Volume 1 Chapter 8
The old madam at the entrance, upon seeing Long Yue Li arrive, immediately transformed her old face into a blooming chrysanthemum. Her thick makeup trembled as she greeted, “Ah jiu! You’ve finally come. Our Peony has been eagerly awaiting you, almost pining away from lovesickness!”
Long Yue Li waved his wide sleeves, and the old madam hesitated in her place, not daring to approach. “Bring her over,” he commanded.
“Yes, yes, yes! I’ll go right away!” The old madam nodded vigorously and hurried off to fetch Peony.
Long Yue Li dismissed the other women who were eager to entertain him and led the two guests towards the private room he often visited. Long Yue Li was not surprised that Leng Jiu was familiar with this place at all. As they walked, he observed the surroundings. To be honest, compared to the modern five-star nightclubs, this place didn’t compare, but it had a unique charm. The simple ancient architecture, delicate carved towers, intentionally lit red or pink lanterns, and fluttering light veils created an atmosphere more serene compared to the noisy vulgarity outside. It was called a brothel, but it resembled a courtyard with a touch of romance.
Pushing open a door, they entered a room around a hundred square meters. The furnishings, including tables, chairs, and tea sets, were all complete, and the decorations were exquisite. It was indeed much better than the outside!
The three of them entered, and Long Yue Li observed Leng Jiu’s expression. While Leng Jiu glanced around, his gaze finally settled on the somewhat restrained Lan Zhe. Helplessly, Long Yue Li reached out, pulled him over, and gestured for him to sit, saying, “Consider it a casual drink. Why be so nervous?”
Lan Zhe, being held by her, withdrew his hand somewhat uncomfortably. “I’ve never been to such a place. It’s a bit awkward. I’m afraid I’m a joke in front of Ah jiu!”
As soon as he said this, Long Yue Li genuinely laughed. His eyes turned, and he leaned over, teasing in a very soft voice, “How about finding a girl to experience something new?”
Lan Zhe, who had always been elegant, almost jumped at these words. Although he steadied himself in the end, his face turned red from the roots of his ears. He remained silent, not daring to speak. However, Leng jiu seemed slightly stunned, his fair skin like flower petals showing a tempting pink due to embarrassment. An impulse to kiss him arose, a desire she hadn’t felt in a long time.
“It seems that Ah jiu really likes him. Could it be that you’ve taken a liking to him?” Long Yue Li’s voice, full of unclear meaning, brought back Leng Jiu’s senses. His phoenix eyes turned, meeting his meaning-laden gaze. Lan Zhe didn’t understand the depth of these words, but Leng Jiu did. As the queen, her identity was sensitive. According to common sense, she shouldn’t be intimate with men, as it would damage the country’s image. Although her current interaction with Lan Zhe was not significant, it was evident that she had crossed that line. This single word from Long Yue Li could be considered a warning!
However, she was Leng Jiu. Why care about those things? The brilliance in her eyes flowed lazily, revealing a casual demeanor. “It’s not that I like him. Could it be that Ah jiu is interested in him?”
Long Yue Li’s fox eyes narrowed, then he revealed a frivolous expression. His crimson lips pouted, pretending to be wronged. “This king’s whole heart belongs to Jiu’er, but Jiu’er treats it as nothing. How heartless!”
Leng Jiu’s eyelids twitched, ignoring him. Lan Zhe, who had seen all the ambiguous and surging emotions between the two, lowered his eyes and said nothing.
“Peony greets Ah jiu!”
A subtly blushing figure walked in, bending the knee in a courteous bow. Her features were as exquisite as a blooming hibiscus, a smile carrying the unique charm of a woman who had weathered the wind and dust. However, the most captivating aspect was not her appearance but the two white curves at her chest, prominently alluring and astonishing.
Lan Zhe, who had finally settled his mood, felt awkward again. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her, gazing up and down, avoiding her presence.
“Come over!” Long Yue Li pointed to the seat beside him.
Peony got up and walked over. She seemed somewhat surprised when she saw Leng Jiu, but it was just a fleeting moment. Soon, she gracefully sat down next to Long Yue Li and clapped her hands, summoning a servant. The servant brought over Long Yue Li’s favorite wine, and Peony personally poured it for him, saying, “Ah jiu!”
Long Yue Li’s gaze swept over her chest, finally landing on Leng Jiu. From her face, it slid down bit by bit to her chest. He had a clear view of it when she bathed that day, and it was no different from Peony’s. Thinking of that alluring and tempting figure, he unexpectedly felt a dry sensation in his mouth.
How could Leng Jiu not be aware of Long Yue Li’s gaze? As he stared directly at her chest, Leng Jiu, feeling irritated, finally couldn’t take it anymore and glared at him. “Ah jiu, despite the beauty of Peony, she doesn’t compare to Jiu’er by three points. After seeing Jiu’er’s beauty, how can you still pay attention to others?”
