Chapter 5, Network Deployment

Like a butterfly flitting through the fragrant garments and delicate hairstyles, Mu Lan knew it was impossible to play hide and seek all night. While he himself was not tired, these young ladies could not endure it. To encourage them, he compassionately handed out stacks of silver notes—just tossing them around, even one hundred thousand taels could not last through the night.

On the wooden corridor of Yishuig Pavilion overlooking the lake, a lavish banquet is laid out on a table. Lord Xue, who has come to Yangzhou to inspect this year's offerings to the inner court, sits in the main seat, enjoying the singing and dancing, his face full of ecstasy

"The young master can play with whatever he desires." The young ladies chuckled softly.

The death of Lord Xue is not to be mourned, as long as it can lure out Zhenlong

He was cursing wildly in his heart. Where is the promised girl in blue? There isn't a single girl with the surname Lan in the Ninghua Tower

Throughout the journey, Eunuch Xue felt increasingly anxious. He was merely a purchasing eunuch from the Imperial Household Department. Wherever he went, local officials and wealthy gentry treated him with utmost respect and courtesy, so what danger could there be? Why did Eunuch Tan insist on sending the chief steward, Park Yinying, along with him?

This is a lucrative job. It is indeed a highly profitable one.

"Young Master! I have prepared freshly peeled lotus seeds for you." The young lady's delicate voice made Mu Lan's scalp tingle

He thought again about the arrangements for tonight

In the present moment of beauty, who would wish to sit beside a dark-faced man who does not even drink? As Park Eun-young just left, the four young ladies of Ninghua Tower surrounded Eunuch Xue with playful laughter, causing him to instantly forget about Park Eun-young.

You are merely bait! Just a piece of meat to lure out Zhenlong. How could a dead eunuch possibly be interested in a young lady! Park Yinying lowered her gaze to conceal the disdain in her eyes and said lightly: "Your Excellency is overthinking. I have other duties to attend to, and it is not convenient to disclose matters of the Eastern Factory"

Known as the foremost building of elegance and charm in Yangzhou, Ninghua Tower takes great care to please its guests. As the lights begin to glow, several small boats sail into the Lotus Lake. The boats stop in the lake, and a small platform is constructed between the lotus leaves using wide wooden planks.

A nearby subordinate expressed some confusion: "My lord, if you leave at this moment, what if an assassin comes..."

The game of hide and seek cannot continue without the main character. The girls, who had their eyes covered with blindfolds, laughed as they found their way to the platform.

He held those restless hands and smiled, saying: "What cream does sister use? It makes her hands so smooth and tender?"

The singing and dancing on the lake had come to a halt, and the platform that had been erected was dismantled. Two painted boats carrying the musicians and dancers from the Linghua Pavilion returned to the shore. Pu Yinying personally led the inspection. To his disappointment, there were no suspicious individuals among them who had infiltrated the Linghua Pavilion

With the silver notes paving the way, who would still fear her not coming? "Tell Mother Cui that I want her to serve me tonight!" Mu Lan handed over several silver notes to send the young ladies away, finally obtaining a moment of peace.

Mu Lan had hidden outside the water pavilion, gritting his teeth as he tightened the loosened belt. He knew that moving into the Ninghua Building would be a trap; he had originally planned to be as stingy as possible, but unexpectedly found himself flustered and had thrown out quite a few silver notes.

The waterways are interconnected in all directions, and this lake, filled with white lotuses and green water lilies, should be the best escape location for Zhenlong. He has deployed personnel across various waterways of the lotus lake. Once the assassin enters the lake, it is like a fish caught in a net, with no possibility of escape

Mu Lan quickly released the hands and directly lifted the girl who had nestled up to him, using her to block the other girls who were rushing towards him: "Do you really like me?"

It turned out that he had other tasks at hand. Eunuch Xue secretly breathed a sigh of relief

Having heard of the renowned Ninghua Tower in Jiangnan, he decided to stay here tonight to fully enjoy the experience

Mu Lan almost spat it out

He touched his face, feeling quite curious: "Do I look ... ... that handsome?"

Park Yinying raised the tea and said: "As a subordinate, it is my duty not to dare to drink alcohol"

At this moment, all the lanterns around the platform in the lake extinguished. When the lights reappeared, a dancer had appeared on the platform. She wore a blue gauze dress, and her long water sleeves waved gracefully. The hem of her dress spun and spread out layer upon layer under the moonlight, her dance resembling that of an immortal, dreamlike and ethereal

Mu Lan gazed at the banquet by the lake in the distance, thinking that if the dancing Ming Yan was not the woman in blue, then she would have to act in her own way

Such a beautiful little brother, sister likes! Another body, soft as if boneless, nestled closer.

