The Cat Alley was most lively at the hour of Xu (7-9 PM).
From Huanman Tower to Huanxi Tower, every guest was present, not a single seat empty. The calls of vendors, the laughter of patrons, the brilliant candlelight, and the sounds of music filled the air.
Zhong Li, dressed as a young servant, followed Lu Wuxie as they alighted from the carriage. The proprietress recognized them at a glance, but due to their status, she could only feign ignorance with a smile.
"Esteemed Young Master, you haven't graced us with your presence for so long!" the proprietress said, waving her handkerchief, though she dared not let the silk touch the man's person.
Lu Wuxie glanced at her and asked, "What, are you not welcoming?"
As he spoke, he casually took a silver ingot from his waist and tossed it into the proprietress's embrace.
The proprietress caught it quickly, a fawning smile on her face. "How could we not welcome the Young Master's arrival? Which lady would you like to choose today?"
As she spoke, she glanced at Zhong Li. Seeing that her expression was calm, she finally felt at ease.
Lu Wuxie looked up at a closed door on the third floor and said playfully, "Are the wines I stored last year still kept, Madam?"
"Yes, they are all here."
"Good, the usual place." With that, he didn't care about the proprietress's reaction behind him and led Zhong Li up to the third floor.
"Hey… Esteemed Young Master!" The proprietress hurried after them. Every time she tried to approach and greet Lu Wuxie, Zhong Li would block her.
"Young Master, Miss Tian is not seeing guests today!" Seeing that she had no chance to speak, the proprietress could only call out helplessly from where she stood.
Hearing this, Lu Wuxie paused, then turned to look at the proprietress with amusement.
The proprietress blinked her eyes and slowly lowered her gaze.
Lu Wuxie returned to the proprietress's side and said, "Madam, has it not been almost a year since I last visited?"
"It has…" the proprietress answered vaguely.
Lu Wuxie continued, "Although it has been a long time, the silver that the Prince of Xian's manor sends to Miss Tian and you daily has not been lacking, has it?"
"Yes…"
"Then…" Lu Wuxie's expression darkened. "Ever since Tian Lianxue arrived at Huanman Tower, I have been her patron. After all these years, I have spent no small amount of silver, and we had an agreement: whenever I come, I am welcomed. Are you now speaking these words to me, Esteemed Young Master?"
The proprietress cast a sidelong glance at Lu Wuxie. Seeing his smile that didn't reach his eyes, she shivered and said, "Young Master, what you say is indeed not wrong, but you haven't come for so long. Lianxue cannot wait for you indefinitely, and moreover… you now have…"
She glanced at Zhong Li. Seeing Zhong Li's expression turn cold, she swallowed the rest of her words.
Lu Wuxie said, "I don't care who it is. When it was the Prince of Xian's manor, you acted like this. Believe it or not, I can make you regurgitate everything you've eaten!"
"Ah!" The proprietress was so frightened she almost knelt on the ground.
She watched the man walking towards Tian Lianxue's room and dared not utter another word.
The two arrived at the door of the private chamber. Zhong Li, following protocol, knocked a few times.
After a long while, a lazy voice from inside replied, "Wait a moment."
As the door slowly opened, a beautiful woman dressed in sheer gauze and snow-white satin appeared before them.
Tian Lianxue seemed not to expect who was knocking on her door. She was startled for a moment, and then, coming to her senses, she said with a charming, coquettish smile, "Esteemed Young Master, it is truly you! You haven't come to see Lianxue for so long, Lianxue thought you wouldn't come anymore!"
As she spoke, she walked into the room, her fingertips subtly trying to hook Lu Wuxie's collar.
Zhong Li stood behind Lu Wuxie, observing Tian Lianxue's reactions. Although her outward behavior was normal, Zhong Li still noticed something amiss in the subtle details.
For example, when Tian Lianxue first saw Lu Wuxie, her hand instinctively tugged at the half-revealed garment on her shoulders. Another example, when she was stunned, her toes instinctively turned towards the room.
Zhong Li did not interact with Tian Lianxue much, but she knew her personality. As Lu Wuxie had said, she did not have a good impression of him. Yet, the Tian Lianxue inside the room, in every gesture, revealed her affection for Lu Wuxie.
