The cold gleam from his body was contained as he spoke coldly.
"The rules of the Crown Prince's mansion are truly hard to praise. I have learned them."
His words were laced with deep sarcasm, giving Grandson Zhu no room for courtesy.
Grandson Zhu's expression darkened, his teeth biting lightly. This person was clearly not simple. Yin Xuan, he had never heard of such a person. If he was this powerful, he should have been famous for a long time. Why had no one seen him?
"I would trouble you to act, Your Highness. It is inconvenient to speak here. This Prince wishes to invite you to meet at Willow Leaf Tower tomorrow."
"No time."
After Yin Xuan finished speaking, he vanished in the blink of an eye.
No one had expected Yin Xuan to disregard the Crown Prince's invitation. Who exactly was he? Everyone in the hall gasped. The air froze for a moment.
Crown Prince Grandson Zhu's face was extremely grim. On the territory of Qingluo Kingdom, someone had directly refused to give him face. This was unprecedented.
Good, he remembered. His expression sank. He led the guards of the Crown Prince's mansion and said with a bloodthirsty air, "Return to the mansion."
They left in a grand procession. Shen Xuxue, who had been beaten miserably, crawled up from the ground and followed behind the guards, her pupils filled with a malevolence that could devour people. She glared fiercely at the railing on the second floor, where Nian Yao walked in as if nothing had happened.
In the hall, all the onlookers dispersed. The madam, looking at the mess, felt her heart ache. How much had that woman smashed in the upper and lower floors? She dared not ask the Crown Prince for compensation. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but look up at the third floor.
Mu Qingyao saw this subtle movement clearly. Could it be that Yin Xuan was the boss behind Chunfeng Tower?
Who was he, so unfathomable, so powerful?
Qingyao led Mochou and Moyou back to their room. The three looked at each other, not knowing if this person was friend or foe. If he were an enemy, the outcome of the matter would be unpredictable.
"Yin Xuan, we have been out for so long, and we have never heard anyone mention this person. His martial arts are no less than Wuqing's. By rights, many people should know him," Mochou muttered. Her mistress, surrounded by a cold aura, her entire face shrouded in ferocity, said, "No matter who he is, I must kill Grandson Yin."
"Yes, mistress."
The next day was the Flower Queen competition.
For many years, the Flower Queen competition had been held at Xiuhua Tower, as Xiuhua Tower was the most luxurious brothel in the capital. It was four stories high, luxuriously and grandly decorated, and occupied a vast area. The main hall on the first floor alone could accommodate nearly two hundred people at once, plus the private rooms on the second and third floors, which could accommodate many people at once.
Early in the morning, Qingyao had changed back to her women's attire. The clothes she wore were also made by the best brocade workshop in Qingluo Kingdom, made according to the style she had drawn herself. It was a pure and elegant lady's dress, with a hazy and mysterious aura.
Inside was a magnificent and grand pink brocade, simple and unadorned, covered with a layer of light gauze outside. The cuffs and hem were inlaid with rhinestones, sparkling and captivating.
The matching attire included a thin veil for her hair. Her jet-black hair was pulled up slightly and loosely tied, with the thin veil hanging down her back. A corner was pulled out, perfectly covering half of her face. At the corner of her eye, a few rhinestones were attached, shining brightly and full of charm.
Although her entire person exuded a hazy and unfathomable aura, her eyes were as clear as water, conveying a sense of wanting to speak but holding back, evoking pity, and the most beautiful thing in the world was mystery, contemplation.
This was the highest realm, making people desire but unable to obtain, desire but unable to see.
Qingyao's attire stunned the madam of Chunfeng Tower. She remained in a daze for a long time, her mouth agape in extreme surprise. She had not expected this woman to be so ethereal and stunning, making people fantasize at first glance.
"How is it? Is it acceptable? Will it disgrace your Chunfeng Tower?"
After walking around the brothel, she asked calmly. The madam came back to her senses, panting.
"Miss is truly like a celestial being. It seems that the Flower Queen title will be yours today. But please, do not harm this old woman."
Qingyao's lips curved into a slight smile, a mischievous grin appearing. "I naturally won't harm you. What are you afraid of? But is the boss of your Chunfeng Tower that man named Yin Xuan?"
"Ah?"
The madam gasped, but remained silent, changing the subject. "Miss, let's go quickly, or we'll miss the time."
"Alright, let's go. A sedan chair has been prepared outside." After speaking, she personally held up a waxed canvas umbrella for Mu Qingyao, shielding her beautiful appearance and maintaining her mysterious aura.
Outside the gate of Chunfeng Tower, a small and exquisite soft sedan chair awaited. Qingyao got into the sedan chair, with Mochou and Moyou following behind. Mochou and Moyou were both disguised today. Mochou was fine; being a woman herself, she had only made simple adjustments to change her appearance.
It was difficult for Moyou, however. Being a man, he had to dress as a woman and wear women's skirts, which felt extremely awkward. Mochou, watching his blushing expression, laughed even harder.
Four sedan bearers carried the sedan chair all the way to Xiuhua Tower.
The madam watched them leave, then quickly turned back, her greedy expression gone, her eyes sharp as blades. She flew up to the third floor.
Outside the private room, the madam spoke softly, "Master."
"Come in," a cold and icy voice responded. The madam couldn't help but shiver, lifted the curtain, and walked in.
The room was filled with a strong incense, extremely luxurious. On a plush sofa lay a mysterious and bewitching man. His black hair was like clouds, spread out, covering half of his face and revealing the other half, which was flawless.
At the exposed corner of his eye, a light pink thousand-petal crabapple was meticulously painted, adding to his unfathomable aura.
Even his subordinates did not know their master's origins.
The madam stood cautiously. In the room, besides her, there was also Nian Yao, also known as Qingcheng, who was the true boss behind Chunfeng Tower and the Master's capable subordinate.
It was just that she didn't know why she had gotten entangled with Grandson Zhu, or perhaps it was the Master's idea.
"She has left."
Yin Xuan did not look up, remaining still and languid. He held up a transparent crystal glass, the deep red wine within exuding a bewitching aroma.
Although his attitude was casual, the two women in the room dared not even breathe.
The Master was cold and bloodthirsty. If they displeased him, they wouldn't live to see the next moment.
Yin Xuan's dark eyes were fixed on the beautiful wine. The deep red crystal goblet reflected his unfathomable cold eyes. A fleeting gleam flashed within them, then settled into calm. He turned his head and glanced at his two subordinates.
The madam immediately spoke respectfully, "Yes, Master. She has gone to participate in the competition. I'm afraid she will win first place in this Flower Queen competition, but I don't know what she intends to do."