Chapter 11: Xianpin Residence

Chapter 11: Celestial Treasure Pavilion

Ji Zhiyang searched for a long time before finding the place where the *xiao* music had played, but there was no one there now.

He definitely hadn’t misheard—that melody was "How Rare the Moon, So Full and Clear!"

Could there be another time-traveler in this world?

Ji Zhiyang furrowed his brow, lost in thought, when he suddenly felt a tug on his arm.

"Zhiyang, what are you looking for?" Jiang Wang asked curiously.

He had run off in such a hurry after hearing the *xiao*—did he know the person who played it?

Ji Zhiyang looked up blankly and shook his head. "Nothing."

Was he overthinking it?

...But no matter how he thought about it, that melody shouldn’t exist in this world.

Jiang Wang said, "Oh," and asked, "Do you know the person who played the *xiao* just now?"

Ji Zhiyang hesitated for a moment before answering, "No, it’s just that the melody sounded familiar."

It gave him the warmth of stumbling upon a kindred spirit in a strange land.

Even though Ji Zhiyang wasn’t sure whether the *xiao* player was someone from the same world as him—someone he had never met—it didn’t stop the joy and excitement welling up inside him.

Seeing his reaction, Jiang Wang let it drop. The two walked for a while, and just as they were about to reach the Celestial Treasure Pavilion, Jiang Wang abruptly stopped and turned around in a panic.

Ji Zhiyang was puzzled. "What’s wrong?"

"It’s the prince—right behind us!" Jiang Wang hissed, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and pulling him back, whispering urgently, "Don’t turn around!"

"W-why not?" Ji Zhiyang nodded meekly, utterly baffled.

"The prince is behind us," Jiang Wang coughed lightly and murmured.

"What?" Ji Zhiyang froze, then realized something and spun around.

Two exquisitely robed men were walking toward the Celestial Treasure Pavilion.

The young master on the left was handsome and refined, exuding an air of nobility, while the one on the right was ethereally handsome but with a chilling, wicked air. Their regal gait drew many admiring glances.

Unescorted by guards or servants, they seemed uncommonly at ease, yet carried an aura of prestige and elegance.

Ji Zhiyang gaped—the one on the right was Gu Huai, but who was the young master on the left? Damn, he’s hot!

But... why was he with Gu Huai?

Where the hell are they headed?

Don’t tell me they’re going to Xianpin?

Wait... was the person beside him the male prostitute from Xianpin?

You’ve gotta be kidding me! A prince, in the middle of the damn day, flaunting his stroll with a male prostitute?!

Though this male prostitute... had otherworldly looks and poise, truly living up to the name of *Xianpin*.

Ji Zhiyang's mind was swarmed with random thoughts, and he couldn’t help but zone out staring at the man.

A face like that would be worth a fortune even if it were just for eye candy.

But if he liked him so much, why didn’t Gu Huai bring him into the royal estate as his spouse?

Jiang Wang lowered his voice to whisper, "Stop staring."

"Huh?" Ji Zhiyang jolted back to reality and quickly averted his gaze.

The two stood still in tacit agreement, playing invisible, quietly watching the pair walk away.

Only after they entered Xianpin did Ji Zhiyang finally couldn't hold back and whispered, "Was that a courtesan from Xianpin next to the prince?"

Jiang Wang glanced around nervously. "Thankfully, we weren’t spotted. If my brother found out I went to Xianpin, I'd be dead meat when I got home!"

Ji Zhiyang’s mouth twisted—something about that statement felt off.

Jiang Wang scanned the surroundings again and whispered, "The one next to the prince is the Third Prince. For some reason, a month ago, he got hooked on visiting Xianpin, almost making the prince tag along every day."

Ji Zhiyang froze.

Like attracts like. Gu Huai likes male courtesans, and so does the Third Prince—blood tells!

Ji Zhiyang thought with a sigh and asked, "If he comes every day, he must be genuinely in love. So why doesn’t the Third Prince marry him?"

Jiang Wang gave him a 'are you stupid?' look. "What are you talking about? While there are cases of men wedding men, those are all commoners. Since ancient times, there’s never been an example of a prince or official marrying a man."

He paused, then leaned closer to Ji Zhiyang’s ear and murmured, "At most, officials might secretly keep a boy at home. Xianpin is just a place for them to play around. And given the Third Prince’s royal standing, how could he possibly marry a male courtesan as his wife?"

Ji Zhiyang blinked in confusion. What did he mean by "wouldn’t marry a man"? Why was there no mention of alphas, omegas, or betas?

This world… felt...wrong somehow.

The people around him didn’t seem to have any pheromones…

And this talk of male spouses…

This alternate world felt so strange.

Jiang Wang pulled him toward the entrance of Xianpin.

Ji Zhiyang looked up and saw a grand plaque hanging above, its golden calligraphy—"Xianpin"—gleaming brilliantly under the sunlight like a jewel.

The two stepped inside. The interior was exquisitely decorated, with a faint aroma of wine lingering in the air. On a platform to the left, a man sat alone with a zither, radiating loneliness.

The establishment was packed with guests, all scions of noble houses.

Each of them had one or two top-shelf beauties by their side.

The courtesans spoke in flirtatious murmurs, serving their patrons with gentle attentiveness, intoxicating the young masters and luring them deeper into indulgence.

