Chapter 3, The Heart Knot, Tying the Heart Together

Upon entering the empty hall, Xu Da calmly withdrew his hand. "Your Highness, please feel free to give your orders"

Xu Da couldn't help but smile wryly; indeed, look at her being so foolish, thinking that no young men would come to the door tonight, yet more than ten have arrived.

"Alright... I will give the order right away, haha."

Do you... know the purpose of my and his protection over you

Only after those two young attendants had gone elsewhere did she emerge from the shadows, her head bowed in contemplation. Must she truly choose one at random?

He glanced at her and suddenly chuckled: "Xu Da, you have seen it, haven't you?"

"...The weather is fine, no rain, and yet you have come?" He savored the words, suddenly clapping his hands and laughing heartily: "Good! Truly good! The weather is fine, no rain, and yet you have come! Indeed, it is the smooth and steady Xu Da throughout his life!" He laughed with bright eyes, casually pushing away the approaching sister Jiao Jiao. He said: "We won't play today, go find me another empty hall. Xu Da, are we leaving soon?"

Illness upon illness? Xu Da suddenly realized, his face revealing deep sympathy. It turns out that the brothel also has its inner sanctum, and this man on the sickbed had suffered a painful experience, which is why he fears being poisoned even when he is merely ill.

"Why did you choose to come tonight?" He did not answer but instead asked back.

"Then come over here." Seeing that she did not move, he laughed heartily and took the initiative to pull her closer.

Not long ago, the thief from the Wei Dynasty's hostage office was also orchestrated by this king, with the original intention of seeing if it could eliminate Li Rongzhi.

Xu Da is always a bit sensitive. When Xu Da is incompetent and faces ridicule, the two princes always protect me." She stood up and performed a bow. "During the wrestling match, the second prince made things difficult for Xu Da, but fortunately, the prince and the King of Wei were present, which saved me. I have always kept this in mind, but... aside from protecting me, the King of Wei has never cooperated with others to mock Xu Da.

That voice was hoarse, as if it had caught a chill. If it were a guest here for leisure, how could there be no one to attend to him? It must be that the young attendant who caught a chill is resting, which is why he has not appeared in the hall tonight. She felt even more apologetic and said softly:

That head seemed to hesitate for a moment before the scorching warmth of the hand finally withdrew from hers. She reached for the table, poured a glass of water, and took a small sip. It was water, not tea, and it was pleasantly warm.

"Indeed." When it comes to gossip about others, he has always taken pleasure in it. His beautiful eyes blinked as he smiled, saying: "The ancestral system is there; whether to uphold it is up to each person. However, there is one thing: in the Great Wei, there is one emperor and one empress, a dual kingship system. Before the grand marriage of the princes, all must maintain their integrity, and the illegitimate sons must not precede the legitimate eldest son. This rule is tacitly observed by all. Before the crown prince ascends the throne, each prince has a special minor official recording their intimate affairs, to prevent the crown prince from dying young and another heir being established, etc. Unfortunately, the crown prince of the Great Wei is quite robust, until this incident of moral failure, which has allowed Li Rongzhi to benefit..."

Xu Da smiled faintly, "The days of being deceived are somewhat easier to bear." Should she cry every day, lamenting that these people are all taking advantage of her? Because she is Xu Da, she is easily exploited. From childhood to adulthood, she has merely been a pawn that others wish to use. Some think she is easy to deceive, using her to enter the Xu residence; others wish to leverage her to connect with the royal family, and such incidents are endless. This is the difference between her and Xu Zhi and Xu Hui; they are only in a position to be used by others, unlike her...

Although she has yet to find love, she is genuinely seeking companionship. Her requirements are not high; even if the person has some disabilities, it does not matter, as long as they show some care for her and are willing to offer her a bit of warmth, that would be sufficient

He hesitated for a moment and asked, "Like the moon?"

"...Second Young Lady?"

The Zui Xin Lou is the foremost establishment for revelry and entertainment in the capital of the Western Xuan Dynasty.

Wen Yu felt a moment of surprise, understanding the implication of her words. In that instant, he displayed a myriad of regrets and sighed softly, "Clearly, she is a great beauty..."

