The document is clear to the world

Chapter 98

"Xiaoyu, have you really not thought about this?"

"What?"

"You and Yi'er—"

Xiaoyu grabbed my hand in a panic. "What are you saying? I'm his sister-in-law, after all." She was taken aback by her own words and quickly chuckled. "Yu Ning and I have always been close. When she was alive, I kept it from her. Now that she's gone, how could I do such a thing?"

Yes, Xiaoyu is naturally more clear-headed than I am. What's done is done, and what can be done now? Shouldn't everything have ended long ago? This ill-fated relationship should have ended long ago. Since that's the case, let's end it completely.

"You...you really don't regret it?" I couldn't help but ask.

She lowered her head. "What do I have to regret... I'm already Fifth Master's woman."

I was taken aback and looked her up and down. "You..."

Xiaoyu looked up and smiled slightly, "Fifth Master is an outstanding man. I truly admire him. Besides, he has been incredibly good to me all these years, and I've gotten used to living in the Prince's Mansion."

“If you are sincere,” I smiled, “then I couldn’t be happier for you. It seems that the choice I made for you back then was not a mistake.”

Xiaoyu smiled slightly, then suddenly stared blankly behind me. I turned around and looked at the figure standing five steps away. A chill ran through me, and his blue robe made him appear so... serene.

I was too proud to bow or kneel, but Xiaoyu beside me had already bent down.

He remained calm, his gaze resolute, and he remained silent with his lips pursed.

I stepped out from the other side, tightened my coat, and remained silent.

The figure trembled, so frail in the wind.

Not long after Yu Ning's burial, Xiao Yi rushed back to the frontier, accompanied by Le Mei. Hearing from Consort Lin that it was Yu Ning's wish for Le Mei to marry the prince consort, Xiao Yi didn't refuse. Shortly after the two left, Consort Lin brought Nuannuan from her fifth sister-in-law's residence to the palace and kept her by her side. Consort Lin doted on this child, and I was secretly happy for Nuannuan; though she had lost her mother, she had the love of a large family.

The two children lived with Lu Xiu in the Prince Duan's mansion, while I continued to seek pleasure in and around the capital, making friends with virtuous and ambitious people all over the world. However, Lu Xiu, who was like a persistent ghost, was always by my side.

The Xiaoxiang Pavilion is renowned for its unparalleled singing and dancing, and its women are both beautiful and talented. Over the years, it has become a first-rate brothel known to all. Because of the owner's extensive connections, it attracts a constant stream of high-ranking officials and nobles, including myself and Lu Xiu. Lu Xiu frequents the Xiaoxiang Pavilion because he has a famous courtesan from the capital as his confidante there, while I come often to boost its popularity, simply because the owner is none other than Qiu Ming, the owner of Qiu Ming Manor, whose wealth rivals that of a nation.

Later, Lu Xiu went away on official business and was away from the capital for a long time. I simply moved my luggage into Xiaoxiang Pavilion, and I also wanted to bring the child with me, but Xiwen gave up the idea several times because she said the child needed to focus on his studies.

Looking down from the top of the Yu Shang Pavilion, the hall was brightly lit, and the faint sounds of laughter and conversation drifted through the air. How many men were captivated by the gentle charm of these women today? I took an eyebrow pencil and drew my own eyebrows, looking at my reflection in the cup. I then wiped them away with a handkerchief dampened with wine. Suddenly, I remembered the imperial decree the eunuch had announced outside the small palace that day—I still hadn't responded, and I couldn't possibly. Lu Li wanted to bestow upon me the title of First-Rank Imperial Noble Consort, ranking first among the six palaces, and temporarily holding the seal of the Eastern Palace? What a joke! Even if he came with the Empress's Phoenix Seal, I would have no reason to return!

Chapter Sixteen: Striving to Become the Number One Concubine in the World

"Miss Rong—we have a guest." A maidservant announced from outside the door.

"Come in," I said softly, adjusting my dress in front of the mirror.

"Young Master—" He bowed his head to the person who entered through the door, offering a greeting with a smile. It seemed to be a matter of habit.

"Do you want to shorten my lifespan, Your Highness?" The visitor sat down and drank tea, his words laced with mockery.

"Why did you come so soon?" I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Lu Xiu, who had rushed over looking travel-worn. "Didn't the letter say you wouldn't be back until tomorrow?"

Lu Xiu sighed: "Isn't it because I wanted to see you as soon as possible?"

"I'm afraid I'm not the only one who wants to see him!"

"With my beloved concubine in a golden house, how could I dare to steal anything?" He chuckled, somewhat helplessly.

