Master Mu's public questioning made things a bit complicated.
"Five hundred taels of silver? Is that how you reward someone? Are you an accomplice of this establishment or are you here to cause trouble?!"
Inside the private room, Chen Ping'an's expression was indifferent.
"This Young Master can add as much as he wants! In this backwater, a mere thousand taels of silver causes such a fuss! You're quite old, yet you still frequent brothels; aren't you afraid you'll lack the strength to leave?"
"You!"
Master Mu was so angered by Chen Ping'an that his beard nearly stood on end.
"'You' what 'you'! How dare you slander this Young Master! Do you know who this Young Master is? Dare to speak another word, and I'll directly have the Zhenfu Division arrest you and throw you into prison!"
Master Mu was so enraged by Chen Ping'an's words that he laughed.
"Have the Zhenfu Division arrest me? You, of all people! What are you pretending to be! Where did this bastard kid come from! Who do you think you are?!"
Originally, he thought the other party was some Family's Young Master, but now Master Mu had completely abandoned that idea. Who talks like that?
He neither stole nor robbed; why would he be arrested by the Zhenfu Division and thrown into prison?
"Not afraid? Good! Good! Good!"
Chen Ping'an repeated "good" three times, then turned to look at the attendant in the private room, taking off the jade pendant from his waist.
"Take this jade pendant outside the establishment. My attendants are there; give it directly to them."
Looking at the jade pendant, the attendant hesitated slightly.
"Take it! This Young Master will reward you handsomely!"
Handing the jade pendant to the Spring Rain Pavilion's attendant, Chen Ping'an said to Master Mu.
"Old man, you just wait here. See if this Young Master can summon the Zhenfu Division's people!"
"Alright, I'll wait!"
Master Mu slapped the windowsill, responding loudly.
He really didn't believe it.
What did he think the Zhenfu Division was?! That he could just order them around? Even a Family scion wouldn't dare to make such a boast.
"Madam, quickly bring all three girls up for this Young Master. Don't worry! Your rewards won't be lacking! This Young Master is never short of silver."
Yes, empty words, with no need to fulfill them, Chen Ping'an was naturally never short of silver.
The madam, Ru Chun, hesitated for a moment, glanced around, and finally agreed.
"Girls, upstairs."
Watching the girls prepare to go upstairs, a smile appeared on Chen Ping'an's lips.
He had originally intended to find an excuse to cause trouble, but he hadn't expected someone to cooperate so perfectly, making things so smooth for him.
The jade pendant on his waist was given by the Zhenfu Division and served as a token of agreement. Outside the Spring Rain Pavilion, two astute Yamen Runners were waiting; as soon as the attendant delivered the jade pendant, the Yamen Runners, already fully prepared inside the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, would set out to surround the Spring Rain Pavilion.
His instructing the Spring Rain Pavilion's staff to deliver the jade pendant was also to lower their guard.
Even if they later discovered the Zhenfu Division's encirclement, their vigilance would be greatly reduced, and they wouldn't harbor much suspicion.
He was turning an operation to encircle and annihilate a Ten Thousand Demons Sect stronghold into a scene where he, a richly dressed Young Master, was squabbling over a woman, with the Zhenfu Division supporting him by surrounding the place.
Additionally, Chen Ping'an's sudden call to the madam was also to distract her, making her focus on him, thus ensuring things proceeded more smoothly.
Inside the private room, Chen Ping'an's sudden, arrogant reaction left Shaoyao somewhat at a loss.
She was a courtesan in the establishment, and in a sense, she lacked experience.
Fortunately, the madam, Ru Chun, brought several girls up, which eased the atmosphere somewhat.
"Chen Gongzi."
The madam, Ru Chun, led the bow. Behind her, the three girls, Yulan, Mudan, and Mengdie, all curtsied.
"Greetings, Chen Gongzi."
"All of you, rise."
Chen Ping'an reclined on the large chair, watching the girls with interest.
"Come, come over, and drink a few cups with this Young Master."
"Yes, Young Master."
The three girls, smiling sweetly, stepped forward and walked to Chen Ping'an's side.
