Wasn't he supposed to be beaten to death? Why did this powerful cousin love him so much?

Because of her reputation as a pharmaceutical manufacturer, the madam relaxed her supervision of Jiang Sese considerably.

Although they cannot go out, no one follows them closely when they walk around inside the building.

Of course, Jiang Sese didn't dare to run around with that face on.

The Tianxiang Pavilion has all sorts of customers. If the political enemies of the Xie and Fu families see her and recognize her in the future, it will be a huge blow to her, Xie Jue, and the Xie and Fu families.

Zheng Tong's sinister intentions lie in this.

On her first day at the brothel, Xie Yujiao cried and made a scene, threatening suicide. Seeing her temperament, the madam didn't hesitate and arranged for her to have sex that very day. Women, once they lose their chastity, have no choice but to give up and accept their fate.

Most of those who slept with Xie Yujiao were people of extremely low rank who couldn't even get into the Xie family.

Despite Xie Jue's assurance to Xie Yujiao that no one would know about her affair at Tianxiang Tower, Xie Yujiao still committed suicide.

As Jiang Sese was thinking about the plot of the book, two idle girls were whispering to each other while leaning against the railing outside the door.

"Have you heard? A high-ranking official came to the Peony Room tonight. He's incredibly generous; he asked for the best wine right off the bat."

"I know, I know. I heard it from the pimp. He's a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The Embroidered Uniform Guard is the emperor's personal guard. No wonder Mother went to greet him personally."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Jiang Sese felt excited inside, but remained outwardly calm.

Fei Ying had given her a token before.

Fei Ying said at the time that everyone in the Embroidered Uniform Guard recognized this order.

She always carried this token with her, just in case. And if she needed something, well, the more the merrier.

"Xing'er." Jiang Sese brought over a plate of pastries and called over the maid who served her. Her face showed barely suppressed eagerness as she said, "I heard that a high-ranking official from the Embroidered Uniform Guard has come to the Peony Chamber. Although I haven't been formally appointed yet, I will eventually have to establish myself in the brothel. Please take this plate of pastries over to him and say that the new young lady made them herself. Please have him try them."

Jiang Sese's eyes sparkled, perfectly capturing the mindset of a young girl eager to curry favor with the powerful.

Xing'er took the plate, hesitatingly saying, "Miss, this...the adults are drinking right now." ...Who would eat this lousy pastry?

Jiang Sese blinked and said, "Good Xing'er, please help me. Praise me a few more times in front of the adults, say that I'm not bad looking and I make good pastries, and ask them to take good care of me in the future. Your sweet talk is more useful than me going in person."

Xing'er was flattered by her words and thought that the pastries were nothing special, but once the Imperial Guard saw Jiang Sese's appearance, he would surely fall at her feet.

Xing'er then carried the plate to the peony room.

Inside the Peony Room, the Imperial Guard commander, surnamed Zhou, had drunk half a pot of wine that evening and was reclining on the couch, listening to music with great satisfaction. Several girls surrounded him, showering him with flattery.

Xing'er came in carrying a plate and, following Jiang Sese's instructions, lavishly praised the beauty of the new girl, saying that the new girl was stunningly beautiful, no less so than anyone else in the brothel, and that she was an excellent pastry chef. She had specially made osmanthus cake for the master to try today and asked the master to take good care of her in the future.

Zhou Baihu felt very comfortable being praised, and his face showed an arrogant expression. He casually picked up the top piece of pastry and was about to put it in his mouth when his finger touched something hard at the bottom of the plate.

Zhou Baihu looked down and pushed aside the pastries, revealing a black iron token pressed at the bottom of the plate.

The front is engraved with the character "Shadow," and the back features the inscription of the Imperial Guards.

This is clearly Lord Fei's private order!

Zhou Baihu felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, and his previous smugness and romantic thoughts vanished instantly.

Upon seeing this order, it is as if you were seeing the commander himself!

How did this token end up here?

That new girl...who is she?

What is her relationship with Lord Fei?

Zhou Baihu's expression changed instantly, revealing a look of panic.

The girls nearby, unaware of what had happened, only saw the official's expression suddenly change, and dared not utter a sound, exchanging bewildered glances.

Commander Zhou gripped the token tightly, looked up abruptly, and ordered Xing'er, "Where is that new girl? Bring her to me immediately!"

Then, he swept his gaze over the others in the room: "All of you, get out! Get out!"

Xing'er was startled by his appearance and quickly ran to call Jiang Sese.

Jiang Sese rushed over and pushed open the door to find Zhou Baihu standing in front of the table, clutching the token in his hand, sweat glistening on his forehead.

He looked up and saw Jiang Sese's face. He was first amazed, then quickly looked away, convinced that this woman, carrying Lord Fei's private order, must be someone very close to Lord Fei.

...Perhaps she is some kind of confidante of Lord Fei.

Zhou Lai dared not look again, knelt on one knee, and raised the token above his head: "This humble servant Zhou Lai is at your service, young lady!"

Looking at the Imperial Guard commander kneeling before her, Jiang Sese finally felt relieved and silently breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "I want to leave Tianxiang Tower immediately."