Phoenix in the Moonlight
Chapter 9: The Veiled Woman

Sitting in one of the chairs, Wang Yifeng leaned forward and sipped on the glass of wine as they talked about the shipment that would arrive from across the borders next week. Though he didn't deal in drugs, he felt like he should be more involved in the black market and how it works. Someday he would have to oversee it and make sure things don't get out of hand. Li Jie was notorious for his connections to the underworld, he dealt in drugs, gambling and pleasure houses to name a few, whereas Wang Yifeng was more interested in taking care of nuisances and making them disappear. The deserts were big and replaceing bodies was impossible. He didn't do it for money, he did it more to clear his way. There were too many people who were after him.

The wine slowly took effect and he felt less melancholy. He loosened the collar of his clothes and leaned back.

"Miss the new consort?" Li Jie teased. He scoffed and poured himself another glass.

"You know well that I have no love for that woman. As long as her father supports me and opens up the trade routes, I will treat her well."

"I wonder if they know that," Li Jie snickered. "Probably not. That would go against your pristine reputation. How could such a virtuous man vie for the throne or marry to benefit. He possibly can't be that ruthless. Coming to a whorehouse? Never!"

"Do not remind me," he muttered, dragging a hand over his face. He had to pretend to be carefree so that the king wasn't suspicious of him. But who could say what that paranoid old man was thinking. He didn't even trust his own sons. "At least I get along with Jia Lixue and her family. I don't see any problems in the future." And he hoped that it would remain that way.

He had been active in the planning of the wedding, ushering her in with all respect even though she was not the official wife. He had smiled and reacted the way a lovesick man would. In the end of the day, it was business, a way of tying himself to the merchants and gaining control over them.

"You are lucky to have been sent here so early after your wedding. Imagine spending the night with a woman you don't like."

"We all marry and we never marry someone we love. It is part of our life. You must come to terms with it someday Li Jie," he said coldly. It was the truth of their life. What was love?

"Come, come, let's not talk about the grim reality of our lives. Let me call one of the new courtesans. She is quite a talent." Li Jie said, nodding at him. He shrugged.

"Send her in."

Soon, three beautiful clad women walked in, ready to perform for them. The last one who walked in had a brilliance that outshone the others. She had a veil on her face, only her eyes peering out and piercing into his soul.

"Xin, love, come forward. Show this young master a good time," Li Jie said. He remained at a distance from her and she didn't smile coyly like the others. To have such dignity in such a wretched place, indeed a grand feat. She nodded her head and walked over to him, her clothes cascading over her body and making her look as if she were floating towards him.

He found himself smiling, enchanted by her.

"Master," she greeted. He could sense the smile in her voice. He hid his lips with his glass and jerked his head, asking her to begin. "This one can see that Master is sad. I will try my best to uplift your spirits."

Her accent is that of someone from the capital and her bearing that of someone with qualification.

Her hands moved with the grace of flowing water, and her eyes held emotion that he couldn't fathom. A simple courtesan who could dance so well… what a bewitching creature. He watched enraptured as he twirled and curved, arching her body and arms, her posture nothing short of divine.

She hummed to herself, following the beat and missing none. Her hair flowed behind her, making him want to twirl a strand between his fingers. Indeed, she had managed to cheer him up.

He finally gave in to his urge and stood up, moving towards her. Seeing him move, she startled and bent down, kneeling on the floor.

"Young Master, I apologize for offending you. Please spare me," her voice was low and pitiable, but he could sense a wild flair to it. Almost challenging him to take action. Provocative.

He just had to reach out to her and lift her up by the shoulders.

"What is your name?" he asked huskily. For a split second she looked up and their eyes met. What a vivid and bewitching shade of black they were. It complimented her snow white skin and ink black hair.

"Xin."