Chapter 49: Mr. Tang

By the hour of Si on the following day, Cheng Guang finally emerged from the Jade Pavilion, bringing Lin Cheng with him as he returned home.

Passing by the bustling entrance of Wanhua House, Cheng Guang paused, his gaze lingering thoughtfully on the building as his eyelids lowered.

“Bai Shuxuan is hiding in Wanhua House, and the person who tried to assassinate me is closely linked to her. Could the master behind Wanhua House also be involved in this plot?”

“The world knows Wanhua House as the premier pleasure house on the Flower River in the capital, but few realize what kind of power is required for such a place to flourish in the very heart of the Great Zhou Dynasty. For it to become the number one brothel in such a prosperous city, the influence behind it must be immense.”

“If the master behind Wanhua House is silently supporting Bai Shuxuan, it would not be surprising.”

“But who exactly is the master behind Wanhua House?”

A series of thoughts flashed through Cheng Guang’s mind, his eyes now devoid of the warmth he had shown Bai Shuxuan earlier—only coldness and detachment remained.

“The true master of Wanhua House is shrouded in mystery. In all the capital, barely a handful know his identity; most refer to him simply as ‘Mister Tang.’”

“Heh, Mister Tang… To run a brothel and choose such a title.”

“Fortunately, Mister Tang didn’t rename Wanhua House to ‘House 91,’ otherwise I might suspect I’d met a fellow townsman.”

As Cheng Guang pondered, he rubbed his face wearily. The entire night had drained him, fending off Bai Shuxuan’s probing. He was exhausted.

His acting, never his strong suit, had improved dramatically under pressure, to the point where he could now maintain a calm façade without flushing or a racing heart.

From Bai Shuxuan’s reaction, Cheng Guang believed he had successfully deceived her.

Now the net was set; all that remained was to see when it would close.

“If I want to uproot the dark thread behind Bai Shuxuan, I’ll likely have to rely on the power within the household,” Cheng Guang reflected, strolling at a leisurely pace toward the Duke Protector’s residence.

Lin Cheng followed closely behind, almost step for step, in the manner of a devoted guard. The simple-minded fellow seemed to truly believe he was Cheng Guang’s sole protector, so tense along the way that even a passerby’s glance would be met with his feigned ferocity.

Cheng Guang paid no mind to Lin Cheng’s antics. Before long, he returned to the Duke Protector’s residence, entering the Myriad Phenomena Garden.

Within the garden, Qingluan, dressed in flowing robes of cloud-patterned silk, was bent over, watering the flowers.

The Myriad Phenomena Garden was the heir’s private residence. Outsiders seldom visited, and apart from Qingluan, only a few servants frequented the grounds.

The garden was a riot of blossoms—peach and willow, emerald shade, and vibrant hues—all carefully cultivated, mostly by Qingluan herself.

Cheng Guang stepped into the courtyard and, beholding Qingluan’s graceful form, felt a surge of unspent fire within him. After an entire night of Bai Shuxuan’s teasing with no outlet, the sensation arose unbidden.

He crept quietly behind Qingluan, intent on giving her a playful scare.

But then he noticed Qingluan crouched before a flaming rose, her beautiful eyes lost in thought as she gazed at the blossom. Her lovely face, usually serene, was tinged with worry.

“Why isn’t the heir back yet? Could something have happened?” she murmured, oblivious to his presence.

Cheng Guang stood behind her, watching silently. Given her cultivation, Qingluan should have sensed him at once, but she seemed distracted, her mind elsewhere.

He observed her for a moment: her hair loosely gathered at her nape, cascading down her back; her delicate yet strong figure, her fair legs—athletic and full of life. Even in casual robes, she exuded a hint of martial spirit.

Seeing her so lost in anxious thought for his sake, Cheng Guang’s heart softened, and his inner turmoil faded away. He no longer wished to tease her.

After all, Qingluan was, in a sense, the first woman he had in this world—even if their union was forced, he felt a responsibility he could not shirk.

Now, in the entire Duke Protector’s residence, Qingluan seemed to be the only one he could truly trust.

At that moment, Qingluan stood up, suddenly sensing something. She turned sharply, joy lighting her features as she spotted Cheng Guang.

“You’ve returned, my lord?”

Daylight had broken by then. Cheng Guang smiled and nodded in reply.

Qingluan stepped closer, examining him for injuries. Finding none—only a lingering scent of rouge—she breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

She backed away a few steps, then seemed to remember something. She hurried toward the side room, mumbling as she went.

“My lord, you’ve only just begun the path of cultivation. Affairs of the bedchamber should not be too frequent. I’ve prepared some restorative elixirs for you—please drink them.”

“And my lord, please forgive Qingluan’s nagging. Yesterday, Madam finalized your marriage arrangements. If possible, try not to frequent Wanhua House, or consort with those women.”

She fussed over him with genuine concern, her words gentle.

Cheng Guang couldn’t help but laugh silently at her remarks. Did Qingluan truly believe he’d gone to Wanhua House seeking pleasure? In his current state—walking the knife’s edge of life and death, never knowing when disaster might strike—how could he have the leisure for such indulgences?

“No need, Qingluan. My body is strong enough,” Cheng Guang replied, moving to the table to pour himself a cup of tea, sipping slowly before asking, “Is Father home?”

Qingluan paused, a touch of confusion on her face. “The master is out. I heard something major happened at the Lamp Command, and he rushed to handle it.”

Cheng Guang nodded. “I’ll rest for a while, then head to the Lamp Command. No need to trouble yourself.”

“Yes, my lord,” Qingluan answered softly, standing demurely as her bright eyes watched him.

After a moment’s observation, Qingluan realized Cheng Guang truly looked well—none of the fatigue one might expect after a night of debauchery, not even his clothes were disheveled.

Could it be that he had really done nothing at the brothel?

Qingluan bit her lip, saying nothing more.

After resting for about a quarter of an hour, Cheng Guang rose and set out for the Lamp Command.

He had two main purposes for this visit.

The Lamp Command collected vast amounts of information, including secrets unknown even to the powerful and influential. He intended to search the archives for clues about Mister Tang, the master behind Wanhua House.

Moreover, Cheng Guang needed allies.

This time, he was not only dealing with the assassin sent for his life, but also with Bai Shuxuan herself.

Now that Bai Shuxuan had drawn out the assassin, her value was nearly spent. There was no further need for pretense—he could simply have her seized and perhaps extract the last of her worth.

…