Chapter 18: Coming Back Tomorrow

“Ah—”
“Ah—”
“Ah— cough, cough, that’s enough, right?! My throat is about to go hoarse.” Zhou Miaotong looked at Wang Lu with a hint of grievance.

Wang Lu reached out as if pressing the air, then tilted his ear to listen. Sensing no movement outside, he nodded and resumed a normal rhythm.

A quarter of an hour later, Zhou Miaotong faced the bed, biting her lip lightly, her whole body seeming to fall apart.

Wang Lu was unaffected; he dressed promptly, paced to the window, opened it, and glanced outside. Ding Baiying had disappeared.

Wang Lu chuckled softly. A female Sword Saint, huh?

Is that all?

He returned to the bedside where Zhou Miaotong was dressing and asked, “You looked out the window several times. Is someone following you?”

“You’re not stupid either, but your yelling was really stiff,” Wang Lu teased.

Recalling the earlier ordeal, Zhou Miaotong blushed.

Wang Lu glanced at her lovely face with curiosity. “You’ve been around the block, yet you still blush?”

Zhou Miaotong shot him a glare, her usually expressionless face showing irritation. “If it weren’t for your Embroidered Uniform Guard, I wouldn’t have been trapped in a place like this for so many years.”

After the exertion, Wang Lu felt parched. He picked up the teapot, took two long sips, and said, “If your father hadn’t been babbling nonsense in court, would the Embroidered Uniform Guard have raided your house?”

“Do you know what people say about the Embroidered Uniform Guard? They’re lapdogs! And lapdogs are always controlled by hunters—the real predators. You at least had some schooling before twelve; don’t you understand this?”

Zhou Miaotong fell silent, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Wang Lu, somewhat bored, said, “You get huffy after I say just a couple of words. No wonder the madams fear offending your kind of top courtesans.”

“Top courtesans? They’re just daughters of disgraced officials, used to satisfy the wicked tastes of men like you. Those formerly lofty officials now see their daughters serving beneath you. You must be very proud.”

Zhou Miaotong lifted her head, stubbornly locking eyes with Wang Lu as she spoke those self-mocking words.

Wang Lu sighed. “Don’t demean yourself. I know you’re unwilling to accept this fate, but what’s done is done. We can only strive for the best outcome. You had no way out before, but now you have me. You should think about what you want to do moving forward.”

He bit into an apple as he spoke casually.

Seeing Wang Lu so relaxed, and without the usual lascivious gleam in his eyes, Zhou Miaotong was surprised and couldn’t help but ask, “Earlier, you said you could get me out of here? Is that true?”

“You might not know, but most courtesans can buy their freedom once they pay enough silver. We’re different. Our ransom is not only expensive but requires a release document from the Ministry of Justice, which is even harder to obtain.”

“It’s difficult, but if you cooperate, getting you out won’t be a big problem.”

Wang Lu crunched the apple, mumbling, “Getting you out is just a side benefit. You should think about what you want from life—that’s the real reward. Hmm, I suppose you want to run away with that Yan Junbin, right?”

Hearing she could leave, Zhou Miaotong’s face brightened, but thinking Wang Lu might not keep his word, she restrained herself and said,

“Many have promised me the same, some even swore they’d go home to get money and return to the Ministry for a release order the next day. But those men never came back.”

“Do you think I’m like them?” Wang Lu spat out an apple seed and said,

“Those officials are all full of empty talk, untrustworthy. Even that Yan Junbin, you have to be wary. If you want to run away with him, fine, but to ensure he doesn’t affect me, you must leave the capital and live south of the Huai River. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Wang Lu wasn’t a villain. Though he sought out Zhou Miaotong to kickstart the first part of the story and to use her to deal with Beizhai, aka Zhou Miaoxuan, he had no intention of silencing her.

Compared to others, Zhou Miaotong was truly pitiful and innocent. Sending her off to a life of comfort was the best way to part.

Yet until the matter was settled, Wang Lu would keep her firmly in his grasp. By the time things were nearly done, any rebellion from her would be futile.

After a moment’s hesitation, Zhou Miaotong asked, “When did I say I wanted to run away with Master Yan?”

Wang Lu was surprised. “Not that? Then what do you want?”

She shook her head. “I haven’t decided yet. I’ve been stuck here for six years, thinking I’d die here. I never expected to meet someone as kind as Yan Junbin. But even if he raises enough silver to redeem me, there’s still the Ministry’s approval, which he’s never mentioned.”

“Most importantly, we met at the Entertainment Bureau. If he were truly a man worthy of trust, how could we meet here?”

“So, I’ll take your word for now and consider this your promise. When I decide, I’ll tell you. Is that acceptable?”

Wang Lu was somewhat astonished. He had always believed Zhou Miaotong truly loved Yan Junbin, and Yan Junbin seemed to like her too. Was all this just Wang Lu’s wishful thinking?

“Then why did you look so deeply in love with Yan Junbin before?” Wang Lu asked curiously.

“Hmph,” Zhou Miaotong laughed bitterly. “If I didn’t pretend here, I’d be beaten after you left each night. You people will never understand what that’s like.”

“In your world, ‘endless darkness’ is just an idiom; for us, it’s the reality everyone lives.”

She spoke slowly, every movement embodying the grace of a virtuous woman, yet her eyes held a chilling depth.

Wang Lu understood then: Yan Junbin was just playing a part. He’d almost convinced himself that true love existed.

But hadn’t Zhou Miaotong later offered herself to Shen Lian to save Yan Junbin?

That seemed genuine enough.

Wang Lu didn’t bother puzzling over it any further; matters of love and heartbreak were far removed from this pleasure-seeking rogue who preferred massages.

Wang Lu stood, buckled his sword, and faced Zhou Miaotong. “I promise you.”

After speaking, he turned to leave. Zhou Miaotong quickly rose and said, “I’ll see you out, sir.”

Descending the stairs, the madam, chatting with guests, immediately approached with a seductive smile. “Miaotong taken good care of you, sir?”

Wang Lu glanced toward the graceful figure behind the third-floor railing and nodded. “Not bad.”

The madam sighed in relief and pulled out silver from her sleeve. “Here’s your change, sir—a total of five taels. Please keep it safe.”

Wang Lu waved his hand and pointed upstairs. “Keep it. I’ll come again tomorrow. She’s not to receive customers during this time.”

The madam hesitated, but seeing Wang Lu’s displeased expression and his sword, she swallowed nervously. “Others might object, but for you, sir, of course it’s possible. I’ll be waiting for you tomorrow.”

Wang Lu nodded and immediately left the Warm Fragrance Pavilion.

Early the next morning, after reporting in with Lu Wenzhao, Wang Lu changed outfits, smudged some ash on his face, and headed toward Yong’an Temple.