A carriage passed through the city, and as it drove near the Imperial Fist Hall, a drizzle began to fall. The apprentices practicing outside the hall stopped their stances and went inside to rest. The nearby streets were filled with hurried pedestrians due to the rain, shops raised their awnings, scholars took shelter under eaves, and women living nearby chased after children running and shouting in the rain. The willows along the riverbank, adorned with new buds, became even greener in the rain.

Fan Lou wasn't far from the Imperial Fist Hall. Having left early in the morning, it was just past the hour of Chen upon arrival, which, according to later generations' calculations, was a little after nine in the morning. At this time of day, the brothel was not yet open for business. Ning Yi had deliberately chosen this time to avoid disturbing their business.

The meeting with Li Shishi had no particular significance. They were not yet very close friends, and seeing her before her performance was merely a routine formality. Upon arriving at Fan Lou, some guests who had stayed overnight were still leaving, though their numbers were dwindling. They were being seen off by women in robes, while others waited in the hall due to the rain, waiting for the staff to bring them umbrellas. After asking to be announced, Ning Yi found an unexpected acquaintance near the entrance of Fan Lou's hall.

It was a tall, handsome man who, after coming out, sat near the door to watch the rain. Perhaps because he had just woken up, he had a somewhat languid air. The woman accompanying him was gentle and refined, and Ning Yi had seen her once before; she was one of the brothel's talented women. After seeing each other, Ning Yi went over and greeted them with cupped fists.

"Brother Xiao Yi."

"Young Master Ning."

Seeing that it was Ning Yi, Yan Qing, who was sitting there, quickly stood up and returned the greeting with cupped fists. In fact, Yan Qing had been helping Ning Yi train Su Wending and the others in martial arts until Zhu Biao had taken over the task a few days ago. They had been sparring and working together daily, so their relationship was quite close. However, Ning Yi was not aware of Yan Qing's personal life.

Although Yan Qing was known as a "playboy," Ning Yi always thought of him and Lu Junyi as a couple. While it wasn't entirely surprising that he would be in a brothel, this was the first time Ning Yi had actually encountered it.

After a few words, the woman beside Yan Qing, named Han Huiniang, ordered tea and refreshments. Soon after, Shishi came to the hall. Ning Yi remembered that they had met before and was about to mention the incident on the canal when Yan Qing smiled, bowed, and said, "Xiao Yi has already apologized to Shishi for what happened last year."

Shishi also smiled and said, "Young Master Yan is too kind."

Ning Yi then said, "Oh," realizing that they had already had several encounters. Although he wasn't one to gossip, he couldn't help but observe the two of them. Legend had it that Shishi was in love with Yan Qing. Could it be that they had already become close in such a short time?

To be fair, it wouldn't be surprising. Yan Qing was handsome, charismatic, skilled in martial arts, and spoke eloquently. Although his relationship with Lu Junyi was somewhat ambiguous, in this era, it was considered a refined thing. As later generations would say, "To get a girl, pretend to be gay," which showed that in women's minds, it was a plus.

Looking at the two in the hall, one handsome and languid, the other bright and beautiful, they indeed gave the impression of being a natural pair. As for Han Huiniang beside Yan Qing, even though she also had some charm, she was merely an accessory. Ning Yi smiled and said, "Since it's such a coincidence and it's raining, Xiao Yi, why don't you stay and have tea and chat? Huiniang, would you like to join us?"

Upon hearing this, both Shishi and Yan Qing glanced at him. Shishi smiled and lowered her head, showing no objection. Yan Qing frowned slightly, then smiled and waved his hand, "No, I have some business to attend to back home, I need to go to the Master Lu's place."

"Is Master Lu's case almost done?"

"Thanks to Young Master Ning and the Prime Minister's great efforts, the Ministry of Justice has almost overturned the case. But I fear the property will be hard to recover."

Saying this, he looked at Ning Yi, hesitant to speak further. At this moment, a servant had brought an umbrella for him to leave. Ning Yi saw him to the door, patted his shoulder, and he whispered, "Young Master Ning, if the farmlands under Master Lu's name are truly not recoverable..."

