Chapter 299: Chapter 280, Entering the Game Tower_1
“Let’s follow them first to see what they’re up to, then we can discuss how to proceed,”
Daohua said to Dong Yuanyao and Li Zixin.
Dong Yuanyao immediately nodded, “Okay!”
Li Zixin didn’t have the nerve as big as Daohua and Dong Yuanyao, though she also really wanted to test her future brother-in-law’s character for her sister; her face still showed hesitation.
Seeing this, Daohua didn’t want to pressure her and said, “How about you wait here for us? Order a few dishes to eat first, and I’ll go over with Yuanyao to take a look?”
Li Zixin hesitated.
At this moment, Dong Yuanyao spoke up, “Let’s do it this way. Both Daohua and I are quite skilled, so even if we’re discovered, we can get away in time. Besides, we’re not from the Li Family. Even if the Feng Family finds out about this later, they can’t blame your family.”
Daohua felt this made a lot of sense and nodded in agreement immediately.
Seeing that both were determined not to give up on following, Li Zixin could only grab Daohua’s hand and instruct, “Cousin, please make sure you don’t cause a big scene that would embarrass others.”
Daohua patted her hand, “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.” After giving some instructions to the Li Family’s maidservant, she and Dong Yuanyao left the restaurant.
On the street, Feng Liangji was walking slowly towards the street ahead while talking with a friend.
It wasn’t long before Daohua and Dong Yuanyao caught up with them.
Glancing at a ready-made clothing shop nearby, Daohua’s eyes twinkled, and she instructed Wang Manman to keep an eye on Feng Liangji, then pulled Dong Yuanyao into the shop.
Soon, the two came out dressed in men’s clothing.
Seeing them come out, Guyu and Dong Yuanyao’s maid Hong Yu immediately approached.
Dong Yuanyao inquired, “Where did they go?”
Hong Yu looked troubled, hesitated, then finally looking at Dong Yuanyao and Daohua, she said, “Miss, the Feng Family’s young master entered Joy Street up ahead; Hong Fang and Sister Manman have already followed him.”
Upon hearing this, Dong Yuanyao immediately frowned.
Daohua was somewhat puzzled, “Is there a problem with Joy Street?”
Dong Yuanyao leaned in close to Daohua and whispered, “Joy Street is the most famous pleasure quarter in the city, where the most popular brothels and opera houses are located. Have you forgotten? The year before last during the Lantern Festival, you and the Little Prince visited it.”
Daohua’s eyes widened in realization, recalling the accidental visit to Nanfeng Pavilion with Xiao Yeyang, and she remained shocked for a while before speaking, “That Feng Liangji really has questionable morals? He’s about to get engaged and yet he’s visiting the red-light district!”
Dong Yuanyao hurriedly tugged at Daohua, “Keep your voice down. What do you think, should we continue to follow and see?”
Daohua immediately nodded, “Of course. If I really see him indulging in pleasures there… I’ll go straight home and tell my aunt and uncle, and suggest they call off this engagement.”
Dong Yuanyao wholeheartedly agreed, “That’s right, such a person shouldn’t be married into the family. Let’s hurry over and take a look.”
…
Joy Street.
Compared to other streets, there were noticeably fewer women here.
Wang Manman and Hong Fang walked on the street and immediately drew various ambiguous glances. Seeing Feng Liangji enter an opera house, Hong Fang quickly pulled Wang Manman into a fabric shop.
While picking out fabrics, they occasionally stretched their heads out to look.
It wasn’t long before Daohua and Dong Yuanyao’s figures appeared in their line of sight.
“Lord… gentlemen, we are here!”
Wang Manman stepped out of the shop and waved to them.
A moment later, Daohua and Dong Yuanyao entered the fabric shop.
“Where is he?”
Hong Fang pointed towards the cross street’s opera house, “He went inside there.”
Daohua, seeing that it was just an opera house, relaxed a bit, then quickly her gaze shifted to the brothel next door, her expression mixing curiosity with displeasure.
“Feng Liangji frequents such places, I’m afraid his conduct may be somewhat questionable!”
Dong Yuanyao then spoke up, “Shall we go in to see? Also, I wonder whose play is it today?”
