Now that the queen was in trouble and the He family hadn't regained its former glory, no one had the time to care about Concubine Qi. Lu Wanning looked up at Princess Qin, only to be surprised by how this seemingly low - key princess could, with a simple move, turn the whole situation around.
Princess Qin tidied her hair and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Lu Wanning smiled and said, "Every time I see you, you seem different in some way."
Princess Qin laughed along. "You're the same. You... are nothing like you were when you were a child. It seems that once a woman gets out of the shackles of love, she'll become rational. You were just misled by Fu Rongxuan's good looks before."
Lu Wanning didn't comment but simply nodded. "You're right."
They chatted merrily. After a while, Princess Qin yawned and said, "You did a great job with your ruse this time. But still, be careful. Sheng Chenyi may not have much talent, but he has a lot of dirty tricks."
It was getting late, and it was a long way back to the palace for Princess Qin, so she left early. Lu Wanning was bored. She watched another play before getting ready to go home. But as soon as she left the theater, she saw He Chan getting into an ordinary carriage.
The carriage was plain, and so was He Chan's attire. At first glance, Lu Wanning didn't recognize her at all.
Lu Wanning was quite puzzled. He Chan was already engaged to Fu Rongli. Although the engagement was delayed because of the mourning period, she should have stayed at home like Jiang Shishi, occasionally meeting up with her sisters. But He Chan's whereabouts today didn't seem like she was meeting her sisters.
The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and a pair of hands adorned with gold and silver bracelets made a gesture.
It was a woman. It seemed that she had thought too much.
Lu Wanning originally planned to return to the mansion, but the road ahead was extremely congested. The carriage only moved a few steps before getting stuck at the alley entrance. Bored, she lifted the curtain and looked out. Just then, she saw He Chan's carriage turning into a side alley.
He Chan's carriage was small and could easily pass through such an alley. But Lu Wanning's carriage was quite large and it was not easy to follow. Moreover, Lu Wanning didn't intend to follow.
But where did this road lead to?
Jiyue was confused. After thinking for a while, she said, "It's the red - light district. That's not a place for women."
Just from the name, one could tell that the red - light district was a favorite haunt of scholars. Women usually didn't go there. There were also some shrewish women who would go there to drag their husbands home by the ear. Later, those husbands would be laughed at by their friends.
Lu Wanning frowned. Why would He Chan go to such a place? If she was just passing by... a decent woman would rather wait even if the road ahead was blocked than take a detour through the red - light district.
Of course, that was for decent women. Once Lu Wanning's curiosity was piqued, she wouldn't care about such things.
"Take off your clothes and give them to me."
Lu Wanning forced Jiyue to exchange clothes with her. Then she quickly let down her hair and braided it simply. Without any ornaments, she looked just like an ordinary maid.
However, her appearance was still outstanding. Lu Wanning put on a veil, tucked a scimitar into her waist, and was about to get off the carriage.
Jiyue was extremely worried. "Princess, you can't do this... What if there's danger?"
Lu Wanning rubbed her hands eagerly. "Isn't that just perfect? It's been a long time since I've stretched my muscles."
Of course, she couldn't be careless. Among Lu Wanning's attendants, two were personally selected by Lu Hongxi. They were highly skilled in martial arts and extremely capable. As long as Lu Wanning left the mansion, they would guard her closely.
Lu Wanning avoided the crowd and trotted through the long alley. After a long time, she didn't see the carriage anymore. It was not until she reached the red - light district that she saw, at a glance, the carriage flash by beside the tallest and most magnificent building.
"It's over there."
The bodyguard frowned and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, are you really going there?"
Lu Wanning was full of enthusiasm. "Have you ever been there?"
The two bodyguards looked at each other and quickly explained, "Your Highness, the general has given an order that the Lu family's army is absolutely not allowed to... visit brothels and have fun."
Lu Wanning waved her hand. "We're not here for fun. Let's just take a look and broaden your horizons."
It was daytime, and there weren't many people having fun. Lu Wanning quietly observed for a while and found that the carriages of many officials would stop here. In a place like this brothel, not everyone came for the beautiful women. More likely, they came to discuss matters.
Anyway, Lu Wanning thought it was an improper place.
Lu Wanning climbed over the wall into the brothel, and no one noticed. The first floor was filled with the sounds of lewd songs, which made the two bodyguards blush. Fortunately, they were well - trained and had great self - control.
When they reached the third floor, the noise quieted down. There was the sound of string and bamboo instruments, which was quite elegant and refreshing.
The third floor was very large and the architecture was extremely exquisite. It was like a flat ground with many pavilions and a clear stream with fish in it.
Just as Lu Wanning was about to walk around the stream, she saw two officials she knew. They were Sheng Chenyi's men.
The three of them leaned against the wall, not daring to make a sound, waiting for the two men to pass by. But the two men were getting closer and closer, coming in their direction.
Just as the bodyguard was about to lift Lu Wanning up and run away, the window opened, and a pair of hands pulled Lu Wanning in.
Without hesitation, Lu Wanning took out her scimitar and hacked at the person.
The man dodged, and the scimitar hit the table with a "bang".
The bodyguard outside also flew in and grabbed the man.
Lu Wanning took a closer look. She had seen this man before. He was Sheng Songyan's younger brother, Sheng Songlin.
The commotion inside naturally alerted the people outside. The two officials were obviously looking for Sheng Songlin. They immediately asked loudly, "My Lord, the heir apparent?"
The curtain blocked the view, so the people outside couldn't see inside, but they could hear the noise. Sheng Songlin didn't resist when he was grabbed. He just smiled and said, "What are you doing? I just like such a fiery - tempered woman. Get out!"
There were two of Sheng Songlin's own bodyguards in the room. Without saying a word, they immediately went out and closed the doors and windows. One of them smiled at the two officials. "Please wait a moment, My Lords."
Sheng Songlin lowered his voice. "We're friends, not enemies. Let go."
The bodyguard didn't let go but just looked at Lu Wanning.
Lu Wanning pondered for a moment. Sheng Songlin also recognized her. If he really wanted to harm her, he could just expose her on the spot instead of saving her.
She nodded, and the two bodyguards let go and stood aside.
Sheng Songlin tidied his clothes and pointed behind the screen. "There's a secret door there. You hide in it."
The two bodyguards hid inside, while Lu Wanning sat on the couch behind the screen. The figures outside the screen were indistinct. Only Lu Wanning's back could be seen.
The officials were invited in. They said with a giggle, "My Lord, the heir apparent, you're in a good mood."
Sheng Songlin smiled all over his face. "A newly - acquired beauty..."
The officials nodded knowingly. One of them handed over the handwritten letter in his hand. "My Lord, the heir apparent, what's your decision?"
Sheng Songlin propped his head up. "I'm not the heir apparent yet. It's not appropriate for you to address me like this."
The two officials looked at each other and immediately laughed. "My Lord, the heir apparent, you're joking. The eldest son has caused trouble. The position of the heir apparent of the Prince of Qishan will surely belong to you."