The timid look on her face was rather like that of a startled fawn, with a hint of hesitant allure beneath her lowered eyes and meek expression.
He beckoned. "Come here." When Sang Wen looked up, he patted his thigh. "Sit here."
Sang Wen pressed her lips together, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her pipa.
She hesitated for only a moment before holding her breath slightly and walking slowly toward him, pipa in her arms.
Her soft skirts brushed the polished floor almost soundlessly.
Turning sideways, she sat on Zhou Cheng's lap with extreme care. Her posture was rather stiff, but her body was soft, and a faint blush visibly spread over her ears.
Almost simultaneously, a system notification sounded in Zhou Cheng's ears:
[Negative emotion points from Sang Wen +15!]
The number was low.
Clearly, though she was not entirely willing, she had more or less accepted her fate.
What courtesan who sold her art rather than her body could establish herself in a pleasure house as prestigious as the Drunken Immortal Residence without some willingness to entertain men with her beauty?
By comparison, someone like Si Lili, who dared to refuse a prince outright, was a rare exception.
After all, she had once belonged to the imperial family. Even after falling on hard times in Northern Qi and returning to Southern Qing as a spy, using her identity as a celebrated courtesan for cover, Si Lili never considered herself a woman of the pleasure quarters.
Zhou Cheng's hand settled naturally on her waist. Through her clothes, his palm could clearly feel her faint trembling and warmth.
He chuckled and gave her bottom two light pats. "You seem very nervous. Never mind, sit beside me. Play the piece you're best at first."
"Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness." Relieved, Sang Wen rose at once and retreated somewhat hurriedly toward the embroidered stool beside him. She glanced at Zhou Cheng, hesitated, then gracefully seated herself.
She held the pipa securely in her arms.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and composed herself.
A moment later, when she opened them again, some of the panic had faded, replaced by a musician's concentration.
"I shall perform 'Moonlit Night on the Xunyang River' for Your Highness," she said softly, bringing her fingertips to the silk strings.
Zhou Cheng nodded slightly, closed his eyes, and listened quietly.
Rippling notes flowed from the pipa. At first, they were cool and peaceful, like moonlight spilling across a river, then gradually turned plaintive and winding, as though bearing endless feelings that hovered on the verge of expression.
Sang Wen began to sing as well. Her clear voice carried just the right touch of ethereal beauty and melancholy, blending seamlessly with the pipa.
Candlelight danced over her lowered profile, her long lashes casting faint shadows. For that moment, she seemed to forget her surroundings and lose herself in her own world of music.
Soon, the piece ended, its lingering echoes slowly fading into the air.
Zhou Cheng opened his eyes. By his own standards of appreciation, Sang Wen's pipa playing and singing were every bit as good as Si Lili's zither music.
Sang Wen looked toward him with a trace of apprehension, seemingly awaiting his judgment.
Before he could speak, Chen Quan's voice came from outside:
"Your Highness, the Heir of Prince Jing requests an audience."
A clear, smiling voice followed, full of familiarity. "Third Brother, it's me, Hongcheng."
"Come in," Zhou Cheng replied.
With his Grandmaster cultivation, he had long since sensed someone waiting outside. The visitor had refrained from interrupting the music, only asking Chen Quan to announce him once it ended.
The door opened, and a figure strode inside.
The newcomer wore a sapphire-blue brocade robe patterned with clouds, a jade belt, and a silver crown. Handsome and easygoing, he was none other than the Heir of Prince Jing, Li Hongcheng.
The moment Li Hongcheng entered, Sang Wen rose with her pipa in her arms, bowed, and withdrew to a corner.
Naturally, she knew who the Heir of Prince Jing was. And this man whom the distinguished heir addressed as "Third Brother"...
His identity was all but obvious.
Li Hongcheng swept a quick glance around the private room, his gaze passing over Sang Wen without lingering.
He then stepped forward and bowed with clasped hands.
Zhou Cheng waved casually. "We're cousins, and this is a private occasion. There's no need for empty formalities. Sit."
Once Li Hongcheng settled into the chair opposite him, he asked, "Hongcheng, how did you know I was here?"
Li Hongcheng explained with some embarrassment:
"You may not know this, Third Brother, but I'm a regular at the Drunken Immortal Residence. I often book this Heaven-Class private room.
"When I came in just now, Manager Hong downstairs quietly told me a distinguished guest was already here. I asked another question and learned it was you, Third Brother."
He paused, his tone growing warmer.
"What a coincidence. You've just returned from Great Eastern Mountain, and I was thinking of giving you a welcome-home feast. I never expected to run into you here instead, Third Brother."
Zhou Cheng smiled and picked up the teapot to pour Li Hongcheng a cup.
"After spending so long out in the wilderness, I had to find somewhere to enjoy myself. The Drunken Immortal Residence really is something special.
"And you, a regular here—you knew about such a fine place all along, yet never brought your Third Brother here to broaden his horizons?"
