That day, she had staked her life on the struggle, all ten fingers wounded, and in the end, she had still won. Emperor Lintian did not punish Zongzheng Wuyou. To appease Manyao, he granted her a six-month reprieve, sealed off the news, and bestowed upon her a princess’s residence along with countless treasures.
The princess’s residence was situated in a remote place, its surroundings quiet and secluded—exactly to Manyao’s liking.
In the spacious rear courtyard of the princess’s residence, willow branches sprouting new buds looked especially tender and fresh against the backdrop of a lake of jade-green water.
Having removed her phoenix coronet, Manyao’s skin was like congealed cream, her brows like dark ink washed in water, her eyes like autumn waves. Within her pure, bright clarity lay a maturity and world-weariness that did not match her age, as though it seeped from the depths of her soul. She stood quietly beneath a willow by the lake, the sunlight shining toward her, gilding her entire figure with a thin layer of gold.
Xiao Sha entered the rear courtyard, his steps pausing for a moment. The figure ahead, bathed in sunlight, shone with dazzling radiance, standing alone as though untouched by the world. He looked for a while before lowering his gaze and stepping forward.
Manyao did not turn back. She only gazed at the rippling surface of the lake and asked faintly, “Have you found everything out?”
Xiao Sha nodded and replied, “Yes. Among the list Emperor Lintian sent over, only the Ninth Prince and General Fu Chou currently have no wives or concubines. The Ninth Prince is a typical dissolute young noble. Though he has no wives or concubines, he delights in lingering in places of pleasure and has countless female confidantes. General Fu has spent years on the battlefield. It is said he is cold and violent, with a body full of murderous aura.”
More than thirty men, yet only two were unmarried. Manyao frowned slightly and let out a soft sigh. She had always known this was a world where imperial power reigned supreme and men were honored above women, but she did not want to marry someone surrounded by wives and concubines. Whether there was affection or not, she was unwilling to be drawn into the disputes of women vying for favor. Yet of those two men before her now, the Ninth Prince clearly looked down on her, and though she had never met the famed General Fu Chou, judging from the fact that he held military authority at such a young age and was spoken of in the same breath as Zongzheng Wuyou, he was certainly no simple man.
“Set this matter aside for now.” Manyao turned and said, “The renovations at the tea garden are almost complete. Did you invite the most famous pastry chef in the capital as I asked?”
Xiao Sha said, “It has already been handled according to Master’s wishes. The tea garden can open for business in two days.”
Manyao nodded, satisfied. “Good. Then only one last thing is missing. Call Ling’er. Come with me to Xianghun House.”
At the words “Xianghun House,” Xiao Sha frowned. Coincidentally, Ling’er came out from the inner room at that moment, and upon hearing this, cried out in surprise, “Master, what are you going to a brothel for?”
Manyao smiled but did not answer, only ordering the two of them to make preparations.
Xianghun House was one of the most famous brothels in the capital. The women inside were of every type, slender as swallows or plump as Huan Fei, and every one of them had once enjoyed immense popularity. The most renowned among them was Lady Chenyu, who not only had beauty that eclipsed the capital, but also played the qin with exquisite skill. Countless high officials and nobles had once wished to redeem her and take her as a concubine, but none had succeeded.
For ease of movement and to avoid notice, Xiao Sha had been disguising his appearance whenever he went out these days, while Manyao and Ling’er dressed as men.
Today, Manyao wore an elegant moon-white robe of fine material. She bound her black hair with a jade crown and added a few strokes to her dark brows, instantly appearing heroic and spirited, with extraordinary bearing. Added to her naturally tall figure and otherworldly temperament, she now held a folding fan in hand and walked with ease and grace, looking every bit like a handsome young gentleman of carefree charm.
Ling’er’s eyes widened, and she said exaggeratedly, “Master… if you go out looking like this, will the young ladies of the capital ever be able to sleep again?”
Manyao shot her a reproving glance, and the three of them left together.
