The Arrival of Young Master Yan Bai

‘Take away… who?’

Perhaps the female general’s glance was easily misinterpreted. However, once two female soldiers approached, one from each side, clearly intending to apprehend someone, the answer became undeniably clear.

Xia Qian shook her head, looking left and right. There was no one else nearby.

Many times, it was like this: before the mind could process much, the body would act based on personal impulse.

After all, wasn’t this how most of the world’s troubles entangled ordinary people?

Oh no, oh no. I haven’t even seen a shadow of Jiang Buwei’s patronage fee yet… What happened to being the exclusive accessory of an overbearing merchant CEO?

For a moment, Xia Qian suddenly yearned for the young mistress’s long, silken-white legs.

If she absolutely had to choose, even if it meant stooping to unlacing a rich woman’s boots and taking off her socks, it would surely be better than being tormented to death by these female soldiers.

Watching the female soldiers’ hands already resting on Xia Qian’s shoulders, securing her wrists in restraints, the helpless blue-clad servants could only fret anxiously.

Even the leading blue-clad youth could no longer maintain his smile. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his clenched fists trembled slightly within his sleeves.

Daddy Liu had instructed the six blue-clad servant brothers to stay close to the new ‘brother’ at all times, precisely to guard against any unforeseen circumstances within Willow Lane. Yet, they had never expected such an unexpected turn of events to come from outside the pleasure district.

This new ‘brother’ was, after all, the ‘Spirit Cauldron’ that Daddy Liu had painstakingly managed to conceal.

To be taken to the garrison camp like this meant that his personal safety and life were secondary concerns.

The most crucial point was that if he fell into Han Jue’s hands, with the strength of that Liangqu Garrison General, she would undoubtedly discover that he was more than just an ordinary ‘Spirit Cauldron’. Should the truth be exposed, ‘disaster looming’ wouldn’t even begin to describe the gravity of the situation.

Truly… that fool Short Six! He’s quick on his feet when sneaking pastries, but at a crucial moment, when sent to find Daddy Liu to report the situation, did he get lost all the way to the Western Regions?!

The companion sent off earlier had not yet returned. The leading blue-clad youth glanced towards the side door, wishing his gaze could burn a hole through the wall.

“—Move!”

A female soldier barked, kicking Xia Qian forward. The iron-clad boot struck her heel, sending a sharp jolt of pain through her.

“Don’t lay your hands on me. I can walk by myself.”

Xia Qian shot them a disdainful look, shaking off the female soldiers who tried to restrain her arms. She exuded an air of tragic heroism, like a warrior facing death with unwavering resolve.

She had imagined that one day she would leave this wretched place.

However, she never expected that day to arrive so swiftly. Less than a day had passed since she woke this morning, and now she was to leave tonight.

And to leave in such a manner—oh, perhaps this departure would even lead directly to her departure from the mortal world.

“—Wait.”

Suddenly, a clear, melodious voice, like a spring breeze melting snow, instantly dissipated the oppressive tension in the hall.

In an instant, everyone looked up in unison, following the sound.

Ascending the long steps, two simply dressed attendants, one in front and one behind, guided a gentleman in moon-white robes. He descended with graceful strides, his garments fluttering as if he were a banished immortal.

His raven hair, like a waterfall, was casually draped behind him, with only a few strands loosely tied by a white silk ribbon.

His elegant face seemed to hold a faint smile, the corners of his lips subtly curved in casual ease, yet a persistent melancholy lingered in his eyes.

Below a faint line at the corner of his brow and eye, his dim grey pupils gazed out at the front hall.

“Is that him?”

The moment she saw clearly, Xia Qian confirmed she hadn’t mistaken the person.

This white-clad youth was precisely the kind bathmate she had encountered earlier, back when she was ‘imprisoned’ in the cleansing pool, who had offered her reminders and advice.

Young Master Yan Bai walked down the final step with his usual composed gait.

This gentle, jade-like gentleman virtually fulfilled every woman’s fantasy of an ancient-style heartthrob.

Even Xia Qian couldn’t help but think: Isn’t this a character you can only draw from an otome game gacha pool?

