"This is the lightest punishment," Steward Ao said coldly. "Only because our esteemed elder has already dealt with you physically do I refrain from taking further action. But remember this well—there won't be a next time."
With a wave of his hand, he led the crowd away, leaving Dai Mubai alone in the middle of the street, trembling like a leaf.
This is terrifying!
He never imagined that provoking Lu Feng would lead to such dire consequences.
If I can't enter the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena, what am I supposed to do now?
At least Spring Bliss Pavilion wasn't part of the Merchant Alliance.
I need a drink and a woman. Something to calm my nerves.
Steeling himself, Dai Mubai strode toward the pleasure house's entrance only for the madam to step out and block his path.
"Young Master Dai, you've been a valued patron, and our girls are quite fond of you… but I'm afraid we can no longer serve you. You've offended someone far beyond your standing."
"What?!" Dai Mubai's eyes bulged. "You're not even a Merchant Alliance business!"
"True, but we rely on their trade networks. If they find out we hosted you, our supply discounts might vanish, and our profits could crumble. We simply can't take that risk."
With a firm thud, the door slammed shut in his face.
"..."
Dai Mubai stood frozen, his eyes stinging with humiliated tears.
Even the brothel banned me…
....
Meanwhile, at the Rose Hotel...
Splash… splash…
Water rippled in the porcelain bathtub as two figures soaked in the steam.
"Sister, remember when we used to bathe together as kids? The tub never felt this small back then." Zhu Zhuqing mused, shifting slightly.
"That's because you were tiny," Zhu Zhuyun teased, flicking water at her. "Now look at you, all grown up and very grown in certain places."
"Says the one who's even more grown there!" Zhu Zhuqing shot back, her usual icy demeanor melting into playful annoyance.
Zhu Zhuyun grinned. "You sassy little thing, always quick with a comeback. Stand up, I'll scrub your back with soap."
Zhu Zhuqing stood up from the steamy water, her full breasts rising above the surface, her stunning, curvy figure on display. Sparkling water droplets slid down her smooth, pale skin.
The years of hostility between them had dissolved not just because of Lu Feng, but because her sister had genuinely begun to lower her guard.
When Zhu Zhuqing saw the luxurious bathroom with its spacious tub, nostalgia had struck. With Zhu Zhuyun soon returning to Star Luo City, this might be their last chance for such intimacy in a long time.
And Zhu Zhuyun, burdened by years of guilt, would never refuse.
The steam curled around them, wrapping the sisters in a warmth deeper than the water, a fleeting return to the innocence they'd lost long ago.
"Oh! Sister, you can't touch there…"
"Look at you, all grown up and shy now. Some spots are just for Lu Feng to touch, huh? Hehe…" Zhu Zhuyun teased.
"Sister, you're so mean!" Zhu Zhuqing shot back.
A little while later, Zhu Zhuqing piped up, "Your turn, sister. Let me scrub your back."
"Mmm," Zhu Zhuyun purred, her alluring eyes half-closed as she savored Zhu Zhuqing's "help."
Suddenly, Zhu Zhuyun's brow furrowed, her expression shifting. She cracked her eyes open and grabbed Zhu Zhuqing's sneaky hand.
"Is my back on my front now? You're just messing around. Getting naughty, aren't you?"
"I learned it from you!" Zhu Zhuqing giggled. "How do I get a little bigger like you?"
"Bigger? You're already plenty! When I was your age, I wasn't even close to your size. Give it a few years, you might outdo me. I'm jealous of your height and those long legs… Hey, hey! Stop grabbing everywhere, or I'll spank you!"
Slap!
"Sister, you… you actually hit me?" Zhu Zhuqing gasped.
Slap!
"Ow! You little punk, you hit me back?" Zhu Zhuyun laughed.
Slap, slap… slap, slap…
Steam swirled around them as the sisters giggled and splashed, lost in playful fun. For a moment, they forgot everything else, basking in the rare, warm sisterly bond, like they were kids again.
Outside the door, Lu Feng stood frozen, his eyes glinting with golden light. His breaths came fast, and he swallowed hard, feeling like a certain part of him was about to burst.
After a while, the two women finished bathing and began dressing.
Lu Feng quickly slipped over to the window, pretending to admire the view of Suotuo City. He gently stroked the Blue Silver Emperor while steadying his breathing, trying to appear completely nonchalant.
The sisters stepped out in loose white bathrobes, their skin still flushed from the warm water.
"Lu Feng, it's your turn," Zhu Zhuqing said.
"No rush, no rush," he replied, keeping his tone casual. "The view up here is incredible, you can see half the city from this height. That tallest building over there? That's the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena. Impressive architecture, don't you think?"
If he was going to act, he might as well commit.
Honestly, my acting skills are Oscar-worthy. If I'd been born in my past life as an actor, I might've snagged a little golden statue.
Zhu Zhuyun, towel-drying her damp hair, shot him a sidelong glance. "You're always fussing over that Blue Silver Grass. Most people keep snakes or scorpions as pets, but you? You pamper a weed. How… unique."
"She's not just any Blue Silver Grass, she's the Blue Silver Emperor. And her name is Ah yin," Lu Feng corrected, his voice softening as he looked down at the plant.
A'yin's delicate tendrils curled lightly around his fingers, as if sensing his affection.
"Oh? You even named her," Zhu Zhuyun teased, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm. "Look at your man, Qing'er. More interested in petting his plant than turning around to admire his freshly bathed girlfriend."
"I don't mind," Zhu Zhuqing said simply. With effortless grace, she crossed the room, her bare feet silent against the plush carpet.
She pressed herself against Lu Feng's back, her damp hair brushing his shoulder as she slid her arms around him from behind. Her fingers joined his, lightly tracing Ah yin's leaves. "I like her too. She's grown so fast… and she feels almost sentient. Look she's twining our hands together. How sweet."
Lu Feng felt the soft curves pressing against his back, the fresh, post-bath scent filling his nose. The steamy scene he'd just witnessed flashed through his mind, reigniting his senses. What had barely calmed down surged back to life.
Turning his head, he caught her lips in a quick, heated kiss before murmuring, "See? Even Ah yin knows how long it's been since we've had time alone… Qing'er, tonight…"
Zhu Zhuqing pinched his waist. "Always thinking about naughty things! A'yin isn't as indecent as you, Huh? Why are you bleeding?!"
"Eh… Am I?"
Lu Feng's heart lurched. He swiped a finger under his nose—and sure enough, a faint streak of red stained his skin.
When did that even happen? I didn't feel a thing!
Flaw exposed.
This wasn't a failure of acting. This was… biology.
"It's nothing, probably just some internal heat," he lied smoothly.
"Don't brush it off!" Zhu Zhuqing's almond eyes shimmered with worry. "What if you were injured during the fight with the third prince?"
At the mention of potential injuries, Zhu Zhuyun was at his side in an instant, her peach-blossom gaze scanning him with sharp concern.
Then—
Her expression shifted. A flicker of understanding crossed her face as she noticed something amiss.
"That trash prince didn't even touch his robes, let alone get past his Eight Treasures Soft Armor. How could he be hurt?" She narrowed her eyes, drilling into Lu Feng's soul. "You're a Soul Elder now. 'Internal heat' doesn't make you bleed. Don't play dumb. When we were bathing, you weren't actually staring out the window, were you?"
Lu Feng's eye twitched.
Damn. No wonder she was groomed to be an empress. Too damn perceptive.