Xianghun House by day was not as bustling as it was at night, but it was lively enough. The moment Manyao and her two companions reached the entrance, the sharp-eyed madam hurried over waving her handkerchief, calling as she walked, “Aiya, which household’s young master is this? Look at how handsome he is—tsk, tsk, he makes all the girls in our house fade by comparison.”
A chokingly thick fragrance rushed into her nose, and Manyao instinctively took a step back. Xiao Sha immediately stepped forward and drew his sword horizontally. The madam halted, her already short, thick neck shrinking in, and she sensibly shut her mouth.
Only then did Manyao enter. Before she could speak, a clear voice came from the second floor. “Seventh Brother, I never imagined there could be a second person in this world who, like you, was born so beautiful!”
That voice… sounded somewhat familiar! Manyao raised her eyes. On the second-floor corridor stood two exceptionally handsome men. The speaker wore pale blue robes. His face was handsome, a smile at the corners of his mouth, and his gaze was fixed straight on her, making no attempt to conceal the astonished admiration in his eyes. The man beside him was dressed in white with golden edging. His bearing was extraordinary, his features perfect beyond compare. Merely standing there, his entire body exuded elegance and a noble aura that could not be looked upon directly, reducing all the luxury and beauty of the building to nothingness.
It was actually… Zongzheng Wuyou! The one who had just spoken was naturally the Ninth Prince. Manyao’s heart gave a jump, and she subconsciously clenched her fingertips. Though her wounds had already healed, the scene in the great hall that day—when this arrogant man had picked apart her wedding robes and cut all ten of her fingers—remained vivid before her eyes.
Zongzheng Wuyou slanted a glance at the Ninth Prince, clearly displeased by the word “beautiful.” The Ninth Prince realized he had misspoken and hurriedly smiled ingratiatingly. “Seventh Brother, I—we should go in.”
Zongzheng Wuyou swept his gaze over Manyao. His eyes were cold and desolate, different from the contempt and arrogance he had shown in the great hall. They were more like the eyes of someone looking at a dead object, without the slightest ripple.
Manyao frowned. Didn’t Zongzheng Wuyou abstain from wine and women? How could he appear in a brothel? Just as she was puzzled, Zongzheng Wuyou, who had reached the door of a private room, suddenly turned back and looked at her twice more. His gaze was extremely sharp, making Manyao’s heart tighten, and she hurriedly withdrew her eyes. She heard the Ninth Prince ask, “What is it, Seventh Brother?”
Zongzheng Wuyou said nothing and turned back into the private room. Only then did Manyao let out a breath. Just now, Zongzheng Wuyou’s gaze had almost made her think he had recognized her. But on second thought, that day in the great hall she had worn a phoenix coronet, her face concealed by a beaded curtain. No matter how formidable Zongzheng Wuyou was, it was impossible for him to recognize her. It was just that the pressure this man brought her was far too intense—so intense that the moment she saw him, she could not help but grow nervous.
“Master, wasn’t that the Ninth Prince? Why is he here?” Ling’er leaned close to Manyao and asked curiously, “And who was the person with him? How can a man be so good-looking?”
Manyao did not answer, but Xiao Sha could not help casting Ling’er a look and said in a low voice, “That was Prince Li.” Ling’er’s eyes widened, and for a moment she forgot where she was and cried out, “What? Master, he—he’s that arrogant, overbearing man who shut you outside the door…”
“Ling’er!” Manyao frowned and rebuked her softly. Ling’er suddenly came to her senses and hurriedly covered her mouth. The madam at the side looked at them in confusion, her eyes sweeping back and forth over Manyao.
Xiao Sha took out a gold ingot and placed it before the madam’s eyes. The madam’s eyes immediately shone, and she impatiently reached out to take it, but Xiao Sha gripped the ingot. The madam was a clever person. She twisted around and turned to Manyao, her face piled with smiles. “Young Master, if there is anything you need, just say it. As long as I, Mama Qin, can do it, I will certainly do my utmost.”
Manyao smiled faintly. “I would like to see Lady Chenyu. I’ll have to trouble Mama Qin to arrange it.”
