Feng Xun felt that he was that close to catching the ugly girl, but Yu Mingye still didn’t have a clue.

At that thought, Feng Xun had a sense of superiority.

Yu Mingye tapped his chin with a slender finger. “Did I hear you talking about catching some ugly girl?”

“It’s none of your business and I’m not telling you!” Feng Xun tried to drag Xuan Yi away.

He decided he would show the ugly girl off to Yu Mingye after he caught her.

Feng Xun and Xuan Yi left in a hurry. Behind them, Yu Mingye rubbed his chin with a brooding look in his eyes.

The ugly girl… Wasn’t that little Feng Wu? She had been spotted by Feng Xun? How careless of her.

Yu Mingye couldn’t bring himself to see Feng Wu getting mistreated. He followed them without making a sound.

Feng Xun and Xuan Yi ran very fast. When they got there, their men had already surrounded the busiest brothel in the imperial capital.

“Young Lord, that girl slipped in here.”

Feng Wuyi, the captain of the Northern Feng Mansion’s guards, cupped his hands at Feng Xun.

Feng Xun asked, “All set?”

Feng Wuyi said, “We have men everywhere in the area. There’s no way that the girl can get away.”

Feng Xun nodded. However, recalling how stealthy the girl could be, he said to Feng Wuyi, “Go back and bring the dog here.”

Just as a precaution.

After giving the instruction, Feng Xun and Xuan Yi entered Perching Phoenix Terrace.

The building known as Perching Phoenix was richly decorated and looked luxurious. Their nostrils were filled with a warm, pleasant smell as soon as they set foot inside.

Madam Cui, the madam of Perching Phoenix, was hosting some guests when a male servant came in. “Young Lord Feng and Young Lord Xuan are here.”

Both were popular figures in the imperial capital. They might not know everyone, but everyone knew who they were.

Mouths fell open after they entered the building.

Madam Cui rolled her eyes grumpily when she heard those words. “Are you kidding me? How would two prominent figures like them show up here? We might have some beautiful girls here in Perching Phoenix, but they aren’t beautiful enough to draw those two here.”

The servant said hastily, “It’s true. They’re already in the building!”

Madam Cui looked over her shoulder, just in case, and what she saw astonished her.

“Oh my! Young Lord Feng and Young Lord Xuan! To what do we owe this honor? Are you here to enjoy the flower festival of Fengqi, our Miss Perching Phoenix?”

The so-called flower festival was an auction for the rights to take the virginity of the girl known as Fengqi.

Miss Fengqi, who was named after Perching Phoenix, had grown up in the brothel. She had learned drawing, chess, calligraphy, and musical instruments from famous teachers, and had been entertaining her guests with her talents rather than her flesh until she was 16. Tonight, Madam Cui decided to sell her at a satisfying price.

Madam Cui’s eyes lit up when she saw Feng Xun and Xuan Yi.

Talk about bigwigs and real descendants of influential families!

She had been entertaining some young descendants of big families, but as soon as Feng Xun and Xuan Yi showed up, Madam Cui wanted to give them all her attention.

Although Madam Cui couldn’t wait to serve these two, their minds obviously weren’t on that Miss Fengqi.

Feng Xun frowned and waved Madam Cui off. “Out of my way. Go back to whatever you were doing.”

After that, he and Xuan Yi headed for the stairs.

An idea struck Madam Cui. Were they going backstage to look for Miss Fengqi directly? Young Lord Feng was using his rights as a young lord?

A stage had been built at the center of the main hall. It was decorated with flowers of all colors and lit up brightly.

They had prepared enough flower petals for Miss Fengqi’s performance later.

In front of the stage, more than 20 chairs had been set out. Only the three chairs that were in the front row were made from expensive red sandalwood. There were six chairs in the second row, and in the third…

Mu the Sixth sat on the very left in the front row, which indicated that he wasn’t the most important guest tonight, but the second most important.

The one sitting in the middle was Zuo Qingliu, the second son of the Zuo family.

Mu the Sixth and Zuo Qingliu found each other an eyesore, and were engaged in a secret competition to pick Miss Fengqi’s cherry.

Mu the Sixth turned around to find Feng Xun in the hall and rose to his feet excitedly.

“Brother! Brother Feng!”

He left his seat and ran happily toward Feng Xun.

