Emperor's Cunning Wife

"Eh.." The man who was shocked from looking at Feng Hong's back shook off the courtesan on his arm.

"What's wrong?" The courtesan asked and seated a few steps away from him.

"Look at that young man's b.u.t.t." The man replied never taking his eyes off Feng Hong.

The courtesan followed his words and also looked. Disbelief was immediately written all over her expression. She placed a hand over her mouth.

Feng Hong continued to walk until he could feel some stared directed at him. He tried to ignore them but as the seconds passed the intensity of their stares grew. When he was only a meter away from the man Zhaopin Zhe wanted to target, he paused for a second and spun his sight only to find that all pairs of eyes in the first floor were giving him odd looks. He also spotted Zhaopin Zhe, however that woman was only gesturing him with her mouth to continue. He alternated his sight between the people and her after feeling the change in the atmosphere.

"Hey young m….I mean fellow….What are you doing in this…Cough…establishment?" The neighbouring table's customer had stood up and half of the people in the floor perked their ears waiting for Feng Hong to reply.

Feng Hong looked at him for a moment before glancing at the front thinking that he was talking to someone else.

But the moment he made that decision, the man he had his eyes on along with the courtesan talking to him long ago have also stared at him now. He stiffened immediately and the paper in his sleeve became hot.

The man covered his smiling mouth behind the fan watching him with interest.

Meanwhile Ning Lou observed the kitchen's door at the corner of her eyes. When Feng Hong and her separated, she went to listen to the group of men playing musical instruments besides the small platform where courtesans at night would display their enticing dances and heavenly voices. She waited until a familiar kitchen staff with his lowered head brought out a tray filled with a pot of newly steeped tea.

On the closer look, one could see the veins on his hand were taut as a sign of discomfort despite the pot of tea being not heavy at all. On the side of his face there were some trickles of sweat, another sign of distress.

"Why are you blocking my view?" Ning Lou asked and patted his arm.

"Eh?" The waiter removed his eyes from the scene at turned to Ning Lou.

"Step aside." Ning Lou ordered and gestured him to step back.

"Oh..." The waiter followed her words and left her side to deliver the tea to the man at the appointed time.

Ning Lou watched his back and hid her smirk. Come to think of it, what brothel would I owe the chance to listen opera music tonight? I'm quite excited just thinking about it. She rubbed her hands and decided to spare Feng Hong from the humiliation. After today, Mother Shen will probably let him stay.

Putting on the expression of concerned elder sister, she quickly went to his side under the watchful eyes of every people in the first floor.

"Hong'er, come with me." Ning Lou took his hand and tugged him.

Feng Hong raised his eyebrows at her. "Who are you calling Hong'er?" He asked in a low voice.

"You don't need to hide it anymore. I know already…" NIng Lou sniffled and squeezed out a tear from her eye.

"What are you acting for?" Feng Hong shook her hand that was gripping him with anger. He was infuriated by how she addressed him because it sounded like a girl. "Quit calling me Hong'er."

"My Hong'er, I'm sorry for not being able to protect your identity." Ning Lou raised her voice so that the surrounding people can hear.

"What are you saying?" Feng Hong was speechless at her words. He doesn't have a clue as to what she was saying. "I still haven't delivered it to him." He said through the gaps of his gritting teeth. Inside his mind, he had an urge to ignore her.

"Jiejie apologize for my incapability." Ning Lou suddenly hugged him causing Feng Hong to be shocked.

The onlookers and even the man who had asked Feng Hong out of awkwardness got a grip of the situation and returned to his seat.

"So that's how it is. A young female in her youth decided to disguise as a man to protect herself. How sad…" The man poured some win e into his cup and recalled his daughters at home. He clicked his tongue.

Feng Hong wanted to push her away but the sight of people throwing him expressions of concern, realization, pity and something else made him stopped and asked Ning Lou. "Why are they looking at us strangely?"

"Hong'er, I know, I know, Jiejie will do everything to protect you from now on." Ning Lou leaned in near his ears and whispered something only both of them could hear.

The note on his sleeves dropped on the ground. He immediately pushed her away and grabbed the hem of his robe just to confirm what she said.

'Your b.u.t.t is stained with blood.'

"It's okay…Everyone understands, right?" Ning Lou wiped her tear-stricken face and roamed her eyes on the courtesans sharing the same sentiments.

"Hong'er, don't worry…"

"Xiaohua…"

"What a sad story.."

"She's too pitiful.."

The courtesans wiped their tears with their handkerchiefs.

"Hong'er, see it's okay now." Ning Lou pacified him.

But Feng Hong wasn't even moved by her words. He wanted to strangle her because he got a gist that it was all premeditated by this deceiving two-faced.