Chapter 16 - The Young Duke
Chapter 16 – The Young Duke
Earlier, Lin Xiaofei felt a chill creeping from the ends of her hair in the back of her head. It was the feeling of being watched by a predator who was silently watching its prey as it innocently and unknowingly being stalked on by a voracious beast.
Feeling the danger hanging around her caused Lin Xiaofei to feel uneasiness and looked up.
Her cold and ruthless eyes met an extremely beautiful Phoenix eyes that had a glint of amusement.
Lin Xiaofei frowned.
Since when did this person have been looking at her?
Lin Xiaofei didn't avert her eyes and shamelessly observed the other and was surprised to see the man's extremely handsome face.
She has lived two lifetimes already and has seen men with extremely good looking faces, Yu Fangzhu was one of them. However, the man across her was by far the most good looking man she'd seen and was momentarily surprised.
Anyone would react as Lin Xiaofei would when they see something beautiful or pleasing to the eyes, however, that didn't mean that Lin Xiaofei would be so stupid like she was in the past and only look at the outward appearance of a person.
Besides, Lin Xiaofei had already met that man in her past life. It was the Zheng Empire's Duke Xin, Qu Xing Xu.
In the past, the Zheng empire was the strongest kingdom among the four kingdoms; Zheng, Chu, Great Liang, and Rei. However, the two generations that inherited the golden throne were weak-minded and had no talent in ruling a kingdom, resulting in catching the interest of the other three kingdoms to invade and attack.
Because of the reckless and unruly government that the Zheng empire suffered for two-generation, the commoners were scared to their wits and thought that the empire was finished.
However, it was the old Duke Xin who funded and helped the current emperor to look for talented youth and soldiers and made the young duke fight alongside General Lin.
The young duke, Qu Xing Xu was only fourteen years old at that time and fought rigorously, and survived the battle filled with killing intent and gore.
After the war, the young duke was awarded for his meritorious service with General Lin, he also received the title of Duke Xin from his grandfather who passed away a year after.
After he received the Dukedom from his grandfather, Qu Xing Xu didn't appear much in public and didn't get himself involved with the matters of the imperial court and Royal family. He turned his back seeing that the empire was now peaceful and strong.
In the past, Lin Xiaofei was curious about this Duke that disappeared from the eyes of the public after the war and wanted to ask Yu Fangzhu once but she stopped. Lin Xiaofei couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the evident fear in Yu Fangzhu's eyes and warned her to never ask him of this matter ever again as he angrily left.
But why?
Lin Xiaofei didn't need to be critical. Yu Fangzhu was never afraid of anyone, he was afraid that his dark intentions would be found and ruin his plans, however, this Duke Xin made him quiver like a child in the rain.
Suddenly, Lin Xiaofei had an idea. If Qu Xing Xu was proved to be Yu Fangzhu's enemy, wouldn't keeping her enemy's enemy close would make her plans easier to do?
Lin Xiaofei icily stared back at the man before giving him a casual nod of her head as a greeting and didn't wait for the other to greet back as she turned around and closed the windows.
At this moment, the door to their room opened and the middle-aged woman earlier came in with another woman in tow.
The other woman wore a pale blue dress with a begonia flower stitched at the middle and edges of the skirt. Her hair was flowing behind her back and red rogue was applied to both of her cheeks and lips to look lively.
Compared to Lin Xiaofei's height, the woman was a half foot shorter and thinner. Her skin was the unhealthy kind although, flawlessly white, the skin was slightly sticking to her bones that one would be able to tell, she seldom eats a bountiful feast.
There was also little to no jewelry or ornaments adorning her neck and hair thus, giving a slightly disappointing sight.
When Su Tang saw the number one fairy three years ago, she was extremely shocked at the huge difference of the one in the past. During festivals, servants of every residence were given an allowance to spend and were allowed to go out and sightsee.
And during the Ghost Festival, Su Tang and Bai Lu was able to see a glimpse of this number one fairy three years ago and were in awe. That's why when she laid her eyes on Chu Chu, she raised her hand to stop the gasp from coming out of her mouth.
Lin Xiaofei who was on the side was similar to Su Tang's reaction, she was first surprised at the sudden changes of Chu Chu's appearance, and the next second, her eyes turned cold as she said to the middle-aged woman, "What is the meaning of this? Isn't the Bai Hua Lou a renowned place for entertainment? So, how could one of your products be reduced to this?"
The middle-aged woman bitterly smiled at her and showed a pained expression, "Young Lord mustn't misunderstand. Chu Chu was once our pride and face but recently, Chu Chu didn't have any mood to serve guests and refuses to eat."
"Alright. You can go." Lin Xiaofei didn't want to talk with the middle-aged woman anymore while the other left immediately in the pretense of having more customers to attend to.
Lin Xiaofei observed Chu Chu who remained silent the whole time. Both of her cheeks were slightly sunken and under her eyes were dark circles of lack of sleep. However, Chu Chu's eyes greatly disturbed Lin Xiaofei as it was empty, like a dead fish.
Sighing, she looked at Su Tang and ordered, "Go outside and negotiate with the manager. Tell him, I want to redeem this lady and ask him how much Bai Hua Lou wants."
Su Tang widened her eyes and said, "Young Mi– Young lord plans to redeem this woman?"
Lin Xiaofei frowned at Su Tang's tone when she spoke of Chu Chu as if she was something undesirable but she didn't reproach her since Lin Xiaofei knew that Su Tang's reaction was normal for anyone who disdains Chu Chu's profession.
"Just go."
'And take your time.' Lin Xiaofei didn't utter these words aloud as she watched a reluctant Su Tang leaving the room.
With only the two of them inside, the room was suddenly plunged into an impregnable silence before it was broken as soon as it arrived.
"Chu Chu."