Li Hongcheng gave an embarrassed chuckle and scratched his head.
"You're teasing me, Third Brother. Back then, we hadn't even come of age. How could I dare bring you here?
"If those imperial censors found out, wouldn't they impeach me? Even if only my father heard about it, he'd skin me alive."
As they chatted and joked, the atmosphere grew quite congenial.
Zhou Cheng could not really claim to be close to this younger cousin, but he felt almost no dislike for him either.
Compared with Crown Prince Li Chengqian and Second Prince Li Chengze, the Heir of Prince Jing, Li Hongcheng, was indeed relatively mild-tempered and less domineering in his conduct.
After another exchange of pleasantries, Li Hongcheng seemingly glanced at Sang Wen by chance, then spoke as though suddenly remembering something.
"That lovely, lilting pipa music and singing just now must have come from this young lady, yes? Truly exceptional skill—the melody still lingers. You have an excellent eye, Third Brother!"
"With such a beauty keeping you company, I've been rather tactless, interrupting your enjoyment, Third Brother..."
As he spoke, he made to rise and take his leave.
How could Zhou Cheng let him leave so easily? Li Hongcheng's unsolicited visit had actually suited him perfectly.
So he said, "In such a hurry, Hongcheng... I suspect not wanting to interrupt my pleasure is just an excuse. As a regular, you must have a beauty tucked away here and can't wait to see your sweetheart. Isn't that the truth?"
Li Hongcheng looked thoroughly embarrassed.
He did indeed have a lady confidante at the Drunken Immortal Residence, but how could he admit such a thing to his cousin's face?
He could only wave his hands repeatedly and laugh awkwardly. "You're teasing me, Third Brother. Nothing of the sort..."
Li Hongcheng still wanted to leave, but this time Zhou Cheng pointed at Sang Wen and said bluntly:
"This young lady has caught my fancy. I intend to take her back to my residence. The manager here has already said I can take her with me.
"But given our status, it wouldn't be right to take advantage of them for nothing. I left home in a hurry today and didn't bring enough silver.
"Since you're here, cover it for me first. If you haven't brought enough either, write the establishment an IOU in your name."
[Negative emotion points from Li Hongcheng +66!]
Li Hongcheng's smile immediately darkened.
An IOU in my name?
You can't take advantage of the establishment, so you'll take advantage of me instead?!
Fortunately, a little silver meant nothing to him.
He clasped his hands and said directly, "It's only a trifling amount. Why bother with an IOU? Just put it on my account."
With that, he stood and had only just turned around when Zhou Cheng's voice sounded behind him again:
"How thoughtful of you, Hongcheng. I won't decline, then. Oh, I hear you often hold poetry gatherings and other elegant get-togethers.
"It's been a long time since we cousins spent time together. Meeting today must be fate, and I've also put you to the expense of covering my bill.
"The next time you hold such a gathering, why not send an invitation to my residence? Though I'm no scholar, I do enjoy a lively occasion. I could come along and lend you some support."
"Ah?" Li Hongcheng froze at that, turning back, momentarily at a loss.
A poetry gathering?
Why would this Third Brother, who had always shown little interest in refined pursuits, suddenly want to attend a poetry gathering?
But he reacted swiftly and hastened to agree. "It would be an honor to have you, Third Brother! I'll certainly send you an invitation when the time comes."
While making his promises, he thought rapidly and backed toward the door with a bow.
Just as he closed the door and turned away, he caught sight of Zhou Cheng nodding to him through the gap.
Could Third Brother have returned to the capital with ambitions of advancing his position? Surely not...
After closing the door, Li Hongcheng frowned deeply and paced along the upper floor with his head lowered.
He was unsure what Zhou Cheng hoped to achieve by extending this goodwill, but inwardly he groaned.
He truly feared that this chance meeting had given Zhou Cheng the sudden idea of winning him over.
At court, the struggle between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince was already raging fiercely.
He truly feared that this Third Brother, now back in the capital, might also take an interest and decide to interfere in court affairs.
He was the Heir of Prince Jing and, to some extent, represented the stance of Prince Jing's Residence.
If he associated too closely with any prince, outsiders could easily interpret it as a sign of Prince Jing's Residence's allegiance.
Although he had always enjoyed a good personal relationship with the Second Prince, if it came to choosing sides, he wanted to choose neither!
He also knew perfectly well that his father would not take sides.
As imperial relatives, Prince Jing's Residence had already reached the highest position available to them.
Even if they successfully backed the next emperor, their position would remain unchanged.
If they backed the loser, however, their fate would be miserable.
In the struggle over the succession, absolute neutrality was the only sound path to survival for their branch of the family.
He would not accept any prince's attempts to win him over. Of course, by the same token, if the princes asked him to do some small favor, he did not dare refuse.
Inside the private room, after Li Hongcheng left, the atmosphere changed once more amid the gently wavering candlelight.
Before you continue