As an official, what's wrong with raising a few monsters?

Chapter 259 Chenlang~~
"Pine soot stains the ink, old texts lie pressed on the inkstone. Writing of the snow-capped peaks, yet the dust of my temples remains untouched..."

Qingcang, Peach Moon Pavilion.

Dressed in gorgeous attire and with exquisite makeup, the geisha sat on the stage, holding a pipa, playing beautiful music and singing softly. Her voice was like a clear spring, melodious and moving.

Several graceful dancers around them also swayed their silk robes and danced lightly.

The surrounding guests were either clinking glasses and drinking heartily, or embracing each other and indulging in a life of pleasure.

Returning to this place, it seems that nothing has changed.

In front of the pavilion's corridor, a dashing young man leaned against the railing, listening to music in a brothel, relaxed and carefree.

He was extremely handsome, with a face like jade, sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, which made many girls around him catch their eye and keep coming over, inviting him to fall into the abyss of desire together.

Even though they work in this kind of place, if they had a choice, who wouldn't want a good-looking client? They'd be happy to get something for free.

Such a person is rare in the entire Qingcang City; I wonder which young master he is.

only……

The young master chuckled, neither looking down on the prostitutes with arrogance, but he only engaged in platonic relationships, not frivolous ones. He would chat and listen to music, but he refused any deeper conversations.

He couldn't get any closer; the little bird perched on his shoulder was so strange that a single glare from it made him feel as if his soul had left his body.

The person and the bird were clearly Mingchen and Fuyao.

The Northern Emperor's sudden inspiration deeply affected his two children, filling them with worry and anxiety. However, the other party involved remained completely unaffected, acting as if nothing had happened.

When I have nothing to do, I listen to music in the brothel.

I met Tao Yaoyao here back then, and now that I'm back in Beilie, it feels like a return to familiar territory.

Ji Qu is known to many people and has some idol image to maintain. If he were seen visiting a brothel, his reputation would spread, which wouldn't sound good.

Mingchen himself didn't care, but it wouldn't be good if it tired his sister and His Majesty.

It doesn't matter to Bei Lie.

Moreover, the Huayue Tower is quite well-equipped; both its management rules and architectural style suit Mingchen's tastes perfectly.

The brothels over there can't compare to those in Jiqu.

However, upon hearing that Mingchen was going to visit a brothel, Long Lian absolutely refused to come. Children were naturally not suitable to come either.

Fuyao, on the other hand, was in high spirits.

So, one person and one bird arrived.

Mingchen leaned against the escalator, watching the girls performing downstairs, and couldn't help but sigh, "The difference is quite obvious when you compare them, isn't it, Fuyao?"

Coincidentally, the song the girls here are singing is the same one that Kui Xian Ge, who was Hong Ling Shuang in disguise, sang back in Bai Ling City: "Floating Wood Oar".

Since it was a poem written by a poet from the Northern Lie region, it naturally circulated within the Northern Lie region.

The same melody and rhythm evoke completely different feelings, making the contrast exceptionally striking.

However, since it appeals to both refined and popular tastes, Mingchen merely sighed.

That girl is just a working person; she's already done her best to perform. Compared to Hong Ling Shuang, it's really unfair to her.

Sure enough, we still need to find a way to lure that dangerous mermaid home and have her sing us a song.

"Yes~"

The little bird merely observed the women around it and casually responded to Mingchen.

She wasn't particularly interested in those songs.

"Stop looking! Aren't you afraid of getting a sty?"

Mingchen pinched the little bird's face with a hint of helplessness.

Ever since this thing was turned on, it has been galloping ahead on the rough road, and there's no turning back.

As a beneficiary of the existing system, Mingchen didn't dislike him.

This girl is progressing a bit too fast, and she doesn't seem to have any sense of shame yet. Mingchen is really worried that she'll go astray.

When I first arrived, I was completely clueless and knew nothing.

This time, the little bird gained new insights from observing the expressions of those who were indulging in desires.

Hearing Mingchen speak, she turned around and asked, "Young Master, what is a needle eye?"

"It's because I saw something unclean, and my eyes got dirty."

