Chapter 38: The Wind Duke Was Killed

  Yun Popo and Blue Sister-in-law were fighting, exhausted and panting, sitting on the carpet of the Smoke Flower Pavilion, when two beautiful women appeared from outside, dressed in luxurious clothes, with expensive headpieces, standing at the door, bowing to Blue Sister-in-law. Yun Popo recognized them as the second and third wives of Hu Zhongren. She thought it was quite a coincidence that she had just been thinking about how she hadn't seen these two women yet, but now they had all come. It turned out that earlier, Yun Popo had taken advantage of Blue Sister-in-law's busy schedule to explore every corner of the Smoke Flower Pavilion and familiarize herself with the environment. Now, seeing Chunlan and Qiujie, she didn't greet them, but stood smiling, waiting for the two women to speak.

  Lan Ji smiled and said: "Two sisters quickly sit down, what's the matter for coming here?"

  "We heard that Cloud Granny came to visit her sisters' place just now, but we didn't see her because we had something on, so we came here to take a look and see what Cloud Granny is up to."

  Lan Ji looked at Cloud Granny in surprise, thinking to herself: "Your legs are really fast! It's only been a short while, and you've already walked through my entire Smoke Flower Building?"

  Yun Po-po didn't avoid the topic either, still smiling and saying: "Indeed, I did have some things to ask of you two, but now they're all taken care of, thank you for remembering me, please sit down." She then asked: "How are the two ladies adapting to life here? Have you gotten used to the local customs?" Yun Po-po was quite straightforward, and everyone knew that the Hu family's wives had been brought over by Fengyun Er Gui, which wasn't a secret in the Smoke Flower House. Blue Jie was the one who had arranged it, while Chunlan and Qiujin were the ones involved, so there was no need to beat around the bush.

  "Thanks to you, we are not someone's wives now. I am Chunlan," said the second lady. "I am Dongmei," said the third lady. The two of them were brought in within a year and have been here for nearly ten years, but perhaps due to good maintenance, both ladies still look as beautiful as before, as if time has left no mark on them, it's unknown whether it's because of their beauty secrets or natural born.

  "Chunlan and Qiujie are two of my most satisfactory girls, and Yun PoPo is also a good friend of mine. We're all our own people, so let's sit down and talk. Don't start firing verbal shots at each other, the tension in the air is thick enough already. Lan Jie, I know that you two sisters are still unhappy about being brought here by Sister Yun back then, but times have changed, and you've both developed well under our care, becoming big shots with many people under your command. Compared to Hu Zhongren's coldness and Yang Liuqing's abandonment, we should be grateful to Sister Yun for saving you from a life of misery. So today, let's put the past behind us and start anew. We may still have opportunities to work together in the future, and having more friends means having more paths to take. Will you listen to my advice, Lan Jie?"

  "Let's just follow Blue Sister's arrangements," Chun Lan and Qiu Ju said in unison. But in their hearts, they were secretly plotting revenge, waiting for the perfect moment to strike back. On the surface, however, they wore sweet smiles, a result of years of training in flattering and fawning, making it second nature for them to speak with forked tongues.

  "I won't, I won't. I'm also entrusted by others and loyal to their affairs, so, there's much to offend!" The words were spoken with no sincerity at all. Cloud Granny sat beside the table, sipping tea while smiling faintly in response.

  "Want to know which one Yún Pópó sent this time?" Lán Jī asked with a smile. Chūn Lán Qiū Jú nodded slightly. That's exactly why they came.

  "She is the ninth wife of Hu Shao and also the little wife. She is also the one that Young Master Biao has his eyes on. Just like you, Ou." Yun PoPo replied with a smile, but without any warmth in her laughter, which sounded extremely piercing to ChunLan and QiuJue's ears. However, she said, "I didn't expect that after all these years, Hu ZhongRen still can't escape Yang LiuQing's scheme?" The words were spoken in unison, with a sarcastic tone.

