Chapter 103: The Shocking Goal

Liu Liwa just finished meeting with the ‘Leftover Warriors’ and explained the night mission and specific plan clearly.

He also gave each person a hundred-tael Silver Note, and the five of them cheered as if they had obtained golden holy clothes.

There was no helping it; just acknowledging a boss and getting money first would make anyone excited.

There was still some time before nightfall, and the Intoxication Pavilion was not open for business yet.

The five men, carrying their money, went straight out to treat themselves to a good meal, replenishing their severely malnourished bodies.

At this time, Liu Liwa was called away by the madam, Wu Liniang.

The madam did not need to receive customers.

Although she was on the Fourth Floor, her room was still very simple.

The outer area had a wooden bathtub and a chamber pot for relieving oneself.

The inner area had a bed, a dressing table, a Bronze Mirror, and a wardrobe, and nothing else.

At this moment, the pink curtain on the bed had not been drawn open.

It was thin as gauze, transparent and hazy.

Inside, a seductive and voluptuous figure lay across the bed, supporting her head with one hand.

In the hazy curtain, her plump figure resembled rolling hills, curving gracefully.

A thin veil could not conceal her jade-like skin.

Her lazy charm made Liu Liwa wish he could slip under the covers and sleep with her.

What exactly did this mean? Was it attraction or seduction?

Liu Liwa was a bit confused.

He did not have much impression of Wu Liniang.

Besides the first time she spoke to advise their batch of newcomers, there was her training of Qin Wan’er—sometimes an angel, sometimes a devil, making her hard to figure out.

Recently, after experiencing Miss Zhao, Liu Liwa would not look down on any woman now and wanted to keep his distance.

He would rather spend time chatting idly with the girls downstairs who had tragic backgrounds but simple minds.

So, Liu Liwa said with a laugh, “Madam, the wind is picking up outside, and it’s turning cold as winter approaches. Remember to cover yourself with a quilt when you sleep so you don’t catch a cold.”

“Hmph!” Wu Liniang behind the curtain let out a light snort but obediently pulled the quilt over herself, hiding her proud, undulating figure.

This showed that her pose had a purpose, but clearly, Liu Liwa did not take the bait.

Because beauty was ineffective against a man who was in a Pleasure House, surrounded by women, had a beauty hidden in his room, and could even use pork along with his five fingers for fun.

“What do you want?” After a long while, Wu Liniang finally spoke.

Her voice seemed to drift from a faraway place.

Liu Liwa was startled and did not understand what she meant, so he did not answer.

After another long silence, Wu Liniang got to the main point: “You helped Young Master Ye, assisted Miss Zhao, and curried favor with Supervisor Wen. What are you doing all this for? What do you want to get from them?”

Liu Liwa knew that every move he made was under Wu Liniang’s watch.

But from the beginning, fooling Young Master Ye was no big deal.

Only recently, as things progressed, befriending Wen Jun, and even having Miss Zhao show up, finally made Wu Liniang unable to sit still.

However, Liu Liwa considered himself an upright gentleman and asked lightly in return, “What can they give me?”

Wu Liniang’s voice was like the wind from the horizon, blowing gently, but it contained everything, as if all was under control: “Ye Zecong is the Son of the Vice Minister, and his mother’s family has abundant assets. Wen Jun commands troops in a region, holding a high and powerful position. Miss Zhao has a limitless future and could become the queen of all phoenixes. What do you think they can give you?”

“I am the son of a convicted official who was demoted to slavery. What can they give me?” Liu Liwa smiled faintly. “Even if Young Master Ye has great wealth, can he help me buy my freedom? Even if Wen Jun holds a high position with heavy authority, can he help me overturn my case? Even if Miss Zhao one day truly rises to become the queen of all phoenixes, can she promise me high positions and great wealth?”

Liu Liwa’s series of questions completely baffled Wu Liniang.

She could not help but sit up, no longer putting on airs or acting mysterious and lofty.

Widening her eyes, she said, “Since you get no benefits and gain nothing, why are you helping them so diligently?”

Liu Liwa spread his hands and said very proudly, “This only shows that I have good character. I enjoy helping others.”

Wu Liniang naturally did not believe his nonsense.

Through the curtain, Liu Liwa felt her gaze as if it were a physical pressure staring at him.

This woman’s presence was indeed strong.

But Liu Liwa remained calm and was not affected by her aura at all.

Wu Liniang gradually calmed down and lay back lazily again, like a fat, lazy cat.

She said lightly, “Money, women, power—what do you want?”

Liu Liwa smiled slightly. They were finally getting to the main point.

Recently, he had indeed been too active, and the people around him were each more powerful than the last.

Moreover, this Pleasure House madam was absolutely not simple.

From the time she asked him to properly receive and get close to Young Master Ye, it was not hard to see.

Ordinary Pleasure House madams were worldly and showed a money-loving face.

They did not care much about the identity of the guests they served, but rather who spent more generously.

Silver Taels were the madam’s true love.

But this Wu Liniang was unusually different.

She cared more about the other party’s status.

And Liu Liwa had also noticed one thing: once when Wen Jun got angry and his followers drew their swords, Wu Liniang remained calm.

And the thugs led by Wang Meng beside her were also fearless, their presence even stronger than that of the sword-carrying soldiers…

In short, everything here was not like a normal Pleasure House.

But whatever her goal was, Liu Liwa did not want to be dragged into it.

He was very satisfied with his current life.

So, he continued to ask in return, “Money, women, power—to get these, what do I need to do?”

“The New Year is coming soon. Every major family holds a family banquet during the Spring Festival, and Young Master Ye’s maternal grandfather’s family is the same. The Vice Minister will also attend then. I hope to receive an invitation. The soldiers at the border have held their posts for ten years like one day, and they cannot go home for the Spring Festival. But every year at this time, the Ministry of War organizes, and the Ministry of Revenue allocates funds to reward the three armies, especially the border troops who receive additional rewards. I hope the Intoxication Pavilion can take part in this. The Zhao Family has deep ties with the royal family and visits each year like ordinary families. This year, with the New Emperor on the throne, to strengthen bonds, the New Emperor might personally visit Ningyuan County to see Master Zhao. I hope to have a chance to meet the emperor…”

With each thing Wu Liniang mentioned, Liu Liwa’s heart skipped a beat.

Cold sweat covered his head as if washed by a heavy rain.

He subconsciously picked up a towel from beside him to wipe his forehead.

Suddenly, he smelled a strange odor. Turning to look, he saw two Foot-binding Cloths hanging next to the towel.

Damn, it was a foot-wiping cloth!

Liu Liwa threw the foot-wiping cloth aside, filled with shock.

Attending the fusion banquets of officials and merchants, rewarding the three armies, meeting the emperor—are these things a Pleasure House madam could do?

What did she want to do?

Undoubtedly, Wu Liniang deliberately revealed her goals to ask for Liu Liwa’s help and also to pull him into a terrifying whirlpool…