Chapter 32: The Crimson Powder Trap

  What is meant by "teaching", Zǐ's expression has already been quite implicit.

  The willow-lined street in the east of the city is known as the most famous place for fireworks in the capital.

  Chu Youyang changed into a different outfit, not even bringing Qingteng, only bringing Qingluo alone, accompanied by Zeng Guanjia to go out the door, going to Jinshanghua, which has always been known as the first building in Liulin.

  It was just when the lanterns were first lit, and it was the busiest time for each household's building to open its doors to welcome customers.

  Chu Youyang and Qing Lian both dressed as men, choosing clothes with dull colors and textures, and carefully handling their makeup. With their martial arts training, they also avoided the affectations of women in their speech and behavior, making it easy to conceal their identities.

  Zeng Guanjia had reserved a private room on the second floor in an inconspicuous location, which was actually just separated from the rest of the space by a beaded curtain that didn't obstruct the view of the performance or the crowd.

  "The qin player with the green jade on the stage, and that wonderful fairy in the crimson shirt over there, are both our people." Zeng Guan's housekeeper said while keenly observing their surroundings, "Shall I have them come over for the young mistress to examine later?"

  Looking out at the bustling hall outside with its red lanterns and green wine, he said carelessly, "No need to go to so much trouble, it's not like it's a particularly difficult task. I'll just take a look here and pick one casually."

  From a psychological point of view, Zeng Guanjia felt that such a place itself was humiliating to Chu Xiangyang's identity, and even more so did not want her to have any contact with women of that identity, naturally also did not insist.

  Zhongtu had gone out with Guan Jia for a while, and Chu Nanyang didn't ask, but just kept silent and watched the movements of Dian Cui and Miao Xian'er downstairs.

  As soon as the music ended, there were guests shouting for her to go and accompany them for a drink. Two tables of guests quarreled loudly, and in the end, they almost came to blows over who would get to have her by their side.

  "Oh dear, what's going on here? If there's something to say, let's talk it out and not ruin the harmony." The madam hastily came out to mediate, pulling Dian Cui along to apologize.

  Dian Cui's appearance was born very delicate, with a faint melancholy between her eyebrows, and I saw it with pity.

  The old woman pulled her over, and she was also making amends in a way that made her look innocent. She said it was self-reproach, but at the same time, she took out a handkerchief to wipe away tears, and there were no conciliatory words for either side.

  Chu Youyang watched from behind the beaded curtain and couldn't help but laugh: "This Dian Cui young lady is indeed a wonderful person!"

  The words had barely fallen when the two groups of people became more and more fiercely competitive in order to win a smile from the beauty, neither willing to give in.

  "She's a fallen woman, especially one who has been planted here for a specific purpose, encountering such a thing would definitely be to make the best of it and downplay it. This woman is obviously intentionally causing trouble." Qing Luan said displeasedly.

  Zeng Guanjia had just come up from downstairs and saw the chaotic scene below, his eyebrows furrowed. Just as he was about to speak, Chu Jinyang had already spoken decisively: "Dian Cui! It's her!"

  He ended with one stroke of his brush and went downstairs with a flick of his sleeve.

  Qing Luan was extremely surprised, hastily following up, and asked inexplicably, "Master, that woman looks like a restless one. If you use her, I'm afraid she will have extramarital thoughts in the future. On the other hand, Miao Xian'er seems to be more stable and should be loyal and honest."

  "I don't need her to kill people or set fires, what use is her loyalty and bravery?" Chu Jiu Yang shrugged, but didn't think much of it.

  Chu Nanyang chose a few pieces of jade, and Zeng Guanjia also unexpectedly followed up two steps and said, "If the young master is not satisfied, we can go to another house, there are also some in Huan Cui Pavilion across the street..."

  "It's her, this Di Cui is quite good!" Chu Nanyang said, raising his hand to interrupt him, and quickly went downstairs to leave.

  There are many people and prying eyes here, it's not good for the former housekeeper to say more, can only follow him out.

  On the way back in the carriage, Chu Youyang asked Zeng Guanjia, "Usually when people of this kind are employed, how do you handle them?"

  "People are all trained beforehand, nothing special, but when it's time to send them out, they'll be given abortifacient medicine first." said Zeng Guanjia.

  Because Chu Nianyang had not yet come of age, Zeng Guanjia felt somewhat uneasy when he said these things to her and explained, "The young lady knows that people like this are not much different from dark guards or dead soldiers. Once they have children, it becomes a weakness and is difficult to control afterwards."

  Chu Youyang nodded, rubbing the jade pendant at his waist thoughtfully for a moment before saying, "Tell the people below to arrange for this Pointui as soon as possible and send him out when an opportunity arises. As for the Absolute Child Medicine you mentioned, there's no need to administer it."

  "Miss!" Zeng Guanjia exclaimed in surprise, looking at her with a puzzled expression.

  "I've said it before, I let her go, not for the sake of killing and arson. As you just said, once a person has weaknesses, they're hard to control, but at the same time, only those with weaknesses and hopes can stir up their fighting spirit, making the subsequent plot twists even more brilliant." Chu Jiu Yang's eyes gleamed with a knowing smile, "Later, have someone convey my message to her, point out a path for her and then leave her be. Tell her that from now on, no one will restrain her actions, as for how high she can climb, it'll all depend on her own abilities."

  In short, it means removing Dian Cui from their list, and from then on, they will have nothing to do with each other's life or death, wealth or honor.

  When Chu Yi'an trained these people, it was not in the name of the East Palace, and it was done very secretly. Even Zeng Guanjia was led astray by several twists and turns in the dark, so to speak, let alone Di Cui and those lowest-level soldiers. Even the person responsible for training them did not know who the real mastermind behind them was.

  So let's put some jade out there, and Chu Nanyang won't be afraid that she'll turn against him in the future and try to bite off the East Palace's little tail.

  Zeng Guanjia listened to her words and suddenly had an epiphany, his eyes lit up unknowingly, and he smiled in approval, saying, "Yes, I understand!"

  "Hmm!" Chu Yan Yang smiled, "Let's arrange this matter as soon as possible. If we don't hurry up and find them something to do, I'm afraid they'll continue to stir up trouble everywhere."

  The chariots and horses have gone far away.

  At the other end of the street, the lights were dim and faint, casting a reflection on the man's lips, which curled up with interest.

  "Master, the young lady of Junyang won't come here for no reason." Yingzi said, her tone was stern and serious, but her furrowed eyebrows revealed what she was thinking.

  "It seems that Chu Yi'an's favoritism towards her far exceeds the rumors, and this place doesn't even try to hide it. The Prince of Yanling, however, said something completely unrelated, then looked at Yingzi's confusion and continued, "The King of Henan's strategy is not as good as the Crown Prince, but he has a lot of petty cleverness. Although he has won over Empress Luo's favor and gained a significant amount of power in the court, he has a fatal weakness - his love for women! The trap of beauties is the most effective poison, and with Chu Ziyang personally taking action, the effect will be extraordinary. Just watch, it won't take a few days before the backyard of the King of Henan's mansion will have a good show."

  Digression

  Babies, happy Children's Day, happy Dragon Boat Festival, love you ~ O (∩ _ ∩) O ~

  PS: Beautiful woman appears, my Xīn Bǎo is about to start counterattacking, babies don't pretend you can't see (╯□╰)o