An Eight-year-old Princess

Chapter 218 Willingly Into The Net

Ever since the Flower Show Banquet, Cangjue Qingsu had rarely visited Hua Jing. The Princess

sneered as she wondered why he hadn't come. Perhaps, in his eyes, she was now a useless woman,

not worthy of his time and energy.

Hua Jing didn't have any feelings for Cangjue Qingsu, either. In her opinion, Cangjue Qingsu was

nothing more than a nomadic barbarian. However, she wanted to use him to escape from the Imperial

City. She had other options. She could ask her father to decree that she would retire to her land, Xiping

County. But Xiping was remote and barren. Living there for the rest of her life would be even worse

than Hua Jing's current condition. Compared to Xiping, the State of Yelang sounded like a better

alternative. If she married Cangjue Qingsu, she would be his Princess Consort. Although Yelang wasn't

as rich as Ning, her life in Yelang wouldn't be worse than it was now.

"It's late, Your Highness. You should rest." A maid who had been waiting to serve the Princess,

cautiously suggested.

Hua Jing was still immersed in her own thoughts. She frowned when she realized she was missing the

handsome man she had met the other night. She couldn't wait to meet him again. She dreamt of

touching him and having him. Last time, she had given her Jade Pass to him thus allowing him to visit

her at the Princess Palace whenever he liked. But he had not showed again. Thinking of that, Hua Jing

was vexed. She wondered if he was ignoring her. The thought enraged the Princess, 'How dare he

ignore my invitation?'

Hua Jing gestured her maid forward, "Help me change. I need to go out."

Puzzled, the maid hesitated. She peeked at the window. It was the sixteenth day of the month and the

bright full moon was illuminating the night sky. According to the position of the moon, it was ten p.m.

Why would the Princess go out at such a late hour?

"What are you doing? I said I need to change!" When Hua Jing saw the maid dawdling, she raised her

voice and snapped.

"Yes, Your Highness." The maid quickly answered. She trembled as she curtsied to Hua Jing. Then,

she pulled out a gown made of violet voile and helped Hua Jing dress. Hua Jing always wore delicate

makeup. It didn't matter what time of the day it was, or whether she was alone or expecting company.

Today was no different. Although she had spent the day in her chamber, Hua Jing's makeup still looked

as flawless as when she had put it on. Apart from the dress, she didn't need the maid's help with

anything else. Hua Jing smiled as she looked at her reflection in the dressing mirror. She was satisfied

with her appearance. She turned sideways and checked herself again. Thrilled, she nodded to herself.

Then, she turned to the maid and said, "Have a carriage prepared. Arrange four guards for me. After

that, you may stay home while I conduct my business."

The maid nodded to her in obeisance. With a smile, Hua Jing stood and murmured, "Ya Xi." What a

beautiful name. Its owner was no less elegant and romantic! What a fitting name for the man who

enchanted Hua Jing.*

(*TN: In Chinese, Ya means elegant and Xi is an auxiliary word that was used a lot in ancients poems.)

Within half an hour, Hua Jing arrived at the Suiyu House. To conceal her identity, she had specifically

asked for a carriage with an unremarkable design. Hence, it was not decorated with the royal emblem,

and looked similar to carriages used by families that could afford them. After putting on her veil, Hua

Jing alighted from the carriage and headed toward the house of pleasure.

At that hour, most commoners had settled for the night, but the guests and courtesans at the Suiyu

House hadn't. For them, the day had just started.

Hua Jing waved her guards away. She asked them to wait for her outside before turning and entering

the House. Inside, the lights were blazing and the crowd was loud and happy. As Hua Jing entered, a

man approached her. The man was dressed coquettishly. He smiled coyly as he took hold of Hua Jing's

hand. He said, "It's my pleasure to meet you here, My Lady. Is this your first visit? I don't think I have

had the pleasure of meeting you before. Are you seeking a companion tonight? Which of us do you

want?"

Hua Jing glanced around the House. She noticed that a stage had been set up in the innermost corner.

On the dais stood several male prostitutes dressed in cyan. They were playing the Guqin. And around

the stage, at every table in the hall, men and women laughed wildly while fondling each other.

Hua JIng had never been to a brothel before. At the scene, she raised her eyebrows in surprise. She

then turned to the man holding her hand. She took out a gold ingot from her sachet and showed it to

him. The man's eyes gleamed with greed. He reached for the gold ingot, but Hua Jing withdrew her

hand. "This will be enough to cover my expenses tonight. I'm here for Mister Ya Xi, " she said

arrogantly.