"Oh……"

Listening to the music, Mingchen seemed to remember something and looked towards the backyard: "Speaking of which, Yaoyao's big peach tree is still here! Why don't we move it back? Can your sycamore tree take it with you?"

Taoyue Tower is named after a very old peach tree that stands there.

However, in recent years, the peach tree seems to have changed. It no longer blooms, and the servants have a strange feeling that the tree's soul has been taken away.

Not content with just taking Tao Yaoyao last time, Mingchen now intends to take this centuries-old tree with him as well.

When the topic of best friends came up, Little Bird became quite interested.

They met Tao Yaoyao right here.

This peach blossom fairy may seem naive, but she has the ability to see into people's hearts and understand the complexities of human relationships.

She's intelligent, yet full of energy, always asking questions like she has a million whys.

The little bird thought for a moment and said, "Okay!"

"If you wish, I will help you move it."

It seems that Yaoyao also liked her big tree.

Mingchen nodded: "Okay, then we'll move out tonight."

"it is good!"

Once Mingchen started the conversation, Fuyao seemed to remember something and asked him, "Young Master, how many days are we going to stay in Beilie?"

"Are you really going to marry the princess of Beilie?"

Fuyao's power in the palace was somewhat suppressed, but she still accompanied Mingchen.

He then witnessed Mingchen's actions.

Speaking of which, this major life event is probably what Mingchen should be most concerned about.

Now they don't care at all.

Fuyao and Mingchen were of one mind, and she could roughly guess that Mingchen didn't like the Northern Princess.

The woman holding the fox is unlikely to become her boyfriend.

Mingchen asked Fuyao with great interest, "Does Fuyao want me to marry her?"

The little bird simply flapped its wings and said indifferently, "Young master, you may marry if you wish, or not if you do not wish to."

She has never cared about these things.

No matter how many people are around Mingchen, she will always have a place in their hearts.

She was very busy; just thinking about cultivation and dipping beans had already exhausted all her energy.

Mingchen shook his head and didn't keep him in suspense: "I won't marry him."

He went out for a long time and didn't come home. When he did, he brought a woman back with him, and she was a princess from the Northern Lie Kingdom.

Ling Yu and his own emperor certainly wouldn't turn against him or get angry, but they would definitely feel wronged.

Besides, this girl doesn't have any real feelings for him, and there are rumors in the city about her and Tian Erlang. It's hard to say whether bringing her home would be a ticking time bomb.

When it comes to matters of the heart, it's all about mutual affection. There are plenty of beautiful women in the world, and Mingchen never forces anyone to like him, nor does he interfere in other people's relationships.

Being a womanizer and being unable to walk past a woman are not the same thing.

The Northern Emperor acted on a whim, and Mingchen never intended to accept this matter from beginning to end.

It does nothing but harm.

Instead of wasting time thinking about the princess of Bei Lie, why not think of a way to trick the leader of the Jing Lan Alliance into coming home to sing for you?

"Tell me, if I were to cause a scene in this brothel and make it known to the world, would the Northern Emperor still be willing to marry his daughter to me?"

Mingchen leaned against the railing and gave Fuyao a bad idea. There are often scenes like this in TV dramas where someone is deliberately smeared.

Fuyao rolled her eyes: "What kind of stupid idea is that?"

Mingchen shrugged: "That was pretty stupid."

It wouldn't have been difficult for him to cancel the marriage.

At best, it was just a joke; neither Mingchen nor the Northern Emperor have confirmed it.

"By the way, didn't you notice anything different about the fox that the princess was holding?"

In contrast, there was another matter that concerned Mingchen more.

That spoiled princess was nothing compared to the fox in his arms.

"Huh? A fox?"

Fuyao was taken aback: "What happened to the fox?"

Mingchen narrowed his eyes and asked her, "Didn't you realize it was a demon?"

"Demon? Hahaha, young master, not all animals can cultivate into demons."

"Do you think I can't tell if it's a demon or not?"

"It's just an ordinary fox."

The little bird flapped its wings, giving you a look that said, "You're overthinking it."

Young master, you've encountered so many demons, do you really think that just because you meet a small animal that looks a little unusual, it's a demon?

