Knock… knock… knock…
"Miss Qing, Young Master Ye is waiting downstairs," a servant reported politely.
Qing Meier turned to the elegant woman sitting in front of her. With a small bow, she said softly, "Your Highness, I'll go speak with him for a moment."
After the Eldest Princess nodded, Qing Meier walked downstairs calmly. In the main hall, she found Lang Huan standing casually.
"Young Master Ye," Qing Meier greeted with a warm smile. "Our boss is waiting for you upstairs. I've also told her about your wish to redeem some of the girls here."
Lang Huan nodded innocently. "Miss Qing, don't worry—if she gives you trouble, I'll help you get justice."
Qing Meier chuckled softly, her eyes curving into a knowing smile. "Young Master, I believe in you."
She led Lang Huan to the door and stopped. "Please go in by yourself, Young Master," she said lightly, her tone playful but mysterious.
"Oh… okay…"
Lang Huan stepped inside. As the door closed behind her, she heard the soft sound of a guqin. She slowly walked toward the inner room. There, a woman sat gracefully, wearing a veil, playing the guqin with elegant, flowing movements.
A cold aura surrounded her. Even with her face hidden by the veil, Lang Huan could tell—she must be incredibly beautiful.
But… something felt off. Why do I feel like I know her?
"Ahem…" Lang Huan cleared her throat, trying to get the lady's attention.
No response. The woman continued playing, ignoring her completely.
"Miss…" Lang Huan called again. She really couldn't stand being ignored.
Finally, the music stopped. The woman looked up, then slowly and gracefully lifted her veil.
Lang Huan froze. Instantly, she dropped to her knees.
"I greet Your Highness, The Eldest Princess," she said nervously.
In her heart, she suddenly realized—no wonder Qing Meier kept smiling at me like that!
The sound of the guqin floated through the air—beautiful, but cold. Lang Huan stayed perfectly still, kneeling on the floor.
Feng Yao didn't say anything. No "rise," no kind words. Just silence.
Lang Huan glanced up carefully, trying to guess what the Eldest Princess was thinking. But as always—her face was cold and impossible to read.
Slowly, Lang Huan began to rise on her own. She had just gotten halfway up when—
"Who told you to stand?" Feng Yao said softly, but with a sharp edge. "Stay kneeling."
Lang Huan immediately dropped back down.
She stayed there, kneeling, while the princess continued to play. It felt like the song lasted an entire year.
When the final note was plucked, the princess finally spoke in a soft, calm voice, "Come here."
Lang Huan tried to get up, but her legs refused to cooperate.
"Uh… my legs are numb…" she muttered awkwardly.
So, she crawled—slowly and reluctantly—over to the princess's side, and sat properly beside her. Still feeling tense, she said softly, "Your Highness…"
The Eldest Princess turned slightly to face her, a faint smile on her lips.
"Young Master Ye," she said gently, but with an unmistakable sharpness underneath, "I heard you wanted to redeem a few courtesans from Yunxiang Tower. So, tell me—who caught your eye?"
Lang Huan opened her mouth. "I…"
But no words came out.
"And I heard," Feng Yao continued, her tone now almost teasing, "that you were worried they wouldn't be able to live peacefully here. Young Master… you're so kind."
"I… Your Highness… it's not like that…"
Lang Huan's face turned even redder. She wasn't sure if it was from embarrassment, nervousness, or the lingering numbness in her legs.
Taking a breath, Lang Huan decided to be honest. "My father gave me a teahouse, but the business hasn't been doing well… I want to fix it up and hire a few girls to play the guqin there."
Feng Yao tilted her head. "So what's your plan?"
"Plan? Of course, I'm looking for someone who wants to partner with me—invest their money into my business."
Feng Yao let out a soft laugh. "And do you think anyone would actually want to become your business partner?" she teased, amused by how serious Lang Huan looked while explaining her idea.
Lang Huan puffed out her chest just a little. "Your Highness, don't underestimate me. With my face, my father's name, or just my own name, that's more than enough to make people believe in me and want to work with me."
Hearing Lang Huan's confident reply, Feng Yao felt a pang of regret. Ever since she had quietly helped pave the way for Lang Huan to gain recognition at court, this little brat had risen quickly through the ranks of public favor. At the last imperial banquet alone, countless noble daughters had fluttered around, trying to catch Lang Huan's eye like moths to a flame.
Then, Feng Yao reached out and lightly tapped Lang Huan on the forehead. "Tell me how much you need. I'll give it to you. And as for the girls, I'll ask Wu Ming to arrange everything."
Lang Huan could only stare at her, stunned speechless.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Feng Yao raised a brow. "Will 100,000 gold taels be enough?"
Lang Huan's jaw nearly dropped. I've really met my sugar mommy in this life… she thought, still too shocked to speak. Wouldn't it be easier to just take the money and run? But of course, Lang Huan wasn't that kind of person.
She straightened up slightly and said, "No… how could I trouble Your Highness?"
Feng Yao tilted her head, her smile deepening. "Isn't that a good thing? I don't need a share of the profits, but…" She leaned in slightly, brushing her fingers against Lang Huan's cheek.
Lang Huan flinched in surprise, quickly crossing her arms in front of her. "You… you want me to sell my body?"
Feng Yao chuckled softly. "No, silly. I want you to work for me."
Lang Huan narrowed her eyes, instantly more alert. "What kind of work?" she asked carefully. She already knew—dealing with Feng Yao was never simple.
Feng Yao didn't respond to Lang Huan. She simply called for A Li to bring a brush, ink, and paper. After a moment, she began to write, her movements calm and precise. Once she finished, she washed her hands and handed the paper to Lang Huan.
Lang Huan took the paper, her eyes scanning the paper. "A lifetime contract?" she muttered, her brow furrowing. "No, I don't agree to this..." She placed the paper back down on the low table, shaking her head.
But the Eldest Princess wouldn't give up so easily. Feng Yao wasn't one to back down until she got what she wanted. As Lang Huan let her guard down, Feng Yao suddenly slipped onto her lap, sitting gracefully with no regard for the space between them.
Lang Huan froze, her breath caught as Feng Yao whispered into her ear, "Lang Huan…" Her voice was like a soft, soul-stirring melody, and Lang Huan felt Feng Yao's arm gently wrap around her neck.
Lang Huan couldn't move. It was as if her very soul had been captured by the Princess's touch. Watching the reaction in Lang Huan's eyes, Feng Yao knew… she was going to succeed.
Feng Yao took Lang Huan's hand, slowly guiding her thumb toward her moist lips. Lang Huan, unaware of the danger, followed the movement. As Feng Yao's thumb brushed against her lips, she parted her red lips and slowly extended the tip of her tongue toward it.
Before Lang Huan realized what was happening, Feng Yao suddenly bit down hard on her thumb.
"Ahhhhhhh…" Lang Huan screamed in pain.
Quickly, Feng Yao snatched the paper and pressed Lang Huan's bloodied thumb onto it, sealing her mark on the contract.
"You… Your Highness… you're so cunning, using honey traps…" Lang Huan gasped, still reeling from the pain.
Outside, A Li was startled by the sound of Lang Huan's scream. Qing Meier, standing not far from her, locked eyes with A Li, silently asking what had happened. A Li merely shook her head.
Qing Meier couldn't help but feel a bit of guilt. What on earth is Her Highness doing to Lang Huan?