"Where is Miss Qiaoqiao?" Someone in the audience was dissatisfied, they kept shelling out money, and Qiaoqiao hadn't said a word.
"She's here, she's here," the brothel madam said.
Behind the light veil, Qiaoqiao stood up and walked out.
From behind the light veil, Qiaoqiao looked alluring, but Xue Zining now found Qiaoqiao to be tall and slender.
When Qiaoqiao removed the veil, a face of exquisite beauty was revealed, with delicate features and a pair of eyes like autumn water, so lovely that even the gods would pity.
"Your Majesty, she is beautiful, but I feel something is not quite right," Xue Yan said.
"Perhaps it's because she eats so much, her growth is just too good," Xue Zining could only explain it that way.
Xue Yan looked thoughtful.
On the second floor, Xue Wenjie looked at Qiaoqiao on stage, his expression growing colder.
"Your Highness, you sent for me?" the brothel madam approached cautiously, bowing her head.
"What is the meaning of this? Am I not a honored guest?" the Regent King said coldly.
The brothel madam cursed herself several times. It would have been better if she hadn't agreed to Qiaoqiao. Why was she now facing questions from the Regent King? She raised her head and said fawningly, "Your Highness, please calm your anger. As you know, I am very fond of Qiaoqiao. This child, Qiaoqiao, said she wanted to choose her own honored guest. After all, I have raised Qiaoqiao for so many years and dote on her, so naturally, I indulge her every wish."
"An honored guest? Very well, isn't it just a matter of money?" the Regent King sneered. With a wave of his hand, someone beside him produced bank notes and stuffed them into the brothel madam's embrace.
The brothel madam's hands trembled as she looked at the many bank notes in her arms.
"Your Highness, please wait a moment. Even if I have to knock Qiaoqiao unconscious, I will bring her before you."
Xue Wenjie said nothing more.
The brothel madam descended from the second floor, her face a mask of smiles, "Ladies and gentlemen, I sincerely apologize. Qiaoqiao already has an honored guest."
The crowd became anxious upon hearing this. One person directly asked, "Who is it?"
With a look from the brothel madam, the thugs beside her stepped forward.
Seeing this, the crowd erupted in anger, "This is outright thievery!"
The remaining people echoed the sentiment, the situation escalating.
The brothel madam, seeing that the situation was spiraling out of control, had no choice but to seek help from the Regent King on the second floor.
Xue Wenjie's gaze turned cold. Just as he was about to rise, Jin Ming beside him said, "Your Highness, do not act rashly."
"Madam, are you trying to fool us? If there is an honored guest, why not let us see? Otherwise, aren't you playing us for fools?"
"Exactly, exactly! Who is that person? Let him come out!"
"Could it be a coward?"
Xue Wenjie's expression grew even colder. Jin Ming beside him advised, "Your Highness, you are here for Miss Qiaoqiao. Do not pay attention to others."
"A coward? I think he's a complete rat..."
One person taunted and sneered, even looking up towards a certain direction on the second floor.
Xue Wenjie felt his blood boil.
Just then, Qiaoqiao spoke, "Madam, you say I already have an honored guest, yet I, the person involved, know nothing of it."
The brothel madam was stunned.
The audience below was in an uproar, demanding an explanation from the brothel madam.
"Can't the person even be seen?"
"Exactly..."
"Come out..."
No one knew who shouted it first, but more and more people in the crowd began to call out.
"It is I." Xue Wenjie stood up and leaped down.
He landed steadily on the stage.
Everyone was startled. Xue Wenjie stood there like a statue, his expression cold, exuding an intense chill.
"Your Highness, please do not be angry," the brothel madam stepped forward to appease him.
If things got out of hand, her Joy Spring Pavilion would be unable to continue operating.
"So it's Your Highness."
Xue Wenjie turned around and saw Qiaoqiao, the one who had once stunned him at first sight.
Xue Wenjie said, "It is I."
He looked at the person named Qiaoqiao, his gaze turning icy, his voice imbued with chill, "Does Your Highness remember the Qiao family from ten years ago?"
Xue Wenjie trembled all over. He heard Qiaoqiao say, "Ten years ago, the massacre of the Qiao family. I am the sole survivor of the Qiao family."
"You..."
Qiaoqiao's gaze turned sharp, and she shouted furiously, "Xue Wenjie, die!"
As she spoke, she tore off her outer robe, revealing a purple brocade robe underneath. Although it was merely a change of clothes, it stunned the entire audience. They all had one thought: This... this is a man?
Were they all going mad for a man just moments ago?
Had they been passionately devoted to nothing?
Xue Wenjie sneered, "Ten years ago, I failed to eliminate the roots. Today, you shall accompany them to the underworld."
With a wave of his hand, someone from upstairs threw down a sword. He caught it steadily and sneered, "Today is the true day of the Qiao family's demise."
Qiaoqiao looked at Xue Wenjie with a twisted expression, roaring, "I will avenge every member of the Qiao family!"
"Overestimating yourself," Xue Wenjie sneered and attacked.
"Your Majesty, you should leave this place quickly," Xue Yan said worriedly.
Xue Zining shook her head, "I cannot miss such a good opportunity."
She was very curious to know how skilled Xue Wenjie truly was.
Soon, Qiaoqiao was at a disadvantage.
Xue Wenjie said with mockery, "Ten years, and this is the extent of your skill?"
"Xue Wenjie..." Qiaoqiao roared and charged towards Xue Wenjie.
"Let's go," Xue Zining said to Xue Yan.
Xue Yan was startled. Earlier, no matter how she advised, the Empress remained unmoved, but now she was proactively suggesting they leave.
However, how could she possibly fathom the Empress's thoughts?
She followed suit.
As they reached the entrance, government soldiers had already surrounded the area. It was Lord Yu, the Commandant.
Xue Zining quickly lowered her head and retreated to the side, trying to minimize her presence.
Fortunately, Lord Yu did not see her. However, the entrance was blocked by soldiers, and she couldn't get out.
"Your Highness, please lay down your weapon," Lord Yu said coldly from below the stage.
Xue Wenjie glanced at Lord Yu and retracted his weapon. Qiaoqiao was also surrounded by soldiers.
Xue Wenjie said coldly, "This prisoner will be taken by me."
Saying that, Xue Wenjie's subordinates moved to take Qiaoqiao away.
Lord Yu smiled and said, "Your Highness, please do not be hasty."
Xue Wenjie heard this and looked at Lord Yu coldly, "What does this mean, Lord Yu?"
Lord Yu said, "Your Highness, you may not know, but this prisoner is involved in other cases. I need to take him back to the Commandant's office for further interrogation."
Xue Wenjie looked at Lord Yu coldly, his gaze sinister, "Is Lord Yu telling me that I cannot take him away today?"
Lord Yu smiled, "Your Highness, may I ask you to wait until I have interrogated the prisoner before sending him over?"
"Lord Yu, when did my actions require your commentary?" Xue Wenjie said coldly.
Lord Yu smiled, stroking his white beard, "Your Highness, one must fulfill their duty in their position."
"Good, a very good saying. If I insist on taking the prisoner today, then what?" Xue Wenjie sneered, his gaze chillingly fixed on Lord Yu.
Lord Yu heard this, his smile faded. He turned and bowed respectfully towards a certain spot, "Your Majesty, how do you think this matter should be handled?"