“Cough, how dare we discuss Her Majesty. If anyone outside hears us, not only will we lose our reputation in the Imperial Capital, but our lives will be in danger!”
“Yes, yes, you’re right, sir.”
The head of Xueliantang knew that this was just empty talk from the son of the Minister of Rites.
He was also happy to let others find some minor fault.
“As for your suggestions earlier…”
Song Gongzi noticed the door opening and saw several young ladies who had changed clothes and were holding wooden basins standing there, including Hua Nongying.
“I will mention it to my father. After the Qianlong Conference, things should get lively. I think this grand event is feasible, but it still needs to be approved by the official and the emperor, which is beyond my control.”
“You have already done a great favor!”
The head of Xueliantang bowed and handed over a bottle of pills: “A small gift, not much to show respect.”
“Hmm?”
Song Gongzi seemed dissatisfied with this gift, raising an eyebrow, thinking it was too little.
The head of Xueliantang chuckled: “This item is something I unexpectedly obtained. It is said to be refined using nine suns, and is especially good for nourishing yin and strengthening yang.”
“Hmm, do as you wish.” Song Gongzi silently put it away.
The head of Xueliantang nodded and then gave Luo Yexian a meaningful look.
“Let’s go…”
Luo Yexian looked at the two rows of young ladies brought in by Hua Nongying, feeling reluctant to leave.
There weren’t enough people for two mahjong tables yet.
After hearing Song Gongzi say ‘take them all,’ the door slammed shut.
As they went downstairs, the corner of the head of Xueliantang’s mouth curled up in a sneer.
“Thus, the scene on the day the City of Divine Beings appears will finally be lively. Only then can one take advantage of the chaos… If the Yin Yang Hall cannot infiltrate again… even if the sect master says I am not doing my job well, he cannot blame me.”
“Hehehe…”
Luo Yexian cooperated by laughing.
Old Luo was very skilled at living off others. When the higher-ups of the Huanmo Sect held meetings, he would hang around Han Zhen, pretending to be part of the atmosphere when the national teacher mentioned any plan.
Since he couldn’t understand what the national teacher intended, he just laughed along.
The head of Xueliantang felt that Luo Yexian understood him very well.
It seemed like half the plan had already succeeded before it was even implemented.
Passing by the counter, he threw out a pearl and said:
“Take care of the guest we brought here. This is the three-foot divine being above your heads. Do not neglect him.”
“Sir, we treat all guests equally.”
“Haha, you know what I mean.”
The head of Xueliantang felt that everything was self-evident.
No matter who the owner of this place was, could they really run a proper business? They would surely go bankrupt.
Running a business isn’t for the money, is it?
…..
A moment later.
Li Mo, Xie Xuan, and Zhong Zhenyue came in.
“Boss, I’ve always said that our business is legitimate, but the guest from the Fragrant Pavilion doesn’t seem to believe it.”
“When I chased after him, I couldn’t find him anymore.”
This female manager used to be a bottle girl at the Wind Moon Small Residence. Earlier, she was a woman from a merchant family.
Later, her family got involved in a case and she was sent to work in the Ministry of Rites brothel, eventually ending up here.
“Then return him to the guest from the Fragrant Pavilion.”
Li Mo didn’t even look at the pearl but instead surveyed the business atmosphere in the shop.
To be honest, it was a bit cold.
He wasn’t surprised by this phenomenon, as his place was quite legitimate. Most people who were legitimate didn’t come here, so it was normal for the business to be slow.
“Why are you putting the pearl in your pocket, old Zhong?”
Warm reminder: The upper right corner has functions such as “Switch between Simplified and Traditional Chinese,” “Adjust Font Size,” and “Read Background Color.”
“Ah? Sigh… How did this happen? This pearl seems to have drilled into my chest.”
Zhong Zhenyue pouted, placing the pearl on the table and muttering:
“I thought we would make a fortune once we opened the doors, but who knew we would have to pay salaries ourselves…”
“Not everyone is like Brother Xie, washing their feet eight times a day.”
“So why did you open this shop, Brother Li?”
Zhong Zhenyue didn’t understand.
In fact, no one else would understand either.
“Just foot massage might be a bit monotonous… We can add more services. As more people come, the business will naturally pick up.”
Li Mo had no intention of making money.
But it was necessary to make the place livelier.
Xie Xuan cleared his throat and asked, “Where is No. 88?”
The female manager sighed, “Lady Hua Nongying also went to the Fragrant Pavilion, and she is now the manager.”
“How did I not know?” Xie Xuan was surprised.
Zhong Zhenyue coughed lightly: “I agree, she offered too much…”
“????”
“…..”
Li Mo was speechless for a moment.
One person came every day and insisted on having a technician wash her feet eight times.
Another person was willing to give money to the boss to stay at the Wind Moon Small Residence.
It was hard to judge.
Thinking carefully, the latter was actually stranger. Li Mo had torn up all the girls’ contracts and given those who wanted to leave some travel expenses.
At the time, most people choosing to stay could be understood, as some girls couldn’t survive outside. But Hua Nongying, who was on the Hundred Flowers List, wouldn’t be unable to find a place elsewhere.
She even paid out of her own pocket to stay…
Could it be for herself?
Smack—
At this moment, suddenly, a crash and argument were heard in the Fragrant Pavilion.
“A guest is causing trouble?”
The female manager holding the ledger was stunned.
“Close the door, let…”
Li Mo remembered that the master was not present, so he coughed lightly: “Let’s go upstairs and see.”
As they went upstairs, the voices became clearer.
They sounded like:
“I just ate something from the Nine Suns Sect, and you tell me this place serves vegetarian food?”
“Do you take me for a fool? Do you think this place is part of the royal city?”
“Hmph, call out, even if you shout till you lose your voice, no one would dare stop Lord Li…”
Bang—
In Zhong Zhenyue’s pained gaze, Li Mo kicked the door open.
He saw Song Gongzi, blushing, hurriedly untying his belt, while a woman seemed frozen, kneeling at his feet.
That woman was Hua Nongying. She had veins bulging in her neck, seemingly struggling fiercely to break free, but couldn’t move or even close her mouth.
As her eyes rolled, she saw Li Mo kick the door in, and a tear finally fell from the corner of her eye.
“Which b*stard?”
Song Gongzi turned angrily.
He had longed for Hua Nongying for a long time, but before, the backing was the Fourth Prince, more accurately the Crown Prince. He didn’t dare act rashly. Now, with the arrow on the string, someone dared to kick his door.
Li Mo’s gaze shifted downward, his expression turning slightly compassionate.
“Tsk…..”
“????”
