flstandardbreds Chapter 181 Famous People in Brothels
Chapter 181 Famous People in Brothels
The affairs of Qinglian Temple are confidential.
The news will not be easily leaked before the case is fully investigated.
Therefore, at this time, Sheng Yunzhu should not have known about the movements of Qinglian Temple.
Lu Yangyang observed Sheng Yunzhu's expression. Sheng Yunzhu's eyelids flickered, and she said softly, "Yangyang, are you still angry about the time I invited the Fairy of Goodness to the manor? If you blame me for this, I have nothing to say. The Heart-Nourishing Pill from Qinglian Temple is a rare and precious medicine that is very beneficial to Mother's health. I know you hold a grudge about what happened last time, but in any case, Mother's health must be the priority."
"Yes, it's so rare, how did you get it?" Lu Yangyang took a step forward, getting closer to Sheng Yunzhu: "As far as I know, Qinglian Temple only gives the Empress Dowager two pills of Yangxin Pills every month, which is the limit. You took out three pills at once. What? Did that Shangshan Fairy help you steal the tribute?"
"You're talking nonsense!" Sheng Yunzhu's expression suddenly changed, and she couldn't help but shout out.
She took two steps back, creating distance between herself and Lu Yangyang, before she came to her senses. Biting her lip, she said aggrievedly, "Yangyang, why did you say that? Am I wrong to think about my mother's health?"
"Don't call me Yangyang, we're not that close." Lu Yangyang snorted lightly. "I was just asking if you've been colluding with that charlatan to sell fake medicine. What? Did I hit a nerve?"
"You..." Sheng Yunzhu's eyes reddened with anger, and she said, unable to bear it any longer, "I don't know what you're talking about. I went through many channels to get those medicines, they weren't given to me by the Fairy of Goodness. Why are you slandering me like this? Don't you want Mother to take the medicine? Don't you want Mother to get better?"
“Of course I hope Madam’s health improves, but you yourself said it wasn’t given to you by that virtuous fairy. So I suspect it’s fake medicine. Is that a problem? What evidence do you have to prove that the medicine you received is genuine? You dare to give Madam medicine that you don’t know where it came from or whether it’s real or fake? I’d like to know what your intentions are.” Lu Yangyang stared at her, pressing her step by step.
Sheng Yunzhu instinctively grabbed the hand of the maid beside her, tears streaming down her face, and cried out, "Second Brother!"
Sheng Junyi walked over and asked, "What are you doing?"
When Lu Yangyang saw Sheng Junyi approaching, she scoffed lightly: "Nothing, just curious to ask which swindler the Third Miss Sheng got the Qinglian Temple's Nourishing Heart Pills from. She keeps saying it's for the sake of Madam's health, but she can't give a clear source. What if it's fake medicine? Taking medicine randomly isn't a good idea, is it? Don't you think so, Second Young Master?"
Looking at Sheng Yunzhu, whose eyes were red-rimmed, and then at the aggressive Lu Yangyang, Sheng Junyi felt a little helpless. He then asked Sheng Yunzhu, "Zhuzhu, where did you get the Heart-Nourishing Pills from Qinglian Temple?"
"I..." Sheng Yunzhu looked at Sheng Junyi with disbelief, unable to believe that he would ask her such a question. She swayed slightly, "Second brother, are you also doubting me?"
Sheng Junyi hurriedly explained, "How could I doubt you? The Nourishing Heart Pill from Qinglian Temple is rare, and I was worried that you might be deceived. Besides, the medicine given to Mother should indeed be treated with caution."
Sheng Yunzhu lowered her eyes and said sadly and disappointedly, "It was I who asked the Third Prince to step in and asked Abbess Qinglian for help."
"Didn't His Highness the Third Prince leave the capital?" Lu Yangyang interjected.
Sheng Yunzhu clenched the handkerchief in her hand. "I asked the Third Prince before, and he helped to mediate. I went to find Abbess Qinglian in his name."
"Oh—I see. So, it was the Third Prince who acted as your matchmaker, right?" Lu Yangyang said, looking as if she had just realized something.
Sheng Yunzhu gritted her teeth: "So do you still have any questions?"
Lu Yangyang smiled at her, then turned to ask Sheng Junyi, "Did the Second Young Master understand?"
"Yes, since it was the Third Prince who helped, the medicine must be safe." Sheng Junyi responded, explaining to Lu Yangyang that the Qinglian Temple's heart-nourishing pills were genuine.
"Let's go." Lu Yangyang called out to Lü Yao behind her, then turned and left.
"Wait a minute," Sheng Junyi called out to her.
Lu Yangyang turned her head and asked, "Is there anything else, Second Young Master?"
Sheng Junyi's gaze swept over Lü Yao, noticing her shabby clothes, and asked, "Who is this? Is she a new maid in the manor?"
“She’s not a maid from the manor. My elder brother gave her to me. I just brought her back today. She’s my person. What? Second Young Master, you even want to interfere with this?” Lu Yangyang’s voice turned cold.
"I just don't recognize the face, so I'm asking a question." Sheng Junyi withdrew his gaze: "Since it was your elder brother who chose this person, you can make the decision yourself."
Lu Yangyang ignored him and turned away.
After Lu Yangyang left, Sheng Yunzhu, with red eyes, curtsied slightly to Sheng Junyi: "Yunzhu is grateful for Second Brother's care over the years. From tomorrow onwards, Yunzhu will no longer be Second Brother's sister. If I cannot stay in the Duke's Mansion in the future, I hope Second Brother will take good care of himself. Yunzhu takes her leave."
Sheng Junyi hurriedly reached out to help her up: "What are you doing? I've said it before, no matter what, you are still my sister. Father is only reluctantly letting you suffer for a while regarding the family genealogy tomorrow. He will always find a chance to make it up to you in the future. Besides, the family genealogy won't be announced to outsiders, so you will still live at home and remain the third young lady of the Duke of Sheng's mansion. Don't overthink it."
"But my second brother doesn't believe me anymore, and my mother hates me too. What's the point of me staying in this family? Second brother, I admit I have some ulterior motives, but I... I just can't face such a huge change. I just can't bear to leave you. I've called you my parents and brother for over ten years, and suddenly you're not mine anymore. I... I'm so sad, so sad that I feel like I'm dying." Sheng Yunzhu sobbed softly.
Sheng Junyi stepped forward helplessly and patted her shoulder: "Alright, don't overthink it. With me and your father here, we'll give you a bright future."
Sheng Yunzhu grabbed his sleeve and buried her face in his arm, silently shedding tears.
……
Back in the courtyard, seeing that no one was around, Lüyao whispered to Lu Yangyang, "Miss, that was the second young master of the Duke of Sheng's mansion. Just as the legends say, he's even more beautiful than a woman! It's just that his eyes weren't very friendly."
"Legend? Where is the legend from?" Lu Yangyang asked curiously.
"It's over there in the red-light district. All those girls dream of seeing Young Master Sheng, but unfortunately, he only goes to the North Alley, not the South Alley."
"What do you mean, South Alley and North Alley?"
"South Alley is where small brothels like Chunfanglou are, and North Alley is where singing and dancing halls are. The people who go there are all prominent figures. They go to these brothels under the guise of composing poems, but it's all a lie. They're just hiring singing girls everywhere. That Second Young Master Sheng is a celebrity in North Alley."