I blinked and deliberately fell into his arms, looking at his clear, bright eyes with a seductive expression. He raised his eyebrows, intentionally waiting for me to make a move.

"Young master—do you intend to stay at Rong'er's little building permanently?" I opened my eyes wide, keeping my gaze straight ahead.

He smiled, a ripple spreading across his lips.

"Is this young lady trying to seduce me?"

I laughed. I gently covered my mouth. I casually put my arm around his shoulder and sat up. I poured myself a glass of wine. I took a small sip.

"So unprepared. If I had a weapon, you'd be nowhere to be found." I glanced at him and chuckled.

He shook his head without the slightest hesitation: "Dying at the hands of a girl might be a kind of enjoyment."

I stared at his half-undone robe. He sighed and straightened his clothes. He asked, seemingly casually, "You really are a cold-hearted person. Is the First-Rank Imperial Noble Consort, the mistress of the six palaces, so worthless? You won't even give her a second glance?"

“I saw Fourth Brother not long ago!” Lu Xiu said in a low voice.

"Is Your Highness still in good health?" I asked casually.

"He looks good, but Fourth Brother seems very tired. I feel like he has aged."

"Have you asked the princess how she is feeling?"

"They said that Fourth Sister-in-law's old ailment had relapsed, but she's been feeling much better these days."

"Is Qiong Ning's wedding approaching?" Perhaps because she had been cooped up for too long, she was very curious about things outside.

“She looked down on the families she used to marry, but now she lives mostly in the palace and often goes out for a few days.” Lu Xiu suddenly fell silent, pondered for a moment, and then asked, “What about the Emperor? After so many days apart, doesn’t the Empress care about his condition?”

My brows furrowed suddenly, and then I realized that it wasn't worth it to furrow my brow for Lu Li. So I stopped worrying about it. The fallen flowers outside the window were cold and desolate, and that coldness was also reflected in my tone, chilling and sharp, "If there is a national mourning, the whole world will know, there is no need for me to ask."

Lu Xiu gasped. "He's not doing well! He's been bedridden for several days and is still worried about the situation in Da Meng!"

I got up and slowly walked to the window...

"Come to the Chrysanthemum Garden in three days and see how I win the title of the number one courtesan in the land."

Playing with the jade disc that had been bestowed along with the imperial decree, Lu Xiu was also surprised. Why would a noble consort give up her position to compete for the title of the most famous concubine in the land?

"Are you deliberately trying to embarrass him?" Lu Xiu couldn't help but laugh.

I threw the jade plate at him, saying, "How could I? How could I possibly argue with him like that?" I'll argue with him in a completely different way!

After what seemed like a long silence, I turned around and looked at him with a great mood. "Lu Xiu, tell me—do you dare to love me?"

He looked at me with a serene gaze, and after a long while, he slowly spoke.

"Your Majesty, I dare not, but I cannot."

I laughed; even Lu Xiu had submitted to me.

Next time I'll have to ask Nangong Jin properly and hear his answer...

At the Chrysanthemum Garden Gathering, guests can enjoy fragrant tea infused with chrysanthemums and watch courtesans perform a chrysanthemum-themed silk dance. Courtesans from various brothels gather together to compete in front of everyone.

Three days later, a long banner reading "Heaven on Earth" was hung at the Juyuan Mansion outside Beijing, setting up a grand flower crown festival.

I wasn't wearing heavy makeup. Lu Xiu sent someone to deliver clothes: a white silk robe and a light gauze... a pale chrysanthemum color... He actually guessed that I intentionally wanted to complement the chrysanthemum theme. The white silk robe, over which the light gauze was worn, looked like a chrysanthemum from afar...

The carriage stopped in front of the Chrysanthemum Garden, and I and the other maids walked slowly toward the magnificent garden gate.

Lu Xiu was waiting there, waving an antique fan he'd somehow acquired. The maids all laughed at me sheepishly and deliberately dispersed, leaving me alone.

I walked up to him, and his eyes flickered for a moment before quickly settling back down. He smiled quietly and said, "I knew it. Water stains are the best dye for this fabric."

Chrysanthemum Garden is Qiu Ming's residence in the suburbs of Beijing, usually used for banquets and rarely for living. Today, Chrysanthemum Garden is naturally extremely lively... Lu Xiu and I slowly stepped in, immediately attracting the attention of everyone around us.

He gently put his arm around my shoulder, ignoring the stares of others, and whispered in my ear, "You're more beautiful than a chrysanthemum—"

"You really want me to win first place?"

He stopped, a faint smile on his face.

