Chapter 3, Makeup and Visiting the Brothel

Miss... I think it would be better if you didn't go. This year is different from previous years. I heard that in order to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday, all the princes, lords, and young gentlemen from outside the capital have returned early. What if... what if someone sees you, it would not be good..." Cui Zhu walked alongside Qin Mingyue, standing by her side as she applied her makeup in front of the mirror, offering her words of comfort.

The little cat shivered and jumped down from Qin Mingyue's body, wagging its tail and looking at her with a pitiful expression, its gaze resembling that of a reluctant young wife parting from her husband

Although I have never seen them, I do admire them greatly. The imperial capital is like a vast dye vat, and clever individuals will find ways to avoid it. The Seventh Prince, Chu Lige, and the Young Prince, Chu Qingli, are indeed the wisest among the wise. Qin Mingyue gazed at the flute and the bamboo pipe placed at the very back of the drawer, her expression taking on an ethereal quality, lost in thought. The flute is made of white jade, and the bamboo pipe is also white jade, both smooth to the touch and warming upon contact. Qin Mingyue quietly observed them, slowly closing the drawer, and continued to apply makeup to her face. Her expression remained ethereal, as if deep in thought. The flute is made of white jade, and the bamboo pipe is also white jade, both smooth to the touch and warming upon contact. Qin Mingyue quietly observed them, slowly closing the drawer, and continued to apply makeup to her face.

"Miss! How come you've changed your face again?" Cui Zhu was no longer surprised by Qin Mingyue's frequent face changes. Aside from using one face within the residence, even that face had been altered through disguise. As for going out, it was needless to mention the numerous faces she could change into.

"You should stay at home honestly. If you want to go with me, I will send you to Aunt Xiang at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion. You know she is very fond of you," Qin Mingyue said, looking at the little cat that had climbed onto her shoulder, with a smile that was not quite a smile.

Miss Xiao! You are to face the examination from the Lord tomorrow! Then... it would be better not to go to the Zui Xiang Lou..." Cui Zhu looked at Qin Mingyue's excited expression, her face turning pale. Zui Xiang Lou! That is a brothel.

Miss..." Cui Zhu looked at the figure with a sense of helplessness and urgency as she called out, yet she still did not dare to follow.

"After all, kneeling in the ancestral hall is not something new; don't worry! I have experience." Qin Mingyue patted Cuizhu's shoulder, walked around her to the side to retrieve her treasures, and a pile of assorted items was turned out as Qin Mingyue began to apply her makeup in front of the mirror

Hmph! What good fortune? How can a man who has been constantly battling outside be a suitable husband? Such a man does not understand a woman's heart at all, and he even has two concubines. It is clear that he is not a virtuous man, so it is better to avoid him. Qin Mingyue curled her lips, shook her head, and then slowly said: "I actually think that the Seventh Prince and the Young Prince of Li are quite good."

The young lady's words are beyond my understanding. The imperial capital is so wonderful; do the young masters not wish to stay here? I have heard that it is because the Seventh Prince is not favored by the Emperor that he has been exiled to various countries as an envoy, and he has been away for five or six years. As for the young prince, it is because he was mischievous from a young age and has an active nature. Despite the diligent teachings of the prince, he has repeatedly failed to correct his behavior, which is why he was sent away, and he has also been gone for several years. I wonder how much he has suffered out there!" Cui Zhu looked at her young lady, puzzled as to what she found so clever about such people. In her view, it is the Wen Wang, the Crown Prince, the Fourth Prince, the Sixth Prince, and those young masters from noble families who are truly clever.

You and Xiao Hei stay at home and watch the house properly for me; if a single tile is missing when I return, I will not bring you the fragrant roast chicken from Qianli. Before the sentence was finished, the person had already vanished without a trace

The Seventh Prince and the Exiled Young Prince? I have heard that they have been away for several years. The Seventh Prince frequently embarks on diplomatic missions to foreign countries, while the Exiled Young Prince has a fondness for the martial world, returning to court only once a year. They are indeed rare to encounter. Has the young lady met them?" Cui Zhu tilted her head, looking at her young lady's faint smile at the corner of her mouth, and asked in confusion.

Cui Zhu stared blankly at the empty courtyard, never understanding how her young lady had left each time. Could it be that her young lady possessed magical powers? In the blink of an eye, she was gone. In the courtyard, only one person and one cat remained, staring at each other with wide eyes; one flicked her sleeves, while the other swished its tail, and in the end, they each went about their own business.

Xiao Hei no longer eats pastries, seemingly aware that Qin Mingyue is about to go out. It jumped up high onto Qin Mingyue's body, making a couple of "mhm" sounds, its pair of dark, bright eyes looking at Qin Mingyue with anticipation, as if to say it wanted her to take it along.

How is it? Are you not impressed by my lady? Looking at the same face every day is quite tiresome; this is what brings novelty!" Qin Mingyue looked in the mirror again, made a face at the person in the mirror, and said proudly.

After all, she is a daughter from a respectable family, and moreover, she is the fourth young lady of the current Prime Minister's residence. If it were to be known that she visited a brothel, coupled with her already tarnished reputation, it would likely become even more difficult for her to find a suitable husband

Qin Mingyue looked at the kitten with satisfaction and turned around gracefully to walk outside. This phrase was the most effective in dealing with this little creature.

"I feel at ease only when you are with me." Without a second thought, Qin Mingyue changed into a simple set of men's clothing, tossed out this remark, and turned to walk outside.

Miss! Are you really going to that Fragrant Drunken Tower?" Cui Zhu looked at Qin Mingyue, knowing that her young lady had always been resolute in her decisions. It seemed that she was determined to go, so with a sense of helplessness, she said: "Then you must take me with you; I am not at ease with you going out alone.

Ah! You do not understand. A shiny exterior does not necessarily mean it is truly brilliant. Qin Mingyue shook her head helplessly; Cuizhu's mind has always been so simple, but simplicity is also a form of happiness! From now on, she Qin Mingyue will learn from Cuizhu.

After finishing the last stroke, the reflection in the mirror revealed a changed face, one that could not be distinctly identified as either male or female; it was rather androgynous yet aesthetically pleasing, the kind that would go unnoticed in a crowd. Qin Mingyue nodded in satisfaction, shoved everything into the drawer, and stood up.

It is precisely because everyone has returned to the capital that I am even more eager to see them. I heard that Wen Wang Chu Yixuan recently defeated the 150,000 troops of the second prince of Beiyan, Yan Chuyan, with an army of 50,000, achieving victory against the odds and fighting brilliantly. I heard that he has already returned to the capital two days ago. Considering he has been fighting on the front lines for many years, wouldn't he immediately get drunk in the embrace of beauty upon his return? The Zui Xiang Lou is indeed the premier brothel in the imperial capital.

Hmm! I have heard that the cultured Wang possesses extraordinary martial skills, and he is quite handsome, at the age of 25, yet he remains unmarried, with only two concubines in his household. He is a favored choice among many young ladies! Our family's second young lady has admired Wang for quite some time. Moreover, it is said that after Wang returns to court this time, he will not leave again, as the Emperor intends to arrange a marriage for him! I wonder which young lady will be so fortunate!" Cui Zhu's eyes also brightened, influenced by her family's unruly young lady, she spoke of men without blushing. I wonder which young lady will be so fortunate!" Cui Zhu's eyes also brightened, influenced by her family's unruly young lady, she spoke of men without blushing.