The seductive princess is no longer being pursued; the aloof prime minister is facing a crematorium.

Chapter 9 I Want You!
Back then, when Prince Ruiyang was framed and imprisoned, his entire clan was implicated, and all his family members, servants, and property were confiscated and exiled.

Lu Xiao, the deputy general who accompanied Prince Ruiyang back to the capital, disappeared shortly after learning of this matter.

Jiang Jinshuang had met that deputy general once.

Before meeting him, she had always thought that the vice general was an old man about the same age as Prince Ruiyang.

After meeting, Jiang Jinshuang learned that—

Lu Xiao, the deputy general who followed Prince Ruiyang and was loyal, brave, and had countless military achievements, was only three years older than her.

Now that she knows Lu Xiao's whereabouts, Jiang Jinshuang naturally cannot sit idly by.

Moreover, if we want to thoroughly investigate what happened back then, Lu Xiao, as the deputy general by Prince Ruiyang's side, must know more inside information.

For both emotional and rational reasons, she had to bring Lu Xiao back.

Thinking this, Jiang Jinshuang unknowingly arrived outside the Nanfeng Pavilion.

As the black gold sets in the west, the stars and moon shine.

There is no curfew in Chang'an during the spring.

If you really have the leisure, you can even see the bustling scene on Chang'an Avenue from night until daytime.

With lights shining brightly and neighborhoods open to the public, the people of Chang'an City bustled about amidst the dazzling lights and lively atmosphere.

Outside the Nanfeng Pavilion, a row of brightly dressed young men had already formed.

Some wore blue robes with their hair tied up, others wore white robes, and still others wore fiery red robes, all exuding a graceful and refined elegance.

A group of handsome young men, just by standing there, could attract the attention of many women.

Having been away from Chang'an for many years, Jiang Jinshuang felt that there seemed to be even more handsome men in the city.

The people of Wanjin are known for their open and simple customs; even unmarried young women are allowed to go out wearing veils.

The Nanfeng Pavilion, which is always bustling, has even more guests today!

—The top courtesan of Nanfeng Pavilion, who is rumored to never entertain guests, is now up for sale, saying she wants to play the zither to find a kindred spirit!

When Jiang Jinshuang arrived, quite a few guests had already arrived.

Most of the people who come to Nanfeng Pavilion are wealthy and influential families in the capital, both men and women.

A high platform was erected in the very center of the main hall, with light gauze curtains, through which the figure of a man could be vaguely seen. He was tall and slender with a graceful waistline.

Below the stage, many men and women stared intently, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Presumably, the man under the curtain is none other than Su Xiu, the top courtesan of Nanfeng Pavilion, who is seeking a soulmate today.

The hall was packed with people, laughing and joking loudly.

Jiang Jinshuang also looked up at the high platform. Under the shadowy curtains, the man seemed to have taken out a zither and gracefully sat down.

"Zheng——"

The music only played briefly before the entire audience fell silent.

For four years, war raged in Xiangfan, but the songs of fishermen and woodcutters were nowhere to be heard.

The clear and melodious sound of the zither drifted slowly from behind the curtains, spreading outwards.

What is the state of affairs now? Gold is being worn away, and grain is being wasted.

The sound of the zither was clearly melodious and beautiful, but the tune he sang was desolate and sorrowful.

It felt like a cold wind entering my ears, or a gentle rain soaking my heart.

The branches of the mulberry tree need not sway gracefully; ugliness and evil can abound.

[The wealthy buy beautiful women every day. What is the military situation? What is the civil situation?]

The spring chill was still in the air, and Jiang Jinshuang suddenly felt a bit cold.

When the song ended, everyone present fell silent.

After an unknown amount of time, a slender hand lifted half of the curtain, revealing a man in snow-white robes and black hair, holding a zither, standing before the crowd.

In that instant, Jiang Jinshuang seemed to hear the sound of everyone present gasping in shock.

—This young master Su Xiu is really too beautiful.

