Volume One, Chapter Twelve: The Secret of the Purple Rose Courtesan

Qin Zheng unconsciously clung to the edge of the bathtub, stretching his neck, his eyes blazing with intense light.

The sound of water splashing in the tub caused Ziwei, the courtesan, to freeze like a startled fawn. She crossed her arms over her chest, caught between surprise and doubt.

The enchanting courtesan paused for a moment; the weariness and sorrow in her expression shifted suddenly to a glimmer of hope, as if she had finally found an anchor.

Then, under Qin Zheng’s burning gaze, she shyly lowered her hands from her chest, clasped them at her waist, and bent her knees slightly, drawing closer.

“Sir, you’re finally awake?”

Ziwei’s cheeks flushed crimson as she hurried to the tub, her expression filled with excitement. “The night watchman, Master Yang, said you’d be unconscious until tomorrow…”

The alluring courtesan draped a sheer veil over herself, biting her lip as she stared at Qin Zheng, as if he were the last hope of the entire village.

Meanwhile, as Qin Zheng sent out his spiritual awareness to sense Ziwei, he finally understood the wonders of this power—a 360-degree, no-blind-spot detection that instantly stirred his blood, flooding his mind with wild thoughts, nearly causing him to lose control of himself.

He hastily withdrew his spiritual gaze, fixing his eyes on the exquisite figure right before him, only to feel dizzy and lightheaded.

The veil was as thin as cicada wings—originally just a decorative touch for her strapless dress—but now, covering Ziwei’s front, it made her curves faintly visible, all the more tempting and alluring.

Damn it, which official could withstand such a test…

Unfortunately, beautiful as she was, she bore the marks of “Mahua,” the cursed form, so he could only look without touching.

Qin Zheng sighed inwardly, relying on his strong sense of righteousness to regain composure. His voice trembled slightly as he asked, “What… are you trying to do?”

“I… I wasn’t trying to do anything,” Ziwei lowered her gaze obediently, her voice laced with sorrow. “Master Yang said that if any of the sisters dared to cry, their heads would be cut off. I accidentally cried just now, so I thought I’d come in quickly to wash up, but I didn’t expect to disturb you.”

Cutting off the heads of anyone who cried?

Qin Zheng was momentarily stunned, suddenly recalling what Yang Fengqing had said earlier: more than a hundred women had been rescued and were now at the Music Bureau, needing comfort and care.

You crude warrior, is that how you comfort people?

Qin Zheng couldn’t help but glance again at the courtesan’s body, trying to soften his tone. “Don’t be afraid, he’s just trying to scare you! Where is he now?”

Ziwei hugged her chest cautiously and replied, “He’s waiting outside for you, saying he wants to see when you’ll wake up.”

Qin Zheng was about to go out and ask Yang Fengqing about the whereabouts of those “Mahua” corpses, which could be fed to his little flames.

But hearing this, he hesitated.

I’m already strange enough, and my little flames even stranger—I absolutely can’t expose anything.

Since Yang Fengqing thinks I should sleep until tomorrow, then I’ll sleep until tomorrow!

Having made up his mind, Qin Zheng looked at the courtesan again and reassured her, “Don’t worry. Put on your clothes quickly and get some rest.”

If you don’t put on your clothes, I just can’t control my eyes…

Ziwei’s fiery figure stood proudly, but her head bowed deeply as she timidly asked, “But what about us? Will we be sent to the Laundry Bureau as slaves?”

Though the Music Bureau was transformed by the Office of Ceremonies into a place of refined entertainment,

The courtesans each had talents and far-reaching reputations, admired by countless fans, like the top celebrities of Daning.

But in the end, they were only the Office of Ceremonies’ cash cows, powerless over their own fates.

Once they stopped bringing in money, they’d be sent to the Laundry Bureau to work as the lowest of slaves.

Qin Zheng was puzzled. “You’re all victims. Didn’t the Office of Ceremonies provide any proper follow-up arrangements?”

Ziwei’s eyes reddened, filled with loneliness and helplessness, pitifully shaking her head. “No.”

She pouted and added, “The sisters in the brothels, the courtesans, and some novice nuns at the nunnery—all are terrified of being sent to the Laundry Bureau as slaves. They’re all waiting for you to wake up and make a decision…”

Qin Zheng’s head ached. The Office of Ceremonies was playing deaf and dumb—this is supposed to be my comfort?

I, Qin Conan, am an investigator, not a comforter!

Moreover, these more than a hundred victimized women were all kidnapped by that vile “Mahua” fiend, involved in a massacre, now homeless.

I have no money, no power, and I’m reluctant to risk my life—what kind of comfort can I offer?

