After a night of passion, the bond between the two, having tasted forbidden fruit for the first time, heated up rapidly.
Yunzhu woke early, but rather than rising, she shifted her body with the utmost care, gazing intently at Li Feng’s profile. A faint, imperceptible smile of happiness bloomed on her face. Though she had no prior experience in such matters, her life in the world of pleasure had taught her of the pain that often accompanied a first time. Yet, last night’s experience had been far better than she had anticipated.
While there had been some initial discomfort, the awkwardness had soon vanished, replaced by the ecstasy of their union and an appreciation for this man’s vigor. Looking at Li Feng’s face now, she found the Second Imperial Highness to be remarkably handsome—so much so that she felt a sudden, irresistible urge to reach out and touch him, especially given how incredibly talented he was.
Just as her hand hovered, hesitating over whether to brush against his lips, she froze, her face flushing a deep, brilliant red. Li Feng had opened his eyes and was looking directly at her.
Yunzhu felt the embarrassment of someone caught in the act, but she managed to feign composure. "You... you're awake?"
"Mhm. Would you like to sleep a little longer?" Li Feng stretched lazily and spoke to the beauty beside him.
After their intimacy last night, he realized that she was even more enchanting up close than from afar. It was no wonder she could captivate the masses and drive noble sons to madness. It was a pity, he thought, that in her original fate, the world’s incurable prejudice against women of her profession had led her to a tragic end—an end that came even sooner than his own.
Yunzhu remained shy and did not dare meet his eyes, glancing instead at his exposed chest. "No, I have slept enough. Does Your Imperial Highness require me to accompany you out to wander today?"
"I have important matters to attend to today. You should go about your own business during the day," Li Feng said, rising from the bed. He knew all too well that time was running short.A flicker of disappointment crossed Yunzhu’s eyes, though she quickly composed herself before tending to her morning routine.
Although she was a courtesan, the Xia State did not strictly enforce a caste system; money was the universal currency of all ages. Thus, Yunzhu had three maids at her service.
Seeing Li Feng emerge from the inner chamber, Yunzhu immediately gestured toward the breakfast spread on the table. "Second Imperial Highness, I have prepared some breakfast. I hope it is to your liking."
Li Feng glanced at the delicate meal, but chose to decline. "No, I am in a hurry. You enjoy it yourself."
Yunzhu started to speak, then stopped, watching blankly as Li Feng turned and left.
"My lady, did the Second Imperial Highness agree to redeem you?" Xiaoqing asked, catching sight of Li Feng’s departure.
In truth, she knew her mistress’s heart. The only reason Yunzhu had agreed to hold the poetry recital and offer herself under such intense pressure was to repay the kindness of Plucking Stars Pavilion and, at the same time, to find a worthy man with whom she could flee this place of turmoil.
Li Feng had shone brilliantly at last night’s poetry recital. If her mistress could follow him out of Plucking Stars Pavilion—even if only as a concubine—it would be a wish fulfilled.
Yunzhu looked toward the spot where Li Feng had vanished, a trace of desolation in her eyes. "He is the Second Imperial Highness of our Xia State, the only biological son of His Majesty. How could he possibly look twice at a woman of our standing?"
"But my lady, you are such a wonderful person. How could the Second Imperial Highness be so cold? Then what will you—" Xiaoqing complained, her voice tinged with worry.
Yunzhu thought back on the trials of the past years. She sat down at the table and picked up her bowl and chopsticks. "Do not worry! All these years, I have never relied on anyone, and have I not made it this far on my own?""No one supports my Qingyun Chronicles ambitions, so I tread through the snow to the mountain peak by myself?" Xiaoqing muttered, recalling the lines of poetry from last night, her eyes lighting up slightly.
Yunzhu was about to pick up a bean with her chopsticks, but it slipped and fell as a thoughtful look crossed her pretty face. Vaguely, she felt that man seemed to have a different story of his own.
In Kunning Palace of the Xia State imperial city.
Dressed in furs, Eldest Princess Li Rongchun was basking in the flattery of those around her. It completely swept away the gloom of her defeat not long before, and she accepted the congratulations with a clear conscience.
"The only reason the fake Zhou agreed to our peace terms is because they fear the mighty reputation of our Great Xia's female war goddess. We've really let them off easy this time!" a luxuriously dressed woman chimed in, flattering the Eldest Princess.
Just at that moment, a eunuch hurried inside.
Empress Ji had a vague prehension that it was nothing good, and she furrowed her brow slightly. "What is it?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty the Empress, news just came from outside the palace. We've found out where Second Imperial Highness is!" Wei Zhong stepped forward to report this, looking extremely cautious.
Empress Ji's good mood vanished instantly, and her face immediately hardened. "Where is that good-for-nothing?"
"Second Imperial Highness arrived at Plucking Stars Pavilion last night!" Wei Zhong swallowed hard as he spoke.
Second Princess Li Rongxia naturally knew what the Plucking Stars Pavilion was, and she immediately asked in confusion, "Huh? Where did he get the money to visit a brothel?"
"Don't we imperial children receive a monthly stipend?" Eldest Princess Li Rongchun was the earliest princess to be married off, and because she frequently traveled to the border towns, she didn't know much about the inner workings of the imperial palace.
Empress Ji let out a cold snort, picked up her teacup, and said with casual nonchalance, "He spends all his time cooped up in the palace; what does he need a stipend for? So I gave his share to Xian!"
"This..." Although Eldest Princess Li Rongchun knew her mother favored Li Xian, she never expected that her Empress mother would actually give Li Feng's rightful stipend to Li Xian.
No sooner had the words fallen than Third Princess Li Rongqiu gave a thumbs-up. "Mother is brilliant! Thank goodness you didn't give him any stipend, or else that good-for-nothing would be visiting brothels every single day!"
Empress Ji had felt somewhat guilty at first, but now she too felt her actions were entirely justified—she ought to treat that good-for-nothing so harshly.
"If he has no stipend, then how did he afford a brothel?" Eldest Princess Li Rongchun raised the question.
The corners of Third Princess Li Rongqiu's mouth curled up slightly, as if she had already seen through everything. "How else? He must be eating for free! I've heard some brothel women have a soft spot for virgins—not only do they not charge money, but they even pay the virgin. That good-for-nothing probably sold himself to some brothel woman!"
"Those women in brothels are so filthy. Disgusting!" Fourth Princess, who had remained silent all along, covered her nose and showed an expression of utter disgust.
"That good-for-nothing is a complete disgrace to the Li Family!" Second Princess Li Rongxia clenched her fists and accused fiercely.
"Mother, should we send someone to bring Li Feng back first and question him properly?" Eldest Princess Li Rongchun had spent many years in military life, so she offered a suggestion.
Empress Ji slammed the teacup she had just picked up back onto the table and made her decision on the spot. "None of you are allowed to give him any assistance! I want to see just how many days he can survive out there without the backing of the imperial family. Pass down the order: the moment that second prince returns to the palace, make him kneel outside the palace gates for a full day and night before he is allowed to enter!"