Two women sat beside Beigong Xue, their faces adorned with seductive smiles.
The overpowering scent of rouge made her frown slightly, yet curiosity stirred within her. So this is the pleasure house men adore? How do they tolerate these women's cloying perfume?
Spotting Beigong Qingtian, a flicker of smugness crossed her mind. You forbade me, yet here I am. Threaten me with Father? Since when does a princess yield to threats?
Still, the lively atmosphere fascinated her. Her eyes sparkled with intoxicated delight, mesmerizing the courtesans beside her. They exchanged glances: How can a man be this beautiful? His fragrance is lovelier than ours.
Ye Fan's arrival went unnoticed. At elite establishments like Scent Recognizes the Man, wealthy patrons in brocade robes were commonplace.
His fan remained closed—had he displayed "I AM THE PRINCE!!", all eyes would have seized him.
Scanning the room, Ye Fan quickly located Beigong Qingtian at the prime viewing spot. A playful smirk touched his lips.
"Come. Let's greet our generous banquet host."
He led Ye Gui and Ye Can toward Beigong Qingtian.
Renowned as the capital's foremost libertine, Beigong Qingtian's post-feast visit to the brothel confirmed his reputation.
Ye Fan wasn't one to swallow grievances. Tonight's banquet aimed to humiliate him. While he respected Beigong Hanyu's authority, debts were paid individually. You scheme against me? I'll claim my price.
Timing mattered little now. He halted before Beigong Qingtian's table.
With a flick of his wrist, the fan snapped open. Four blindingly bold characters glared at the gathering:
I AM THE PRINCE!
"Brother Beigong," Ye Fan greeted cordially.
Beigong Qingtian froze mid-bite, mentally entangled in fantasies of Luo Xin. The interruption jolted him. His gaze landed first on the fan's golden proclamation.
Pfft—
Wine sprayed from his mouth.
Who is this dandy, outshining even me?
Recognition dawned. Beigong Qingtian's expression morphed into stunned disbelief. Ye Fan's image—ruthless, cunning, formidable—shattered before this gaudy aristocrat in white brocade, flanked by guards. Where was the cold, decisive warrior?
I AM THE PRINCE!
The words obliterated all prior perception. For a heartbeat, Beigong Qingtian even envied the audacity—I must get a "I AM THE PRINCE" fan!
Across the room, Beigong Xue spotted Ye Fan. The fan's declaration drew a burst of laughter from her.
The radiant mirth turned heads. Men murmured, What a stunning youth.
"Damn… I think I'm curved," one confessed, shaking his head in self-reproach.
Beigong Xue composed herself, adopting masculine poise while seething inwardly: Vile scoundrel! A lecher! How dare such a man claim to instruct me?
Later, when he seeks his pleasure, I'll stalk him. Record everything with the memory crystal. Heh. Let's see him explain himself tomorrow.
Her eyes curved into satisfied crescents.
"Brother Ye! I hadn't imagined you shared such tastes! Sit! Drink with me!"
Beigong Qingtian recovered, chuckling. Luo Xin's allure truly transcends all boundaries.
Unaware of Beigong Qingtian's thoughts—and oblivious to Luo Xin—Ye Fan raised his cup. Each man nursed private schemes as they drank.
Moments later, the clamor hushed.
A woman of lingering allure emerged. A blue gauze robe draped her form. Her smile revealed a captivating beauty mark.
"My gratitude, noble guests, for gracing Scent Recognizes the Man." Her voice, like honeyed silk, carried across the hall. "I am Li Xiangyu, mistress of this house. Many here know me intimately…" A deliberate pause hung in the air. "...and to those who don't? My chambers welcome deep conversations."
She winked.
The hall erupted. Vulgar propositions flew. Beigong Xue flushed, glaring at Ye Fan—now the embodiment of depravity in her eyes.
Why?
Ye Fan's voice roared loudest above the din: "Xiangyu's beauty haunts my dreams! Tonight I desire none but her!"
Beigong Qingtian watched, dumbstruck. Ye Fan's performance demolished every prior impression. This isn't a facade. The man is a true degenerate—a kindred spirit! Dread crept in: With Xue's beauty… would he resist?
Li Xiangyu parried the advances with practiced grace, her gaze lingering longest on Ye Fan.
Amidst his declarations, two lines stood apart:
"All women pale before Xiangyu. Were a commerce guild mine, I'd spend its fortune to claim you."
Commerce Guild.
Cosmic Commerce Guild.
Coincidence? Perhaps. She filed it away. After tonight, I'll probe his intent.
"Such wicked tongues!" Li Xiangyu feigned indignation, a coy smile betraying her. "Flatter an old woman? Tsk. Admit it—you crave only Luo Xin!"
She turned, her voice lifting in summons: "Luo Xin! Grace us! Our guests grow restless!"
The crowd's fervor peaked. Cheers shook the hall. Even Beigong Xue leaned forward, curiosity piqued.
Ye Fan noted Beigong Qingtian's transfixed stare. So this is the prize you seek? Excellent. Let's see how this 'Luo Xin' might serve my leverage.
His smile deepened—a predator sensing opportunity.
To Beigong Qingtian, it signaled shared lust.
To Beigong Xue, it cemented them as twin lechers, grinning like fools.