chilly. Occasional rain brought cold winds, making people living in Chu Jing feel the approach of winter earlier than usual. As winter approached, military provisions such as grain and fodder for hors...20. Little Treasure's Deceptive Tricks (3)

The Huayuelou was the most famous brothel in Nanjing city, known for a stunningly beautiful courtesan named Xiren who was號稱江南第一名妓。Since the Great Chu moved its capital to the south of the Yangtze River, many people indulged themselves in luxurious pleasures. Even over the past few years, when Mo Suicun aimed at enriching and strengthening the country, the overall atmosphere in Jiangnan remained frivolous with numerous noblemen and talented scholars spending their days carousing among the flowers and trees. This further contributed to Xiren's reputation spreading far and wide.

One day, several peculiar guests arrived at Huayuelou. Generally, brothels did not operate during the daytime, but on this particular morning three customers came early. Two handsome young men, one dressed in black attire with a charming smile and the other wearing dark green clothes with an upright posture and a cool demeanor, entered together with a five or six-year-old child clad in white brocade in the arms of the young man in white robes. The moment they stepped into Huayuelou, they requested Xiren to sing for them. Initially reluctant, the madam’s face lit up upon seeing the silver note casually handed over by their visitors. Running a brothel was all about making money; who cared if it was day or night

The two youths and the child were warmly welcomed upstairs into Huayuelou's finest chamber for entertainment by the delighted madam.

Soft tunes of the zither filled the chamber as fine wine, exquisite dishes, graceful attendants, and alluring dancers added to the ambiance. Mo Xiaobao reclined on a chaise lounge while sipping wine, half-closed eyes watching the performance before him along with the captivating beauty veiled behind her playing music at some distance away. Mo Yufeng was placed in his lap, his large eyes roving curiously around the scene of revelry.

Qin Lie sat on another lounge, munching fresh fruits from Jiangnan while idly asking, "Is it more fun to visit brothels in Jiangnan than those in Li City" Li City was now the most prosperous city in Central Plains, with all kinds of pleasure houses and taverns. Even fair-haired foreign beauties could be found there; however, Mo Xiaobao had never shown particular fondness for them. If it were solely for Xiren's beauty, that made even less sense because what kind of beauties hadn't Li City seen At least half of the top ten most famous beauties and talented women in today’s world resided in Li City.

Mo Xiaobao lazily glanced at him and said, "You don’t understand. In Li City… one always has some reservations when indulging oneself" He continued, "Even on your own turf, you can't go overboard."

Qin Lie nodded in comprehension; most of the people in Li City had grown up watching Mo Xiaobao and Xue listening to snow. The little prince felt restrained playing around on his home turf; after all, rabbits don’t eat grass next to their burrows.

Mo Xiaobao nodded approvingly with a smile, "That's right. Besides… now that we are in Jiangnan, it would be such a pity not to see the renowned Xiren of Jiangnan."

"Now that you've seen her, what do you think" Qin Lie asked.

Moxiaobao sighed and said, "The little emperor’s taste is pretty mediocre."

Afraid of the consequences that may come from revealing too much, Moxiaobao only glanced at the number one courtesan in Jiangnan who sat before him. Even so, he had seen countless people and could tell by her eyes alone how stunning her appearance was. As for her supposedly incomparable guqin skills in Jiangnan – pretty mediocre. Did I not show dissatisfaction through my music Don’t think that because I haven’t studied the guqin I won’t be able to hear it.

"What did you just say What does this have anything to do with the little emperor" Qin Lie almost jumped out of his chair. Moxiaobao looked at him innocently, "Oh Didn’t I mention that Xiren is a close friend of Mo Su Yun’s."

Qin Lie was nearly going to spit blood in anger. He had just sent people to seduce the fiancée of someone else, and now he wanted to get involved with his close friend too Did you really think that Mo Su Yun would not be angered by your actions A dragon cannot even subdue the snakes of its own territory. If Mo Su Yun gets angry, I wouldn’t wish for him to secretly eliminate you.

"Lie, don’t worry," Moxiaobao said with a smile while trying to soothe Qin Lie. Qin Lie glanced at Xiren who was bowing her head and playing the guqin not far away before sneering, "I’m not worried. If Mo Su Yun is going to kill someone when he’s angry, it won’t be me."

Moxiaobao propped up his chin lazily as he said, "Lie, you’re thinking too much. Don’t think that everyone is like you and violent. I’m just visiting Xiren and Mo Su Yun doesn’t have the reason to kill me. Or do you really believe that Mo Su Yun is someone who will choose a pretty face over his throne"

Qin Lie had no response to give him. Based on what they’ve seen of Mo Su Yun, he was probably as far away from being called the epitome of chivalry and romance as Moxiaobao was from being considered a good person.

