59 Contesting for the Title of Courtesan Queen

The tattooed scoundrel could only moan, "It's her. Yes! She found me and gave me a sum of money to sleep with you and ruin your marital relationship."

"Where does she live? What is her background?" Lin Yuejiao's eyes turned icy.

This woman was truly vicious.

Assuming she really was Rong Yu's wife, simply because she had taken a fancy to a man she met for the very first time, she had sought out a flower-picking thief to destroy the wife's chastity. Her heart was as venomous as a scorpion's.

Had she succeeded, any other noble young lady would have had no choice but to die to prove her innocence.

"I don't know where she lives, and I don't know who she is. I just took the money to do the job. She said you were exceptionally beautiful, so I thought... I could pick a flower and make some money on the side, and so I did it..." The scoundrel was now filled with overwhelming regret.

"Miss, we searched the Five Elements Town, but didn't find anyone," Iris said. "However, the Prince had Yun Jian take her portrait to investigate. It shouldn't take long to find out that woman's background."

Though Rong Yu possessed boundless powers, finding someone based solely on a portrait took time, and names could only serve as references, their truth unknown.

"Hmm. Hand this man over to the authorities," Lin Yuejiao said with disgust.

The notorious bandit, known for ruining the chastity of countless women, was utterly despicable in her eyes.

And his crimes were more than enough to warrant a death sentence.

"Oh, right, wait a moment. Confiscate all the aphrodisiacs on him," Lin Yuejiao added, remembering something.

Having narrowly escaped disaster a few times, she figured she ought to prepare a few backups for any unforeseen emergencies.

Iris nodded, and two guards immediately dragged the scoundrel away.

Ever since angering Rong Yu in the morning, he had been nowhere to be seen for the entire day.

Unable to fathom what this lord was thinking, Lin Yuejiao simply let the matter rest.

After seven consecutive days of travel, they finally arrived in Yingzhou.

"Be careful, please be careful." Iris and Camellia supported Lin Yuejiao by the arms as she stepped down from the carriage.

Lin Yuejiao smiled faintly, "The divine doctor's medicine works wonders. The wounds have already formed scabs and are healing very well. You don't need to be so cautious."

"We are just grateful that the divine doctor's medicine is so effective. Otherwise, given how severe your injuries were, how could you possibly be walking after only ten days?" Iris remarked.

Camellia chimed in, "Exactly, exactly. Miss, please don't put any strength into your right leg. Step lightly, and this maid will support you."

Lin Yuejiao smiled, feeling she was already fine, but seeing the genuine worry in her two maids, she didn't have the heart to brush off their kindness and let them assist her.

"Yun Jian, where is your Prince?" Lin Yuejiao asked.

Yun Jian answered coldly, "The Prince is not around."

Lin Yuejiao frowned.

Upon reaching their room at the inn, Lin Yuejiao turned to Iris and said, "Bring me the men's clothing. I am changing."

"Ah? Miss, are you going alone? That simply won't do. You should at least discuss it with the Prince," Iris exclaimed.

"I would like to discuss it with him, but he is nowhere to be found. What else can I do?" Lin Yuejiao said, a hint of helplessness in her tone. "The Shixin Jade concerns Yi'er's condition. Others may not be in a rush, but I cannot set my mind at ease for even a single moment."

"But it's far too dangerous for you to go to a place like that alone. This maid will go with you!" Iris declared.

Lin Yuejiao smiled. "Rest assured, I am merely a guest, what danger could there be? Besides, Yun Jian has been protecting me from the shadows. If I go to the Rouge Pavilion, he will surely follow in secret. There is no need to worry. You may accompany me if you wish. Although the Rouge Pavilion is a place of pleasure, any establishment that opens its doors for business will maintain its own security, and the pavilion itself ensures safety. You can rest easy."

Even though Rong Yu was absent, Lin Yuejiao keenly sensed that Yun Jian was guarding her every step.

This must have been Rong Yu's instruction.

Moreover, Lin Yuejiao never courted danger recklessly. The Rouge Pavilion was indeed a pleasure house, but it was also the most renowned house of leisure in Yingzhou, frequented by countless young masters seeking entertainment.

In Yingzhou, the Rouge Pavilion.

Disguised as a wealthy young master of a prominent family and accompanied by Iris, Lin Yuejiao had barely reached the entrance of the Rouge Pavilion when she was pulled inside by the welcoming hostesses on either side.

"Oh, Young Master, you haven't been here in such a long time. Do you have a favorite young lady you are accustomed to? This humble one will call her for you," a heavily made-up procuress in her forties said with a flattering smile.

