Chapter 24: Revealing One's Identity

Ning Chen gazed deeply at the woman, his mind lost in contemplation.

Unlike his stillness, the intense commotion had instantly enlivened the usually cold and quiet brothel. Many gathered in groups to watch the spectacle, but the establishment was so desolate that even from his corner, Ning Chen could see the events unfold with perfect clarity.

"Your Majesty, should we..." Xiao Anzi seemed deeply worried, but Ning Chen shook his head. "No rush, let’s observe the situation first."

"But if she really..." Xiao Anzi began again, only to be interrupted by Ning Chen: "Don't be impatient. This matter is not as simple as you think!"

Not as simple?

Xiao Anzi was stunned, looking at Ning Chen with confusion, then at the woman whose neck was already stained with blood. What could be complicated about this? Was it not just the typical scene of a villain bullying a helpless woman?

As he pondered, the madam’s voice rose again: "Girl, don't be so foolish. If there's an issue, just tell Master Wang. He is not an unreasonable man..."

Before she could finish, the woman suddenly burst into tears, her eyes glistening, looking utterly captivating: "Master Wang, Ruoruo does not wish for this either!"

She looked at the old man, her face streaked with tears, and continued: "You have patronized me for so long; how could I not be grateful? But the problem is, I truly cannot serve you tonight..."

"If I die now, it is only my life that is forfeit. But if I were to serve you tonight, it would not just be me who dies—I fear, Master Wang, you would also..."

At this, the woman cast a profound look at the pot-bellied old man and added, "Master Wang, please, stop forcing me. I cannot bring ruin upon you. I can only repay your kindness in the next life!"

Hearing this, the corner of Ning Chen’s mouth curled slightly. Xiao Anzi looked at him in shock and whispered, "Is there really a hidden agenda?"

The old man was also deeply moved by the woman’s words, asking in bewilderment, "Ruoruo, what are you implying? Is someone threatening you?"

The woman seemed reluctant to speak, but her demeanor clearly suggested she was under duress.

"Who is it? Ruoruo, tell me, who is forcing you?" The man persisted. "I refuse to believe it! Whoever dares to snatch my woman is surely tired of living... Ruoruo, you must tell me right now!"

The woman remained hesitant, but under his forceful prodding, she finally stammered, "Master Wang, I know you are no ordinary person, but the man behind this is a member of the Imperial Guard!"

The Imperial Guard?

Ning Chen and Xiao Anzi exchanged a look.

Unlike the two of them, the old man sneered upon hearing this: "The Imperial Guard? So what? Aren't they just dogs guarding the gate? What is there to fear?"

The woman explained, "Master Wang, he is no ordinary guard. He is a lieutenant under the commander of the Imperial Guard. He and the commander are as close as brothers, and as everyone knows, the commander is a trusted confidant of the Empress Dowager..."

Pan Yu, the commander of the Imperial Guard? How had this matter become entangled with him? Xiao Anzi was bewildered, while Ning Chen’s mouth curved upward once more.

The old man hesitated for a moment, then patted his chest and declared, "And so what? At the end of the day, that man is just a dog under Pan Yu. Even if Pan Yu himself were here, I would not fear him!"

As soon as these words were uttered, the crowd erupted in a clamor of discussion. Yet, to everyone's surprise, a young, clear voice suddenly rang out:

"Oh? Who is it that speaks with such arrogance? Daring to call the Imperial Guard 'gate-keeping dogs'!"

Xiao Anzi was jolted, staring in disbelief as Ning Chen stood up and strode toward the center of the room.

*What is going on? Your Majesty, why did you suddenly step out? And without telling me?*

He wanted to speak, but with all eyes fixed on them, he could only play the role of a silent attendant, following the young emperor with forced resignation.

When the crowd saw that Ning Chen was merely a young boy, their surprise turned into mockery.

"Oh? Which spoiled brat is this, stealing his father's money to sample the pleasures of a brothel?"

"Indeed, even a child like this knows how to visit a brothel. It’s like a knife scraping a..."

"Do you even know the ways between men and women, kid? Aren't you afraid of being dragged home by your elders to kneel in the ancestral hall?"

Ning Chen ignored their ridicule. He walked up to the woman and the old man, glanced at her, and then stared straight at the man.