"The two gentlemen, Xiren will take her leave," said Xiren after finishing the song. She had been the number one courtesan in Jiangnan for years now and during that time she has met countless nobles and scholars who treated her with utmost respect. However, these two teenagers insisted on coming to listen to her music even when they didn’t intend to actually do so. Such disregard was something that Xiren never experienced before.

"Taking your leave" Moxiaobao sat up and looked at Xiren with a smile, "I’m waiting for a friend right now, and since he hasn’t arrived I feel rather bored. Miss Xiren, why don’t you continue playing some more tunes."

Xiren was furious in her heart but just as she prepared to coldly reject him, she suddenly lost the strength to speak when she saw that pair of dark eyes before her. The smile they held made her feel rather uncomfortable for some reason and she could not bring herself to say anything.

Moxiaobao glanced at Xiren indifferently as he said, "Miss Xiren should remain seated then. I believe the person who is coming will be someone that you know."

Thus, even the renowned courtesan of Jiangnan had to sit down meekly.

About half an hour later, steady footsteps were heard outside. Mo Xiaobao raised his hand; the music and dancing in the hall instantly stopped. He looked towards the door, where Mu Su Yun stood, wearing casual clothes, accompanied by a very beautiful blue-robed maiden. The girl was stunned when she saw Mo Xiaobao lying half-reclined on the couch playing with her brother. Her expression was somewhat strange.

"Brother Su Yun, why don't you come in" said Mo Xiaobao with a smile.

Mu Su Yun stepped into the hall and his gaze lingered for a moment on Xi Ren before turning to Mo Xiaobao with a calm tone, "Duke Ding seems to be in high spirits." Mo Xiaobao replied amicably, "How can that be As I've just arrived in Jiangnan, I don't know where's fun. I heard that Miss Xi Ren’s lute playing has earned Brother Su Yun’s praise too, so I came over to enjoy it. Hope Brother Su Yun won’t take offense."

"N-no! Your words are too weighty." Mu Su Yun said somewhat gritting his teeth.

Miao Xiaobao was quite at home, "I know that Brother Su Yun wouldn't be so petty. Ah Lie, did I say anything wrong" Qin Lie looked speechlessly at Mo Xiaobao and walked over to lift Mo Yufeng from the latter’s arms in case of accidental injury.

Didn’t you see Mu Su Yun's murderous gaze

"Sir." Upon seeing Mu Su Yun, Xi Ren immediately stood up to greet him, looking somewhat aggrieved at Mu Su Yun. Her flirtatious eyes had a hint of redness around them. But Mu Su Yun didn't console her as she expected; he just glanced coolly at her and sat down opposite Mo Xiaobao, saying calmly, "Since Duke Ding is the guest today, we should ensure his enjoyment. Has Xi Ren been neglecting him"

Hearing this, Xi Ren's pretty face paled and she bit her cherry lips without speaking. Mo Xiaobao appeared not to notice the fear in her eyes; he smiled pleasantly and said, "Flower queens naturally have some arrogance. Just like that flower queen in our Li city... Every time I go there, she turns up her nose at me. Miss Xi Ren is already very good."

Mu Su Yun swept a cool glance over Xi Ren and said, "You can leave now; you don't need to stay in the Huayue Tower anymore.

"Yes… Young Master." Xi Ren's voice trembled slightly as she spoke softly. Although she was the head courtesan of Huayuelou, her other identity was a spy sent by Mo Suicun into Huayuelou. Nowadays, high officials in Nan Chu were fond of spending their nights with courtesans; thus, there was no shortage of information that could be gathered from brothels. Therefore, Xi Ren was highly valued by Mo Suicun. However, after several years as a spy, she never imagined that the two young men who had come early to listen to the music would turn out to be the new Ding Wang, Mo Yucheng. Not only did she fail in her mission, but she also incurred his displeasure. Nevertheless... even if she hadn't offended Mo Yucheng, could she have lasted long at Huayuelou anyway Mo Suicun never frequented such places, yet the Ding Wang knew their relationship well and had come looking for her as soon as he learned of her true identity.

After dismissing Xi Ren, Mo Suicun turned to Mo Xiaobao and said, "Your Highness Ding Wang, you’ve heard enough music. Perhaps we can talk somewhere else" Although Mo Suicun’s face was thickened by years of experience, he still felt uncomfortable discussing marriage negotiations in such an unsuitable setting. The feeling was... even if they reached an agreement, it would not be like giving a princess but rather as casual as sending a courtesan.

Mo Xiaobao didn’t mind these formalities and observed the tasteful hall before saying, "Why make things difficult Although the girls here are average-looking, their snacks are quite good. Brother Suicun needn’t put up with this place. By the way… Brother Suicun surely has a lot of luck in this regard; after one head courtesan left, Your Highness sees another who matches her perfectly."