Hearing her well-acquainted tone, Daohua immediately looked over, “You’re quite familiar with this?”
Dong Yuanyao gave an embarrassed smile, without responding.
Previously, she would occasionally disguise herself as a man and come here to listen to the plays—it’s no exaggeration, she had set foot in every theater on this street. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have just happened to see Daohua and the Little Prince entering Nanfeng Pavilion during the Lantern Festival two years ago.
The shopkeeper had been paying attention to the group for a while and smiled eagerly, “Today there’s a play by the Shuangxi Troupe. If the young masters are lucky, they might even get to hear a performance by Master An Xi and Master Ning Xi.”
Seeing Daohua’s puzzled expression, Dong Yuanyao immediately explained, “An Xi and Ning Xi are the leading actors of Shuangxi Troupe, highly appreciated by officials and nobility. They’re often invited to perform at private residences and hardly ever open their throats in theaters.”
Daohua nodded, “I know of them, I’ve heard their plays at the Zhou Family.” After saying that, he paused for a moment, then added, “They’re quite handsome.”
Dong Yuanyao immediately returned a glance that said ‘great minds think alike’.
The shopkeeper behind them, hearing their conversation, had an even broader smile on his face. He had been thinking of shooing away Wang Manman and Hong Fang for lingering in the shop without buying anything, but now, he had completely abandoned such thoughts.
The fact that the two were so familiar with the Shuangxi Troupe indicated they were either wealthy or noble; it was better not to provoke them.
Having come this far without having gained anything, Daohua wouldn’t leave empty-handed. He thought for a moment and then said to Dong Yuanyao, “Shall we go in and listen to the play?”
Dong Yuanyao had no objections, “Sure!”
She had dared to sneak over here alone before; now that she had Daohua’s company, she was even bolder.
Moreover, she felt that committing a misdeed together was likely to bring them closer.
Daohua glanced at Wang Manman and the others. Since they were dressed as women, it wasn’t a good idea for them to enter the theater. He said, “You four choose some fabrics here; we’ll be back soon.” No sooner had he finished speaking than Dong Yuanyao pulled him out of the shop.
Watching the two dash off, the four of Wang Manman’s group all had a look of helplessness.
Wang Manman turned to the shopkeeper, “Do you have men’s clothing here?”
The shopkeeper’s heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself that those two young masters looked incredibly handsome indeed; it turns out they were girls.
Hong Fang slapped the counter with a ‘snap’, “Do you have it or not?”
Regaining his wits, the shopkeeper nodded hastily, “Yes, yes, yes!”
Soon, the four were dressed in men’s clothing, and before leaving the shop, Hong Fang glanced at the shopkeeper. Before she could speak, the shopkeeper prudently said, “We at the shop know nothing.”
Seeing this, Hong Fang showed satisfaction. She quickly left the shop with Wang Manman and the other two.
On the way, Wang Manman took several looks at Hong Fang, realizing there was still much for her to learn—the threatening look Hong Fang had given just now seemed quite formidable.
…
Meanwhile, Daohua, following Dong Yuanyao, stepped into the theater. Unaccustomed to the cacophony inside, Daohua felt slightly out of place compared to Dong Yuanyao’s familiarity.
They entered at a time of luck; the play had just ended, and the audience was applauding.
As soon as they walked in, an attendant came up to welcome them.
“I want a second-floor private room,” Dong Yuanyao threw a Silver Barley to the attendant, like a boss.
The attendant first showed a flattering smile of gratitude for the tip, then showed an apologetic look, “The young masters are indeed unlucky today; the private rooms are all full. Why not just listen in the main hall? Listening in the main hall is pretty much the same.”
Dong Yuanyao looked at the bustling main hall and frowned, “Who wants to listen in the main hall? I know you always reserve private rooms each day, get us one.”
Daohua, who was new to such venues, stood by Dong Yuanyao’s side, watching her and the attendant Zhou Xuan with keen eyes.
At the same time, from the second-floor private room nearest to the entrance, Feng Liangji had just finished greeting seniors from Jiguang’s side when he overheard the argument below. He looked down and immediately frowned.
The reason was simple; he had spotted Wang Manman and her group as soon as they entered the theater.
Even though they had changed into men’s clothing, he recognized them.
“They’ve followed us here!”