Le Jianghu de Feng Qingcheng et Mo Xibei

Chapitre 71

However, even if he were to try, he would have to wait until his Xiao Jie had finished eating and come out. Xuan Yuan followed her in with a sullen face, but as soon as he reached the door, he was made nauseous by the smell of perfume emanating from inside. He immediately held his breath and quickly caught up with Leng Jie.

Leng Jie had only climbed a few steps when, unsurprisingly, she saw Xuan Yuan reluctantly follow her in. She suppressed the urge to burst out laughing and stopped to wait for him. Then, with a grin, she said to Xuan Yuan, whose brows were furrowed:

"You don't need to be so nervous! They're not tigers! They can't swallow you whole."

"Yeah, right!" Xuanyuan uttered two words, then immediately held his breath.

The madam led them into a room called Xiangyaju. The room was furnished just as its name suggested. In the outer room, there was a square table, four low stools, a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument), and a few calligraphy and paintings—simple yet elegant. In front of the bed were two pots of blooming jasmine. As soon as they stepped inside, a faint fragrance wafted into their nostrils. Inside, a simple beaded curtain obscured the view, but one could guess that it was a young lady's bedroom.

Who would have thought there would be such an elegant place in a place like this? I wonder what kind of beauty owns this room? Leng Jie is starting to look forward to it!

Chapter 104 A Surprising Encounter with an Old Friend

Leng Hao turned around and smiled at Xuan Yuan, who was standing at the door, holding his breath, and said:

"Come in! The air inside is much better than outside."

Xuanyuan glared at her and reluctantly followed her inside. When he saw the contents, he was equally surprised. Although he could now breathe through his nose, his brows were still deeply furrowed.

The astute madam, having secretly observed Xuanyuan's expression, knew that the handsome young man was not satisfied. A cold sweat broke out on her brow. She had only brought these two noblemen here because they were both aloof and proud. Had she misjudged them? She quickly and cautiously glanced at the young lady's expression. Seeing that she seemed quite satisfied, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at Leng Jie, she said ingratiatingly:

"Are you satisfied, Miss? This is the boudoir of Xiyu, the most beautiful courtesan in my Lianxiang Pavilion. Our Miss Xiyu is a pure woman who sells her art but not her body. Apart from the two of you, no other guests have ever entered this room!"

Leng Jie glanced at her out of the corner of her eye, a half-smile on her face, and said:

"Oh! Is that so? In that case, Mother, please quickly invite this Miss Xiyu out to meet us!" Then, turning back to look at Xuanyuan with a deliberately mocking smile, she said:

"If my young master takes a liking to you, your Lianxiang Pavilion will have to change its name!"

"Xiao Jie, don't be ridiculous!" Seeing Xiao Jie's words becoming increasingly outrageous, Xuan Yuan couldn't hold back any longer and scolded Leng Jie. Before Leng Jie could react, his expression suddenly darkened, and he swiftly aimed his cold, icy gaze at the madam. He parted his thin lips and coldly ordered in a chilling tone:

"You have fifteen minutes to bring out the best food and wine. Also, don't let me see any extra people in this room."

What a sharp gaze, what a cold voice, what a terrifying aura! The madam trembled with fear at Xuanyuan's presence, involuntarily shrinking back several steps. Only when she was pressed against the wall, with nowhere left to retreat, did she brace herself against it, barely managing to stand upright.

Leng Jie glanced amusedly at the cold-faced Xuan Yuan, then at the panicked madam. To keep the show going, she suppressed her laughter and kindly reminded her:

"Mom, hurry up and get ready, a quarter of an hour will pass quickly. But first, you need to call that Xiyu girl out to perform for us!"

As she spoke, she casually pulled Xuanyuan to sit down at the small table.

