At this moment, in Hua Man Lou.
Tian Lianxue sat before her vanity, gazing at her own incomparably beautiful and alluring reflection in the bronze mirror. A rare arrogance flashed in her eyes, unseen by others.
She casually opened the box before her, about to remove the hairpin from her hair, when a crisp knock sounded from behind.
"Who?" she asked, annoyed. It was almost dawn, and she wondered which thoughtless person dared disturb her rest at this hour.
The door slowly opened a crack, but no one responded from outside.
Tian Lianxue's brow furrowed. Just as she was about to rise and reprimand them, her gaze fell upon the person gracefully approaching the room. Instantly, her pupils contracted, and she quickly gathered her sleeves and knelt, saying, "I did not know you would be gracing me with your presence today. Lianxue is truly remiss in not welcoming you properly. I beg your forgiveness."
As her words fell, a man clad in a black cloak stood before her.
"Well? Did he agree?" the man asked, seemingly disinclined to waste words.
Tian Lianxue nodded. "Yes, the Heir Apparent agreed. He has arranged to meet Lianxue at the northern gate of Jincheng in three days."
"Heh." The man let out a cold laugh upon hearing this. "Lianxue, I truly cannot fathom that the Heir Apparent of the Prince Xian’s mansion, who has never been swayed by any woman, would be willing to take you to Lingshan Temple. Do you know his mother met her unfortunate end on that very road?"
"Lianxue knows, of course," Tian Lianxue replied crisply. "Lianxue has spent five years with the Heir Apparent, and I have come to understand his ways. While he appears to be dissolute, he is still a man of principle. Furthermore, a few days ago, Lianxue and the Heir Apparent..."
She paused at this point, a complex, unreadable emotion flashing in her eyes. "Therefore, the Heir Apparent will surely be willing to take Lianxue, even with Lianxue's current status..."
Tian Lianxue choked back a sob at this point.
The man in the black cloak, unable to miss her distress, leaned down and his slender fingers gently lifted Tian Lianxue's exquisite face. Tears welled in her eyes, and as she looked up, they poured forth. Her already captivating visage became even more alluring.
"Do not worry," the man said, his gaze shifting, "No matter what, I will fulfill what I promised you. Moreover, that person will surely remember your kindness. He is not as vulgar as you imagine, is he?"
"Yes, you are right," Tian Lianxue said, knowing she had lost her composure. She quickly wiped away the lingering tears from her eyes with her hand.
The man released her chin and casually sat on the seat that Lu Wuxie had occupied earlier.
He glanced indifferently at the three teacups on the table. One had a slight smear of crimson lipstick on its rim, while the other two were as clean as could be. "Did Lu Wuxie bring someone?"
"Yes," Tian Lianxue replied quickly. "A rather short and slender young man. Lianxue suspects he is the mysterious person he brought back from Ding'an County."
"Mysterious person?" The man's voice was hoarse and carried a hint of sarcasm.
Tian Lianxue nodded. "Did you not send people to investigate before? There was also a small coroner who helped Lu Wuxie thoroughly investigate the Jia family case. Lianxue thinks it must be him."
"Oh, it seems Lu Wuxie highly regards this person. However..." the man paused. "The people I sent out have gone at least four or five times, yet the identity of this coroner by Lu Wuxie's side seems to be closely guarded."
Tian Lianxue pursed her lips, thought for a moment, then quickly walked to the man's side and whispered a few words into his ear.
"Is that so?" The man was startled, his slender eyes suddenly widening.
"Lianxue has seen countless people in brothels and has some experience. Lianxue believes she is not mistaken," Tian Lianxue said with conviction.
"Good!" The man curved his lips and said to Tian Lianxue, "Then you shall go and test the waters this time."
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Three days later, the northern outskirts, at the Pozi Ridge cemetery.
A gold ingot slid from the woman's fingertips into the half-open coffin, accompanied by a piercing wail that echoed throughout the northern Pozi Ridge.
Zhong Li, dressed in men's attire, squatted beside the coffin and applied the last trace of bright red on her fingertip to the corpse's lips. With this touch of embellishment, the female corpse, which had been an unsettling shade of blue and purple just moments before, appeared serene, as if asleep.
"Thank you, Young Master Zhong," Tian Lianxue said, looking at the gold ingot she had thrown into Ming Xia's coffin. Sobbing, she thanked Zhong Li. "This servant thought Ming Xia might never regain her former appearance again. Who would have thought that after just a few days, Young Master Zhong could make her look so lifelike? I am truly amazed that such craftsmanship exists among the common folk."
Zhong Li waved his hand, signaling the porters carrying the coffin to close the lid. After preparing for the burial, he stood and said to Tian Lianxue, "No matter what, Ming Xia is still one of your people, Miss Lianxue. You and the Heir Apparent are already on very good terms, so there is no need for thanks."
Upon hearing Zhong Li mention Lu Wuxie, Tian Lianxue’s eyes inadvertently flickered towards the carriage not far away, its curtains tightly drawn. She then turned back to look at the other sisters from Hua Man Lou who had come to see Ming Xia off with her.
She composed herself, bowed to them, and then quickly walked to the carriage, murmuring, "Heir Apparent."
After a long while, Tian Lianxue thought the person inside hadn't heard her. Just as she was about to call out again, the carriage curtain finally stirred slightly. Lu Wuxie, seemingly just waking up, gazed at her with half-closed eyes and said, "Get in."
Tian Lianxue's heart leaped with joy. She quickly took her bundle from her close sisters and, stepping onto the carriage shaft, prepared to board.
"Wait!" Lu Wuxie frowned, pointing at Zhong Li, who was still standing outside the carriage, looking indifferent. "I asked *you* to get in."
The moment his words fell, Tian Lianxue, whose hand was already on the carriage curtain, was unsure whether to retreat or advance.
However, Lu Wuxie did not seem inclined to give her time to consider. He waved his hand, "You wanted to follow along, didn't you? Why didn't you hire a carriage?"
Tian Lianxue was taken aback. Just as she was about to answer,
Lu Wuxie continued, "Lianxue, you are currently the top courtesan of Hua Man Lou. Having others see you constantly entering my carriage, men and women cohabiting, is not good for your future livelihood. This Heir Apparent advises you to find another carriage."
As his words concluded, Tian Lianxue felt her fingertips loosen. The carriage curtain had, at some unknown point, fallen into Lin Jin's hands, who had been standing guard nearby.
He made a gesture of invitation towards her, the meaning of which was self-evident.
Although Tian Lianxue hailed from a brothel, with her status as a courtesan queen, appearances were certainly important. She bit her lip, withdrew from the carriage, and bowed to Lu Wuxie, saying, "The Heir Apparent speaks wisely. It was indeed presumptuous of Lianxue."
Lu Wuxie's brows relaxed at this, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly. "It is good that Lianxue knows this Heir Apparent is looking out for your best interests."
With that, he beckoned Zhong Li. Once she was in the carriage, the driver swiftly flicked the reins, and they galloped directly towards the official road to the northwest.