437: Lu Xiaofeng: Your Highness, are you perhaps listening to music at a brothel when you have nothing better to do?

"Ah, this is really torture. Had I known, I wouldn't have come at this time," Lu Xiaofeng said with a thoroughly depressed expression.

"Enough, stop complaining here. If His Highness hears you, you'll be in for a beating," Hua Manlou said.

"Hehe... It's fine. His Highness is busy right now, he doesn't have time to pay attention to us," Lu Xiaofeng replied with a lecherous grin.

However, in the very next moment, the smile froze on his face.

"Oh? And what exactly is this prince busy with?"

As the words fell, Duan Zhengchun's figure appeared in the main hall.

Lu Xiaofeng jumped up as if his tail had been stepped on, looking at Duan Zhengchun with an awkward expression.

"Ah, Your Highness, you must have misheard just after waking up. I was talking about Old Hua, how could I possibly be talking about you?" Lu Xiaofeng said with a forced laugh.

"You two seem quite idle. That 'Death Exemption Gold Plaque,' must feel pretty good, huh?" Duan Zhengchun looked at Lu Xiaofeng with a mocking expression.

He had heard their previous conversation quite clearly.

"Ah, Your Highness, please don't tease us. That Death Exemption Gold Plaque is a real hot potato.

I'd rather not have the thing; I'd prefer some money directly," Lu Xiaofeng said with a frustrated look.

"If others heard you say that, they'd definitely want to beat you up," Duan Zhengchun said, looking at Lu Xiaofeng with disdain.

This guy was clearly being ungrateful after getting a sweet deal.

If you didn't want to get involved with the imperial family, you wouldn't have participated in this matter in the first place.

Now, after receiving such a life-saving talisman, you're here acting all aggrieved.

"Um... hehe, well, others might not know, but surely you do, Your Highness?

This Death Exemption Gold Plaque essentially ties me completely to the Great Ming imperial family. If anything happens in the future, I won't be able to refuse involvement," Lu Xiaofeng said with a helpless expression.

"For someone like you, Lu Xiaofeng, that's hardly a problem.

If you really didn't want to participate, who could force you?

You, Lu Xiaofeng, love to be where the action is. Wherever there's excitement, wherever there's trouble, that's where you'll appear.

You're a classic case of being ungrateful after getting a good deal.

Don't waste your breath on useless talk here. Speak, what business do you have coming to see this prince?" Duan Zhengchun shot a sidelong glance at Lu Xiaofeng.

"This... hehe... Since the Princess Consort isn't here right now, how about we go out for some drinks? Maybe visit a Brothel and enjoy some music?" Lu Xiaofeng suggested with a lecherous grin directed at Duan Zhengchun.

Duan Zhengchun didn't expect Lu Xiaofeng to make such a request and looked at him with a strange expression.

"Really? You actually have a taste for that? Aren't you afraid of running into an old flame?"

"How could that be? I don't have any flames in those kinds of places," Lu Xiaofeng shook his head with a serious face.

"Oh? Is that so? In that case, let's go take a look," Duan Zhengchun said, giving Lu Xiaofeng a knowing, half-smiling look.

Hua Manlou shook his head in resignation. He knew Lu Xiaofeng was probably about to get into trouble.

However, he didn't offer a warning, figuring nothing too serious would happen anyway.

After Duan Zhengchun, Lu Xiaofeng, and Hua Manlou left the estate, Duan Zhengchun's expression suddenly turned peculiar.

His gaze drifted towards a corner pavilion, but there was nothing there.

"Hmm? What's wrong, Your Highness?" Lu Xiaofeng, noticing Duan Zhengchun's odd behavior, asked curiously.

"Nothing. Let's go," Duan Zhengchun said, shaking his head.

After Duan Zhengchun left, a figure in white appeared at the window of the pavilion he had been looking at.

