Chapter 5: Protection

Chapter 5: Protection

Qiao Wan did not sleep well that night.

Perhaps it was due to the potent tonics she had consumed since childhood, but her body ran exceptionally hot. Even in the dead of winter, her chest felt as if it were ablaze.

Though it was only early winter, three large braziers glowed in her room. Even in her light undergarments, Qiao Wan could not escape the stifling heat.

Yet, she knew that even if she asked the maids to extinguish one, they would not dare.

When she was twelve, she had just moved into the princess estate and was experiencing her first winter there. Overwhelmed by the heat, she had asked the maids to extinguish two braziers. A maid, pitying her sweat-drenched brow, even cracked open a window.

Unexpectedly, that night she caught a severe cold and was ill on and off for half a month. When Qiao Heng summoned her to the palace and learned of her illness, he flew into a rage. He ordered all the maids in her residence, save for Yicui, to be sold off. The maid who had extinguished the braziers even lost her life.

The very next day, every servant in the princess estate was replaced by those from the palace, on Qiao Heng’s orders.

From then on, no one dared to be even slightly negligent regarding her health.

In summer, she was forbidden from consuming too much ice; in winter, her bedchamber had to be kept perpetually warm. Every potential source of illness was meticulously eliminated, ensuring her robust health.

Even she herself could not act capriciously in this matter.

Qiao Wan irritably tossed and turned, exhaling a frustrated sigh. Gazing at the gently swaying canopy above, she drifted in and out of sleep until finally succumbing to a deep slumber late into the night.

Upon waking the next day, Qiao Wan still felt a lingering drowsiness. Listlessly, she sat in the outer chamber of her bedroom, allowing the maids to attend to her.

It was only when Yicui ushered Mu Chi in that Qiao Wan finally brightened at the sight of the visitor.

Today, Mu Chi was clad in a teal guard’s uniform. A simple leather belt cinched his lean waist, and his ink-black hair was tied back with a mere wooden hairpin. Yet, these simple accouterments could not obscure the exquisite, peerless beauty of his features; indeed, they only served to elevate the humble uniform to an air of nobility.

"Princess," Mu Chi murmured, lowering his gaze.

Qiao Wan snapped out of her reverie, coughed a few times, and glanced at the web of his right thumb, where the character "Wan" was still etched. "Have you applied the medicine to your wounds?"

Mu Chi offered a faint smile. "Thank you, Princess, for the medicine."

Assuming he had, Qiao Wan nodded with satisfaction. "I said yesterday I’d take you shopping for clothes today. Let’s go."

With that, she rose and led the way out.

Seven Bends Street was the most bustling thoroughfare in all of Lingjing.

It boasted the most exclusive taverns, the grandest brothels, where graceful foreign dancers swayed and merchants from distant lands flowed in an endless stream.

Yuxiu Pavilion, situated on Seven Bends Street, was the city’s most renowned tailor shop, a favorite among Lingjing’s nobility and prestigious families.

Aside from the opulent garments bestowed by the palace, this was Qiao Wan’s most frequent haunt.

The news of Princess Changle’s visit to Songzhu Pavilion yesterday, and her audacious act of bringing a male courtesan back to her residence, had already spread like wildfire throughout Lingjing.

Inside Yuxiu Pavilion, many young noblewomen, having just heard the scandalous tale, were whispering amongst themselves.

The moment Qiao Wan and Mu Chi stepped into Yuxiu Pavilion, they sensed the shift in atmosphere.

The murmuring ceased abruptly, and a deathly silence descended upon the pavilion. After a moment of frozen stillness, though everyone inwardly scorned Princess Changle’s actions, they bowed and curtsied in deference to her status.

Qiao Wan, of course, knew their true thoughts, but she reveled in their disdainful yet obedient submission. Her mood considerably brightened, and without bidding them rise, she ascended directly to the second floor.

Mu Chi followed quietly behind Qiao Wan, his steps unhurried.

Zhao Qingqing, the daughter of the Minister of Revenue, stood amidst the bowing crowd. Annoyed to see Qiao Wan ascend directly, she was the first to straighten up and look.

She had always been close to the Third Princess. Today, she had come to Yuxiu Pavilion to select attire and accessories for next month’s palace banquet. Upon hearing that Qiao Wan had redeemed a lowly courtesan and brought him into her home, she felt nothing but contempt. As she looked up, she happened to glimpse the man walking behind Qiao Wan, and her body stiffened.

Such peerless beauty, which even simple clothes could not conceal—she suddenly understood why Princess Changle would redeem him.

Mu Chi seemed to sense something as well. He turned his head to look at the woman at the center of attention, then gave a slight nod and a gentle smile.

Zhao Qingqing’s cheeks flushed. The next moment, she snapped back to reality, snorted in self-annoyance, and turned to leave.

Meanwhile, the shopkeeper had already welcomed Qiao Wan upstairs. A servant brewed silver needle tea, which bubbled invitingly on an exquisite stove. Fine pastries were presented on a delicate blue-and-white porcelain plate.

