As You Jun headed toward the front courtyard, people continuously reported which Kunzhou officials had already arrived.

The Crown Princess had not yet come.

Passing by You Weixuan’s courtyard, You Jun casually glanced over. This courtyard was not surrounded by layers of guards as people might imagine—in fact, hardly any guards were visible. Like all courtyards about to host a wedding in this world, it was decorated with red silk and colorful banners, with brightly dressed maidservants carrying trays, moving busily about with joyful expressions.

You Jun did not linger, walking past and turning through several corridors, passing an independent courtyard—guest quarters prepared for visiting guests.

That courtyard was now filled with the sounds of singing birds and chattering swallows, with fragrant breezes even drifting over the courtyard walls.

Someone played the flute, someone strummed the zither, someone danced, and some women rather boldly poked their heads out. Seeing You Jun, they smiled charmingly and greeted him, saying it had been a long time since they’d seen Commander You.

Although Tie Ci had already issued an order yesterday stripping the You father and son of their official positions, clearly in Kunzhou, in many people’s hearts, Commander You was still Commander You.

Especially for these brothel madams and courtesans who had always relied on You Jun and flourished like fish in water in Kunzhou’s pleasure business.

You Jun had been idle since youth, frequenting flower houses and mixing very familiarly with these brothel women. It could be said that the most famous batch of courtesans in Kunzhou had all been promoted by him.

To some extent, You Jun was the leader of Kunzhou’s pleasure quarters.

These women who mixed in the world of dust had also helped him do many things he found inconvenient to do himself.

After You Jun came to power, he did not distance himself from these female confidants, but on the contrary, took great care of them.

Over the years, these courtesans achieved both fame and fortune, but successively retired from service, no longer coming out to attract business. This actually made their reputations flourish in Kunzhou, even spreading to neighboring Qianzhou, Nanyue, Huguang and other places.

People in Kunzhou loved to say: “A thousand gold just to hear Ranyan play the flute, Yunqiao strike the chimes, or see Liu Chan’er perform one autumn swing dance.”

They spoke of the three most beautiful courtesans.

Originally they weren’t necessarily the most beautiful—after all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder—but because they no longer received clients and were rarely seen, they appeared especially precious.

This was also You Jun’s intention.

A wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine not as good as a stolen lover, and what you can steal is not as good as what you cannot steal.

The value of courtesans who no longer received clients skyrocketed—rare goods to be treasured, saved for use at times like this.

Kunzhou banquets had the custom of inviting famous courtesans for entertainment, and wedding feasts were no exception. Originally, everyone knew today’s wedding feast was more like a Hongmen Banquet—no one dared come, and those with high positions and power would not wade carelessly into muddy waters. But because of these courtesans’ rare appearances, many people accepted the invitations.

Among them were some secretive guests who found it inconvenient to reveal their identities, who also became interested and came seeking fame, just hoping to see these beauties.

The one poking her head out to greet You Jun was precisely the skilled dancer Liu Chan’er. The Yannan people were naturally good at dancing, so to gain a reputation for excellent dancing in Yannan showed extraordinary skill. Street rumors claimed Liu Chan’er’s figure was like a willow—her waist naturally had no bones, so her entire body could bend backward and fold.

Liu Chan’er was naturally charming, lively and adorable, and had known You Jun since youth, so their relationship was closer than others. Seeing her, You Jun smiled with squinted eyes, patting his belly and saying, “Thank you for your hard work today, sister. Eh, who is this behind you? Beautiful face, but unfamiliar.”

Liu Chan’er’s laughter was like silver bells. “Commander You has so many noble affairs that you forget—this is Chunwa from our establishment. Today I brought her to see the world.”

You Jun had been busy with various matters these past two years and rarely visited flower houses, but he knew these courtesans were all training successors. Women who had competed for a lifetime were still competing through their disciples. He vaguely remembered this Chunwa was a new little courtesan cultivated by Zuixue Pavilion, who also had quite a reputation for beauty.

