Tu Longjian raised an eyebrow and sneered: "Evidence? Did you see my portrait or any distinguishing features on that bounty poster?"

"Yes...no, absolutely not." The man's voice was already weakening.

"How can commoners be allowed to know the physical characteristics of royalty?" She looked at him with disdain, as if he were nothing more than dirt.

"The time for repayment will naturally confirm it."

"Trust me, and you will suffer no loss."

"Disbelief leads only to death."

"Whether you go to the execution ground or the officialdom, it all depends on your decision."

The man, remembering his earlier offense, broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly moved his bulky body to kneel down and pay his respects.

"Your Highness! I meant no offense, please forgive me!"

Tu Longjian accepted this great gift with an expression that said, "It's only natural."

She recalled the spoiled princess's demeanor in period dramas and immediately imitated her posture.

If you have enough momentum to fool even yourself, others will naturally waver.

When she used to solicit sponsorships for projects, she often used this act to trick CEOs into investing, cough cough...

She glanced at the man with a slightly appreciative look and said:

"He's quite perceptive; you'll benefit from this in the future."

"I am still in crisis, so please do not mention the title 'Your Highness' in front of outsiders."

"Help me to my feet."

The man was secretly pleased and readily stepped forward to serve him. When his eyes strayed to places he shouldn't have looked, he suppressed his frivolousness and lowered his head with a solemn expression.

Tu Longjian rolled his eyes, deciding to extract some information from the man.

So she calmly asked, "What time is it now? What does the bounty order say about me?"

“Returning to the palace…Miss, it is almost dusk.”

"The wanted notice states that you went missing during the autumn hunt, and the entire country is searching for your whereabouts. The Emperor has offered a hefty reward and even promised you a promotion and a noble title!"

At this point, the man almost couldn't stop drooling.

"I understand. You are a member of a collateral branch of the Li family? You are quite clever."

Tu Longjian stole a glance at the small "Li" character embroidered on the back of the man's collar and asked casually.

"I have long heard that Your Highness the Princess has discerning eyes, and seeing you today, it is indeed extraordinary that you were able to guess my identity."

“That’s right, I am Li Ping, a member of a collateral branch of the Li family.”

The man smiled obsequiously.

Immediately afterward, Li Ping said indignantly, "I don't know who is so audacious as to frame the young lady here. I will go to the madam to question her and demand justice for her!"

After saying that, Li Ping opened the door and stormed out.

Tu Longjian sighed, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.

I had just insincerely praised his cleverness a few times when this simpleton got into trouble.

No wonder she was so easily fooled by the blank sheet of paper that had just entered.

Tu Longjian's heart sank. Never mind, she'd seen it all.

Now that I have no information at all, I can only gamble on a psychological battle.

When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it. At worst, we'll just make our presence even bigger and fool the intruders.

Now that he has impersonated a princess, a capital offense, he can only find a chance to escape and will have to live under an assumed name from now on.

Those who harmed the original owner should not be allowed to live.

A cold glint flashed in her eyes.

Soon after, Li Ping ran back, panting, followed by a madam, who nervously presented him with the muscle-relaxing powder and the antidote.

After taking the antidote, Tu Longjian felt a little stronger and couldn't help but give Li Ping an appreciative look. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that the madam still had a somewhat hesitant look in her eyes.

Now that things have come to this, all we can do is put on a show.

Tu Longjian slowly got up, not even looking at the madam, and silently poured himself a cup of tea.

Li Ping scurried over and respectfully served him from the side.

Tu Longjian was slow and deliberate in his movements, with striking good looks and unparalleled demeanor.

His cold, icy demeanor intertwined with the blood-red glint of swords, making it clear to anyone who saw him that he had been immersed in power for many years, much like a nobleman who frequently entered and exited the palace.

The atmosphere in the private room was tense, and the pressure was about to materialize and fall on the madam.

Looking at Li Ping's respectful demeanor, she was already 80% convinced. Then, glancing at Tu Longjian's magnanimity, her doubts gradually dissipated.

Tu Longjian kept observing secretly with his peripheral vision.

The time has come!

She suddenly roared in a thunderous voice, "Kneel down!"

The madam was on edge; upon hearing this, her legs trembled, and she collapsed to the ground in a panic.

It's done! Tu Longjian was overjoyed, but he remained indifferent and stopped talking. Instead, he adopted the posture of a superior and stared coldly at the madam.

Li Ping, standing to the side, danced around like a clown, denouncing the madam's evil deeds on her behalf.

The madam kowtowed and cried, "Your Highness, please forgive me! Please forgive me! The slave trader only said you were a girl he picked up on the roadside, but he didn't say you had such a status."

"If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have dared to desecrate the royal bloodline even if you gave me a hundred lives!"

Tu Longjian coldly watched the madam put on a show of weeping and lamenting before finally speaking: "I'll give you a chance to forgive yourself."

"I have requisitioned the brothel. If you do well, I can promise to save your life, and even grant you wealth and honor—it's not impossible."

Overjoyed, the madam nodded and thanked Your Highness with tears in her eyes, saying, "I will obey Your Highness's orders."

Li Ping servilely scolded, "When you're out, call me 'Miss,' and don't reveal His Highness's identity!"

"I..." Oh no, Tu Longjian got carried away with his performance and almost made a slip of the tongue to usurp the throne.

"Ahem, I... Perfect timing, come with me." Tu Longjian puffed out his chest and raised his head, walking out with an imposing air.

Li Ping and the madam followed Tu Longjian respectfully, not daring to take a step forward, yet clinging to him like two pieces of chewing gum.

How do I shake off those two tails behind me?

Tu Longjian paced back and forth, lost in thought, yet he always felt as if a pair of eyes were watching him from the shadows.

Outside the door, a scene of extravagance and debauchery unfolded.

From time to time, patrons would walk down the corridor with their arms around beautiful women whose clothes were half undressed.

Some of her patrons even leered at her, and some even greeted the madam with drunken burps.

"Madam, another new beauty has arrived? Keep her for me~ I'll pay... hiccup... a hefty price, hahahahaha."

The madam, sweating profusely, spat angrily, "You've only drunk a little horse piss and you're already farting! This is our honored guest, how dare you be so insolent! Get out, get out!"

Li Ping rebuked the madam with displeasure: "You are too vulgar. How can you speak such crude words to a girl of such noble status?"

The madam suppressed her displeasure, but still chuckled and slapped her own mouth, saying, "It was my fault, please forgive me, young lady."

Tu Longjian frowned inwardly, but his face remained amiable as he waved his hand and said:

"Enough, the madam was just trying to protect them. People are already in this filthy place, so why talk about being vulgar?"

The madam was alarmed upon hearing this, feeling that Tu Longjian was reminding her to always remember her sins, and she became even more respectful and obsequious.

The madam explained, "The brothel has four floors. The first floor is the main hall, where guests are greeted and where song and dance performances are held. The second floor has private rooms, the third floor has VIP private rooms, which are only for distinguished guests, and the fourth floor has elegant rooms, where the girls live."

Tu Longjian seemed to be deep in thought. He put one hand behind his back and walked upstairs with a steady gait unlike that of an ordinary woman.