Volume 1, Chapter 14: Next time I come, I will request you again.

Is it this thrilling?

Su Yi'an’s heart ignited with the flames of gossip once more. She gently lifted a roof tile and peered inside.

At a glance, she saw a clear, rounded pregnant belly emerging from the gap in the bed curtains—it looked to be about five months along. As for the man, he was hidden behind the drapes, with only his large hands visible, gripping the woman’s waist.

Su Yi'an bared her teeth in a grimace.

So much for the three years of mourning? This belly was clearly conceived during the mourning period. The Prince of Chu was truly a hypocrite! A beast!

Liu Ruyin pleaded with affected coyness, "Your Highness, please let me go. Today is your big day; you should be with the Princess instead~"

Xiao Chuyu was slightly annoyed. "Must you bring up that woman at a time like this and ruin my mood? I have told you many times: I married Su Yi'an only because the Imperial decree could not be defied. Besides, this is a good thing for you. With your humble background, you cannot be my Princess, nor can you be a secondary consort. It is better that Su Yi'an enters the household than some other noble lady. She is a fool; she has no way to use her status as Princess to bully you. In the future, you will still be the mistress of the Prince of Chu’s estate. She used to be beautiful, but now that her face is ruined, I won't even touch her. She has only the title of Princess of Chu—what more could you be dissatisfied with?"

Liu Ruyin pouted with feigned jealousy, "Didn't the Su household quite sensibly send a concubine as part of the dowry? Back in the day, Chancellor Su was the most famous, handsome top scholar in the capital. His eldest daughter is a great beauty known throughout the city, and the second daughter must also be quite attractive. I am feeling rather anxious~"

Xiao Chuyu's tone was filled with disdain. "Su Wan'er? She is just a woman, hardly worth mentioning. Do you think just anyone can catch my eye? The women I favor must be one-in-a-million beauties."

Liu Ruyin asked delicately, "Then will Your Highness go to her courtyard?"

Xiao Chuyu moved his hand from her waist to her belly. "Didn't the physician say that the first three months of pregnancy and the postpartum period are inconvenient? You wouldn't want me to live like a monk, would you? Let Su Wan'er serve me for those few months; consider it giving face to the Su household. After that, I will never touch her again. That should satisfy you, right?"

*Ugh...*

Su Yi'an felt so disgusted by these words that she quickly replaced the tile and left. So much for the Prince of Chu being gentle as jade and as clear as the breeze? Wasn't he just pure, unadulterated scum?

Su Yi'an arrived on the main street.

On a night where the north wind howled, only the pleasure houses remained open to welcome guests. Su Yi'an walked into a brothel called the Listening Snow Pavilion and tossed down a thousand-tael banknote. "Prepare a mutton hot pot, and call your top courtesan to play a tune for me~"

The procuress hurried over. Seeing the guest was a woman dressed in men's clothing, she smiled with practiced insight. "Right away, young master. Please, this way to a private room upstairs~"

The mutton hot pot was placed on the table, and the top courtesan entered, half-concealed behind a pipa.

Su Yi'an raised an eyebrow and blurted out, "Why is the top courtesan a man?"

Xue Chonglou held the pipa, his tone neither servile nor overbearing. "The guest in the brothel is a woman; why can't the top courtesan be a man?"

Su Yi'an’s eyes sparkled with curious amusement. "Don't hide your face. Let me see if you are worthy of the title of top courtesan."

Xue Chonglou lowered the pipa, his pair of amorous fox-like eyes meeting hers with confidence and grace. Su Yi'an had always disliked men who wore makeup, but the male courtesan before her was lightly powdered, alluring without being effeminate, and possessed a unique charm. Dressed in a thin, trailing red robe, his sleeves fluttering, and a red mark between his brows, he looked like a male Daji stepped out of a fantasy drama.

She smiled playfully and asked, "You are indeed worthy of the title, but I wonder, do you have abs?"

Xue Chonglou smiled, a smile that could launch a thousand ships, and retorted in a low, magnetic, and provocative voice, "Want to know? That would be an additional fee~"

Su Yi'an decisively pulled out another banknote and slapped it on the table. "I love it when things can be solved with money—so simple and straightforward~"

Su Yi'an had always loved handsome men in historical costumes with flowing hair, but unfortunately, she was an operative in her past life. Operatives feared honey traps above all else, so to survive, she had to act cold and aloof, never getting close to men. Only in private, when no one was around, would she drool over handsome guys on her phone. Now that she had transmigrated, she had no such worries. When faced with such exquisite human beauty that could be bought with money, why bother pretending?

Xue Chonglou walked to the table, glanced down at the banknote, and curled his lips with a hint of mockery. "One thousand taels? Guest, go and ask around. What was the last price offered by someone who wanted to take off my clothes?"

Su Yi'an raised her eyes, her tone carefree. "I only asked if you had abs. What are you rambling about?"

"My apologies~" Xue Chonglou took the banknote and, seizing the opportunity, took her hand and pressed it against his side. Even through several layers of clothing, Su Yi'an felt his well-defined obliques. She grinned like an idiot. "Hehe~ No wonder you're the top courtesan; you've got some goods. How much to buy your freedom?"

"A patron once offered two million taels, and the procuress still wouldn't let me go. How much do you think I am worth, my lady?"

Su Yi'an’s smile vanished instantly. Two million taels? That was far too expensive... Mere male beauty was nothing special; it suddenly lost its appeal. "Play the music!"

By then, the hot pot was bubbling. Su Yi'an removed her black veil, ready to eat. The melodic and rhythmic sound of the pipa stopped abruptly. Xue Chonglou’s jade-like fingers gripped the strings tightly. His pale, delicate fingertips were strained until they showed red marks. He was struggling to restrain his emotions, yet he couldn't help but look at her with trembling eyes.

Su Yi'an noticed his expression and looked up with a smile. "Did I scare you? Do I need to pay extra for that?"

Xue Chonglou shook his head, his eyes filled with unspeakable concern. "My lady has wounds on your face; mutton is an irritant, it would be best to eat less."

Su Yi'an smiled nonchalantly. "Thanks for your concern, I know what I'm doing~"

Her body was currently frail and filled with residual toxins; not only did she need to nourish herself, but she also needed to draw out the poison. Eating mutton was the best choice. As for her face, it didn't matter at all—it could be cured eventually; it just required time.

Su Yi'an ate the meat heartily, suddenly remembering something: she had been too busy getting married during the day and hadn't gone to treat the Prince of Zhenbei. If she angered that "super-masculine" man, there was no telling what kind of trouble he would cause her.

Su Yi'an wiped her mouth, put her veil back on, stood up, and looked at the male courtesan. "I'm full. I'm leaving."

Xue Chonglou rose with his pipa, bowed, and offered a salute. The sharp edge from their first meeting was gone, replaced by a gentle and ambiguous tone. "The ends of the earth have an end, only longing knows no bounds. I will be waiting for you in the Listening Snow Pavilion~"

Su Yi'an looked back, meeting his moist, fox-like eyes that seemed to hold hooks. This courtesan really had professional dedication; even with her current face, he was still trying to secure a repeat customer. There was a reason for his high price; he truly deserved his earnings.

"What is your name?"

"Xue Chonglou."

"Master Xue, a beauty beyond compare. I will choose you again next time I come~"

Su Yi'an turned and left with a flourish. The tears Xue Chonglou had been holding back finally streamed down his face. *Princess, how did you end up like this...*