Xu Da let out another sound, hesitating for a moment. The hot palm of the man was in her hand, and for a moment she hesitated, bewitched, not letting go. If it were usual, he would have avoided her like a venomous snake, and he would have emphasized how much he liked men long ago. Now he clarifies... does it carry a different meaning

Xu Da, upon hearing this, smiled with satisfaction. After a moment of thought, she turned to the men in the corridor and smiled politely. Initially, she felt somewhat nervous, but now, with no expectations, she found herself feeling more at ease.

Is it a love song

Wen Yu Yi, despite his attempts to retain her, ultimately did not succeed, seemingly speaking to himself as he said:

Thinking of this, she let her fingers drop from the hidden pocket at her waist and smiled at the madam

There is someone on the bed! She was surprised, yet she rolled over that person and turned to the inner side. She covered that person's warm and cool lips and whispered, "Don't move, don't make a sound, let me hide for a while, I mean no harm."

During her illness, she completely empathized with the loneliness, and even experienced a somewhat amusing panic, fearing that if she were to die from her illness, no one would care. Therefore, from that time on, she always took great care of herself, not wanting to feel that way again.

Wen Yu Yi stayed in a daze

"Young master, how about this? You let me stay for one night, and I will take care of you for the entire night, how does that sound?"

"You go and tell Qingfeng that I will not be going to her room tonight." He pointed at Xu Da and laughed again, "It is not that I am keeping Xu Da here, but rather that she has come to find a young man for herself, probably staying until morning. Even if the old lady immediately finds her a young man, tonight would still be her wedding night."

"Only the Xu family women would enter the brothel. The Second Prince and the Crown Prince have a fondness for young ladies, so how could they allow her to enter the brothel? The Third Young Lady is wholeheartedly devoted to martial pursuits and would likely choose a male companion only after the age of twenty. After removing these two, only the Second Young Lady remains." He covered his mouth and coughed a few times

The tiger was also summoned by me

She was startled to recognize that this person was one of the young attendants, and as she focused her gaze, she noticed a faint halo outside the bed curtains as the door was opened

Xu Da paused for a moment, let out a sound of acknowledgment, and replied: "If the young master has no interest in women, then it is not surprising that he has not shared a bed with one before"

"You say she is hiding? What is there to hide from? Clearly, she can choose freely now; there may not be such an opportunity in the future. Look, this latest version is also not available to anyone..."

...yes

She heard him cough a few times, regained her focus, and whispered, "Let me pour you another glass of water."

"This is very good, leaving this place early. If one day you cannot endure in the capital, you can also look for me, Xu Da..." She momentarily did not know what topic to bring up, so she could only ask in return: "What kind of girl does the young master like in his heart?"

Xu Da's face was flushed, and she mumbled, "I do not require... right, the age should not be too young." She certainly did not intend to bring home a younger brother to raise. For a moment, she felt as if all the men standing in the brothel were gazing at her intently.

"My surname is Xu, um... could you lend me a place to hide tonight?"

Wen Yu Yi, who was originally blindfolded, suddenly pulled down the blindfold and looked over here. His expression changed for a moment, and he exclaimed, "Xu Da? What are you doing here?"

The prince has drunk too much, and when intoxicated, it is easy to speak nonsense. Xu Da has also had too much to drink, so it is natural to mishear the prince's secrets. After saying this, she quickly drank a few more cups, taking advantage of the chaos to get herself drunk.

He is the first prince in a hundred years who can return in his youth. He has put in a lot of effort for this throne. Wen Yuyi sneered with a smile, and seeing Xu Da's slight curiosity, he leaned forward like a child and said with a mysterious smile: "Xu Da, have you heard that the founding system of the Great Wei was originally one king and one queen, also known as the dual kingship system?"

"Then you must be tired as well, why not close your eyes and sleep?" Just as she said this, she suddenly heard the sound of the door being pushed open. She was taken aback, and then heard someone say, "There is no one here..."

It is said that Miss Xu San is not fond of male company; she will play an important role in the court of the Western Xuan Dynasty. It would be quite advantageous to get to know Miss San through the second young lady.

"Your Highness need not worry, it is not the ladies who have sent Xu Da to seek you."

He took a concubine, but did not have a wedding procession; instead, he mostly announced it to acquaintances through a celebratory banquet, even inviting the Fengyu Army, which was in charge of the proton affairs. At the banquet, the new concubine did not make an appearance, and several times she thought the guests were simply there to enjoy the food and drinks.

