Good Looks Let You Get Away With Anything

"Little Lan, now that we've reached Heaven Dou City, Rongrong and I have important business to attend to. Let's part ways here."

As soon as they entered Heaven Dou City, Sword Douluo Chen Xin seemed eager to send him on his way.

He had spent the whole journey trying to regain his place in Rongrong's heart, only to watch his precious granddaughter laugh and chat happily at this young man's side.

This was practically a case of a grandson stealing his grandfather's girl!

"Thank you for looking after me all this way, Your Excellency Sword Douluo!"

Tang Yin knew that his Little Blondie had made a deep impression on Sword Douluo. He was about to clasp his hands and take his leave when Ning Rongrong beat him to it, grabbing his arm.

"Don't go! Brother Lan Yin, come with me to the Crown Prince's Mansion! Crown Prince is really nice."

She gazed at Tang Yin pleadingly, then sneaked a glance at Chen Xin.

Chen Xin furrowed his brows slightly. But when he saw the hopeful look in Ning Rongrong's eyes, he ultimately held back his objection and instead fixed his gaze on Tang Yin, who stood awkwardly to one side.

The meaning was clear: You deal with this!

Tang Yin naturally didn't want to meet Crown Prince Xue Qinghe too soon.

For one thing, he didn't want to get tangled up in the royal family's troubles. More importantly, there was Xue Qinghe's true identity.

After all, she was the granddaughter of Qian Daoliu, a Peerless Douluo of the Angel Clan, and the illegitimate daughter of Bibi Dong, the Pope of Spirit Hall.

And at least in name, his cheap old dad Tang Hao had killed her father.

Whether as Crown Prince or as the young master of Spirit Hall, it would be all too easy for her to see through him.

In the original story, she'd been so blinded by love that she recruited Tang San despite the grudge over her father's death. That didn't mean she'd tolerate him, Tang Yin, now.

"Miss Rongrong, you're going to the Crown Prince's Mansion on important business. As an outsider, I really shouldn't get involved."

At that, Ning Rongrong puffed out her cheeks and shot Chen Xin a resentful look, still reluctant to give up.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin was at a loss for words. In the end, he was the one who had to bear the blame.

Seeing this, Tang Yin added, "Besides, this is my first time in Heaven Dou City. I'd like to look around and broaden my horizons."

Ning Rongrong was about to say more, but Chen Xin stepped forward and placed himself between her and Tang Yin. His tone was mild, yet allowed no argument. "Rongrong, Little Lan has made his decision. Don't insist."

Ning Rongrong looked at Chen Xin's stern face, then at Tang Yin's calm expression. Knowing there was no point in pressing him, she pouted and muttered glumly,

"Fine... Then, Brother Lan Yin, if you run into trouble in Heaven Dou City, you can come find me at one of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's shops! Take this!"

She swiftly fished a small jade token bearing the emblem of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda from the brocade pouch at her waist and pressed it into Tang Yin's hand.

"This is a token our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect gives to distinguished guests. The people at all our businesses will recognize it!"

Tang Yin looked at the warm jade token in his palm. After a pause, he ultimately accepted it.

He nodded to Chen Xin as well. "Senior Sword Douluo, I'll take my leave."

Chen Xin gave a slight nod in reply.

He watched Tang Yin turn and merge into the surging crowd, vanishing into the vast sea of people in Heaven Dou City. Then, almost imperceptibly, he let out a sigh of relief. Turning to Ning Rongrong, who was still gazing after him, he softened his tone. "Come on. Let's go see your Crown Prince."

Ning Rongrong pursed her lips and followed Chen Xin toward the imperial city, looking back every few steps.

After parting from Ning Rongrong and Chen Xin, Tang Yin wandered along the broad main road like a young man seeing a bustling metropolis for the first time. With just the right touch of curiosity, he let his gaze drift seemingly at random over the rows of shops, the hawkers calling out their wares, and the endless flow of pedestrians and carriages.

By midday, he'd gotten a rough sense of Heaven Dou City's layout. He'd learned where its busiest trading district was, where Soul Masters gathered, where the nobles clustered in the western city, and where the eastern district was a more mixed and lawless place.

