The three of them ran downstairs together, making quite a commotion.
The maids who had been guarding nearby immediately wanted to stop them and even took out their swords.
Fortunately, the steward on the second floor had received the news early and knew that Ji Yunxi and her companions were not ordinary people. So he reached out and grabbed the maid who was about to stop them.
"Wait! Let them go."
The maid frowned. "Steward, isn't this against the rules?"
The steward stared at her coldly, which scared the maid into breaking out in a cold sweat.
"The rule of Bamboo Intent Tower is to obey."
The maid immediately lowered her head and didn't dare to say another word.
As the three of them made their way downstairs, they heard a commotion coming from a private room on the second floor.
Qing Xuan was about to push the door open directly, but Feng Xingzhi stopped him. They only heard a man and a woman inside.
"Three thousand taels of gold. Isn't that enough for the owner of Bamboo Intent Tower?"
Zhu Wanyi was sitting quietly on a chair. When the maid had rushed to her with a terrified look on her face and a palm print on her cheek earlier, she knew that there was an ill - mannered guest today.
Sure enough, now he was threatening to buy Ji Yunxi with three thousand taels of gold.
She hated most those who regarded human lives as nothing and bought and sold people at will.
She poured herself a cup of tea and replied slowly, "Not to mention that three thousand taels means nothing in our Bamboo Intent Tower. Even if you offer more, it's still not possible. Before the Yiyun Dance started, I had already stated the rules. Since you're unwilling to follow them, please leave."
The man felt offended and slapped the table. "She's just a dancing girl. I'm being generous by offering three thousand taels. Even if I don't pay today, what can you do to me?"
"Are you kidding? Since the Yiyun Dance came into being, three thousand taels is just half a day's revenue for our Bamboo Intent Tower. What makes you think you can take her away with money? Do you think the number - one music workshop in the world is a joke?!"
Zhu Wanyi was also angry. With a fierce look in her eyes, she made the man shiver.
But he didn't dare to show his cowardice and said, "Owner Zhu, you'd better think this through. I'm not just rich in Beidi. If you don't see things clearly and something goes wrong, don't blame me for being merciless."
Looking at the guests downstairs, Zhu Wanyi wished she could chop this man into pieces. But it wasn't a good time to act, so she just stared at him coldly.
However, in the man's eyes, her silence meant she was about to yield. He immediately started making a ruckus regardless. "Bring her out quickly! Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"
Zhu Wanyi tried to stall for time. "What will you do if I bring her here?"
"If she serves me well, I'll take her as a concubine. If not, humph."
Lushu couldn't listen anymore. Seeing the killing intent in his master's eyes, he thought this man was doomed.
Feng Xingzhi knew that the dancing girl the man was referring to was Ji Yunxi. Since Ji Yunxi had disappeared, it was very likely that this man was involved. He got angry and kicked the door open and walked in.
A sword immediately appeared in his hand, and the tip of the sword pointed directly at the man.
Zhu Wanyi was startled when she saw the three of them and stood up abruptly.
Remembering Zhu Wanyi's stalling just now, Qing Xuan got angry and retorted, "I thought you were a just person, Owner Zhu. I didn't expect you to play dirty tricks behind our backs?"
Knowing that he had misunderstood, Zhu Wanyi didn't explain. She came to Feng Xingzhi's side and wanted to say something.
Unexpectedly, seeing someone threatening his life, the man wasn't afraid at all. Instead, he shouted loudly, "Humph, if you have the guts, kill me! I'd like to see who you are!"
Lushu raised his hand and slapped the man hard with his spiritual power. Half of the man's face immediately swelled up.
The man let out a scream, and many people across the way craned their necks to look.
Zhu Wanyi thought that this situation couldn't be allowed to continue. She quickly leaned over and whispered to Feng Xingzhi, "The mistress is fine. She's gone back to her room to rest."
Feng Xingzhi's hanging heart immediately fell to the ground. "Really?"
"Yes. Her disappearance was just part of the stage design to prevent the guests from keeping her."
Feng Xingzhi knew that she wouldn't deceive him, so his expression softened a little.
The man was stunned by the slap. He had just been overcome by lust and wanted the dancing girl of the Yiyun Dance. How had he gotten himself into so much trouble?
But now it seemed to have spurred him on even more, making him even more determined to get the graceful girl on the stage.
He pretended to be calm and said, "Who are you?! Do you know who I am and still dare to lay a hand on me?!"
Feng Xingzhi said coldly, "I don't care who you are. If you dare to have designs on her, you have to die."
Hearing this, the man immediately burst out laughing. "So you've taken a fancy to her too, huh. Humph, I'll let this matter slide today. Let's just consider it a fateful encounter. After I'm done with her, I won't leave you out."
Feng Xingzhi's anger flared up again. His eyes turned red with rage, and he raised his hand to strike.
Zhu Wanyi was extremely helpless. She had tried every means to reconcile the conflict, but this man just kept asking for trouble. There was no need to give him any more face.
At this point, there was no need for her to say anything. So she grabbed Feng Xingzhi. "It's not convenient to act here. Wait for the mistress's arrangement."
Hearing this, Qing Xuan immediately asked, "Where is the mistress?"
"Of course, she's in a safe place."
Zhu Wanyi waved her hand, and several maids immediately came over.
"Take this man to the mistress."
"Yes!"
Seeing these maids coming towards him fearlessly, the man immediately resisted. But his meager martial arts skills were useless. He was quickly subdued by the girls, pressed to the ground, and his mouth was covered.
"Don't let him make a sound. Take him downstairs."
After the man was taken away, Feng Xingzhi calmed down. "How did Xi and you arrange this?"
Zhu Wanyi felt a bit embarrassed. She had forgotten to tell the three of them about the stage design. No wonder they were so worried.
She said somewhat guiltily, "When the mistress was practicing before, she was worried that something might happen to the guests under the high platform after watching the Yiyun Dance. For the safety of Bamboo Intent Tower and the mystery of the Yiyun Dance, the mistress asked me to extinguish the lights immediately after the music ended, and she would go back to her room right away."
Qing Xuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. "You didn't mention this before. You scared us to death."
Zhu Wanyi flatteringly offered a cup of tea. "I'm sorry. It's all my fault for forgetting."
Knowing that Ji Yunxi was safe and sound, Feng Xingzhi naturally wasn't worried anymore. He stepped out to find Ji Yunxi.
Just as he was going out, he suddenly caught a glimpse of Jiang Linyin peeping out from behind the partition.
Jiang Linyin smiled and went back into the cubicle.
"Lushu, ask the people from Dream Flower Pavilion to come and take this man away. Watch him closely."
Lushu knew Jiang Linyin's identity and the importance of the matter. He immediately went downstairs to handle it.
As for Feng Xingzhi, he couldn't wait to see the safe and sound Ji Yunxi.