Yin lian Pavillion

Zhao Mingyao and Li Xiulan walked through the darkness of the night. Their path was clear—they were heading back to Xianyang City. They entered through the southern gate, which had less strict security, and went straight to a place both Xiulan and Mingyao knew very well.

"Your Highness, why are we here? Haven't you had enough of women? I mean, you're a woman now, so..."

"Xiulan, what better place is there for my situation other than a courtesan house?"

"Your Highness—"

Cough, cough.

"...My lady, this is not the time for jokes. We have a very big problem on our hands."

"And this is where the solution is, Xiulan," Mingyao said, pointing at a large plaque with the characters for Silver Lotus Pavilion.

"But..."

Mingyao ignored her and walked to the entrance of the beautiful piece of architecture decorated with delicate patterns. The red lanterns at the entrance gave off a warm and welcoming feeling.

The sounds of people enjoying music and wine became louder as they entered, replacing the faint murmurs from outside. On the stage were beautiful women, a sight to behold. They wore flowing hanfu that showed off their graceful movements. The bright colors of their hanfu added to their charm, and their sweet scent stood out among the other smells in the air. Their faces had neatly applied makeup: a touch of rouge, delicate red lips, and eyebrows drawn in elegant shapes. The music they played was calm and lovely, a true treat for the ears.

At the moment, Zhao Mingyao was dressed in the clothes she had worn when she was still Zhao Mingyu. Her face looked almost the same as when she was a man, though now it had a softer, more feminine touch like the former empress. But this was something only noticeable with a close and careful look, so she could still pass as Zhao Mingyu if her feminine features were hidden.

Zhao Mingyao climbed the stairs to her familiar room. She had been visiting this courtesan house since it first opened three years ago, so many people already knew this room as hers.

Li Xiulan followed quietly, still confused about why they were in a courtesan house when they had such an urgent problem to deal with.

Zhao Mingyao entered a room that screamed VIP. It had low rosewood tables, paintings of people and landscapes, and furniture made of silk—silk couches, silk cushions, silk carpets, and silk lanterns.

A beautiful woman dressed in a blue hanfu with fox-like features: foxy blue eyes, an M-shaped mouth, and flowing silver hair with a sharper curve to her lips walked in.

"Would you like the usual, a round of poetry perhaps?"

"You know me well?"

The unfamiliar feminine voice stopped the blue-clothed woman in her tracks, but she quickly recovered, her surprise barely noticeable to Xiulan anyway. Zhao Mingyao noticed the subtle killing intent that sparked when her voice reached her ears.

"Under the silver moon, the lotus blooms—have you seen its true beauty?"

"It shines, but there's something hidden about it."

"The lotus does not seek the light. It reveals its grace only in the shadows, where true beauty lies."

"So, it is in the dark that its true form is revealed."

"Yue Ying greets the Pavilion Master."

"Are you unsure of my identity, Yue Ying?"

"I dare not question the Master's vast abilities."

"I know there are still doubts in your mind, so I will clear them. Here is my jade pendant."

"Has that cleared your doubts?"

"..."

"...How far are you with the Moonlit Veil technique? You should have broken through to the emerald stage by now."

"I am sorry I am incompetent, Pavilion Master. I am still at the middle forms of the ruby stage."

"It's alright, Yue Ying. You are still one of the most powerful people in this city, so I won't be too hard on you, but you shouldn't slack off."

"As you command, Pavilion Master."

Yue Ying's gaze turned to Xiulan, the girl sitting next to Zhao Mingyao, her question clear.

"She is one of us. Don't worry," Zhao Mingyao responded.

"As you say, Pavilion Master."

"How is the task I gave you proceeding?"

"We are doing our best, Pavilion Master, but it will take time unless we divert more of our forces to the cause."

"No, it's alright. We will uncover the secrets of the one behind Ming and many others favored in the Harem. Anyway, I have a new task for you. The Fourth Prince has been making a lot of noise lately, and I want to teach him a lesson. Do you mind?"

"Do you want his head, Master?"

"No, it's not time for that yet. He is only bait. We still need to find the real mind behind him. Only then can we ensure there are no problems in future. So for now, let's give him a gift he won't forget."

"Yes, Pavilion Master."

"I will provide details for the plan, so be on standby. Okay, you can leave now. Oh, and send over your best wine. It has been a long day, and I would like to relax."

"Right away, Pavilion Master. I will take my leave now."

Yue Ying bowed respectfully before leaving.

Xiulan was stunned by what she had just witnessed. Was Yin Lian Pavilion (Silver Lotus Pavilion) the same as the infamous Yin Lian Pavilion (Hidden Lotus Pavilion), known as the go-to assassination organization for the past four years? That would mean the prince had control over a powerful intelligence network that could easily solidify his position as Crown Prince. Then all the cultivation of the title of the foolish prince was only a ruse to get his enemies to lower their guard.

Then a thought came to her mind, one she had been hiding in her heart: Could the Crown Prince use the network to help her with the Li family case? But she quickly shut that thought down, as she had given up her life as a noble daughter of the Li house and was now the attending maid of the Crown Prince.

Zhao Mingyao noticed Xiulan's deep thoughts, and as if he was psychic, he gave an answer to most of the questions now plaguing her mind.

"Yes, this is my organization. Yes, they are as powerful as they say. Yes, their net of intelligence stretches throughout the country... and yes, I am investigating who was behind the Li family's downfall."

Xiulan was speechless and didn't know what to say. She grew up with Zhao Mingyu, and to find out he was hiding such a big secret was both amazing and terrifying. Questions of whether she really knew Zhao Mingyu plagued her, but finally, she relaxed. Even if she didn't know about this deep secret of Mingyu, he had revealed it to her and had proven time and time again that he would protect her and never harm her.