The Princess of Lin’an, standing beside Mo Suicun, paled and glared at Mo Xiaobao with some resentment. Knowing his brother’s character, Mo Suicun knew he spoke without tact to outsiders. So he calmly introduced them: "This is my Imperial Sister, the Princess of Lin’an; this is Your Highness Ding Wang."

The Princess of Lin’an stepped forward and bowed gracefully: "I greet Your Highness Ding Wang."

Mo Xiaobao tilted his head to look at her and smiled: "This is my mistake. I hope the Princess won’t be offended."

The Princess blushed slightly and said softly, "Your Highness has honored me with your attention."

Mosuicun smiled at Mo Xiaobao and said, "The Princess of Lin’an’s talent and beauty are top-notch in the realm. Besides, she has admired Your Highness’s grandmother since childhood and diligently practiced martial arts; thus, she can be considered both scholarly and martially skilled."

"Brother…" The Princess complained with a pout. Smiling gently, Mo Suicun raised an eyebrow at Mo Xiaobao who blinked and smiled at her: "Your Highness has worked hard indeed. But why imitate my mother My father doesn’t intend to take another consort in this lifetime."

"…

The Princess of Lin’an, who had been smiling coquettishly moments ago, now appeared pale and on the verge of collapse. Despite meeting this exceptionally handsome young man less than half an hour earlier, she had already experienced his formidable nature. The Young Lord Mo was not only extraordinarily handsome but also had a naturally amiable and innocent face that had fooled countless self-proclaimed clever people. Even though the Princess of Lin’an had prepared herself mentally, she couldn’t help being moved upon their first meeting. Unfortunately, this fleeting fancy didn’t have time to take root before it was crushed by Young Lord Mo’s actions. If Young Lord Mo wanted to appear innocent, even if he killed someone in front of you, you would still think him innocent. However, when he wished to provoke others, even his most sweet smiles could make people want to punch him.

Not only the Princess of Lin’an but also Mo Su Yun's expression changed slightly. Mo Su Yun’s face darkened as he calmly said, "Prince Ding was joking. The former Prince Ding Uncle was known for his sincere affection towards the Princess Consort, so how could the Princess of Lin'an harbor such overambitious thoughts"

Ming Xiaobao tilted his head and casually fed a pastry to his younger brother while smiling gently and asking, "Good that there isn’t. To be honest… I don't want another concubine either. Your Highness, forgive me for misunderstanding."

The Princess of Lin'an’s face alternated between green and white before she finally managed a forced smile and said, "Your Excellency is too kind. It was just a misunderstanding."

Seeing the Princess of Lin’an in such a state, Mo Su Yun sighed and waved her off with his hand. The Princess of Lin'an also didn't want to deal with the difficult Prince Ding here either; she curtsied respectfully before leaving.

As Ming Xiaobao watched her leave, he sneered and flashed an arrogant look at Qin Lie, completely ignoring the presence of another party involved. Mo Su Yun stared at Ming Xiaobao and said gravely, "The Princess of Lin'an is a girl; Prince Ding’s words just now were a bit too harsh."

Ming Xiaobao looked puzzled, "Did I not apologize enough"

"…" Did he think that pretending to misunderstand someone would fool anyone into thinking it wasn’t intentional

Mo Su Yun said solemnly, "Does Prince Ding remember the matter I proposed a while ago"

Ming Xiaobao sat up and somewhat curbed his playful demeanor before saying, “Was it about the marriage alliance”

Momo bowed in agreement. Xiaobao rubbed his chin and asked, "Princess of Ling'an"

"Of course, the Princess of Ling'an is the best choice. However, if Prince Ding is not satisfied, I still have other royal sisters."

Prince Momo waved his hand and said, "I am not unsatisfied, but... This prince is young and does not currently plan to get married. If the Princess of Ling'an can wait, then it might be acceptable."

"Prince Ding is already sixteen years old; he should consider getting married," Momo pointed out. Prince Momo waved his hand again and said, "This prince plans to follow Father's example and marry at twenty-five."

Nine more years until the age of twenty-five—by then, the Princess of Ling'an would have become an old maid. If Xiaobao kept his promise, giving up a princess wouldn't be an issue. But who knew what could happen in nine years

"I heard that Li City is preparing for a Selection Banquet"

Xiaobao chuckled and said, "That's right. Are you interested, Yun Brother"

Momo spoke gravely, "What if the Princess of Ling'an stands out at the Selection Banquet"

Prince Momo sincerely replied, "In that case, this prince will definitely carefully select a suitable husband for the princess."

"" that she once publicly made three grown men cry from her verbal abuse. Why don't you give it a try when we get back" Mo Xiuyao was stunned for a moment before raising his head, eyebrows raised, "Does...