Iris, who had been trying to stiffen her spine and look tense to muster up her courage, nearly burst out laughing upon hearing this.

"Of course I do. I wish to see Lady Wan Shangning," Lin Yuejiao said, deepening her voice.

She knew well enough that procuresses and courtesans treated everyone like familiar patrons.

The procuress pointed toward the stage in the middle of the main hall and said, "Young Master, look! Today happens to be the day Shangning performs her artistry. I shall arrange a private room on the second floor for you, guaranteeing you a crystal-clear view."

"I wish to have a private appointment with her," Lin Yuejiao said.

The procuress smiled so broadly her face crinkled like a chrysanthemum. "Oh, my dear young master, just look at all the gentlemen in this hall—which of them isn't here for Lady Shangning? We will follow the old rules: after her performance, bidding will commence on the spot. The highest bidder shall become Lady Shangning's distinguished guest and spend a romantic night with her."

Lin Yuejiao was momentarily taken aback. So there was such a rule, but she certainly didn't have that much silver to compete in the bidding with these wealthy young masters.

"Young Master, shall we go up?"

Lin Yuejiao gave a faint grunt of assent and followed her to a private room on the second floor. The procuress smiled, "Young Master, which young lady shall I send to accompany you in drinking?"

"No need, I... this young master is here solely for Lady Shangning," Lin Yuejiao waved her hand dismissively.

The procuress chuckled, "Then I wish Young Master success in winning the beauty tonight."

With that, she didn't insist on sending courtesans to accompany them, but merely ordered wine and dishes to be brought up before closing the door and withdrawing.

Iris immediately let out a sigh of relief. "Y-Young Master! That was terrifying! Thank goodness no one saw through it."

"Getting in was simple enough, but seeing this top courtesan turns out to be no easy task. With so many people pursuing her, the bids will surely soar sky-high later," Lin Yuejiao murmured, her brows furrowing in thought.

Iris worriedly asked, "Then what should we do?"

"We can only take it one step at a time," Lin Yuejiao replied, her mind inexplicably drifting to Rong Yu.

On the stage, a woman dressed in colorful attire brandished fluttering water-sleeves as she danced. She possessed striking features, her smile laced with a hint of allure, and she wielded her long silk sleeves with graceful, winding elegance.

Her figure was exquisitely proportioned, her oval face remarkably delicate, and she appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years of age.

As the song came to an end, she halted.

"This humble one thanks all the gentlemen for your patronage today. This performance of the 'Ascending Crescent Moon' dance is dedicated to everyone as a token of gratitude," Wan Shangning said. Instead of leaving the stage, she remained standing there, generously allowing the wealthy young masters to unabashedly appraise her figure as she offered a deeply seductive, alluring smile. "I wonder which gentleman is willing to share a cup of wine with me tonight?"

A wealthy young master lewdly chuckled, "What kind of wine does Shangning wish to share? The bridal cup before tumbling into bed?"

"A night as husband and wife makes one a true couple; what harm is there in sharing a bridal cup?" Wan Shangning flicked her water-sleeve toward the young master, teasingly asking, "Could it be that Young Master Zhou actually intends to marry me and be my husband night after night?"

"Hahahahaha..." Laughter immediately erupted from the others.

"This young master naturally won't marry you, but tonight, I am definitely sleeping with you!" Young Master Zhou's expression soured slightly. Stung by the laughter of the crowd, he declared fiercely.

Wan Shangning didn't take offense in the least. Instead, she walked right up to him, picked up a cup of wine from the table, and held it to his lips with a charming smile, "Young Master Zhou, I shall be waiting for you in bed~"

"Heh!" Having been fed a cup of wine in such a seductive manner, Young Master Zhou's lingering irritation instantly vanished. He gazed amorously at Wan Shangning, "Just you wait for this young master!"

With that, he slammed his palm onto the table, "One thousand taels!"

Such a lavish offer instantly stunned many of the surrounding patrons.

"Good heavens, such a high price! M—" Iris gasped in shock, nearly slipping up before catching herself just in time. She whispered in astonishment, "Our silver isn't even enough for the starting bid. This courtesan isn't nearly as pretty as the young ladies at Zhaohuang Academy, and her demeanor is so loose and wanton—how can people throw away so much silver just to buy a night with her?"

Lin Yuejiao's gaze also lingered on Wan Shangning, and upon hearing this, she smiled. "Jiangnan produces beauties, and the noble daughters of Zhaohuang Academy are beauties among beauties; Wan Shangning truly pales in comparison if placed among them. However, if she were as aloof and reserved as those young ladies, these young masters could simply return home to look at their own wives instead of seeking amusement in a place like this. She is far from simple. I fear getting the Shixin Jade this time won't be so easy."

