Emperor's Cunning Wife

Feng Hong opened his mouth wanting to shout at her but Ning Lou had guessed his intentions and went to cover his mouth with her hand. "Let's get you change first."

Feng Hong wanted to retaliate but Ning Lou effortlessly dragged him towards the stairs. While on the way, Ning kept saying 'don't worry' and 'it's okay' as if she was really thinking for his sake.

Feng Hong watched the courtesans waved their handkerchiefs at him with teary visages. He felt deeply misunderstood, he wanted to explained but Zhaopin Zhe didn't seem to give him any opportunity.

"I'll explain to you at the room." Ning Lou spoke while dragging him to the second floor. In the midst of it, Mother Shen stopped them on the corner. Her eyes visibly gave Feng Hong some piercing inspection.

"So he was a girl all along?" Mother Shen asked clearly she had witnessed the commotion below. Although she had some doubts deep within tha one charade wouldn't be able to convince her.

"Mother Shen could you give us some time alone? My cousin is clearly embarrassed. She doesn't even know that it's her first menstruation." Ning Lou furrowed her brows and found some excuse to send the hot potato in the form of Mother Shen. Anyway, after tonight she probably will be too busy thinking of ways to save this establishments and eventually keep Feng Hong's matter at the back of her head.

Feng Hong the one who was referred as not having known of his first menstruation stared at the shameless mouth of Zhaopin Zhe wanting to tear it apart. He raised his hands and tried to scratch at her but Ning Lou wasn't perturbed at even smiled at his antics. Then it dawned on him that only girls would use their nails to fight. "Mmmpphh…" He wanted to talk but Ning Lou wasn't going to make him ruin the opportunity she made.

"Why doesn't he have any piercings?" Mother Shen asked after her eyes roamed on his tanned ears devoid of any holes or scars. His throat was covered by Ning Lou, so Mother Shen didn't manage to spot the developing adam's apple.

"Mother Shen, her family didn't have any money to buy her accessories. So her mother never bothered to pierce a hole and it just so happens that working while dressed as a boy will bring her convenience." Ning Lou explained and tightened her hold on his mouth. After discovering her newfound strength, lifting heavy things or running a l.a.p around the brothel didn't sweat her one bit. She was initially quite concerned with this body but after the changes, she had finally something to be happy about.

Mother Shen slowly nodded at her and kept inspecting him from head to toe.

Ning Lou didn't like this side of Mother Shen for being too meticulous. She looked at Feng Hong and her lips tugged downwards. Her eyes flashed a silent 'sorry' before pinching Feng Hong's abdomen with force.

Feng Hong felt a wrenching pain on his belly and released a muffled groan "Ow….Ouch.."

"Mother Shen, we will have to go now. My cousin's stomach can't hold much longer. You know that the first menstruation is usually the most painful." Ning Lou said and dragged the pitiful Feng Hong to the stairs. Ning Lou didn't want to stay outside for too long and went to climb the stairs until she reached their room just below the floor where Brother Long was recuperating.

She opened the door and quickly pushed Feng Hong inside before closing it.

Feng Hong rubbed the area that was currently hurting and glared at her. "What was that? What happened to delivering the note without letting anyone find out? And why didn't you explain that I was a guy!"

Ning Lou pasted her ears on the paper screen and put a finger on her lips to silence him.

Feng Hong closed his mouth angrily.

Ning Lou didn't hear any footsteps or breaths in the area and sighed with relief.

She went to the chair on the table and rested on it. While looking at him she explained. "It's a success."

"Huh?" Feng Hong didn't understand what she said.

"I've delivered the note." Ning Lou continued and tapped her fingers on the table.

"What? Didn't you stuff the note on me?" This was so confusing!

"I gave you a fake note. The one on me was authentic." Ning Lou further added.

"Hold on, you ordered me to get near to that guy but the note on me was fake? Why did you send me on the first floor then?" Feng Hong held his head and pressed his temples.

"I needed someone as a diversion." Ning Lou replied.

"A diversion for what? Wait, I didn't even see you get near him, how did you deliver the note anyway? and what's this on my butt?!" Feng Hong fumed at the end for recalling what happened earlier. His face was slowly turning into a cooked shrimp. That was probably the most embarrassing thing that had ever happened to him and it was not even his doing!

"It's just a small sacrifice. We're not staying here anyway. I'm just trying to seek some refuge before acc.u.mulating enough connections and funds." Ning Lou placed her legs on top of the table and crossed her arms.

Feng Hong averted his eyes from her legs before inquiring her again. "A small sacrifice? Those people down there will think of me as a girl from now on! How am I going to show my face in the future?"

"Aiya, I assure you that no one will talk about it. I'll warn them to keep silent about the matter. If anyone tries to spread rumours about you, I'll beat them up okay? You can keep quiet now right? You still have a big day tomorrow!" Ning Lou smiled at him.

Feng Hong's anger had reduced a bit with her words but once he heard that familiar words at the end of her speech again, he gritted his teeth and spat. "I'm never going to do your biddings again!"

"What are you getting angry for?" Did I do something wrong again? I was referring to reconstructing the brothel.

Feng Hong didn't reply at her and went to the designated corner Ning Lou had divided for him.

Meanwhile, the guard that was keeping an eye on Ning Lou brought the note Feng Hong dropped to his Master Long.

Long opened it and carefully read the note. After a while he turned it upside down and turned it back again. Blinking he asked the guard. "Why are giving me a confession letter?"

"Eh?" The guard took the note from his Master and also read it a while before crumpling it and throwing it on one corner.

He thought that those two were up something but it seemed that he was thinking too much.