He said coldly, "Was it you who just called the Imperial Guard of the Great Ning 'gate-keeping dogs'?"

The old man frowned, sizing him up: "Where did this brat come from? Go play elsewhere and stop annoying me!"

Ning Chen repeated, his voice stern: "I ask you for the last time: was it you who called the Imperial Guard of the Great Ning 'gate-keeping dogs'?"

The old man was stunned. "Are you deaf, you little bastard? Yes, I said it, so what? Go play in the mud and get lost!"

Before he could finish, Ning Chen shouted, "How dare you openly insult the Imperial Guard of the Great Ning! Guards, seize him!"

The guards who had been waiting at the entrance rushed in immediately. Without a word, they followed Ning Chen’s order and apprehended the old man. The scene left everyone stunned.

*Who is this child? Does he not know who this Master Wang is?*

Xiao Anzi was also taken aback. *What is the Emperor doing? Didn't we come here for business? Why does it seem like he's looking for trouble? The woman had already put down the knife—why provoke the man now? And if he wanted to make a move, shouldn't he be targeting the lieutenant under Pan Yu? Is he helping her, or...*

The old man struggled, cursing, "Let me go, you brat! Do you know who I am? You’re dead for laying a hand on me..."

Ning Chen merely sneered. "Oh? By the sound of it, you have quite the backing. Let’s hear it."

"Listen well, you insolent whelp! The Marquis of Ning'an of the Great Ning Dynasty is my brother-in-law! If you dare touch me, I will..."

*The brother-in-law of the Marquis of Ning'an?* Those who didn't know the man were shocked. While they didn't know the "Master Wang," everyone knew the name of the Marquis of Ning'an—a founding hero and the leader of the current nobility in the capital!

Xiao Anzi frowned, looking at Ning Chen with worry.

However, Ning Chen was unconcerned, smiling mischievously. "That is indeed a big name. But I'm sorry, it's still not as big as mine."

He turned to the guards: "Show him your badges, so he knows why he is being arrested."

The guards immediately revealed their golden tokens.

*Imperial Guards?* Everyone gasped in terror. If these men were Imperial Guards, then who was this child? Could he be... the young emperor of the Great Ning Dynasty?

Master Wang was no fool; he realized the young emperor's identity immediately. He froze in place, staring at Ning Chen in a daze, stammering, "You... you are the Emperor..."

Ning Chen gave a cold laugh and did not answer.

Seeing this, everyone realized the truth and scrambled to their knees: "Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live, long live the Emperor!"

No one expected the reigning monarch to appear in a brothel—it was simply inconceivable! Even more shocking was that after Master Wang was dragged away, Ning Chen walked up to the kneeling woman, took her hand, and helped her up.

"Would you be willing to play a song for me alone?"

The woman nodded, and in front of everyone, the two of them went upstairs into a private room.

This scene left the entire room paralyzed! Although Xiao Anzi and the remaining guards locked down the premises to prevent anyone from leaving, it could not stop the judgment forming in the hearts of the onlookers.

"The Emperor, visiting a brothel... and he's only a nine-year-old boy. This is just..."

"The Empress Dowager just declared at her birthday celebration that the Emperor would never be deposed, and yet the young Emperor appears in a place like this so soon..."

"Our nation is in peril... The Great Ning is in peril..."

Meanwhile, Pan Yu, who had been hiding not far from the brothel, saw the guards dragging someone out and couldn't help but ask in confusion: "The Marquis of Ning'an's brother-in-law? What is happening? Did that little wretch really arrest the Marquis's brother-in-law?"

Soon, a triumphant smile appeared on his face. "Keep playing, you little wretch. Keep playing. Once you go down, you'll get exactly what's coming to you!"

He whispered to his attendant: "Go, report the situation here to the Empress Dowager. Remember, be quick!"

As the attendant left, he couldn't help but laugh smugly: "The Emperor visits a brothel—a little brat who hasn't even grown hair yet. This time, there’s going to be a good show..."

Before long, in a room on the second floor of the Lichun Brothel.

The woman sat before Ning Chen, holding her pipa, and asked with a blank expression: "Your Majesty, what song would you like to hear?"

As she spoke, Ning Chen suddenly asked: "You must hate me very much, right, cousin?"