The madam, alerted by Leng Jie's prompting, quickly recovered from her shock. She forced herself to remain calm, desperately trying to regain her professional composure. But the moment her gaze fell upon the chilling aura emanating from Xuan Yuan, her heart began to tremble again. Finally, she could only stare intently at the floor as she stammered out her words:

"Yes, yes! I'll go prepare the meal right away. Please, esteemed guests, have a seat and a cup of tea. Xiyu is currently playing the zither in the main hall. As soon as she finishes her piece, I'll have her come and keep you company!"

After saying that, she immediately staggered backward out of Xiangya Residence. She didn't stop until she reached the railing of the corridor outside. Then she quickly took a few steps forward and closed the door behind her.

"Pfft, haha..." Leng Jie finally couldn't hold back her laughter and burst into laughter, bending over with laughter until her stomach hurt. She couldn't stop laughing until she fell into Xuan Yuan's arms.

He didn't understand what she was laughing at. He couldn't see anything that made her laugh so wildly. Xuan Yuan suppressed his cold emotions, reaching out to pat Leng Jie's back to help her catch her breath, afraid she'd choke on his laughter. He didn't dare question her about what she was laughing at. Only when her laughter stopped did he ask calmly:

"I really don't understand what you're laughing at?"

"Haha, I'm laughing... I'm laughing at you..." Leng Jie had finally managed to stop laughing, but his question made her burst out laughing again.

"What are you laughing at me for?" Xuanyuan was even more confused.

Leng Jie straightened her back with difficulty, supporting her slender waist with her hands as she laughed. She swallowed hard, and after a moment of hesitation, she gave Xuan Yuan a thumbs-up and praised him:

"Hehe! Xuanyuan, you're amazing! It seems I need to reassess your charm! I thought you'd be horrified by that madam's eyes and brows! But I didn't expect that she'd run away with her pants down after just one glare from you."

"You're laughing because of this?" Xuanyuan frowned again, his tone unfriendly and slightly threatening as he asked, "Do you really think I should be intimidated by a woman?"

Uh! How did she get so carried away? She didn't even consider his dignity and blurted out the truth. Leng Jie quickly shook her head in denial:

"No, no. I just thought you must really hate that look on her face!"

"No? Then what are you laughing at?" Xuan Yuan asked with a wicked grin.

"This..." Leng Jie suddenly realized that she could also be at a loss for words. She couldn't help but blurt out:

"Shit!"

Thank him? Xuanyuan stared at her with wide eyes, trying to find the answer in her expression.

Just as Leng Jie was wondering how to smooth things over, she heard an amusing conversation between a man and a woman outside the door.

"Miss Xiyu, I will be leaving here tomorrow to return to Xiping. If you come back with me, I will definitely take you as my concubine."

Needless to say, that lewd male voice belonged to the Crown Prince of Xiping. Xuanyuan and Leng Jie exchanged a glance! They hadn't expected to run into an acquaintance here!

A clear, crisp female voice replied calmly:

"Thank you for your kindness, young master, but I am too frail to enjoy it. I wish you a safe journey!"

Hearing the woman's voice, Leng Jie suddenly felt a sense of familiarity. But she couldn't quite place it. Leng Jie worried that Xuan Yuan would find it embarrassing; after all, it wasn't exactly honorable for a king to visit a brothel. She looked up again to meet Xuan Yuan's gaze, her eyes asking him:

"Do you want to leave?"

To his surprise, Xuanyuan didn't seem to back down this time. Instead, he smiled and shook his head at her, saying:

"Don't worry, I'm here!"

"Will she worry?" Leng Jie pouted, raising her delicate eyebrows. She shrugged and replied:

"As long as you don't feel embarrassed, that's fine!"

Before Leng Jie could finish speaking, the sinister voice of the Crown Prince of Xiping came from the doorway again.

"Hmph! I say you're blessed, and you'll be blessed even if you're not! If you know what's good for you, you'd better come with me obediently. Otherwise..."

