4: Tonight's expenses will be paid by this king.

“Really!? Can I really get a glimpse of Grand Courtesan Mu’s peerless beauty? I didn't expect to have such good luck as soon as I arrived in the Imperial Capital, this is great!”

“Xianle Tower truly never disappoints me!”

“Xianle, Xianle, it can make even Immortals joyful within it!”

“This humble scholar has traveled thousands of miles across the Great Wu Dynasty, and today I specifically come for Miss Wan'er, to recite a poem to express my admiration.”

...The madam’s words instantly set the crowd ablaze.

The slightly higher-ranking nobles were a bit calmer; they had received the news beforehand, but deep down, they couldn't help but feel a little excited.

After all, Grand Courtesan Mu had not appeared for three months. Those who frequented the pleasure houses thought of her day and night, all yearning to see that dreamlike Face again and hear that celestial voice that could soothe all fatigue.

“Hahahaha...”

The madam smiled brightly, “Don’t rush, everyone. Xianle Tower is spacious enough, so there’s no need to worry about not having a seat.

It’s still the old rule: the front row seats closest to Grand Courtesan Mu will go to the highest bidder.

The closer you are, the more opportunities you’ll have to interact with Grand Courtesan Mu, so everyone, make sure to seize the chance.”

Grand Courtesan Mu has always only appeared on the top few floors of Xianle Tower, so truly seeing her requires a considerable price.

The good seats in the front row were quickly driven to sky-high prices.

What's more, consumption in Xianle Tower doesn't use ordinary gold and silver; it all uses Cultivation resources, primal stones, which are more valuable than gold.

The bidding from the literati and refined scholars left some first-time visitors to the Imperial Capital, or those who had never entered Xianle Tower, dumbfounded.

A single seat in Xianle Tower could actually be bid up to a price beyond their comprehension, a price they might not earn in a lifetime.

If converted into gold and silver, it could even directly purchase a property in the Imperial Capital.

Countless people sighed, unable to understand the world of the high-ranking officials and nobles.

Just then, a greater commotion arose from the crowd.

Xia Xuan, brazenly, brought a group of guards to visit the pleasure district, stopping in front of Xianle Tower.

One must know that previously, when Prince Chu and the Crown Prince traveled to the pleasure district to listen to music, they always did so incognito, trying to conceal their tracks.

Such a blatant display was tantamount to disregarding the Imperial Family’s Face.

There would surely be impeachments at tomorrow's morning court.

The madam paused, then recovered and whispered a few words to those beside her, before smiling and greeting him:

“I didn’t know Your Highness Prince Chu would grace this place with your presence. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner. It is my great fortune to behold Your Highness’s true Face, and my humble abode is greatly honored.”

“Your Highness, please!”

Inside Xianle Tower, voices boomed, and it was incredibly noisy.

But when Xia Xuan stepped in through the main entrance, all sounds quieted by three points.

Countless gazes watched him, and the literati on both sides quickly made way, fearing that Prince Chu might find them displeasing and have them thrown out.

“What’s going on? This King is here to support you today; are you not giving me Face by acting like this?”

Xia Xuan smiled recklessly.

Everyone present quickly reacted, and the music resumed, a scene of debauchery, with dancing girls captivating souls.

“Prince Chu loves to enjoy himself with the common people!”

A profligate, who used to carouse with Xia Xuan, winked and shouted.

Seeing that Prince Chu was not displeased by this, everyone else felt a weight lift from their hearts and began to revel.

The madam also breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that he wasn't here to cause trouble. At the same time, she couldn't help but wonder.

Could it be that because Prince Chu’s many attempts to pursue Grand Courtesan Mu had been fruitless, he had become impatient and wanted to use his influence to attract Grand Courtesan Mu’s attention?

But the next sentence instantly shattered her illusion, leaving the madam as if struck by arsenic.

“Everyone, drink well and have fun! All expenses tonight will be paid by this King!”

Xia Xuan smiled, and as soon as these words were uttered, the entire venue erupted.

“Prince Chu is righteous!”

“Prince Chu is truly a role model for our generation!”

...“Your, Your Highness, are you not joking? Xianle Tower’s daily earnings today are terrifyingly high.” The madam trembled as she reminded him.

Xia Xuan laughed: “A word spoken is like four horses that cannot be overtaken. Do you wish this King to retract what I just said?”