It sounds like the men and women of the Great Wei are quite admirable

Before the age of five, everyone treated Xu Da well, and everyone wore a smile, never once uttering a word of sarcasm towards me. Every time I saw the Prince of Wei, it always reminded me of those beautiful times before I turned five

The matron was momentarily taken aback. Throughout history, it was natural for the young women of the Xu family to seek out courtesans, but in her generation, such an occurrence was truly unprecedented. Not long ago, she had speculated with a few of her favored companions that the chances of the second young lady of the Xu family forming a marriage alliance in this generation were slim, and it was quite possible that she would seek a courtesan to accompany her for life. Little did she expect that today, she would actually come.

The courtesan was hurriedly pulled out by the young attendant when Xu Da stepped onto the tenth step. She stared blankly at Xu Da and murmured, "At last... has this day come? Second Miss... are you here..."

He glanced at her. "Unfortunately, this king cannot and does not wish to take you into the chamber, otherwise..."

She sighed, hesitated for a while, and said softly, "Alright, I won't insist. Please let go of my hand first, and I will pour a glass of water for you. Drinking more water while ill is always beneficial for the body"

"Not yet? Why hasn't the nurse here found a doctor for you?" After saying this, she felt it was inappropriate and turned to get out of bed. She suspected that this young attendant was likely not a prominent person, which was why the nurse had neglected him. "Alas, I will go find someone to invite a doctor here."

She blinked. "So you also study such matters... What is your name?"

"No need." He grasped her hand. "No need for Miss Er, I am not thirsty."

"May I ask..." the brothel madam cleared her throat and inquired politely, "How many does the second young lady require?"

Help!

Now, just imagining it, he finds that small figure truly beautiful

She nodded with a smile. "I have heard of it, but it was only the case in the early days of the Great Wei. Later emperors did take concubines, though not as many as in the other three kingdoms with their three palaces and six courtyards. I remember that in this generation of the Great Wei emperor, there is one empress and twelve concubines, which is quite a number for the Great Wei."

For today, she specially changed into a new long gown with a flared hem, the color and embroidery more elaborate than usual, and her waist-length black hair was styled to resemble black satin, making her look exceedingly beautiful—this was her hope, that the other party would first notice her modest beauty before confronting the harsh reality that her name is Xu Da.

Li Rongzhi is likely to return in a month or two

Upon hearing this, Xu Da immediately thought of the attendant named Lin Xiu who was beside Li Rongzhi

She sighed softly and said in a low voice

So it turns out he has no feelings for her; she was the one overthinking it

Thank you for your praise, Your Highness

The tone was genuinely filled with regret, and Xu Da sensed something unusual, yet he could not discern the underlying meaning of his words at that moment. Tonight's warmth was different from usual; typically, he would joke around and speak trivialities, appearing both sincere and insincere. However, tonight, he seemed to be hinting at something with both intention and unintentionality.

"What is she? Not even worthy to be my royal concubine!" Wen Yu-yi coldly mocked. He had always treated women with courtesy and refrained from speaking ill of them, but this time he did not hold back his disdain. Xu Da observed with a detached demeanor, as if he had entered the realm of an old monk.

What are the conditions

He was momentarily taken aback, and then recalled the distinctive demeanor of the women from the Xu family of the Western Xuan. He let out an "oh" and, for a moment, was still unable to regain his composure. He then asked, "You came tonight because you have nothing else to do?"

"Young master, do not be alarmed, I am merely concerned that someone might enter suddenly. Furthermore, you are burning with fever, it is better to lower the bed curtains. I will not act inappropriately towards you." Upon finishing her words, she chuckled softly. She made herself sound like a lewd flower thief.

She widened her eyes, hearing the wooden door being pushed open. Instinctively, she rushed into the inner chamber, lifted the bed curtain, rolled onto the bed, and collided with a body.

She touched his hand again and smiled, saying, "Young master, please rest assured, I truly will not harm you... I came to the brothel merely to experience the emotions that one should encounter in a lifetime, not with any malicious intent. You may lie down; I will never deceive you." Though her heart felt a bit sour, she still smiled as she placed his hand into the thick, warm quilt.

