The Yao Emperor and His Human Doctor.

Chapter 56 - Tonzhun.

Qiang Yong opened a portal to reach Tonzhun. He knew the city well, not to make use of its services, but because it was a problematic place with difficult jurisdiction. This was because this city was one of the few cities where humans and yao were clearly mixed equally. There were places with a population only of yao and others only for humans, with one or two quickly wandering through them.

With the exception of Su Ning who didn't mind visiting yao often, it wasn't customary for the two species to interbreed so much. But in Tonzhun there were both brothels exclusively for humans, yao brothels and even mixed brothels! In fact, the mixed houses had become very famous and well attended, as there was some interest in "meeting" beauties of other types on both sides.

And of course, this could only result in a lot of mess, fights and arguments. It was not uncommon for Qiang Yong to have to look for the prefecture lord and have a few shouts at him. In fact, the owner of the city hall was a yao, a small weasel, as fate would have it. It was time to remove this creature from power, but it was very difficult to get him out of the henhouse now that he had taken over the place.

It wasn't surprising that a serial criminal would go around murdering women and he wouldn't lift a finger to catch him. Anyway, he would talk to the mayor after he dealt with this criminal first. And after he talked to Su Ning!
Ren Loo also knew Tonzhun well, which didn't stop her from walking the streets as if she were sightseeing.

"I hope they don't mistake you for a courtesan." Qiang Yong gritted his teeth. Several women tried to flirt with him along the way and he completely ignored them. But it was difficult to distinguish which people were offering services, which were wanting to buy or just tickets. And Madame Ren was very beautiful, standing out in the crowd like a shining ruby, although her robes were nothing like those of other women, full of colorful adornments and jewels.

Her clothes were practical, ready for combat and manual labor. Today she wore a dark red mixed with black. However, Ren Loo was thinking a lot about An Shu and she was unsure whether she should change her look. Maybe use more delicate haifu, with softer colors... or would it be better to use the bold colors she always used?

As she browsed the stores, she also observed the other women, comparing themselves. An Shu was accompanying Su Ning. Would he look at other women with ulterior motives? She suddenly quickened her pace.
"Did you manage to speak to Dr. Su?" She asked with a frown of irritation forming on her forehead.

"Yes, I asked at the communications headquarters. It's just around the next street."
"So, let's go!"
Ren Loo quickened her pace and Qian Young wondered what animal bit her. They stopped before the gates of a large three-story residence, painted in eye-catching colors. They were received with great excitement, as it was the emperor and the famous Madame Ren, owner of notable achievements as a General during the war.

The girls ran to open the doors and lead them to the main hall. The lady of the house came to welcome them personally, fanning a large black bamboo fan designed with golden flowers. This was  Orchid's House, a very well-regarded mixed house, and the courtesan master, Black Orchid.
"Your Majesty, Madame Ren, we are honored by your visit!" The courtesan bowed respectfully.

She was a feline-type yao and her furry ears were visible beneath her elaborate hairstyle. She had large golden eyes and narrow pupils, which observed the smallest details.
"We heard they attacked one of your orchids." Ren Loo said with a bad mood. The girls in the house were all beauties, full of laughter and flower decorations in their hair.

"Oh, yes! It was very serious." The courtesan sprawled primly on the sofa. "I called a doctor urgently. The best doctor there is, Dr. Su. A really good man! He always comes here."
"Uh...does he always come here?" The Emperor said between his teeth.
"Yes! A few months ago a girl became pregnant and took some herbs for an abortion. But she didn't react well and almost passed away. If it weren't for him, she would have died in such a tragic way! Oh, there was also the time that so-and-so found a cyst..."

Qiang Yong sighed in relief, he was really just coming to work. "Can we see him... I mean, see the girl to ask her a few questions?"
"The rooms are on the upper floor, I'll take you there." Black Orchid led them to the upper floor, knocking on the door of one of the rooms. The two dragons were almost blinded by the pink exuberance of the rooms.

In the midst of so much feminine ostentation, Su Ning was medicating a girl, behind the muslin curtains that surrounded the bed. Beside him was his snake assistant, holding basin with acupuncture needles. The doctor soon finished collecting the needles and left. Instead of its simplicity disappearing amid the sumptuousness of the room, it seemed to make it stand out even more in this environment.

Behind the dragons, Black Orchid clicked her tongue, muttering softly. "It's a shame he's so good at medicine! That face of his is a shame." Qiang Yong was purple, but he didn't say anything. He approached the doctor and received a familiar smile from him. Ren Loo laughed to himself. The courtesan narrowly escaped now. This smile was the only one to appease the emperor's anger from now on.

"Is the patient able to speak?" He asked softly, returning the smile from before.
"Unfortunately not, maybe tomorrow, when she wakes up. She received five stab wounds to the chest and abdomen, but neither her lungs nor heart were affected. She also lost a lot of blood but her life is no longer at risk."
"I see. Can we talk privately when you're done here?"

"Yes, actually I'm done. She managed to take the medication and I've already applied the acupuncture." Su Ning nodded. He, the Emperor, An Shu, and Ren Loo gathered in a private room, which was Black Orchid's private office.
"I believe you've been investigating this case since you arrived." Qiang Yong got straight to the current topic, much to the dismay of Madam Ren, who wanted so much to see the outcome of the latest case.

"Five women were killed with a sharp and blunt object, the deaths began more than a month ago. They are all human and from different homes. They were caught late in the afternoon, close to rooster time." Su Ning quickly went over what he knew .
"You got this information so quickly." Ren Loo commented, amazed.
"The girls told me as soon as I set foot here." The doctor replied.

"They are scared, so they gathered all kinds of useful information. Now they don't go out alone and avoid sunset. It will be more difficult for the killer to find his prey this way..."
Qiang Yong had been staring at him this entire time and had a bad feeling.
"What do you intend to do then?"
Su Ning smiled until his eyes became two crescents.
"I'll throw out some bait."

Author's Note

Now we have two vinegar pots, Qiang Yong and Ren Loo.