My Sword Immortal Wife Has Gone Berserk - Chapter 21:

Chapter 21: No Man Is Any Good

Ever since Lin Ce’s grandfather was implicated in the Old Grain Transport Case and was forced to step down, his former student, Xue Yuzhang, was appointed as the new Prime Minister by the Emperor. Xue Yuzhang had only entered officialdom thanks to Lin Ce’s grandfather’s connections. Under his guidance and support, Xue Yuzhang quickly advanced, joining the imperial cabinet within a few years.

The investigation into the Old Grain Transport Case had originally been set to continue. But once Xue Yuzhang took power, he immediately halted the investigation, preserving some of the Lin family’s foundation. Lin Ce had a rather good impression of this man; in his previous life, Xue Yuzhang had helped him on several occasions.

However, now hearing that Xue Yuzhang was currently at the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion, meeting with a Courtesan, Lin Ce couldn’t help but find the situation quite amusing. If they were to run into each other, he wondered what kind of awkward scene that would be.

“Young Master, do you still wish to meet the Courtesan?” the plump old madam asked cheerfully, her face full of pride. The Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion wasn’t just an ordinary brothel—it was Bianjing’s most lavish Gold-Burning Den. Many suspected that the person backing it was none other than the Emperor himself. After all, only the Emperor would have the power to keep the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion running and attract such a stream of powerful and wealthy nobles.

“Find me a private room on the second floor,” Lin Ce said sullenly. He didn’t want to run into Xue Yuzhang, especially not in this kind of setting. That would be far too embarrassing. If Xue Yuzhang were to write a letter to Yuzhou and inform the Lin family that he had seen Lin Ce at the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion, that would be social death.

“Will you be watching a performance or drinking tea?” the plump old madam asked. Lin Ce thought for a moment and tossed out a silver note worth 100 taels.

“Watching a performance.”

“One guest for the second-floor performance. Girls, come quick!” the old madam called out as she waved her hand. Immediately, a group of women in heavy makeup rushed out. Dressed in bright colors and exuding sensuality, their eyes were filled with worldly desire. Even though Lin Ce carried a chill that repelled people, their fiery enthusiasm wasn’t dampened in the least.

The number one rule of the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion: regardless of who the guest was or what status he held, he must be given the highest treatment. This was the secret behind the establishment’s lasting prosperity.

As for “watching a performance” and “drinking tea,” anyone who frequented these places would understand the meaning behind these code words. Watching a performance was the clean option. Drinking tea was the dirty one. Naturally, the prices and services were completely different.

These were all things Lin Ce had learned in his previous life…

…

Su Residence.

Bathed in moonlight, Su Nanqiao stood proudly in white, gripping both a short and long sword. A cold glint flashed in her eyes. She slashed forward, striking the massive stone in front of her. With a loud bang, the stone shattered into pieces.

A profound and mysterious aura flowed around her, appearing exceptionally agile.

“Still can’t do it?” Su Nanqiao sighed in disappointment. After her rebirth, she had used all her past-life experience to strengthen herself. Unfortunately, haste made waste—she couldn’t yet return to the original essence with a single sword strike. In her past life, one casual swing would leave the stone untouched externally but reduce the inside to powder.

Several maidservants stood nearby, all filled with admiration.

“Young Miss, you’re amazing!”

“I heard the Phoenix List wants to place you at the top!”

“Really? If the Phoenix List is finalized, won’t the imperial mausoleum be opened too?”

As the maids chattered away, Madam Su strode quickly into the courtyard.

“This is terrible!” she exclaimed, storming straight up to Su Nanqiao, face full of fury.

“Mother, what’s wrong?” Su Nanqiao asked in confusion. It was rare to see her mother this angry. Could it be that her father’s visit to the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion had been discovered?

“Pah! No man is any good. Nanqiao, stay strong. I’m going to break off the engagement right now!” Madam Su gritted her teeth, her beautiful eyes filled with rage.

“Huh? Break off the engagement? Why?” Su Nanqiao looked stunned. When the Duke of the Empire had sent over eight large boxes of rare treasures, wasn’t Madam Su overjoyed to approve the engagement with Lin Ce? Why change her mind all of a sudden?

“My silly daughter, do you really think Lin Ce is a good person? Even I was fooled! Who would’ve thought he was such a bastard!” Madam Su cried out in indignation as she pointed toward the direction of Xunan Ward, where the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion was located.

“You don’t know—Lin Ce went to the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion!”

“Huh? Oh. So what?” Su Nanqiao was puzzled. Of course she knew about the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion. In fact, from her memories of the past life, she knew that it belonged to the Lin family and served as a critical information hub for Lin Ce. Clearly, he was following the same path as before and was making preparations behind the scenes.

In her past life, Lin Ce had visited the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion only after leaving the Su family disappointed, so this visit had come a little earlier this time.

Su Nanqiao knew everything about Lin Ce, so she didn’t see anything wrong. On the contrary, she admired him even more. As expected of the man she had chosen—so ambitious and focused.

“So what?” Madam Su stared at her daughter, quickly placing a hand on Su Nanqiao’s forehead. “No fever. Then why aren’t you reacting? That’s the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion! The infamous Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion!” she shouted emotionally, shocked that her daughter could be so indifferent.

What good could come from a visit to the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion? That young man may look decent on the outside, but deep down, he’s just that kind of man!

“I know.” Su Nanqiao nodded. The Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion belonged to the Lin family, and Lin Ce must’ve gone there to gather intel. What was wrong with that?

Madam Su’s eyes went wide in disbelief. “It’s over. My daughter’s gone mad.”

“Mother, I’m not mad,” Su Nanqiao said helplessly. Then she realized that her mother probably didn’t know the importance of the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion to Lin Ce and had misunderstood everything.

Su Nanqiao immediately put on a shocked face. “That bastard Lin Ce, how dare he go to the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion! If I see him, I’ll break his legs!”

Madam Su nodded approvingly, then looked at Su Nanqiao with anticipation. “And then?”

“I’ll break his legs.”

“And now?”

“Now I’ll just go to sleep. Tomorrow I’m returning to the Myriad Sword Sect.” A trace of awkwardness crossed Su Nanqiao’s face. Was she really expected to go break Lin Ce’s legs right this moment? She was obviously joking.

“You…” Madam Su looked disappointed, as if she couldn’t believe her daughter could be so spineless. Su Nanqiao was usually firm and decisive, never one to back down. But when it came to Lin Ce, why did she suddenly turn soft?

“By the way, Mother, how did you even know Lin Ce went to the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion?” Su Nanqiao asked, genuinely curious. Logically speaking, Lin Ce’s actions should’ve been kept secret.

Madam Su’s expression instantly turned a little awkward when she was asked that. “I… I had someone tail your father. That person came back and reported seeing Lin Ce at the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion,” she said quietly. It had been an unexpected discovery.

But then both Madam Su and Su Nanqiao suddenly froze.

“Oh no—Father!” Su Nanqiao’s expression changed, and she immediately dashed out.

Within just the blink of an eye, Madam Su’s eyes welled up with tears. She dropped to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Su Zhang, you heartless bastard! You scum! You’re not even human!” she wailed. “I’m here waiting for you at home, and you’re off at the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion! No man is any good…”

The cries coming from the Su residence grew louder and louder. Now, Su Nanqiao had no choice but to go to the Fragrant Butterfly Pavilion.