  "No, no, this time these two are the heart's desire of the Hu family, although they escaped Yang Liuqing's plan, but did not escape our means. Firstly, this Liu Qing is the adopted daughter of Dong Liu, the old master of the East Willow Manor. Hu Zhongren likes her, and for this reason, he even turned against his own nephew Yang Liuqing, beating him until he was covered in injuries, and also had him driven out of the Hu manor, stripping him of all his positions within the family." Yun Pobaby said, spitting out saliva as she told Blue Maiden and the others.

  "Deceive people, if it's the heart of Hu Zhongren's intention, why wouldn't he take care to protect it? And yet you're letting them catch him here?" Chunlan shook her head in disbelief, and Lanji and Qiujie also expressed their agreement.

  "That's because we made our move on the boat to Kyoto, and the Hu people returned to Kyoto first. They followed behind in a boat, thinking they were completely safe. But we disguised ourselves as sailors and stayed on the boat, following them. Finally, we got the chance and captured them. I'm sure that even now, the Hu people have no idea where their Ninth Lady and Little Lady are."

  Several people accompanied Cloud Grandma in loud laughter. Cloud Grandma, who was overjoyed and lost her composure, laughed the loudest.

  "Yun Po Po has always been obsessed with gold like her life, and Feng Gong Gong has always been bold but timid. How is it that today you're acting out of character and have actually entered our Huāhuā Jiē?" Chun Lan wondered in confusion. In the past, Yun Po Po would only hand over things at the Financial God Inn before returning to Heaven, this was a well-known rule.

  "This is because from now on, we won't be leaving, and our dealings with Master Hu will come to an end. In the past, you were all tempted by Young Master Biao, but Master Hu didn't intervene. However, this time, Master Hu attaches great importance to Ninth Madame, and despite the fact that Ninth Madame has already been abandoned, he insists on keeping her here. Don't you feel a bit uncomfortable about it?"

  "Hu Zhongren's concubine Xiaolian has also arrived in the country of Hanhai, I believe your former Hu ladies will meet here." Lan Ji said affirmatively.

  "We are already like withered flowers and fallen leaves, drifting in the wind and dust. We're not some Mrs. Hu or anything, but we still enjoy seeing other ladies, especially Xiaolian. At that time, this little girl wasn't even looked at by Master Hu, yet now she's become a young mistress. I'm really curious." A strange light appeared on Qiuju's slightly sorrowful face, making her pale complexion look quite spirited.

  Lan Ji's expression remained unchanged: "I understand your feelings, but I must warn you, don't stir up any trouble. The Double Seventh Festival is approaching and the King of Hanhai will personally come to our Huahua Tower. You all must keep your subordinates in line and be careful with your service. If anything goes wrong, it won't be something you or I can handle. Since you're here, go meet Ninth Madame!"

  Liu Qingqing was tied to a chair, tightly wrapped like a cocoon. Chunlan and Qiujie walked up and took a look, advising: "Sister, since you've come to such a free world, forget the harm that Hu Zhongren's scoundrel caused you! It's very lively here! Believe me, you'll fall in love with this place, just like us!"

  Lan Ji opened her bloody big mouth and laughed loudly: "Two sisters, you have won my heart, I really like you two more and more. How about, tonight the two of you come to accompany your ninth sister, we will play together." "Yes." Chun Lan and Qiu Mei seemed to be in a happy mood.

  "Alright, there's nothing for you here, leave now."

  Spring Orchid and Winter Plum curtsy and bid farewell, nodding as they back away.

  At this moment, a maid rushed in and shouted: "Lady Lanji, something terrible has happened!" Lady Lan looked at Cloud Granny with a smile and said: "Look at this child, so ill-mannered, always saying something terrible has happened. What's the matter?

  "Wind Grandfather, Wind Grandfather he..."

  "How is he? Is he happy beyond words?" Blue Maiden burst out laughing, looking at Cloud Granny.

  "The Old Man of the Wind is dead!"

  "What?" The person inside heard the movement and turned around, only to see that Liu Qingqing was bound to a stool, spitting out fresh blood and had fainted.

  Lan Ji looked puzzled, and Cloud Granny said: "Probably because she has never seen blood before, that's why. Let's go see Wind Grandpa first."

