Luo Zice saw her and felt as if he didn't recognize Ye Qingcheng. It wasn't about her appearance, but her entire demeanor had changed, becoming more flamboyant and confident.
It should be said, she was completely confident.
Luo Zice smiled faintly, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Ye Qingcheng smiled, "Young Master Luo is too kind." While her words were polite, her eyes were continuously appraising him.
Luo Zice felt a blush of embarrassment under her gaze, unsure of what to do. It was probably the first time he had encountered such a bold woman, and one who was already married.
Luo Zice couldn't help but interrupt, "Your Highness, it is improper to stare."
Ye Qingcheng giggled, "I simply find Young Master Luo so captivating that I can't take my eyes off you. Please don't be so formal."
Luo Zice twitched the corner of his mouth. He wasn't being formal at all.
Watching Luo Zice's retreating figure, Ye Qingcheng had a bold idea.
She wanted to find men to have fun with. When you encounter new potential romances, you can't just hang yourself from one tree. You should aim for the entire forest. This was Ye Qingcheng's ambition: "Hahahaha, cough cough cough! Damn, I choke on my own spit when I laugh."
The next morning, Ye Qingcheng dressed and applied makeup herself, using rouge as eyeshadow, employing modern makeup techniques. In the mirror, she admired her soul-captivating beauty. Her face was exquisite, but it had been wasted by the original owner. Such a beautiful woman, willing to be confined to the inner chambers, a golden canary, ready to die for a man, and ultimately poisoned by the man she loved. What a waste!
She finished her makeup, and her hairstyle would naturally be done by Jing Xiu. In a few more days, Bi Xi's wound would heal, and then she would return. With Bi Xi and Jing Xiu by her side, life would be even more comfortable.
Jing Xiu teased her from the side, "Your Highness, your current appearance is truly beautiful. If one doesn't look closely, they wouldn't recognize you!"
Ye Qingcheng gave a bewitching smile, "It's better if they don't recognize me. That's the effect I'm going for."
Jing Xiu tilted her head in confusion, not quite understanding.
Ye Qingcheng was heading to the capital's matchmaking gathering today. She wanted to be the most dazzling presence there.
Upon arriving at the entrance of the matchmaking restaurant, Jing Xiu finally understood her Highness's intentions and became timid, hesitating to enter. Ye Qingcheng couldn't budge her even with all her might.
"Your Highness, let's go back! If the Prince finds out..."
Jing Xiu's voice was quiet, but it still startled Ye Qingcheng, who quickly covered her mouth. She glanced around to confirm no one was looking their way before releasing Jing Xiu and whispering, "Here, don't call me Your Highness. Call me Miss. Understand?"
Jing Xiu nodded, "Miss... Miss, let's still go back! It's not fun here."
Ye Qingcheng clicked her tongue in annoyance, finding Jing Xiu's incessant nagging troublesome. "You haven't even been inside, how do you know it's not fun? Ah, since we're here, it would be a shame to leave empty-handed! Besides, you're not getting any younger. Don't you want to find a good husband?"
Jing Xiu blushed at her words, "Miss, what are you saying? Don't speak like that, people will laugh. What kind of respectable young lady looks for a husband herself?"
Ye Qingcheng slung an arm around her shoulder and, before Jing Xiu could react, pulled her into the restaurant. "Haha, whether it's good or not, we'll only know once we go in! Remember, once we're inside, you'll call yourself Yuan Niang, and I'll be Lu Xi'er. We're foreigners whose fathers are doing business in the capital, and we've come with our fathers to experience it. Got it?"
Jing Xiu was perplexed, "Why?"
Ye Qingcheng flicked her forehead, "Are you foolish? We're out here to have a good time. Why reveal our real names and let people track us down?"
Jing Xiu suddenly understood.
The matchmaking gathering was originally a poetry gathering conceived by the restaurant owner to attract customers. However, it unexpectedly led to people hitting it off. They would then have their parents propose to the woman's family. While the first instance was a coincidence, the second was a fated encounter, and the third was not guaranteed. According to statistics, over twenty couples were successfully matched at these poetry gatherings. Over time, the poetry gathering evolved into a matchmaking gathering, attracting far more people than the poetry events. It retained customers and capitalized on a business opportunity, proving to be highly profitable for the owner.
After all, what could be better than facilitating a few marriages within one's own restaurant?
As for how Ye Qingcheng knew all this, it was from the waiter who introduced them as soon as they entered. His speech was fluent and unbroken, likely a script specially written by the owner to attract customers, which the waiter had memorized.
The second floor had undergone significant renovations. The rooms were connected, and there were several small games like "pitch-pot," painting, and archery. The service was comprehensive. Most importantly, the young men here were truly unique and handsome in their own ways.
Ah! Ye Qingcheng felt as though she had arrived in paradise.
Haha~ Handsome men, come and embrace me!
Even though her heart was galloping like a wild horse, a thousand troops charging across her heart with excitement, outwardly, she had to remain calm. She absolutely could not let anyone discover her little impure thoughts.
Soon, someone approached them.
"This young lady, may I ask..."
Ye Qingcheng was admiring the clever design of the rooms when a voice suddenly echoed beside her. She turned to look, and the person had frozen in place, unmoving.
Did this person have a problem with his brain? She didn't recognize him, so he shouldn't have been calling her. Ye Qingcheng shook her head, gestured for Jing Xiu to follow, pursed her lips, and left.
The moment she departed, the young man finally came to his senses. He couldn't help but murmur to himself, "Such a woman should only exist in heaven; she is rarely seen on earth!" He then took a few steps and approached her.
Ye Qingcheng was wearing a sky-high, chest-high silk gown today, a one-piece half-sleeved dress in a combination of blue and nude, resembling a fairy from a storybook appearing before his eyes.
Ye Qingcheng heard footsteps and turned to see the young man from before. Why was he still following her?
Ye Qingcheng frowned in displeasure.
The young man chuckled, thinking that she looked adorable even when angry.
Jing Xiu noticed the young man's expression and stepped in front of Ye Qingcheng, indicating her determination to protect her Highness. "Who are you, and why are you following my young lady?"
The young man finally realized he had been presumptuous. "I apologize. May I ask, young lady, what is your esteemed young lady's name..."
Jing Xiu angrily stepped forward and pushed him. "You young man, you don't look old, but your thoughts are so vulgar. My young lady doesn't know you, yet you immediately ask for her name. What are your intentions?"
The young man was mortified by Jing Xiu's words. "This... this, young lady, you can't just say things like that! I... I know my actions were rather inappropriate, but... but I sincerely wish to be friends with your young lady."
Ye Qingcheng saw that the surrounding people were attracted by the commotion. Some were even slinging their arms around the young man's shoulders and laughing. "Yo~ Where did this little girl come from? Did she come to the matchmaking gathering and fancy someone?"