Chapter 159

After a few people emerged from Tianranju, it was already noon. They found a restaurant and had a casual meal before returning to their lodging.

"If we want to get close to this distinguished gentleman, the key is Yinyue Girl."

"Then let's go tonight and witness the celestial beauty as others see her."

In the evening, Gong Xiaohua dressed in male guard attire and walked behind the Crown Prince and Qin Chuyuan with two other guards.

Due to the Fragrance Competition Conference happening recently, many out-of-town guests had come to the capital, making it lively. The vendors on both sides of the street also delayed their closing time.

During this period, the streets were bustling with people until curfew.

At this time, the road was brightly lit, and Gong Xiaohua and the others walked towards a three-story tall building ahead.

Each floor of the building was adorned with red lanterns, illuminating the night as bright as day.

As they got closer, the noisy voices grew louder. When they arrived at the entrance of the Hundred Flowers Building, it was already bustling with vehicles and people, creating a lively scene.

Gong Xiaohua and the group attracted many gazes along the way due to their outstanding appearances. However, once people saw them entering the Hundred Flowers Building, their eyes instantly revealed disdain, thinking they were spoiled young masters.

Inside the Hundred Flowers Building,

As soon as the Crown Prince and Qin Chuyuan entered the building, they caught the attention of countless people because of their extraordinary appearance.

The man in mysterious black attire was elegant and extraordinary.

Beside him, the man in white clothes was as beautiful as jade, with a refined temperament that captivated people's attention.

Looking at the guards behind the two, even they were handsome and had rosy lips and white teeth.

"Hey, who are these young masters? They are so handsome. I have never seen such elegant gentlemen in my life," said a plump woman with a face full of white powder and deep wrinkles, swaying her exaggerated waist and hips as she approached Gong Xiaohua and the others.

Before the woman could get close, the Crown Prince directly tossed two silver ingots into her arms, keeping his distance, and said boldly, "Madam, arrange a well-prepared private room for us, serve us good food and wine, and also arrange a skilled girl to entertain us." He portrayed the image of a nouveau riche who sought pleasure.

The Madam, who was astute, stopped in her tracks and no longer approached. She quickly embraced the silver ingots in her arms, biting her lips with her mouth to confirm their authenticity, and smiled in a very obsequious manner.

With such a generous tip of twenty taels, he was a lavish and generous customer, and she naturally wanted to cater to his desires.

"Don't worry, young masters. Madam will surely arrange everything properly for you."

Then she turned around and said to the group of glamorous girls surrounding her, "Disperse, disperse. You vulgar girls won't catch the eye of these young masters."

These courtesans had been continuously casting flirtatious glances and posing since they entered.

Hearing the Madam's words, they felt disappointed, but some bold ones couldn't bear to miss the opportunity to interact with such handsome young masters. They mustered up the courage and approached, "Young masters," their voices soft and lingering, enough to make an ordinary person's body go numb.

Unfortunately, they were blocked mercilessly by the guards.

The Crown Prince directly said, "Madam, we came here today for Yinyue Girl, so please arrange a well-positioned private room for us."

"It turns out it's all for Yinyue from my household. But, to be honest, sir, most likely these guests who came today are here for Yinyue. The seating arrangement wasn't easily arranged." Madam wore a troubled expression.

How could the Crown Prince not understand the implication in her words? So he threw three silver ingots again.

Madam received the silver and her smile returned, but the powder on her face kept falling off.

"Please follow Madam," she said.

While the Crown Prince was talking to Madam, Qin Chuyuan noticed that Gong Xiaohua kept furrowing her brows and occasionally glanced at the second and third floors.

Curious, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"Since we entered until now, there have been two intense gazes periodically fixed on us, but whenever I tried to follow the gaze, it vanished, and I couldn't determine which room it came from."

"If we are the targets, they will eventually reveal themselves. Let's not worry for now. Let's go."

"Okay."

