The latter two words were too shameful to utter, and the thought of this possibility made her heart inexplicably heavy, feeling even more angry than when he had hit her.
But why was she angry?
Let him do whatever he pleased, as long as he didn't bother her. But was that possible?
Yun Xiao pondered repeatedly, her expression inscrutable, while the man opposite her remained serene, elegantly picked up a teacup, and slowly spoke.
"You're jealous."
"Jealous? You say I'm jealous," the person in the room jumped up and down, adamantly rejecting the notion, shaking her head rapidly and emphatically, adding at the end, "Why would I be jealous, honestly."
But why did she feel a sourness in her heart, a hundred times more uncomfortable than usual? Was she truly jealous? Just because this guy went to a pleasure house to whore, she felt uneasy? Was she jealous? Had she really become jealous?
This time, it seemed to have hit a nerve. Yun Xiao repeatedly shook her head, as if self-hypnotizing, "I'm not jealous, it's not worth it for someone like that."
The man opposite watched this girl with amusement and exasperation. She was clearly jealous but was acting otherwise.
The realization of this point caused turmoil in his chest. He hadn't expected this girl to have feelings for him. This was more gratifying and exciting than any successful plan.
The waiting of these past two to three months was all worth it. It was just that she didn't seem to realize it yet, so there was no rush; everything would come slowly.
"They aren't even fit to carry your shoes."
In the private room, a low, mellow voice suddenly echoed. Yun Xiao was startled. Before she could react, voices were heard from outside the room, "Master, there seems to be a situation over there."
Outside, Zhui Yue reported cautiously, hoping not to anger his master. However, as soon as he finished speaking, Yun Xiao seemed to remember something, her expression changed, and she quickly pulled open the door and rushed out.
She encountered someone blocking her path and immediately kicked out, cursing fiercely.
"Like your master, you deserve a beating."
Inside the room, a man's eyes rippled, the corners of his lips curved into a slight smile. It seemed this girl had gotten into trouble again. Immediately, a chilling coldness enveloped him, radiating a faint white glow. He called out towards the outside, "Zhui Yue."
"Yes, Master."
Zhui Yue grinned and walked in, thinking that someday this girl would become his master's person, and then his master. The future looked bleak. Zhui Yue truly wished he could faint.
However, he dared not be presumptuous in front of his master, and quietly awaited his command.
"From now on, your task is to protect her. If anything happens, I will hold you accountable. Also, report any situation immediately."
"Yes."
Zhui Yue understood. What situation? Of course, it meant if any man approached that girl, he was to report it immediately. He never expected his usually bloodthirsty and deep master to have such moments of anxiety. It was truly unimaginable.
However, it had happened, and he dared not be negligent. Zhui Yue took his orders and went out...
In Mo Ruyan's room, it was now a mess.
Shangguan Lin panted heavily, glaring at Mo Ruyan, whose clothes were in disarray. Tears welled up in her eyes, falling in large drops like she had suffered an immense injustice. This made Shangguan Lin extremely annoyed, his heart growing cold, his expression grim.
How did he suddenly have such wicked thoughts? He rushed forward, embraced Mo Ruyan, and was about to assault her.
Even though Mo Ruyan had slapped him, he didn't blame her at all. Looking at her clothes, half of which he had torn, she appeared extremely disheveled.
"This King..."
As Shangguan Lin was about to say something, the bead curtain was lifted, and Yun Xiao rushed in from outside, asking nervously.
"What's wrong? What's wrong? What happened?"
In fact, as she had gone out just moments ago, she had given Shangguan Lin a tiny dose of medicine. It was very little, so it was only a momentary impulse.
She had originally thought that since Mo Ruyan was Shangguan Lin's confidante, she would help them finalize things, saving Shangguan Lin from constantly suspecting her of being a homosexual, referring to her as a "cut sleeve."
The object of that "cut sleeve" was herself, which felt quite strange. But what was the current situation?
Mo Ruyan's clothes were in disarray, and her expression was like that of a chaste woman. Shangguan Lin looked remorseful and regretful, his eyes red, panting heavily.
What did this mean? Yun Xiao didn't react for a long time.
Shangguan Lin, standing beside them, angrily pulled her over, looking at her and asking sternly.
"Why did you only come now?"
If Leng Yue were here, perhaps she would have stopped herself from committing such an unforgivable mistake. He and Mo Ruyan had always been friends who could talk freely. He hadn't expected such a thing to happen today. He truly was a scoundrel.
Looking at Shangguan Lin's self-blame and regret, and Mo Ruyan's sadness, Yun Xiao came back to her senses. It seemed these two had only gone as far as propriety allowed, stopping at restraint.
This famous courtesan Mo Ruyan didn't seem so casual. However, Yun Xiao looked at her seriously and didn't feel much favor towards Mo Ruyan.
She had previously thought that Mo Ruyan harbored hatred towards her because of Prince Lin. But now it seemed that wasn't the case at all. Then why was it?
Yun Xiao thought carefully and met Mo Ruyan's eyes. She saw an undeniable hatred clearly visible in those eyes, sharp and piercing.
Why did Mo Ruyan hate her? Yun Xiao suddenly thought of someone.
Murong Chong. Could it be that this woman hated her because of Murong Chong?
From the moment he appeared, she had that kind of look. How did she know she had a connection with Murong Chong? She slowly lowered her head, concealing the question in her eyes, and then her gaze fell upon the embroidered pattern on her hand. So that was it.
Mo Ruyan's true heart's desire was actually Murong Chong. And the reason for her hatred upon seeing Yun Xiao was because she recognized the half-blooming lotus embroidered on her hand.
This was the emblem of the Shenlong Palace. If that was the case, Mo Ruyan was very likely someone from the Shenlong Palace, or perhaps this Rouge Pavilion was also part of the Shenlong Palace.
The moment Yun Xiao thought of this, her eyes widened in shock. In the vast capital of Yan, who would have thought that this famous Rouge Pavilion was a den of the Shenlong Palace?
That explained why they could never be found. After they committed their deeds, they would hide in the Rouge Pavilion, or perhaps other places.
Murong Chong, Murong Chong, what exactly do you want to do? Are you truly a prince of the Eastern Qin's former emperor, and you've returned solely to seize the throne?
As Yun Xiao was caught in her thoughts, Prince Shangguan beside her, seeing that he couldn't get a word from her, his expression darkened further. He suddenly leaned in, looking directly at her, and asked angrily, face to face.
"Where did you go?"
"A guest wanted to see me, so I went," Yun Xiao replied. Then, rolling her eyes, she had an idea. She smiled faintly and clasped her fist in a respectful greeting.
"Congratulations, Your Highness, congratulations. Your illness is finally cured, and Your Highness is now a normal person. Although it's an inconvenience to Miss Mo, Your Highness's recovery is a major event. If Miss Mo is willing, Your Highness can take Miss Mo into the prince's manor as a consort."
Unexpectedly, the moment she finished speaking, the two involved parties simultaneously exclaimed, "I'm not willing."