Entering through the main gate between the buildings, one must ascend twenty-four steps. To the right is the entrance for the young ladies, and to the left is the entrance for the young men. On the second floor, young men and ladies can often be seen moving about near the railing. The lights are dazzling, and the fragrance is overwhelming, exceedingly pleasant, so much so that it fills one with a sense of joy. Xu Da wondered whether this fragrance was for sale, while at the same time, he steeled himself to ascend the twenty-four steps under the watchful eyes of the crowd, doing so quietly and without drawing attention.

"This evening, Xu Da has nothing to do. Your Highness, what is the matter?"

Ah, did we perhaps indulge a bit too much today? In the past, Lord Beitong would not have gone this far

"The sun can burn people, have you ever heard that the moon can shine on the dead?" She chuckled. "It's just a metaphor, don't take it seriously. Speaking of which, are you planning to return to your country to choose a woman from the Great Wei in the future?"

"The second young lady has come to find the young man," the madam said warmly

Xu Da laughed and said, "Your Highness, do not harm me. If Miss Qingfeng hears this, I will be in trouble. If one day Miss Qingfeng becomes the Lady of the Nineteenth, then Xu Da will certainly bring gifts to the manor."

I am a foreigner who has lived in Xixuan for a long time

Xu Da smiled apologetically: "Both the prince and the Grand Prince of Wei are very good members of the royal family in my heart. However, Xu Da is always a bit more curious about the abundant marine products of Wei."

"Miss Er, please do not misunderstand... it is just that I... have never shared a bed with a young lady before." The tone of that voice was somewhat awkward

What are you doing

Wen Yu Yi was toying with the wine glass, laughing as he spoke

She let out a quiet sigh of relief, sat back down at the edge of the bed, and reached for his hand, guiding him to drink the water.

She sighed softly; the young men were eloquent and charming, but she was no fool, how could she not see through it?

That would not be good. It is not easy to have the opportunity to leave this place, and I am unwilling to let others get ahead of me.

... ... Hmm. He replied ambiguously

People from different countries should maintain a certain distance in their interactions; it is best to keep things to a minimum. Wen Yuyi's identity is too special, and discussing too many personal matters is considered taboo.

The prince is quite talkative tonight

Born here, raised here, and dying here is precisely her wish. Master Yuan Tu was not wrong; she is indeed like this, completely devoid of any fervent aspirations to forge her own future.

Should we discuss it here? After all, this is Xu Da's first time. She held back her tears inside, while pretending to be generous on the surface, and smiled, saying: "For a lifetime"

Ahem. Xu Da lightly coughed while covering his mouth. The posture of embracing was indeed rather unrefined

Could it be that someone else has brought them into the room?

She hurriedly clarified: "I will not let the old lady misunderstand. As soon as dawn breaks, I will quietly leave, without letting anyone know that you accompanied me for the night... By then, if you have not improved, you can tell me your symptoms, and I will personally go to the pharmacy to ask the doctor to prepare the medicine, and then send it to you... Although we are strangers to each other, and Xu Da is not exactly a remarkable person, the foundation of the Xu family is there, and no matter how bad it gets, I will not harm you, you can trust me.

She lay down quickly and said in a voice only he could hear: "Sorry, I need to hide for a moment." She lifted the blanket and buried her head under it.

Will it not be in this room

My conditions are quite simple. The age should not be too young, appearance is not a concern, and family background is also not a requirement, as long as he understands that the person he is with is from the Xu family, Xu Da. After a pause, she smiled again: Of course, it is not necessary for him to stay for a lifetime; about five or six years would suffice. During these five or six years, he should be devoted to me. After that, if I unfortunately pass away, he need not wait for the soil on my grave to dry before seeking his own spring. While I am alive, I will also be devoted to him. Ahem, I usually have a fondness for seafood, which he cannot control, but he can be strict with me regarding other matters. To be honest, I have even prepared a love song.

Just now, when I heard those young men introduce themselves, they always liked to compare one another. Although this is a characteristic of the speech of Westerners, it is precisely because she is often compared to others that she naturally becomes more sensitive.

The young maid bowed respectfully and said: "Miss Qingfeng mentioned that if the prince has arrived, he should at least be willing to meet her. If this continues, she will find it impossible to live with herself. I kindly ask the prince to spare some time to visit her."