Qiao Wan gestured towards Mu Chi. "Select a few sets of clothes for him, the finest you have."

The shopkeeper promptly assented with utmost respect and soon returned with seven or eight sets of luxurious robes and fur cloaks.

Qiao Wan had always adored beautiful clothes, especially when worn by herself. She had never imagined that watching someone else try on clothes could be so utterly delightful.

A moon-white brocade robe with silver threads and subtle patterns.

An ivory Hangzhou silk round-collar robe.

A black and white crane-patterned fur coat.

A vermilion fox fur cloak…

Each piece seemed to have been made for Mu Chi, as if he were born to wear it.

As if he were inherently a noble young master, not a courtesan from Songzhu Pavilion.

Finally, he emerged in a white satin robe, its leather belt embroidered with lifelike golden horned immortals. He wore a russet-red brocade fur cloak adorned with auspicious clouds, its snow-white fox fur collar making his face appear even more luminous. His ink-black hair was tied up, presenting him as a truly noble and handsome young man.

Qiao Wan clapped her hands. "This is the one! It matches my fox fur cloak perfectly."

The shopkeeper promptly instructed a servant to put it aside, but Qiao Wan waved her hand. "He’ll wear this one," she said, glancing at the other sets. "Send all the rest to the princess estate."

The shopkeeper’s eyes lit up, and he bowed deeply in agreement. Then, as an afterthought, he asked, "Would the Princess care for new attire? Our shop has just received a golden phoenix and luan bird embroidered skirt, woven from lotus silk threads—a truly unparalleled masterpiece."

The phrase "unparalleled masterpiece" piqued Qiao Wan’s interest, but then she thought of Mu Chi and looked at him.

The shopkeeper quickly added, "I noticed this young master has only a wooden hairpin in his hair. Perhaps a servant could take him downstairs to browse our accessories?"

Qiao Wan pondered for a moment, then looked at Mu Chi. "Do you wish to wait for me to try on clothes, or go select accessories?"

Mu Chi was silent for a moment, then subtly raised his eyes. "The Princess’s person is worth a thousand gold. It is improper for a servant to remain here," he said, then glanced at the shopkeeper. "It is even more improper for the shopkeeper to stay."

Hearing the subtle hint of jealousy in his tone, an indescribable joy welled within Qiao Wan. She blinked. "Then what do you suggest?"

Mu Chi lowered his gaze. "Perhaps the shopkeeper could accompany me downstairs to select a few items, and a seamstress could remain here to attend to the Princess?"

Qiao Wan was delighted by Mu Chi’s words. She clapped her hands, laughing. "Excellent! Let’s do as you say."

Mu Chi nodded with a gentle smile, then glanced at the shopkeeper, who quickly offered an obsequious smile and led the way.

Not until they reached the staircase and were out of Qiao Wan’s sight did Mu Chi’s smile persist, though his eyes grew cold.

He had no desire to remain by the spoiled little princess’s side while she tried on clothes. And also…

Mu Chi glanced at the russet-red brocade fur cloak he was wearing, then thought of Qiao Wan’s fiery red fox fur cloak. They did indeed match well.

Mu Chi subtly furrowed his brow and casually removed the brocade-lined fur cloak.

“Why did you take it off, sir?” the shopkeeper, who had just turned around, asked upon seeing this.

Mu Chi gently rubbed his chilled fingertips and smiled. “Your shop is too stifling.”

The shopkeeper was puzzled. The second floor was quite warm, but the first floor, with its open door and only two braziers, still carried a faint chill.

However, as this was someone brought by Princess Changle, the shopkeeper said little, simply smiling and leading him to the jewelry. “Please take your time to choose, sir. These are all crafted from the finest gold and jade.”

Mu Chi nodded with a smile and assented. He had intended to browse casually, but not long after he began looking, he heard a sarcastic voice from the doorway:

“Isn’t this Young Master Mu Chi from the Pine-and-Bamboo House?”

Mu Chi turned to look and saw a fop, adorned in gold and silver, standing there. Behind him were several others like him, their eyes clouded with the haze of drink and debauchery, their smiles oozing with sickening lust and mockery.

Mu Chi pondered for a moment but could not recall ever having met this person.

Li Zhen, seeing Mu Chi’s expression, knew he was utterly unrecognized. A surge of fury rose within him—as the second son of the Vice-Minister of Revenue, when had he ever suffered such a slight? He sneered, “What’s wrong? Weren’t you just bought yesterday? Already cast out today? Was your service so poor you failed to please your patron?”

After all, even courtesans, once purchased, were kept hidden in the inner courtyard to avoid embarrassment, let alone a male courtesan, who was even more disreputable.

Seeing him out and about, they simply assumed he had been used and discarded.

His companions burst into laughter upon hearing this.

Others nearby also realized that this ethereally handsome man was indeed the courtesan from yesterday and quickly distanced themselves.

