Chapter 139: Lecher

How many admirers does the Grand Marshal of All Armed Forces possess?

No sooner had Chu Junhan stepped into the Wanhua Pavilion than news of her whereabouts spread throughout Pingzhou City.

Upon hearing the news, the young men scoffed, "Young and accomplished? I think he is nothing but a lecher!"

The young ladies, however, refused to believe it. They could not accept that the refined youth they had just seen would immediately head to a brothel. Among them was the eldest daughter of the Liu household, Liu Yan'er.

"Did he really go?" Liu Yan'er’s brush paused, causing the tip of the orchid she was painting to fold.

Taohong twisted the corner of her dress, biting her lip. "The young General Chu is indeed there. He had barely been in the General's Mansion for half an hour before heading to the Wanhua Pavilion with the general on his left."

Liu Yan'er frowned slightly, staring blankly at the ruined orchid. "Junhan is cold by nature," she murmured to herself. "He would certainly not enjoy such places of debauchery. He must have another purpose for going there."

Taohong wanted to speak but held her tongue, burying her head to suppress her true thoughts. Her mistress was simply too kind. As for that young general—rumored to be brave, talented, and graceful—in her eyes, he was nothing but a rake.

After a moment of silence in the study, Liu Yan'er could not settle her mind. She paused her brush and asked, "Taohong, what is across from the Wanhua Pavilion?"

The maid tilted her head, pouting. "The whole area around the Wanhua Pavilion is filled with such establishments; it must be another brothel."

"Are there any other shops?"

"There is one called the Jiuling Trading House. I don't know how, but a few years ago, it suddenly grew into a massive business and acquired a large storefront there."

Liu Yan'er had never been to such a place, but she had heard of the Jiuling Trading House. She looked puzzled. "Why would the Jiuling Trading House open in a place like that?"

"I do not know." The maid shook her head. If her mistress couldn't figure it out, how could she?

"Taohong, prepare the sedan chair. We are going to the Jiuling Trading House."

"Yes, Miss."

Hardly had Liu Yan'er’s sedan chair left the gates than the Crown Prince’s spies were also dispatched.

...

Inside the Wanhua Pavilion, completely unaware of the turmoil outside, Chu Junhan sat casually in a second-floor loft, holding a collection of poems she had brought with her, listening to the soft melodies drifting from behind a screen.

Chu Junhan set down her book, picked up her teacup, and took a gentle sip, her eyes drifting toward the direction of the Jiuling Trading House.

Suddenly, a sedan chair appeared in her field of vision, heading toward the trading house.

"It’s the Liu family’s sedan," the youth whispered. She set down her cup and straightened her posture, looking as if a great enemy were approaching.

Tang Chen sensed the tension and looked out the window at the sedan. He lowered his voice, asking suspiciously, "Why is the Liu family’s sedan here? Does Liu Shuming have some information he needs to buy?"

"Hold your position. Wait and see."

With that, the two youths stopped whispering and locked their gazes on the sedan.

At the same time, not far away, Xiao Shengjie stood in the loft of another building, hands clasped behind his back, watching the direction of Chu Junhan. It was as if the mantis were stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

"Your Highness, since entering the Wanhua Pavilion, Chu Junhan has not moved," a man in coarse clothes knelt before Xiao Shengjie inside the loft.

Xiao Shengjie narrowed his eyes. "Since he entered the Wanhua Pavilion, who has he contacted?"

"Only the madam of the pavilion, known as Sister Hong. He has had no contact with anyone else," the man replied, remaining on one knee with his hands cupped in a respectful salute to the youth in fine silks.