Murong Shengrui listened and smiled, "Is the lady the Prince mentioned just made up? Indeed, where in this world can one find a woman with such character and no fear of power? Women are inherently weak, always dependent on men for survival."
"Nonsense, Man'er is different from those women!"
"So, the Prince's beloved is named Man'er." Murong Shengrui said with a smile, "A beautiful name. The New Book of Tang says, 'Elegant and graceful, captivating the eye of an army. Just hearing the name, one knows she is a beauty who can topple kingdoms.'"
Nangong Yi pointed at Murong Shengrui and laughed, "You kid have good taste."
Murong Shengrui refilled Nangong Yi's cup again, "I wonder whose daughter it is, that has His Highness so lost in thought?"
Nangong Yi just smiled, not speaking. The person he loved had been the same from beginning to end, but they always missed each other. However, it would be soon, very soon he could tell her openly that he loved her!
"Let me tell you, Your Highness, I also have a girl I like." Murong Shengrui leaned closer to Nangong Yi, whispering mysteriously, "I ran away from my wedding this time precisely to find the girl I love."
Nangong Yi hooked his arm around Murong Shengrui's neck, "So, we are both heartbroken wanderers."
"Fate, cheers!" Murong Shengrui pulled Nangong Yi to continue drinking. The two drank until their faces were flushed, losing all sense of direction.
Wei Wuji exchanged a glance with Zhou Kang, seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.
"Let's go, it's not lively enough here. Come to my place, I have plenty of good wine hidden away!"
"Alright, let's go to your place!" The madam of the establishment saw them off, waving her handkerchief and inviting them back.
After leaving Qin Zeyan's residence, Xiao Man prepared to return to the General's Mansion. She had received news from Qin Xue that Murong Shengrui had secretly infiltrated the Imperial Capital, so Xiao Man changed her mind and decided to investigate the matter, heading to the red-light district instead.
Late at night, the red-light district was still brilliantly lit. Courtesans at the pleasure houses beckoned to passersby, rushing out to greet any man who walked past, attempting to lure them into their rooms.
As Xiao Man passed by Feihua Tower, she glanced inside and then withdrew her gaze. She and Nangong Yi used to be frequent visitors of Feihua Tower, but after she stopped indulging Nangong Yi's wild ways, she seldom visited.
"Oh, isn't this Young Master Qin?" The girls at Feihua Tower had sharp eyes. A girl in pink quickly stepped forward. The weather was cold, yet she exposed a large expanse of skin, shivering, but still maintaining a charming posture. "Young Master, it has been a while since you visited the establishment."
Xiao Man looked at the girl clinging to her arm, feeling a bit helpless. "I have something to attend to today. I'll visit again another day."
"Everyone who comes to this street has something to attend to." The pink-clad girl held onto Xiao Man. "It's so cold today, why doesn't Young Master come in for a drink to warm up? His Highness Prince Qi is also here."
Upon hearing Nangong Yi was present, Xiao Man couldn't help but frown. Since getting married, Nangong Yi had stopped visiting brothels and casinos. How could he be frequenting them again so soon? Wasn't he afraid of hurting his beloved's feelings?
"I truly have urgent matters. Goodbye."
Xiao Man tried to pull her hand away from the pink-clad girl to leave. However, the girl was persistent and immediately chased after her, grabbing Xiao Man's hem. "Young Master, the best girls are all in our Feihua Tower. Why would Young Master look elsewhere?"
"I really have something to do today." Xiao Man felt a headache coming on. Courtesans were usually discerning, but this one was being unusually pushy. "Please, girl, do not make things difficult for me."
"Young Master Qin." The pink-clad girl's eyes immediately welled up. "Shaoyao has had no customers for many days. If I don't attract a customer today, the madam will punish me."
Xiao Man sighed and took out a silver ingot for her. "I have matters to attend to today. Take this money first. When I have time, I'll come find you."
"Thank you, Young Master." Shaoyao happily accepted the silver ingot. "When Young Master has time, Shaoyao will surely entertain you well."
With the silver ingot in hand, Shaoyao thanked him with delight. Just then, Nangong Yi and Murong Shengrui emerged from Feihua Tower, arm in arm. Both had drunk a considerable amount, and their steps were unsteady as if they were drunk.
As the two came out, they happened to run into Xiao Man leaving.
"Your Highness Prince Qi, are you leaving? What a coincidence, Young Master Qin..." Shaoyao was about to tell Nangong Yi that Xiao Man was also there, but when she turned back, Xiao Man had already vanished.
Nangong Yi leaned closer to Shaoyao, sniffing her carefully. Amidst the scent of makeup, there was a familiar aroma – it was indeed Xiao Man. But why did she run away upon seeing him?
Nangong Yi lowered his gaze, hiding the hurt and grievance in his eyes. "Must you also distance yourself from me?"
"Strange, she was here just now, how did she disappear in the blink of an eye?" Shaoyao looked puzzled. She saw the man who had come out with Prince Qi looking in a certain direction, then he abandoned Nangong Yi and chased after someone.
Murong Shengrui was filled with shock. It was her, it was really her! But after chasing several streets, he couldn't find her. Although it was only a fleeting glance, Murong Shengrui was certain that person was her!
Unable to find her, Murong Shengrui returned. Nangong Yi was already gone, but Shaoyao was still at the entrance beckoning to customers. He immediately grabbed Shaoyao and asked, "Who was the man you were talking to earlier?"
Seeing Murong Shengrui's anxious expression, Shaoyao turned her face away, refusing to speak. Murong Shengrui's grip on her shoulder tightened slightly, and Shaoyao cried out in pain, "It hurts, you're hurting me!"
"Young Master, please calm down." Wei Wuji pulled Murong Shengrui away, then took out a silver ingot. "Miss, could you tell us who the person speaking with you earlier was?"
Shaoyao's eyes lit up upon seeing the silver, but she didn't reach for it. "We cannot reveal our guests' privacy."
Wei Wuji added another silver ingot, and Shaoyao immediately snatched it. "It was Young Master Qin. Young Master Qin is a frequent guest of our Feihua Tower. He used to frequent pleasure houses and casinos with His Highness Prince Qi. Since His Highness Prince Qi got married, Young Master Qin has also come less often."
"Do you know where she lives?"
"This... I don't know. However, His Highness Prince Qi must know." Shaoyao lowered her voice. "These two are inseparable. But Young Master can also visit Feihua Tower often. Young Master Qin said before he left that he would come to see me in a couple of days."
Murong Shengrui's brow furrowed like a mountain range. The courtesan at the brothel didn't know her address, which was understandable. A woman disguised as a man visiting a brothel would never reveal her residence.
"Young Master, is there something wrong with that Young Master Qin?"
"You just let my Empress leave!"
Wei Wuji was tactful, feeling somewhat confused. He didn't know what had happened. She was clearly a young master, so why was she suddenly the Empress?
"That person is a woman?"
"Have this entire street searched. She can't have gone far."
"Yes, Young Master."