On one hand, she didn't want Lu Wuxie to see her in such a promiscuous state. On the other hand, watching her eagerly pour him tea, it seemed she hoped he would see her.
Indeed… this Tian Lianxue was likely Shen Ying.
"Esteemed Young Master!" Zhong Li walked to Lu Wuxie's side and took his discarded outer robe, hanging it on the wooden hook by the door.
Tian Lianxue's attention was entirely focused on Lu Wuxie, and she didn't even notice that Zhong Li, the servant by his side, was Zhong Li.
"Esteemed Young Master, what brings you to see Lianxue today?" Tian Lianxue, seeing Lu Wuxie only drinking tea and not speaking, hesitantly leaned forward and asked.
Lu Wuxie skillfully dodged her eagerness and replied, "Can I not come to see you without a specific reason?"
The smile on Tian Lianxue's face froze. "What does the Esteemed Young Master mean by that?"
Lu Wuxie did not hide his intentions. He smiled and asked, "When I came looking for you just now, I was stopped by the proprietress. Lianxue, I don't recall anyone daring to stop me when I come to find you. Speaking of which, did you hear that I was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice and have already found another suitor?"
"How would Lianxue dare!" Tian Lianxue replied criscinly. "Lianxue longs for you day and night, waiting for the Esteemed Young Master to seek her out. Now that I finally see you, Lianxue's heart is already overflowing with excitement."
As she spoke, she tried to hook Lu Wuxie's arm again.
Lu Wuxie pretended to drink tea, dodging her small gesture.
When he put down his teacup, he smiled and asked, "Then, does what Lianxue previously sent to me still count?"
"Sent… things?" Tian Lianxue was stunned.
Lu Wuxie asked, "Why wouldn't it count?"
Tian Lianxue hurriedly replied, "Of course it counts. Lianxue is not someone who goes back on her word casually."
"Really?" Lu Wuxie raised an eyebrow.
"Mhm!" Tian Lianxue nodded repeatedly.
"Good, then let's begin."
"Begin?" Tian Lianxue repeated, her eyes filled with confusion that even Zhong Li, standing by the carved railing, could see.
"Hm?" Lu Wuxie's tone rose, filled with inquiry.
Tian Lianxue swallowed a few times, her hand holding the teacup trembling.
Just as she was unsure how to answer, a clear knock sounded from outside the door.
Tian Lianxue, as if saved, stood up and walked towards the door.
Outside the door stood a little maid, holding two bowls of bird's nest soup. "Miss, Madam sent me to bring some food."
The little maid gave Tian Lianxue a meaningful look.
Tian Lianxue nodded and smiled, "Oh, alright. Bring it in."
The little maid nodded and carefully carried the bird's nest soup towards the table.
She first placed one bowl in front of Lu Wuxie. Just as she was about to place the other bowl beside Tian Lianxue, her hand suddenly slipped, and all the bird's nest soup spilled onto her.
"Oh!" Tian Lianxue let out a scream.
The snow-white satin hanging on her body was covered in bird's nest soup, and pieces of white fungus fell from her.
"Your maid… your maid is clumsy. Please forgive me, Miss!" Seeing this, the young girl knelt on the ground with a *plop*, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Tian Lianxue quickly helped the little girl up and said, "It's alright, you didn't do it on purpose, did you?"
The little girl trembled, as if sobbing.
Tian Lianxue apologized to Lu Wuxie with a smile, "Esteemed Young Master, please wait here for a moment. I will go change my clothes."
With that, she pulled the little girl into the inner suite.
When only Zhong Li and Lu Wuxie were left in the room.
Zhong Li walked to Lu Wuxie's side and asked, "That little girl is one of yours, isn't she?"
Lu Wuxie blew on the bird's nest soup to cool it. Just as he was about to feed it to Zhong Li, he heard her question and smiled, "How did you know, Li'er?"
"It seems the little girl was covering for the fake Tian Lianxue, but her every move was following your instructions. You had her knock when you put down the teacup, and pour the bird's nest soup when you picked up the spoon. Are you doing this to check Tian Lianxue's body?"
"Body?" Before Zhong Li's words could even fully register, Lu Wuxie burst into laughter. "Li'er, right now, I only crave your body!"