With her current strength and discernment, Fuyao could tell at a glance whether someone was a demon or not. In her eyes, the little fox that the princess was holding was just a little fox, only three to five years old, with no magic power whatsoever. How could it be a demon?
only……

What she didn't know was that the young master's vision was even better than hers.

"Really……"

Mingchen narrowed his eyes.

This was the first time Fu Toutou had misjudged the situation.

Was he suppressed in the palace?
Is that little fox too weak and hasn't even started cultivating yet?
Or was that fox just too strong, surpassing Fuyao's realm?

"Does the young master want that fox?"

"I'll secretly catch it for you!"

Mingchen smiled and shook his head. Just as he was about to say something, he seemed to notice something and looked downstairs.

As soon as the eye could see, a slender figure wearing a veil and cloak walked gracefully towards them.

It was clearly a woman.

Surprisingly, the fact that a woman like this was visiting a brothel was quite unusual, yet it didn't attract any attention from others.

The madam didn't chase her away, and the men around her didn't watch the spectacle.

She suddenly raised her head, seemingly sensing Mingchen's gaze, and lowered her head repeatedly. She then began to wander around the brothel, as if searching for something.

"Sir, what's wrong?"

Following Mingchen's gaze, Fuyao was also taken aback and asked a question.

Did you see that person?

Mingchen looked at the strange woman and asked the little bird.

"Huh? It's strange that a woman like her comes to a brothel!"

The little bird was taken aback and kept exclaiming in surprise.

She forgot that she herself is also a woman.

The little bird, its eyes darting around, said with amusement, "Could it be that some lady came here to kidnap her husband?"

Not long after, the woman seemed to have finally found him. She looked up at Mingchen and walked straight toward him.

"Beep, beep."

She hurried over to Mingchen, and while Xiaoniao was still in a daze, she glared at him, grabbed his hand, and rushed him out the door.

Mingchen was pulled along by her, and no one around dared to stop him.

A short while later, he was pulled out the door.

As she pulled him along, Mingchen wasn't annoyed at all. Instead, he asked her with a smile, "Miss, Miss, what does this mean?"

"What do I mean?"

The two arrived at the city moat, where willows swayed gently, and there were hardly any people around.

The girl flung Mingchen's arm away and stared at him with wide eyes.

"My lord, I must ask you, what is your intention?"

Familiar voice.

It was mixed with a sense of grief and anger.

The woman lifted her veil, her eyes red, biting her lower lip, staring intently at Mingchen. She looked as if she was about to cry from grievance, but because of her inherent pride, she held back, her face full of anger and sorrow at being humiliated.

A familiar face.

It was none other than the princess I had met once in the palace.

The little bird was completely stunned.

The gossip has backfired on us. We were just joking about which mother was trying to catch her husband, but it turns out she caught her own husband instead.

"My father admires you and has arranged my marriage to the Marquis. Now I must ask the Marquis, what is the meaning of your visit to this brothel the very next day?"

"What? Am I, the dignified princess of the Northern Flame Kingdom, inferior to a mere brothel prostitute?"

"I was just arguing with the Emperor, why are you humiliating me like this?"

The princess questioned Mingchen as if she were looking at a heartless man.

Mingchen stared blankly at the sorrowful and angry woman, seemingly completely bewildered: "This...you are Her Highness the Princess?"

"What? We just met yesterday, and you've already forgotten me? Am I that ordinary-looking?"

Mingchen quickly shook his head: "No, no, Your Highness's beauty is beyond my comprehension."

Qin Xuan raised her head, looking at him with a touch of spoiled arrogance, her inherent pride still evident: "Then what do you mean? Don't you know I'm going to marry you? Why are you visiting a brothel?"

Mingchen waved his hand and explained, "Your Highness, please don't worry. I was just bored and curious, so I came to take a look around."

"Humph!"

Qin Xuan snorted softly upon hearing this, and the anger on her face eased slightly.

Mingchen looked at him with some doubt: "Marry me? Your Highness is willing to marry me?"

"I've heard that Your Highness already has someone you love!"

"Forehead……"

Qin Xuan twitched the corners of her mouth and said only, "Don't listen to those rumors. They're just gossipy women making things up. Don't take them seriously. I've never liked anyone else."

