Chapter 4 Into the snare
Zhao XiaoBao's face was burning red, he lowered his head, didn't dare to reply. The shier he became, the more alluring the glow on his fair, white face, making the ladies on the boats giggling non-stop, teasing him further.
Lee ChengFeng didn't give a damn: "Hey, you bunch of bitches, never took real action!"
A bold woman who stood at the front of a red boat giggled: "Oh, great young master is so distinguished but dissolute, are so famous in Cheng An—don't just talk bad about us, when is young master going to let us practice our work with our lips?"
Speaking, the ladies around all laughed out loud; Zhao XiaoBao covered his face with hands, terribly ashamed of that. On the other hand, Lee ChengFeng was very proud of it, heads high, chest out: "Really? Just the work on lips? Young master me has somewhere stronger, better, wanna try?"
The bold woman who spoke just now replied: "Young master Lee, I thought there's only Lady ZhiXi in your heart? How could we, the weak, mediocre girls with no content inside stand a chance?"
Lee ChengFeng sighed and said in sympathy: "Alas! Goes the proverb, before god gives a big 'eagle' to this man, he must have endured hardship mentally, physically, experience famine……"
The women broke into even louder laughter after hearing Lee ChengFeng sternly told his folly version of proverb; Along the way Lee ChengFeng flirted with the women; the two used up almost half of their energy just to get through the whole street. There they were, on the Cai Lian (lotus picking) Lane, the renowned red light district in Cheng An, usually before the nightfall, it will be already crowded with people, with lanterns hanging high along the lane.
Even though there are lots of brothel boats parking by the Cai Lian Bridge, the real famous part of the Cai Lian Lane is actually the ladies serving in this place; they could only find customers here after becoming the most popular courtesan in a brothel for a year—all of the ladies here were once the most famous prostitute.
The top of the top, the most renowned prostitute in the entire city of Cheng An, is none other than the gorgeous and talented Liu ZhiXi. Usually, the entrance would be full of customers, but when Lee ChengFeng entered the lane, there isn't any carriage nor a little music, Lee ChengFeng was curious: "Weird, why is it so quiet here today?"
While he spoke, Zhi Xi Brothel's door cracked open—a young charming maid rushed out, looking very nervous. She is Liu ZhiXi's personal maid—Yin Chai. She was delighted the moment she saw Lee ChengFeng: "Perfect timing great young master! My mistress was missing you just now!"
Hearing her words, Lee ChengFeng was as if hearing the fairies' music, his voice quivers a little: "Really?"
Yin Chai smiled: "You will see if it's real when you go in! Come, follow me, young master."
Lee ChengFeng's feet where so floaty as if stepping on the clouds after hearing Yin Chai, his bones were lightened and he told Zhao XiaoBao who followed him: "Go back first, your young master…… probably wouldn't go home today." Said, he jovially kept up with Yin Chai into Zhi Xi Brothel in Cai Lian Lane.
Zhao XiaoBao watched both of them left; his face was marked with doubts, his eyes filled with suspicion, for long he stood there, not leaving.
Liu ZhiXi is extremely popular, but when it comes to the interior design of her place, it ranked at the bottom few. It is just a pretty common red wooden door with bronze made animal door knocker at the entrance, the space inside couldn't be considered as large. However, the decoration in the front yard is exquisite enough, with the well-arranged artificial hills, weird-looking rocks, lotus pond and little bridges which are completely in contrast to the northern city's boorish architecture.
Lee ChengFeng requested to see her many times, but it's still the first time for him to enter the backyard, he acclaimed: "Ingenious design, divine craftsmanship, such talent Miss ZhiXi has!"
Yin Chai slightly turned her head, her smile was a little stiff: "At least young master ChengFeng has some sense of art, unlike those rude boors, as if the bulls chewing roses—spoiling the pleasure."
Lee ChengFeng was flattered: "Thanks for the compliment! What rouge and powder did young sister Yin Chai used today? It smells great!"
Yin Chai was a bit surprised: "Young master ChengFeng can smell it?"
Lee ChengFeng pointed at his nose, smiled: "Tagging ladies with scent; identifying the world with smell. That's my exclusive skill!"
Yin Chai smiled, but never replied. He brought Lee ChengFeng across rooms and corridors to the room at the back. She bobbed slightly, said: "Mistress is waiting inside, young master ChengFeng, please."
Lee ChengFeng took a deep breath, collected his thought. After watching Yin Chai left, he stepped towards the door and knocked gently.
Back at the days when he initially wanted to see her, Lee ChengFeng was just curious. But when he heard her playing instrument in one of the full-moon nights, he was totally impressed by her tranquilizing music. He swore that he must see her in person.
And today, after so many tests, he finally stood before her door, just a light push, he could fulfill his dream.
That actually made Lee ChengFeng nervous.
"Miss…… ZhiXi?" Lee ChengFeng called softly, this infamous devil of Cheng An surprisingly was quivering.
However, there's no even a slightest noise in the room.
Lee ChengFeng waited for a while, he pushed the door softly.
The room was a clean and elegant boudoir: there were Chin Se and Pi Pa (musical instruments) hanging on the wall on the left; whereas on the right was a high quality pear wood table. On the table were writing brushes, ink sticks, paper and inkstones. Written on the topmost paper was a short poem; the writings were graceful and elegant.
At the center of the room next to the wall was a bed, the curtains were touching the ground, through the muslin, he could barely see an exposed arm, as fair as snow, as if it's sending a silent invitation to Lee ChengFeng.
Lee ChengFeng had imagined million times the scene he meet his gorgeous goddess, but he never thought he would see her such way.
Lee ChengFeng gulped, he stepped forward, called softly: "Miss ZhiXi, Lady ZhiXi?"
There's still no response from the bed, Lee ChengFeng braved to the front, before he could call her again, he heard a soft groan coming from the bed. Lee ChengFeng was startled, he quickly went forward, opened the muslin curtain, fixed his gaze, but was so shocked that he stepped a few step backwards!
There was a half naked woman lying on the bed with only belly-binder and inner pants; this woman has a curvy figure, oval-shaped face, almond eyes and small, delicate lips. There's a red mole at the corner of her lips—she's beguiling and seductive. Her mouth was muffled with a ball of cloth; hands at the back, she stared at Lee ChengFeng with her watery eyes, at times groaning at him.
Lee ChengFeng never saw Liu ZhiXi before, so he didn't really know how she looks like, but he'd seen this woman in front of him.
A month ago, he saw this captivating woman when he and his mother went for a dinner in the prefect's home.
She is the most beloved concubine that prefect Zhang JunHeng just married to about a month ago, Su ZhiXian!
Why is she here?
Where is Liu ZhiXi?
Lee ChengFeng was completely stupefied, but it only took him a second to realize: "Shit! I've been trapped!"
The ever bold and fearless Chaotic Devil suddenly drenched in his own sweat, he was just about to leave but he could hear footsteps coming from all direction outside; a low-pitch signaling sound arose from everywhere. Lee ChengFeng threw himself onto the window and peeped outside through the slit: the whole yard had been flooded by masked black-clothed men!
Lee ChengFeng was shocked and angry, he rapidly analyzed a few questions: The Lee Family has no rancor with Zhang Family of the prefect, who's the one behind this snare? Where is Lady ZhiXi? Why did Yin Chai frame me? Why is the most adored concubine of prefect, Su ZhiXian in Liu ZhiXi's room? Is it because the matter about Mount Sacred Clan has come into light?