So it is, it turns out that foreign gentlemen can also be as refined and courteous as the young master... After a moment, she recalled that Li Rongzhi was also like him. "Is the young master from the Great Wei?"

Considering this, she felt somewhat disheartened

... ... hiding? What is the second young lady hiding from?

not yet

Xu Da laughed and said: "What is the prince up to today? He is revealing things that should not be spoken of. Some matters, when kept hidden and not brought to light, can create a more beautiful illusion for people"

Xu Da waited and waited, confirming that the two of them would not come in again, before finally letting out a sigh of relief. She quickly released her grip and sat up.

"How could it be unclear? If not, let the matron summon all those young men to the hall, and I will help you choose. My eye for selection may very well be better than yours." He said this with great enthusiasm

The young maid lowered her head and exited.

He lazily glanced at her, let out a sneer, and sighed deeply

Hmm? Which young man?

I never thought about ... ...

In the Western Xuan tradition, courtship is predominantly sung by men, expressing their lifelong love and protection for the beloved. Women, on the other hand, have higher expectations and thus take the lead in singing. They wish to cherish and love this person exclusively while alive, seeking only genuine and sincere affection in return.

"Your Highness, this wine is quite good! It doesn't seem to be from Xixuan, is it from Beitang?"

Wen Yu heard the word "morning" and his expression was quite a mix of amusement and irony. He took her to a small empty hall and said: "Go and bring a pot of wine and a few small dishes, I do not require any service, all of you may leave."

She heard someone moving outside the door, and her heart trembled. She lowered the bed curtain and stepped over to sit on the inner side of the bed

This man is quite remarkable, as he actually advised her to leave the capital for a new life. She smiled and said, "Fish cannot live without water; I am reluctant to leave this place. Moreover, what might happen on the journey back and forth? Whether I can return is also a question..."

Why does the second young lady have to belittle herself?

She chuckled slightly upon hearing this. "One is enough."

In fact, the two proton princes openly and subtly sought to please her, occasionally making small use of her, which she did not mind. Being a proton in the outside world was always a bit more arduous, even... Even on the day they encountered the tiger, she knew in her heart that Li Rongzhi had already protected himself very well. Even if she and her superior were unwilling to confront the tiger, he would still devise a plan to leverage her sense of responsibility towards the capital.

It sounds very enticing. The delicate and charming demeanor of a young woman perfectly aligns with a man's preferences. On several occasions, Wen Yu Yi expressed admiration for the women of the Great Wei, whose radiant faces captivated him. He also lamented that the women of the Western Xuan were somewhat taller, looking down upon their height.

This person speaks in a refined and courteous manner, quite different from other Westerners, lacking sharp edges, which makes her feel very good

It is lamentable that Li Rongzhi was merely a youth when he came to the Western Xuan, still not yet betrothed; it is lamentable that the Great Wei now leaves behind only a hollow shell of ancestral teachings. Maintaining one's integrity is a sign of respect for the other Empress, yet who truly regards the Empress of Great Wei as a sovereign nowadays? It is lamentable that Li Rongzhi is inherently a foolish adherent of ancestral teachings; it is lamentable that a man, in a foreign land and in need of desire, must tread carefully to avoid the emergence of an illegitimate child, ultimately resorting to the company of male courtesans... He cast a glance, noticing Xu Da spitting out a mouthful of wine.

"She is a spy from Beitang, Xu Da, even I am under her surveillance." He noticed her hand tremble, spilling the wine. In a cheerful mood, he asked, "Are you planning to escalate this matter now?"

Some do not have a preference for men, but sell themselves out of poverty, hoping to escape this place through her; others wish to use her as a means to enter the royal family or the Xu family, or even to use her as a stepping stone to entice Xu Zhi or Xu Hui

Xu Da, you are somewhat annoying. In your heart, you place too much importance on the Western Xuan, and you do not regard people from other countries as confidants. How can you then blame others for not treating you sincerely?

Who ... ...

She took a deep breath and smiled, saying: "Where is the young master? If the young master does not favor male beauty, then staying in a place like this to 'work' is a waste of your talents. Have you saved enough money?"

At this moment, he embraced a beautiful young lady and said with an ambiguous smile: "Finally caught you. Tell me, just now you said that if I could catch you, what would you grant me?"

