Chapter 99 IF Line: Saving Feng Chen (Female-Dominated) - (Part 1) First Encounter...
"What are you doing here?" Xu Lingzhao looked at the ebony plaque above the doorway, inlaid with the three characters "Zuifenglou" in gold thread, suppressed his irritation, and spoke coldly.
"Of course, it's to welcome you back." Feng Yulu patted her shoulder, the crisp clinking of her jewelry particularly noticeable in the quiet environment. "Don't worry, this place has already been cleared out."
The words had barely left his mouth.
The two seemingly heavy sandalwood doors slid open silently, and the scent of ambergris mixed with the sound of string and bamboo instruments stimulated Xu Lingzhao's nerves.
The servants inside were not ordinary clerks, but young attendants dressed in dark green brocade robes with their heads bowed. Their movements were uniform as they bowed in unison, clearly indicating that they had undergone standardized training. At the signal of a richly dressed man, they made way for a path leading deeper into the building.
"You know I don't like these kinds of occasions." Xu Lingzhao didn't turn around and leave, but looked at the person next to her. They had grown up together since childhood and naturally had a deep relationship. They wouldn't easily embarrass her.
"Oh dear, there's no one else here, just the two of us." Feng Yulu chuckled and pushed her inside, muttering under her breath, "It's been years since I last saw you, how come you've become so mature, just as boring as your sister."
Xu Lingzhao didn't say anything more, letting her lead her into the Drunken Wind Pavilion—a famous place in the capital known for its pleasure-seeking.
Passing through the corridor, the floor is covered with a thick velvet carpet with lotus patterns from the Western Regions, so thick that it can cover your shoes. Instead of plain gold and jade decorations, there are landscape screens with genuine works by famous artists, as well as rare koi carp kept in a whole crystal tank.
It transforms into a warm halo, casting a soft and noble glow on every shadow.
Feng Yulu led her into a private room, pressed her shoulder to make her sit down, and said, "This is a good place, very clean, just right for someone like you who doesn't get close to men."
"Speaking of which, you're already eighteen, hasn't the Emperor arranged a marriage for you yet?" she said as she poured wine for Xu Lingzhao. Although her words were casual, her every move exuded aristocratic elegance.
Xu Lingzhao lowered her eyes, her expression unreadable. She took the wine glass, took a small sip, and after a moment of silence, she said, "How could you or I possibly fathom the Emperor's intentions?"
“But you are the Emperor’s daughter, Ai!” Feng Yulu snorted. “Forget it, let’s not talk about this.” She raised her head and clapped her hands in a pretentious manner.
A group of male prostitutes, all dressed in moon-white robes with dark patterns, filed in, each with their own alluring charm, some plump and some slender.
“They’re all new here.” Feng Yulu looked at Xu Lingzhao with an ambiguous expression. She downed the wine in her glass in one gulp, and before she could put the glass down, a pair of soft, boneless hands took the glass from her. A pair of bright eyes came into view. “This servant will pour you some wine.”
"You're quite sensible." Feng Yulu smiled as she drank the wine the male prostitute fed her, her hand resting on his waist and caressing it.
Xu Lingzhao refused the male prostitute who offered to pour her wine, her dark eyes fixed on the man across from her who was flirting with him. "You invited me here for pleasure?"
“Of course.” Feng Yulu said directly, “While indulging in pleasure, we can talk about everything in the capital.”
Xu Lingzhao raised an eyebrow slightly, put down her wine glass, and a hint of interest flashed in her eyes. "What matters in the capital that I don't know?"
"Your sister is now very much favored by the Emperor. Not long ago, the Chu family was raided because they offended your sister. It's a pity that the Chu family's young master, who was so charming, ended up in a brothel where everyone could bully him. It's a real shame that you've been gone for several years and probably haven't seen him."
Xu Lingzhao's expression returned to normal. She knew that Feng Yulu's words had a hidden meaning, and that the young master Chu had a private relationship with her.
He went from being a highly sought-after gentleman by noblewomen in the capital to a male prostitute whom everyone could bully.
She was indeed pitiful, but Xu Lingzhao had no interest in rescuing prostitutes. She got up, opened the door, and turned to Feng Yulu, saying, "I'm going outside for some fresh air."
Feng Yulu nodded. She knew that Xu Lingzhao needed to consider this, as it was no small matter. However, she had already done her duty, and whether or not to help was up to Xu Lingzhao.
Led by her attendants, Xu Lingzhao arrived at a secluded courtyard. Today, she was dressed in a black brocade robe with a python pattern, over which was a dark purple silk crane cloak. The collar and sleeves were trimmed with a band of subtly lustrous silver fox fur.
A nine-turn jade belt cinched her waist, with a coiled dragon jade pendant hanging on her left and a short blade adorned with rubies on her right. Her black hair was tied high with a simple pearl and gold crown, with a few loose strands falling beside her neck, further emphasizing her aloof and authoritative expression.
No one dared to disturb her peace.
"No, no, let me go." A pitiful male voice faintly came from the end of the corridor. Xu Lingzhao frowned in displeasure and withdrew his raised foot to walk towards it.
In the military camp, she rescued many men who had been sold into the army by their families for their amusement, and kept them in the household to work and make a living, which was quite peaceful.
Although she had no interest in rescuing prostitutes, she still possessed a compassionate heart.
As we reached the corner, only faint sobs could be heard.
A man was lying on the ground clutching his stomach, his face obscured by long, black hair. Several burly female guards stood beside him, their eyes filled with indifference.
They seemed to take it for granted.
