Chapter 98: The Main Event Lies Ahead

After the performance concluded, Yan Ruyu ceased dancing and stood in the center of the platform, her cheeks flushed, chest rising and falling gently. Tiny beads of sweat glistened on the tip of her nose, sparkling under the light. She offered a humble bow to the audience and said modestly, “This young lady’s dance is not good; I ask for your indulgence.”

The audience, still caught in the enchantment of her graceful movements and soothing voice, remained silent, lost in reverie and momentarily forgetting to applaud.

“Bravo!” the sword-bearing man threw down a silver ingot loudly, calling out.

“Well done!”

“Wonderful!”

Only then did the crowd come to their senses, erupting into thunderous applause that rolled like waves and lasted long.

Dou Jiande seemed to have forgotten his rivalry with the sword-bearing man. He knelt by the table, unmoving for a long moment.

Li Dong, curious, turned to look. He saw Dou Jiande’s mouth slightly open, his expression dazed, eyes following Yan Ruyu’s every move on stage. His gaze was complex—appreciative, admiring, astonished, and greedy, with a burning desire to possess Yan Ruyu no matter the cost.

Only when Yan Ruyu thanked the sword-bearing man on stage did Dou Jiande snap back to reality, exclaiming, “Excellent! Wonderful!”

At that moment, the audience began wildly tossing coins onto the stage. Suddenly, Dou Jiande shouted out, startling everyone. “What’s this? A bit late, aren’t you?”

Rising from his seat, Dou Jiande threw down a ten-tael silver ingot and smiled, “Lady Ruyu is not only beautiful, but her dancing is even more exquisite. Her steps made me forget this is the Yan Chun Pavilion. Such ethereal grace belongs to a celestial maiden. For this dance alone, she deserves ten taels!”

People, whether men, women, young or old, all delight in praise and admiration. No one wishes to be scolded or rebuked daily—unless their mind is severely distorted, estranged from normal life.

Yan Ruyu’s smile blossomed like a radiant flower at Dou Jiande’s praise, happier even than with the ten-tael reward, far more effective than the sword-bearing man’s simple “well done.”

What is a kindred spirit? With just this one sentence, Yan Ruyu felt that this man before her was no ordinary person, unlike the others who only sought to use her for their own relief. He understood music, recognized her worth, and knew she was not a mere courtesan but someone with effort and aspirations.

After all these years, could it be that today she had finally met someone who truly appreciated her? And he was so generous with his reward.

Yan Ruyu’s eyes fixed unblinkingly on Dou Jiande, her gaze steady and entranced. She stood silently, forgetting all manners, even offering him a respectful bow.

Li Dong, closest to Dou Jiande, carefully observed the subtle expressions on both their faces. As one with experience, he instantly sensed a budding affection and mutual admiration between them.

Dou Jiande was not the lustful rogue of legend but a man who knew how to appreciate and discern talent. Of course, it was possible he also wished to possess Yan Ruyu’s body—what man wouldn’t desire such a talented and exquisite woman without contest?

Their eyes met and clung to each other like glue, igniting jealousy in the sword-bearing man beside them.

He strode over, blocking Dou Jiande and Yan Ruyu, shouting, “I was the first to offer the money! Lady Yan Ruyu belongs to me today! No one else may take her away!”

He was shameless beyond measure. Before entering the hall, the madam had made it clear: whoever makes Yan Ruyu happy is the one she belongs to.

Li Dong suspected that Dou Jiande would lose his temper. There had been hostility between him and the sword-bearing man from the start. Now, with feelings growing between Dou Jiande and Yan Ruyu, he would never stand by while she was taken away.

Sure enough, Dou Jiande leapt forward, ready to clash with the sword-bearing man.

Li Dong, nearest to him, quickly stepped between them, pulling Dou Jiande back, urging, “Brother Dou, don’t act rashly. Listen to your junior’s advice—find out the facts before doing anything.” So far, he didn’t know if the sword-bearing man was foe or friend, or someone not to be provoked. So he held Dou Jiande back.

At that moment, Liu Heita jumped in, face flushed with anger, barking, “What? You dare to snatch her? Take a look at yourself—you aren’t even worthy to tie Lady Yan Ruyu’s shoes!”

Li Dong, Dou Jiande, and Liu Heita crowded near the sword-bearing man. Qin Qiong and Luo Shixin, unable to sit idly by, also joined them.

“What? You think you can intimidate me with numbers? Don’t think I’m scared of you!” the sword-bearing man roared. “Attack!”

At his command, the men behind him drew their weapons, preparing to fight Li Dong and his group.

Yan Ruyu, never having faced such a scene, was pale with fright. She stumbled backward, pleading, “Please don’t fight—for my sake, don’t start a brawl.”

The onlookers at the foot of the stage sensed danger and quickly retreated, standing far to the side and watching.

The hall descended into chaos, tempers flaring, swords drawn, on the verge of a violent clash.

“Stop!” Suddenly, a voice thundered from behind them, deep as rolling thunder, halting everyone’s movements. All turned to look.

A squad of government soldiers burst through the hall’s entrance, brandishing long, sharp weapons—knives, spears, swords, and halberds—surrounding the two groups. Yan Ruyu on the stage was swept into the circle as well.

The captain stepped forward, clad in bronze helmet and armor, hand resting on his sheathed sword, eyes fierce with authority: “In broad daylight, quarreling and fighting over a courtesan, and still intending to draw swords—where is the law?”

At the sight of him, Li Dong relaxed immediately. No one could continue fighting now, resolving the tense standoff. Alone, he might only have held them off briefly, but here, no one dared to defy the law.

Who was this man?

Fei Qingnu, General of the Left Wing Guard, Chief Commander of the Pingyang Marching Troops, deputy aide to General Lai Huer.

Li Dong and his group had arrived first at the Yan Chun Pavilion, followed by the sword-bearing man. Later, a group of high-ranking officials arrived quietly and took a private room to drink and enjoy themselves, requesting Yan Ruyu’s company. This group included General Lai Huer and Qi Prefecture’s Governor Ye Jishan.

Lai Huer was recruiting soldiers in Qi Prefecture, preparing to march to Liaodong. He first sought Zhang Xutuo, then Ye Jishan. Ye was less upright than Zhang, so Lai Huer came here for pleasure.

As a deputy general, Fei Qingnu could only wait outside with his soldiers until Lai Huer had his fill of drink and amusement, then escort him safely back.

The uproar within the pavilion was like boiling water, emotions running high, threatening to erupt into violence. Worried for Lai Huer’s safety, Fei Qingnu burst in and, seeing Li Dong’s group and the hostile others about to fight, coldly commanded:

“Seize them all! No one is to leave the Yan Chun Pavilion!”

“Yes, sir!” a soldier responded, leading dozens of government troops forward to begin detaining people.

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