Because the main group moved relatively slowly, Xiao Feng specifically instructed the steward Laifu to take some servants ahead to the city of Xinzheng and establish some properties there.
Xiao Feng accompanied Jingni and the others in a carriage, following the main group leisurely to Xinzheng.
By the time Xiao Feng and his entourage arrived in Xinzheng, Laifu had already handled everything. They only needed to move directly into Xiao Mansion.
After welcoming Xiao Feng and his group into Xiao Mansion, Laifu arranged for four young maids to take Jingni and Xiao Yan'er to the backyard to rest. Then, he brought Xiao Feng to the study to report on the acquisition of the properties.
"Not bad, you deserve a reward!"
After listening to Laifu's report, Xiao Feng nodded in satisfaction and placed a white jade bottle on the desk. "This bottle contains the antidote for the Bone Decay Powder, which will prevent it from acting up for six months. Additionally, I'll reward you with a hundred gold coins. You can fetch them from the treasury yourself."
"Thank you for your generosity, master."
Upon hearing this, Laifu hurriedly knelt to express his gratitude.
Since Laifu and the others were newly purchased slaves and not raised from childhood in the household, their loyalty to Xiao Feng was limited. Had Xiao Feng not deliberately given them a slow-acting poison, they would have likely absconded with money halfway through. Otherwise, why would they obediently come to Xinzheng to acquire properties?
"Alright, if there's nothing else, you may leave."
"Yes, master."
Laifu bowed respectfully to Xiao Feng and left with a deferential look.
...
The golden crow set in the west, and the silver rabbit rose in the east.
"Clip-clop, clip-clop..."
As night gradually fell, a luxurious carriage left Xiao Mansion and headed towards Purple Orchid House.
Purple Orchid House was the most famous pleasure house in Xinzheng, and it was also one of the main bases for the protagonists in the original story.
This time, Xiao Feng visited Purple Orchid House to see if he could trigger any new missions. It was certainly not because he wanted to listen to songs and enjoy the company of women.
"Please come in, young master~"
"Young master, you look unfamiliar. Could it be your first time at our Purple Orchid House..."
As soon as Xiao Feng got off the carriage, two gorgeously dressed and scantily clad beauties flanked him, half-dragging and half-pushing him into Purple Orchid House.
"My surname is Xiao. I just arrived in Xinzheng today and heard that your place has many fun things. Is that true?"
While responding to the beauties' probing questions, Xiao Feng discreetly observed the interior of Purple Orchid House.
Compared to the Purple Orchid House depicted in the anime, the one before Xiao Feng was not only more luxuriously decorated but also had several times more maids.
After all, Purple Orchid House was the largest pleasure house in Xinzheng. Even if there weren't a hundred nobles and dignitaries visiting every night, there were at least eighty.
Even if each guest were only assigned one maid, the number of maids in Purple Orchid House would exceed a hundred. Moreover, many guests required the company of several maids, so the total number of maids in Purple Orchid House was in the hundreds.
"Of course it's true, Young Master Xiao. We have many fun things at Purple Orchid House..."
While introducing the various entertainment projects of Purple Orchid House, the two beautiful maids led Xiao Feng to a private room on the second floor.
The maids working at Purple Orchid House naturally had keen eyes. A glance at Xiao Feng was enough to determine whether he was genuinely wealthy. The jade pendant on Xiao Feng's waist alone was worth at least a thousand gold coins.
Thus, the two maids silently labeled Xiao Feng as a rich young master and naturally provided the most expensive services.
After Xiao Feng entered the private room and took his seat, the maids immediately handed him a menu-like item detailing the various entertainment projects of Purple Orchid House.
High-end pleasure houses like Purple Orchid House certainly didn't offer just simple services. They had many other entertainment activities, such as song and dance performances, musical instrument playing, and poetry recitation.
Although the maids at Purple Orchid House were very attractive, each considered a beauty among beauties, they paled in comparison to the likes of Jingni.
Moreover, Xiao Feng did not have the habit of sharing women with others and was not inclined to waste energy on ordinary maids.
After glancing at the entertainment projects, Xiao Feng ultimately chose the most expensive program: a performance by the top musician, along with a table of delicacies and drinks.
"Clip-clop, clip-clop..."
Shortly after Xiao Feng selected his entertainment project, a series of light footsteps sounded from outside the door. A group of maids carrying food and wine entered the private room.
Soon, Xiao Feng's table was filled with various exquisitely shaped dishes and pastries, along with a pot of wine.
"Please enjoy, young master~"
After setting up the food and drinks, the maids bowed slightly to Xiao Feng in unison and left with a fragrant breeze.
The maid assigned to serve Xiao Feng smiled and poured him a cup of wine, engaging him in casual conversation.
After almost a cup of tea's time, a long-haired beauty with a pure demeanor and graceful figure entered the room holding a guqin.
Though not as stunning as Jingni, this woman was only slightly less beautiful and was the top musician of Purple Orchid House — Nong Yu.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for encountering the character 'Nong Yu,' triggering the random projection mission — 'Beauty's Tragic Fate!']
As Xiao Feng's attention was drawn to Nong Yu, the system prompt sounded in his ear again.
[Ding! Mission content: Change Nong Yu's fate of committing suicide by poisoning. Mission reward: An extra lottery chance.]
Upon hearing this, Xiao Feng's expression changed slightly, and he couldn't help but recall the plot of "Nine Songs of the Moving Heavens."
According to the original story, Nong Yu would later join the Liusha organization founded by Han Fei and, after failing to assassinate Ji Wuye, choose to commit suicide by poisoning.
What made it even more heart-wrenching was that Nong Yu had been rescued at great risk by Baifeng, and even Moya had sacrificed himself, only to find that she had already taken poison.
Changing Nong Yu's fate of committing suicide by poisoning was actually quite simple. Xiao Feng immediately thought of two methods.
The first method was to kill Ji Wuye. If he were dead, Nong Yu wouldn't need to undertake the assassination mission, thus avoiding the need to commit suicide.
The second method was to kill Nong Yu. If Xiao Feng killed her before she could commit suicide, she naturally wouldn't be able to take her own life.
In his previous life, the police in his country often used the second method to successfully reduce the suicide rate.