The threatening words had barely faded when the cunning, obsequious voice immediately followed:

"Sir, please calm down! Xiyu is just being silly, please don't take it to heart! It's just that Xiyu has already been bought by the customers inside, and she has no choice in the matter now! What do you think..."

Leng Jie and Xuan Yuan exchanged bewildered glances! They had to admire the madam's audacity! She actually dared to risk her life to steer the problem towards them! Did she think that the plan to profit from the conflict between the jade and the clam was so easy to execute?

Leng Jie winked at Xuan Yuan, signaling him to be quiet. Everything depended on her performance.

Xuanyuan smiled and nodded in response.

Just then, Xiyu's impatient voice rang out from outside the door again:

"Mom, what did you just say? You sold me?"

Before the madam could answer Xiyu's question, the Crown Prince of Xiping roared:

"Who's inside, daring to steal a woman from me? Madam, you say he offered how much money? No matter how much he offered, I'll pay double the price to buy Xiyu."

It seems he's determined to have Xiyu! This further piqued Leng Jie's interest in Xiyu. She was eager to know what kind of woman could make that wicked and ruthless Crown Prince of Xiping so attached to her, determined to take her away even before the great battle?

The door finally opened, and Leng Jie stared at the entrance with great interest. The first thing she saw was a pretty young girl with willow-leaf eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, a pert nose, a round face, and jade-like skin. At just one glance, Leng Jie was stunned speechless, her mouth agape, practically agape!

Qing'er! How did she end up here? Leng Hao scrutinized her closely. In three years, she had grown taller and her body had developed. A pure white gauze dress accentuated her shapely figure, making her even more radiant. Gone were the childish features; the innocence of her youth had been replaced by a deep sadness. Was she Xiyu? Where was that innocent and adorable little Qing'er? Had she been sold by the General's Mansion? If it weren't for that damned Crown Prince of Xiping being present, Leng Hao would have already rushed forward to demand an explanation.

She thought she would live well in the General's Mansion, so she never went to look for her. But she never dreamed she would see her again in such a scene, in such a place. If she had known this would happen, she would have preferred to leave her in the palace rather than bring her out. Leng Jie was now filled with guilt and regret.

When the girl saw Xuanyuan inside the house, she was so shocked that she covered her mouth with both hands and almost screamed! As a result, she ignored Leng Jie's astonished gaze.

Xuanyuan had been staring intently at Leng Jie's expression; very few things could surprise her like this. Therefore, Xuanyuan naturally followed Leng Jie's gaze. Xuanyuan was equally startled! It was her? Qing'er, the palace maid who had been rescued by the nameless one? What was she doing here?

Just as the three were still reeling from the shock, the Crown Prince of Xiping rudely shoved the stunned Xiyu and burst in. When he arrogantly looked at the two people sitting in the room, he was instantly stunned. He never expected to see the Emperor and that unforgettable Miss Leng, whom he had only met once, here.

"Hehe! It seems you all know each other! Well then, please continue your conversation, this old woman will go and have the dishes served!" The cunning madam saw through the situation at a glance, chuckled, and then slipped out.

The madam's voice pulled the four back to reality from their shock. Xuanyuan was the first to stand up and politely addressed the Crown Prince of Xiping:

"Your Highness, it's a pleasure to meet you! I originally intended to host a farewell banquet for you and your entourage in the palace, but Your Highness declined, saying you had other commitments. I couldn't insist. Since we've met again by chance, let me extend my hospitality! Please, take a seat!"

The Crown Prince of Xiping unceremoniously sat down to Leng Jie's side, facing Xuanyuan, and said:

"His Majesty the Emperor has just reunited with the Empress and now he appears here. This is truly unexpected!"

The Crown Prince of Xiping was mocking Xuanyuan, but his eyes were fixed on Leng Jie. It seemed he was deliberately reminding her of Xuanyuan's appointment of a concubine and recognition of his son, while she was now nothing.

