Su Wanqing was caught.

“Oh~ What a handsome young lord~”
“Come, girls, attend to him!”

Su Wanqing had only intended to dress up a bit and slip quietly into the building.

Find an empty corner, wait silently for the clue to appear, report to Li Ziyu, and claim her reward.

But she underestimated the madam’s sharp eyes. Even with a steady stream of patrons entering, the madam zeroed in on Su Wanqing hidden in the crowd.

Though a mask obscured her face, her extraordinary aura screamed “deep pockets.”
The mask covered nearly a quarter of her face, yet it couldn’t hide her beauty.

While women visiting brothels wasn’t taboo, Su Wanqing had cross-dressed as a man.
Though it risked exposing her charm, this was still a brothel—even if “art-only.”

A lone woman would draw attention and possibly alert her target.
Her neutral attire required only a chest wrap for the disguise.
Entering with her charm was like a lamb among wolves, but the reward was worth the risk.

“No, I’m not…”

Thus, Su Wanqing was forcibly ushered in by a gaggle of girls in a most conspicuous manner—completely contrary to her low-profile plan.
Avoiding notice was now impossible.

Her original scheme: sneak in, sip tea in a corner, kill time until the fish bit.

She thought it foolproof, but… failure before starting.
Caught at the doorstep!

“Sit here~”

Facing the girls’ enthusiasm, Su Wanqing was stiff as a monk in a demon’s lair—each eyeing her like prey.

Even alone with her rebellious disciple, she’d be flustered; now, surrounded by eager girls?
Her mind blanked—this was her first time in such a situation, feeling roasted over flames.

“Here, young lord, let this servant pour you tea.”

A quick-handed girl pressed a cup to Su Wanqing’s lips before she could refuse.

She was force-fed a mouthful.
Though gentle and the tea fine, it was involuntary.

“Young lord, tea’s no fun~”
“Let’s drink wine.”
“This servant will open a jar of Daughter’s Red for you~”

“No…”

Su Wanqing refused repeatedly—tea was fine, but wine changed everything.
Her protest was cut off by a girl eager for commission.

“Don’t want it? True, with your refined attire, you’d scorn such wine.”
“Waiter, a jar of premium sauce-flavored liquor and fine side dishes!”

Before Su Wanqing could react, the girl summoned the waiter and cracked open the jar.

“Young lord, this servant toasts you~”

The liquor burned her throat.
She occasionally drank but preferred tea.

Resistance was futile—too many surrounded her.

Though mostly “pure performers,” some earned tips through drinks.
This was one of their sales tactics Su Wanqing now endured.

“This servant toasts you too~”

“Mmm…”

Encircled, Su Wanqing grew shyer, more lost.

“Hm? What’s that fragrance—so lovely?”

The girls noticed something odd, puzzled.
Su Wanqing’s unique scent cut through the heavy rouge, unmistakable.
They wondered at its source—delightful, perfect for sachets to charm crowds.

Bang!

Seeing Su Wanqing’s predicament worsen, even her anomaly detected, Chen Xueli’s face darkened.
She slammed the fallen teacup onto the table and strode toward Su Wanqing’s group.

“Senior Sister, wait for me!”

Glancing at the shattered cup, Qiao Jinxuan sensed trouble—Chen Xueli’s aura screamed murder.
Thinking she was off to fight or arrest, Qiao Jinxuan rose to follow for support.
But she’d barely stood when Chen Xueli stopped her.

“Don’t follow.”

“Eh? Aren’t we catching someone?”

“What are you going to do?”

Chen Xueli smiled, but her raging eyes were obvious.

“Yes… catching someone…”
“But not the clue—a little kitty.”
“Stay here and wait.”

“…”

Even with a hundred courages, Qiao Jinxuan wouldn’t disobey such fury, watching Chen Xueli head to the liveliest table.

“Come on, young lord, one more~”

“No more.”

Su Wanqing had been forced into at least five cups and waved off further attempts.
Her face flushed deeply—from liquor or embarrassment, unclear.

“?”

As the girl persisted, a chill ran down her spine; she shuddered.

“Hm?”

Turning instinctively, she met Chen Xueli’s explosive glare.

“Scram.”

“…Y-yes! This servant… leaves now…”

The girl froze a second, then scrambled away.
Chen Xueli’s icy stare could intimidate even average cultivators.

“Thank you for—”

Rescued, Su Wanqing began to bow in gratitude, but looking up, she froze.

“Heh~”
“No need for thanks, young lord.”
“Care to chat?”

“!”

Chen Xueli recognized Su Wanqing instantly; the reverse was true.
Seeing her disciple’s fury, Su Wanqing’s spiritual sense slapped its forehead—disaster.

How did she forget Chen Xueli was investigating too?
Caught red-handed—ruined!

“Come with me.”

Chen Xueli teetered on eruption, especially inhaling Su Wanqing’s intensifying fragrance—jealousy surging.
To avoid exposure and protect her master’s condition, she grabbed Su Wanqing’s wrist without consent, dragging her out.
In a deserted alley, she pinned her against the wall, yanking off the mask for a fierce kabedon.

“…”

Though the grip hurt, Su Wanqing didn’t dare protest or struggle—instinctively submissive.
Pinned, she avoided eye contact.

To hide the crimson mark, she clutched her left forearm, turning away guiltily, silent.

Why guilty? Chen Xueli had no authority over her—yet nerves raged.
Her racing heart deepened her flush.

“Hmph…”

Seeing her master’s guilty, caught-in-the-act demeanor, Chen Xueli fumed more.

“Why is Master here? Your disciple… awaits your explanation…”