Chapter 502 - Pattern of the Seven Stars

Chapter 502: Pattern of the Seven Stars
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Fang Zhengzhi was just half a year away from his 18th birthday. Chi Guyan was not much younger than him. She was almost 17.
17-years-old… 　　 She was mature enough to be married. 　
Shameless fella, what are you thinking about? Aren’t you coming?
Ping Yan rushed Fang Zhengzhi when she saw that he was standing still. 　
Oh, let’s go.
Fang Zhengzhi nodded and looked at Ping Yang’s body.
You’re still young! Only 16!

… 　　 Inside King Duan’s residence… 　 King Duan was accompanied by Mr. Hua and Old Wen. They walked quickly to the gates. There were a few guards trailing behind them. 　
Have they left?
King Duan asked the squad leader behind him. 　
Yes. For some reason, they left earlier than usual. Previously, they would only leave one hour from now!
The squad leader replied. 　
He’s really playing everyone!
King Duan cursed… 　 King Duan had monitored Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu whenever they had gone to the Seven Star Lane. Even though he didn’t want to, he sent soldiers to patrol the vicinity around the Seven Star Lane. 　　 Of course, it was a good thing that… 　　 Nothing had gone awry. 　 That was indeed a cause for celebration.
However, today was different. 　 The banquet hosted by the Emperor at the Ten Mile Lake was today! Even though he had the Royal Guard to protect him, a large part of the city guards was mobilized as well.
Most of the skilled guards in the city had been activated to protect the Emperor. After all, the Emperor’s safety was of utmost importance.
King Duan had no choice but to lead the squad himself.
He was furious that Fang Zhengzhi and co. decided to leave early today. 　 He didn’t even have the time to eat. 　 He couldn’t believe that he was about to protect someone who merely lazed around all day. He had skipped dinner just to stand outside the Seven Star Lane for four to six hours just to protect Fang Zhengzhi?! He was furious! 　 He didn’t want to go.
However, Mr. Hua and Old Wen convinced him otherwise. In the end, he grit his teeth and left the table of dishes untouched. 　
You guys should walk faster. Fang Zhengzhi and company should be arriving soon.
Old Wen said to the guards behind. 　　 This was also meant for King Duan. Old Wen just wanted to do it in a roundabout manner in order to avoid antagonizing King Duan. 　　 King Duan understood what Old Wen was getting at. The guards were following his pace. By asking them to speed up, Old Wen as effectively asking him to speed up. 　　 He wasn’t happy about it.
However, he still grit his teeth and quickened his pace.

Kacha!

The guards at the gate rushed to open the gates when they saw King Duan and the other guards rushing towards it.
However, King Duan stopped the moment he took a step out of the gates. He didn’t even manage to head in the direction of the Seven Star Lane.
Because… 　 There was a squad standing in front of him. Each soldier wore gleaming armor and they were led by a familiar figure. 　 This person wore a silver robe adorned with silver dragons. He squinted and smirked when he saw King Duan. 　
Sixth Brother, where are you going?
He asked caringly. 　 King Duan frowned when he saw the figure in front of him as well as the squad behind this figure.
That person was Crown Prince Lin Tianrong.
However… 　 King Duan couldn’t figure out why Crown Prince Lin Tianrong would appear here today. Most importantly, he couldn’t understand why Lin Tianrong had a squad of soldiers standing behind him. 　
Third Brother, are you looking for me?
King Duan frowned and asked. 　　
It’s no big deal. I missed you, Sixth Brother. Since father is at the Ten Mile Lake, I decided to come over and visit you. Aren’t you going to invite me in?
Lin Tianrong smiled.

Haha, thank you for your concern brother. However, your timing is slightly inconvenient. Since father is at the Ten Mile Lake, there is a shortage of guards in the city. I have no choice but to patrol the city myself. After all, if anything were to happen, I would be the first one to be blamed.


Brother, you are absolutely right! The Royal Guards and much of the city guards have been activated to standby at the Ten Mile Lake. It would be horrible if anything was to happen now.
　
Since you understand, you should also know why I can’t accompany you.


Haha, Sixth Brother, you are worrying too much. I know your concerns, so I brought some men over to help you. I borrowed them from the army.
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong pointed to the soldiers behind him.

Aren’t you afraid that father would blame you?
King Duan was slightly astonished.

I am, of course I am. However, for the safety of the capital and for your well-being, I am more than willing to be chided. Furthermore, I’m sure you won’t report this to father.
Lin Tianrong replied.

Hahaha, you must be kidding!


Okay, now that I’ve solved the manpower problem, why don’t you have a few drinks with me?
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong’s eyes glistened.
King Duan squinted when he heard this. He clenched his fists instinctively but released them almost just as quickly. 　
I am honored to have you come and visit me today! I will definitely accompany you!
　
Good, very good! I brought the best wine I have over here. Since father is not in the city, we will drink till we drop!
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong chuckled. 　
Third Brother, please!
King Duan stepped to the side and ushered Lin Tianrong into his residence. Then, he blinked at Mr. Hua and Old Wen. 　 Both of them saw the look on King Duan’s face and nodded. Then, they led the soldiers out of the residence. 　 The soldiers who were previously following Crown Prince Lin Tianrong followed behind.