His whole body was like jade, with a high nose and thin lips, sideburns as if cut by a knife, and eyebrows as if painted with ink.

Jiang Jinshuang was also stunned for a moment.

She had seen many handsome men, but this one gave her a different feeling than the others.

The beauty he exudes is both striking and dangerous, like knowing it's a venomous snake that can kill instantly, yet still drawn to it without hesitation because of its beauty.

She had seen him once before, but back then, "Young Master Su Xiu" was dressed in black armor and exuded more heroic spirit than beauty.

Now, he was dressed in a white robe, which perfectly accentuated his aloof and elegant temperament.

Before the madam of Nanfeng Pavilion could say anything more, a wealthy-looking gentleman in the audience shouted, "Three hundred taels of silver!"

A stone stirred up a thousand waves.

Immediately afterwards, the shouts of bidders continued, each one louder than the last!
"Four hundred taels!" "Five hundred taels!!"

"One thousand taels!"

"Three thousand taels!"

"Ten thousand taels!"

Thirty thousand taels!

"..."

Jiang Jinshuang stood in the crowd in a red dress. She looked up at the man with a graceful figure on the high platform. For some reason, she felt that his gaze fell on her for a moment.

The moment their eyes met, Jiang Jinshuang raised an eyebrow and smiled.

The next second, she pushed through the crowd without hesitation and walked towards the platform.

Getting closer and closer, moving faster and faster.

The shouts of bidders continued to echo around, but as prices rose, the rate of increase became smaller and smaller.

Her striking red dress drew attention, and as she walked toward the platform, people around her recognized her.

"This...this is not..."

"Princess Zhaoming? What brings Princess Zhaoming here?"

"What is she here for?"

"Hmph! What could they possibly be here for? They must just be after Young Master Su Xiu's good looks!"

"..."

The crowd looked at each other and whispered among themselves.

Until she lifted her red dress and stood still in front of the platform.

The girl's eyes were arrogant and unrestrained as she raised her head and arched her eyebrows.

"One hundred thousand taels of gold," Jiang Jinshuang said with a smile, "Su Xiu, I want you."

……

Princess Zhaoming, in order to win a smile from the beauty, spent 100,000 gold coins to buy a night with Su Xiu.

Such rumors quickly spread from Nanfeng Pavilion.

The common people scoffed at this, saying that Princess Zhaoming was still the same as she was three years ago, extremely licentious and showing no improvement whatsoever!
At this moment, in the study of Wenshan Pavilion.

Jingmo returned after being punished, seemingly sensing that something was amiss.

It was late at night, but the light in the adult's study was still on.

For a fleeting moment, Jingmo even had the absurd thought that "Is the master still waiting for someone?"

"Sir." He knocked on the door.

The man in the study did not respond. Jingmo understood and pushed the door open to enter.

He knelt cautiously and respectfully in the center of the study, head bowed and silent.

At his desk, Pei Du was still copying scriptures.

Jingmo knew that the adult always had the habit of copying scriptures when he was upset.

A breeze swept through the hall, causing the candle on the desk to flicker twice, casting swaying shadows.

There was not a sound in the study.

The brush stroked across the fine Xuan paper, leaving a faint sound.

After an unknown amount of time, Jingmo rolled his eyes and tentatively spoke, "My lord, I have just heard some... rumors circulating in the streets."

The sound of writing continued.

Jingmo coughed lightly and continued, "It's...it's about Princess Zhaoming."

With a "click".

The jade pendant on the man's hair ornament struck the white jade pen handle, producing a crisp sound.

Stop writing.

Pei Du looked at Jing Mo but didn't say anything.

But Jingmo instantly understood his master's meaning and respectfully reported, "I heard that Princess Zhaoming... went to Nanfeng Pavilion and spent a lot of money... to buy one of the male prostitutes there..."

The study was completely silent.

half an hour.

Just as Jingmo lowered his head, even thinking that his guess might be too absurd, the man in front of the desk finally spoke.

"Ready your horse."

(End of this chapter)