Consort De's crimes, aiming to collect enough to condemn them to death and force the Qu family to use their get-out-of-death-free card.
Jiang Xinyue was clever, not just ordinary clever. She lowered her eyes, hiding her shock.
So, the death of the late Empress was also orchestrated by the Emperor.
Because the Mansion of the Duke of Cheng not only had the old lady wielding the tiger-headed cane given by the late Emperor but also the Qu family with their get-out-of-death-free card, it was extremely difficult to topple the Duke of Cheng.
Only by taking back the old lady's tiger-headed cane could they then take back the get-out-of-death-free card when they committed another offense.
The price for taking back the tiger-headed cane was the life of the Empress, so this time, taking back the get-out-of-death-free card... would the price be the Jiang family?
"Are you cold?"
Emperor Xuanwu hugged her trembling body, rubbing her arms. Jiang Xinyue's hair stood on end.
She clenched her fists tightly: "A little."
"Wang Dequan, have the ice basins removed."
It wasn't the body that was cold, but the heart. How could Jiang Xinyue dare to give her heart to someone who could calculate so ruthlessly, even his own bedmate?
