Chapter 478 - Free From This Life?
Xiao Zhan put the makeup on Sheng Li's face. In the beard and mustache, it was impossible to recognize him. "Lili, you shall return to the Palace," suddenly Sheng Li said.
"What? Why?" Ying Lili confusedly asked him.
"You shall not come with me. It is not a good place to go. Xiao, take her back to the Palace," Sheng Li gave him the command.
"But you needed a woman to complete the task. I should accompany you," Ying Lili affirmed.
"Lili, I will do that work too. Go back to the Palace. I will not take you with me," Sheng Li simply stated. Ying Lili did not argue with him and left with Xiao Zhan for the Palace.
Sheng Li reminisced about the court day where the Court Ministers were dragging Ying Lili's name in the middle. If by any chance, someone recognizes Ying Lili, then it could create problems for her. So, at the last moment, Sheng Li decided not to take Ying Lili with him.
He put the dagger inside the sash and walked out of the perfume shop from the backdoor. Commander Yang bowed his head and asked the Crown Prince to be careful. "Hmm." Because of the crowd in the market, it took Sheng Li an hour to reach the Courtesan's house.
He found how the men had flocked around the house. But, it was not of his prime concern. He was there to look for Xi Feng and his allies. As he walked in, two guards stopped him and asked for his identity. Sheng Li showed them his identity card.
"Are you a merchant from the North?" One of them asked as he read his name- 'Hao Hushu.'
Sheng Li nodded his head. The guard handed Sheng Li the identity card, letting him inside. Sheng Li looked around and heaved a sigh for not bringing Ying Lili with him. He walked ahead and looked for the most famous courtesan in the house. He saw a few men who were conversing with each other. Going closer to them, Sheng Li tried to hear their conversation.
"Lady Ki is not available easily. Become a Court Minister first, and then you will get a night to spend with her," one of them told his friend, who was dressed in maroon robes. He had a cup full of wine in his hand.
"May I know where Lady Ki resides in the house?" Sheng Li asked. They all turned their gazes to him when the man in maroon robes came towards Sheng Li.
"Why do you ask? You seem a new one to this place," the man skeptically said.
"Ahh, yes. I am new to this place," Sheng Li answered. "I heard that she is the most demanded Courtesan of this Place," Sheng Li affirmed.
"You are right, Brother," another man in white robes said. "See that long line to just get a glance of Lady Ki. But if you are a Court Minister, then you can have a direct appointment with her," replied the man.
Sheng Li smiled. "I guess, it is going to be tough for us then," Sheng Li stated. "Thank you, Brother, for answering me. You shall enjoy your time," he added and walked away. Sheng Li chuckled, seeing the long line, and put his hands on his waist. 'I have to meet her anyhow. Only she can help me,' Sheng Li thought in his mind when two courtesans dressed in red robes came in front of him.
One of them extended her hand out to touch Sheng Li's arm when he stepped back. "Please refrain from touching me," Sheng Li hoarsely said.
"It is not possible in this Courtesans house, Young Master. Once you step inside, it is our duty to serve every man," the other stated.
Sheng Li pointed his finger towards the line of people and said, "You two shall entertain them." His voice was firm, enough to show them that he did not like their presence.
They two walked away as they felt insulted. Sheng Li walked inside the house and went through the hallways, searching for Lady Ki. The sight was not pleasant when his eyes fell on Wang Hao. Sheng Li stepped ahead and soon reached the isolated part of the house. He saw a courtesan, bowing before him. 'What is this?' Sheng Li saw a different kind of gaze in the eyes of Wang Hao. He hid behind the pillar and overheard their conversation.
"I can ask his majesty to let you go from this place," Wang Hao told the lady.
"This place is my home, General Wang. Thank you for thinking about me," the lady replied to him.
"Let me do this for you. The Emperor will acknowledge my request," Wang Hao told her with assurance.
"I do not want fingers to be raised on General Wang. I am happy here," the lady was not ready to leave the house.
"Forgive me. I got busy with a lot of work and was not able to come to see you," Wang Hao sincerely apologized to her.
"General Wang, please do not apologize. I am overwhelmed that you thought of me else except some perverts no one even remembers this courtesan." The lady expressed her gratitude towards Wang Hao.
"I shall leave. I have one customer to entertain today. Please do not ever visit the house, General Wang." It was clear that she made a request from him. There was a strange tension between the two and for Sheng Li, it was not understandable. Soon, she left the sight of Wang Hao, who had clenched his fists. Sheng Li went towards him and took him away.
"Your Highness, what are you doing here?" Wang Hao was shocked to see Sheng Li in disguise. Sheng Li hushed him and looked around.
"I told you to take a rest. Then-"
"I had some work." Wang Hao did not tell Sheng Li neither he asked.
"Do you know about Lady Ki?" Sheng Li asked him. "I am on a mission," he added. "You were recovering from injuries, so I did not trouble you. But it seems your help is needed in every mission," Sheng Li said in a low voice.
Wang Hao was relieved that Sheng Li did not hear his conversation. "She is busy with the Court Ministers," replied Wang Hao. "Don't worry. I will bring her here. Please wait for me." Wang Hao walked away.
Wang Hao reached the chamber of Lady Ki, who was almost leaving. She bowed upon seeing him. "General Wang, it's rare to see you here," stated Lady Ki and lifted her head.
"Are you alone?" Wang Hao asked in a low voice and looked around.
"No one is allowed here, General Wang," Lady Ki informed him. Wang Hao hummed and got closer to her. He whispered about the presence of the Crown Prince in the house and asked her to follow him. Lady Ki was astonished that the Crown Prince wanted to see her.
Wang Hao took Lady Ki with him. They reached the backside of the house. "Lady Ki is here," Wang Hao informed Sheng Li, who turned to her. Lady Ki could not recognize Sheng Li but bowed before him. "It is my pleasure to see the Crown Prince," Lady Ki stated and lifted her head. "It is unbelievable to me that the Crown Prince needs me," she added, keeping the tiny smile on her face.
"You are also a citizen of Han, so indeed I need you," Sheng Li asserted.
"Let's not waste our time. Which Ministers will you serve today?" Sheng Li asked. Lady Ki stepped ahead when Wang Hao stopped her from getting close to Sheng Li.
"I think the Crown Prince already knows that's why he has come here in this disguise," Lady Ki stated. "Forgive me, but why does the Crown Prince trust me? I am asking beforehand so that no confusion will remain," she affirmed.
"Don't you want to get free from this life? And only I can do that," Sheng Li replied. Lady Ki hummed.
"I heard the Crown Prince doesn't look at any other woman except the Crown Princess. But it seems otherwise to me," Lady Ki asserted. Sheng Li chuckled and stepped forward. He extended his hand out and handed her a tiny porcelain bottle. Lady Ki confusedly looked at the Crown Prince.
"Mix it in the drinks of the Ministers whom you are going to entertain today," Sheng Li ordered Lady Ki.