Mr. Hua, we have come to help on the orders of the Crown Prince. If you don’t mind, we can be responsible for the Western Part of the city.
One of the leaders stepped forward. 　
No need. We can take the Western Part of the City.
Mr. Hua rejected the proposition. 　
Mr. Hua, you don’t have to be so courteous. Even though we are from the army, we will still serve the city to the best of our abilities. If something comes up, we will let you take command!
The leader started to walk towards the west. 　 The soldiers followed behind.
Mr. Hua frowned when he saw this, his eyes glowing. 　　
Something is going to happen tonight!
Old Wen spoke softly. However, he was loud enough for Mr. Hua to hear it. 　
Mm, they should be striking tonight.
Mr. Hua nodded. 　　
If we go up against them, we will be playing right into their hands. They may even take advantage of the situation to create chaos somewhere and draw the forces away.
Old Wen added. 　
Exactly. The only thing we can do now is join forces with them. Only then can we ensure that they don’t have the chance to mess things up.
Mr. Hua nodded. 　　
Indeed. However, when things actually happen, they will still be able to stymie and delay us. Things can still take a turn for the worse.
　
We have to play this by ear!
　
Mm, let’s go!

… 　　 The Seven Star Lane had become the most popular spot in the city after the Intellectual Loft burnt down. It was even more popular now than the Intellectual Loft ever was. 　 The Seven Star Lane had all the most popular ladies in the city. 　　 The Seven Stars! 　 This was why they named themselves the Seven Star Lane! 　 The seven of them had gathered here over a month ago.
No one knew how the boss of the Seven Star Lane had done it, but the fact was that he had succeeded.
The boss of the Seven Star Lane exploited the fame of the seven most popular girls he had acquired. 　 One girl for each day. 　 Every day, he would have a new girl as the main show. Most importantly, the guests didn’t know who the main show was going to be. 　 There was no specific order in which they appeared. 　 As a result, everyone ended up coming on a daily basis, waiting for the girl that they wanted to see. The crowd kept growing with each passing day. 　　 Many people initially thought that this business model would not take off.
They couldn’t be more mistaken… 　　 Over the years, the popularity of the Seven Star Lane kept on growing. Part of the reason was that the Seven Star Lane kept pushing out new programs. 　 Most importantly, the sense of excitement and anticipation kept people coming. 　　 Everyone was excited to find out who would headline the shows today. Sometimes, two of them would perform together. Other times, all seven would put up a joint performance.
There were too many permutations.
The countless permutations of performances left the audience wanting more. This trend caught on quickly. 　 It also gave birth to a secondary business. 　　 That was… 　
Guess the headliner!
　
Place your bets, place your bets!


Guess who will be the main act tonight! Those who manage to guess the ladies performing in the main act will be paid 10 to one!

Voices rang out outside the Seven Star Lane. Before the main act started, the betting scene was bustling.

Young Master Li, who do you think will be the main act tonight?


Lan Yi, it’ll definitely be Lan Yi!


Young Master Li is so sure that it will be Ms. Lan Yi?


Ms. Lan Yi hasn’t made an appearance in more than five days! She should be the first one out. After that… I think that there is an 80% chance it will be Yue Qing!
　
Young Master Li’s predictions sound correct! If Lan Yi opens tonight, the Yue Qing is likely to follow!
　
That’s right! Lan Yi’s drums and Yue Qing’s instrument are a match made in heaven! Those are my bets for tonight!
　
Same for me!

A few youths stood by the betting table as they discussed their bets for the night. Then, they placed their bets. 　 At that moment, four figures walked closer to the table.
They were Fang Zhengzhi, Wen Dabao, Yan Xiu, and Ping Yang. Their arrival caused a stir in the crowd.
However, since Fang Zhengzhi had been coming for the past few days, the youths weren’t too surprised to see him. 　
Look, Fang Zhengzhi is back!
　
Call him Fang Zhengzheng! Young Master Chen got beaten up over this the other day!
　
Mm…

The youths continued to discuss Fang Zhengzhi’s arrival, but they did so softly and discreetly. After all, the capital’s number one bully was with him. 　 When Ping Yang decided to strike, nothing could stop her!
No one dared to go up against Ping Yang or antagonize her. When she decided to go after you, there was no escape. 　　 The crowd parted to the side as Fang Zhengzhi and company approached. 　　 Wen Dabao’s eyes brightened. They were almost as bright as the seven lanterns at the door of the Seven Star Lane. 　 As the mascot for all the vices in the capital, he would never miss the chance to bet on something so exciting. 　 Most importantly, he had quite a bit of cash on him. Furthermore, he could spend all these money without consequences. 　　 That being said… 　 He had been losing the past few days, so he hesitated to place a bet today. After all, these silvers were taken from his house’s vaults. 　 Even though he was someone who loved to drink and have fun, he wanted to win. 　　
Young Master Fang, why are you able to win every time whilst I lose all the time? Is there really a pattern?
Wen Dabao murmured and whined. 　　
A pattern? Of course.
Fang Zhengzhi nodded. 　　
There is a pattern? That’s impossible! I heard that the boss of the Seven Star Lane arranges these performances himself! There is no insider information! How can there possibly be a pattern?
Wen Dabao was in disbelief. 　
Haha, even if he plans them himself, there has to be a pattern!
Fang Zhengzhi smirked as he replied triumphantly.