Upon returning to the capital, Qiu Che first made her way to Hong Xiu Zhao.

This place was desolate during the day but bustling with noise and excitement at night—

after all, it was the largest brothel in the capital, frequented by many high-ranking officials.

However, Qiu Che wasn’t here for pleasure.

Few knew that beneath this brothel lay a massive black market.

She didn’t dismiss Yu Ming and her sister upon entering.

Leading them inside, she approached the madam, who greeted her with a beaming smile. Qiu Che spoke lightly, “Meeting under the moon by Yao Tai.”

The madam’s demeanor subtly shifted, and she quietly replied, “Please, follow me.”

Navigating a series of twists and turns, the madam led them into the underground black market.

This place was shrouded in perpetual darkness, resembling another world, but the walls were adorned with priceless luminous pearls, solely for lighting the area.

The market was abuzz with activity, a cacophony of voices filling the air. Stalls lined the streets, selling treasures pilfered from all corners of the realm.

Even the trade of human lives was brazenly advertised.

As they passed through the chaotic scene, Yu Ming and her sister often exchanged startled glances. Yu Ming even seemed on the verge of speaking but refrained.

Qiu Che, however, remained composed. Only upon arriving at a gambling den did she shake out her sleeves and remark, “Any questions you have will be answered inside.”

The sisters exchanged puzzled looks. Before they could speak, a young servant lifted the curtain and stepped out, casting a surprised glance at Qiu Che before bowing respectfully. “Young master, my master invites you to the private lounge.”

...

By the time they left Hong Xiu Zhao, it was already late.

Qiu Che’s expression remained calm as she climbed into the carriage.

Yu Yan took up the reins, while Yu Ming, sitting nearby, finally broke her silence after obtaining Qiu Che’s permission. “Master, how do you know Yao Tai?”

The capital’s top courtesan and the crown jewel of Hong Xiu Zhao.

If Princess Li Qingwu was the capital’s most unattainable beauty, the ethereal ideal of countless young nobles—

then Yao Tai was every man’s guilty obsession.

Enchanting and talented, she captivated all who met her.

The question was, from the information Yu Ming had gathered, her master had never visited Hong Xiu Zhao before.

How could she know the secret code to meet Yao Tai?

Yu Ming had observed Yao Tai’s reaction upon seeing Qiu Che today. It was as if she recognized her, despite being surprised.

When Yao Tai asked about it, Qiu Che casually deflected, saying a friend had shared the code. Yao Tai didn’t press further.

After all, many knew of the black market beneath Hong Xiu Zhao, and secret codes weren’t rare knowledge.

In Nightbright City, identities mattered little—everyone had to follow the rules set by the city lord.

Still, when Qiu Che introduced herself, Yao Tai displayed a strange excitement, reminiscent of their first meeting in a previous life.

She accepted Qiu Che’s proposal almost without resistance, echoing their past dynamic.

Yu Ming’s thoughts were interrupted as Qiu Che, book in hand, glanced up at her. “This isn’t important.”

Yu Ming hesitated. “Master, do you mean—?”

“The important thing is, she agreed to mortgage Nightbright City to me,” Qiu Che said. “From now on, it’s ours. You’ll manage it, along with Hong Xiu Zhao, under Yao Tai’s guidance.”

“I want to turn it into an intelligence hub. You’ll send me monthly reports on finances and intelligence.”

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Yu Ming blinked in surprise. “But, Master, I…”

She wanted to protest that she wasn’t qualified.

Managing an entire underground city teeming with rogues and criminals? How could she possibly handle that?

But the words caught in her throat.

“Do you remember what I said before?” Qiu Che’s gaze bore into her, calm yet commanding. “If you follow me, there’s no such thing as ‘I can’t.’”

“I require absolute loyalty and obedience from you.”

Yu Ming was startled by the intensity of her gaze. Lowering her head, she conceded, “...Understood.”

This time, the front gate was eerily quiet. After being humiliated during Qiu Che’s previous return, Qiu Chudong seemed to have developed a psychological aversion. The lack of even a token reception spoke volumes.

Qiu Che welcomed the solitude.

She paused, weighing her choices between visiting Madam Wang and heading to her courtyard. After a brief hesitation, she opted for her quarters.

Pushing open the door, she frowned deeply at the scene before her.

Yu Ming stood frozen, dumbfounded. “This… What is all this? Who did this?”

The room was in utter chaos, cluttered with overturned boxes, scattered clothes, and even leftover pastries strewn across the floor. The entire space was a mess, leaving no clear path to walk. A faint, unpleasant odor lingered in the air.

Pinching her nose, Qiu Che calmly said, “Only Qiu Zhe could have done something like this.”

