Windstar Pavilion

“Hmph, this is outrageous. I must confront him, I must break off the engagement,” Magistrate Zhang said, growing angrier the more he thought about it.

“Uncle, Aunt,” Ren Yuanwu stopped them.

“Patience in small matters prevents chaos in big plans. If you go to reason with that Bai fellow now, he will certainly refuse to break the engagement. It’s better to play along, act quietly, and let him meet Cousin. That way, we’ll have evidence,” Ren Yuanwu advised, inwardly delighted. He had long wanted to vent his anger on Li Xintian, and now he finally had a reason.

“You wretched girl, if you dare say a word about this, I’ll skin you alive,” Magistrate Zhang agreed with Ren Yuanwu and threatened.

Xiaowei was so frightened she hurriedly promised not to tell.

“You’ve grown thinner these days,” Bai Yang said to Zhang Xiaoman as they met in the riverside pavilion.

“You’re the one who’s lost weight. Is it because of the busy business at the Benevolence Hall, or is your father still not released from prison?” Zhang Xiaoman replied.

“There’s nothing much to be busy with. My father is still in prison, so naturally I worry for him. He’s old, and I fear he won’t endure the hardship,” Bai Yang said, gazing at the scenery from the pavilion.

“As long as Uncle is innocent, he’ll eventually be released. Don’t fret about the Benevolence Hall, just work hard step by step,” Zhang Xiaoman comforted him.

“It’s you who’s had it hard, always sneaking out to meet me. If your parents find out, they’ll surely punish you,” Bai Yang turned to look at her.

“I don’t care. At home, that cousin of mine hangs around me all day. He’s so annoying,” Zhang Xiaoman pouted, looking aggrieved and tugging at the heartstrings.

“Doesn’t he know you and I are engaged? What’s he up to?” Bai Yang was surprised by Ren Yuanwu’s persistence.

“I don’t care what he’s up to. Nothing can ever separate us,” Zhang Xiaoman smiled.

Bai Yang gently reached out and took her hand. Zhang Xiaoman nestled into his arms, embracing him.

“Look at what you two are doing!” Magistrate Zhang arrived just then, catching sight of the scene. His fury erupted as he pointed at Bai Yang and Zhang Xiaoman.

The two quickly let go and turned to face him.

“Bai Yang, you degenerate, disgraceful hypocrite! You’ve studied the classics, yet you shame scholars everywhere!” Magistrate Zhang stormed up to Bai Yang, shouting.

“Uncle Zhang, let me explain. Xiaoman is my betrothed. Our feelings are genuine, but we observe propriety. We have never crossed the line,” Bai Yang knew their secret meetings had been discovered.

“Silence! You must know that a betrothed is not yet a member of your Bai family, you beast in gentleman’s clothing!” Ren Yuanwu finished, then angrily kicked Bai Yang in the stomach.

Bai Yang, a mere scholar, could not withstand it; he was flung several meters, groaning on the ground. As he tried to rise, Ren Yuanwu kicked him again, sending him spinning and crashing to the ground, blood spattering from his mouth.

“Let me tell you, Zhang Xiaoman will never be yours. These two kicks were meant for Li Xintian, who ruined my plans. But you just happened to come looking for trouble,” Ren Yuanwu crouched down, grabbed Bai Yang, and whispered in his ear.

“Bai Yang!”

“Cousin, stop!” Zhang Xiaoman, restrained by Magistrate Zhang, cried out urgently.

“You bastard!”

Bai Yang’s thoughts turned to his father’s wrongful imprisonment, realizing it was all Ren Yuanwu’s doing, meant to ruin his family. Li Xintian’s appearance had spoiled Ren’s schemes. Clenching his fists, he roared in anger.

“And you still argue!” Ren Yuanwu slapped Bai Yang hard, leaving a red mark on his face.

“Take him back to the residence. We need to have a proper talk,” Magistrate Zhang said coldly, watching impassively.

The servants dragged Bai Yang back to the Zhang residence. On the way, Zhang Xiaoman was kept under control, not allowed to see Bai Yang.

“Bai Yang, my daughter is a maiden, my precious jewel. How could you meet her in secret and ruin her reputation?”

“Besides, your father’s case hasn’t been overturned yet. You should be working to clear his name, not indulging in romance. That is not the conduct of a gentleman or a filial son,” Magistrate Zhang sighed.

“With your character, it’s hard for me to entrust my daughter to you,” he continued.

“Uncle Zhang, please let me explain—” Bai Yang struggled to stand, but Magistrate Zhang raised his hand to silence him.

“I want you to write a contract to dissolve the engagement with Xiaoman!”

“No, I won’t. Xiaoman and I have never done anything improper or disgraceful. I promised her that once my father is released, I’ll marry her,” Bai Yang would never let Ren Yuanwu’s vile scheme succeed.

“You insolent boy! Refusing a toast, you want a punishment instead? I’ll kill you!” Ren Yuanwu slammed the table, stood up, and grabbed Bai Yang’s collar, fist raised to strike.

