Volume One, Chapter 17: Are the Clothes I'm Wearing Meant for You?

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It was still the familiar prison warden’s chamber. Ye Fusang pressed her lips tightly. “Brother Jingzhi, you know I’m not a criminal...”
“I don’t know,” Jingzhi quickly shook his head and left.

Chu Ye stepped in from the corner, the damp scent of blood dispelling the faint aroma of cold orchids around him. His peach-blossom eyes were cool as he looked at Ye Fusang. “What did you do before you left?”

Ye Fusang knew Chu Ye was asking about Ji Yan. She guessed that when Chu Ye’s illness flared, his soul was weak enough to let Ji Yan slip out.

“After dressing the prince, I left quickly to avoid misunderstandings,” Ye Fusang replied honestly.

“Were you the one who dressed me?” Chu Ye recalled waking up with the scent of cosmetics all over him, thinking some woman had taken liberties with him, which soured his mood greatly.

After hearing Ye Fusang’s explanation, his icy, sharp expression softened a bit. “What cosmetics are you carrying? Disgusting. Throw it away.”

Ye Fusang was silent for a moment before laughing softly. “That’s because, Prince, my two older sisters like this kind of makeup. I intended to buy it to please them, but accidentally spilled it. Oh, how clumsy I am.”

The thought of Ji Yan being handled roughly by so many women gave Ye Fusang a perverse sense of satisfaction, like a great revenge had been served.

Only next time they meet, Ji Yan would surely want to skin her alive.

Still, she thought she had done a good deed. Next time Chu Ye’s illness flared, she would be sure to feed him more fresh blood.

Seeing Ye Fusang’s faint smile, Chu Ye pulled the corner of his mouth into a slight smirk but his eyes remained indifferent. “Pleasing them? Aren’t you quite good at bullying others in the Ye household?”

Was Chu Ye spying on her?

“No, no... Prince doesn’t know,” Ye Fusang’s eyebrows drooped, wearing the expression of one who bore a great grievance. “My whole life has truly been walking on thin ice...”

“Where are the clothes?” Chu Ye didn’t want to watch Ye Fusang’s act. Seeing him wearing the same gray garments again, he asked.

Ye Fusang’s tone turned serious. “Prince, don’t you dislike others touching your things? I’ve washed them. Later, I’ll have Ningzhen deliver them.”

Chu Ye’s face darkened. “No need.”

Ye Fusang looked at him silently, puzzled.

Chu Ye’s voice was icy. “They’re dirty.”

“Should I throw them away?”

“You dare? — Go back to the Princess’s mansion.” Chu Ye’s cold voice fell, leaving only his back. “Two days left.”

Ye Fusang was truly baffled.

Forcing a good woman into prostitution, forcing commoners into officialdom—who else could play such games like them?

She forced a bitter smile. “Prince, the storm clouds disturb the clear sky. I have no grand ambitions. I just wish to grow strong peacefully and smoothly.”

Chu Ye frowned, silent for a moment, then said faintly, “You were born to never have a smooth path. Stay under my wings; only then can I protect your safety.”

...

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Ye Fusang had just returned to the Red Dust Inn when she found Xiao Wogu removing his shirt to treat his wounds.

“Xiao Jian, have you been sparring again?”

Seeing his body covered in sword wounds, Ye Fusang frowned slightly and stepped forward to take the golden wound medicine, carefully applying it to the bloody marks on his back.

“A whole group couldn’t defeat me alone,” Xiao Wogu said calmly, a hint of pride in his tone.

This was bad—he was really being hunted. It seemed Chu Ye was not bluffing her.

“All done, Xiao Jian. Let’s pack up and go be courtesans.”

“I don’t want to go.”

“I’m a courtesan too, and so are you. Only then can we call each other brothers properly.”

“You’re a courtesan too?” Hearing this, Xiao Wogu finally relented.

Ye Fusang and Xiao Wogu were escorted by Ji Rongxue deep into the Princess’s mansion. Ji Rongxue warned, “Her Highness is in a bad mood now. Be careful.”

As soon as they entered the inner chamber, a seductive incense wafted into their nostrils.

From the bedchamber, faint moans could be heard.

Ye Fusang and Xiao Wogu stood behind a folding screen, their bodies stiffening. After listening for half an hour with no sign of the Princess speaking, Ye Fusang herself began to flush with warmth.

Xiao Wogu, growing bored, looked at Ye Fusang. “Why are you blushing?”

“I’m hot, just hot...” Ye Fusang coughed lightly.

Xiao Wogu stood firm. “If you’re going to be a courtesan, why wait here? The incense here stinks.”

Half the night passed. The sounds inside ceased. A cold, refined female voice tinged with desire called out, “Xiao Wogu, the greatest swordsman in the martial world?”

“I dislike the martial world, unless... he can serve me.”

“Serve?” Xiao Wogu frowned slightly. He was a master of sword control, not a servant to a sword.

Chu Yang said lightly, “Where is the One Leaf Lotus?”

“You should know, Your Highness, the One Leaf Lotus isn’t with Xiao Wogu—it’s still with the Ye family,” Ye Fusang answered sincerely.

“He’s amnesiac now. You want me to protect him?” Chu Yang saw through Ye Fusang’s intentions and sneered, “Many wish to stay under my protection, but you must offer value.”

“Your Highness, speak freely,” Ye Fusang bowed her head.

“On New Year’s Eve, Chang Ji will return the hostage Ji Lianxi. Since your uncle says you have the skill of a divine thief, I want Bì Cāng Wú.”

Indeed, one of the five divine medicines.

Ye Fusang frowned slightly, unsure what Chu Yang wanted the five-flavor divine medicine for.

“I won’t refuse Your Highness’s request. But Fusang dares to ask a favor in return.”

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“What favor?”

“I found some official seals and gold at home. My family, seeing my return, mistakenly thinks Your Highness has taken me as a concubine. You must be tired of the Princess’s mansion—why not play along and stay at the Ye residence with me for a while? It would be amusing.”

“Official seals and gold?” Chu Yang raised an eyebrow, her cold voice laced with allureI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.