Chapter 1: Hearts That Once Seemed Constant Are Easily Changed

Southern Xi, Imperial Capital Jingzhou, Drunken Flower Pavilion brothel.

The summer breeze gently lifted the curtains around the bed, revealing a slender, jade-white arm. Her skin was as smooth as cream, icy and delicate, a vision of natural beauty. Yet the sight was marred by the scars that covered her arm—some deep, some shallow, as if carved by a hairpin. Some wounds had shed their scabs, others remained fresh and crimson, painfully vivid.

Beside the bed, the young maid Qin’er sat, tears streaming down her cheeks as she applied medicine to her mistress’s wounds, her voice trembling with grief. “Miss, why must you torment yourself so? Young Master Helian is to be wed tonight. If he cared for you at all, would he let you suffer the cruelty of that jealous woman?”

The girl with the scarred jade arm was named Han Chu, aged fifteen, the star courtesan of the Drunken Flower Pavilion, famed as the most beautiful woman in Southern Xi.

She now lay on her bed, her expression haggard, her face pale as paper. Yet her elegance remained undiminished, ethereal and refined, like a pure white peony, exquisite beyond concealment.

Han Chu gave no reply to Qin’er’s words, only stared lifelessly at the canopy above, a beautiful corpse devoid of vitality.

She could not understand why, barely a month ago, Young Master Helian, who had once shared intimate vows with her, suddenly abandoned her without a single explanation—sending only a servant to convey that he was to be married.

He was her first and only lover. She had believed their passionate entanglement would never end, but now those promises had vanished like smoke.

Was Helian Qi merely playing a part all along?

It was Helian Qi who had waited outside her little chamber for a month, braving wind and rain just to glimpse her beauty.

It was Helian Qi who had spent lavishly to procure rare treasures, all to win her smile.

It was Helian Qi who remained reserved, treating her with tenderness and affection.

And now, it was Helian Qi who allowed her to be tormented by his bride-to-be.

The refined gentleman she had cherished left her nothing but a scarred arm and the vicious humiliation of his wife.

Han Chu once thought she’d escaped the tragic fate of a brothel girl, yet the truth was inescapable—the curse remained: a fleeting game, a heartless betrayal.

As the slanting sun swallowed the last traces of dusk, the room grew dim.

Tonight, the Drunken Flower Pavilion was unusually quiet, for it was the day of the union between the noble Helian family and the imperial Ming clan. All the city’s nobility attended the grand banquet, eager to witness the joining of two great houses.

Helian Qi and Ming Ying, henceforth bound as husband and wife, their fates entwined. And Han Chu? She was merely a lowly courtesan, a distraction before the wedding, not even worthy of being a discarded concubine.

The wedding ceremony must have begun by now. As tears, long held back, slipped down her cheek, Han Chu finally grew weary and closed her eyes...

A crisp sound echoed as Qin’er accidentally dropped the medicine bottle. She stared wide-eyed at Han Chu, crying out in fright, “Miss! Miss! Wake up! Please don’t scare me!”

Perhaps the shout was too shrill, for Han Chu’s long lashes fluttered. She seemed to struggle to open her eyes, but was overcome by the haze of unconsciousness.

Just then, the door creaked open and a beautiful woman in her thirties hurried in. Qin’er, seeing her, rushed forward as if meeting her savior. “Madam Feng.”

Madam Feng was the matron of the Drunken Flower Pavilion. Ten years ago, she had been a leading figure in Southern Xi’s world of pleasure, but age had faded her beauty, and unwilling to become a concubine, she’d turned to managing the brothel.

She strode to Han Chu’s bedside, reached out to feel her forehead, and immediately frowned at Qin’er. “Why is she so hot? How have you been caring for her?”

Qin’er, aggrieved, replied with tears in her voice, “Miss forbade me to call a doctor…”

“Nonsense!” Madam Feng scolded, her gaze falling on Han Chu’s wounded arm. “Who did this?”

Qin’er, unable to hide the truth any longer, answered nervously, “It was… Young Master Helian’s betrothed, Miss Ming.”