With just a few words, she had stirred up the emotions of the one surnamed Zhou, prompting him to instantly splurge a thousand gold pieces. First provoking him deliberately and then tempting him—this woman had spent years navigating such places, adept at reading human hearts and playing to people's desires. Otherwise, how could she have maintained her position as the top courtesan for a decade without faltering?

She appeared to be in a vulnerable position, but in reality, young master Zhou was entirely within the palm of her hand.

Wan Shangning then flirted with several other leading young masters, quickly driving the price even higher, which deepened the solemn look in Lin Yuejiao's eyes.

"Ten thousand taels."

At that very moment, a cold, indifferent voice drifted from a private room on the second floor.

The noisy pleasure house instantly fell silent.

Spending ten thousand taels of silver just to fight for the affections of a courtesan was no small matter—ten thousand taels?

Lin Yuejiao was also stunned. She looked toward the opposite private room as a man clad in pristine white robes walked out, standing before the railing and looking down from above, repeating, "Ten thousand taels."

"Oh, had I known it was such a handsome young gentleman like yourself, Your Lordship, let alone ten thousand taels, even if you paid me to take me in, this humble one would be more than willing," Wan Shangning was momentarily startled before covering her mouth with a coy giggle.

The procuress was overjoyed to the point of madness, shouting excitedly, "Ten thousand taels! Ten thousand taels! Is there any offer higher than ten thousand taels?"

Even those lacking in wits knew better than to raise the bid any further.

"Ten thousand taels, going once! Are there any higher bids?" The procuress's voice trembled with excitement.

Lin Yuejiao also stepped out from her private room, standing by the railing and facing the white-robed man across the way, "Ten thousand and one taels."

"Today truly is my lucky day; this young master is also so dashing and handsome. It leaves this humble one truly torn, so I can only ask the two gentlemen to settle this between yourselves." Wan Shangning froze for a fraction of a second upon seeing Lin Yuejiao, then smiled and cast a seductive glance.

Lin Yuejiao and the white-robed gentleman locked eyes across the space.

Everyone else watched the unfolding drama with bated breath.

The moment the white-robed gentleman caught sight of Lin Yuejiao, his expressionless face instantly darkened. He slammed his hand onto the railing, tipped his toes, and leaped gracefully into the air like a soaring swan, his qinggong as swift as a swallow, shooting across half the pleasure house like a falling meteor before landing squarely in front of Lin Yuejiao with a swift whoosh.

"Why are you here?" His voice was laced with a trace of anger.

Lin Yuejiao raised her delicate brows, "Seeing the Prince here, I am equally surprised."

"Go back." Rong Yu's gaze was as sharp as a knife.

The corners of Lin Yuejiao's lips curved upward, "Only officials are allowed to visit brothels while commoners are barred from houses of pleasure. Prince, you abandoned me to come seek romantic amusement with a beauty, and I haven't even said anything yet. Why don't you go back?"

"Lin Yuejiao." Rong Yu's face was as dark as still water.

How dare this woman come to a pleasure house entirely by herself?

Was a place like this meant for a noble young lady of her standing?

Though he had brought her here to find Wan Shangning, his intention was at most for Wan Shangning to meet her outside the brothel; he had never meant for her to step foot into such a place.

"You are both esteemed guests, please don't damage your harmony over this." Wan Shangning appeared out of nowhere, offering an alluring smile. "Seeing that you two appear to be old acquaintances, let's keep the price at the last bid without increasing it. This humble maid shall accompany both young masters today."

When Rong Yu had suddenly leaped across, it had sparked a wave of gasps from the crowd. The staff of the Rouge Pavilion, assuming someone had offended him and fearing he might start a brawl in his anger, had hurriedly sent Wan Shangning up to mediate.

Rong Yu shot a sidelong glance at Lin Yuejiao and let out a cold snort, "Ten thousand and one taels. Pay up, Young Master Lin."

"Since we are seeing Lady Shangning together, we shall naturally pay the silver together," Lin Yuejiao's lips curved upward. "You pay ten thousand taels, and I pay one tael. That makes it an even split. Fair."

The others nearly passed out from shock.

What made their jaws drop even further, however, was that the white-robed gentleman merely glanced at Lin Yuejiao without a word of rebuttal. He casually picked up a stack of silver banknotes and handed them to Wan Shangning—the exact sum of ten thousand taels.

With her sharp eyes, Wan Shangning immediately caught the look Rong Yu cast toward Lin Yuejiao—a gaze mixed with deep exasperation yet imbued with a touch of pampering tenderness.