During the day, Zuichunlou is as peaceful as an ordinary household at night, its extravagant nightlife gone, leaving only the lingering scent of perfume and alcohol in the air.
The top floor of Zuichunlou is reserved for the most beautiful courtesans. Only the most outstanding and highest-earning girls are entitled to the best treatment, with top-notch food, clothing, and daily necessities, comparable to the treatment of the families of high-ranking officials.
The room on the west side of the top floor is the room of Zi Yan, the most popular courtesan at Zui Chun Lou. The wooden sign hanging at the door clearly reads "Zi Yan," making it easy for anyone to find her. This is a rule of Zui Chun Lou, to make it convenient for patrons to find the girl.
The rules of Zui Chun Lou are very strict. One's earning ability and personal qualities determine the treatment one receives, which leads to fierce competition among the girls inside. The top floor room is the target of all the girls in Zui Chun Lou, and it has changed hands many times, which is very convenient.
Zi Yan had only been at Zui Chun Lou for a year, yet she quickly rose to the top spot thanks to her beauty and talent, making countless girls envious and jealous, and causing many to tear their handkerchiefs in despair. Especially noteworthy was her successful connection with Prince Qi.
Although the King of Qi had a bad reputation, he was of high status, generous, and handsome. For girls who had suffered a lot, he was undoubtedly a golden husband and their best match.
Not to mention courtesans, even daughters of wealthy families considered it an honor to marry into the royal family, even if it was just as a concubine.
Unfortunately, Prince Qi took a liking to Zi Yan and spent a fortune to keep her as his mistress. He even redeemed her from her servitude, though temporarily placing her in the Drunken Spring Pavilion. It is said that the sum of money made the madam overjoyed, and she was in a very good mood for half a month.
A faint scent of sandalwood burned in Zi Yan's room, elegant and lingering, mixed with a rich, sticky, and sweet musk aroma. A man and a woman lay intertwined on the embroidered bed, fast asleep.
The blazing sunlight streaming through the window illuminated their faces and bodies, making them appear even more fair and radiant. The exquisitely beautiful woman leaned against the man's chest, her red lips smiling, her eyes alluring. Her cascading hair brushed against his side, causing a slight tickle. Her slender fingertips carefully traced circles on his chest, her voice tender and suggestive.
"Wuyou, last night was your wedding day. You came here like this. I hope the Princess won't mind. Aren't you afraid that this will hurt her feelings?"
Zi Yan pressed her cheek against Yan Qi's chest, her voice soft and alluring, like a feather gently tickling the heart, making one's heart itch unbearably. It has to be said that she is an extremely charming woman, and her way of speaking is also full of her own unique skills.
"Who cares what he does? As long as we're happy, that's all that matters. Don't worry, in a couple of days I'll carry you into the Prince's mansion, and from then on you'll be my concubine in the Prince Qi's mansion."
Yan Qi grabbed Zi Yan's restless little hand and gave it a light kiss, then pulled her into his arms, rubbing her shoulders in an ambiguous manner.
Zi Yan was not shy at all. She giggled and hugged Yan Qi's waist tightly. "Zi Yan does not ask for wealth and glory. She only asks to be by the Prince's side. Since the Prince values Zi Yan so much, Zi Yan has no way to repay him. She will definitely repay the Prince in the future."
As a lowly woman from a brothel, her ability to marry into the royal palace and become a concubine was something that could be written into a story and circulated widely; her sisters would surely be extremely envious of her.
The fact that the prince personally came to him on his wedding day, leaving his new bride aside, is enough to prove how much the prince values him. Even if he only holds the title of concubine after entering the palace, with the prince's support and favor, the princess will only have the title of principal wife. In the end, the palace will still be under Zi Yan's control.
"What's there to repay? As long as you serve me well in the future, you'll have plenty of benefits to enjoy." Yan Qi smiled wickedly, lifted Zi Yan's chin and kissed her lightly, his actions becoming increasingly unruly.
Zi Yan had always been very obedient to Yan Qi, and her occasional rejections were just minor flirtations. Today, however, she was exceptionally decisive in rejecting Yan Qi's groping, grabbing his wandering hand and pushing it aside, then picking up a piece of clothing and draping it over her shoulders.
“Your Highness, you refused to go to the bridal chamber last night without seeing the Princess, which greatly embarrassed her. You should go back and apologize to her today, lest you ruin your marital relationship because of Ziyan, who is of lowly birth. Even for Ziyan's sake, you should go back and get along well with the Princess.”
As she spoke, Zi Yan blinked her almond-shaped eyes, tears welling up involuntarily and wetting them. The tears slid down her cheeks, but instead of detracting from her beauty, they added a touch of delicate, tearful beauty, making men feel pity and longing to hold her in their arms, to pamper her and offer her everything.
"What are you talking about? With me backing you up, how could the princess dare to make things difficult for you?" Yan Qi was deeply interested in Zi Yan and was in love with her madly, so he couldn't bear to see her cry. He quickly pulled her into his arms and comforted her with affection.
"Even so, you should still give the Princess some face. If the Princess knew that you came to Ziyan's place on your wedding night, she would hate Ziyan to death. How would Ziyan feel living under the same roof?" Ziyan cried and sobbed, collapsing against Yan Qi's chest, her sobbing like a frightened little rabbit.
"I thought it was something serious, but it turns out to be such a trivial matter." Yan Qi smiled nonchalantly, his actions becoming restless again. This time, Zi Yan did not refuse. She slightly raised her head, displaying her perfect profile to the man, and blinked her watery eyes at him expectantly, full of questions and curiosity.
"Ziyan, I will definitely cherish you and hold you in the palm of my hand. As for Helan Wuxia, you don't need to care about her. She is just a decoration. I still call the shots in this Qi Prince's Mansion. You don't need to be afraid of her at all."
Under Zi Yan's pitiful gaze, Yan Qi surrendered without hesitation and revealed his plans. Zi Yan's eyes lit up upon hearing this; nothing could be better for him.
The princess is neither favored nor valued by the prince, so she will only be a figurehead in the future. Perhaps in the future, this concubine will be able to successfully usurp the princess's power and become the true mistress of the Qi Prince's mansion.
Thinking of this, a look of determination flashed in Zi Yan's eyes. She was determined to win over Prince Qi so that she could plan for her own future.
The two exchanged a glance, one with intention and the other with desire, and rolled together. The room was instantly filled with sticky, wet sounds and the sounds of a man and woman teasing each other.
Unaware of the welcome, the two had noticed that a corner of the incense burner on the round table in the center of the room had been revealed. A white silk thread descended from the ceiling, carrying a crystalline liquid that slid down precisely into the incense burner and vanished silently, as if it had never existed.
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