She asked the innkeeper, and learned that apart from the waiter, no one had entered that room last night.
Wei Shuxuan stepped out of the tavern, with Xin Zizhao following silently behind her.
Snow began to flutter down from the sky again. Wei Shuxuan reached out to catch some. She could hardly believe that she, who had been living in midsummer not long ago, had suddenly landed in the depth of winter.
Putting aside her melancholy thoughts, Wei Shuxuan turned to look at Xin Zizhao, took a deep breath and said, "What do you say? Wanna go to the brothel and check it out?"
"Let's get it over with quickly," Xin Zizhao said, looking at the bright white snow on the ground.
Great, they were on the same page!
It was already past the hour of Xu. There were few people on the road. Only a few scattered strong men were still hurrying home, carrying farm tools or burdens on their shoulders.
Wei Shuxuan asked for the location of the brothel and, after making a series of turns with Xin Zizhao, finally found the place. While everywhere else had gone dark and quiet, only this place remained brightly lit.
Two strings of red lanterns hung in front of the vermilion door, as if a wedding was being held. Two brightly dressed women were lazily leaning against the door. Their faces were caked with heavy makeup, making it hard to tell what they really looked like.
When they saw the two of them, their expressions suddenly perked up. They swayed their bodies and came forward with coquettish smiles.
"Why did you two gentlemen come so late?"
Wei Shuxuan didn't say a word and followed them inside. Xin Zizhao frowned slightly and forcefully pulled his sleeve out of the woman's grasp. The woman's face froze for a moment, but the look disappeared in an instant, and then she was about to pounce on him again.
Xin Zizhao dodged to Wei Shuxuan's side, avoiding the woman's entanglement.
Wei Shuxuan glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and let out an amused laugh. "You're such a fool. How could you waste such beautiful scenery?"
The woman holding Wei Shuxuan tittered. "This gentleman really knows how to appreciate things."
Xin Zizhao looked at the big red mouth on the powder - covered face and couldn't see any beauty at all.
Wei Shuxuan curled her lips and played the role of a seasoned flirt. She reached out and stroked the woman's slender waist. "My beauty, don't mind him. He's just a dullard who doesn't understand romance!"
"Then I'll serve you, sir. You must treat me well~" The woman smiled coquettishly and leaned into Wei Shuxuan's arms.
Wei Shuxuan quietly dodged the woman's kiss and casually asked, "Who's in charge here?"
Hearing this, the woman stopped what she was doing, sized up Wei Shuxuan and said, "You two gentlemen look like strangers. Are you from out of town? The person in charge here is Mama Zhang, but she's not here today."
They didn't know that Mama Zhang was already dead. Wei Shuxuan didn't plan to tell them for the time being. She still had many things to ask. Telling them now would surely cause a panic. If the murderer was here, they might easily escape in the chaos.
It seemed that, just as the innkeeper had said, the identity of the deceased matched. Wei Shuxuan showed a frivolous smile on her face. "Then I don't know who to give this silver to..."
The woman reached out to take it, but Wei Shuxuan dodged. The woman let out a feigned angry whine. "Sir, you're so naughty!"
Wei Shuxuan's eyes twinkled and she continued, "Since Mama Zhang isn't here, who's in charge now?"
"It's Sister Ying'er. She's been here the longest. Mama Zhang liked her the most. She usually helps Mama Zhang manage things here," the woman said as she led them inside.
"But Sister Ying'er is also the top courtesan here. Many guests come just for her. Sir, you won't abandon me once you see Sister Ying'er, will you?" There was a half - genuine, half - fake hint of jealousy in the woman's voice as she pouted.
"Of course not," Wei Shuxuan said with a charming smile. To her, even a beauty as heavenly as a fairy was no different. After all, she had the same attributes as them.
"Sister Ying'er, there are guests looking for you!" the woman called out in a coquettish voice.
A woman on the second floor turned around. The thick curtain only allowed Wei Shuxuan to see a slender and graceful figure. In a moment, the woman came downstairs.
The woman named Ying'er stopped in front of them. She was wearing a silk blue dress. There was a bright peony painted on her chest. Her eyes were long and amorous, and her lips were as red as cinnabar. She gave them a sidelong glance with her charming eyes and said, "Oh! You two look so unfamiliar. Is this your first time here?"
Wei Shuxuan looked at her with a smile, but was actually thinking about this woman's status in the brothel.
Seeing that they didn't say a word, Ying'er thought they were experienced customers. So she continued enthusiastically, "It doesn't matter if it's your first time. There are plenty of beautiful girls in our brothel. Just tell me which one you gentlemen fancy. I'll arrange it for you. I guarantee you'll be well - served."
Hearing this, Wei Shuxuan put her arm around the girl beside her. "This girl is quite nice. I like her very much."
"However..." She paused, her gaze resting on Ying'er. She tilted her chin slightly and there was a teasing smile in her eyes. "My friend here doesn't seem very satisfied. He has always been very picky. Maybe only a beauty as stunning as you can arouse his interest."
Ying'er was a bit stunned. She didn't expect them to be targeting her. But then she smiled and said, "Sir, it's rather unfortunate. I've already promised another guest today. How about I accompany your friend for a drink some other day..."