The Crown Prince Feng Xie was only around twenty years old at the time, possessing an exceptionally charming and seductive appearance. His slender peach blossom eyes held captivating, rippling waves of light. He had an aquiline nose, well-proportioned red lips, and skin as white and translucent as jade. His raven hair, smooth as silk brocade, was casually tied back with a jade hairpin.
Twelve-year-old Liu Liu was stunned. The young girl’s heart secretly pledged itself to him, her heartbeat drumming like a drum. Shy and timid, she gazed up at Feng Xie with admiration.
"Cousin, you are so beautiful. Liu Liu likes you!"
"If you like someone, you should say it loudly."
Feng Xie glanced at the girl beside him, who was at most a child. A blood-red birthmark covered half her face. Yet, she dared to call him beautiful. He detested being called beautiful. He immediately growled fiercely.
"Go away, you're so ugly." His tone was one of disdain and contempt.
Twelve-year-old Liu Liu froze. She hadn't known what she looked like. Ever since she transmigrated here, she had enjoyed her family's affection and always thought she was just like everyone else. It wasn't until Feng Xie broke the illusion that she realized the truth.
It turned out she was very ugly. After looking in the mirror, she found she truly was hideous. Half her face was covered in a blood-red birthmark, making it look somewhat terrifying.
For this ugly face, Liu Liu cried for half a day. That look of disgust had fueled her determination to strive harder.
Since her appearance was not outstanding, she resolved to excel in other areas. From then on, she diligently studied everything she should learn – qin, go, calligraphy, and painting, mastering each one. Of course, all this was thanks to her excellent teacher.
Twelve-year-old Liu Liu met her beautiful master, Yun Hui, the abbess of a nunnery, in the back garden.
Liu Liu could never understand why someone as beautiful as a painting would choose to be a nun in a nunnery. She had asked once, but her master had said nothing, only patting her head and sighing.
Her master was not only an exceptional martial artist but also proficient in qin, go, calligraphy, and painting. She passed on everything she knew without reservation to Liu Liu, making Liu Liu a person of both high martial skill and literary talent.
However, no one knew about this, except for her personal maid, Cui’er, and a few trusted confidants.
"Miss? Miss, what are you thinking about? It's windy in the garden, let's go back quickly, don't catch a chill," Cui'er's call interrupted Liu Liu's thoughts. She gave a casual, faint smile, surprised that she had drifted into such a memory.
In reality, Feng Xie, though an adult then, was a pampered prodigy who only saw beautiful things. Suddenly encountering an ugly face must have startled him.
Liu Liu came back to her senses and walked back into the pavilion. "Alright, let's go back."
Why bother thinking about such trivial scenes? She should focus on what to do now.
That Feng Xie definitely wouldn't want her to enter the palace. He had disliked her intensely since that incident, and now that he was emperor, this must have been orchestrated by her father and aunt, the Empress Dowager. It seemed she really needed to go into hiding for a while.
She would return after the selection period had passed, still enjoying her life of ease. Then her father would have nothing to say. Liu Liu pondered with a smug satisfaction.
Leading her maid Cui'er, she walked towards Tingfeng Tower, where she resided. Tingfeng Tower was originally shared by Liu Liu and her sister, but now that she lived alone, it was spacious and comfortable, allowing her freedom in everything she did.
"Cui'er, go and pack those few sets of men's clothes."
Outside, Liu Liu always appeared in men's attire. With the human skin mask gifted by her master, she transformed into the prominent young master Qi Ye of the streets.
It was a coincidence that her efforts paid off. After saving a idler named Duanmu, she bought him a shop on Huayang Street in the capital to manage, seeing as he was always aimless.
Later, she encountered some beggars with nowhere to go and took them in at the shop. As more and more people came, many beggars sought out this shop by reputation. Eventually, all the shops on that street belonged to her.
Since many people on this street were notorious characters, the authorities dared not interfere too much, fearing public outcry. Over time, many people forgot the original name of Huayang Street. Mentioning the "Black Street" immediately resonated.
However, people were not afraid of this street; on the contrary, many were willing to spend money there, making the Black Street one of the bustling streets in the capital.
From the shopkeepers to the waiters, no one cheated their employer. Guests were always greeted with enthusiastic welcomes. As long as you didn't cause trouble, no one would bother you.
Moreover, if you forgot your money on a table, someone would collect it and wait for the owner to claim it.
"Miss, are you really going out?" Cui'er asked uncertainly. Although Miss was the boss of the Black Street, she had never stayed out overnight. She had always been a well-behaved daughter in the eyes of her father and mother. This was the first time she was running away from home!
"Why so much nonsense? If you don't want to go, stay. I'm not forcing you," Liu Liu furrowed her willow-like brows. Cui'er immediately obediently went to pack. She didn't want to be thrown out of Tingfeng Tower by her mistress.
Her martial arts were astonishingly good; even the top experts in the martial world might not be her match. If she angered her, there would be no good consequences.
Cui'er quickly retrieved a few sets of men's clothing from the carved huangli wood wardrobe: a white cross-collar robe with hidden floral patterns and flared sleeves, a dark blue robe embroidered with dragons, and a stone-blue brocade gown with eight auspicious motifs. She also took out a white jade box containing a human skin mask and a goiter.
This human skin mask was delicate and smooth, undetectable when worn on the face, appearing no different from real skin. Therefore, no one had ever discovered Young Master Qi Ye's disguise.
"Miss, it's all packed," Cui'er pouted aggrievedly. Miss was too wicked, always scolding her.
Liu Liu looked up at Cui'er's expression, feeling both amused and exasperated. She let go of her legs, which were resting on the table, and with a shift of her body, she appeared beside Cui'er. She extended her slender hand and pinched Cui'er's face, speaking playfully.
"Next time, don't doubt your mistress. Your mistress will treat you well. Be good."
Liu Liu's mischievous demeanor didn't amuse Cui'er; instead, it gave her goosebumps. Miss was quite peculiar. She wasn't like the girls in the tower who could flirt with her. Her expression turned serious, and she crisply refused.
"Miss, please respect my human rights." Her mistress had taught her this, and she wasn't wrong, was she?
"Hmm, it's good that you've made progress and know how to protect yourself. Put the clothes on the bed. Are we leaving tonight?" Liu Liu waved her little hand, releasing Cui'er from her teasing. The little maid couldn't handle her playful antics; any more would make her cry.
"Miss, can I not paint my face like that?" Cui'er suddenly remembered something and asked seriously.
Thinking of how her mistress always painted her face to look like a monster whenever they went to the Black Street, she felt upset. She wished she could dress up and look presentable, be a woman, and not look like a ghoul.
"What do you think?" Liu Liu stared at Cui'er with a half-smile. The little maid immediately raised her hands in surrender and obediently went to do her task. If she spoke any more, her mistress would likely punish her again.