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

Zhou Lai didn't dare to ask any more questions.

Sometimes, the less you know, the better.

Zhou Lai went out, closed the door, and summoned his trusted lieutenant. He lowered his voice and ordered, "Quickly fetch two hundred taels of silver and deliver it to the madam. Tell her that I felt sorry for the new girl and intend to send her home. Also, tell the madam to be obedient. If she dares to utter a single word about what happened today, I'll send her to see the King of Hell."

The trusted captain glanced at Zhou Lai with surprise.

Feeling sorry for them?

Seriously, bro...

Forget it.

The trusted captain carried out the order. Zhou came into the room and said in a humble tone, "Please wait a moment, young lady. I will find an inconspicuous blue cloth carriage and quietly send you away through the side gate of the backyard."

Jiang Sese nodded slightly, her heart finally settling down a little.

With so many patrons coming and going in the brothel, if her identity were exposed in the front hall and everyone were alarmed, the rumors that she was trapped in a brothel would surely spread throughout the capital, causing the Fu family to lose face.

Before long, the captain returned and reported that the full amount of silver had been paid. He only threatened her a few times, and the madam was too frightened to make a sound.

Zhou Lai snorted coldly, his tone arrogant and smug: "She's quite clever."

After all, not everyone can afford to offend the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Zhou Lai escorted Jiang Sese to the backyard. Jiang Sese wore a veiled hat and walked along winding paths.

Jiang Sese couldn't help but feel relieved that she hadn't wandered off.

In such a large brothel, it's easy for someone who doesn't know the place well to get lost.

The white veil hanging from the hat blocked most of the outside world's view, but Jiang Sese's graceful figure still aroused people's imagination.

As I walked through a corridor, I happened to come face to face with a group of young men who were half-drunk with alcohol.

One of them was He Jian, the son of the Vice Minister of Rites.

He Jian, his eyes blurry with drunkenness, caught sight of the slender figure behind Zhou Lai, shrouded in a plain dress and veil. Though he couldn't see her face clearly, her figure and demeanor were completely different from the gaudy women commonly seen in the brothel. He was immediately intrigued, his gaze fixed on her, and his steps slowed.

"Oh, this young lady..."

No sooner had He Jian uttered his flippant words than a charming voice rang out beside him, laced with intense jealousy. It was Shuang Mei, nestled close to him: "Young Master He!"

Shuangmei subtly stepped to the side, blocking He Jian's gaze from Jiang Sese. She gently poked his chest with her jade-like finger. "What are you looking at? Don't tell me you're tired of my service so quickly?"

Shuangmei's beautiful eyes were filled with anger, her red lips were slightly pouting, and she looked as if she was about to cry.

He Jian's attention was instantly drawn back. Seeing the beauty jealous, his nascent lust immediately turned into coaxing: "Oh, my darling, how could I be tired of you? I just... I just felt that figure was a little special..."

"Special? What's so special about it! It must be that Young Master He thinks Shuangmei is old and faded!" Shuangmei persisted, coquettishly pulling He Jian towards another path.

"No, Young Master He must drink a few more cups as punishment today to properly apologize to Shuangmei!"

He Jian was completely captivated by her persistence, and seeing her tear-streaked face, his heart melted. He no longer cared about the fleeting glimpse of her veiled figure, and repeatedly said, "Alright, alright! Penalty drink! Penalty drink! Whatever my darling says goes!"

Shuangmei took He Jian's arm and walked forward. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zhou Lai protecting her as they turned through the corridor and disappeared through the side door.

Shuangmei lowered her eyes and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

After He Jian was helped into the room by a maid, another maidservant close to Shuang Mei couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Miss, why did you just now...?"

Shuangmei was clearly still deliberately dangling He Jian in front of her.

The coquettish look on Shuangmei's face vanished instantly, and she whispered, "That girl wearing the veiled hat just now... that's the new one. If He Jian, that scoundrel, gets involved and makes a scene, that girl might not be able to leave."

The young maidservant widened her eyes slightly, asking in confusion, "How did you know it was her, Miss?"

Shuangmei whispered, "I just passed by my mother's room and heard the Jinyiwei officer tell her that Commander Zhou wanted to redeem the new girl."

Zhou Baihu was a regular at Tianxianglou, and Shuangmei recognized him. So when she saw Zhou Baihu escorting someone to the backyard, she knew that the person next to him must be the new girl.

The maidservant immediately understood and stopped talking.

The fact that the new girl at Tianxiang Pavilion saved Fei Rao with a strange medicine was known only to Shuang Mei, the madam, Fei Rao herself, and Shuang Mei.

Because Fei Rao and Shuang Mei are biological sisters.

Shuangmei smiled and said, "It's a pity that my sister and I haven't thanked her yet... But it's fine this way."

After Shuangmei finished speaking, she tidied the pearl flowers in her hair, and her face regained its charming smile that greeted and saw off guests.