“To think he’s a male courtesan…”

“How dare he even show his face outside.”

“He doesn’t look or dress the part…”

“If I were him, I’d rather die than bring such shame upon myself. Shameless.”

Mu Chi listened to the whispers around him and scoffed inwardly. Compared to his past circumstances, this was nothing.

He had always been alone anyway, so he was accustomed to it.

He simply asked, “Was this young master also at the Pine-and-Bamboo House yesterday?”

Si Li’s actions were too slow; this person was still alive.

Li Zhen’s eyebrows shot up. “You don’t actually believe you’ve become noble just because some patron bought you, do you?”

“Pah! Everyone in Lingjing knows Princess Changle is fickle. In the end, you’re nothing but a lowly wretch.”

Mu Chi’s eyes flickered. Fickle, was she?

Li Zhen, seeing his silence, assumed he was too ashamed to speak. He smirked oddly and took two steps towards Mu Chi. “I heard you’re a peculiar one?”

The smile on Mu Chi’s lips faltered, his gaze slowly turning icy. Yet, in the next instant, he half-closed his eyes and smiled. “What gives this young master such an impression?”

“A lowly monster,” Li Zhen said, turning to his companions behind him before bursting into laughter. He turned back to Mu Chi. “If you’re willing to keep me company and make me happy, I’ll give you…”

Mu Chi’s expression darkened like a bottomless abyss. He lowered his gaze, catching sight of the onlookers, and the urge to kill surged uncontrollably within his chest.

“How dare you!” Just then, an angry shout, laced with a woman’s imperiousness, echoed from upstairs, interrupting Mu Chi’s thoughts.

Everyone turned to look.

A golden soft whip lashed straight towards Li Zhen’s face, instantly leaving a red welt on his cheek.

Li Zhen clutched his face and roared, “Who dares to strike—”

But his face stiffened upon seeing Qiao Wan. “Princess Changle…”

Qiao Wan pulled Mu Chi behind her, standing protectively in front of him. “What lowly wretch dares to insult my person?” She then turned to the onlookers. “What are you staring at? Keep looking, and I’ll gouge out your eyes.”

Terrified, everyone lowered their heads and quickly dispersed.

Still seething from the vile remarks she had heard, Qiao Wan felt unsatisfied. She raised her whip again and lashed it across Li Zhen’s mouth.

The young masters accompanying Li Zhen stood frozen, unsure whether to flee or intervene, their faces pale.

They had long heard of Princess Changle’s arrogance and willfulness, but they had never imagined she could be so… utterly ruthless.

Only when Li Zhen was writhing on the ground, his mouth gushing blood, did Qiao Wan finally stop, panting.

She had practiced with the soft whip to strengthen her frail body, never imagining it would prove useful in such a situation.

Li Zhen, seeing the whip finally still, scrambled to his feet, stammering, “Princess, spare me! Princess, spare me!”

Qiao Wan sneered. “Apologize.”

Li Zhen knelt on the ground and quickly blurted, “I’m sorry, Princess Changle, please spare—”

“Not to me,” Qiao Wan stepped aside, tilting her chin towards Mu Chi. “To him.”

Mu Chi paused slightly upon hearing this, his gaze deepening as he looked at Qiao Wan standing protectively in front of him. Her crimson fox-fur cloak blazed like a flame in the dull, desolate winter, as haughty and willful as ever.

Li Zhen’s face darkened. Apologizing to a male courtesan was a profound insult. “He’s just a lowly—”

Qiao Wan’s expression turned grim. Before he could finish, she kicked him forcefully to the ground, raising her whip high to strike again.

Li Zhen curled up, scrambling backward, crying out, “I’ll apologize! I’ll apologize to him…”

Just then, a figure swept into Yuxiu Pavilion from outside, reaching out to seize the soft whip from Qiao Wan’s hand.

A profound silence fell upon the pavilion.

The newcomer, eighteen or nineteen years old, wore a vivid hibiscus-hued silk robe, its cuffs embroidered with two flamboyant begonia flowers—exceedingly ostentatious. A sash cinched his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His long hair was tied high into a ponytail, with one strand braided into a thin plait, its end adorned with a red bean-shaped jade bead.

His features were bold and dashing, his eyes amorous peach blossoms, his handsomeness tinged with youthful audacity. Every gesture exuded the rakish insouciance of a playboy.

Qiao Wan frowned, feeling the newcomer looked vaguely familiar. Before she could recall who he was, she realized he was still holding her soft whip and snapped, “How dare you!”

The newcomer chuckled. “Qiao Wan, with your vicious and ill-mannered temperament, you are as different as heaven and earth from the Third Princess.”

Upon hearing “Third Princess,” Mu Chi’s eyes flickered, and his gaze shifted from Qiao Wan to Jing Lan.

The latter continued to stare at Qiao Wan, adding fuel to the fire. “I, Jing Lan, would rather die than marry you.”