It was a woman in white palace attire, her entire being exuding an aura of nobility. It was none other than Moon Invitation, the Palace Master of Yihua Palace, with whom Duan Zhengchun had a brief encounter and a fleeting romantic liaison.

"Detestable! This scoundrel! He took his pleasure and then wiped his mouth clean, refusing to acknowledge it. I've searched so many places these past days and finally caught up with you here.

Let's see how you plan to handle this matter," Moon Invitation muttered through gritted teeth, glaring in the direction Duan Zhengchun had left before her figure vanished.

The three men arrived at the capital's largest Brothel. This establishment had connections to court officials. In this era, Brothels were legal.

Moreover, some high-end Brothels had backing from court officials in the background.

As soon as the three entered, a woman drenched in the strong scent of rouge and powder approached, causing Duan Zhengchun to frown slightly in discomfort.

"Shoo, shoo... go play elsewhere. Someone like you isn't fit to catch my Young Master's eye.

Bring out your top courtesan to entertain my Young Master," Lu Xiaofeng immediately assumed the role of Duan Zhengchun's lackey.

The madam's smile stiffened. Seeing the luxurious attire of Duan Zhengchun, Lu Xiaofeng, and Hua Manlou, she knew their status was anything but ordinary and immediately plastered a smile back on her face.

"Well, honored guests, our top courtesan is... unavailable today. Perhaps you'd like to choose someone else?"

"Hmm? What's the meaning of this? Looking down on our Young Master? Do you not want this Brothel to stay open?

Go and fetch the top courtesan, Miss Dongfang, immediately. Otherwise, if you anger our Young Master, we'll tear down this wretched henhouse," Lu Xiaofeng said with an arrogant expression.

His demeanor was such that, if one didn't know his true identity, you'd think he was a local ruffian or the lackey of some upstart nouveau riche, acting as if he owned the entire Great Ming.

"This..."

"Hmm?"

Seeing Lu Xiaofeng about to erupt, the madam's face instantly changed color, and she hurriedly turned and left.

This matter was beyond her ability to handle.

She could only let Miss Dongfang deal with it. As for the final outcome, that was beyond her control.

Upon hearing the name 'Miss Dongfang,' Duan Zhengchun's expression immediately turned peculiar.

Focusing his mind, the entire layout of the Brothel appeared in his consciousness. When he saw the so-called 'Miss Dongfang,' he instantly understood her identity.

Sure enough, this 'Miss Dongfang' was *that* Miss Dongfang—Invincible East, the leader of the Sun Moon Holy Cult.

But wasn't this woman supposed to be at her own Brothel, 'Fleeting Years'? What was she doing at the capital's largest Brothel?

"Hehe, Lu Xiaoji, I never realized you had such potential as a lackey," Hua Manlou teased.

"Damn it, Old Hua, stop mocking me. In this world, there's no one Lu Xiaofeng would willingly act as a lackey for... except His Highness.

You wish you had the chance," Lu Xiaofeng retorted with a look of disdain.

His expression showed not a hint of anger at being called a lackey by Hua Manlou; on the contrary, he seemed rather pleased with himself.

But it wasn't surprising Lu Xiaofeng reacted this way. Probably, anyone who learned of Duan Zhengchun's true status would fight tooth and nail for the chance to be his lackey.

"Lu Xiaoji, aren't you afraid your arrogance will get you into trouble later?" Duan Zhengchun asked Lu Xiaofeng with an amused smile.

"Trouble? What trouble could I possibly get into while following you, Your Highness?

If you, Your Highness, take a fancy to the top courtesan here but feel too embarrassed to say so, leave it to me. I guarantee I can get her into your bed," Lu Xiaofeng whispered with a lecherous grin.

"Oh? Very well. In that case, let's see your performance. If you can make her willingly warm this prince's bed, I'll grant you an Opportunity," Duan Zhengchun said, looking at Lu Xiaofeng with a smile.

Normally, upon hearing about an 'Opportunity,' Lu Xiaofeng should have been excited.