Chapter 36: The Courtesan Jinghong  

Following the well-meaning reminder, the expressions of all the participants in the hall shifted. One by one, they stood and hurriedly left, visibly shaken.  

“???”  

Before the event even began, the entire venue was left with just Su Chen and Ji Hanqing.  

Su Chen belatedly realized the situation.  

Question: If Senior Sister finds out I’m visiting a brothel late at night, will she kill me?  

But I’m here to help a friend fulfill his love story.  

What’s there to fear?  

An upright man casts no crooked shadow.  

As a gentleman, what do I have to worry about?  

With that—  

Since all the competitors had fled in fear, Su Chen naturally won without a fight.  

“Congratulations, Young Master, on claiming first place.”  

“My lady has been waiting. Please follow me.”  

A charming maid bowed slightly to Su Chen as she spoke.  

Though a maid, she was elegant and refined despite her delicate appearance.  

“You’ve misunderstood, miss. I was competing on behalf of my friend. Since I won, it’s as if Young Master Ji won…”  

Before Su Chen could continue, he was dumbfounded.  

Because at that moment, Ji Hanqing and the maid were exchanging affectionate glances, brimming with tenderness.  

Good heavens!  

I’m floored!  

Su Chen stood frozen in place.  

He had assumed Ji Hanqing was smitten with the Misty Rain Tower’s Jinghong, and that the Duke of State disapproved.  

Now he realized Ji Hanqing’s beloved wasn’t Jinghong at all—it was the maid by her side.  

At this realization, Su Chen gave a wry smile.  

No wonder the Duke of State opposed it—how could anyone approve of this?!  

Meanwhile—  

As the crowd dispersed, some quietly slipped away to the Left Chancellor’s mansion and the Prince of Yan’s residence.  

Their purpose was obvious.  

This was a rare piece of intelligence.  

As expected—  

Upon hearing the news, the Left Chancellor and the Prince of Yan stood up in unison, their faces alight with excitement.  

“This is a heaven-sent opportunity!”  

After all—  

Su Chen was not only extraordinarily talented but also possessed monstrous potential.  

Most daunting was his powerful backing.  

Such a man becoming the Imperial Husband was like giving wings to Empress Ying Qingge, which was highly unfavorable to their interests.  

Now that Su Chen had visited a brothel, if this news reached Her Majesty’s ears, it would surely strain their relationship.  

What woman could feel good about that?  

That very night, after richly rewarding the informants, they hurriedly rushed to the palace to report.  

On the other side—  

Unaware of the gravity of the situation, Su Chen was reluctantly dragged into meeting Jinghong.  

At first, he refused.  

But he couldn’t resist Ji Hanqing’s pitiful, pleading expression.  

Under the guise of “being a good person to the end,” Ji Hanqing was practically clinging to his leg, calling him “big brother.”  

Suppressing the urge to knock some sense into this schemer, Su Chen had no choice but to head to the top floor.  

Just taking a look wouldn’t hurt.  

After all, she was the famed courtesan of the capital—how could he not be curious?  

Soon—  

Su Chen leisurely arrived at the top floor of the Misty Rain Tower, where the legendary Misty Rain Corridor came into view.  

The fabled sword-testing stone stood prominently, bearing a sword mark that stretched across its center, as if it could cleave the heavens, profound and mysterious.  

As for the celebrated poem that supposedly surpassed all others, Su Chen was unimpressed—it lacked a certain flair.  

Compared to the poems he had memorized, it fell short.  

Continuing forward—  

Soon, Su Chen reached Jinghong’s door.  

As if sensing his arrival, the door silently opened the moment he approached.  

Before him lay countless vibrant rose petals.  

They danced endlessly in the air, cascading from above.  

Behind a sheer veil, amid the rain of petals, a graceful figure was dancing elegantly.  

Her movements were alluring yet not overly seductive, a feast for the eyes.  

Even through the veil, calling it a dance that could captivate a city was no exaggeration.  

Moments later—  

As the dance concluded, the room’s occupant seemed to notice Su Chen’s presence for the first time. A gentle, melodious voice spoke softly,  

“I was so engrossed in my dance that I didn’t notice Young Master’s arrival. Please forgive my negligence.”  

As she spoke, the veil slowly parted.  

The Jinghong that appeared before Su Chen was nothing like he had imagined.  

In fact, she was worlds apart from his expectations.  

In his mind, Jinghong should have been either sultry or radiantly charismatic, exuding feminine allure.  

Yet the woman before him… was like the elegant older sister next door.  

Undeniably beautiful, she carried a refined and dignified air.  

Her curvaceous figure radiated the unique charm of a mature woman.  

Her exquisite features glowed with warmth, and her gaze toward Su Chen carried a hint of familiarity, as if meeting an old friend.  

Why do I keep getting flashbacks of familiar faces lately?  

Su Chen shook his head, dismissing the thought, and praised her,  

“No need for apologies, miss.”  

“Your dance just now was nothing short of a delight—how could it be considered negligence?”  

Hearing this, the courtesan smiled faintly.  

“I am Jinghong. Please, Young Master, have a seat.”  

During their conversation, a pot of fragrant tea had been quietly warmed on the table before her.  

“Imperial Dragon Tea, please enjoy, Young Master.”  

Though the name was simple, the tea they were sipping wasn’t ordinary—it was the Imperial Dragon Tea, of which only nine taels were produced annually from Junshan.  

Six taels went to the royal family, leaving just three for the rest of the world to vie for.  

For Jinghong to have one tael was extraordinary.  

To use it to entertain a guest like Su Chen was unheard of.  

Unfortunately—  

Su Chen didn’t know how to appreciate tea, only vaguely able to discern its quality.  

At that moment—  

The system’s voice echoed in his mind again.  

“Congratulations, Host, for completing the hidden mission. Reward: Peerless Dance Melody—Phoenix Seeking Phoenix.”  

“Phoenix Seeking Phoenix? A dance melody?”  

Looking at the reward and recalling Jinghong’s dance, Su Chen vaguely grasped the pattern behind the system’s rewards.  

Just then—  

Jinghong spoke up, asking,  

“What is Young Master Su thinking about? Is the tea not to your liking?”  

“Huh? Oh, nothing!”  

Su Chen shook his head, then asked curiously,  

“By the way, do you know me?”  

“Of course.”  

Jinghong didn’t hide it.  

“Young Master Su is exceptionally talented, not only surpassing the former top scholar in poetry and literature, but your strength far exceeds your peers, and your potential is astonishing. If I didn’t know you, how could I be worthy of being the top courtesan?”  

Her gentle, elegant voice carried a hint of playfulness and teasing.  

For a moment, Su Chen felt a strong sense of déjà vu.  

This familiar, older-sister tone…  

He looked up at Jinghong, who was gazing at him softly.  

Was she like this with everyone, or…  

In that instant—  

Her subtle actions filled Su Chen with deep confusion.  

But when he tried to ask, he found himself at a loss for where to begin.