The tea-serving maid in the private chamber withdrew.
Shangguan Yao swept his gaze over Lan Qinglun, his eyes involuntarily drawn to Yun Xiao. Her expression was calm, her gaze distant, as if something outside held her attention, making her seem yearning for another realm, almost detached from the mortal world.
Shangguan Yao's heart tightened, and without thinking, he asked, "Leng Yue, what kind of girl do you like? I'll have one chosen to serve you well later."
Yun Xiao returned to the present, surprised that Shangguan Yao had noticed her. She responded casually, "Alright."
Her simple "Alright" caused Shangguan Yao's expression to turn cold. A chill permeated the private chamber.
Song Yuan and Lan Qinglun were unsure what had possessed their master. One moment he was perfectly normal, the next his expression had shifted, as if Leng Yue's answer had displeased him.
Song Yuan subtly raised an eyebrow, casting a suspicious glance between the Emperor and Yun Xiao. Lan Qinglun's pupils flickered twice before shifting elsewhere.
Just then, the door chimed, followed by the rustle of silken robes. Several alluring and graceful figures entered, filling the air with fragrance. They were like a garden of competing beauties, adorned in reds and greens.
Seven or eight women, dressed in resplendent attire, stood in the open space in the center of the chamber.
Some were charming and amorous, some gentle as water, some refined and noble, and others fair and delicate.
The sight was dazzling, overwhelming the senses.
Initially, the women entered with a casual air. However, upon seeing the four distinguished men before them, their hearts began to race, their cheeks flushed, and their lips parted slightly as they gracefully curtsied.
"We greet you, honored sirs."
Shangguan Yao remained still. Lan Qinglun cleared his throat and spoke, "Alright, stand properly."
"Yes, Lord Lan," they replied in unison, their sweet voices indicating Lan Qinglun's frequent patronage of the Fengyue Tower. The sisters all recognized him. Someone secretly smiled and glanced at the woman standing at the far end.
Yun Xiao also turned her head. The woman's appearance was rather delicate, not the most beautiful, but she possessed a certain charm.
It seemed this woman was Lan Qinglun's confidante at the Fengyue Tower. Perhaps she was also from the Divine Dragon Palace. With this thought, Yun Xiao looked at her a few more times but found nothing particularly striking.
At that moment, a figure emerged from behind the beauties—the plump madam. Panting slightly, she smiled and spoke, "Which one do you gentlemen fancy? These are the finest girls in our establishment." After speaking, the madam turned and pulled out the most radiant girl. With a flourish of her Eight Treasures fan, she began to extol her virtues, spattering saliva.
"Look at her figure, her skin, and her talent for singing and playing instruments. There are few in this capital who can match her."
The girl who was brought forward did not seem offended. Instead, she smiled and curtsied, "This humble one is Qingcheng. I greet you, honored sirs."
Yun Xiao appraised the woman. Her features were beautiful, her figure exquisite, and her demeanor, especially her charm, blended a delicate allure with a cool detachment, exuding a subtle fragrance. Truly a captivating beauty.
However, the main guest tonight was the Emperor. These women were insignificant in comparison; the Emperor was here to seek pleasure.
Shangguan Yao scrutinized the woman named Qingcheng. A hint of disappointment flickered in his eyes. Although the woman was beautiful, for an emperor accustomed to beauty, she was too ordinary. Thus, the emperor remained motionless.
Lan Qinglun's face immediately darkened, and he spoke angrily to the madam.
"I heard that Fengyue Tower has a woman of fragrant bones and immortal grace, the top courtesan of Fengyue Tower. Why isn't she here? Are you tired of running Fengyue Tower?"
"Lord Lan, please don't be angry. It's not that I'm not letting Zi Chan meet guests, but Lord Ye has ordered that Zi Chan is not to meet anyone. That's why I..."
The madam was taken aback. These guests were being so provocative. Her heart felt as if it had been doused with cold water. Lord Ye was the Minister of War, holding significant military power.
She had initially assumed that with Lord Lan's arrival, there would be no conflict with Lord Ye, as he was Lord Ye's subordinate. She hadn't expected Lord Lan to challenge him. This was truly troublesome.
This Lord Lan was likely a future Minister of War, possessing great influence. But Lord Ye could not be offended either, as Lord Ye was the Empress Dowager's elder brother.
The madam's words immediately caught Shangguan Yao's attention. At the same time, a sense of displeasure stirred within him. Who did this Ye Siyuan think he was, relying on his mother to live?
He had monopolized the best girl in Fengyue Tower. As the Emperor, he was being sidelined. His eyes immediately became frosty, and he spoke slowly, "Since she is Lord Ye's person, I am rather eager to behold the exquisite beauty of this Miss Zi Chan."
His words were clear: he would see her today, no matter what. The Emperor had spoken, so who dared to refuse?
Lan Qinglun's expression darkened. He ordered sternly, "Go and call Miss Zi Chan over immediately, now. Otherwise, Fengyue Tower will not be open tomorrow."
"Ah."
The expressions of the women in the chamber, along with the madam, changed. This Young Master Lan was the Vice Minister of War, a high-ranking official. If he said they couldn't operate, they wouldn't be able to.
The madam and the girls were terrified, their faces draining of color. The madam disregarded Lord Ye's instructions and quickly said, "Yes, this humble one will immediately have Miss Zi Chan come over."
As soon as she finished speaking, she hurried outside. In the private chamber, Shangguan Yao closed his eyes slightly, the atmosphere hardening. The women standing in the middle no longer dared to harbor any fantasies about these men. They were clearly powerful figures, and offending them could lead to disaster.
The chamber fell silent.
Time passed slowly until the madam led Miss Zi Chan in. The chamber automatically made way.
A woman in white robes drifted in. Her features were like smoke, her eyebrows resembling distant, misty mountains. Her eyes were like lake waters veiled in mist, clear yet indistinct. Her lips, tinged with cherry and pale pink, seemed to part and close, as if hesitant to speak.
A cool aura emanated from her. She wore a white undergarment, layered with a transparent white gauze. The gauze was incredibly elegant, flowing gracefully with her movements.
As she entered the chamber, a fragrance filled the air, like orchid or plum, its exact nature unidentifiable but pleasant.
She was like a celestial maiden untouched by the mortal world. Even Yun Xiao was captivated, unable to help but steal a few more glances. Turning to Shangguan Yao, she saw his brows relax, and his eyes held admiration. He unconsciously sat up straighter.
It seemed this man was drawn in. Yun Xiao's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected him to recover from his condition, which would be a loss outweighing the gain. However, there was nothing she could do now. She would take it one step at a time.
Miss Zi Chan entered carrying an ancient zither and bowed gracefully.
"Zi Chan greets you, honored sirs."
Even her voice was like a warbler's song from a secluded valley, melodious and moving. She was truly beautiful with a sweet voice, indeed worthy of being the top courtesan of Fengyue Tower.
xxs壹贰