Yu Yan snorted coldly and gripped the wooden sword in her hand, ready to storm over to Qiu Zhe’s courtyard.

Yu Ming quickly held her back. “Don’t act rashly! Master…”

Before she could finish, Qiu Che was already moving faster than Yu Yan, heading straight for Qiu Zhe’s Chongming Courtyard. Her parting words floated back on the wind, light and detached: “What are you waiting for? Go back and rest. I’ll be back shortly.”

Yu Ming was left speechless: “…”

Surely she wouldn’t do what I think she’s going to do?

Qiu Zhe was sleeping soundly in his warm bed when he was abruptly yanked out of his covers. Startled, he flailed in panic. “Who—who is it?!”

Grabbing a fistful of his hair, Qiu Che’s gaze was icy as she stared him down. “Sleep well, my dear brother?”

Behind her, several servants who had tried to stop her now huddled together, trembling. Their faces were bruised and swollen—a clear testament to Qiu Che’s efficiency in dealing with resistance.

Qiu Che stood as tall as Qiu Zhe, perhaps even slightly taller, and her hold on him made it look effortless.

Qiu Zhe stared at her as if he’d seen a ghost, his face pale. It took him a moment to snap out of his shock, and when he did, he erupted in curses. “Qiu Che, are you insane? What are you doing in my courtyard in the middle of the night?”

Anticipating his spit-laden outburst, Qiu Che tilted her head and dodged neatly. Without a word, she yanked his hair down further, drawing a yelp of pain.

Her tone was cold. “That’s my line. What madness drove you to dump all that junk in my room?”

Qiu Zhe winced, his teeth bared in pain, yet he sneered. “You’ve already been sent outside the city. That room of yours is useless now! This entire Qiu family estate will belong to me someday, so I can put my things wherever I please!”

“Oh, so you’re admitting it’s your stuff,” Qiu Che mused thoughtfully, then added dryly, “Your socks… truly have an impressively unique stench.”

A stifled laugh escaped from one of the servants behind her.

Qiu Zhe flushed a deep crimson, his face contorted with both embarrassment and rage. Before he could retort, Qiu Che threw a small bundle into the room and casually began dragging him out.

“Well then,” she said lightly, “since it’s your stuff, you might as well sleep there tonight.”

Her tone was so calm it bordered on indifferent, as if she were merely stating a fact.

The servants scurried out of her way, too frightened to intervene. Qiu Zhe stumbled behind her, powerless to break free from her iron grip. A man of his stature couldn’t even wrest his hair from her hand.

All he could do was bellow like a pig being led to slaughter. “Qiu Che, let go of me!! Are you crazy?! If you don’t let go right now, I’ll have Father throw you out of the family!”

Qiu Che didn’t even blink, her tone light and conversational. “That would be wonderful. Thank you for the suggestion.”

Qiu Zhe: “…”

His screams echoed throughout the Qiu family estate as he was dragged into the chaos of Lianzhu Pavilion. By the time Qiu Che locked the door behind her with a firm clank, Qiu Zhe’s hair was in disarray, with chunks missing from the force of her grip.

Inside the locked room, Qiu Zhe banged on the door, cursing and yelling with all his might.

When Qiu Chudong and Madam Liu arrived in a rush, their faces pale with alarm, they found the scene already set: Qiu Che leaning nonchalantly against the door, the wooden latch firmly in place.

Madam Liu’s sharp voice caught in her throat at the sight, her fury evident. “You wretched girl!”

Qiu Che turned toward them, her expression one of mild surprise. “Father, Madam Liu? What brings you here so late at night?”

“You—” Qiu Chudong’s hand trembled as he pointed at the locked door. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Oh, that,” Qiu Che replied with a serene smile, tapping the latch lightly. “No need to worry. There was some barking earlier, but I’ve taken care of it.”

Both Qiu Chudong and Madam Liu: “…”

Madam Liu was on the verge of exploding when Qiu Chudong grabbed her arm, pulling her back. His glare was sharp enough to silence her.

Even so, her face twisted in fury, her eyes darting between Qiu Che and the door, unable to hide her rage and helplessness.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave,” Qiu Che said cheerfully, brushing past them. “I need to rest early; there’s a palace banquet tomorrow. You should retire soon too.”

Qiu Chudong frowned. “And where exactly do you plan to sleep?”

“Ah, Brother was so kind. He offered me Chongming Courtyard, saying he wouldn’t return until the Lianzhu Pavilion is cleaned up.”

Qiu Che pressed her palms together in a mock prayer, her tone full of faux gratitude. “He truly has such a generous heart.”

Qiu Chudong: “…”

Inside the locked room, Qiu Zhe’s muffled roars of protest: “…”

Who said that?! What kind of nonsense is this?!