As soon as the two young attendants stepped onto the stairs, she looked around repeatedly. There was only one door here, and the darkness beneath the door showed no sign of light. With a determined heart, she pushed the door open and immediately closed it behind her.

The door was immediately closed

If one must have a life that is looked down upon, then at least grant her a carefree personality, not holding anyone in her heart

She was terrified. Are these people looking for her with the lights? Isn't that a bit too eager? She is just Xu Da, and this platform of hers is completely inadequate for them to jump. The bed curtains are made of silk gauze; once the candlelight shines, her figure will surely be revealed. Even if she cannot find a partner, she does not want to be treated as a stepping stone.

He pursed his lips and waved his hand. "This king understands, I will go over later."

I would like to ask, will the young lady and the third young lady also come to our building in the future to choose a good man to take home

Since the second young lady has come to the brothel, she must be here to choose someone. How can she avoid them like venomous snakes and scorpions

She felt him slowly lie down, and while covering him with the blanket, just as she was about to withdraw her hand, she suddenly heard him softly say

It turns out that even the small dishes at Lianzuixin Tower are so delicious, I wonder where the chef came from

Hmm. Xu Da responded vaguely, his face flushed, and he instinctively touched the knot of the heart-shaped pouch at his waist.

Xu Da furrowed his brows and turned to the madam, saying: "The prince has instructed me on a matter, I will return shortly. You take care of the idle rooms, and I will wait until morning"

"How did they grow up?" He finally smiled. "I was only a few years old when I left home, and before I even had the chance to experience the stirrings of youth, I came to Xixuan. How could I remember how they grew up? I only recall that the palace maids who served me since childhood were delicate in appearance, not very tall, and had a pleasant fragrance.

She heard the two young men talking again at the bottom of the stairs: "Will we miss something?" Their tone suggested they intended to go upstairs once more. Her heart raced, and she truly did not wish to see their faces again or listen to their insincere words

Never has there been a moment when Xu Da was so disheveled, no, it should be said, never has there been a moment when she was so well-liked

She was taken aback. "Do you know who I am?"

Xu Da was momentarily taken aback, the warmth on her face instantly fading, her throat feeling slightly dry, and a twinge of pain in her heart. She smiled and said, "I really don't know about that; they haven't mentioned it before." Although she had grown accustomed to being overshadowed by her two sisters in everything, she did not expect that even finding a companion would require settling for what they left behind.

"Miss Second, please."

He is low-key and does not live life as freely as I do, naturally he has not come here many times. However, as long as there are people with a discerning eye, they will see his actions. Xu Da, you are excluded from the core of power, but how could someone born into the Xu family, a political family, not understand the current situation? You are just being cautious to protect yourself. Do you know what I admire most about you?

Miss Xu Er said she was just getting some fresh air, but how could the person disappear in the blink of an eye? Two young attendants went upstairs together to look for the person, glancing around in all directions

How did the women of the Great Wei come to be?

Xu Da was somewhat taken aback, watching those disheveled young ladies giggling and scattering in all directions, and then glancing at the elegantly blindfolded Wen Yu Yi who was playing a game of tag. She had already been in his residence with eighteen wives; if this continued, the nineteenth and twentieth would surely emerge together.

There was no sound from that end again

......no

He still did not let go. "...I cannot seek a doctor... I have merely caught a slight chill from being overworked these past few days... If others were to find out, it would likely... exacerbate my condition. I kindly ask the second young lady not to call for a doctor."

You...

I never thought about it. Are you from the Western Xuan? Your accent is that of a Western Xuan person, but it seems a bit different...

She understands by putting herself in others' shoes. She said softly

He is still ill, and aren't all patients lonely? She remembers that when she was sick before, she didn't hesitate to call for a doctor like he does. Who in the Xu family would dare to neglect their children? However, at that time she was young, lying in bed feeling unbearably lonely, watching the door every day, always hoping her father would come and take a look at her.

"Your Highness, perhaps it is better to drink. Tonight, I am hard of hearing and have not heard anything."

Is it a regular replacement or a lifetime purchase?

"I am truly sorry, I did not mean to disturb you..." Who is this? A young male escort? Or a gentleman here for some fun?

