Chapter 45: The Young Lady Has Already Fallen for You

“Your Highness.”

As Cheng Guang stepped out of the manor gates, a delicate voice reached him.

The maid, Red Candle, stood by the roadside not far away, her skirt fluttering in the breeze, strands of hair mischievously clinging to her face, making her appear especially charming and lovely.

“Your Highness, my lady wishes to invite you for a meeting.”

Red Candle’s face was bright with a smile as she looked at Cheng Guang. Though her expression was cheerful, her complexion was paler than when Cheng Guang had first met her the previous day.

Her face was like a pale blossom, her waist slender as a willow.

Despite the smile, fatigue lingered in Red Candle’s eyes. Clearly, the words Cheng Guang had spoken before leaving last night had troubled her, leaving her anxious and worn.

“Miss Red Candle, what business does your lady have in wishing to see me?” Cheng Guang asked with a smile, feigning ignorance.

At his words, Red Candle glanced at Cheng Guang in a manner that was both coy and reproachful, not daring to be too bold. She quickly replied respectfully.

“My lady has been missing you greatly. Last night, your poetic talent astonished the literary circles of the capital, earning the admiration of many. My lady is but an ordinary woman, and naturally, there is a touch of longing between man and woman in her heart.”

“Moreover, having come of age, my lady must soon choose a companion. You know well, Your Highness, that her heart is set upon you…”

“What you said last night moved my lady to tears, she wept deep into the night.”

Red Candle hurriedly added, “Of course, I dare not blame Your Highness. I only beg you to see my lady once more.”

Cheng Guang listened to Red Candle’s words without any emotional stir, even feeling somewhat amused.

She, Bai Shuxuan, an ordinary woman?

Her heart set upon me?

It was funnier than the most absurd joke.

One moment she’s infatuated, the next she’s plotting with assassins to kill me.

And those midnight tears—if anything, Bai Shuxuan would be gnashing her teeth, pounding her pillow, calculating her next move against me.

As Cheng Guang pondered, his eyes narrowed, clearly not believing much of what Red Candle said.

Yet behind him, Lin Cheng, hearing the maid’s words, believed her somewhat.

In Lin Cheng’s eyes, his master’s charm was undeniable; for a mere courtesan to be taken with him seemed perfectly natural.

But according to his master, Bai Shuxuan was plain, even less handsome than himself. Why ask His Highness to visit her? Was it not to disgust him?

With this in mind, Lin Cheng spoke up immediately.

“Your lady’s appearance is unbearable. Why would you have my master visit her?”

“Is once not enough? You wish for a second time? I see you intend to offend my master’s eyes!”

Speaking thus, Lin Cheng glared furiously at Red Candle.

Had Cheng Guang not intervened, Lin Cheng would have tossed this woman ten miles away.

Red Candle’s face grew even paler at Lin Cheng’s words, inwardly distressed. She quickly waved her hands in explanation.

“My lady’s appearance is not… not as Your Highness described last night…”

Red Candle pressed her red lips together, a look of distress clouding her lovely face. No longer caring if her words might displease Cheng Guang, she spoke directly.

“Perhaps the lighting last night was poor and Your Highness did not see my lady clearly. Might you visit her again today?”

Her meaning was nearly to suggest Cheng Guang must have been blind.

How could her lady’s beauty be described as so ugly and unworthy?

But, no matter how much grievance she felt, her words came out as a plea.

Lin Cheng’s face changed at this, quietly moving his hand to the hilt of his blade, his gaze fixed on Cheng Guang, ready to act on his master’s command and deal with this disrespectful woman.

Cheng Guang only frowned lightly, then gave a calm, gentle laugh.

He understood Bai Shuxuan’s purpose well.

She could not bow her head, nor face public doubt. The only solution was to address the source.

If he, the heir, visited Bai Shuxuan’s chambers again and lingered longer, all rumors would naturally dissipate.

Didn’t he claim she was plain and unremarkable?

Then why would he willingly spend the night speaking with her?

Thus, it would appear he had spoken wrongly.

Cheng Guang could not help but smile inwardly, thinking Bai Shuxuan truly deserved credit for devising such a clever solution in such a short time.

Of course, Bai Shuxuan feared he might not come, so Red Candle’s words were full of hints: as long as he visited tonight, she would accept whatever fate he decided.

Cheng Guang’s gaze flickered as he calmly regarded Red Candle.

Under his steady gaze, Red Candle felt a distinct pressure—a sense of awe that only those of high status could inspire.

Though Cheng Guang had yet to wield power, his position was already beyond her to confront alone.

He still agreed to see her, and Red Candle considered it a favor owed to her lady’s reputation.

Even so, she did not dare hope that the heir would certainly visit.

With his status, what woman could he not have? Perhaps he truly found her lady ugly.

What could be done?

There was no way to argue for her case.

As Red Candle waited nervously, Cheng Guang suddenly smiled and said, “Very well, let’s go see her once more. Lin Cheng, come with me.”

Red Candle’s face instantly lit up with joy, surprise flickering in her eyes, but mostly delight.

She quickly bowed low and respectfully thanked him, then led the way ahead.

Lin Cheng was momentarily stunned, clearly surprised that his master truly agreed to see Bai Shuxuan.

He did not understand why, but as long as his master decided, he would obey without question.

As a bodyguard, Lin Cheng was thoroughly professional.

He hurried to follow at Cheng Guang’s side.

Leaving the manor, Lin Cheng was the only visible guard, which made him especially tense.

If anything happened to his master outside, even a hundred heads wouldn’t be enough to pay.

As for Red Candle—

She felt as if she were dreaming, her steps unsteady as she walked.

Before last night, her lady was the most sought-after courtesan, admired by thousands, with countless nobles longing to see her. Now, to have the heir visit her, her lady had to exhaust every effort.

For some reason, Red Candle suddenly understood the feelings of those nobles.

Indeed, the unattainable is always most desirable.

This time, Cheng Guang did not ride his dragon-horned steed, but traveled quietly, following Red Candle through the streets toward the Ten-Thousand-Flower Pavilion on the Flower River.

He took in the sights and sounds of the capital, and many seemed to recognize him, granting him admiring glances as he passed.

Traversing several avenues and streets, they reached the Flower River, and after another quarter hour’s walk, arrived at the Ten-Thousand-Flower Pavilion, Jadeite Chamber.

Now, both the Pavilion and Jadeite Chamber were tainted in reputation thanks to Cheng Guang’s words.

It was near dusk, yet few gathered before the Pavilion.

Even the Jadeite Chamber, crowded the previous night, was now deserted.

Only a few servants and attendants moved about inside.

…