“It’s you, little Mu the Sixth.” Feng Xun patted him on the shoulder.

“Brother, what brings you here? Are you here for Miss Fengqi as well? Teehee, since you’re interested in her, I’ll withdraw my bid.”

Mu the Sixth was Feng Xun’s minion, and more than anything, liked to follow Feng Xun around.

He had bid for the VIP seat in the middle against Zuo Qingliu just then, but lost to the latter by a narrow margin. Mu the Sixth was still holding a grudge.

Now that his Brother Feng was here… Hoho.

Mu the Sixth took Feng Xun to the best seat, but Feng Xun waved him off. “Don’t let me keep you. I have an errand to run.”

Errand?

Mu the Sixth forgot about Miss Fengqi right away, for nothing could be more important than his Brother Feng.

“Brother, what errand? Let me do it for you. Just name it.” Mu the Sixth looked at Feng Xun eagerly.

Seeing how eager the guy was, Feng Xun snapped, “You can’t handle her. Out of my way. Go back to your game.”

After that, Feng Xun waved his hand and rushed up the stairs in Perching Phoenix.

“Gosh, dear young lord…” Madam Cui was flustered.

This was Perching Phoenix, a brothel which guys visited to have fun. Right now, it was business hours, and there was something going on behind all the closed doors.

“A felon has just run inside. If you still want to have a business, keep your mouth shut!”

Feng Xun looked up and threw an intimidating glance at Madam Cui.

Feng Xun might be a goofball around Feng Wu, but when he meant to look the part, he was every bit a young lord. It worked on Madam Cui, who was utterly frightened.

While Feng Xun rushed upstairs to search for the girl, what was Feng Wu doing?

The moment she ran into Perching Phoenix, she instinctively headed for the pharmacy.

The pharmacy at Perching Phoenix had as much incense as it did aphrodisiac.

Feng Wu quickly went through the inventory after she entered, but to her disappointment, they didn’t have the supreme grade air freshener here.

Luckily, Feng Wu was able to find a lot of Woody Ambergris. With this ingredient, Feng Wu would be able to make the supreme grade air freshener herself.

Time was of the essence, so Feng Wu grabbed a handful of Woody Ambergris and the necessary supplementary ingredients, then dashed into the kitchen on the first floor.

Because important guests kept coming and going all the time, the kitchen was staffed the whole time, but only by two people, one of whom was dozing off.

Feng Wu moved unbelievably fast and jumped into the kitchen as nimbly as a cat. She snuck up on the person who was still awake.

Thump!

Feng Wu hit the guy with the side of her palm, knocking him unconscious.

She smiled a little. Immediately after that, she pulled the man up and sat him down in a chair. She even adjusted his position, so that from afar, he looked like he was only taking a nap.

After all that was done, Feng Wu quickly went to the stove.That was right. She was going to use the stove to make that supreme grade air freshener.

Other people wouldn’t be able to pull it off, but Feng Wu was a medicine refiner like no other. She could refine medicine even with a stove.

Knowing that there was no time to waste, Feng Wu sped up.

Feng Xun led his men to search the upper floor of Perching Phoenix. They opened one door after another, but weren’t able to find the girl.

“That’s strange…” Rubbing his chin, Feng Xun looked anxious. “We’ve surrounded this place so thoroughly that even a bird can’t get out. Where did she go?”

Feng Wuyi asked, “Young Master, can’t you smell her?”

Feng Xun frowned. Of course he could if they were close enough, but not when they were hundreds of meters apart. It wasn’t like he had the nose of a dog.

Moreover, the air in this Perching Phoenix place was filled with a mixture of strong fragrances that could cripple any nose. He almost thought that he couldn’t smell properly anymore.

“That ugly girl…” Feng Xun clenched his fists.

She was as cunning as a fox. With them at her heels, she was able to come up with the idea to hide in a brothel. That was quick-witted!

“Hey, is the dog here?” Feng Xun stared at Feng Wuyi impatiently.

“It’s on the way. We should have it soon,” said Feng Wuyi with a bow.

“Hmph, guard the perimeter. We’ll get her like catching a rat in a hole. She’ll have nowhere to go!”

Feng Xun looked pleased with himself.

His guards was still searching one room after another, and shrieks kept ringing out

But after they flashed the wooden token of Northern Feng Mansion, the shrieks soon stopped.