"Oh? Really?"

Upon hearing this, Mingchen narrowed his eyes and looked at Qin Xuan with a probing expression: "Then what does Your Highness mean?"

"I……"

Qin Xuan paused upon hearing this. The anger that had just surged within her vanished, and her courage seemed to have disappeared in an instant.

She was somewhat afraid to meet Mingchen's gaze, so she lowered her head, her small feet gently rubbing the ground, her fingers fidgeting with each other, and her ears turning slightly red.

Her voice was hesitant and lowered as she asked, "Mingchen, I just want to ask, what do you think of me? What do you think of me?"

The shyness, like a young girl in the throes of first love, was executed flawlessly.

The fact that a princess would reveal such a contrast is quite charming.

How do I see you?

Mingchen stared intently at the princess, his eyes reflecting the girl's shy demeanor, his sincerity evident in his gaze: "Your Highness is truly a celestial maiden descended to earth, graceful as a startled swan, elegant as a swimming dragon. You possess a beauty that could make fish sink and geese fall from the sky, a beauty that could shame the moon and flowers, unparalleled in your splendor, noble and graceful. The moment I saw you, your heart was stolen from me, and I have been tossing and turning in my sleep ever since, unable to forget you."

"I just happened to hear that Your Highness already has someone in your heart, so I came here to stroll around and ease the depression in my heart."

Little bird: ?
Mingchen spoke eloquently and persuasively, leaving Qin Xuan bewildered.

"really?!"

Qin Xuan suddenly tilted her head back, her eyes shimmering with light, as if tears were welling up again.

Excitement, joy, relief... these emotions flowed through his being, seemingly genuine.

"This this……"

"Tatsuro~~~"

All the emotions, in the end, converged into these two subtle words.

Her voice was melodious and tender, as if all the woman's admiration, joy, and longing were poured into it.

"Chenlang, with your words, I would have no regrets even if I died."

"Your Highness, please do not speak recklessly."

Qin Xuan simply shook her head and moved closer to Ming Chen, but she didn't touch him. She just stared at him intently, her watery eyes reflecting his face, as if he were her whole world.

“Chenlang, I know you are a hero. I live in seclusion, but I have always been watching you. I know everything you have done since you came to Beilie.”

Qin Xuan's eyes were somewhat dazed, as if she were seeing a dream. She reached out her hand and traced the outline of Ming Chen's face with her fingers: "I always think, how can there be such a person in the world? So outstanding, so bold, so brave, so perfect... It's as if a god has descended to earth. He has great virtue and talent, and can grasp the secrets of heaven and earth. He can succeed in whatever he does. There is no one in the world who can compare to you."

Unexpectedly, this willful princess used the most beautiful words to describe Mingchen, praising him as if he were a being from heaven.

"It's a pity that despite day and night of fantasies, we can never meet."

"When I heard from my brother yesterday that you had come, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I couldn't control my feelings, so I risked being punished by my father and rushed into the Tiger Palace, just to see you. I would be content to see you just once."

"When I saw you, I was still captivated by your eyes. You are so handsome, with a face like jade. There is no man in the world who can compare to you."

"I never expected that you would actually defeat my father."

"You're so amazing!"

“My father told me that he lost the martial arts contest and that I should marry you. I simply cannot believe it.”

"Tatsuro~"

"Tell me, am I dreaming?"

"Tell me, am I really going to marry you?"
This willful princess is quite eloquent.

Her status, after all, gives her a natural advantage.

Born into a noble royal family, yet so deeply infatuated.

He listened to his own story every day, fantasized about it day and night, and was willing to be punished just to sneak a peek.

The image of a young girl deeply in love with a hero leaps off the page.

At this moment, her eyes were filled with pleading and admiration. She cast aside all her reserve and pride and poured out her heartfelt feelings to tell Mingchen.

With such sincere words from her, there is probably no man in the world who could resist her.

Upon hearing this, Mingchen seemed to blush slightly, his face filled with excitement. He stepped forward, grabbed Qin Xuan's soft hand, and, seeing the woman's shy expression reflected in his eyes, said earnestly, "Please don't worry, Miss, I will certainly not let you down!"

(End of this chapter)