Wen Yu smiled gently and said, "Come, sit down... Which young man in this intoxicated heart pavilion catches your eye? I can help you inquire about him and see what his character and abilities are like"

The matron called out twice, and it was only then that Xu Da came to his senses. He was about to follow her to the empty room, but the sound of laughter from the corridor on the right caught his attention, and he turned his gaze, momentarily stunned

Although Xu Da felt that his behavior was unusual, it was not possible for her to openly point at him and say, "You manage me." Therefore, she smiled and said, "The sky is clear, with no rain, so I have come."

She slowly released her hand, wearing a smile. After a while, she remembered that it was dark inside, and even if she didn't smile, no one would see her, yet she still habitually maintained her smile

What

Wen Yu smiled gently

Fortunately, the candlelight in the brothel was dim; otherwise, at this moment, she would have already fallen into the clutches of a pack of wolves. She gave a faint bitter smile, and upon hearing footsteps ascending the stairs, she held her breath

"Sigh, if I am to choose, I must choose someone who is pleasing to my eyes and who finds me pleasing as well." She smiled faintly, knowing that there would be no one pleasing to her eyes tonight, and perhaps there would never be anyone in the future.

He grasped her hand from behind. "Second Miss, are you not hiding from someone?"

Xu Da did not notice those gazes; at this moment, she was staring at the young man who was intentionally or unintentionally standing in the shadows. That person was from the Niao family

After all is said and done, the leader treats her well without any selfish motives. Reflecting on this, she feels uplifted, realizing that in this world, there is at least one person who sincerely cares for her both openly and secretly. Therefore, she is not overly concerned about the utilitarian mindset of Li Rongzhi and the others.

She may not be very smart, but having encountered similar situations for many years, it would be rather foolish to say that she cannot see through them

He was first taken aback, opened his mouth to speak, but then realized that she had avoided him too actively and had taken most of his warm blanket. After thinking for a moment, he held her hand and comforted her with some force. He had never seen anyone as weak as her before, and finding a companion like her was a rare occurrence in his life. He heard someone at the door say coldly:

She pondered for a moment, but couldn't grasp the key points in his words. She had no choice but to pour him a drink and change the subject, laughing.

Xu Da's subordinate laughed heartily and said to him, "This is not good. I couldn't even hear what the prince was saying. I'd better go back to my room and wait for the maid."

Xu Dashuang let out a sound, pulled at his face, and smiled, saying: "In matters between men and women, it is always best when both parties are willing. As for me, I am not very picky about people, but I also do not know if others are selective, so I might as well let them choose first"

This room seems to be... hurry and get out, she cannot be hiding here!

Perhaps.

It wouldn't hurt for Miss Er to go abroad and experience something different," he hinted.

The men were all taken aback; some stared at her in a daze, while others calculated in their minds. Some instinctively smiled back but quickly turned away, fearing she might think he was interested in her

In the darkness, the man lying down clearly startled. She waited for a moment, thinking he had already fallen asleep, and then he slowly said

Fortunately, her skin tone is slightly darker; otherwise, she would be embarrassed now

Traveling thousands of miles, the men of Great Wei are indeed as moist and lustrous as jade. Your prince of the Great Wei royal family is also a bright and warm man like the moon.

I am most convinced by Yuan Tu's words that you are incompetent in Xixuan and cannot maintain peace. Instead of following his advice, you chose to study literature and martial arts to enhance your own abilities. When I heard that you challenged the Fire Phoenix List and intended to run for the position of the Underworld General, I was initially filled with regret. If you really become the Underworld General, wouldn't your life be limited? However, now I feel that it is best for you to take this path, rather than being completely used by others until death.

Wen Yu gently brushed through her long hair, sitting happily at the table. "I was originally reminiscing about an old friend tonight, but since you're here, I won't dwell on it anymore."

He still had a somewhat strange expression on his face. He looked at her, then at the madam, and finally settled on the young servant standing nearby. He slowly released his embrace and asked:

Xu Da did not respond and sat down as instructed.

"......Me?" The voice sounded a bit surprised. "Could it be that you still......"

No. She took a sip of the wine and found it quite delicious.

I do not like men

Wen Yu Yi chatted with her for most of the night, reluctant to go to Qingfeng's place. She intended to rest in her room and leave at dawn, but to her surprise, when she pushed the door, the room was already filled with young men waiting for her.

He scoffed and said, "Is it possible that this king cannot elicit even a single sincere word from you?"