“This…” The madam twisted her handkerchief, hesitating, as though she had some misgivings.
“What difficulty is there?” Manyao asked while giving Xiao Sha a look. Xiao Sha took out another gold ingot.
The madam looked at the two gold ingots in Xiao Sha’s hand, her peripheral vision drifting toward the private room the Ninth Prince and Zongzheng Wuyou had entered. Troubled, she said, “To be honest with you, Young Master, Ninth Lord, who just went in, always asks for Chenyu whenever he comes. This time, he even brought a guest… Look… why don’t…”
Ninth Lord? Manyao frowned. It seemed this Ninth Prince truly was a regular in places of pleasure. Her eyes shifted, and she smiled. “Mama Qin, I only wish to meet Lady Chenyu once and speak with her briefly. It won’t take long and won’t delay her from receiving your honored guests.”
Xiao Sha took out yet another gold ingot. Only then did the madam beam with delight and agree, arranging for them to sit in the room next to Zongzheng Wuyou and the Ninth Prince.
It was a spacious room, luxuriously decorated yet still tasteful. Manyao brought Ling’er inside, while Xiao Sha stood guard outside the door.
As soon as they entered, Ling’er asked, “Master, was that person really Prince Li?”
Manyao nodded. Ling’er asked again, “But didn’t he abstain from wine and women?”
This was precisely what Manyao was puzzled about as well. However…
“People who come here are not necessarily all here to seek pleasure. Just like us.” Manyao sat down with her back to the window.
Ling’er made an “oh” sound, then asked curiously, “Then what does Master want with Lady Chenyu?”
Manyao did not answer. From her sleeve, she took out a sheet of paper folded several times and gently unfolded it. It was the design drawing she had personally made after spending a large sum of money to buy a garden.
Ling’er leaned over. Though she could not understand it very well, she recognized the qin on the round raised platform in the drawing and guessed, “Master wants to invite Lady Chenyu to the tea garden to play the qin?”
Manyao nodded slightly.
Ling’er said in confusion, “But I don’t understand. His Majesty prepared so much dowry for Master, and Emperor Lintian also bestowed so many jewels upon you. Master doesn’t lack silver, so why spend so much effort opening some tea garden? With your status, if word got out, wouldn’t it be terrible?”
Manyao said faintly, “That is why no one can know our identities. The purpose of opening the tea garden is not necessarily to make money. I only want to fulfill a wish.”
She lowered her eyes and looked at the drawing in her hands, as though through the thin paper she could see all the countless years in which she had once held that dream. Before coming to this world, she had been the sole heir of the Man Group. From a very young age, it had already been destined that she could not choose her life according to her own preferences. She loved drinking tea, liked quiet, and dreamed of having a tea garden of her own—not for profit, but only to find one or two kindred spirits to drink tea and play chess with, to admire beautiful scenery and discuss the joys and sorrows of life. But a dream was only a dream after all. The design drawings she had poured so much thought into were all torn apart amid her father’s furious scolding, not one ever put into practice. She had thought her life would go on that way forever, yet she had not expected that on the road of life, there would always be many things beyond expectation. At twenty-six, she had died in a man-made “accident” designed for her by her young stepmother. The mastermind behind it had been her warm and gentle fiancé, who had only just taken a seat on the board of directors…
“Master, Master.”
Manyao, sunk in memories, was interrupted by Ling’er’s call. Coming back to herself, she put away the drawing. Someone brought in tea. Ling’er happened to be thirsty, so she picked it up and drank, then spat it all out with a “pfft,” crying, “What kind of tea is this? It tastes awful.”
Hearing this, Manyao took a sip. The flavor was somewhat unusual, a little like barley tea, but not entirely the same.
“Master, Lady Chenyu has arrived,” Xiao Sha reported from outside the door.
Manyao said, “Invite her in.”