However, the man frowned at her mention of Ya Xi's name. He took a step back, "I can't help you, Miss.

Ya Xi is indisposed. He can't entertain you tonight."

'Was he occupied with someone else?' Wondered Hua Jing. Hua Jing was displeased to hear that. She

thought for a while and then frowned as she spoke, "Please relay my words to him then. He took my

token of affection the other night. Has he already forgotten me? If so, he should return the token."

The man looked at Hua Jing doubtfully. He knew that her dress was made of the finest brocade and

voile. Her status could also be gauged from the exquisite jade and gems inlaid in her gold jewelry. With

the gold ingot she just offered for Ya Xi's attention, he was now certain that she was either a high-born

lady or from a wealthy family. Thinking that through, the man put on a smile and said, "I will, Miss.

Please have a seat. I'll go and see if I can find him." He led Hua Jing to a table in the corner of the hall

and ordered, "Bring the lady some food and drink!"

Hua Jing frowned, but didn't say anything. She looked around and saw that at almost every table, there

was a male prostitute entertaining the ladies. She looked at the male prostitutes and pondered, 'These

men are very handsome, but not half as handsome as my Ya Xi.'

"Miss, your drink and food." A gentle voice called. Hua Jing snapped out of her thoughts and saw a

young man with urbane manners standing in front of her. He held a tray in his hands on which was

placed a bottle of wine and several dishes with appetizers. Hua Jing nodded to him and turned her

head.

"Miss, I've heard that you are here to visit Ya Xi. However, Ya Xi has unfortunately caught a cold and

he's unable to entertain guests. But I am free. Do you want to play with me instead?"

He had caught a cold? Hua Jing frowned again. Did his illness have anything to do with their love

making in the lake that night?

Thinking about that, Hua Jing shot a questioning look at the urbane man. The man smiled, "My name is

Cang Lan."

Dazzled by his smile, Hua Jing almost wanted to praise his beauty. The men in Suiyu House were all

too gorgeous to be true. No wonder a Princess from the previous dynasty had never agreed to

marriage. Instead, she had kept a harem of pretty men. What a pleasant life that must have been. Hua

Jing wondered if she could also be lucky enough to do so. Eyes glittering with lust, she lowered her

head.

"Cang Lan is a good name." Immersed in her thoughts, Hua Jing whispered with a smile.

Cang Lan returned her smile. He gazed at Hua Jing with keen, sparkling eyes, "Miss, it's too crowded

here in the hall. We can have more privacy in my room. I will entertain you there. After tonight, perhaps

Ya Xi will recover, and you can visit him later."

Hua Jing shook her head. She had to refuse his offer. She believed that Ya Xi wouldn't have the heart

to ignore her the whole night.

As per her expectations, the man who had greeted her at the entrance, appeared soon after Cang Lan

had left. He approached her with an adulatory smile. He leaned forward and seductively whispered,

"Miss, Mister Ya Xi is waiting for you in his room. This way, please."

Hua Jing was pleased to hear that. She smiled and eagerly followed the man. Before she walked away,

she winked at Cang Lan.

Ya Xi's room was located in the backyard of Suiyu House. The building was separate from the brothel.

It was two stories high, quiet and beautiful. The man led Hua Jing to the door. He bowed to her before

turning and leaving. Hua Jing pushed the door open and saw a figure dressed in bluish white standing

in front of her.

As if he had heard her footsteps, the figure turned to face her. When she saw his face again, Hua

Jing's eyes gleamed with lust. He was more gorgeous than she remembered. This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

"Your Highness." Ya Xi greeted her. His voice was hoarse.

Hua Jing studied the man. She noticed that his face was pale. Hua Jing wondered what had happened.

She walked up to Ya Xi and asked, "Have you caught cold from our love-making in the lake? But you

were all right the other night..."

Ya Xi bowed his head. His eyelashes flickered shut. He answered, "It's not your fault, Your Highness. I

was tired the other day after my return and wanted to rest. However, one of our guests was irritated.

She took it as a sign of contempt and punished me. I was thrown into a bathtub full of icy water and..."

Hua Jing was enraged, "Who dared to hurt you? Tell me, what is this guest's name?"

Ya Xi shook his head, "I know you're protective of me, Your Highness. But the guest is not a commoner

either. She is wealthy and powerful. Come, Your Highness. We haven't met for a long time. Do you

want me to play the Guqin for you?"