Feeling the small hands gripping his arm, Qin Zheng sensed the courtesan’s taut fear.

He patted the hands gently and looked Ziwei in the eye with kindness. “Rest assured, since I’m now in charge of the Music Bureau, you’re all under my protection. Just rest well—no one will be sent to be slaves!”

Hearing his confident words, Ziwei’s panic slowly faded, and she clenched her fists, nodding firmly.

Taking a deep breath as if making a monumental decision, the enchanting courtesan wiped her tears and sobbed, “Sir, I have an important clue to report about the Music Bureau case!”

Then, before Qin Zheng could react, she lifted her jade-like leg and, with a splash, stepped into the bathtub.

Qin Zheng stared at the delicate figure nearly pressed to his lips, his breath catching. “Don’t do that, it’s too cramped here!”

Miss, with you squirming about like this, I just can’t hold myself back!

Besides, you’re still marked by the “Mahua” form…

Losing all interest in admiring the beauty quietly, Qin Zheng hurriedly grabbed the mosaic covering and stood, spinning around stark naked in search of his clothes, feeling even more embarrassed than the enchanting courtesan.

“Sir, do you despise me now?”

Ziwei’s eyes darkened, her expression instantly desolate. “Yes, I was abducted by that monster—who could truly be indifferent?”

Her head bowed even lower, tears threatening to fall. “The night watchman and the officials from the Court of Justice wouldn’t even drink the tea I served. It’s only natural for you, sir, to dislike me…”

I’m not rejecting you; it’s the “Mahua” mark I despise.

Qin Zheng sympathized with her misfortune but remained serious. “I’m not rejecting you, just saying it’s too cramped. Where are my clothes?”

“Sir, you are the lord of the Music Bureau, our last hope!”

Ziwei curled up, burying her head between her knees. “I was saved this time by a novice nun from the nunnery. The monster didn’t violate me, but I’ve thought a lot about how to make people believe me…”

Her shoulders trembled, her figure forlorn. “I wanted to ask Lord Xie of the Astronomical Observatory to use his qi-seeing technique to prove it, but he’s so distant. I also hoped to ask you… but you avoid me like I’m a snake or scorpion.”

Qin Zheng, still struggling to suppress the evil fire with his righteousness, was stunned.

Could it be that the “Mahua” failed, and Ziwei was truly saved by a little nun?

Otherwise, if she were lying now, the Astronomical Observatory’s qi-seeing technique would easily expose it—what purpose would it serve?

But that little nun was also kidnapped by “Mahua”—how could she save others?

Damn it, this whole case is bizarre, multiple strange little nuns included!

The key is, no one cares about this case—not even dogs—and I, Qin Conan, absolutely must not meddle too much.

Thinking this, Qin Zheng smiled gently, warmth in his expression. “I believe you. Don’t overthink it.”

“Sir, I truly am not lying!”

Suddenly, the enchanting courtesan threw herself into Qin Zheng’s arms, whispering close to his ear, “I found a novice nun—she fears the monster, but the monster fears her even more. When it sees her, it runs away!”

Qin Zheng froze, shocked. A novice nun like me, able to terrify “Mahua”?

Are we alike because of the little flames, or because we crossed worlds?

Ziwei continued, “I followed her until she was exhausted and fell asleep. The monster didn’t dare come near. I was tired too and also fell asleep.”

With great effort, Qin Zheng pushed the courtesan away and looked into her eyes. “I believe you. What does this novice nun look like? Any distinguishing features?”

“If you truly believe me, sir, you wouldn’t act like this!”

Ziwei suddenly pulled away the mosaic covering him, a delicate hand with a coy expression. “I’ve served you so many times—I lost count. Back then, I was already thinking of asking you to help prove my innocence…”

Qin Zheng was caught off guard, stunned for a moment, but his blood soon boiled. Feeling overwhelmed, he snatched back the mosaic and sternly said, “No washing your hair, no changing clothes!”

Miss, your bewitching hands are too much for me to control. The plan you’re thinking of—I don’t have the fortune to endure it…

He hurriedly lowered his head to act like a gentleman, but the sight before him was even harder to resist.

Then he raised his eyes and looked at the enchanting courtesan’s bosom squarely, composed and upright.

Calm down, calm down—I, Qin Conan, am a man of integrity—seeing one mountain as a mountain, two mountains as two mountains.

But Ziwei hooked a finger and sobbed, “Sir, I want to tell you three things: first, I know you’re involved in this case and need to make achievements; second, I hope you’ll take care of that novice nun; third, I want you to help me…”

Qin Zheng jolted, gasping for breath. “Let’s start by proving your innocence first!”