  A group of people arrived at the Peony Pavilion, only to find that it was eerily quiet inside. Blue Maiden waved her hand and everyone stopped under the eaves, while she and Cloud Granny walked in.

  The scene was extremely frightening...

  。

  On the scarlet carpet, Feng Gonggong lay on his back, a sharp blade inserted into his abdomen, fresh blood still flowing along the edge of the blade. He was motionless. Lan Ji rushed forward, wailing: "Feng Gege, who hurt you? Who was it? Tell me!"

  The old man had been dead for some time.

  Yun Po-po's eyes widened in surprise. She looked around for Peony, but there was no sign of her anywhere. Yun Po-po caught sight of the snow-white wall with a message written in blood: "Avenge my humiliation, today I clear my name, Wind Gong-gong is dead by my hand, Yun Po-po, your account will be settled first, and you will pay later. Hu Shi Ba Fu Ren Ye Mu Dan leaves."

  Yun Po-po looked around in a panic, wondering where Ye Mu-dan had gone.

  Lan Ji walked forward, gently closing Feng Gonggong's eyes with her hand. "Brother, rest in peace, I will definitely behead Mudan and avenge you." As she spoke, her teeth gritted with a soft crunching sound. The man she had loved for a lifetime quietly left the world without warning or explanation.

  Feng Gonggong, originally named Feng Bao, and Lan Jie were fellow disciples under the evil goddess. They grew up together, left the Evil Valley after their master's death, and roamed the Jianghu. Lan Jie had thought that Feng would marry her, but he was instead taken by the demoness Yunlan. To hide her feelings for her senior brother, she pretended to have a fondness for men, managing the Tianchao Brothel for years before moving to the Yanhua Tower in the State of Hanhai as its manager. She had hoped to be close to Feng again, but instead found herself separated from him forever, leaving her heartbroken and despairing. Now, she is searching for Peony while handling Feng's aftermath, observing Yunlan with a calm expression that hides no sorrow, making Lan Jie wonder how Feng could like such an insincere woman.

  Yun Po-po patted Blue Jie's shoulder, not knowing that Blue Jie looked down on her. "Console yourself and take a break. I have a splitting headache, so I'll rest at your Smoke Flower Pavilion."

  Let's not mention the funeral of Blue Sister's culinary brother, Cloud Granny returned to Huahua Pavilion, ordered the maid to bring a basin of clear water, then dismissed everyone and closed the door. Seeing Liu Qingqing still in a coma, she couldn't help but show a sympathetic expression.

  Originally, on that day at the Wealth God Inn, Liu Qingqing used medicinal powder to knock out Feng Yun's two ghosts. She then disguised herself as Cloud Granny and had Cloud Granny disguise herself as her. Taking advantage of the opportunity, she could investigate the situation in the Smoke Flower Building. With a free body, she turned around the building and understood the situation clearly. However, unexpectedly, Peony was so vicious that she actually killed Wind Public. This was beyond expectation.

  The biggest thing in life is birth and death. Feng Gonggong suddenly passed away, and it's reasonable to let Yun Popo see him off. Just now, I saw Yun Popo spitting blood and fainting, feeling the deep love between the couple. Thinking about it, I should also return to my original identity. Firstly, the things that need to be investigated have been clarified, and secondly, Peony is unknown where she is hiding. If she takes me as Yun Popo and makes me a scapegoat, wouldn't it be a loss?

  Yun Po-po, after being splashed with cold water, came to and wailed: "Feng Ge-ge, old ghost, why did you leave?" Tears streaming down her face, her voice was sorrowful. Liu Qing-qing untied the ropes binding Yun Po-po, "Why don't you go see off your husband instead?"

  Yun Popo, having untied the rope with the help of Liu Qingqing, immediately stumbled and ran towards the Peony Pavilion. However, a servant told her that the body had already been taken downstairs and was placed in front of the Pai Lou. She rushed to the Pai Lou and saw people placing branches around Feng Gonggong's body. As it turned out, they were going to cremate him according to the customs of the Hanhai country. Yun Popo sprang into action, pushing through the crowd, embracing Feng Gonggong's body, and breaking through the layers of people, she rushed out of the Smoke Flower Building, heading west.