The Empress Dowager said gently, "Princess Zoya, our countries are different, so there are bound to be some different customs and language habits. It is not surprising that misunderstandings may arise between you and Jie'er."
Zoya: "I have been learning your language since I was a child. I can still tell if someone is being frivolous. Do you think we, the people of Xiwan, don't understand the language of your Dongchu? Did this person realize that I was from Xiwan when we were talking?"
Yang Jie quickly said, "The princess didn't say much that day, so it's only natural that we didn't notice anything unusual."
"You..." Zoya couldn't argue with him, so she looked to her brother for help.
Dulin was also furious. He had heard from the guards who had searched for Zoya that day that his younger sister had been harassed by several lecherous men, but was fortunately rescued by others and escaped unharmed. He never expected that one of the lecherous men would be right in front of him, and that the woman had taken his frivolous words as well-intentioned advice.
However, this was a diplomatic event between two countries, and if he didn't want war between them, Du Lin could only endure it for the time being. He figured there would be plenty of opportunities to deal with Yang Jie later. He said, "Zoya, I think that both I and His Majesty the Emperor of Dongchu will send people to investigate this matter thoroughly before making a decision..." He then looked at Emperor Sima Xiu.
Sima Xiu hurriedly said, "Indeed, I will send someone to investigate this matter thoroughly. Whether it was Minister Yang who offended the princess or he was just trying to persuade her with good intentions, I will find out the truth and give the princess an explanation. Today's banquet not only has fine wine and food prepared, but also songs and dances. Princess, please calm down for now and enjoy the songs and dances, shall we?"
Before Zoya could speak, Dulin spoke first: "Of course it's good."
“Big brother…” Zoya called out angrily. She was worried that Dongchu Kingdom was just giving her a perfunctory answer and wouldn’t actually investigate.
Du Lin said, “Sister, as the saying goes, a king’s word is law. His Majesty the Emperor has already said so, so he will naturally send someone to investigate this matter. For now, just enjoy the banquet!” After saying that, he winked at Zoya, signaling her not to dwell on this matter any longer.
Helpless, Zoya had no choice but to sit down. But when she saw Yang Jie sitting leisurely across from her, looking completely indifferent, he clearly believed that she couldn't do anything to him. Zoya's anger flared up even more, and she felt that it wouldn't be too much to grind such a villain to dust.
After the banquet, Zoya left in a huff, pretending not to hear Dulin calling her. Once outside the palace, as she rode in a carriage to the guesthouse where the envoys were staying, she overheard many people discussing the Cuihong Pavilion, saying that it had produced many extraordinary women.
Zoya, filled with curiosity, asked the palace maid accompanying her what kind of place the Emerald Red Pavilion was. The maid was also from the Western Wan Kingdom and had no idea what the Emerald Red Pavilion was, so she could only ask the carriage to stop and let her attendant inquire.
When the attendant returned with a strange expression and told her that Cuihonglou was a brothel, Zoya became even more curious and said, "Although there are many talented singers and dancers in the brothels where we live, I have never seen a woman who can be called an extraordinary woman."
The palace maid said, "Your Highness, don't listen to those people's nonsense. Perhaps their definition of an extraordinary woman is different from ours in the Western Wan Kingdom!"
Zoya immediately recalled what the Empress Dowager had said at the banquet, that the difference in language between Xiwan and Dongchu had caused her to misunderstand Yang Jie. She was instantly furious and said, "What difference could there be? It's just that you people are making up some excuse to fob me off!"
The palace maid was startled and quickly said, "Your Highness, this servant wouldn't dare!"
Zoya snorted and waited quietly until she returned to the inn. Then, she disguised herself and, with a few attendants, strolled leisurely towards the Cuihong Tower.
Inside the Cuihong Building, Zhao Feiyan, who had been peering out the window at the street, closed the window, sat down at the table, and said, "Sister, just as you said, that princess of Xiwan Kingdom is coming this way, but she is disguised as a man."
Chu Nian smiled, pursing her lips.
Zhao Feiyan asked, "Sister, can this princess of Xiwan Kingdom really help us deal with Yang Jie?"
Chu Nian: "I only have this guess."
Zhao Feiyan stared at her.
Chu Nianqi asked, "Why are you staring at me like that?"
Zhao Feiyan: "Sister, I used to think you were incredibly talented, the only person I admired. But now I realize that your greatest strength isn't your talent, but your wisdom. Your wisdom is unparalleled!" Her tone was full of admiration.
Chu Nian said with a hint of helplessness, "I was forced into it." In her view, talent is the source of wisdom, so the two are closely linked.
Zhao Feiyan chuckled upon hearing this, saying, "Sister, what you say makes sense. If it weren't for your wit and resourcefulness, we would probably have been ruined by that Yang Jie." But as she spoke, she couldn't laugh anymore.
Chu Nian couldn't help but sigh. Zhao Feiyan was right; the original owner of this body, Tong Nian, had already been murdered.
Zoya was stopped by her attendants as soon as she arrived at the entrance of the Emerald Red Pavilion: "Princess, you mustn't! If you enter this place, your reputation will be ruined..."
"Hey, young masters, don't just stand at the door, come in quickly!" Before the attendant could finish speaking, several girls rushed out of the Cuihong Pavilion and dragged them inside.
The attendants tried to break free, but seeing that Zoya had already leisurely entered the Cuihong Building, they were frightened and quickly followed her in.
Upon seeing the men's clothes and demeanor, the madam knew they were no ordinary people. She quickly came forward and said, "Oh, gentlemen, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time here? Do you have a girl you like?"
Zoya said, "I've heard that your Cuihong Pavilion is a place that produces extraordinary women?" She was very interested in seeing what the people of Dongchu thought of these "extraordinary women."
The madam, upon hearing her speak, was certain she was a woman, but for money, she could pretend not to notice. She also noticed the impressive entourage following the girl, so she dared not act rashly.
With a fawning smile, she said, "Young master, you're absolutely right. In this capital city, who doesn't know that the girls at our Cuihong Pavilion are all exceptionally beautiful..."
"Is this what you call extraordinary?" Zoya said, pointing to the girl who had pulled her in. She was even worse than the lowest-ranking palace maid in her palace. Of course, the girls in the brothel were not comparable to the palace maids in her own palace, but to call her "extraordinary" was an exaggeration.
The madam said, "Young master, what are you saying? You should know that the girls here are also divided into different grades, and the amount of money required varies depending on the grade!" As she spoke, she stretched out her hand towards Zoya.
Just as Zoya was about to signal her attendant to get the money, she heard a very refined voice from the doorway: "Granny!"
"Oh my, it's Young Master Lan!" The madam quickly bowed to the scholar who walked in.
Zoya turned to look at the scholar who had entered and saw that he was handsome, with delicate features and an extraordinary demeanor and speech.
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