This time, Shang Changge wasn’t merely smiling ambiguously.
She outright laughed.
“Then why are you reacting so strongly if you don’t understand what I mean?”
Manniang: …
That was careless.
Fortunately, Shang Changge didn’t continue poking at her secret.
After all, she was planning to befriend this beautiful older sister in the future.
“I don’t mean to threaten you just because I figured out your little trick.”
On the contrary—
“I’m here to save you.”
The male lead was a stallion protagonist.
By the middle of the novel, his harem was already enormous.
So surely coming here tonight to intercept one of his future women counted as saving her, didn’t it?
“Save me?”
Manniang laughed coldly.
“No need.”
She wasn’t about to trust the words of some mysterious little girl.
Not even one who spent money like water.
Besides, her life at Drunken Flower House was perfectly comfortable.
What exactly did she need saving from?
Except…
A certain thought crossed her mind.
Her expression immediately darkened.
Shang Changge caught the change.
The corners of her crimson lips curled upward mischievously.
“Really?”
“What a pity.”
She set down her delicate porcelain wine cup and rose to her feet.
It looked as though she intended to leave with Qingyao.
“Seems your Lovesickness Poison has already been cured.”
“I was originally going to give you the antidote.”
“But if you don’t need it anymore—”
“I DO!”
Manniang shot to her feet.
Her hand clamped tightly around Shang Changge’s arm.
Excitement and suspicion warred across her beautiful face.
Her enchanting voice trembled.
“You really have the antidote?”
“If you truly do…”
Her grip tightened.
“I’ll give you anything you want.”
She was at her limit.
The splitting headaches had become unbearable.
At first, the attacks only occurred once a month.
Then once every half month.
Then once every few days.
And now—
every other day.
She felt as though she was going insane.
Shang Changge’s scheme had succeeded.
Her smile became dazzlingly bright.
“Of course.”
Less than half a cup of tea later,
Shang Changge and Qingyao descended from the second floor and swaggered out of Drunken Flower House.
The main hall remained lively.
Music played.
Dancers performed.
Guests chatted endlessly.
No one paid attention to two completely ordinary-looking young women.
However—
the moment Shang Changge stepped out of the building—
she froze.
Directly ahead stood Xiao Ji.
Along with an entire squad of soldiers.
…
…
Shang Changge stood on the staircase outside the pleasure house.
Xiao Ji sat atop a tall horse.
One stood high.
One stood low.
Their gazes met.
For some reason, that made Shang Changge mildly annoyed.
“Miss.”
Qingyao tugged at her sleeve as a reminder.
Shang Changge immediately snapped back to reality.
Then, without missing a beat, she grabbed Qingyao and stumbled backward in apparent terror.
“G-Greetings, Officer!”
Her voice trembled.
Her words stuttered.
Her head lowered obediently.
Her body shook slightly.
The image of a frightened commoner facing powerful authority was portrayed perfectly.
…
…
For some reason, the atmosphere fell silent again.
Only the whispers drifting from inside the pleasure house remained audible.
While Shang Changge was wondering whether Xiao Ji had recognized her—
he spoke.
His voice remained cold and emotionless.
Filled with the killing aura of countless battlefields.
“Surround the building.”
“Yes, General!”
The soldiers behind him immediately split into two groups.
In moments, the entire pleasure house was surrounded.
Just as Xiao Ji rode past Shang Changge,
the madam of the establishment came rushing out with several attendants.
“Aiyo! Officer, this is—”
Then she saw who it was.
Xiao Ji.
The rest of her words died in her throat.
Her eyes widened.
One hand clutched her chest.
She nearly forgot how to breathe.
The shock wasn’t any less severe than when she’d learned about Shang Changge’s rather unusual preferences earlier.
If one of the girls beside her hadn’t caught her in time—
she probably would have collapsed to her knees on the spot.
Inside her mind, a tiny version of herself was already sprawled on the floor, slapping her thighs and wailing.
Oh heavens!
Oh merciful heavens!
This is going to kill me!
Which bastard invited the King of Hell here?!
Tell me who did it!
“Ahem.”
Standing nearby, outwardly humble and obedient but inwardly enjoying the drama as an enthusiastic spectator, Shang Changge coughed.
To be fair—
she really was trying to behave.
But she couldn’t help it.
She wanted to laugh.
And she hadn’t quite managed to hold it in.
Xiao Ji: … 😑