Heart Knife instinctively tried to run.
Chu'he commanded, "Ninth, don’t let him escape!"
With a "thud," Heart Knife fell to the ground, only to realize his legs were tangled in silk threads—no matter how hard he kicked, they wouldn’t budge.
As the domineering woman drew closer, Heart Knife cried out, "Ninth, you can’t do this to me! We’re friends!"
Ninth lowered his head, fiddling with the shell bracelet on his wrist.
Heart Knife: "Don’t pretend you didn’t hear me!!!"
Soon after, a man’s agonized screams echoed from the second floor.
Zhou Xian glanced upward and said, "Lord of the Isle, I’ll pursue him."
Wenren Buxiao shook his head. "His presence has already vanished. You won’t catch him."
The rescued young woman hastily bowed. "Thank you, Lord Wenren, for saving my life."
Wenren Buxiao smiled faintly. "You don’t seem like someone from the House of Gentle Fragrance."
The woman wore simple coarse clothing, carried a medicine chest, and had a delicate, unadorned beauty—not strikingly glamorous but naturally graceful.
She replied, "My surname is Lin. I’m an apprentice at the western city clinic. The women here often call me when they’re unwell and prefer not to consult male physicians."
Wenren Buxiao’s scrutinizing gaze lingered until Zhou Xian stepped protectively in front of Miss Lin. "Lord, what Miss Lin says is true. I’ve seen her at the clinic before when fetching medicine."
Wenren Buxiao’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "Look at you—I merely asked a question. Why so nervous?"
"W-well…" Zhou Xian stammered, his face flushing. "Miss Lin is timid, so I couldn’t help speaking up for her."
Miss Lin, oblivious to Zhou Xian’s awkwardness, remained composed.
Wenren Buxiao set aside his teasing and ordered, "Evil spirits have appeared in the city. Seal the House of Gentle Fragrance—no one enters or leaves until interrogations are complete. Lock down the city gates too; no outsiders in, no residents out."
Zhou Xian obeyed at once, arranging the blockade.
The patrol guards soon arrived, barricading the brothel’s shattered doors. The crowd grew restless—many men had sneaked out without their wives’ knowledge, and a night away would spell disaster.
Wenren Buxiao presided from a chair in the hall, sipping tea as he waved a hand.
Zhou Xian cleared his throat. "Unmarried men, line up here! Married men, stand over there!"
The men shuffled reluctantly into place.
Someone protested, "Why divide us like this?"
Wenren Buxiao chuckled. "After questioning, unmarried men may leave freely. Married men—only if their wives come to fetch them."
The left line erupted in despair. Faces paled; some collapsed to the floor.
"What do we do now?!"
"My wife will kill me!"
"I’m doomed—my legs just healed three days ago!"
"That tigress at home swore she’d divorce me if I ever stepped into a brothel!"
Amid the wailing, Zhou Xian muttered, "Lord, is this really necessary?"
Wenren Buxiao’s peach-blossom eyes curved mischievously. "Isn’t it entertaining? What’s wrong with that?"
Zhou Xian swallowed his words.
—Tomorrow, half the households in the city would be in chaos.
"This Wenren Buxiao seems to thrive on stirring trouble. Quite amusing."
Perched on a cushion, Chu'he nibbled fruit from a tray Ninth handed her, watching the spectacle below.
Ninth scooted closer, whispering in her ear, "Ah’he, he’s married to two women."
Chu'he rolled her eyes. "You’ve said that a hundred times! I know already!"
Ninth persisted, "In Miaojiang—"
Chu'he stuffed a grape into his mouth. "Eat more, talk less!"
Ninth chewed obediently but soon wriggled nearer, pressing against her.
"Ah’he, you’re the best."
Chu'he tilted her head. "How so?"
Though Ninth didn’t fully grasp brothels’ purpose, the men’s distress told him wives disapproved.
He hooked his pinky around hers, their contrasting temperatures blending seamlessly.
"Even when you’re mad, you only slash at me—never leave or divorce me."
Grinning, he nuzzled her cheek.
"Ah’he, you’re wonderful."
Chu'he blinked at the white-haired, red-eyed boy as if he were an utter fool.
Then she patted his snowy head solemnly. "Remember, being with me is a blessing earned over lifetimes. Do you see me treating anyone else like I treat you?"
Ninth shook his head. "Nope."
"Exactly! You’re one of a kind—special to me!"
Ninth’s eyes sparkled. "Special?"
Chu'he nodded gravely. "Yes, special!"
—Truthfully, it was because Ninth was easy to bully. As a weakling, she dared not provoke others.
Hiding her guilt, she puffed her chest. "If I like you 100%, you must like me 200%. Got it?"
Ninth agreed. "Got it."
Pleased, Chu'he spread her arms. "Ninth, you’re so sweet. Hug!"
Beaming, he pulled her into an embrace.
Their whispers resumed.
"Ah’he, why only 200%? Can’t I like you 300%?"
"300% works too."
"What about 400%?"
"400% is fine."
"Ah’he, then 500%?"
……
Their silly chatter and rustling cushions drowned out Heart Knife’s groans as he lay flattened beneath them, nursing his bruises.
Glancing at the couple, his expression soured.
The feared Miaojiang boy—terrifying to all—had been effortlessly fooled by a Central Plains woman's sweet talk!
Was there no justice in this world?
Seeing Zhou Xian step forward and haul up the collapsed Master Jin for questioning, Heart Knife quickly reached out, "Brother Zhou, I need to be questioned too! Take me with you!"
Zhou Xian was willing to help and took a step forward.
Suddenly, the young couple wrapped in each other's arms lifted their heads in unison—red eyes and black eyes gleaming with the same chilling light, like fierce beasts ready to tear into prey.
Zhou Xian, still carrying Master Jin, staggered back three steps before turning around and vanishing in a puff of smoke.
Heart Knife: "Brother Zhou!!!"
The couple turned their heads back, pressing their foreheads together and playing with each other's fingers, sinking once more into their sickeningly sweet world where no one else existed.
"Chu'he, I like you a thousand points' worth—is that okay?"
"Of course it is!"
"What about eleven hundred points?"
"That works too!"
"Ten thousand points?"
"Still works!"
...
Finally, Heart Knife let out a choked "Ugh," his head drooping as he collapsed to the ground, eyes rolling back, as if his soul had left his body.
The little green snake lay on the floor, poking the thoroughly tormented man with its tail, its gaze full of pity.