"Hehe, yes! I was quite surprised myself!" Xuanyuan chuckled, replying meaningfully, "I heard from Xiaojie that Miss Xiyu of Lianxiang Pavilion is exceptionally talented and wise. I came today to see for myself. I never imagined that seeing her in person would be so much better than hearing about her!"

Leng Jie's mind was completely preoccupied with the suffering Qing'er had endured over the past few years! She hadn't listened to a word Xuan Yuan and the Crown Prince of Xiping said. She suppressed the urge to hug Qing'er and, speaking softly to her still-standing, bewildered Qing'er, said:

"Miss Xiyu, come and sit down! You are the hostess! How can the host stand while the guest sits?"

Qing'er then came to her senses and gracefully walked to the table. She gave Leng Jie and the other two a standard curtsy, and greeted them in a crisp voice:

"Xiyu greets the Emperor, the Prince, and the Miss!" She then asked:

"I wonder which person Mother was referring to as the one who bought Xiyu?"

“I want you!” Leng Jie replied excitedly immediately.

Qing'er was startled. She had just received a subtle hint from the madam. She knew the best way to escape was to let them fight over the jade clam. She had initially thought the emperor wanted to buy her. She figured the emperor's power was enough to rival this foreign prince. Besides, going to the palace with the emperor might allow her to see Qingfeng again. That way, she could find the nameless young master who would cherish her.

But now the person buying her is a woman. And a shrewd and beautiful woman at that. What would a woman buy another woman for? Could she be buying her to give away as a gift? Thinking of this, Qing'er couldn't help but tremble! She looked at Leng Jie suspiciously.

When the Crown Prince of Xiping heard that it was Leng Jie, not the Emperor Xuanyuan, who was vying with him for the woman, he was extremely surprised. He looked at Leng Jie in astonishment.

Xuanyuan simply smiled and remained silent. He had witnessed firsthand Wuming's doting affection for Qing'er back at Qingfeng Residence. At the time, he had even reprimanded Wuming for his infidelity.

Leng Jie knew Qing'er hadn't recognized her. Seeing the wary look in Qing'er's eyes, her heart ached. She forced back her sorrow and, composing herself, explained to Qing'er:

"I've opened an academy, and I've heard that you are skilled in both literature and martial arts. I'd like to invite you to come back and teach there. Life at the academy may be more austere than here, and there won't be anyone to pity you. All you'll find are children waiting for you to take care of. Would you be willing?"

These words shocked not only Qing'er and the Crown Prince of Xiping, but even Xuanyuan was quite surprised. The academy had always had only male teachers; there had never been a woman teaching there before. Especially not someone of her background.

"Miss, are you talking about the academy?" Qing'er repeated incredulously.

Leng Jie replied affirmatively, "That's right, it's an academy. I'm planning to open a girls' academy specifically for female students."

"Hahaha, a girls' academy! A prostitute teacher! Miss Leng, I truly have to admire your wisdom!" Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Xiping suddenly burst into wild laughter: "Are you trying to cultivate future talents for brothels like Lianxianglou?"

"Slap! Slap!" Before the Crown Prince of Xiping could finish speaking, two crisp slapping sounds rang out.

Leng Jie and Qing'er stared in astonishment at the face of the Crown Prince of Xiping who had spoken.

The Crown Prince of Xiping was seen covering his face with both hands, clutching a red, swollen spot. He remained stunned for a moment before Xuanyuan angrily shouted:

"You, you dare to hit me, Your Majesty?"

Xuanyuan snorted coldly and replied in a disdainful and sharp voice:

"Hmph! How dare you disrespect Xiao Jie! I only slapped you twice, which is already giving your Xiping Kingdom face. If anyone else dared to speak to Xiao Jie like that, their head would have rolled long ago!"

Xuanyuan's voice was as cold as a demonic whisper from hell, making people tremble involuntarily.

The Crown Prince of Xiping was not about to swallow this insult. He drew his sword with a "whoosh" and pointed it at Xuanyuan, challenging him: