"Well? Did Hongxiang say anything?" Hongzhou asked. He had received a report from a servant that Qingluo was requesting an audience.

Qingluo looked at Hongzhou sitting there, and recalling what happened last night, she gave a bitter smile.

"According to Hongxiang, this Bai Gege was specially presented to the Fifth Prince. Moreover, no one knows what abilities Bai Gege has. Ever since Bai Gege entered the manor, the Fifth Prince has doted on her alone, and he has even grown increasingly distant from the Fifth Princess Consort," Qingluo said.

"Oh? Someone sent her?" Hongzhou frowned slightly upon hearing this. Sending Bai Gege to the Fifth Prince at this time was indeed suspicious.

"Alright, I'll keep my promise. Do you want to go into Hongxiang's backyard, or...?" Hongzhou asked.

"Thank you very much, Your Highness. Qingluo should go back to her own place." A hint of anger flashed across Qingluo's face, and her two willow-leaf eyebrows arched slightly.

Seeing that Qingluo was angry, Hongzhou looked her over carefully again. Qingluo was dressed in green, which looked particularly attractive in the sunlight shining through the window.

“This prince can help you redeem yourself. If Hongxiang wants to take you back to the Fifth Prince’s mansion, that’s certainly possible too,” Hongzhou said.

"Heh," Green Luo scoffed upon hearing Hong Zhou's words. "I am but a courtesan, no need to trouble you, Your Highness. I am also far too unworthy to be associated with the Fifth Prince's mansion. Now that I have completed the task assigned to me, Green Luo will take her leave."

After speaking, Green Ivy bowed and left, leaving Hongzhou standing there stunned. He never expected Green Ivy to be like this… “Ha, a mere courtesan.”

Hongzhou stood there watching Luoluo leave so gracefully, and a sudden pang of shame welled up inside him. After all, she had helped them a lot...

After Green Ivy left, Hong Ang and Hong Xiang soon bid farewell to Hong Zhou. Watching Hong Ang about to leave, Hong Zhou couldn't help but ask, "Don't you plan to bring Yu Ning back to the Fifth Prince's residence?"

"Huh?" Hong Ang was taken aback by Hong Zhou's question, then burst into laughter. "She's just a prostitute, it's all just an act, why take it so seriously? If you really take her back, wouldn't you never have peace again?"

The two seemed incredulous that Hongzhou would ask such a question, and they both laughed at him for taking it too seriously.

Seeing Hong Ang's unrestrained laughter, Hong Zhou felt something uneasy stirring in his heart, perhaps it was sympathy or guilt.

“They were prostitutes to begin with, so the so-called favor is nothing more than visiting them more often in brothels,” Hongxiang chimed in from the side.

Hong Xiang's words made Hong Zhou feel even more uneasy. They appeared glamorous in public, but what did they have left besides all that? No sincerity, only scheming—it really did resemble that cold, sinister harem…

Hongzhou recalled the carefree way Green Ivy had left, and his heart ached even more. That pale green figure lingered in his mind, impossible to shake off, growing clearer with each passing moment. Perhaps, they were all the same…

After seeing Hong Ang and Hong Xiang off, Hong Zhou had someone send Yu Ning and Lu Luo back to the brothel, and also had Xiao Tian send them some silver.

As the sun began to set, Hongzhou stood alone in the pavilion, gazing at the boundless sunset. The image of that green figure kept replaying in his mind.

What could they possibly do...?

Green Ivy and Hong Ang's words suddenly echoed in her ears again—she was just a courtesan...