The annual competition for the top courtesan at the House of Flowers was always quite a spectacle. All kinds of beautiful women did their utmost. Even if they couldn't win the top prize, getting more attention and fetching a higher price would make their lives easier in the coming year.
Therefore, on this day every year, men from the capital would gather here. Even those who couldn't afford to bid for a girl would come just to watch the excitement. After all, the sight of a hundred flowers competing in beauty was not something one could see every day.
The seating arrangement at the House of Flowers was different from that of the Hall of Golden Treasures. The girls all performed on the second floor, while the first - floor hall was for ordinary guests. On normal days, there were still seats available, but today there was hardly any room to stand.
Those who could afford private rooms were on the floors above the second floor. The private rooms were densely packed, and each one had quite a number of people.
The richer a person was, the closer they were to the girls' performance area. So, the guests on the second and third floors represented a certain social status.
Madam Yue had three treasures: Plum Fragrance, Lotus Fragrance, and Orchid Fragrance. Each year, the three Fragrances would always be in the running for the top prize. They were all stunningly beautiful. Especially Lotus Fragrance. Being young, she had quickly risen to prominence. Her unique temperament, a blend of innocence and charm, was simply captivating.
Since Madam Yun had previously announced that she had found a beauty who could rival the three Fragrances, the three of them were determined not to be outshone. Lotus Fragrance, being young and impulsive, even went straight to Yi Zhici's door.
"I don't know where this little slut came from. Don't think that just because you have a pretty face, you'll win. Winning the competition depends on winning men's hearts!"
Madam Yun ignored her and said to the maidservant, "Continue to do the girl's makeup."
It had been more than three days since Yi Zhici left the mansion. Since she was usually quite restless and always running around, the Marquis of Jing didn't really care where she went. Her maidservants, Zhong Qing and Zhong Yi, would also cover for her in front of the marquis and the marchioness. So, she wasn't worried that the marquis would be furious when he found out she was missing. Yi Zhici was quite confident.
She had been waiting for this day's competition.
"Mom, is Lotus Fragrance as beautiful as me?" she asked, looking innocent and lovely.
Yi Zhici tilted her head, her big eyes blinking, full of sparkle as if they held the stars in the sky. There were two shallow dimples on her fair and delicate cheeks. She was extremely beautiful. Her hair was neatly coiffed, and her features were exquisitely fine. She was truly a beauty of celestial grace.
Madam Yun smiled, feeling even more at ease. "Of course, she's not as beautiful as you. You just keep getting your makeup done. I'll go out and take a look."
Yi Zhici watched Madam Yun's departing back and curled the corners of her mouth.
In the private room on the second floor.
"Second brother, do you think the third brother will come?" Wei Yuansi couldn't stop munching on the almond cakes that had been served. "He didn't want to come to the auction the other day. Although he finally did, hey? Could it be that after staying in the Southern Border for so long, he doesn't want to talk to us anymore?"
Wu Ya paused for a moment. "It would be strange if he came to the places you chose. Coming to the Hall of Golden Treasures was already giving you enough face."
Wei Yuansi laughed heartily. "But I'm doing this out of good intentions. I heard that many of the girls today are new. If the third brother takes a fancy to one, I can also show my brotherly care."
"You have some strange ideas."
On the stage, Lotus Fragrance had just finished a dance. Then she played a tune called "Moonlight Oath", which was cold and lofty. She looked like a fairy. The bidding had already reached three thousand taels of silver.
Lotus Fragrance curled her lips into a smile, looking even more charming, as if she was sure of victory.
Wei Yuansi stroked his non - existent beard. "This Lotus Fragrance is really quite good - looking. She does deserve the title of the top courtesan."
Wu Ya shook his head and said coldly, "If you're not afraid of getting sick, then buy her."
Wei Yuansi snorted.
Just then, there was a loud noise from behind the stage, and Madam Yun's scolding voice came: "Whoever catches this girl will be rewarded with a hundred taels of silver!"
Yi Zhici cursed silently but didn't stop running.
Her escape had been going smoothly at first. She pretended to be stupid in front of Madam Yun to relax the guards, and it seemed like a perfect opportunity to escape. But she was soft - hearted and didn't knock out the maidservant.
Because of this moment of soft - heartedness, within half a cup of tea's time after she started running, the maidservant reacted and immediately started shouting. This not only brought Madam Yun back but also mobilized all the young servants nearby.
It was true that Yi Zhici was a regular at the House of Flowers, but she usually only listened to the pure - hearted courtesans singing. She had never set foot in the area of the red - card courtesans. So, she wasn't very familiar with the overall layout of the House of Flowers. As she ran, she got lost.
Finally, when she managed to reach the first floor, the huge crowd in the first - floor hall blocked her way back.
Seeing a red silk ribbon hanging on the wall, Yi Zhici immediately grabbed it and climbed up along it. Then... why did the red silk ribbon take her flying?
It was originally just an ordinary silk ribbon connecting the performance stage and the third floor. When Yi Zhici pulled it, it broke in the middle.
By the time she realized it, she had thrown herself onto the stage and was beside Lotus Fragrance.
Yi Zhici: "..."
Fortunately, she remembered that she couldn't show her face, so she immediately covered her face with her sleeve, only leaving her eyes to look at the chaotic scene around her. The fanatical and sickly faces made her want to vomit.
The crowd below became even more excited because of Yi Zhici's appearance, and Lotus Fragrance was somewhat neglected beside her.
Yi Zhici saw the door of the House of Flowers. It was like seeing a ray of dawn. She now regretted not learning martial arts hard from Master Cangyang. She swore that if she had another chance, she would never be lazy again.
Putting strength into her feet, with the help of the red silk ribbon, Yi Zhici stepped on the railing of the second floor. Although it was not easy, she finally climbed onto the third floor.
This scene was beyond everyone's expectations. The cheers were one wave after another. The crowd crowded in the direction where Yi Zhici was moving. The eager faces made her feel scared.
Wei Yuansi said to Wu Ya, "What's this all about?"
Wu Ya squinted his eyes. "Yuansi, don't you think she looks familiar?"
Wei Yuansi nodded. "But I can't remember where I've seen her..."
"..."
Wu Ya curved his lips into a smile. "It's quite interesting."
Yi Zhici climbed onto the third floor and ran straight towards the door without any hesitation.
"Beauty, where are you running?"
Yi Zhici instinctively wanted to raise her hand to strike, but when she saw the other person's face, her heart sank. "Du Wenting?"