“This old servant would not dare.”

The madam lowered her head, looking troubled: “This old servant dares to ask, Your Highness, how will this sum of money be paid?”

Xia Xuan waved his hand as he went upstairs: “As usual, charge it to my second brother’s account.”

“This, this...”

The madam panicked. Her predecessor was still in prison.

And she had just taken office today; if such a large bad debt occurred, the consequences would be unimaginable.

“This... this old servant... truly cannot make the decision. I beg Your Highness to be understanding.”

The madam pleaded mournfully, trying to salvage this astonishing loss.

“I know you can’t make the decision, but it’s not being charged to your account. My second imperial brother once promised that whatever I spent in his territory would be charged to his account.”

Xia Xuan said calmly: “Don’t worry, second imperial brother doesn’t care about this little money.”

The madam finally understood that Prince Chu was determined to run up this debt. She was helpless and dared not say anything more.

“Also, have the manager of Xianle Tower come to see me within one quarter of an hour.”

Xia Xuan gave a cold command.

Not long after, the Prince Chu's Mansion party arrived on the fifteenth floor of Xianle Tower, just three floors below the top floor.

Here, guards were numerous, and security was tight.

“Stop right there!” Two female sword-attendants held swords across the staircase entrance, blocking their way.

“Get out of the way!” Wu Zhong took a small step forward, and a thick Protective Aura, solidified into a physical form, emanating the aura of a True Martial Realm Eighth Layer practitioner.

It shook the two sword-attendants back two steps, a trace of blood spilling from their lips.

“So strong!” Some onlookers immediately hid far away, fearing that if a fight broke out, they might be caught in the crossfire and regret it too late.

“How dare you! Prince Chu has arrived, why do you not quickly welcome him!”

At this moment, a delicate shout came from upstairs.

The manager of Xianle Tower, a middle-aged beautiful woman, still charming despite her age, gracefully descended the stairs and bowed.

The expressions of the two sword-attendants changed slightly, and they immediately knelt in obeisance.

The Great Wu Dynasty valued martial arts, and etiquette requirements were not strict. Except for meeting Emperor Wanwu, where kneeling was required, others meeting princes and marquises did not necessarily need to bow.

Xia Xuan calmly ascended the steps, moving unimpeded all the way to the eighteenth floor.

A flicker of surprise crossed the Xianle Tower manager’s eyes, but she ultimately chose to remain silent.

The eighteenth floor, isolated from all outside sounds, was warm and harmonious, decorated like a celestial palace.

A woman, with her hair styled in a cloud bun, her Face veiled by a light gauze, wore a moon-white silk dress that complemented her fair, delicate skin.

Her slender hands gently stroked the zither strings, producing melodious music, as if possessing an extraordinary magic that could calm one's mind and prevent any defilement from arising.

“Your Highness Prince Chu, please be seated.” Mu Wan'er smiled faintly, her voice like a spring breeze, capable of melting one to the bone.

Xia Xuan, however, ignored her, his deep, dark eyes brazenly taking in her appearance.

Her beauty was stunning, her figure graceful, her slender waist easily spanned by a hand; even while seated, she was a feast for the eyes.

Most peculiar was how she seemed to combine two entirely different temperaments: at first glance, she exuded an aloof purity, but a second glance revealed a captivating charm that stirred the heart.

Each sensation left one unable to let go.

It was no wonder that his predecessor and the literati downstairs were all willing to fall at her feet.

“You...”

Xia Xuan, not following the usual script, directly moved closer and ripped off the light gauze covering Mu Wan'er’s Face, revealing a peerless countenance.

Her vermilion lips were rosy, her jade-like nose refined, and the faint blush on her cheeks was as beautiful as an evening glow, stirring the heartstrings.

Xia Xuan admitted he was momentarily captivated. This was no beauty filter, but a living, breathing Femme Fatale, sitting before him, stunningly beautiful.

Here’s a wallpaper for you. [I’ll try my best to find similar images for important female characters later.]

“Last night, this King was ambushed here and nearly lost his life. Mu Wan'er, though you did not appear at the time, you were hiding behind a screen.

To uncover the truth, this King will take you back to my mansion for a thorough interrogation.”

Xia Xuan’s words were startling, and he announced them in an unquestionable tone.