"I understand what you mean," Ning Yi nodded. "Don't worry, I won't act rashly. Let's leave the matter as it is for now, and we'll talk about it if there's a chance. Anyway, it's Master Lu's property, as long as he's okay with it."

Yan Qing was pleased to hear this, "Thank you, Young Master Ning."

Watching his departing figure, Ning Yi shook his head. What he was talking about was naturally Lu Junyi's vast wealth in Daming Prefecture. When Lu Junyi was forced to rebel, those assets were divided and seized by various forces in Daming Prefecture. Ning Yi had said that after clearing Lu Junyi's name, these things would still be taken back and turned over to the Secret Investigation Department. Now that Liangshan had been destroyed and Lu Junyi's identity had been cleared, recovering these assets had become extremely difficult, and the main problem was that the governor of Daming Prefecture, Liang Zhongshu, was a direct subordinate of Cai Jing's faction.

Even with Qin Si Yuan's current influence, even if he held real power, he actually couldn't stand up to Cai Jing. After Lu Junyi and the others entered the capital, they understood the power of the various parties in the capital. Li Gang, Qin Si Yuan and the others currently held real power, and were as powerful as the sun in the sky. Tong Guan commanded the military generals, and the court was currently in need of manpower. He could also be called a powerful figure for a while. The eunuch system headed by Liang Shicheng was basically untouched. The imperial history lineage, currently Qin Hui, was biting people as soon as he caught them, and he was quite popular with the emperor. However, no one could compare to Cai Jing, who had already retired. He was a pillar that could be pulled out to support the main beam at any time. He had been in power for decades, and his disciples were all over the world. His hidden power and influence were incomparable to anyone else.

After learning about these circumstances, it was Lu Junyi's side that ultimately didn't want to pursue the matter further. First, he wouldn't be able to get much benefit. Second... if the Prime Minister's Mansion was really prepared to compete with Cai Jing, find a way to bring Liang Zhongshu down, and then fight Cai Taishi, it would ultimately be him who wouldn't get much benefit who would bear the brunt. Who would be willing to be involved in such a thing for a madman?

It would be fine if it were anyone else, but Ning Yi had done the crazy thing of taking ten people to Liangshan to seek revenge and ultimately killing Song Jiang. Although he had started doing business now and seemed more and more amiable, no one could guess what ideas he had in his mind. And everyone couldn't quite understand Qin Si Yuan's thoughts.

After Yan Qing left, Ning Yi and Shishi went to the inner courtyard. A tea set was set up under the eaves in the courtyard. A misty rain shrouded the world, gently tapping the flowers, rocks, and plants in the courtyard. He listened to her talk about the trivial matters of Yu Hezhong and Chen Sifeng not having come for a long time.

Li Shishi was, after all, Li Shishi. Even though Ning Yi didn't focus his attention on these things, he had to admit that sitting and chatting with her here was a relaxing experience. Now known as the most famous courtesan in the capital, she seemed to have an innate magic that could make everything around her perfect. The wind and rain seemed to surround her perfectly, and time passed quietly in the refreshing atmosphere.

"...Speaking of which, before the New Year, I met Young Master Yan again. He told me many things about Li Heng later."

"I hope they were all good things."

Shishi tilted her head, thought for a moment, her eyes darted around, and then she nodded, "Yes, they were all good things."

Ning Yi laughed. The topic circled around trivial matters for a while. When spring thunder rumbled in the sky and the sky darkened a bit, Ning Yi got up to leave. The woman tried to persuade him to stay once, so he drank another cup of tea. It wasn't yet noon when Ning Yi left for the Prime Minister's Mansion. Li Shishi and Mama Li Yun were also about to go out. After inquiring, he learned that she might have neglected an important person while entertaining guests last night, and she had to go and apologize today.