Ji Zhiyang’s gaze drifted over the faces of the courtesans, and he couldn’t help but marvel. As expected of Xianpin—every single courtesan here was breathtakingly gorgeous, truly the finest of the finest.

He wondered if these were the "first-class goods" Gu Huai had mentioned.

Watching the courtesans fawn over the young masters, clinging to them without a shred of dignity, turned his stomach. He couldn’t help but turn away, surreptitiously searching the room for any sign of Gu Huai.

Jiang Wang noticed his actions and whispered, "Don’t worry. The prince is probably in one of the upstairs VIP rooms. We won’t run into him."

Ji Zhiyang nodded.

They'd barely taken a step when they saw a man descending the stairs.

Clad in flowing white robes, his long hair was half-bound, half-flowing. A jade belt cinched his waist, and his delicate features looked like they'd been painted. His entire being seemed ethereal as a banished immortal, yet devastatingly handsome.

Ji Zhiyang was stunned. If the male prostitutes earlier were first-class, then the man in white coming down the stairs was undoubtedly the crème de la crème, putting all others to shame.

Ji Zhiyang couldn't even think of words to describe his beauty. He was like a celestial being stepping down under the moonlight, as if he might ride the wind and vanish at any moment, leaving behind only a dazzling afterimage.

This was a beauty Ji Zhiyang had never seen before—too perfect for this world, so mesmerizing it knocked the breath from your lungs and made hearts tremble.

Jiang Wang also gaped like a fish at the man, unable to tear his gaze away, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the man's face.

The man in white walked right up to them, a faint smile on his lips. "Is this your first visit, young masters?"

His voice was clear, that soothed the soul.

Ji Zhiyang came back to himself after a momentary daze.

Jiang Wang also gradually regained his composure, clearing his throat nervously. "Yes, it's our first time."

"Please follow me to the second floor," the man in white gestured gracefully. "Upstairs rooms are roomy and plush, shielded from prying eyes. You may drink at ease."

The two followed him upstairs.

The man in white led them to an elegant chamber on the second floor. The room was understated yet elegant, with a tea set arranged on the table and incense burning nearby.

Though these items appeared ordinary, they exuded an air of refined luxury.

Ji Zhiyang couldn't help but glance around curiously.

"My name is Yun Jin, the owner of the Immortal's Abode," Yun Jin introduced himself with a warm smile. "What would you two like to drink?"

Ji Zhiyang shared a look with Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang fidgeted with his hands and blurted out, "W-we were thinking of... two... two..."

The door opened, and Yun Jin took a wine jug from a servant, smiling. "You're welcome to just drink. If you'd like to listen to music, I can arrange that."

He poured their wine himself. "This is peach blossom wine—sweet with a smooth finish. You might enjoy it."

He spoke with perfect courtesy, his manners flawless, beyond reproach.

Knowing it was their first visit, he treated them no differently and poured their wine himself.

But why didn't he send over any companions? Did he think they couldn't afford it?

Ji Zhiyang picked up his cup and took a sip. The wine was silky smooth, with a lingering aftertaste.

Another sip revealed its sweetness, like liquid silk, leaving an endless delight.

Jiang Wang hurriedly followed suit and raised his cup.

Halfway through their drinks, a servant entered and murmured, "Master, the prince requests your presence."

Yun Jin waved a hand dismissively. "Understood." He stood up and offered an apologetic smile. "Please excuse me for a moment."

With that, he left the chamber.

After the servant closed the door, Jiang Wang immediately blurted out, "So he's the owner of Xianpinju. Just as others said, he really is a handsome man."

Gazing at the scenery outside the window, he remarked, "Such a stunning beauty, yet he chooses to be a male prostitute. What a waste."

Ji Zhiyang remained silent.

Jiang Wang suddenly leaned closer to Ji Zhiyang, lowering his voice mysteriously. "Zhiyang, you heard it too—the prince called for him. What do you think the prince wants him for?"

Ji Zhiyang's lips twitched slightly. Who knows?

In any case, he guessed that Gu Huai must be different from them—coming here just for a drink.

Ji Zhiyang sipped his wine and asked, "Why do you think Boss Yun didn’t send over any male escorts for us earlier?"

Jiang Wang chuckled. "Perhaps because it's our first visit, and we seemed a bit shy. I heard Yun Jin is different from the previous madam of Xianpinju. After he took over, no one has to take clients unless they want to."

This surprised Ji Zhiyang somewhat.

This man was indeed unusual, had this almost otherworldly vibe.

Completely unlike the brothel keepers he had read about in books or seen in dramas.

Yun Jin left the VIP room and arrived at the door of the private suite at the end of the corridor. He raised his hand, about to knock, when he heard a flirty voice from inside.

"Your Highness~ Do you truly mean what you say?"

"Naturally," came a deep, magnetic voice, full of promise. "This prince never lies."

The coquettish male voice spoke again, "Then I'll take you at your word. Tonight, as you say."

Yun Jin went stock-still, his gaze darkening slightly. His hands, hanging by his sides, clenched imperceptibly, his eyes flashing with self-deprecation.

Suddenly, a cold voice rang out, "Who dares eavesdrop at this prince’s door?"

His tone was icy, like the biting frost of midwinter, chilling to the bone.

Yun Jin’s heart lurched violently, his breath catching in surprise.

The man inside seemed to sense something and softened his tone. "Enter."