Such occasions were rare, and today’s invitation of courtesans involved directly dispatching soldiers to collect people according to a list—not even allowing maidservants to be brought. Yet Liu Chan’er brought an extra person, naturally wanting to use this opportunity to promote Zuixue Pavilion’s new sign, while also showing off to her sisters.

You Jun glanced at that Chunwa—a gorgeous beauty, but he wasn’t particularly interested. His brow furrowed slightly, and he was about to say something when he looked up to see Liu Chan’er appearing to laugh lightly and charmingly, but her eyes harbored nervousness. He understood these women’s petty concerns and knew she feared losing face.

Thinking of the unusual relationship between himself and this woman, remembering her gentle words and warm presence during his unsuccessful years, his heart softened.

Forget it. Whether Liu Chan’er or these other courtesans, he held their vital weaknesses in his hands. Moreover, after years of close contact, they shared prosperity and loss together—there was no need to be overly guarded.

Recalling the concern that flashed in Liu Chan’er’s eyes the first moment she saw him, rare warmth welled up from his heart. He stroked Liu Chan’er’s face and said gently, “Since she’s someone you brought, she’s naturally also a guest of the mansion. Go together to wash and prepare—today you must help me entertain the distinguished guests well.”

Liu Chan’er lowered her head slightly, cloud-like hair falling beside her cheeks, making her expression unclear. After a moment, her voice became even more gentle: “Yes, master.”

She changed her form of address, becoming like a small bird depending on a person, tender as water. You Jun remembered his youthful years and liked her even more. After also greeting the other courtesans, he smiled and turned to leave.

Liu Chan’er leaned against the moon gate, watching his retreating figure for a long time. Ranyan and several others looked on with both envy and jealousy, all saying Liu Chan’er was Commander You’s first woman—look at this passionate display of lingering affection!

Liu Chan’er turned around, meeting her old rivals’ vicious glares with a triumphant smile, saying melodiously, “What are you looking at? Looking at how beautiful I am?”

“Yes, looking at how sister is beautiful but not old, old but not dead.” Yunqiao, who had fought with her for a lifetime, smiled sweetly as she pointed a finger over.

But this time Liu Chan’er didn’t quarrel with her, seeming to space out slightly, murmuring something softly that almost no one could hear clearly.

She turned around, sweeping her gaze over the guards arranging trunks in the courtyard, suddenly calling out loudly, “Where are my chimes?”

Yunqiao’s expression became even worse. It was said that Liu Chan’er had choreographed a new dance these past two years—wearing iron shoes to dance on chimes, supposedly remaining graceful as ever while producing melodious sounds, able to perform wonderful music through dance movements.

Yunqiao was famous for striking chimes, so hearing about this made her face go white with anger.

Unable to find her chimes, Liu Chan’er had already lost her temper at Chunwa: “Weren’t the chimes placed in the trunk for you to personally guard?”

“Sister has too many trunks—perhaps they missed one.” But Chunwa didn’t seem particularly frightened, reaching up to smooth the hair at her temples, smiling and saying, “Shall little sister go back and look?”

Liu Chan’er snorted, and Chunwa spoke with a guard, who naturally accompanied her as she turned back. The courtesans here watched Chunwa walk away gracefully, thinking her manner of speaking had been charming and naturally flirtatious. They had originally thought she was just another beauty—not rare among courtesans—but hadn’t expected her movement to surpass her stillness. When walking, her figure was elegant, her gait wonderful, and even rarer was her dignified bearing. This was truly an exceptional display of romantic charm.

Just based on this bearing and posture, her future achievements would likely surpass everyone.

The little courtesan Chunwa, whose achievements would surpass all courtesans, walked beside the guard toward the front courtyard. The guard was still young, walking beside such a beauty with his whole body stiff, nearly walking with both arms and legs on the same side.

But the beauty clearly had great professional ethics, reaching up again to smooth her hair at the temples, smiling charmingly as she asked him, “How should I address you, sir? Would you like to try some candied fruit from our Zuixue Pavilion? Our Commander You loves eating candied fruit most, so our establishment specifically hired the finest master of preserved candied fruits.”

