195: Chapter 195 Your Highness, Please Behave Yourself

Before long, Coachman Zhao Da pulled the horse reins tight outside.

The carriage came to a steady halt before a scene of bustling nightlife and neon lights.

Chen Shanzhi lifted the curtain and jumped down from the carriage.

Before him was the capital's largest den of extravagance, Yihong Pavilion.

Large red lanterns hung high, and a thick scent of rouge and powder mixed with the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments, drifting straight into one's nose with the night breeze.

The sharp-eyed Attendant at the entrance saw Chen Shanzhi, and the smile on his face became more radiant than if he had seen his own father.

“Oh! Heir Apparent! You've finally come! The girls in our establishment have missed you so much their tears have almost run dry!”

Chen Shanzhi skillfully fished out a banknote from his sleeve and flicked it with his finger.

Wrapped in True Essence, the banknote flew like a dart and accurately tucked itself into the servant's collar.

“A reward for you. This Heir is here to listen to some music today.”

Touching the banknote at his chest, the servant trembled with excitement.

Just as he stepped into the main hall, the madam, with her barrel-like waist, came swaying toward him frantically, her fragrant handkerchief nearly slapping Chen Shanzhi in the face.

The madam sensibly lowered her voice and leaned in, saying, “Heir Apparent, that Heaven-rank room you frequent has been kept for you.

Miss Youyou... has been waiting for you inside for a long time.”

Chen Shanzhi raised an eyebrow, a familiar playboy smile curling on his lips as he strode toward the upper floor.

Arriving outside the room, Chen Shanzhi was so practiced he didn't even knock, pushing the door open directly.

The main lamps weren't lit inside; only a few red candles, as thick as an infant's arm, burned quietly in the corners.

The dim yellow glow intertwined with the cool moonlight filtering in from the window.

Chen Shanzhi's gaze instantly fell upon the gold-threaded soft couch by the window.

Jiang Yingrao was lying there on her side.

Tonight, she wore a seductive, fire-red dress of extremely thin fabric that clung tightly to her exquisite, sultry curves.

She rested her cheek on one hand, her black hair cascading like a waterfall over her rounded shoulders.

Those soul-stealing fox eyes were looking out at the night scene with boredom.

Most fatally, the hem of that red dress wasn't properly arranged.

At the high slit, a large section of dazzlingly white calf was exposed to the air without any defense.

A pair of bare, delicate feet rested casually on the edge of the couch.

The arches curved beautifully, and her translucent toes, like peeled water caltrops, shimmered with an inviting luster under the moonlight, appearing and disappearing.

There was no deliberate posturing; she didn't even spare Chen Shanzhi a glance.

But it was this inadvertent laziness that perfectly displayed the fatal allure inherent in her nature as a demonic cult enchantress.

Hearing the door close, Jiang Yingrao finally turned her head slowly.

After seeing clearly that it was Chen Shanzhi, a flash of unconcealable concern quickly crossed her originally cold eyes.

But soon, she suppressed that emotion.

Her exquisite and beautiful face tightened, returning to her usual aloof indifference.

“I heard that after the Heir was injured, you remained unconscious in the Jiantian Division,” she said coolly, as if performing a routine duty. “It seems you have woken up now. Is your body feeling better?”

Chen Shanzhi walked to the octagonal table, unceremoniously picked up the teapot, poured himself a cup of cold tea, and downed it in one gulp.

“It's alright. King Yama didn't want me, so I can't die.”

Jiang Yingrao frowned slightly at his crude movements and turned her gaze back out the window.

“As the top courtesan of this Yihong Pavilion, I have to show my face every day; my identity is too sensitive.”

Her tone was calm. “So it wasn't convenient for me to go near the Jiantian Division. During this time, I haven't been able to visit you.”

Just as she finished speaking, Jiang Yingrao picked up the small tea cup beside her, intending to moisten her throat.

But suddenly, her hand holding the tea paused slightly in mid-air.

How did those words sound so much like a resentful wife in her chambers, explaining to her lover why she failed to visit?

A flash of panic appeared deep in Jiang Yingrao's eyes, and she quickly added with a heavier tone to fix it: “Don't overthink it.”

She set down the tea cup and looked at Chen Shanzhi. “ I was only worried that if you didn't wake up, I wouldn't be able to find the spies the Grand Elder planted in the capital.

It would affect my plans then.”

Chen Shanzhi twirled the empty tea cup in his hand, watching Jiang Yingrao's clumsy attempt at an explanation, finding it somewhat amusing.

This enchantress usually kills without blinking; why was she so talkative today?

“It's fine, I understand.”

Chen Shanzhi grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. “After all, we have a pure cooperative relationship.

Holy Maiden Jiang is occupied with many affairs, yet you still remembered my life and death; I am truly flattered.”

At the mention of a 'pure cooperative relationship,' Jiang Yingrao's chest tightened.

An inexplicable feeling surged up instantly, making her breathing involuntarily quicken for a moment.

She glared fiercely at Chen Shanzhi, her voice suddenly turning cold. “It's good that you know!”

She gave a cold laugh, her tone carrying a heavy hint of jealousy.

“After all, Your Highness is now the most prominent busy man in the capital. While still unconscious, you were personally granted a marriage by the Emperor!

And you're marrying that pride of the Murong Family!”

Jiang Yingrao's fingers tightly pinched her silk handkerchief. “She was the top of the last hidden dragon ranking, a heroine among women!

I am merely a demonic cult enchantress, a woman of the demimonde; naturally, I am not presentable and wouldn't dare dream of reaching for Your Highness!”

Hearing the inadvertent jealousy in Jiang Yingrao's tone, Chen Shanzhi smiled inwardly and immediately put on a playful, grinning expression.

He walked a few steps to the couch and cried out in grievance, “Heaven and Earth be my witness! I had just opened my eyes in bed when I learned of the marriage decree.

I was completely bewildered myself, having no idea what was going on.”

“Hmph, who knows if you really think that way?

After all, I heard that Miss Murong is a great beauty.” Jiang Yingrao snorted coldly and turned her face away, not even looking at him.

“Trust me, I am the... Heir of the Marquis of Zhenguo.”

Chen Shanzhi's expression became serious, and then he leaned in closer, his eyes burning as he stared at Jiang Yingrao's exquisite profile.

“Besides, wild flowers are always more fragrant than domestic ones.

That woman Murong Zhaoling spends all day playing with weapons like some tigress; how could she be as gentle and considerate as our Holy Maiden Jiang?”

He patted his chest. “In the future, there will definitely always be a place for Holy Maiden Jiang in Chen Shanzhi's heart!”

While speaking, Chen Shanzhi naturally sat down on the edge of the couch.

His right hand followed the edge of the red dress and reached out, accurately grabbing for Jiang Yingrao's small foot that was resting casually by the couch.

*Swish.*

Jiang Yingrao was a Martial Artist of the Twelve Mysterious Apertures; how swift her reactions were.

That fair little foot retracted like an electric shock, pulling half her calf along with it into the depths of the red dress.

She also shrank back into the couch, her face cold like an iceberg. “Your Highness, please show some self-respect.”