There is a god in the sky

Chapter 118 The Strange Case of Fuchunju 16

Shen Lan sat in the sun, propping her head up with her hand.

I just finished breakfast and I'm feeling drowsy right now.

A person behind her draped a cloak over her shoulders. Shen Lan turned around and saw that it was Xuan'er.

"Xuan'er, what brings you here?"

Xuan'er had been staying at Furong Garden, and Xiao Ji was busy with his case, so the young girl couldn't help much even if she came.

Xuan'er squatted down next to Shen Lan and said with a smile, "The adults sent someone to pick me up. They said they wanted me to take care of my sister."

Shen Lan doesn't feel she needs anyone to take care of her.

However, I've been so busy these past few days that I haven't had time to do some of the trivial things.

"Sister looks very tired. Did you not get enough rest?"

"It's nothing, just lack of sleep."

Xiao Ji changed into a black brocade robe and came out, saying to Shen Lan, "You go back and rest first. I need to go out for a while."

Shen Lan stood up and asked, "Aren't we waiting for Young Master Chen to bring that maid over?"

"I just received news that the maid was sold to a brothel, and the madam refuses to release her."

She was sold to a brothel, and who knows how much suffering she has endured in the past six months.

"Well, I'll go check on the situation. Miss Shen doesn't need to go."

After all, it's a brothel, mostly frequented by dissolute men. It wouldn't be good if they offended Shen Lan.

"Lord Xiao, please wait for me a moment." Shen Lan went inside and changed into men's clothing. He also changed his hair into a single bun, wrapped in gray cloth, and looked like a handsome scholar.

Xiao Ji's gaze swept from her head to her feet. He had to admit, she was very good at disguising herself; she even covered her Adam's apple with a high collar.

"Let's go." Xiao Ji led Shen Lan out, while Xuan'er stayed at the government office.

She didn't plan to go with them; she was brought along to take care of Sister Shen's daily life.

"Wan Hua Lou" (Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion). The name sounds rather rustic.

But this brothel was the largest and most luxurious brothel Shen Lan had ever seen.

The girl greeting guests at the entrance had a captivating figure, and her gaze seemed to have a hook.

Xiao Ji was exceptionally noble, and Shen Lan was also elegant and handsome; they were the most beloved guests of the brothel girls.

"Two distinguished guests have come to the Wan Hua Lou in broad daylight, could it be to watch our Miao Niang dance?"

Upon hearing this name, Shen Lan was suddenly startled.

Miao Niang? Lin Miao Niang? Could it be her?

She tugged at Xiao Ji's sleeve and strode into the Wan Hua Lou, where they could hear the cheers of the male patrons from afar.

"Wow! So beautiful! If the appetizers are this gorgeous, how beautiful must the dance queen be!"

"Hahaha! Lady Miao performs a dance once a month, but I come every month. Let me tell you, it's definitely not comparable to these appetizers."

"Madam, hurry up and let Lady Miao come up on stage! We've been waiting for ages!"

"I got up so early today just to see Miao Niangzi. If she doesn't go on stage, I'll give her my money back!"

"Yes! Refund! Refund!"

Xiao Ji went inside and realized why Sui Feng and Chen Shu couldn't get the person, but now, if they put a thousand taels in front of the madam, she wouldn't even blink.

Shen Lan was also shocked by the scene before her.

From the outside, the building looks like it has three floors, but inside it is a spacious stage and a row of audience seats, like a modern 360-degree stage.

Colorful curtains hung from the high roof, and a group of dancers danced gracefully on the stage, moving among the curtains, appearing and disappearing.

It's no wonder men love such a visual feast; even Shen Lan was mesmerized.

Soon, as the dancers left the stage, countless petals suddenly fell from above.

Shen Lan reached out and caught a petal; it felt like a real flower.

They're really willing to spend a lot of money.

"Gentlemen, where are your seats?" a slick-looking waiter asked as he approached.

Shen Lan then remembered that Xiao Ji had paid money before entering the room.

Right now, the area around the stage is packed with people, there are no empty seats at all.

Xiao Ji handed him the sign in his hand. The other man glanced at it, and then his smile became less sincere.

"Numbers 20 and 21, that's on the far left of the door. Please go over there, don't stand here and block other people's view."

The guy finished speaking, then shook his head and left.

Xiao Ji came to investigate the case, not to be a spectator, but Shen Lan stopped him.

"Sir, I'd like to watch for a while."

Xiao Ji then turned and walked back to his seat.

To be honest, this spot is really not good; it's far from the stage, and you can't even see people's faces clearly.

"You like this?" Xiao Ji thought Shen Lan enjoyed watching dancers perform.

Shen Lan doesn't have much artistic talent, but she does have a normal sense of aesthetics.

"very nice."

The dances here are quite different from the light and graceful dances of wealthy families; they have a much stronger sense of atmosphere.

The audience is very good at creating a lively atmosphere.

The cheers and shouts reached their peak when a dancer floated down from a large red curtain.

The dancer wore a pale yellow gauze dress, with no part of her body exposed, and even her face was covered with a veil, yet she still caused a group of men to scream like madwomen.

It's just like the scene of chasing stars in my past life.

"Is that Miao Niang?" Shen Lan asked the audience member sitting on her right.

He was a thin young man, and the infatuation in his eyes was undeniable.

He was dressed in plain clothes, and certainly didn't look like someone who had money to spend here.

"Yes, is this your first time here, young man?"

"Yes, I was passing through Tanzhou and heard of the great name of Lady Miao, so I came here to meet her."

"Then your trip was worthwhile. Lady Miao is undoubtedly the queen of dance. I heard this is her last performance in Tanzhou."

"Why?"

"She's going to Bianjing to participate in the Dance Competition. It's said that the Princess loves watching dances, so she set up a stage in Bianjing where all the dancers in the country can participate. If she wins, she will be able to shed her identity as a performer and rise to prominence!"

Shen Lan listened to his excited words as if he himself were the one who benefited.

She asked curiously, "Are you acquainted with Lady Miao? What is her surname?"

The young man glanced at her, then turned his attention back to the stage.

"You're so boring, don't bother talking to me."

Shen Lan didn't understand why he was angry, but at that moment, the dancer on the stage did a high spin, her skirt swaying like a flower, her figure soft and light, very graceful.

He probably thinks he's too noisy.

Shen Lan's gaze also fell on the dancer.

She still remembered what Lin Miaoniang looked like when she was a child: cute, innocent, and lively. She was also betrothed to her cousin as a child, so they had a very good relationship.

Will they meet here after ten years apart?

Is that the queen dancer on stage who drew cheers from the crowd?

"Great! It's so beautiful!"

"The undisputed queen of dance!"

"On this trip to Bianjing, our Lady Miao will surely win the championship and bring honor to our Tanzhou!"

"I want to prepare ten of the most gorgeous dance costumes for Lady Miao."

"I heard that there is a famous courtesan in Bianjing named Qingman. The Crown Prince of the court presented her with a set of gold-embroidered robes, which are absolutely gorgeous!"

"What's so special about that? Our Prince Zheng also gifted Miao Niang a stunning dress adorned with seven-colored gemstones. She'll definitely be able to show off her skills!"

Shen Lan had been immersed in the corpses and mysteries these past few days, but now, influenced by the atmosphere around her, she felt relaxed and joined in the applause.