The young guard’s face flushed red. Looking up at such beauty made him feel suffocated, unable to speak for a long while. Seeing the beauty in wide robes and long sleeves extend her snow-white tender hand with a paper package of candied fruit, he confusedly reached out his hand, mumbling thanks. The paper package was clenched so tightly in his palm that fruit juice was about to seep out, yet he didn’t know how to eat it.

Chunwa laughed, smoothing her hair at the temples again, simply reaching out to unwrap the paper package for him and picking up a piece of candied fruit to put in his mouth.

The young guard saw those fingernails painted bright red, fragrance thick as curtains enveloping his whole body. His face was completely red, not knowing what the candied fruit tasted like. Seeing the courtesan’s autumn eyes flowing with charm, her hand raised to smooth her hair, he thought hazily in his heart: is this the legendary myriad charms? But why does she particularly like touching her hair?

He ate the candied fruit, walked a few steps, and suddenly felt his stomach begin to hurt. He tried to endure it, but the pain was overwhelming like mountains and seas. He had to grit his teeth and say, “Miss, please wait for me a moment—I’ll go and come right back.” With that, he turned and rushed toward the latrine.

Chunwa stood in place, looking at her reflection in the pond, smoothing her hair at the temples, saying, “Indeed, this posture is quite charming.”

When she stood by the pond with her hands in her sleeves, she had a bearing that ordinary people could hardly match.

The reflection in the pond water swayed gently. A breeze passed, and the reflection shattered among the ripples. After a moment, when the wind stopped and water stilled, that reflection was no longer visible.

…

The front of the estate was very lively.

Countless carriages and horses arrived with dust clouds, stopping at the open space before the gate. Coachmen, guided by stewards, arranged the carriages and horses in order. Doormen stood at the entrance calling out names in loud voices, and within those high-pitched sounds, officials dressed in brocade were respectfully welcomed inside by deferential stewards.

Unexpectedly yet seemingly reasonable, today’s wedding feast was attended by a complete gathering of Yannan’s military and political officials.

Originally, for the female heir’s wedding, these people naturally had to come, but now everyone knew this wasn’t a proper marriage. The You father and son who had orchestrated this affair were fighting the Crown Princess to the death. Though temporarily at a disadvantage, the You clan had controlled Yannan for many years—who knew what future developments might bring?

But regardless of how those in power fought openly and secretly, they couldn’t kill all of Yannan’s officials, so out of various considerations, the officials had all come.

But having come, they were also somewhat anxious, sitting in the front hall drinking tea. The fourth-rank and above officials kept glancing outside.

Until a report came.

“The Crown Princess arrives!”

The main gate opened wide.

The carriage stopped, and the Crown Princess in purple and gold robes stepped down.

You Jun, who had been waiting by the gate, immediately came forward with You Weinan and the Chang family members who had come for the wedding, all smiles, as if the previous life-and-death struggle had never existed.

Today the Crown Princess wore a mask on her face—half gold, half silver, inlaid with gems, magnificent and brilliant, impossible to look at directly.

This further confirmed from the side the rumors of the Crown Princess being attacked and disfigured. That noble yet cold mask seemed to reflect the Crown Princess’s current mood, and no one dared raise their heads.

Only You Weinan snapped open his fan with a “whoosh,” standing on tiptoe to look left and right, apparently trying to glimpse the Crown Princess’s current appearance through the gaps at the mask’s edges, while making tsk-tsk sounds of regret.

You Jun turned halfway, casting him a cold glance.

Somehow, though You Jun was normally warm in attitude toward everyone, only toward this son did he always show some coldness when no one was around.

Seeing the Crown Princess approach, You Jun stood at the roadside and bowed slightly: “Your Highness honors us with your presence—this humble official was late in greeting you.”

Tie Ci stood still, her eyes behind the mask black and cold: “What kind of humble official are you supposed to be?”

People who had been holding their breath suddenly felt their hair stand on end.

