A heady floral scent met them upon entering, but it was tainted by heavy perfume, marring the elegant ambiance.
In a private room, two figures, a gaunt man and a flamboyant woman, were squeezed onto a hanging rattan chair, engrossed in a passionate kiss. Upon seeing Liu Liu and Dai Mei enter, they nonchalantly continued their embrace.
Liu Liu and Dai Mei acted as if they saw nothing, taking seats in rattan chairs opposite the couple, observing the explicit spectacle without any pretense of modesty. Finally, Young Master Mu conceded defeat, releasing the woman and leering at Dai Mei's beautiful face.
He had expected this woman to beg him for a meeting, but instead, she had brought out Qi Ye. Rumor had it that Qi Ye was not to be trifled with, yet he saw no particular skill in this effeminate-looking fellow. He glared provocatively at Liu Liu.
"What do you want with this Marquis?"
Liu Liu eyed Mu Qingyun. Frankly, Mu Qingyun's appearance was not bad, but his constant indulgence in drinking, whoring, and gambling had left his face sallow, his eyes bloodshot, and his entire being emaciated, as if a gust of wind could blow him over.
This man was destined to destroy himself sooner or later.
Liu Liu glanced at the woman beside Mu Qingyun, her face caked with thick makeup, and of the cheap variety at that. She found her exceedingly unpleasant.
"Have her leave. We have a transaction to discuss."
The woman, who had been leering at Liu Liu, was unwilling to go. She grunted repeatedly, indicating her refusal. However, Mu Qingyun was not entirely foolish. He turned and cajoled her.
"Be good, go out for now. Later, this Marquis will give you the South Sea pearl necklace you fancied today."
"Really?" The woman exclaimed in surprise.
Liu Liu and Dai Mei frowned. This woman was truly mercenary; a single item of value could control her.
However, it was understandable. A prostitute's life was cheap. If she didn't seize opportunities now, she might not have any later. The woman swayed her hips and left.
Mu Qingyun, with a slobbery grin, stared at Dai Mei. "I know you want me to release those two fellows. If Miss Dai Mei spends one night with this young Marquis, I'll release them immediately."
Liu Liu, upon hearing his preposterous words, raised her delicate hand and slammed the table, her voice chilling. "Dare you say that again, and I'll personally knock out your teeth one by one, turning you into a toothless Marquis."
Mu Qingyun shuddered. This Qi Ye was indeed ferocious. Seeing the bloodlust in his eyes, he feared that if he spoke another word, he would truly lose all his teeth. He dared not mention having Dai Mei accompany him again and mumbled.
"Since you're unwilling, what else is there to discuss?" He stood up, preparing to leave. Liu Liu coldly commanded, "Sit down."
"You?" Mu Qingyun gritted his teeth but ultimately complied. He would rather deal with the authorities; money could resolve matters with them. However, he loathed dealing with scoundrels, as they played by no rules. If they were to scheme against him in secret, he would suffer a great loss.
Seeing him quiet down, Liu Liu took out a list and handed it to Mu Qingyun. She hoped to resolve this matter peacefully with the young Marquis.
If it escalated, no one would benefit. The authorities were currently watching them, and any mishandling could become a handle for them. Therefore, she decided to pay to resolve the issue.
Mu Qingyun, unaware of what Qi Ye had given him, became vigilant at a mere glance after initially being indifferent. He dropped his nonchalant demeanor.
He knew that this single list could cost the lives of over a hundred members of his Mu family and implicate many others, leaving him with no remains.
"Where did you get this list?"
"If I want it, I can have it. Lord Mu doesn't need to know. The key is that I'm using this list and forty thousand taels of silver notes in exchange for your two men. By all accounts, you're getting a better deal."
Liu Liu leisurely picked up the tea pot. Mu Qingyun was a man who would sell his soul for money. He probably wouldn't refuse this offer, and Duan Mu and Chu Feng were of little use to him.
As expected, when Mu Qingyun heard Liu Liu's words, a sharp glint appeared in his narrow eyes. Forty thousand taels of silver notes! He was currently short on funds and trying to borrow money everywhere.
He never expected fate to send him forty thousand taels of silver notes. What good were those two men? He wondered if Young Master Qi Ye was sick to be so generous for his subordinates.
"Alright, I'll send people to send them back immediately."
"Promptly," Liu Liu put down her teacup and led Dai Mei out. She hadn't forgotten Jin Shaoyuan was waiting downstairs. She wanted to see what that man intended. As she reached the door, she threw a cold parting remark.
"I expect to see Duan Mu and Chu Feng as soon as possible."
"Alright, I'll handle it right away," Mu Qingyun said with a smile, bowing and nodding.
Liu Liu and Dai Mei walked downstairs. Jin Shaoyuan was indeed sitting in a corner of the teahouse. The shopkeeper, seeing Liu Liu descend, respectfully called out, "Mistress, that person wishes to see you," pointing at Jin Shaoyuan.
"Understood," Liu Liu nodded and led Dai Mei towards the corner.
Jin Shaoyuan watched them approach, his posture unwavering. He only inclined his head slightly in greeting. "Young Master Qi Ye has concluded his business."
Liu Liu did not respond to his remark. She sat down beside him, gazing at Jin Shaoyuan with a cold, sharp look. She noticed his eyes subtly scanning Dai Mei. It seemed he was interested in Dai Mei, but recalling his words last time, she wouldn't entrust Dai Mei to such a man.
"What does Lord Jin wish to discuss with Qi Ye?"
"Just a casual chat. I've always been curious about Qi Ye and wished to meet you. I never imagined that the Qi Ye, rumored to be both righteous and evil, good and bad, would be so handsome," Jin Shaoyuan said, his gaze flickering, clearly showing some disdain for Liu Liu, who in no way resembled a man.
Perhaps it was his own jealousy that Dai Mei would heed this man's every word.
Liu Liu rolled her eyes, a sneer playing on her lips. She suspected this wasn't his own idea, but rather that of someone in the palace.
"Since Lord Jin merely wished to meet Qi Ye, and you have now met me, we shall take our leave," Liu Liu did not want to engage in a battle of wits with this man. She still needed to check if Duan Mu and Chu Feng had returned.
She wondered if they were injured. If Mu Qingyun dared to mistreat them, she would see how she would deal with him. Liu Liu's eyes turned icy. Jin Shaoyuan opposite her felt that this fellow was indeed as rumored, perhaps not someone to be easily provoked.
Seeing Dai Mei preparing to leave closely behind Qi Ye, Jin Shaoyuan anxiously reached out and grasped Dai Mei's arm.
"I have something to ask Miss Dai Mei?"
Dai Mei's expression changed. She detested men touching her. With a flick of her wrist, she seized Jin Shaoyuan's wrist, startling him into quickly releasing his grip to defend himself. He had forgotten that Dai Mei was a woman skilled in martial arts.
"What exactly does Lord Jin want? Dai Mei's face darkened with displeasure. She withdrew her hand and stood firm, glaring at Jin Shaoyuan. Liu Liu stood behind Dai Mei, watching the spectacle with a cold, wicked amusement, occasionally giving Dai Mei a gentle smile. Jin Shaoyuan's face turned green with anger, but he suppressed his rage.
"Someone wants to see you?" he said this to Liu Liu.
Liu Liu retracted the foot she had raised to leave. Her eyes, like starlight, were bright yet carried the coldness of the night. Her lips curved slightly. "Who?"
"You'll know when you see them," Jin Shaoyuan certainly wouldn't reveal who wanted to meet him. This young man seemed somewhat sinister, and it was best to be cautious.