My Years in the Jianghu with the Prince: A Time of Unethical Conduct

Chapter 43 Woman in Red

The sick gatekeeper at Xunfang Pavilion was surnamed Huang and was the eldest son in his family, so others also called him Boss Huang.

Although this man is in his prime, a time when he should be strong and healthy, supporting his family, he is extremely idle and does nothing all day. Only recently, through someone's introduction, has he found a job at Xunfang Pavilion.

Even though he got a relatively easy job, he couldn't change his nature and often worked sporadically. He would always try to avoid work and be lazy whenever possible, often sneaking off to take a nap in a corner.

The night Hua Ran was murdered was also like that—

Since Hua Ran was successfully elected as the Flower Goddess, Xunfang Pavilion has become extremely lively. Day and night, the pavilion is often filled with the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments and the sounds of singing and dancing.

As night falls and the lights come on, Xunfang Pavilion becomes bustling with activity, as guests arrive in droves, like a surging tide.

Among these guests were many wealthy merchants, most of whom came after hearing of the Flower Goddess's fame.

Therefore, every night one could see distinguished guests, in a moment of high spirits and in a good mood, spending lavishly to treat everyone present to a hearty drink.

Even tonight was no exception; the guards were called inside to share drinks. But Boss Huang, who was usually cunning and sly, had very few friends, so he couldn't squeeze in, and no one was willing to share with him.

So he didn't join in the fun and simply found a spot to lie down and take a nap.

But this time he did not sleep peacefully, as the noise and commotion from upstairs reached his ears in waves.

The woman's sharp, piercing laughter, like the tinkling of silver bells, and the man's rude, vulgar curses and heavy breathing continued incessantly.

It caused him to have one nightmare after another.

"Damn it!" Old Huang cursed after being startled awake, angrily covering his ears as he turned over to go back to sleep.

Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye, and his movement to turn over stopped abruptly. He slowly and stiffly looked up.

Under the high-hanging moon, on the tallest building of Xunfang Pavilion, stood a woman in red, motionless.

Old Huang's eyes were wide open, bigger than copper bells, and he was so terrified that he couldn't make a sound with his mouth agape.

But the next second, in the blink of an eye, the figure had already disappeared.

Old Huang rubbed his eyes frantically, not daring to look up again, and muttered to himself, "Haha, really, I must be still half asleep..."

But that night, every time he fell asleep, he would dream of a woman in red with a face covered in blood approaching him step by step.

The next day, he fell ill and was bedridden. He also heard the news of Hua Ran's death, which made him even more convinced that what he had seen that night was Hua Ran's ghost. He was so frightened that he dared not go to Xunfang Pavilion again and asked someone to help him resign from his job there.

That's why Ning Liang missed him when he sent the officials to question the gatekeeper of Xunfang Pavilion.

The room was dark and filled with a musty, rotten smell. A person was half-lying on the bed.

The man had deep bruises under his eyes, a vacant look in his eyes, and a haggard face. He was hugging a blanket and recounting the events of that night to the people in front of him.

"Hand out."

At this moment, the only woman among them walked to his bedside, placed her hand on his wrist, and took his pulse.

Old Huang stared blankly at Tao Xian's actions, muttering, "It's no use, it's no use. I'm not sick, I'm possessed by an evil spirit."

Tao Xian's eyes flickered slightly, but she didn't refute him. Instead, she withdrew her hand and suddenly pulled out a talisman from her bosom.

Old Huang was stunned for a moment, then heard Tao Xian say to him with a serious expression, "I also know a little about Taoist magic, and you are indeed possessed by an evil spirit. But fortunately, I have a talisman here personally drawn by Master Hu Dao. Burn it to ashes, mix it with water and drink it, then eat three bowls of white rice and you will be fine."

Not only Huang Laoda, but the others were also stunned.

With trembling hands, he solemnly accepted the talisman, looking expectantly at Tao Xian, "Will it really work... but I don't think I've ever heard of this immortal's name?"

Tao Xian looked inscrutable: "Of course you haven't heard of him. This master is a highly skilled person who specializes in exorcising evil spirits for the emperor in the palace. Ordinary people have no chance to see him at all."

"Really, really?!"

Old Huang held the talisman as if it were a priceless treasure, almost kneeling down to kowtow to Tao Xian in gratitude.

After asking the questions, the group left Boss Huang's house.

On the way out, Ning Liang couldn't help but look at Tao Xian with the eyes of someone looking at a charlatan, as if he had some reservations about her words and actions. He said with a hidden meaning, "Forgive my poor eyesight, but I didn't realize that this young lady knew some unorthodox methods."

Tao Xian said calmly, "Oh, I don't know how."

Ning Liang stared wide-eyed. "Then what about that talisman you just used?"

I bought it on the street.

"That immortal in the palace..."

"Nonsense, utter nonsense. Didn't you realize that?"

Ning Liang: "..."

He was speechless for a moment, completely baffled as to what Tao Xian was trying to do. But the next second, someone cleared up Ning Liang's confusion.

Chu Ling looked at Tao Xian and asked her casually, "He's not sick?"

Tao Xian nodded slightly, "Aside from her heart ailment, she has no other problems. At most, she is just weak because she can't eat."

So when Tao Xian heard that she was to go with her to treat this person, she immediately had a plan. She knew that this kind of person was suspicious and wouldn't believe the doctor's words.

On his way here, he bought a talisman and decided to use the same trick against the other person. With this in mind, he found solace, and after drinking the talisman water, he slowly recovered without any further treatment and returned to normal.

Ning Liang pondered for a moment, and immediately looked at Tao Xian with new respect, sincerely admitting his shortsightedness: "Miss is truly intelligent and wise, I really admire her."

Tao Xian waved her hand dismissively, stopping him from bowing. "No need."

Chu Ling slowed his pace and stopped next to Xie Yan, who was walking at the back and seemed to be thinking about something. He asked Xie Yan, "Did you have some doubts about what you asked last?"

Just before they left, Xie Yan suddenly asked Boss Huang, "Why are you so sure it was a female ghost?"

Old Master Huang was completely bewildered by this sudden question.

He scratched his head, stammering, "It...it just looks like a woman, there's no why..."

Xie Yan shook her head. "I don't know, but I still feel like something's off."

After this investigation, the case seemed to have sunk into a quagmire, becoming even more perplexing.

It was thought that after the news of the mass grave spread, things would at least quiet down in the city for a while, and the perpetrator wouldn't dare to strike again.

But no one expected that another incident would occur in the brothel in just one night.