They hadn’t expected the Crown Princess to give You Jun so little face—were they going to start fighting right at the gate?

Could they still escape in time now?

But You Jun wasn’t angry, smiling and saying, “Your Highness, since you’ve come to drink wedding wine, let’s not discuss those court protocols, shall we? Today I’m merely Weixuan’s uncle, and you are Weixuan’s good friend—how about that?”

Tie Ci smiled slightly and said, “Weixuan must be fortunate to have such a good uncle as you.”

She had probably been affected by smoke and was wearing a mask, so her voice was somewhat hoarse and muffled.

You Jun acted as if he hadn’t heard the sarcasm in that sentence, leaning forward to ask about those behind her: “Where is A’xuan? How could he not come when his sister is getting married?”

The crowd of officials and gentry were amazed.

This person’s mentality was truly good, his will truly strong.

Not only could he calmly receive his mortal enemy, but he could even composedly and proactively ask about You Weixuan. Didn’t he feel guilty at all?

Tie Ci said flatly, “He’s afraid of ghosts.”

You Jun smiled: “People will all become ghosts sooner or later. Your Highness, please.”

The main gate opened wide, and Tie Ci entered first, being invited to the main hall for tea. Behind her followed several officials including the Kunzhou Prefect who had submitted earliest, two or three maidservants, and several guards. Beyond that, no other attendants, which secretly puzzled people in the estate, thinking: isn’t she afraid of ambush?

But then again, the estate covered vast grounds and could hide ten thousand soldiers. If fighting really broke out, bringing more people wouldn’t help either.

Commander You openly held a wedding feast and invited the Crown Princess, and the Crown Princess had indeed come with light escort. Leaving everything else aside, this courage alone made everyone secretly admire her.

When immortals fight, little demons suffer. Everyone sat accompanying in the front and rear halls, holding their breath and concentrating, not even daring to drink tea.

Tie Ci sat high in the seat of honor, eating and drinking as usual, accepting whatever was offered.

After all, she now had the魃族 behind her—she wouldn’t poison others, which was good enough. As long as You Jun wasn’t completely brainless, he absolutely wouldn’t use such methods.

A whole hall of people with no one speaking, completely lacking in joy. Everyone noticed that today the Crown Princess was particularly silent. Except for mocking You Jun a few times at the beginning, she didn’t speak afterward, nor did she suggest going to see the bride—probably because she was dissatisfied with this wedding.

Suddenly firecrackers burst outside the gate, and a servant entered the hall, joyfully reporting: “The wedding party has arrived.”

You Jun then rose, smilingly apologizing to Tie Ci, and like any good uncle managing his niece’s wedding, personally led people out to welcome them. Soon he brought several people to pay respects to Tie Ci, and she immediately saw the new groom Chang Yuan in red robes and colorful decorations.

You Jun personally introduced them: “This is Master Chang the Second and his eldest son. Master Chang the Second currently holds the position of Huichuan Prefect, and his eldest son has excellent martial skills and currently manages the Huichuan Patrol Office. Today they accompanied the groom to fetch the bride. Normally they should go directly to the back courtyard, but with Your Highness here, they must first come to pay respects to Your Highness.”

Before Master Chang and his son could speak, the groom standing to the side had already said first: “Also to thank Your Highness for the grace of that day’s humiliation and dismissal.”

In the hall above and below, it was suddenly silent as death.

Tie Ci hadn’t even touched the tea bowl in her hand, answering: “No need to be polite.”

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Chang Yuan’s lips twitched slightly, smiling with a somewhat sinister expression. He had lost much weight, his eyeballs appearing especially large, burning like ghostly fire in their sockets—far from the high-spirited appearance when Tie Ci had seen him at the Zhang mansion.

He stared at Tie Ci’s mask, saying word by word: “But even though Your Highness humiliated me, dismissed me, and looked down on me, I still married the female heir, married the future Yannan Prince, Your Highness’s good friend. I wonder how Your Highness feels about this?”

Tie Ci casually set her teacup aside, smiled and said, “Yes, so I regret it.”