The madam murmured, "This request is not high... It's simply not picky at all." She glanced at the young servants on the corridor who were giving her meaningful looks, cleared her throat, and turned back with a smile, asking, "Miss Er, may I ask... Are you the only one coming today?"

These two young men previously referred to her as "Miss Second", but seeing her today, they realized that the rumors in the capital were far too exaggerated, with descriptions such as "a beauty that surpasses even the most famous beauties". Their previous words were a far cry from their sincere thoughts just now.

His words were inconsistent, and she chose not to comment

I'm not in a hurry. Nanny, find me a vacant room, I can stay until dawn, let the interested parties think it over. Don't deceive people, just say it clearly, it's requested by Xu Da from the capital. If the new young servant doesn't know who Xu Da is, you should explain it to him in detail and clearly, without adding any good words. After all, for a long-term relationship, it's better to come willingly.

No one is really here...

"I mourn for my late friend, precisely because I think of her tonight falling into another's trap, from henceforth ensnared in the whirlpool of the court, never to be the simple friend she once was. Xu Da, in fact, you are quite well as you are now, aren't you?"

That is truly unfortunate, she thought. With a smile, she said: "This is something to congratulate Prince Wei of the Great Wei."

For over one hundred years, the four nations have exchanged hostages as a symbol of their commitment to non-aggression. Most of those who serve as hostages are largely disconnected from the throne. However, it is uncertain whether it is due to the great ambition of Li Rongzhi of the Great Wei or the exceptional talents of his retainers. A few months ago, the Crown Prince of the Great Wei fell from grace, and in a fit of anger, the Emperor deposed him. It was initially thought to be a temporary measure, but unexpectedly, Li Rongzhi was suddenly appointed as the new Crown Prince in the Western Xuan. He looked at her as she sat back down in her chair and chuckled softly, "Xu Da, what is it about me that falls short of Li Rongzhi? Why do I always feel that you have a favorable impression of him?"

If you keep drinking like that, you will truly get drunk

Even a little indifference from Xu would suffice, without needing to care about the opinions of outsiders; as long as one lives well, that is enough

If they do not get married and are here to choose companions, she thinks that today she won't even be able to find a partner. She lowered her head and pondered for a moment; a male courtesan was not her final choice. Recently, there has been a batch of beggars in the capital who are to be sold into slavery. If they do not mind, she could buy one to take home. However, that would not reflect well on her father's reputation, and she would need to ask Xu Zhi to intercede in the palace to have their status as slaves revoked. Otherwise, if she were to unfortunately pass away in the future, he would have to continue living as a beggar.

She heard Wen Yu's words:

Should she let go? He hasn't broken free either... Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she heard him say:

"Indeed." She smiled happily, recalling the enjoyable practice she had been engaged in lately, as she truly believed she could find a suitable partner of her dreams

She hurriedly wiped her mouth and mumbled, "I haven't heard of this before..."

The door was gently pushed open

Xu Da, upon hearing this, glanced at Wen Yu Yi and then looked at the young maid.

"Second Miss, what are the criteria you have chosen? On another day, if I hear of a suitable candidate, I will certainly connect you, in gratitude for your care today"

"Hiding from people is not as important as treating illness?" she said with a bitter smile

Xu Da smiled awkwardly and said, "Don't worry, I am not going to choose you. If you are unwilling, I will not act recklessly." She was sitting on the bed and accidentally brushed against his fingers under the blanket, causing her to pause and instinctively grasp his warm palm. "Have you seen a doctor?"

He did not respond directly, so she took it as a silent agreement. She picked up the half-empty cup and placed it back on the table, then returned to the bedside, reaching out to touch his forehead. Noticing that he wanted to avoid her touch, she immediately withdrew her hand

The dishes have arrived, and Wen Yu is in a very good mood. He smiled at the girl who brought the food and said

...is still unclear

Wen Yu Yi laughed heartily

She lowered her eyes. If life could start over again, she would definitely pray to the heavens before being reborn to grant her the most carefree life.

Originally, you would rather be deceived than leave everything.

So you have come to...

Regarding height, she certainly cannot compare to Wen Yuyi, but he advocates that a woman's head should ideally reach his chest, so that when embraced, her chin does not press uncomfortably.

At least before the age of five, her father would visit her a few times whenever she was unwell, but after turning five, when she fell ill, she was all alone