In the vast Qing'an Water Pavilion, the birthday star, Yan Yulou, sat side by side with Prince Yan Rongxu at the center, while the other princes took their places in order of seniority. A few steps away, two rows of distinguished guests occupied the space, watching the proceedings.
Lan Yixuan and Bai Zhanfeng could have taken seats alongside the princes, enjoying a privileged view of the nobility, but Xianyue had meticulously chosen a feng shui seat and refused to budge. Naturally, Bai Zhanfeng followed his woman and sat beside her, while Nian Xiaoyu accompanied Xianyue, adhering to their usual easygoing camaraderie.
Lan Yixuan occupied the prime position, adjacent to Nian Xiaoyu, followed by Bai Zhanfeng. Xianyue found herself at the far end; if she could, she would have preferred to bring her small table to a corner and indulge in meat and wine alone. However, even seated here under the disdainful and contemptuous gazes of the crowd, she managed to eat with relish.
The sounds of silk and bamboo filled the air as dancers graced the center, their graceful waists swaying, adorned in jewels that clinked together. With flirtatious glances and boundless springtime allure, Xianyue stuffed her mouth full and, upon glancing up, lost all interest.
The beauty of these women was exquisite, especially their jade-like skin, which appeared even more alluring under the dim lights. Their dance was captivating, yet compared to what she had witnessed in Liyan Pavilion before, their makeup lacked seduction, and their eyes were not nearly as enticing.
Xianyue raised the snowy liquor specially prepared by Yan Yulou to her lips, a hint of bloodiness lingering on her palate. The extreme chill sent a shiver through her, reminiscent of the ice and snow atop Xianyue Mountain in winter, freezing her face completely. Gradually, the frost melted into warmth, igniting a fire within her heart, and she felt her face flush with heat.
"Third Brother, you have quite the presence," Yan Rongxu raised his glass and looked toward Lan Yixuan and the others. His gaze landed precisely on Xianyue, whose complexion resembled the morning glow, with delicate eyebrows akin to floating satin ribbons, bright and clear eyes, and exquisitely crafted features. He observed her rosy lips for a moment before glancing disdainfully at the scantily clad dancers, a look of distaste crossing his face as his gaze returned to Xianyue, now tinged with a hint of obsession.
Xianyue sensed the intensity of his gaze and looked up, meeting the infatuated eyes of Yan Rongxu. She had not interacted with the crown prince of the Yan Kingdom before, but after staying in Yan Jing for so long, she had certainly heard of him.
In stark contrast to Yan Yulou, who preferred men over women, this crown prince epitomized indulgence, surrounded by numerous wives and concubines, and even those maids warming his bed. His harem surpassed that of the Yan Kingdom, truly a palace filled with beauties, and yet, he never seemed satisfied. Each year around this time, he commanded his officials to gather various beautiful women to indulge in the finest pleasures of the world.
Xianyue wiped her mouth with a swift gesture, glancing at Yan Rongxu. His skin was fair but lacked the natural radiance of Yan Yulou. He appeared as though he had spent too much time indoors, devoid of sunlight, giving him a lackluster appearance. In the dim lighting, dark circles surrounded his eyes, revealing signs of exhaustion.
She leaned back slightly, unconsciously casting a glance at Lan Yixuan, noting how Yan Rongxu's purple robes paled in comparison to Lan Yixuan's elegance.
"A bunch of superficial beauties," Yan Rongxu slammed his wine glass down heavily on the table, resting his hand on the back of his head and leaning into his seat, closing his eyes to avoid looking at the dancers.
His voice was loud enough that, despite the cacophony of instruments, everyone present could hear him clearly, leading to awkward expressions all around. The young, beautiful dancers looked terrified, lowering their heads and daring not to move an inch.
Yet Yan Yulou seemed unfazed by such humiliation, casually gesturing for the dancers to leave. The music softened, and the atmosphere grew tense, with no one daring to breathe, the silence so thick that even the sounds of Xianyue eating could be heard.
