Chapter 69: The Master Must Not Be Drained by That Vixen

“Li Shui Pavilion?”

Xu Mo was somewhat surprised, not expecting Ning Yongqiang to invite him to a brothel.

Ning Yongqiang nodded quickly, urging Xu Mo to get into the carriage once more.

Xu Mo still did not board, saying to Ning Yongqiang, “Young Master Ning, a place like Li Shui Pavilion isn’t quite suitable for me. I think I won’t go, but thank you for the invitation.”

Ning Yongqiang immediately became anxious and said hurriedly, “That won’t do! Master Xu, I’ve already promised someone you’d come—if you don’t, I’ll lose face!”

Xu Mo frowned and asked, “Young Master Ning, who did you promise?”

“Li Changsi, Young Master Li!” Ning Yongqiang replied.

Xu Mo instantly remembered the man; he was the mediator between Ning Yongqiang and Wang Shunyang.

Ning Yongqiang clasped his hands and bowed, “Master Xu, please, just help me this once. We’re only there to drink and chat, nothing else, I beg you…”

“Why can’t you drink and chat anywhere else? Why must it be there?” Xu Mo did not understand.

Ning Yongqiang smiled apologetically, inviting Xu Mo to get in the carriage again.

After a brief hesitation, Xu Mo finally agreed to Ning Yongqiang’s request.

Xu Mo turned to Qin Mute and said, “Mute, stay at home and wait. I’ll be back later… Oh, and have dinner on your own. I’ll give you some money.”

He took out some coins and handed them to Qin Mute.

But Qin Mute shook his head and refused, “Master, I’ll go with you. I must protect your safety!”

Xu Mo frowned, “You’re just a child. What would you do in a place like that?”

“What kind of place?” Qin Mute asked, puzzled.

Ning Yongqiang, seeing that Qin Mute didn’t know what Li Shui Pavilion was, burst out laughing, “Mute, Li Shui Pavilion is the most famous brothel in Xingzhou City. You’ve never heard of it?”

“Brothel!” Qin Mute exclaimed in shock.

Xu Mo said seriously, “Mute, mind the house, don’t run about.”

With that, he stuffed the money into Qin Mute’s hand and boarded the carriage with Ning Yongqiang.

Only after the carriage had gone some distance did Qin Mute come to his senses, a determined expression on his face, “No, I must stop Master. Huihui said all the women in brothels are fox spirits—men can be drained dry if they’re not careful. I can’t let Master be drained by a fox spirit!”

…………………………

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick later, Xu Mo and Ning Yongqiang’s carriage stopped in front of Li Shui Pavilion.

As soon as they got out, Qin Mute ran up from behind.

“Master, you can’t go in! You’ll be drained dry!” Qin Mute blocked Xu Mo immediately.

Xu Mo was baffled, “Mute, how did you follow us? Didn’t I tell you to stay home?”

Qin Mute repeated what Huihui had said about the women in the brothel being fox spirits.

Xu Mo was amused and asked, “Mute, who told you that?”

“Huihui did,” Qin Mute replied.

Xu Mo shook his head with a smile, urging Qin Mute to go home, but Qin Mute stubbornly refused, insisting on following Xu Mo.

Left with no choice, Xu Mo brought Qin Mute into Li Shui Pavilion, warning him to speak less.

Under Ning Yongqiang’s guidance, Xu Mo quickly arrived at a refined room on the second floor of the main hall.

Inside, three men were already seated: one was plump, another somewhat short, and the third had a tall, handsome figure that stood out.

Except for the last, who dressed as a scholar, the other two were in merchant attire.

All three were seated around a round table, laughing and talking.

“Young Master Li!”

“Young Master Zhao!”

“Young Master Wu!”

Upon entering, Ning Yongqiang greeted them courteously.

“Young Master Ning!”

The three stood immediately, returning the greeting.

Then Ning Yongqiang brought Xu Mo to his side, introducing him solemnly, “Let me introduce everyone—this is the Xu Mo I always mention, Master Xu!”

He gestured to the plump man, “Master Xu, this is Young Master Zhao Han.”

Xu Mo smiled and saluted, “Young Master Zhao, a pleasure to meet you.”

Zhao Han saluted back, “I’ve heard of Master Xu’s reputation for a long time. It’s an honor!”

Ning Yongqiang continued, introducing the somewhat short young master, “Master Xu, this is Young Master Wu Boyi.”

“Young Master Wu, a pleasure,” Xu Mo said with a smile and a bow.

Wu Boyi did not speak, only bowing briefly.

Worried Xu Mo might mind, Ning Yongqiang quickly explained, “Master Xu, Young Master Wu is just like this—he’s not much of a talker. Please don’t take offense.”

Xu Mo smiled, indicating it was fine.

Just as Ning Yongqiang was about to introduce the last guest, the man spoke first.

“Master Xu, I am Li Changsi. I’ve often heard Young Master Ning speak of you, and now that I see you, your reputation is well deserved!”

Li Changsi bowed gracefully.

Xu Mo returned the courtesy, “Young Master Li praises me too highly.”

After the introductions, Xu Mo sat at the round table as directed by Ning Yongqiang.

Qin Mute stood quietly a short distance behind Xu Mo.

The table was already laden with dishes of every kind, fragrant and colorful.

Upon closer look, there were even stir-fried dishes, like scrambled eggs with chives and pork with wood ear mushrooms…

Xu Mo wondered silently, coming here to eat scrambled eggs with chives—was this to drive away the courtesans?

Li Changsi said, “Master Xu, Young Master Ning tells us that the reason Zhenmiu Restaurant managed to defeat Fenghua Tavern was entirely due to your efforts!”

Xu Mo replied modestly, “Young Master Li, I only offered a few suggestions. The victory was Young Master Ning’s own work; my contribution was negligible.”

Li Changsi smiled, “Master Xu is too modest. Anyone with eyes can see it—without your advice, Zhenmiu Restaurant would have struggled to turn the tide in this wager. Isn’t that right, Young Master Zhao, Young Master Wu?”

Zhao Han nodded eagerly, “Exactly! Master Xu’s ideas were brilliant, especially the live lottery—what excitement! You know, even my father got a VIP card at Zhenmiu Restaurant and deposited a hundred taels of silver! Ha ha ha…”

He laughed, and the others joined in, except Wu Boyi, who remained stern.

After the laughter faded, Wu Boyi suddenly spoke, “I heard Master Xu is a student of Xingzhou Academy. Coincidentally, a friend of mine also studies there. But strangely, when I mentioned you, he said there was no such person at the academy…”

Xu Mo was stunned: Am I supposed to be a student at Xingzhou Academy? I don’t recall Miao Yi ever mentioning that…

Li Changsi sensed something was off in Wu Boyi’s tone and hurried to say, “Young Master Wu, there are so many at the academy—it’s common not to know each other. Not strange at all, right?”

“Exactly, there are so many students at the academy. Is it possible for everyone to know one another? That makes no sense!” Ning Yongqiang chimed in.

Zhao Han remained silent, his expression somewhat amused.

Wu Boyi nodded and continued, “That’s what I said too. But my friend is quite curious—he went around asking at the academy, and finally learned why…”

Zhao Han, sensing a story, pressed excitedly, “Young Master Wu, what’s the reason? Tell us…”

Wu Boyi’s lips twitched, a smile that was not quite a smile, “My friend said when he entered the academy, Master Xu had just been expelled. One in, one out—and so you missed each other… Isn’t that rather unfortunate?”