“Stop!” Zhang Xiaoman emerged from behind the curtain, witnessing the scene and shouted.

Ren Yuanwu paused but did not release Bai Yang.

“Let go,” Zhang Xiaoman stepped forward and pulled Ren Yuanwu away.

“If you force Bai Yang to break off the engagement, I’d rather die,” she said, pressing a pair of scissors to her throat. She’d been listening behind the curtain, worried Bai Yang would be harmed, and never expected Magistrate Zhang to demand the dissolution of their engagement, nor Ren Yuanwu to hit Bai Yang.

“Xiaoman, don’t do anything rash!” Magistrate Zhang and Madam Zhang jumped up in panic.

“Daughter, are you mad? Put down the scissors!” Madam Zhang pleaded, frantic.

Zhang Xiaoman pressed the scissors closer to her neck.

“Fine, fine, I’ll stop forcing him. But there’s a condition: if Bai Yang’s father is not released within a month, and Bai Yang fails to fulfill his promise to marry you, the engagement is nullified,” Magistrate Zhang finally compromised.

“Agreed, it’s a deal,” Bai Yang quickly took the scissors from Zhang Xiaoman.

Ren Yuanwu snorted coldly, clenching his fists in frustration.

Chen Residence.

“Brother Bai, how did you get so badly injured? What happened? Who did this?” Li Xintian was alerted by the servants that a severely wounded scholar wanted to see him. When he stepped outside, he saw Bai Yang and immediately called for the servants to carry him inside.

“I was caught meeting Xiaoman in secret by Uncle Zhang. All these injuries are from Ren Yuanwu. My father’s wrongful imprisonment is also his doing. Now Uncle Zhang has given me a month—if my father is freed, I can marry Xiaoman,” Bai Yang said, still wanting to kneel despite his injuries.

“Brother Bai, what are you doing? You’re so hurt, don’t move anymore. The matter seems complicated. Even meeting your fiancée shouldn’t have led to violence,” Li Xintian quickly helped Bai Yang onto the bed.

“Originally, my father was to be executed at the execution ground. Ren Yuanwu wanted my family destroyed, but your intervention ruined his plans and embarrassed him. He told me all this after beating me,” Bai Yang explained.

“I never imagined there could be such a person. These injuries are because of me. I promise you’ll recover within half a month. As for your matter, I’ll help,” Li Xintian hadn’t realized his involvement had disrupted someone’s plot, but he told Bai Yang to rest and not worry.

“It seems I’ll need to use the resources of the Li residence to find Cao Zhensi,” Li Xintian left the room, preparing to mobilize his network throughout the capital.

“Master, you’re here. Everyone’s missed you,” Li Xintian arrived at the top floor of Windstar Pavilion, a unique brothel where a young man greeted him.

“Feng Ziqi, enough small talk. I need you to find Cao Zhensi, who’s been making fake medicine. Track his whereabouts for a day and report back. Don’t take any action. Also, ask the girls in the pavilion if they’ve seen him. There’s a reward,” Li Xintian said, sipping tea.

“Master, I’ll get it done. I’ll send someone to ask right away,” Feng Ziqi dropped his smile and turned serious, immediately heading out.

Originally a beggar, Feng Ziqi had been cultivated by Li Xintian to establish himself in the capital. The girls in Windstar Pavilion were performers, not prostitutes, making it a unique establishment.

Soon, Feng Ziqi returned with a young woman—the gentle, beautiful woman seen at Zhu Erdan’s temple.

“Master, her name is Mu Ran. She knows about Cao Zhensi and his whereabouts,” Feng Ziqi said.

“Master,” Mu Ran bowed slightly.

Windstar Pavilion only knew Feng Ziqi as the nominal manager; no one knew Li Xintian was truly in charge. It was Mu Ran’s first time meeting him, and Feng Ziqi had told her to keep their meeting secret.

“Tell me, where is Cao Zhensi?” Li Xintian nodded.

“He’s mostly at the Dragon Tiger Gambling Den these days, and comes to Windstar Pavilion at night. He’s lecherous, always harassing us,” Mu Ran replied. She’d been harassed by Cao Zhensi herself, so she remembered him well.

“How long have you worked here?” Li Xintian asked.

“Two years,” Mu Ran answered, unsure why he asked.

“Good. Now you have the right to choose. From now on, no one can force you to do anything you don’t want here. You’ll still get your wages and receive the Pavilion’s protection. Let Feng Ziqi take you downstairs for a hundred taels of silver,” Li Xintian said, trusting her.

“Hurry and thank the Master,” Feng Ziqi nudged Mu Ran.

“Oh, thank you, Master,” she said, finally coming to her senses.

Feng Ziqi then took Mu Ran out of the room.

After they left, Li Xintian exited as well, leaving through the window. This was his first visit to Windstar Pavilion.

Dragon Tiger Gambling Den.

The air was filled with the shouts and clamors of gamblers.