Lord Xue will only stay in Yangzhou for one night. After watching the Dragon Boat Festival races tomorrow, he will head to Suzhou

The Condensed Flower Pavilion is enveloped in tranquility. The moonlight gradually rises to its zenith, and Eunuch Xue is intoxicated in the embrace of the young ladies, being assisted into the pavilion to rest

Oh dear! Mu Lan felt waves of sorrow in her heart

Mu Lan felt a stir in her heart and pointed to the lake, asking, "Who is that dancer in blue?"

Before her are six young women, twelve hands. Mu Lan wishes she could transform into the Thousand-Handed Avalokiteshvara. Simply avoiding the situation is not a solution.

The Condensed Flower Pavilion is tightly guarded within, yet it has not refused guests as per his arrangements. The Lin family, concerned for the safety of Eunuch Xue, has dispatched thirty guards to the location and increased patrols in the area. The eldest son of the Lin family has even taken up residence in the Condensed Flower Pavilion. With more personnel inside the pavilion, it effectively cuts off a route of retreat. It is akin to intentionally leaving an opening during a hunt, allowing Zhenlong to seize this opportunity to escape

Where are you, young master

The young lady retorted: "Young master, you look down on us ordinary and superficial women, it seems you have your eyes set on Sister Mingyan. Tonight, a distinguished guest has arrived at the building and personally requested Sister Mingyan to perform a dance. I fear she may not have the time to accompany you."

Lanterns are hung high all around, casting a dim and ethereal glow. When the sound of silk and bamboo instruments begins, the young women start to dance on the platform. From a distance, their dance attire appears as light as snow in a gentle breeze. Their graceful movements make them seem as if they are dancing upon lotus flowers. It is beyond description

Park Yinying stood in the shadow of the tree. From this corner, he could see most of Lianhu and the banquet on the corridor. The lights illuminated the singing and dancing on the lake, making it look like a fairyland. Park Yinying wondered if Zhenlong would mingle among those dancers and musicians

Park Yinying stood up and said: "Your Excellency, please enjoy yourself. I shall take my leave now."

The lodge he resided in was the most exquisite pavilion in the Ninghua Building. The platform outside the room extended directly into the lake, allowing one to reach out and touch the pure white lotus flowers.

The young master is truly wicked! He abandoned us sisters and ran here.

"Lord Park, you have worked hard all the way. Our family offers you a drink in respect." Master Xue did not dare to neglect the head of the Eastern Depot who had escorted him. His tone was filled with flattery. He was able to secure this assignment largely due to his usual deference to the Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Sacrificial Office and the Director of the Eastern Depot, Tan Cheng. Park Yinying was indeed one of the most capable heads among the twelve under Eunuch Tan.

His duty is to protect himself. Upon thinking of this, Eunuch Xue nearly lost his composure: "Eunuch Tan has ordered the esteemed official to escort me; could it be that someone intends to harm me?"

He considers himself a compassionate person, yet at this moment, he can only make the young lady feel sad: "No need to spend money, I will eat."

The beautiful woman washed her delicate hands, laboriously peeling open the lotus pods, serving with great attentiveness. Mentioning a sum of silver truly spoils the atmosphere. Little did I expect to encounter such a stingy and cautious person, who even inquired about the price of a single lotus seed.

The six young women in the room could not hear Mu Lan's voice and had become anxious. Mu Lan was anxiously contemplating a strategy

Young master

What kind of person has the young ladies of the Linghua Tower not seen? As if not hearing Mu Lan's words, with her charming eyes like silk, she picked up the jade-green lotus seeds from the crystal plate and fed them to Mu Lan's lips: "Young master, with a face like yours, I would even give you silver!"

If I do not leave, how would Zhenlong have the opportunity?" Park Eun-young replied淡淡.

The wealth of the Lin family is partly reliant on the offerings to the inner court. The silk, tea, and porcelain from Jiangnan are sent into the palace through the Imperial Household Department. Naturally, Master Xue's requests were readily agreed to, and the best Yishui Pavilion was rearranged and meticulously prepared. After hosting a banquet at the Ninghua Tower, the eldest son of the Lin family, Lin Yichuan, discreetly withdrew.

He is sincere! The girl in his arms smiled shyly, reaching out to tug at Mu Lan's clothing. As soon as she touched his firm chest, he gently tossed her onto the couch.

A pair of hands reached over: "Young master, your face is like a painting."

The itinerary of Lord Xue spans only two days. Tonight, he will stay at the Ninghua Tower. Tomorrow, he will watch the dragon boat races at the Yangzhou dock. Will Zhenlong choose to carry out the assassination tonight or strike tomorrow

Whoever can touch him will slip a silver note into his small hand. The blindfolded girls excitedly flail around the room, laughing as they try to catch Mu Lan

In the long, endless night, why not... play a game? Pulling out the sweat towel tied around the girl's waist, Mu Lan finally came up with an idea