Chapter 22 – Disappearance (Part One)

That evening, the Dragon Palace was once again hosting a banquet for guests.

Despite the distance, the faint sound of string and wind instruments could still be heard. Ru Ye walked around the courtyard as usual.

When the Dragon King was away, there were few people in the courtyard. Outside the courtyard, elite guards stood watch with patrolling attendants. Not even a snake could get in. No one could easily break this defense line.

Late at night, the Dragon King entered with a woman in his arms.

He seemed to have drunk a lot of alcohol. The smell of alcohol on him was very strong.

She had never seen this woman before. She was very beautiful and alluring, with a somewhat worldly air. She was likely a courtesan brought in from outside tonight.

Not long ago, a woman brought in from outside to share his bed had nearly cost him his life, yet now he was bringing in another. The Dragon King truly feared nothing.

What’s unusual is that Wei Bao wasn’t guarding the door tonight.

Perhaps it was because she had lost her internal energy. Perhaps it was because she had been acting weak recently. Perhaps it was because the Dragon King’s wound had fully healed. Perhaps he was busy with other matters. Whatever the reason, Wei Bao no longer kept watch outside her door every night as he used to.

On a night like this, it was best for her to disappear.

So, after drawing the gauze curtains shut, she returned to her room and sat quietly in the darkness.

…

Qingqing was talented and beautiful. In less than half a year since arriving in the Dark City, she had become the most popular courtesan at the most prestigious brothel in Dark City, Drunken Fragrance Pavilion.

With her fame and favor, she inevitably developed a bit of arrogance. She was not easy to get along with and was especially picky about her clients.

The Drunken Fragrance Pavilion was secretly owned by Ye Qingzhou, so no matter how chaotic the Dark City was, no one dared cause trouble for the pavilion or for her.

Ever since entering the profession, she had longed to serve the Dragon King.

Every courtesan in the Dark City dreamed of getting close to the Dragon King. Only the most exceptional women could ever catch his eye.

The moment she first saw the Dragon King, she was utterly captivated.

His demonic and enchanting allura, his profound, godlike depth—captivated her breathlessly and irresistibly.

She had once heard the most famous sisters in the city whispering about the Dragon King among themselves. She had never understood the admiration and obsession in their eyes and voices. But now she knew. This was it.

But alas, the night was too short. Just as the flame had barely died down, she had to leave the Dragon King’s bedside.

It was said that the Dragon King never kept a woman overnight, and indeed it was true. Even she was no exception. No one dared displease the Dragon King.

Reluctant to part, she dressed and tidied herself as slowly as she possibly could, wanting to linger a little longer in the room’s intoxicating atmosphere and in his presence.

It took her twice as long as usual to finish. She looked back at the Dragon King. His eyes were already closed. He wasn’t looking at her.

Who knew? Perhaps he never really looked at her from beginning to end. Her eyes dimmed. She wondered if she would ever see him again after this.

She had heard that no woman ever stayed by his side for more than a month, not even those who resided temporarily in the Dragon Palace.

She walked towards the door, turning back again and again. She lifted the gauze curtain and left the bedchamber.

Her heart full of melancholy. She was reluctant to leave. She walked very, very slowly. It took her a full a quarter of an hour to walk out of the building.

The courtyard was very quiet. Wind lanterns hung along the corridor, though their light not very bright.

Even though it was the south, autumn nights were a bit chilly. Moreover, the temperature in the mountains was naturally lower than outside. She wrapped her cloak tightly around herself, clutching the collar with both hands, burying half her face in the fabric, as if she were somewhat afraid of the cold.

Outside the courtyard, a small sedan chair was waiting. A maidservant holding a lantern had been waiting for a long time.

When she saw her come out, the maidservant Xiaoqing hurriedly said, “Miss, let’s go.”

She gave a low cough twice, said nothing, and got into the sedan chair. She was truly tired tonight.

Dawn had not yet broken. The night was hazy and indistinct. She lifted a corner of the sedan curtain to look outside. The palace scenery was dim and blurred.

She had been here for some time but had never really taken a good look at the surroundings. With a single glance, she could see that the castle was vast and magnificent. The roads were long and winding. Lanterns hung along the main roads, and patrolling guards passed by from time to time.

After walking for about a quarter of an hour, they arrived in front of a small courtyard. The sedan bearers stopped and said, “Please rest here, young ladies. The palace will send someone to escort you both back to the city tomorrow morning.”

Qingqing followed Xiaoqing into the room. Just as Xiaoqing was about to light a candle, she lay down on the bed, her back to Xiaoqing, coughing softly. She said in a hoarse voice, “I’m very tired. You don’t need to attend to me. Go back to sleep.”

Xiaoqing didn’t dare ask too many questions. She acknowledged the order and lay down on a small couch in the outer room to sleep.

She was sleeping soundly in a daze when someone shook her awake. She heard Qingqing’s voice say, “Wake up quickly. We need to hurry back.”

“Miss,” Xiaoqing said groggily, “it’s not even dawn yet.”

“Go call the sedan chair immediately. We’re going back right now. Right now!” Her tone was somewhat harsh, her voice hoarse, as if she had caught a cold.

“I’ll go call the carriage right away.” Xiaoqing sensed that her mistress was angry. She quickly got up, dressed, and went outside.