Lan Yan quickly jumped back, covering her chest. "So close! What was this original host doing?" she murmured. She poked her head out to look down; it was several zhang high, with many people moving about below.
If she fell, not only would her body be shattered, but she would also injure others.
She clicked her tongue and looked at her attire – brightly colored, with heavy ornaments on her head. Looking around, this seemed to be the original host's room, filled with a strong scent of perfume and powder.
She closed her eyes, absorbing the original host's memories as usual. However, after waiting for a long time, there was no response in her mind. "System?"
No voice responded in her mind. Following that, there was the sound of a door opening.
A middle-aged woman wearing a large red flower on her head, with exposed forearms and chest, entered. She waved a handkerchief, a smile on her face. "My Miss Lan, what are you doing? Why haven't you washed and dressed yet? Your performance is coming up soon."
"What?" Lan Yan looked at the woman in front of her and then at herself. She suddenly realized she was in a brothel! Her mind buzzed, and she quickly composed her expression, asking, "What do I need to perform?"
Seeing this, the middle-aged woman assumed Lan Yan was still groggy from sleep and chuckled, "Miss Lan, you are the courtesan of our Jinxiu Tower. Tonight, it's your turn to perform."
"It's not that I, Mama Liang, boast, but there's no one in the entire imperial city who can groom talent like I can. Just look at the guests below, so many have come." She said this with pride and urged, "Miss Lan, hurry up."
After speaking, she closed the door and left.
Lan Yan stood in place, shouting, "Stupid system, come out quickly and tell me what identity you've assigned me!" Heavens, she didn't know how to perform! And this brothel was too dangerous; her martial arts skills weren't enough.
"If you don't come out, I really won't talk to you anymore." She stamped her foot, but there was still no sound in her mind. She gave up. Another knock sounded at the door, and she could only call out, "Mama Liang, I understand, I'm changing clothes."
She rubbed her forehead, looked at the wardrobe in the corner, walked over, and pulled open the cabinet door. Suddenly, a sword appeared at her throat.
She froze, looking at the man who had appeared inside the wardrobe, her mind becoming even more confused. Who could tell her that it was one thing to have transmigrated into a brothel courtesan, but why was there a man hiding in the wardrobe!
The man was dressed in green, with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, a delicate face, and an aura of deep coldness. He was holding a sword to Lan Yan's throat, his voice icy. "Don't make a sound."
Lan Yan's body stiffened. Was she going to die as soon as she transmigrated! No, based on her past experience, such a handsome man couldn't be a mere passerby. Could he be her mission target?
It was all the fault of that stupid system for putting her in such a passive situation. She looked at the man filled with murderous intent in front of her and tried to force a smile. "Um, put the sword down first, and let's talk properly."
"Don't speak." Jun Yelan frowned, puzzled as to why this woman dared to speak!
Seeing that Jun Yelan's tone had softened slightly, Lan Yan tentatively said, "As a weak woman, I can't defeat you, nor can I escape. Tell me what you want to do, and I can help you."
Jun Yelan's brows furrowed as he considered the credibility of her words. He wouldn't have been discovered while on a mission and forced to hide here.
He had intended to escape the pursuit outside and leave, but he didn't expect this woman to suddenly open the cabinet, leading to the current situation. "As long as you don't say too much, I won't harm you. I don't kill innocent people with my sword."
They had principles in their line of work as assassins.
Lan Yan breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed her life was safe. She followed Jun Yelan's arm and saw blood dripping from his sleeve. She exclaimed, "You're injured! Hurry and take the sword away, I'll bandage it for you."
This was a good opportunity.
Jun Yelan looked at his arm. He had been cut by the guards who pursued him; it was a minor injury. In the past, he only treated his wounds properly if he had a broken arm or leg.
Seeing Jun Yelan's silence, Lan Yan was about to persuade him further when she heard hurried footsteps and voices from outside.
"Searching the Prime Minister's manor. Hand over any suspicious individuals." A gruff male voice.
Following that was Mama Liang's voice from before, "My lord, all the people here are good citizens. We don't have the person you're looking for. Doing this makes it difficult for us to do business. Oh!"
It sounded like Mama Liang being pushed away.
Jun Yelan tightened his grip on the sword, his eyes darkening. They had tracked him down so quickly!
Seeing his expression, Lan Yan guessed what was happening with about eighty percent certainty. "They are the ones chasing you. Hurry to the bed, I have a way to hide you."
Jun Yelan hesitated, not understanding Lan Yan's intention.
"What are you still standing there for? They'll burst in any moment." Lan Yan anxiously lowered her head, sidestepped from under the sword, then grabbed Jun Yelan's sleeve and pulled him toward the bed.
She covered Jun Yelan with the quilt and took out the hairpin from her head, her hair falling down her back.
Being so close to a stranger, Jun Yelan's ears instantly turned red, and he subtly shifted inward.
Lan Yan then tugged at her outer garment and looked at the door.
The door was suddenly kicked open. A tall guard in the lead walked in and, upon seeing the scene, his eyes showed disdain. "Have you seen anyone suspicious?"
Lan Yan rubbed her eyes, feigning just waking up, and subtly blocked Jun Yelan behind her. "What?"
The tall guard became more impatient and shouted, "Indeed, a brothel woman! Did anyone suspicious enter just now?"
"Sir, I was fast asleep, how could I have seen anyone?" Lan Yan appeared very innocent, but her palms were gripping the quilt tightly, hiding her nervousness.
Jun Yelan beside her also sensed the tension, softened his breathing, and listened to the sounds outside.
The tall guard glanced around the room, scanning all corners, then disgustedly closed the door and moved further down the corridor.
Lan Yan's anger flared up, her hands clenched into fists. "None of your business!" she growled. Considering she was saving someone today, she suppressed her anger.
Next time she saw that guard, she would definitely teach him a lesson.
She remembered the important matter and looked at Jun Yelan on the bed, whispering, "Stay here for a while longer, until they leave. I'll go out and gather some information."
Jun Yelan sat up, averted his gaze, unable to look at Lan Yan, and said, "Miss, you should get dressed first. Thank you for saving my life."
Lan Yan looked down. Apart from her collar being slightly open, everything else was fine. She tidied her clothes and hair, got off the bed, tiptoed to the door, and instructed, "I'll be back soon."
She opened the door and walked out.
Jun Yelan's tensed body finally relaxed. He looked at his right arm; the bleeding was increasing. He forced himself to the doorway, gripped his sword, and peered outside.
Was this woman truly going to gather information, or was she going to report him?