Page 64

In this Capital, high-ranking officials and nobles roam the streets, and the Courtesan's patrons are naturally a cut above the rest. For example, there's the son of Prime Minister Li, who is by her side, and the wealthy and seemingly very noble Young Master Piao. However, she never expected that this woman would be so remarkable as to be able to seduce the current emperor's soul from his Dragon Throne.

She had met Liu Rongrong before.

Just as rumored, beautiful, extremely beautiful.

Elegant and graceful, standing tall and slender, she possessed none of the airs of a woman of the night; on the contrary... her refined and noble air, emanating from her very being, was impossible to conceal.

A lady from a respectable family reduced to Courtesan? How could that be...?

If they were truly from respectable families, they would rather starve than take that path, right? Pride, propriety, integrity, and moral boundaries constantly linger in the minds of these spoiled young ladies. Even if they were starving, they would never sell themselves into prostitution, would they?

"Little Eight? What are you thinking about?"

"Uh? Ah... nothing." Avoiding the Young Master's peering gaze, she looked up and saw that Chunfen Pavilion was already close at hand.

She only came once at night, and then hurriedly fled.

Under the bright sunlight, the building appeared remarkably magnificent and beautiful.

A fan-shaped scroll hangs above the main entrance beam of the building, without the tacky words "Building Name," but simply two large characters in cursive script—

"Mortal Realm"

There was no signature, no inscription, and no embellishment of flowers, birds, mountains, or water. The two powerful characters hung above everyone's heads, like a patch of the Mortal Realm in the mortal world, as if saying that everyone who steps into this place is a pitiful creature fallen into the Mortal Realm, unable to transcend it.

She took a step forward, but then glanced over and saw that after she finished her daze, it was the Young Master's turn.

He stopped at the top of the steps, staring intently at the two characters "Mortal Realm" on the fan-shaped scroll, lost in thought...

In just a moment, Zhu Bafu realized what was happening.

It turns out that these two characters... were written by him at Liu Rongrong's request.

She could almost picture him gripping the brush, frowning and concentrating. Those two words... were they mocking her? Unable to see through the emotions, unable to hold onto the person, bound by worldly views and prejudices. Knowing full well that his status made it inappropriate to inscribe words for a brothel, yet unable to resist the beauty's request, he splashed ink for her, thus writing these two untitled words.

"... Young Master." She timidly reached out and tugged at his sleeve, gently interrupting his thoughts, "What...are you looking at? Is there something wrong with those two words?"

He shook his head, narrowed his eyes, and remained silent.

"Does it feel... familiar?" she asked cautiously.

"..." Li Chenjing frowned.

"Do you remember?"

"No," he said, flicking his Wide Sleeves, "I just think the characters are really ugly."

"Puff!"

"I really don't know which idiot hung this out there like it was a treasure, ugh..."

The disdainful snort caught the attention of a young maid standing by the door. Without even seeing who it was, she felt offended by the words "Red Dust" above her head. The maid, bracing herself for a laugh, retorted, "Where did this ill-mannered pedant come from? You haven't even read a few books, yet you dare to presume to comment on my Chunfen Pavilion's prized possession! Do you even know whose young master wrote those two characters 'Mortal Realm' for our Rongrong sister?!"

"Oh? Then I'll trouble you to tell me, which idiot gave this to your Miss so-and-so?" Having been inexplicably bombarded with insults, Li Chenjing chuckled and turned to face the little girl on the stairs.

The young girl turned pale with fright when she saw the person's face turn to the side. The next moment, she knelt down with a thud, trembling and looking up at the building as if she had done something wrong. She kept stammering Li Chenjing.

"Young... Young Master... This servant was unaware that Young Master had the pleasure of visiting Chunfen Pavilion today, which is why I spoke carelessly. Sister Rongrong instructed me not to casually mention to outsiders that these two characters were inscribed by Young Master. It's all my fault for being so talkative."

"... It really was that idiot who did it. No wonder he's so annoying." Muttering under his breath, Li Chenjing chuckled and turned to look at Zhu Bafu, who had been lost in thought since entering the room. "No wonder... he hates you so much. So you used to frequent brothels and play around with women? You're a real scoundrel!"

"Huh? Young... Young Master? What are you saying?" The little maid kneeling on the ground blinked in confusion.

Li Chenjing quickly looked away, feigning composure, and asked, "Do I come here often?"

"Uh? Yes, yes... Young Master comes here to see Sister Rongrong every now and then." And every time, she's the one who delivers the visiting card written by Sister Rongrong to the Young Master, inviting him over. The Young Master is completely different from that elusive Young Master Young Master Piao, who always comes and goes as he pleases. He never comes unless Young Master Rongrong sends him a visiting card, which is why she's so flustered today! Rongrong didn't send him a visiting card, yet the Young Master has appeared here, and at such a crucial moment.

"... Sister Rongrong?" That name sounds familiar. It seems Little Eight mentioned it to him before. Was it the very person she insisted on taking him to see during their last argument? The one who could restore his memories just by seeing her?

"Yes, our Chunfen Pavilion's Courtesan, Liu Rongrong. Young Master, are you alright? How come you don't even remember Sister Rongrong?"

I really don't remember "...".

"No, but... Young Master, it's really unfortunate today. Sister Rongrong is not feeling well and cannot serve you." After saying that, her gaze drifted uncomfortably upstairs.

"Oh." He replied indifferently. Anyway, he hadn't come for her; he was just accompanying Little Eight to find the emperor. Whether Rongrong could serve him or not was none of his business.