"Come, Young Master, drink."
"Hahaha, you pour the wine for this Young Master."
The madam, Ru Chun, scrutinized Chen Ping'an, guessing which Family's Young Master he might be.
Initially, she had some doubts whether this young Young Master was here to cause trouble. But seeing his aristocratic bearing now, she retracted such conjectures.
"He must just be a Young Master from some prominent Family who ran out to seek pleasure. Why should I be suspicious?"
Watching the richly dressed Young Master mingling happily with the girls, the madam, Ru Chun, felt her heart slightly relax.
"Young Master, the jade pendant has been sent out."
The Spring Rain Pavilion's attendant walked in from outside the private room.
"Hmm, good! Well done! You'll be rewarded later!"
Chen Ping'an, who was happily playing with the girls, spared a glance for the attendant.
"That Master Mu truly doesn't know what's good for him!"
Chen Ping'an's arrogant demeanor further relaxed the madam, Ru Chun. However, out of caution, she still probed with a question.
"Chen Gongzi, Master Mu is one of the most prominent households in the Lane, and his Family also has quite a few guards. Although your status is noble, making a big fuss will only cause you trouble."
"Trouble? Does he even deserve to cause me trouble?"
Chen Ping'an was annoyed.
"Just a local bumpkin from a remote corner, yet he dares to make this Young Master feel aggrieved! If I don't teach him a good lesson, he won't know how formidable this Young Master is."
"Yes, yes, yes, Chen Gongzi has a powerful background; I spoke out of turn."
The madam said repeatedly.
"Beauties, when this Young Master's people arrive, don't be afraid!"
Feeling the soft curves on his body, Chen Ping'an said playfully.
"With Young Master here, this servant is not afraid."
"Not afraid, not afraid."
"......"
The girls giggled, their bodies swaying with laughter.
......
"The time is ripe! Everyone, move out!"
Inside the Zhenfu Division, numerous Yamen Runners had already lined up neatly.
At the front of the formation stood Squad Leader Shen Shikang. The matter concerned the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, a grave issue. He personally led this operation.
"Remember, better to arrest the wrong person than to let one escape! Not a single person in the Spring Rain Pavilion will get away!"
"Yes!"
The Yamen Runners below responded in unison.
Under the Squad Leader's command, the numerous Yamen Runners all exited the Zhenfu Division's gate and hurried towards the Spring Rain Pavilion on Liuye Street.
At the same time, the night patrol Yamen Runners on Liuye Street and surrounding alleys also received orders and were all on high alert.
.......
"Where did this kid come from! So arrogant! This is simply outrageous!"
Watching Yulan, Mudan, and Mengdie being led into private room number three, Master Mu was furious.
"How dare he use the Zhenfu Division to pressure this old master, so audacious! Acting so brazenly! Simply lawless!"
"Master, calm your anger, calm down. The Zhenfu Division is a vital government office; how could he possibly command it so easily!"
A servant beside him spoke to comfort him.
"Master, just wait and see, if no one from the Zhenfu Division shows up later. How will he manage that!"
"Hmph. I'd like to see what this kid is capable of!?"
Master Mu snorted angrily. After a brief pause, his mood calmed slightly.
"Even if he has a deep background, how many people can he call out this late at night?"
"Master is right. If this so-called Young Master can even call one official Yamen Runner, that would be impressive!" The servant echoed compliantly.
But no sooner had he finished speaking than a burst of noise and commotion came from below.
"What is all this commotion?"
Master Mu looked out the window in confusion. Through the window, he could just see the scene on the first floor.
He saw a throng of Zhenfu Division Yamen Runners entering in a continuous stream, a dense mass, their sabers glinting, sending shivers down one's spine.
"Zhenfu Division is handling a case! Everyone squat down! Those who resist will be killed without mercy!"
A middle-aged man in a black fish-scale uniform shouted sternly.
"This is... a fish-scale uniform?"
"A Zhenfu Division Squad Leader!"
Inside the private room, Master Mu was instantly paralyzed with shock.
They said at most only a few people would come, but how did this even alarm the Zhenfu Division's Squad Leader!