Yan Yulou frowned momentarily before relaxing again. Leaning toward Yan Rongxu, he whispered as Yan Rongxu straightened up, cooperating well. Yan Yulou smiled and murmured, "Recently, a new brothel has opened in Fancheng called the Jadeite Pavilion, featuring a pair of beautiful sisters—"
Yan Rongxu's interest piqued as he pointed toward Xianyue, "How do they compare to that young lady?"
Bai Zhanfeng followed Yan Rongxu's gesture, his brow furrowing in concern. He glared at Yan Rongxu, and in that instant, the air around them seemed to freeze, paralyzing Yan Rongxu, who instinctively recoiled.
A barely perceptible smile curved Yan Yulou's lips, radiating pure delight. He gently patted Yan Rongxu's hand, causing him to tremble and turn to look at Yan Yulou.
Yan Yulou chuckled softly and clapped his hands, "They surpass the courtesans of the Four Great Flower Houses."
As his words fell, a flurry of flower petals rained down in the Qing'an Pavilion—red, yellow, pink, and a riot of colors swirling in the air, shimmering under the lights. Despite the desire to withdraw their gaze, curiosity overwhelmed everyone as they craned their necks to watch.
The flowers continued to dance. Four pillars at the entrance of the pavilion adorned with vibrant ribbons transformed the scene into a spectacle resembling a rainbow bridge after a rain. Following the colorful ribbons, two young maidens in crimson attire gracefully approached, their movements enchanting, resembling celestial beings descending from the Milky Way.
With delicate steps and mesmerizing grace, they advanced, their veils lifted to reveal only their enchanting eyes. Within the pavilion, the barely audible gasps overshadowed the sounds of Xianyue's eating.
What mesmerizing eyes they possessed, akin to the fireworks of a summer night sky, bursting with captivating colors. There was an unabashed seduction, an overt allure, as Xianyue set down her honey-glazed chicken leg and licked her lips, suddenly recalling the phrase "alluring by nature." Just a glance was enough to captivate souls and ensnare hearts.
With such breathtaking beauties nearby, how could Yan Yulou remain steadfast in his usual preferences, choosing to furtively engage with men? It was truly a waste of divine beauty.
The colorful ribbons danced in the air, stirring waves of heat among the men present, except for Lan Yixuan and Bai Zhanfeng, all of whom were spellbound. Even the women appeared enchanted by those entrancing eyes, lost in reverie.
Yan Rongxu sat up straight, his smile wide, as the vibrant ribbons brushed against his face like feathers, igniting a restless yearning within him. He suddenly stood, holding his wine glass, and stepped closer to the two celestial maidens.
Lan Yixuan regarded the sudden appearance of the two beauties, his hand holding the wine glass pausing momentarily, his expression remaining calm. The two attendants, Lei Yun and Lei An, standing behind him, exchanged looks of shock.
Yan Rongxu moved between the two maidens, lifting one of their chins with a hand and tipping back his drink in one swift motion, murmuring, "Beauty—beauty—"
Outside the pavilion, a throng of maidens in crimson attire flowed in, differing from the previous two, their faces unveiled and captivating with every move.
Without a second thought, Yan Rongxu discarded his wine glass, flirtatiously teasing the beauties before returning to his original seat. He shared a few words with Yan Yulou, both bursting into laughter. In that moment, Yan Yulou's expression shifted to one of astonishment and rigidity.
Clad in crimson silks, everyone was intoxicated as the incoming beauties danced gracefully among the guests, pouring wine for each. Bai Zhanfeng, Lan Yixuan, and the others found themselves surrounded by numerous beauties.
Xianyue watched as one woman in red and two in crimson approached. Smiling, she took a goblet of wine from the red-clad maiden's hand. Suddenly, with a loud crash, the glass shattered on the ground, splashing wine everywhere. The once-soft gazes of the maidens turned fierce and malicious, revealing the gleam of hidden daggers from their flowing sleeves, all aimed directly at Xianyue's brow.