It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Bai Ruoxi sat in the side hall, the tea on the table long gone cold.

Her brows were furrowed, her lips pressed together in a worried frown. It was understandable. Mu Zhi’an had asked for a few days to consider their proposal, and two days had already passed. The longer they waited, the more the Bai family suffered. Under pressure from her mother, she had reluctantly returned to the Mu Manor.

A servant entered the hall and bowed respectfully. “Miss Bai.”

Bai Ruoxi looked up, her eyes filled with disappointment when she saw that Mu Zhi’an wasn’t with him. “Is Young Master Mu unavailable?” she asked softly.

“Young Master Mu has gone to the pleasure quarters,” the servant replied. “He asked you to wait for him at the teahouse across the street.”

“The pleasure quarters?” Bai Ruoxi repeated the words, her brow furrowing further.

She couldn’t understand his actions.

Who in their right mind would openly announce their visit to the pleasure quarters to a woman they were trying to court?

Unless… he wasn’t interested in her romantically at all.

There had to be another explanation.

Bai Ruoxi was intelligent, and she knew she was beautiful.

It wasn’t vanity, simply a statement of fact.

There truly was no woman in Tianxuan City more beautiful than her.

Those with similar features didn’t possess her assets. And those with similar assets lacked her beauty.

While Mu Zhi’an’s current behavior suggested a lack of interest, she refused to believe he was completely indifferent to her.

He must have a reason for going to the pleasure quarters. But what could it be?

She quickly collected herself, thanked the servant politely, and left the manor, taking the umbrella she’d borrowed last night.

…

The Pleasure Quarters.

Mu Zhi’an lounged on a plush couch, a beautiful courtesan named Yang Yanyan massaging his shoulders. “You haven’t visited in a while, Young Master Mu,” she said softly. “Have you found a new interest?”

Most people in Tianxuan City avoided Mu Zhi’an like the plague. But here, in the pleasure quarters, he was a welcome guest.

For one, he was quite handsome, and his company was generally pleasant. For another, he was a generous tipper.

There weren’t many wealthy young men in Tianxuan City who were willing to spend lavishly, and Mu Zhi’an was one of them.

Mu Zhi’an smiled, patting her delicate hand. “I’ve been busy with family matters lately. Haven’t had much time for leisure.”

Yang Yanyan’s eyes flickered. She smiled seductively. “Of course, Young Master Mu. You must be exhausted.”

She didn’t believe for a second that this wastrel was actually handling family affairs, but she wasn’t about to contradict him.

Mu Zhi’an saw through her disbelief but chose not to address it.

He enjoyed her massage, sipped his tea, and chatted idly with her.

Then, as if casually, he asked, “Has Gongsun Zan been here lately?”

Yang Yanyan paused, her fingers still kneading his shoulders. “I saw him here last night,” she replied after a moment of thought. “But I wasn’t the one who entertained him.”

The courtesans of the pleasure quarters generally sold their companionship, not their bodies. Yang Yanyan was no exception. Unless she took a particular liking to a client, or the offer was too tempting to resist, she usually left after her performance.

“Has he been here today?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

Yang Yanyan shook her head. “I’m not sure. Why do you ask, Young Master Mu?”

She looked at him curiously.

While Gongsun Zan came from a powerful family, unlike Mu Zhi’an, he wasn’t particularly well-liked, even among the courtesans.

For one, he had a reputation for cruelty. And for another, he wasn’t very attractive.

Mu Zhi’an gave her backside a playful pat. “Why are you so curious?”

She giggled, wriggling away from his touch. “You’re terrible!”

She didn’t actually try to stop him, though.

After a moment of hesitation, she leaned in close, lowering her voice.

“Speaking of which, I overheard something interesting yesterday from one of the girls who entertained Young Master Gongsun.”

Mu Zhi’an raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What was it?”

She glanced around as if afraid of being overheard.

“I hear Gongsun Zan is planning to raid someone’s home today,” she whispered.

Mu Zhi’an’s mind raced.

Raids weren’t uncommon in Tianxuan City. The Gongsun, Mu, and Bai families all had close ties to the imperial court. They were often tasked with handling such matters.

While the official line was that all confiscated assets were to be turned over to the court, the three families always managed to skim a little off the top. It was an unspoken agreement.

“Whose home?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

Yang Yanyan shook her head. “I don’t know. Gongsun Zan didn’t say.”

Mu Zhi’an hummed thoughtfully.

Since Gongsun Zan was busy with a raid today, he’d have to wait to approach him. He set down his teacup and stood up.

“Leaving already, Young Master Mu?” Yang Yanyan asked, sounding surprised.

Mu Zhi’an smiled. “I have some matters to attend to. I’ll be back another time.”

Despite her attempts to persuade him to stay, he politely declined.

He left the pleasure quarters and was about to head to the teahouse across the street when he saw a man walking towards him.

The man was of average appearance, in his early thirties, with thin lips and shifty eyes that gave him a sinister air. He exuded an aura of arrogance and recklessness. His face alone was enough to make people want to avoid him.

This was Gongsun Zan, the third young master of the Gongsun family.

If Mu Zhi’an’s “bad boy” persona was more of the charming rogue type, Gongsun Zan was the epitome of a ruthless bully. He didn’t care about appearances. With the Gongsun family’s power, he could get away with anything. There was no need to pretend.

