AWB Chapter 365 Covering the sky with one hand
Chapter 365 Covering the sky with one hand
The girl trembled involuntarily and asked fearfully,
"If I take you there, will you let me go? I... I don't want to die..."
She dared to speak out in order to survive, but if she returned to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and Su Mama found out that she had betrayed her, she would not survive.
She looked at Lu Yangyang with pleading eyes, she had no other expectations, she just wanted to live.
"Take me to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. Once things are settled, I'll give you a good place to stay," Lu Yangyang promised.
The girl's eyes lit up immediately: "Miss, my name is Xiaolian, I'll go with you."
Lu Yangyang nodded: "Okay."
Wen Qingqing quickly asked, "I'll go with you too."
Lian Sheng was a little confused, but he firmly told Lu Yangyang, "I'm here too!"
Lu Yangyang looked at Lian Sheng, then at Wen Qingqing, and pointed to the remaining girls, saying to Wen Qingqing, "Take these girls to find Zhiyi, and then go and pass on a message to Chief Luo for me."
Lu Yangyang leaned close to Wen Qingqing's ear and whispered four words, "Chenzhou, Rong family."
Wen Qingqing was confused, but she still assured Lu Yangyang, "Don't worry, I've got it covered!"
Lu Yangyang nodded, then said to Lian Sheng, "You stay with her for now. When I'm done with my business, I'll definitely give you an explanation for your case and let you go home!"
Lian Sheng nodded excitedly: "I, I believe you!"
After settling them in, Lu Yangyang hurriedly pulled Xiaolian away from the salt mine.
Jiang Zhiyi's men were waiting outside the salt mine. Lu Yangyang asked them for a horse, helped Xiaolian onto the horse, and rode towards Ning County.
The standoff at the beach wasn't going to end anytime soon. She had already rescued the person she needed to save, and there was nothing she could do to help if she stayed. However, the evidence held by Steward Yang was crucial. If she was even a step too late, all her efforts might be in vain.
With Xiao Lian pointing the way, Lu Yangyang rode at full speed and arrived in Ning County in less than an hour.
However, by this time, the curfew in Ning County was approaching, and the city gates had already been closed.
Lu Yangyang dismounted and surveyed the area around the city gate, pondering where she could climb over. If only she had Sheng Junyi's lightness skill, she could climb over the wall without anyone noticing...
Seeing her expression, Xiaolian asked softly, "Are you worried about how to get in, Miss?"
Lu Yangyang turned her head: "You have a way?"
Xiaolian glanced at the guards at the city gate and said to Lu Yangyang, "Miss, please let your hair down first."
Lu Yangyang did as she was told. Xiaolian went behind her, ran her fingers through Lu Yangyang's long hair, quickly braided two braids for her, took a hairband from her own hair and tied it on her, then pulled her to the city gate.
Upon seeing them, the guards immediately shouted, "What are you doing? Go away, go away, the city gates are already closed, come back tomorrow."
Xiao Lian walked over, took out a few silver coins from her purse, and stuffed them into the guard's hand. She scratched his palm with her fingers and said, "Brother, I'm Xiao Lian from Baihualou. Don't you remember me? Manager Yang sent me and a sister to the mine today, but before we even got there, we heard there was an accident. We were so scared that we rushed back, but unfortunately, the carriage broke down on the road, and my sister's clothes were ruined. We finally made it back, and we were late. I don't know how Mother will punish us when we get to Baihualou. Please, brother, let us go back first. I'll treat you to drinks tomorrow."
The guard naturally didn't remember Xiaolian, but he knew Chief Steward Yang. He also knew that Chief Steward Yang had originally gone to the salt mine that day, but returned halfway and instructed them to close the city gates in advance and not let anyone in casually. He certainly wouldn't dare let in anyone else, but the girls from Baihualou were indeed Chief Steward Yang's women. Many people knew that Su Mama of Baihualou was Chief Steward Yang's old flame, so he definitely couldn't stop the girls from Baihualou!
The guard immediately understood and patted Xiaolian's hand: "Miss Xiaolian, alright, I understand. You should hurry back and not be late. When you see Steward Yang, please put in a good word for me."
Xiao Lian covered her mouth and giggled, "Of course! Big brother is such a good person, he will surely rise to a high position in the future."
The guard gave his companion a wink, and the other quickly opened the city gate.
Xiao Lian pulled Lu Yangyang into the city.
Lu Yangyang really didn't expect that the guard would let them in without asking any questions.
Seemingly sensing what she was thinking, Xiaolian whispered to her, "In Ning County, Magistrate Liang and Steward Yang are like gods. The salt mines are rolling in money, and there are plenty of people trying to curry favor with Steward Yang. Although Baihua Tower is a brothel, because of the relationship between Mama Su and Steward Yang, no one dares to make things difficult for them. They all give them some face, all because of Steward Yang's powerful reputation."
Lu Yangyang understood perfectly. In the end, it was all because Magistrate Liang and Steward Yang were all-powerful in Ning County. Relying on the salt mines, they were acting like local tyrants, plundering the people's wealth while secretly making a fortune by selling smuggled salt.
The streets of Ning County were nearly deserted at night, though constables patrolled from time to time. The constables were quite familiar with Xiao Lian, and they didn't pay much attention to the strange girl appearing beside her, assuming that Baihua Brothel had just welcomed a newcomer. Thus, their journey to Baihua Brothel was unimpeded.
Elsewhere was quiet, but Baihualou was brightly lit and bustling, making the whole street exceptionally lively, like a different world from other neighborhoods.
Xiaolian didn't go through the main gate, but instead pulled Lu Yangyang through the side gate. She slipped a silver coin to the old woman guarding the gate, and the old woman let them through. She also told her that Steward Yang and Magistrate Liang were both there today, and that Su Mama and Xiaoyu were serving in the top-tier room. She told her to be careful.
Xiaolian thanked the old woman and took Lu Yangyang back to her room. She found a maid's outfit from the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and handed it to Lu Yangyang: "Please change, Miss. When Lord Liang and Steward Yang are in the top-tier room, ordinary people can't go in. Only maids can occasionally bring in drinks. I'll help you get ready in a bit. There are people coming and going in the pavilion, so no one will notice."
Lu Yangyang nodded. This little Lian girl was bold and meticulous, which reminded her of Lü Yao. Lü Yao was indeed a good businessman. In the past two years, she had expanded her shops more than tenfold. When she suspected that she might have to leave the capital, she notified Lü Yao in advance and asked Lü Yao to go to Yuzhou, the place of exile, to meet her.
Judging by the time, Lüyao should have arrived in Yuzhou by now, but unfortunately she is still in Jiangnan Prefecture and hasn't left.
After Lu Yangyang changed her clothes, Xiaolian helped her with a simple makeover, then took her to the kitchen to get some drinks and told her the location of the top-tier room. "It's not convenient for me to accompany you upstairs, Miss. Please be careful."
Lu Yangyang took the tray: "Take care of yourself too. Find a place to hide. I'll come pick you up when I'm done."
Xiaolian nodded excitedly.
Lu Yangyang carried the tray to the outside of the Tianzi room. Two fierce-looking guards stood at the door and stopped her, saying, "Just give it to me, you can go back."