The door was pushed open, and a woman in red walked in gracefully. Her skin was white as snow, her lips red as cherries, her willow brows curved like a painting. Her entire face was exquisitely beautiful, as though carved with the finest craftsmanship. The fiery red dress she wore was brilliant without being vulgar, alluring without being wanton. She was truly a beauty capable of overturning a city. Manyao smiled as she watched her, appreciation in her eyes. When Chenyu entered, her chin had originally been lifted with a trace of pride, but when she saw Manyao, she was visibly stunned, her expression holding surprise as well as admiration.
Manyao rose and smiled. “I have long heard that Lady Chenyu’s beauty is without equal. Seeing you today, it is indeed so!”
Only then did Chenyu come back to her senses. She hurriedly smiled and returned the courtesy. “Chenyu greets Young Master. Young Master is the true dragon and phoenix among men!”
Manyao politely invited her to sit.
Chenyu discreetly looked Manyao over several times before speaking. “Mama Qin said that Young Master came here specifically for me. May I ask… why Young Master is looking for Chenyu?”
Manyao did not beat around the bush with her and said directly, “For the sake of your freedom, my lady. I am a merchant. Having heard that your qin skills are extraordinary, I wish to discuss a business deal with you.” Manyao deliberately roughened her voice, making it less ethereal and adding a bit more magnetism and huskiness.
Chenyu’s willow brows shifted slightly, and she smiled. “Young Master may have found the wrong person. Chenyu is only a brothel woman. What business could there be between Young Master and me?”
Manyao said unhurriedly, “I heard that several years ago, there was a Prefect Yu who, because he was implicated in a treason case, had his entire household executed—seventy-nine people in total. Later, when the bodies were examined… one was missing. After investigation, the missing person was found to be Prefect Yu’s youngest daughter, Yu Chen.” At this point, Manyao paused and fixed her eyes on the woman opposite her. Seeing that the woman’s expression had already changed, she continued, “Chenyu, Yu Chen. Both are good names.”
“How do you know that?” Chenyu abruptly stood. Only after asking did she realize what she had done, but it was already too late to regret it.
Manyao smiled without speaking and opened the folding fan in her hand. Its surface was dark-blue satin, its ribs white jade. In one corner were carved the three characters “Wuyin Tower,” shallow and small, yet extremely clear.
Chenyu’s expression changed at the sight. Killing intent instantly rose in her eyes. While Manyao lowered her gaze, Chenyu raised her hand, and a length of red gauze swept out like a sword, coiling straight toward Manyao’s neck.
Manyao’s red lips curved slightly. Without raising her head, her feet had already slid across the floor, taking both herself and the chair with them at astonishing speed. Chenyu froze at the sight, not having expected that she actually knew martial arts. Somewhat surprised, she said, “Young Master came prepared. I didn’t expect you to be an expert as well.”
Manyao said faintly, “I only know a little. I do not dare accept the word expert.”
Chenyu seemed about to strike again, but Ling’er had already placed a flexible sword against her neck. Chenyu stopped and stared warily at Manyao, asking, “Who are you? You can actually afford to hire people from Wuyin Tower to work for you! I heard Wuyin Tower is the foremost tower in the jianghu. Whether it is the Juesha Division or the Lingxi Pavilion, their business starts at one hundred thousand taels of silver. You… spent such a price just to investigate the identity of a brothel woman like me. What exactly do you want?”
Manyao did not answer immediately. Instead, she returned elegantly to her original position, signaled for Ling’er to move the sword away, and once again invited Chenyu to sit. Chenyu remained full of wariness toward her. Manyao did not mind. Instead, she personally poured the other woman a cup of tea, then smiled and said, “My lady, there is no need to be so guarded. I brought this matter up not to threaten you with it, but because I wish to help you completely break free from the shackles of fate and establish an entirely new identity.”
Chenyu froze. “Why should I believe you? And what benefit would that bring you?”
Manyao said faintly, “You may choose not to believe me. I simply feel that a place like this is unworthy of your qin skills. If you were to change your surroundings, perhaps… not only would those listening to the qin feel something different, even the state of mind of the person playing it would be as different as heaven and earth.”
