Film and Television: The Collector Who Rampages Across the Heavens

Chapter 69 If you can't do it, then it's Gong Yu!

Although winter has passed, the lingering cold still hangs over Jinling and in front of the Lingwang Mansion.

Qin Banruo slowly stepped down from the carriage and looked at the soldiers in white robes and black armor, their expressions cold and stern, their defenses extremely tight.

"Please inform them that Qin Banruo, the Red Sleeve Recruit, wishes to see His Highness Prince Ling."

She spoke politely to the guard who opened the door.

The guard said to wait a moment, and then immediately went inside to report. Not long after, Qin Banruo was invited in. Before entering the main hall, a maid who was specifically responsible for searching her body conducted a full-body examination.

This Prince Ling is very cautious in his actions; he doesn't seem like an easy character to deal with.

Led by a maid, I entered the main hall and saw a group of Western Region songstresses dancing inside. They were slender, fair-skinned, barefoot, and veiled, and were quite beautiful.

The person she was to meet was sitting in the main seat, drinking and watching the dance, completely at ease.

"What business do you have with me?"

Qin Banruo glanced at the handsome man and gave a graceful bow: "What I have said is a secret and cannot be known to outsiders. If Your Highness wishes to hear it, please dismiss your servants."

Su Li waved her hand, and the songstresses on both sides tactfully stepped back, leaving only a few guards standing by, their eyes fixed on the beautiful Lady An in front of them.

Upon seeing this, Qin Banruo smiled slightly: "To be honest, Banruo has come here on the orders of His Highness Prince Yu, and would like to trouble Your Highness to do me a small favor."

Su Liming asked knowingly, "The case of the Duke of Qing—"

"Yes, as long as you can make an exception for the case of the Duke of Qing, His Highness Prince Yu will surely reward you handsomely."

Qin Banruo stared straight at the other person, trying to discern his thoughts from his expression.

Su Li picked up the wine pot, poured a cup of wine, took a sip, and said, "This is the person in charge of the trial, Prince Jing. Even if I can help you, he won't give Prince Yu any face—"

Because of his appearance in this life, he didn't have much power to operate. In order to maintain balance, Emperor Liang simply waved his hand and put him and Prince Jing in charge of the trial.

"We know Prince Jing's temper, but who in the court doesn't know that this prince is not His Majesty's favorite? As long as Your Highness is willing to stand on Prince Yu's side and make an exception for the Duke of Qing, everything else will be easy to discuss."

Qin Banruo bowed slightly and spoke in a gentle and calm tone.

"Indeed, the combined weight of two princes is far greater than that of an unfavored prince. However, what is the reward that Miss Qin mentioned? If I were to intervene, I would likely offend the Crown Prince and Prince Jing directly. Do you think I would do something without any benefit?"

Su Li looked at the woman with amusement, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe.

Qin Banruo frowned, her delicate brows furrowing, her fists clenched tightly: "What does Your Highness desire?"

"I have no interest in politics; besides military matters, my greatest passion is beautiful women." He paused here, his gaze fixed on her.

Qin Banruo's pretty face tightened, she took a deep breath, and a charming smile appeared on her face: "That's easy to say. As long as Your Highness is willing to help, I, Hongxiuzhao, will do my best to gather beauties from all over the world and send them to the Prince's mansion."

"I can't wait that long, I want you." Su Li pointed at her.

Qin Banruo's almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly, and she remained silent for a while: "Your Highness, my relationship with Prince Yu is merely one of secret cooperation. I'm here as an intermediary. How could I possibly sacrifice myself for him?"

"Is that so?" Su Li thought for a moment, resting her chin on her hand, and then smiled and said, "Then let's change it. I want Gong Yu from Miaoyin Pavilion. Although she has a good reputation in Jinling City, she is ultimately just a courtesan. I think with Brother Yu's abilities, he wouldn't be unable to provide even this small reward."

Qin Banruo's face remained calm, but her heart was in turmoil. Among the romantic scenes of Jinling City, only the music of Miaoyin Pavilion, the dance of Yang Liuxin, and the understanding flower of Hongxiuzhao were the most famous.

Gong Yu was considered the top courtesan of Miaoyinfang, and it was no exaggeration to call her the number one courtesan in Jinling.

Although such a person was of lowly status, because those who passed by were all sons of princes and nobles, ordinary people did not dare to underestimate him.

"The difficult question Your Highness has posed has truly stumped me."

After a long while, Qin Banruo revealed a bitter smile. If the woman that this Prince Ling had taken a fancy to was from her Hongxiuzhao, it would be fine, but it just so happens to be Gong Yu from Miaoyinfang.

This girl was adored by countless people in Jinling, and even Prince Ji often went to listen to her songs and watch her dances.

"But you've presented me with a difficult problem. Let Prince Yu think it over carefully and decide whether the Duke of Qing is more important or a woman from the Miaoyin Pavilion. Show them out!"

Su Li waved her hand, and the guards beside her immediately gestured for her to enter.

Qin Banruo gracefully bowed, walked out of the main hall under the other party's gaze, and then got into a carriage to return to Prince Yu's mansion.

When she reported this to Prince Yu, his face immediately turned ugly: "This Xiao Jinglin has really given me a difficult problem. Since Gong Yu appeared at Miaoyin Pavilion, she has known princes and nobles all over the country. Even some princes in the imperial family often go to listen to music."

Putting aside whether Gong Yu would agree, if outsiders knew that I had sent her to the Ling Prince's residence, where would I, Prince Yu, put my face?

Qin Banruo tentatively asked, "Then—the Duke of Qing isn't going to save him?"

"No, he must be saved. He is my only pillar in the military. Titles can be taken away, but he cannot be harmed."

Prince Yu's face hardened. He twirled his prayer beads in his hand and looked at Qin Banruo expressionlessly: "As long as Gong Yu has disappeared safely from Jinling on the surface, who can find out whether she is dead or alive?"

Qin Banruo understood and slowly bowed: "Understood, I will take care of it immediately."

Soon, under her arrangement, an invitation was sent to Miaoyinfang, offering Gong Yu a high-paying invitation to play music in Hexian County.

Since becoming famous, Gong Yu had received many such invitations, but she didn't take them to heart. She inquired whether the alliance leader, Mei Changsu, had been free of trouble recently.

After packing my things quickly, I boarded a carriage and set off.

Six guards arranged by the Jiangzuo Alliance escorted a carriage slowly out of Jinling City, unaware that this scene was being observed by people hiding in the shadows.

Inside the carriage, Gong Yu and her maid chatted while enjoying the scenery.

"What kind of ideal husband are you planning to find, young lady?"

"Elegant demeanor, exceptional wisdom, and a charm that others can hardly match—" Gong Yu murmured to herself, her pretty face a mixture of emotions.

Upon hearing this, the maid became curious: "Judging from what you're saying, it seems you already have someone you like?"

Gong Yu bit her lip, gave a bitter laugh, and shook her head. Just then, her eyebrows furrowed, and a whooshing sound came from outside the carriage.

"ah----"

"Assassin! Girl, run!"

Although Gong Yu was a woman, her martial arts skills were not weak. She lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage. When she saw the black-clad assassins attacking from all directions, her pretty face immediately changed.