Jade Fragrance Pavilion.
In the boudoir at the very top of the "Spring" building, the tallest of Spring Flower Snow Moon's four buildings.
Warm jade paved the floor, glass formed the windows, and gauzy clouds hung as curtains. Shark-silk draped the jade couch, an incense burner of gold burned sandalwood incense, and luminous pearls set into the walls lit the room. Its extravagance was beyond description.
At the center of this lavish boudoir, a woman in a bright red robe embroidered with pearls and crabapple blossoms sat before a mirror, doing her makeup. Her beauty was as radiant as snow.
Reflected in the mirror was a face equally lovely whether smiling or annoyed, innocent one moment and alluring the next—a beauty fit to topple a kingdom.
Most cultivators in Houtu City could only see that face, coveted by countless men, through an artist's brushwork in portraits.
And across all of Kun Province, those who could climb to the top of Jade Fragrance Pavilion and see her face with their own eyes could be counted on one hand.
This woman was Yu Nujiao, Houtu City's most celebrated courtesan.
Before her jade mirror, Yu Nujiao painted her lips and brows, applied decorative flowers and powder, making her already beautiful face more captivating still.
Just then, the folding screen shifted and the jade curtain lifted. A voluptuous beauty entered, draped in red gauze that half concealed and half revealed her figure.
Yu Nujiao glanced back and smiled. "Mother Rui."
The sight of the radiant, innocent-looking beauty eased Lady Rui's heart a little, and the fright she had felt earlier faded. Affection filled her eyes.
"You're back?"
Yu Nujiao nodded.
Lady Rui asked, "How did you manage the Earth Sect's Eldest Young Master and those young lords?"
Yu Nujiao gave a delicate laugh. "Lustful