"Although I don't know what you're thinking, I'll help you with whatever you want to do. I'm not like Seventh Brother, and I never intended to hold onto you or look up to you... That's fine too."

I secretly remembered his words, and a touch of emotion swept over me.

"Okay, if I win, I'll give it to you!" I said half-jokingly.

What do I need it for?

She turned back and smiled at him: "Don't you want the most famous courtesan in the world?"

"Are you going to give yourself to me?" he asked casually, fanning himself.

"Do you want it?" I knew he wouldn't answer, so I quickly walked forward...

He smiled but didn't answer; the man gave a bitter smile...

How could he not want her? It's just that she doesn't belong to him, she doesn't belong to any mortal in this world... It would be enough for him to just quietly gaze at her.

I sat quietly under the osmanthus tree, sipping tea. All around me were soft, sweet sounds. People in the palace had seen this kind of scene many times before, so naturally they would get tired of it.

Lu Xiu was talking to the officials in the distance. He should have known that the important person at this grand banquet wasn't some courtesan or any high-ranking official. It was a rough, foreign man who had come to the capital to do business, known as Young Master Han Yufeng. Rumor had it that he was a distinguished guest invited by Qiu Ming today. For Qiu Ming to call him "distinguished," he must be no ordinary person! However, this important figure was still nowhere to be seen.

"The competition has already started over there... Aren't you going?" Yunniang sat down next to me. Yunniang was a senior actress in Xiaoxiang Pavilion. Qiuming had also entrusted her with managing the affairs of Xiaoxiang Pavilion. I only knew that she was always reserved and not outstanding.

I laughed: "Didn't your sister go either?"

"That reputation is of no use to me," she sighed softly.

I looked at her; Yunniang wasn't particularly beautiful, just elegant and simple...

"I don't care—" I said calmly, "I'm just here for tea..." My eyes wandered around, then suddenly stopped. In a flash, a figure in a blue cloth robe walked lightly across the long corridor not far away. He had a handsome face, and his eyes, as warm and clear as jade, were unfathomable. He was agile and came like the wind, as if riding on clouds!

I slowly stood up and swayed.

head.

“Yunniang—” I said softly, “Today I’m afraid I’ll have to compete for the title of courtesan.”

Today, I would rather succumb to the mortal world before him, even if it tarnishes my pride...

He followed behind a man dressed in fine clothes, who must be that young master Han... indeed a noble person, to be able to bring him along.

He walked to the center of the courtyard and sat down with Young Master Han. Everyone quieted down to show their respect for the distinguished guest.

He sat in the courtyard, watching the tedious competition on the stage, showing neither annoyance nor appreciation, remaining calm and composed. I tilted my head, observing him. Shouldn't he be standing high above at this moment? This only made the identity of the young master Han beside him even more enigmatic!

Last year's top courtesan, and also the number one courtesan in the world for five consecutive years—Luoying from Hongzhanlou—finally defeated all her opponents and stood alone on the stage. Her graceful figure, with her slender waist wrapped in white, was already enough to make people's imaginations run wild.

"I am not talented enough to win the championship so easily without even a few rounds of competition. However, I have long lost interest in this title. This time, I am just trying to relieve the boredom of my daily life... I recently composed a new piece, but no one has come to listen to it. Today, I will present it to you ladies and gentlemen." She stood against the wind, poised and graceful.

What a powerful and proud woman! She used a humble tone to satirize every one of the female entertainers present.

Luo Ying changed into a yellow dress, carried a zither, lowered her head and casually plucked the strings. The sound of the zither made people's hearts tremble.

Yunniang, who was standing to the side, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and said softly, "Luoying is also a pitiful woman. She is a courtesan, yet she has kept her integrity. It is enough that she has done so much."

"What does Sister Yun mean?"

"She won the title of courtesan for three consecutive years, but in those three years, she never served anyone. Perhaps she was already tired and didn't want to stand on that stage anymore, but she always made herself suffer... She did this only for that heartless man, so that he would look at her one more time."

I shook my head inwardly; a sentimental woman is bound to suffer!

After the song "Rainbow Skirt" ended, the audience fell silent. The courtesans covered their faces and wept. The fact that they could shed so many tears after just one song showed their extraordinary skill.

I glanced at Luo Ying; her melancholy, glistening eyes were filled with tears, yet they did not fall.

"The green clouds and flowing water flow endlessly, the autumn wind in the red garden breaks my heart." I smiled faintly and slowly walked out of the woods. "Sister, your zither music is like water, flowing into my heart, but this feeling breaks my heart. This cup of wine is for you, sister." I raised the cup to her and drank it all in one gulp.