Chenyu said, “And what sort of environment does Young Master mean by changing surroundings?”
Manyao said, “The tea garden I am about to open.”
The light in Chenyu’s eyes turned into mockery. “I wondered what sort of place it was. So it is a teahouse. In my eyes, there is no difference between a teahouse and a brothel.”
Manyao was not angered. She only lifted her chin and said, “My tea garden is different from the rest. I dare say it will certainly cause a sensation throughout the entire capital, and you will become half the owner of that tea garden.” When she said this, her eyes were bright as stars, her tone full of confidence.
Chenyu was left stunned. She felt that the person before her, whether in gaze or tone, seemed to possess a kind of magic that made people unable not to believe her words. And to have a brand-new identity, to no longer live in constant fear, had always been what she longed for. Thinking of this, Chenyu lowered her head, the expression in her eyes shifting again and again. In the end, she asked hesitantly, “You… can truly help me establish a new identity?”
Manyao lifted her tea and took a small sip before saying unhurriedly, “Yang Wei, Minister of Rites, owes me a favor. He can help handle it.”
Chenyu said, “But Mama Qin is endlessly greedy. She will not let me go. Unless Young Master’s identity is enough to intimidate the person behind Mama Qin.”
Manyao asked, “May I ask, my lady, who is the person behind Mama Qin?”
Chenyu thought for a moment before saying, “Below one person, above ten thousand.”
This time, it was Manyao’s turn to be surprised. Below one person, above ten thousand? Could it be…
“The Crown Prince?” Manyao asked in shock.
Chenyu nodded. “I am not very certain either. It is only that I occasionally hear Mama Qin mention the Crown Prince’s residence. In the past, there were also some high officials and nobles who caused trouble here, declaring that they would smash this brothel. Later, for some reason, not only did they not smash it, they personally came upstairs to apologize to Mama Qin.”
It was common knowledge that brothels often had powerful backers behind them, but she had not expected Xianghun House to actually be connected to the imperial family. Manyao frowned. If it was the Crown Prince, then this would be difficult to handle. She lowered her eyes in thought, then suddenly heard someone outside call, “Lady Chenyu, Ninth Lord wishes to see you.”
Chenyu answered, then looked at Manyao with questioning eyes. “Young Master?”
The moment Manyao heard the person outside mention Ninth Lord, the arrogant, self-important face from the great hall immediately flashed through her mind. Her eyes lit up, and she said to Chenyu, “Do you want to leave this place and live a free life?”
Chenyu nodded, expectation in her eyes. Manyao asked again, “Then are you willing to stake something on your freedom and fate? I only have seventy percent confidence.”
Whenever one staked something, there was naturally the possibility of failure. And after failure, one might lose one’s life.
Chenyu hesitated for a long while, then finally nodded firmly.
Manyao said, “Then can you dance?”
Chenyu said, “I can.”
“Good. Then do as I say.” Manyao whispered into Chenyu’s ear, then finally reminded her, “Remember, your hands and your body must absolutely not touch him. Otherwise… I will not be able to help you.”
After sending Chenyu away, Manyao rose and opened the window. The window next door did not seem to be tightly shut either. Standing by the window, she could faintly hear voices from next door. Coincidentally, they happened to be talking about her.
“Seventh Brother, that Grand Princess Rongle went to every possible length to make that half-year agreement with you. More than a month has passed already, so why is there still no movement from her? Tell me… could she have been frightened stupid by your sword?” This was the Ninth Prince’s voice. After the Ninth Prince finished speaking, she still did not hear Zongzheng Wuyou say anything for quite a while. Just when she thought Zongzheng Wuyou would not answer, Zongzheng Wuyou suddenly spoke. “That sword was within her expectations.”
Manyao was startled. He actually knew!
The Ninth Prince said in surprise, “Why? She is a woman, and a princess besides. In front of so many people, her clothes were stripped away and her fingers were sliced. Could that still have been by her own will? What purpose could she have in doing that?”
Zongzheng Wuyou looked at the teacup in his hand and did not answer.