Madam Feng’s face showed a brief flash of pain. “How many times has she tormented Han Chu?”

“Three times,” Qin’er replied, unable to conceal her anger.

Three times! That foolish girl had suffered Ming Ying’s cruelty thrice. Madam Feng was furious, like a mother beast defending her young.

Yet she quickly composed herself, and said in a low voice to Qin’er, “Young Master Shen is drinking in the flower hall. Go and fetch him.”

Qin’er hurried off.

Madam Feng looked at the unconscious Han Chu and sighed softly. “You insisted on choosing Helian Qi, and I warned you. The Helian family values reputation above all; he is a legitimate heir. How could he marry you? Even becoming a concubine is beneath you…”

Her tone dulled. “And Ming Ying? She’s the Empress’s niece, infamous in the capital for her arrogance. How could she tolerate her fiancé consorting with a brothel girl? If only you’d chosen the Ninth Prince as your first guest, you would not be so heartbroken now.”

Madam Feng was still lamenting when the door opened again.

She turned to see a man in a lake-blue robe enter. Young Master Shen, handsome and imposing, carried an air of indifference, his demeanor impish and unserious.

Madam Feng noticed the lipstick stain on his lapel, smiled suggestively, and pleaded, “Young Master, please, examine my precious girl.”

Shen raised an eyebrow, his gaze lazy and unconcerned. He clearly knew who lay on the bed, yet seemed determined to keep his distance, responding with playful mockery, “What’s this? Heartbroken? Want to die?”

“At a time like this, you still jest!” Madam Feng exclaimed anxiously. “Han Chu has suffered Ming Ying’s cruelty again and again, she’s at death’s door. I have no time to fetch another doctor! Please, Young Master, take a look!”

Madam Feng watched Shen closely and saw his brows knit with concern. She felt a quiet satisfaction; she hadn’t misjudged, he did care for Han Chu, and her efforts to bring him here weren’t in vain.

With this in mind, Madam Feng lifted the bed curtains, revealing Han Chu’s exquisite, pallid face, and urged, “To save a life is a deed of great merit. Han Chu cannot wait any longer!”

Staring at her ravaged yet ethereal beauty, Shen finally relented. “Madam Feng, leave the room and let me examine her in peace.”

Madam Feng quickly agreed, ushering Qin’er out with her. The two waited anxiously outside the door for Shen’s diagnosis.

Inside, the silence was eerie and suggestive.

After a short while, Shen emerged and said bluntly to Madam Feng, “If she keeps abusing herself so, not even the gods can save her!” He handed over a porcelain bottle, instructing, “Apply this to her arm, twice a day.”

Madam Feng took the medicine, glanced worriedly into the room, and cautiously asked, “How is Han Chu?”

“She’s awake.” Shen’s face darkened further. “Is Helian Qi even a man?” With that, he snorted coldly and strode off.

Madam Feng watched him disappear around the corner, then breathed a sigh of relief. Returning to the room with Qin’er, she found Han Chu sitting upright in bed, still weak but conscious.

Only then did Madam Feng’s anger surface, ready to scold Han Chu for her self-neglect, but Han Chu spoke first, her voice soft as a whisper, gentle and delicate, “Madam, please don’t be angry. I know I was wrong. After tonight, I will never shed another tear for Helian Qi.”

“See that you remember.” Madam Feng’s tone was cold, all tenderness gone. “Brothel girls must keep love at arm’s length. You are young and famous—there will be better men yet.”

She paused, hardening her heart to strike at Han Chu’s pain. “It doesn’t matter if you’re not a virgin, as long as you haven’t borne a child, there’s still hope.”

At these words, Han Chu’s face paled further.

Madam Feng saw this and her heart softened. Gently, she brushed Han Chu’s wounded arm and patiently advised, “Your skill with the zither is renowned; don’t let a Helian Qi ruin your talent.”

As she spoke, Madam Feng rose and headed for the door. “Take care of yourself. You must preserve your title as ‘Southern Xi’s Most Beautiful Woman.’ In half a month, you’ll be back on the roster, receiving guests once more.”