As night fell, the brothel was lit with red lanterns, brighter than during the day.
Guests arrived in a steady stream, filling the seats below the stage.
Mama Liang, beaming, spotted a plump man entering the doorway. "Oh, it's Young Master Xiao! You've come today too."
This Young Master Xiao was from the Prime Minister's estate, not someone to be offended lightly.
Young Master Xiao strode in with an arrogant air, his voice booming, "I only came because I heard Miss Lan was performing today. If I'm not satisfied with the performance, you know what will happen."
Mama Liang, startled but maintaining her smile, replied, "Young Master Xiao, please rest assured, Miss Lan will not disappoint you. I'll call Miss Lan right away."
She instructed others to take good care of Young Master Xiao and hurried upstairs.
Seeing an opportunity, Xiao Yun quickly approached with a wine cup, smiling ingratiatingly. "Young Master Xiao, please have some wine."
Young Master Xiao pulled Xiao Yun into his embrace with a laugh. "Pour wine for this young master."
"Young Master Xiao," Xiao Yun said, feigning shyness, a flicker of smugness in her eyes, as she continued to pour.
Meanwhile, Mama Liang arrived at Lan Yan's room and knocked. "Miss Lan, are you ready?"
Lan Yan took a deep breath at the sound and opened the door. "I'm ready." Heavens, she truly didn't want to go on stage.
"Miss Lan, oh my, you're not prepared at all." Mama Liang pushed the door open with a sigh and led Lan Yan to the dressing table. "You're too understated."
Lan Yan glanced nervously at the screen, relieved to see Jun Yelan hidden. As Mama Liang reached for her face with powder, Lan Yan took the puff. "I'll do it myself."
Mama Liang then looked at Lan Yan's hair, sighing uncontrollably. She picked up a hairpin from the table and placed it in Lan Yan's hair. "Miss Lan, with your beauty, you must dress up well. You'll surely outshine everyone."
She then found a set of robes. "Hurry and change. You're wearing white, which is quite startling at night."
Lan Yan hesitated, then looked at the enthusiastic Mama Liang. "Mama Liang, perhaps you could step out first? I need to change."
"We are both women, what's there to be shy about?" Mama Liang was already reaching out, eager to help Lan Yan change.
Lan Yan, feeling helpless, finally relented. "Alright." Fortunately, she only needed to change her outer layer, something a bit more glamorous. Once changed, she quickly pulled Mama Liang away, not wanting any more fuss with her appearance.
As the door closed, she deliberately called out, "Everyone's gone."
Then, she was pulled downstairs by Mama Liang to await her turn on stage.
Jun Yelan, who had been behind the screen, emerged and looked at the empty room before walking towards the door. He opened it a crack and looked downstairs, his gaze falling on the center of the stage.
His eyes darkened. It was her time to perform.
A moment later, with a burst of applause, Lan Yan stepped onto the stage, a flute in her hand. Feeling a bit uneasy, she took a deep breath and murmured, "These people are all Jun Yelan."
She gave herself a pep talk, then slowly began to play.
The guests below were stunned, their eyes alight with admiration.
"This is too beautiful, a melody rarely heard in this world."
"As expected of Miss Lan, she's far superior to ordinary people."
"This visit was truly worth it."
Hearing the praise, Xiao Yun, sitting nearby, wore a jealous expression and held the wine cup to Young Master Xiao's lips.
Young Master Xiao was mesmerized, drooling, his eyes wide and fixed on the stage. "Beautiful, truly beautiful. I've never seen such a beautiful woman!"
"Young Master Xiao," Xiao Yun gritted her teeth, her expression turning soft as water. "Let's drink."
Young Master Xiao glanced at Lan Yan, then at Xiao Yun in his arms, and unceremoniously pushed her away. "Go, don't disturb my viewing of this beauty." He rubbed his palms, his eyes filled with greed. Tonight, this beauty was his for the taking.
Xiao Yun clenched her hand around the wine cup, her hatred deepening. This Lan Yan was clearly out to spite her, and she would not let her get away with it!
Lan Yan finished one song and, after playing another, rose and walked off the stage. She headed directly upstairs, finding playing the flute quite tiring.
Thunderous applause erupted from below, the audience reluctantly watching her retreating back, calling out, "Miss Lan, please stay!"
Lan Yan quickened her pace, truly uncomfortable in such a place. She needed to find a way to leave soon.
Young Master Xiao stood up and stealthily followed Lan Yan, a wicked gleam in his eyes.
Seeing this, Xiao Yun kindly pointed the way for Young Master Xiao, smiling. "Young Master Xiao, Miss Lan is waiting for you." She wondered how Lan Yan would handle this.
Young Master Xiao laughed even harder and went up the stairs, heading straight for Lan Yan's room.
Lan Yan gripped the doorframe, ready to close it, when a greasy face appeared before her. She frowned and said coldly, "Sir, you've come to the wrong place."
"I haven't come to the wrong place." Young Master Xiao grinned greedily, a dribble of saliva falling to the floor. "It's so close to see Miss Lan, you are truly beautiful. Come, let this young master get a better look."
So, it was a lecher! Lan Yan lifted her foot, intending to stomp on his instep.
But someone was faster than her.
Jun Yelan stepped in front of Lan Yan, grabbed Young Master Xiao's shoulder with one hand and his belt with the other, and threw him directly out the window.
Lan Yan, still in shock, rushed to the window and saw the man's pathetic state below. She laughed, "Haha, let him dare to flirt with me." Then a thought struck her, and she looked at Jun Yelan. "Oh no, Jun Yelan, won't you be discovered?"
She didn't want to endanger Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan paused, wondering why Lan Yan was always thinking of him. He shook his head. "He didn't see my face clearly, and after this fall, he won't be conscious for at least ten days to half a month."
If he were discovered, he would leave on his own, never to burden the person before him.
"Alright, Jun Yelan, you're amazing," Lan Yan said, a smile on her lips. She tugged at Jun Yelan's sleeve. "Jun Yelan, teach me a few moves. That way, I won't be afraid if I encounter this situation again."
Jun Yelan took a syringe from his怀. "This contains poison darts. If you encounter danger in the future, prick the person anywhere with a dart, and they will fall."
He realized Lan Yan was in a den of wolves and was indeed unsafe. As an assassin, he couldn't stay in this brothel forever; he would have to leave eventually.
Lan Yan happily accepted, carefully tucking it into her bosom, feeling much more secure. She turned and saw the large, bright moon outside the window, murmuring, "The moon is so round tonight."
Jun Yelan also looked out and nodded. He gazed at the woman illuminated by the moonlight, noticing her changed attire and jewelry, different from her usual self. She was radiant now, more beautiful than the moonlight.
He thought that after he left, he would still remember this moment. Beside him, there had once been a very beautiful woman.