At these words, a chill ran down Leng Jiu’s spine, and Peony’s gaze towards Jiu’er changed a bit.
“Ah jiu, how about Peony playing the zither to entertain you?” Peony suggested with a light smile.
Long Yue Li looked at Lan Zhe. “Although Peony plays the zither well, there’s also a master here. I wonder if Lord Lan is willing to play a tune?”
Though it was a request, it carried a hint of disdain. However, Lan Zhe was already accustomed to it. He subconsciously tried to get up, but suddenly, someone grabbed him and pulled him back to his seat. Surprised, he looked over to see Leng Jiu holding his arm. When she turned her head and smiled lightly, like a gentle breeze brushing over an orchid, he felt a warmth he hadn’t experienced in a long time, just because she had protected him with a single sentence.
But Long Yue Li’s mood wasn’t as good. He didn’t know why Leng Jiu treated a proton differently, even going as far as concealing his identity to interact with him. When he saw Leng Jiu defending him like this, an inexplicable anger surged within him, and he was very displeased. Still, with a provocative smile, he said, “You’re protecting his face today. Could it be that you intend to protect him for a lifetime?”
“What’s it to you?”
“Good! Very good!” This time, Long Yue Li was genuinely angered. It had been a long time since he felt this way.
“Ah Jiu!” Lan Zhe suddenly reached out to hold Leng Jiu’s arm. When she turned around, he smiled lightly, like a breeze brushing over an orchid. “Being able to be called a friend by Ah Jiu is enough for Lan Zhe. In return for your kindness, let me play a tune for you, alright?”
Looking at him with a smiling gaze, Leng Jiu didn’t speak. Lan Zhe knew she had agreed, so he let go of her and turned towards the compartment behind the curtain.
The strings were plucked, and the music flowed like water. Long Yue Li looked at Leng Jiu, intending to speak, but suddenly felt an abnormal heat rising in his body. He grabbed Peony’s hand, who was about to pour wine, and his face turned cold as ice. “What did you put in this wine?”
Peony was shocked. The wine jug in her hand spilled. She suddenly realized what had happened and hurriedly explained, “Ah jiu! It’s not Peony; it’s probably a mistake from someone below!”
Long Yue Li pushed her hand away. “Get out!”
“But…!”
“Don’t let this king say it a second time!” Long Yue Li’s Leng words made Peony cover her face and leave. Long Yue Li, however, leaned against the chair back, panting heavily, attempting to suppress the rising heat with internal energy. But suddenly, he looked at Leng Jiu and, with a mischievous thought, used internal energy to bring her over. He floated in the air, pressing her down, and the fragrance of wine mixed with his unique scent blew over her face. “Jiu’er! This king feels uncomfortable!”
Leng Jiu felt his whole body burning, and his face had an abnormal blush. Along with his obviously lustful gaze, she instantly knew what had happened. To be honest, Long Yue Li’s current appearance was indeed tempting. His beautiful fox-like eyes were filled with desire and confusion. His pretty face blushed enticingly, and his blood-red lips, even more alluring due to the heat, seemed to silently invite her. His words, filled with lust, were like feathers, teasing her heart. However, for her, these were just temptations, not enough to overcome her reason.
“Ah jiu! Do you see who is under you?”
“Jiu’er?”
“Wrong! It’s your sister-in-law! The woman of your deceased brother!”
Long Yue Li sneered. “Do you care about that?”
“If I don’t care, so what?”
“If you can be ambiguous with Lan Zhe, why reject this king? Could it be that this king’s charm is not as good as his?”
Leng Jiu pushed him away, flipped over, and pressed him down. Bending down slightly, her rosy lips brushed against his cheek, making his breath heavier. Leng Jiu smiled, her tone cold and charming. “If you’re just a man who came for me, I really don’t mind dealing with you. But Prince Xuan, Long Yue Li, although I was confused before, don’t treat me like a fool forever! I can tolerate provocations or contempt from others, but I can’t tolerate schemes. So, don’t force me to take action. Believe me, you won’t want to see that moment!”
With these words, she lightly straightened his clothes and got up from him, pulling Lan Zhe, who had already stopped playing the zither, away.
Long Yue Li lay on the soft couch, lips curving into a meaningful arc. “Empress, do you know the more clever you are, the more this king wants to take you down?”
After saying that, he raised his hand, beckoning someone. A figure landed behind him. Long Yue Li closed his eyes. “Prepare a large bucket of cold water for this king. Quickly!”
Author’s Note:
This chapter has quite a lot of words. Oh well, can I ask for some comments?