Brothels open for business, and Fan Lou's courtesans are said to be precious because everyone holds them up. But in the capital, there are always some people to whom you can't put on airs. Two such figures came to Fan Lou last night. One was the current popular hero in the capital, Guo Yaoshi from the north, who was accompanied by a high-ranking official from the Ministry of War to see the world at Fan Lou. He requested that Li Shishi come out to meet him, and Li Shishi naturally dared not refuse. In fact, given the current atmosphere in Bianliang, the Northern Expedition was the main theme. If Guo Yaoshi wanted to come to Fan Lou to see Li Shishi, even high-ranking officials like Qin Si Yuan and Li Gang would give him face.

The other person who came to Fan Lou at that time was probably a member of the Zhou imperial family, using an alias, claiming to be Wu Ji. He was accompanied by Grand Commandant Gao Qiu, which showed that his identity was not low. He originally dared not refuse such a person, but when he heard that Guo Yaoshi was also there, he immediately stepped aside, saying that there was no need to call Shishi over, and only asked two other courtesans to chat and talk. He left before Li Yun accompanied Shishi to apologize, presumably somewhat disappointed.

Because of this matter, Li Yun had to accompany Shishi to the Grand Commandant's Mansion to apologize today. The carriages traveled together for several streets before separating. After Ning Yi went to the Prime Minister's Mansion, Fan Lou's carriage stopped in front of the Grand Commandant's Mansion.

The rain was a bit heavy, and the weather wasn't very good. It wasn't yet lunchtime, and Li Yun and Shishi were well-known figures in the capital. After the gatekeeper reported, Gao Qiu received the two of them.

As the current Grand Commandant and a former Cuju player, Gao Qiu was tall and handsome, with the demeanor of a modern soccer star. Although his reputation in the court was not good, when it came to last night's events, he just laughed heartily and waved his hand, saying it was nothing.

"Originally, that noble person was very important. The Holy One instructed me to take him around the capital and not to neglect him. If it had been anyone else last night, Gao would have had to argue with him, but since it was Commander Guo, the situation was completely different. The recent battles in the north have been fought with great merit by Commander Guo. It is not easy for him to come south, and he will be going back in a few days. Even if the one who was present last night was the current Holy One, he would probably have to give Commander Guo the opportunity to meet with Miss Shishi."

Grand Commandant Gao took a sip of tea and laughed again: "That noble person also thought this way, and he would never hold a grudge against Miss Shishi because of this. On the contrary, if Miss Shishi neglects Commander Guo, he would be angry."

Hearing him say this, Li Yun thanked him repeatedly and said, "That noble person is so magnanimous that the old woman and Shishi feel a little bad. I just don't know if that noble person is still in the capital, where he lives now, and whether the old woman and Shishi can personally visit him, so that Shishi can thank him in person for the crime of neglect..."

"Oh, there's no need for that," Grand Commandant Gao waved his hand, interrupting Li Yun with a smile, "First, that noble person is very busy, and second, he has no grudges, so why do you need to keep it in mind? If you two visit, it would seem deliberate. I only hope that the next time he goes to Fan Lou, Miss Shishi will have the opportunity to meet him in person and talk freely. The pleasure of the place is for fun, Mama Li, we are also old acquaintances, why do you need to apologize one after another, it seems affected."

Li Yun's Fan Lou can continue to open in the capital, and she knows countless noble people. Gao Qiu used to go there often when he first became wealthy. The apology has basically reached this point. In fact, there are a bunch of high officials in the capital, and there is only one Li Shishi. Who would tear down someone's brothel just because they didn't see a courtesan? It's just that coming to the door has a comprehensive meaning. In the future, when people think about it, they will think that Li Yun is very sensible and will come to apologize for a small matter.

While speaking, officials from the Ministry of War also came to visit Gao Qiu. Li Yun got up to say goodbye, and then the housekeeper sent the two out the side door. Li Yun pulled Shishi and whispered, "That noble person's identity seems amazing. I haven't seen him in the capital before. He may be a prince or a prince, and he may still be in charge..."

Most of the Wu Dynasty's relatives have no power, and they are raised as rice buckets. However, a small number of relatives who can grasp some power are considered the emperor's most trusted confidants. Li Yun could guess, and Shishi naturally understood. The two turned a corridor and were about to approach the side courtyard where the carriage was parked when they suddenly heard noisy sounds coming over.