Yet, incredibly, the youth’s refined and humble demeanor instantly diffused all the tension in the scene.

The air, which had been frozen, seemed to melt with his arrival.

Even in such a solemn and anxiety-inducing situation, wherever he walked, the male courtesans in the district bowed respectfully, greeting him—”Young Master Yan.”

Even the Liangqu Garrison soldiers guarding the passageways instinctively stepped back half a pace to make way, unable to resist watching his retreating figure with lingering glances.

Young Master Yan Bai walked directly to Xia Qian’s side.

For a fleeting moment, as if by an illusion, their gazes briefly met.

Though they were mere acquaintances, strangers who had only nodded in passing, Xia Qian felt an inexplicable sense of reassurance.

Young Master Yan Bai stopped between Xia Qian and Han Jue.

Facing the stern female general, he nodded slightly and spoke slowly, unhurriedly:

“It has been a long time, General Han Jue.”

Han Jue’s eyes flickered, and she actually returned his cupped-fist salute.

“You’ve been well, Young Master Yan Bai.”

Her tone, though cold, held a rare hint of respect, as if the person before her was not a courtesan but a noble from the imperial court.

After their brief exchange of greetings, Yan Bai looked around.

His indifferent gaze first fell upon the male courtesan lying on the ground, barely clinging to life. Then, with a slight lift of his chin, one of his white-robed attendants immediately stepped forward, beckoned others, and gently carried the injured man away.

Watching the severely wounded young man depart, Yan Bai turned back and bowed slightly in apology.

“The children of the district have been disrespectful to the General. Please forgive them.”

Although her subordinates had acted wantonly and caused harm to others, Han Jue did not directly shirk responsibility.

“Young Master, you speak too highly. It is I who have been lax in my command.”

The female general finished speaking and waved her hand again. The deputy general standing beside her immediately presented a celadon medicine bottle.

“Top grade, refined by the army.”

“The General is too kind to trouble herself.”

Yan Bai dispatched his other attendant to receive the medicine bottle.

The atmosphere in the hall eased slightly. It was then that Short Six, who had left earlier, finally appeared.

Without even pausing to catch his breath upon his return, he hurriedly reported to the leading blue-clad youth:

“Brother Yi, I’m back.”

The leading blue-clad youth raised his hand and flicked his youngest brother’s forehead.

“You fool, what took you so long?!”

“I—I couldn’t find Daddy Liu for a moment, but on the way, I ran into Bai Dandan and Bai Shuangshuang, so I asked them to invite Young Master Yan Bai.”

“You’re not entirely foolish after all. Those steamed buns haven’t been wasted.”

The leading blue-clad youth rubbed Short Six’s head, exhaling the breath he had been holding for so long, and forced a smile. The worry that had been lodged in his throat finally subsided.

It was well known that Young Master Yan Bai was a celebrated figure of the Willow Lane district. Countless people from all corners of the land travel to Liangqu City’s northern fortress, spending thousands of gold, just for a glimpse of his beauty.

Moreover, Young Master Yan Bai’s status was unique, and his connections were far-reaching. There was no place in Liangqu City where his words held no sway.

In the current situation, Young Master Yan Bai’s intervention was indeed more appropriate than Daddy Liu’s.

“—Furthermore, to compensate for disturbing the district, consider this an apology.”

As she spoke, Han Jue ordered several large silver ingots to be brought and placed on the table.

“General, saying that makes us seem distant. Since this unpleasantness arose from a misunderstanding, now that it’s cleared up, all is well. We men of the district are merely courtesans, not even worthy of being called commoners. Why should the General trouble herself over us?”

“Let’s stick to the facts; I only investigate right and wrong.”

Han Jue raised her hand, cutting off Yan Bai’s polite refusal.

Unexpectedly, she then swiftly changed the subject, her gaze sweeping over the Young Master’s shoulder to lock onto Xia Qian.

“However, the person I came for—he must be taken. Not just an ordinary courtesan, but also the ‘Spirit Cauldron’ behind the Young Master, both of them.”