“Young Lord, the nine rooms in the east wing were searched. She wasn’t there.”

“Young Lord, the nine rooms in the west wing were searched. She wasn’t there.”

“Young Lord…”

The six teams Feng Wuyi brought soon searched every room of Perching Phoenix, but they gave Feng Xun the report he wanted to hear the least.

Feng Xun opened his eyes wide. “No one found her?”

None of the underlings dared to meet his gaze.

Feng Xun raised his voice. “No one?!”

His men held their breaths.

The young lord could be very terrifying when he threw a tantrum.

“Only that…” For the first time, the leader hesitated.

“This isn’t the time to stammer! Speak!” Feng Xun roared.

The team leader said, “Only that… we didn’t search Miss Fengqi’s room.”

“Why didn’t you?!” Feng Xun snapped.

“Young Master Zuo was there…”

After Feng Xun arrived, Zuo Qingliu was worried that Miss Fengqi, the girl he had had his eye on all this time, would be taken away by Feng Xun. Therefore, he went backstage first.

Miss Fengqi had given two performances already, and the third one would determine her fate.

“Which Young Master Zuo?” Feng Xun glared.

Mu the Sixth had been following Feng Xun, and he grinned when he heard that name. “That’s Zuo Qingliu, the second son of the Zuo family.”

The team leader said, “Yes, Young Master Zuo the Second blocked the door and told us that we were offending Miss Fengqi.”

“Who the hell does he think he is?!” Feng Xun glowered. “Show me the way!”

Oh my —

Mu the Sixth was over the moon!

Zuo Qingliu had been so arrogant in front of Mu the Sixth because he was the direct descendant of the Zuo family, which was favored by the empire at the moment. Moreover, the Zuo family had a daughter, Zuo Qingluan, who was a rising star.

That was why when they were competing over the front row seat, Mu the Sixth hadn’t dared to confront him directly, but had done it in a roundabout manner.“I know where he is. Come with me! I’ll show you the way!”

Mu the Sixth took off happily. With Feng Xun backing him, he was able to lead the way with his chest sticking out.

He complained to Feng Xun as he walked, “That Zuo Qingliu is awful. He has all the vices you can think off. It was only the other day that I saw him snatch an innocent girl off the street, and it seems that he’s gotten tired of her already. Now he’s here, trying to take Miss Fengqi away from me.

“I’ve been courting Miss Fengqi since forever. I had a crush on her when she was thirteen and I waited three whole years for her to reach the right age. And now, that Zuo Qingliu shows up to steal my fruit.

“Brother Feng, I’ve never asked you for anything, but I really need your help this time. Please help me.”

Mu the Sixth’s affections seemed genuine, and he gave Feng Xun a pleading look.

Feng Xun smacked Mu the Sixth on the head. “What? You want her as your wife?”

Mu the Sixth glowered. “Well, if not that, I can always make her my concubine. Brother Feng, one word from you and my mum will say yes. Brother…”

Feng Xun threw a dirty look at him. “Help me catch that ugly girl today and I’ll help you.”

Mu the Sixth was thrilled. “Great! That’s great! Brother, what does that ugly girl look like? Any special features?”

He rolled up his sleeves and was ready to get his hands dirty.

Feng Xun was about to describe the girl, but realized he didn’t know how to.

The girl had used some cream to disguise herself. She didn’t look like herself and he had no idea if she was going to have a different face now.

Feng Xun said in frustration, “The girl looks… Well, forget about her looks and just sniff around. She was hit with a stink bug, and that smell won’t go away for a while.

Mu the Sixth nodded eagerly. “Sure. I’ll find her for you!”

As they spoke, they reached Miss Fengqi’s bedchamber.

Miss Fengqi had played a musical instrument and sung. Right now, she was preparing for her third performance, which was a dance.

Zuo Qingliu was guarding the door, and he frowned when he saw the large group of people coming his way.

Seeing Mu the Sixth, who was leading the team, Zuo Qingliu gloated and smirked. “Loser, you’ve got some balls to come back.”

However, as soon as Zuo Qingliu spoke, an impolite voice came from behind Mu the Sixth.

“Who did you just call a loser?” Wearing a heavy cape, Feng Xun showed up behind Mu the Sixth.