"Where is it——"

In the heavy rain, someone was shouting like that from afar. The voice came from inside the Grand Commandant's Mansion. In the chaotic sound, it seemed that someone was trying to dissuade something, but in a moment, the sound of people was already coming over here.

"Where is it——don't stop me! Where is Li Shishi... Get out of the way! I won't listen! Look at me, look at me——do I look like I can calm down! Do you believe that I'll kill——your! Whole! Family! Li Shishi! Don't go, stay and fight me three hundred rounds——"

As the sound approached, Li Yun frowned and whispered, "Is it Gao Yanei?" The Grand Commandant's housekeeper who sent them out was also a little embarrassed. Looking back, he saw Gao Qiu's adopted son, Gao Mu'en, wearing a loose robe, with his hair disheveled like a madman, rushing out from the courtyard door. Seeing the two of them, he pointed towards here. And beside him, four or five followers were frantically trying to stop and persuade him.

In the past, in the capital, Li Shishi, Li Yun and this most rampant Yanei in the capital had also met. It's just that although the other party had a bad reputation, he liked good women, and Li Shishi and Fan Lou's reputation also made him unwilling to mess around, so there was not much interaction between the two parties.

Last year, during the Empress Dowager's birthday, Gao Mu'en offended a princess who came to celebrate her birthday, which angered the royal family. It is said that this playboy was beaten half to death by Gao Qiu, and has since been locked up in the mansion and has not been released. In this incident, everyone was more concerned about Gao Qiu being scolded and demoted by the emperor, and did not understand more. At this time, Li Yun was a little clueless, but Shishi suddenly remembered the little princess named Zhou Pei whom she met on the way to Beijing last year.

I saw Gao Mu'en killing all the way from there: "Li Shishi! You dare to come to the door! Don't stop me! Calm down, I'll show you how cold I am! Aren't you asking me to calm down!"

As he walked, he waved away the hands stretched out by his followers to stop him, and with a bang, he untied the robe outside and threw it on people. Li Yun took a few steps forward and exclaimed, "Young Master Gao, what's the matter? Is there some misunderstanding? Put on your clothes first and don't catch a cold..."

"Catch a cold! Misunderstanding! Don't pretend you don't know anything! I've heard everything! Is Zhuji, something like Ning Li Heng, opening tomorrow! Li Shishi! Are you close to Ning Li Heng! Is he your lover!"

Gao Mu'en rushed over in his underwear, and Li Yun quickly stopped him: "Young Master Gao! That's not true! That's not true! You're mistaken. Our Shishi only knows that person, but they don't have a relationship. Don't talk nonsense and ruin a girl's reputation... Zhuji has already opened..."

"Get out of my way——" Gao Mu'en pushed Li Yun away with a hand, "Don't think I'm afraid of him because he killed Lu Qian! Humph! Li Shishi, I used to be too lazy to pay attention to you because of other people's face! Today is different! Are you going to perform tomorrow? Are you still going to sing the words he wrote? I've heard everything... Watch me not be so particular today. You're a prostitute, so I'll just make do. Don't run——"

At this time, the only one who really dared to stop him was Li Yun. After being pushed to the ground by him, she quickly went over to try to hold Gao Mu'en's leg. Shishi was stunned for a moment, and then turned to run, but suddenly she was grabbed by the other party.

"Ah——"

Shishi screamed and struggled to break free from the other party. Gao Mu'en was not actually very strong. After his hand was shaken off, he raised his other hand and slapped the other party in the face.

With a "slap" sound, the woman fell into the rain outside the corridor, a mud.

"Haha! Does it hurt——By the way, I'll scratch your face first today, and then break your body, and then smash his shop tomorrow! Otherwise, he'll think I'm afraid of him——" Gao Mu'en raised his hand and rushed towards the woman in the rain, "Don't run, be obedient, cry louder, I can break your body first and then scratch your face today, I heard it doesn't hurt that much, hahahahahaha——"

Spring thunder exploded, Li Shishi got up and ran out with all her strength...