Just as I thought, he showed up. Mu Zhi’an smiled. “Young Master Gongsun. Just arrived?”

Gongsun Zan paused, surprised that Mu Zhi’an would greet him so casually.

Despite their shared reputation, they’d never really interacted before.

He nodded curtly. “Haven’t seen you around lately, Young Master Mu. Thought you’d finally turned over a new leaf. Or perhaps you were grounded?”

His words sounded like a greeting, but there was a mocking undertone to them.

It was understandable. Gongsun Zan looked down on Mu Zhi’an, or perhaps he was simply jealous of him.

They were both notorious playboys, but Mu Zhi’an was treated far better in the pleasure quarters. There had been times when courtesans had refused Gongsun Zan’s advances.

But Mu Zhi’an had never been rejected.

It was all thanks to his handsome face, which had a certain appeal to women.

Before Mu Zhi’an could respond, Gongsun Zan bowed slightly. “I have some matters to attend to. Please excuse me, Young Master Mu.”

He brushed past Mu Zhi’an and entered the pleasure quarters, throwing a dismissive glance at the other man’s handsome face.

So what if he was from the Mu family? He was still a good-for-nothing, just like him, seeking validation from the women of the pleasure quarters.

He even had the audacity to pursue Bai Ruoxi?

Did he honestly think that proud woman would even look his way?

“Enjoy yourself, Young Master Gongsun,” Mu Zhi’an replied, returning the bow. He noticed the other man’s sneer but simply smiled, unfazed.

Why not indulge him?

Within the Gongsun family, Gongsun Zan held the lowest position. Even his younger brothers bossed him around.

This was because, at the age of thirty-two, he was still stuck at Qi Condensation, showing no signs of progress or ambition.

However, this made him an easy target for extracting information.

He just needed to spend a bit more time with him. People like Gongsun Zan, with their fragile egos, were easy to manipulate.

Mu Zhi’an watched as Gongsun Zan disappeared into the pleasure quarters. He smiled to himself, then turned and entered the teahouse across the street.

Bai Ruoxi was already waiting for him in a private room. Today, she wore a low-cut white dress, revealing a hint of cleavage, which added to her allure. Her long, slender legs were crossed elegantly, and her flawless face was a vision of beauty.

Her eyes lit up when she saw him. “Young Master Mu, please sit.”

She gestured to the seat across from her.

Mu Zhi’an smiled and sat down beside her instead.

Bai Ruoxi glanced at him but didn’t object.

She poured him a cup of tea, then asked softly, “You went to the pleasure quarters. I assume you had important business there?”

“You’re as perceptive as ever, Miss Bai,” Mu Zhi’an replied with a smile. “I went to see Gongsun Zan.”

“The third young master of the Gongsun family?” Bai Ruoxi frowned.

The Gongsun family was one of the main culprits behind the Bai family’s current predicament. It was only natural for her to react negatively to their name.

Mu Zhi’an took a sip of his tea. “I received a report from my spy today,” he continued. “It seems Gongsun Zan and Ye Yu have been in close contact.”

“Ye Yu? Why would he be with Gongsun Zan?” Bai Ruoxi sounded incredulous.

The Ye and Bai families had a long-standing connection. Even if they weren’t willing to help the Bai family, they shouldn’t be collaborating with the Gongsun family.

Mu Zhi’an chuckled. “They must have gotten wind of our arrangement and decided to use Ye Yu to disrupt things.”

“They probably leaked the information about your visit to the Mu Manor to Ye Yu.”

Bai Ruoxi’s cheeks flushed at the word “arrangement.” She stole a glance at Mu Zhi’an. “I apologize for Ye Yu’s behavior that night,” she murmured.

Since that night, she’d been worried that Mu Zhi’an, angered by Ye Yu’s actions, would refuse to help the Bai family.

He’d sent her home with an umbrella and promised to consider her request, but she couldn’t be sure of his true intentions.

Mu Zhi’an reached out and took her hand, his touch gentle. “Why are you apologizing for Ye Yu’s actions, Miss Bai?” he asked with a smile. “What does he have to do with you?”

Bai Ruoxi froze, her eyes meeting his. They were filled with a mix of emotions.

Sometimes, she couldn’t tell if she’d submitted to him out of desperation… or something else.

The teahouse was located directly across from the pleasure quarters. It was a popular spot for officials and wealthy merchants to relax after a night of entertainment.

Mu Zhi’an’s private room was secluded, away from the main traffic.

He glanced at the curtain that separated them from the rest of the teahouse. He thought he saw a figure retreating hastily behind it.

Someone was eavesdropping?

Was it someone from the Gongsun family or the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce?

No, They wouldn’t dare. The consequences of being caught spying on the Mu family were severe.

Could it be that mysterious black-robed man who wanted Ye Yu?

Mu Zhi’an considered this for a moment. He kept hold of Bai Ruoxi’s hand, then leaned in close, his lips brushing against her ear. He whispered something to her, his voice low and husky.

Bai Ruoxi’s eyes widened slightly. A blush crept up her cheeks. After a moment of silence, she replied softly, “You’re right, Young Master Mu. His actions have nothing to do with me.”