Gong Xiaohua's intuition was correct. At the moment they entered the Hundred Flowers Building, there were indeed two gazes observing them.

One gaze was from a private room on the second floor, where the princess of Runan Palace, disguised as a man, resided. She had noticed them as soon as they entered the Hundred Flowers Building, mainly because the man in white attire caught her attention with his exceptional looks.

She asked the maid, disguised as a boy beside her, "Who is this young master? He looks so handsome. Why haven't I seen him in the capital?"

The maid followed her gaze and saw a stranger's face.

"He must be from out of town. Tomorrow is the Fragrance Competition Conference, and he must be here to join the festivities. Your Highness, the Emperor intends to select a husband for you. If you like this young master, shall I go and inquire?"

"No need. If it's fate, we'll meet again. Today's objective is only one—to win the Yinyue girl and give my uncle a surprise."

"Princess, your thoughts are thorough."

The other gaze came from the third floor, precisely where Yinyue Girl, the protagonist of tonight, resided.

When she saw the Crown Prince and Qin Chuyuan enter, her eyes lit up.

A woman's first time is so precious. How could she willingly give it to an unattractive man who could be her father? That's why she persuaded Madam and orchestrated tonight's event.

If either of them became her partner tonight, she would have no regrets.

Gong Xiaohua and the others followed Madam to the second floor and were led to a room on the left side facing the stage on the first floor.

"Please have a seat, and Madam will make arrangements for the gentlemen," Madam said before turning and leaving. The windows in the room were open, and a round table stood near the window, offering a clear view of the first-floor stage.

The Crown Prince and Qin Chuyuan sat at the table, while the other two guards stood outside the room.

Meanwhile, Gong Xiaohua hid beside the window, wanting to see if those two gazes would reappear.

"So, have you figured anything out?" Qin Chuyuan asked.

"No, since we entered this private room, those two gazes haven't appeared again."

The Crown Prince looked puzzled and asked, "What are you talking about?"

So Gong Xiaohua explained the fact that they were being watched from the moment they entered the Hundred Flowers Building.

The Crown Prince pondered for a moment. "Perhaps they simply think we look good and are just giving us a few extra glances."

"Let's hope so."

Before long, the Madam arrived, accompanied by two servants carrying food boxes and five charming and graceful courtesans. The one at the front was even holding a pipa, a musical instrument.

The servants placed the dishes from the food boxes onto the table and then withdrew.

"Guests, this is Miss Yinshuang. She is the best pipa player in our establishment," the Madam introduced, referring to the courtesan with the pipa.

The courtesan with the pipa curtsied to the Crown Prince and Qin Chuyuan, saying, "Two young gentlemen, you are very polite."

"These ladies are here to serve you wine, serve you food, and attend to your needs."

Before the sentence was finished, the courtesans swarmed forward and sat on either side of the Crown Prince and Qin Chuyuan. Another courtesan walked directly towards Gong Xiaohua and reached out to touch her face.

Qin Chuyuan's face turned grim, and he coldly said, "The pipa player can stay, but the rest of you can leave."

"Young master, this..."

Qin Chuyuan turned to look at the Madam, his deep eyes filled with coldness. "What? Can't you understand human language?"

A chill ran down the Madam's spine, and she quickly replied, "Yes, of course."

Then she scolded the courtesans, saying, "Blind fools! Hurry up and leave."

The courtesans, seeing the situation, quickly followed the Madam and left together.

Gong Xiaohua returned to the table from the window, sat down, picked up the drink beside her, took a sip, and a slight smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. She said, "The taste is quite good. It truly deserves its reputation as a golden palace for men, a gentle town."

After finishing the drink, she happily went to get the wine jug.

Qin Chuyuan intervened directly and whispered, "That's for them, not for me."

Then he switched the drink to tea and said softly, "This wine is strong, so drink less."

The before and after contrast was like night and day, leaving the Crown Prince choking on his drink in disbelief.