The richly dressed man, whom they had just met, was scolding in a low voice, "Who let him come here? If you disturb such an important person, you'll all be in deep trouble." He squatted down and pinched the man's chin with his hand, "If you still refuse to serve customers, you can just wait to end up in a brothel."
Tears blurred his vision, and several clear handprints marked Chu Jingze's once fair face. A dried blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he stubbornly turned his face away.
In that one glance, he saw Xu Lingzhao standing not far away.
His mind went blank for a moment, and his lips trembled slightly. How could he have met her here? His clothes slipped down to his shoulders as he was being pulled, revealing pale skin that was red from the cold.
He watched her walk towards him, getting closer and closer.
Xu Lingzhao looked at the pitiful person with a hint of pity in her eyes. Seeing this, the others quickly knelt down to beg for forgiveness. They were too noisy. She raised her hand to signal them to be quiet.
She took off her dark purple silk crane cloak and draped it over Chu Jingze. Feeling a tug, she looked down and saw a hand gripping the hem of her clothes.
She withdrew her gaze and said coldly, "Redeem yourself."
"Can you still walk?"
Chu Jing shook his head. He didn't dare to look up at Xu Lingzhao. An indescribable sense of shame spread through his heart.
Xu Lingzhao looked at the richly dressed man and said, "Take him to change his clothes. My maid will fetch him." After saying that, she turned and left without looking at Chu Jingze again.
She pushed open the door to the private room and saw Feng Yulu embracing a male prostitute whose clothes were half undressed. She wisely closed the door again and walked straight out. She would never come to this place again.
Chu Jing looked at himself in the mirror, head down and silent. The male prostitute combing his hair said with a face full of jealousy, "You're so lucky. The Second Prince took a liking to you. I heard that she doesn't like men, but she redeemed you as soon as she arrived. Tsk tsk tsk."
There was a knock on the door, and the maid stood in the doorway. "Young Master Chu, are you ready?"
Chu Jing suddenly stood up, panting slightly. Ignoring the fact that he had only combed half of his hair, he said hurriedly, "It's done."
Huaiyue turned to the side and gestured for them to enter. "Please."
Led by Huaiyue, Chu Jing boarded a carriage. Lifting the curtain, his eyes revealed obvious disappointment. Huaiyue, sitting opposite him, took in his expression.
"His Highness had other matters to attend to and left early."
Chu Jing glanced awkwardly at Huai Yue and said softly, "Thank you."
Half an hour later, the carriage stopped in front of the west corner gate of the Princess's residence.
The main gate of the mansion is always closed, and is not opened except for major ceremonies or the emperor's personal visit. The usual passage is through the side gates on the east and west sides, but even the side gates are guarded by female guards in black armor and carrying swords.
With the help of his attendants, Chu Jing stepped down from the carriage and looked at the magnificent Princess's residence. He was momentarily lost in thought until Huai Yue reminded him, which brought him back to his senses.
He "escaped" from Zuifeng Tower.
“Young Master Chu, my name is Huaiyue, and I am His Highness’s personal maid.” Huaiyue welcomed Chu Jingze into the mansion through the side gate. Looking at the somewhat frail person beside her, she unconsciously softened her tone. “His Highness said that your lowly status has been removed, and you are now free. You can temporarily stay at the Princess’s mansion.”
Chu Jing stopped and looked at the cobblestones on the ground, blinking blankly. Free? Temporarily staying at the princess's residence—these words told him that it wasn't what he thought.
"What's wrong, Young Master Chu?" Huai Yue turned to look at the pale-faced man and understood. There were many people in the manor whom His Highness had saved, but His Highness had not taken them into his household.
"Can I...stay at the Princess's residence?" Chu Jing asked cautiously, biting his lower lip, his nose stinging with emotion. It was such a rare opportunity to have some interaction with her.
Despite his lowly status, he still wanted to stay by her side, even if it was just watching her from afar.
Huaiyue nodded, and added, "I will inform His Highness that you wish to stay." She thought for a moment, her gaze lingering on Chu Jingze's face, and continued, "His Highness will be back soon. I have something to attend to later, so you can wait for His Highness in the study."
He looked at Huaiyue, and she winked at him, a very obvious hint.
Huaiyue wasn't sure what her prince's attitude was towards Chu Jingze, so she used a little trick. If her prince liked Chu Jingze, she would just go with the flow; if he didn't, it wouldn't matter.
Passing through layers of courtyards, at the end of the short corridor, there is a heavy double door.
Two female guards stood on either side of the door, their hands on their sword hilts, their eyes fixed straight ahead. "His Highness is in the study," Huaiyue said confidently. She stopped at the door and stepped aside to gesture for Chu Jingze to let her in.
Chu Jingze swallowed nervously, subconsciously touching his hair, which was an unfinished updo. The female guard glanced at Huaiyue and then opened the door for Chu Jingze.
A pleasant fragrance wafted in, and Chu Jing stepped over the threshold and entered.
She sat behind the long ironwood table without looking up. "Come and grind the ink," she said in a cold voice. Only after receiving no response did she slightly raise her eyes and meet the gaze of the person standing at the door.
My gaze lingered on his face, and my hand, which was writing, stopped at that moment.
Who are you?
"Your Highness...I..." Chu Jing looked into those deep eyes and spoke somewhat helplessly, a trace of sadness flashing in her eyes. She didn't even know who he was, even though they had clearly met before.
"My name is Jingze, my surname is Chu, and my courtesy name is Linu."
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Within half a day, news that Xu Lingzhao had bought a male prostitute at Zuifenglou spread throughout the capital.
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Author's Note: This is my first time writing a historical, matriarchal story. The female protagonist has a normal body structure.
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