Young Lord Feng?!

Zuo Qingliu stared at Feng Xun with a grim look on his face.

“Move!” Feng Xun stared at him.

“Young Lord Feng, this is Miss Fengqi’s…”

Before Zuo Qingliu could finish the sentence, Feng Xun reached out and picked Zuo Qingliu up like he was holding a chicken.

Crash —

Zuo Qingliu smashed into the wall. The violent energy seemed to burn up his insides, and blood threatened to rush up his throat.

Feng Xun ignored him and headed right into the room.

“Ah!”

A frightened shriek rang out inside.

Miss Fengqi was changing into a complicated dress, which consisted of dozens of layers, but together, looked as thin as cicada wings.

The teenage girl raised her head. She had delicate features and was blushing prettily. Her exquisite shoulder blades looked almost transparent under the light.

Of course Miss Fengqi knew who Young Lord Feng was.

As for the guests tonight —

Miss Fengqi was already satisfied with her gains tonight, but someone as prominent as Young Lord Feng was completely unexpected. She was beyond joyful.“Young Lord Feng…” She was infatuated when she looked at Feng Xun, but he only brushed past her without so much as giving her a glance.

Feng Xun walked around the room, sniffing the entire time.

Soon, he went back to Miss Fengqi.

Miss Fengqi’s eyes lit up with pleasant surprise!

Zuo Qingliu’s face turned livid.

But soon, Feng Xun frowned and headed for the door.

“Young Lord Feng…” Miss Fengqi’s soft voice came from behind, which reminded one of a kitten.

But Feng Xun acted as if he didn’t hear anything. He didn’t stop walking and was soon out of sight.

“What’s going on?”

Seeing the group of people stream out as quickly as they had poured into the room, Miss Fengqi looked at Zuo Qingliu with a regretful and bewildered look on her face.

Zuo Qingliu snorted. “Who knows what his problem is. Well, he’s lucky that he’s gone. Otherwise, I would’ve taught him a lesson!”

Miss Fengqi made a deliberate gesture to cover Zuo Qingliu’s mouth. “Not so loud. Young Lord Feng has a temper, and we don’t want to offend him.”

Zuo Qingliu said, “So what if we do? He’s just a young lord.”

Miss Fengqi said, “Have you forgotten? His Royal Highness is behind the young lord.”

Zuo Qingliu smirked. “Heh. Just wait until my sister’s back from Firmament Palace. After she marries His Royal Highness and becomes his official wife, all we need is some pillow talk and Feng Xun will be out of the picture!”

Miss Fengqi covered her mouth and looked thrilled. “So, the rumor about Miss Qingluan and His Royal Highness… is true?”

“What do you think?” Zuo Qingliu gloated. “My sister is the only True Phoenix in the imperial capital. Who else but her is good enough for His Royal Highness?”

Miss Fengqi had been considering Mu the Sixth, but after hearing that Zuo Qingliu would become the crown prince’s brother-in-law, she was struck with realization, and looked at Zuo Qingliu even more eagerly.

Standing next to the stage, Feng Xun frowned and was running out of ideas.

He had searched all of Perching Phoenix, but had found no trace of the ugly girl. How was that possible?

Where was she hiding?

Meanwhile, Feng Wu had finally made the air freshener. After carefully cleaning herself up, she heaved a sigh of relief.

There was still a little smell, but as long as Feng Xun didn’t come too close, he wouldn’t be able to detect it.

This place was a hotbed for trouble, and Feng Wu knew she had to leave soon. Otherwise, Feng Xun might get here and —

She was still thinking when the man napping by the door bumped his head on a chair with a thump.

Feng Wu cried out inwardly. “Sh*t!”

Her body moved into action quicker than her thoughts, and she jumped at the man like an eagle with wings spread wide.

But it was still too late.

Before Feng Wu could throttle the man, he let out a piercing scream. “Argh! Who are you — hgh!”

And that was all that was needed.

Feng Xun was racking his brain in the banquet hall when he heard the sudden cry, and he was galvanized!

The next second, he dashed in the direction of that sound.

Feng Wu reacted quickly as well.

The moment the man cried out, she ran for the outer wall, as swift as a shooting star. She had to get out of Perching Phoenix.

However, as soon as she got to the roof, she saw all the guards that packed the streets around Perching Phoenix!