He'd also heard bits and pieces about Moonlight Pavilion. It was a place run by a Pavilion Master surnamed Tang, where noble children learned etiquette and music theory. Refined and elegant, it was difficult for ordinary people to enter, and it enjoyed considerable renown among Heaven Dou City's upper circles. Even members of the royal family often went there for lessons.

Since he'd come to Heaven Dou City, Tang Yin naturally had to pay his aunt Tang Yuehua a visit.

Besides, he'd have to sort out his identity sooner or later, and that shouldn't be too difficult for Tang Yuehua.

As the sun slanted westward, Tang Yin headed for the western city. Along the way, he spent the few Gold Soul Coins he had on a clean, neat outfit. Once he'd dressed himself up, from a distance he looked like a refined young nobleman.

He had none of the bizarre tastes of the protagonists in the novels of his previous life. They could easily make themselves presentable, yet chose to look shabby and conspicuous instead. Who could blame the gatekeepers for stopping them?

The farther west he went, the cleaner and quieter the streets became. The mansions on either side were clearly of a different stature, with high walls and imposing gates—a stark contrast to the bustle of the main city.

Following the directions he'd gathered, he soon found the place.

The three-story white building looked especially tranquil in the glow of the setting sun.

A black sandalwood plaque hung above the entrance, bearing the words "Moonlight Pavilion" in graceful, flowing script. Compared to the nearby noble residences, it had less grandeur and more of an otherworldly, scholarly air.

It was nearing evening, and most of the students who'd been learning etiquette at Moonlight Pavilion had gone home. Only a few richly dressed nobles remained, occasionally stopping in front of the gate to greet one another before leaving.

Tang Yin waited nearby for a while longer. When no one else seemed to be coming or going, he approached the entrance and politely greeted the attendant.

"My name is Lan Yin. I have important business with the Pavilion Master."

"What business?" The attendant frowned and turned to look at him. Everyone who came claimed to have important business, but most were nobles with ulterior motives. He'd seen plenty of their kind over the years.

"If it's important, I can't just reveal it so easily." Tang Yin smiled politely. He wasn't even ten yet, but after absorbing his Second Soul Ring, he'd grown to nearly one meter seventy. Combined with a face that wasn't merely handsome but downright beautiful, his appearance gave the attendant pause.

As a receptionist, he'd seen plenty of high-ranking officials and nobles. And nobles were generally quite good-looking; most were handsome men and beautiful women.

He was no different from anyone else. He felt jealous when he saw a man more handsome than himself, and yearned when he saw a pretty woman.

But this young man was different. His peerless, otherworldly beauty stirred not a trace of envy in him. Instead, he found himself liking him.

The attendant suddenly understood why some nobles liked to keep pretty boys.

The pursuit of true beauty knew no bounds of gender!

"Sir?"

The gentle voice interrupted the attendant's thoughts. He suppressed his amazement and changed his attitude at once. "I'm sorry. I was rude."

First he apologized for his earlier discourtesy, then respectfully said, "The Pavilion Master has just finished teaching for the day and is currently in a private meeting with an honored guest. Perhaps you could come inside and wait in the main hall?"

"No matter. I'm not in a hurry." Tang Yin's lips curled upward. When you looked good, you really could get away with anything.

"Please, this way." Seeing that Tang Yin agreed, the attendant led him into Moonlight Pavilion's main hall and called for a maid to bring tea, so the distinguished guest wouldn't be neglected.

At first, the maid was a little annoyed. It was almost time to get off work, so why had another honored guest shown up?

But as soon as she looked at Tang Yin, every trace of discontent vanished. She hurried to the kitchen to fetch tea, even taking a moment to straighten her appearance before entering the hall. Then she swayed over to Tang Yin, her waist sinuous as a water snake.

She swore that, in all her years of work, this was the first time she'd regretted slacking off during etiquette class.

"Young master, this is this year's new red tea. Please have a taste." The maid elegantly poured Tang Yin a cup. Then she stayed beside him with a smile, edging closer and closer.

But the sight clearly displeased someone.

A young man with golden hair and lavish clothes sat not far away in the main hall. He watched Tang Yin enjoying a beautiful maid and fragrant tea, while he himself had nothing. His face darkened at once.

"Are the servants at Moonlight Pavilion always this ill-mannered? Is this how the Pavilion Master teaches you to behave?"