A New Journey

She performed a poem, improvising on the spot. Such a talented woman was naturally beloved by scholars, especially in the Kingdom of Song, a nation that valued literary arts over martial prowess.

Consequently, nearly a third of the hundreds of nobles present cast their votes for her, placing her temporarily in the lead with 160 votes.

However, this score wouldn’t be enough to secure first place.

For men, a woman’s beauty determined everything. Thus, she was soon surpassed by a dancer, who garnered 180 votes.

Ye Qingyun sat in the contestant’s pavilion, observing the performances of the various young women. From his expression, it was evident he held little interest in the proceedings, purely there to pass the time.

As the afternoon progressed, it was finally Ye Qingyun’s turn to perform.

“Please welcome contestant number 36, the Rose Fairy of Sweetwater Lane, to the stage for her performance,” the middle-aged host boomed.

Hearing the announcement, Ye Qingyun slowly rose.

He then walked out of the resting area and stepped onto the performance stage.

As Ye Qingyun stepped onto the stage, his mere aura was enough to draw the eyes of the surrounding nobles.

He remained silent, walking to the front of the stage and slowly removing his veil.

The moment the veil was lifted, the hearts of all the nobles present were utterly captivated by him.

A moment later, a maidservant brought a pipa. Ye Qingyun then began his self-accompanied performance, playing and singing.

The moment he appeared, everyone else seemed to fade into obscurity.

Ye Qingyun, clad in a flowing red gown, danced gracefully as it billowed in the wind.

He slowly closed his eyes, executing dance steps while plucking the pipa, eventually letting loose a clear, bright song.

His voice was like the call of a siren – cool, refreshing, and enchanting.

He effortlessly commanded the entire hall. Even the other participating young women, half of whom were players themselves, had to concede defeat, though none had revealed their true identities to each other.

“She must be Ye Qingrou,” some female players whispered among themselves. “I remember the system gave her an identity reward last time.”

Naturally, as long as they didn’t reveal their identities, no one knew they were players. Yet, there were always some who actively sought to connect with others.

The piece Ye Qingyun performed was titled ‘Mortal Affection,’ a lyrical song recounting the tale of lovers separated by life and death.

This represented the highest level of song and dance Ye Qingyun had mastered.

It was incredibly difficult to perform, yet the effect was profoundly moving.

Ye Qingyun held a broad perspective on life. Life was fleeting, and one should experience what there was to experience.

He quickly embraced this philosophy, viewing all matters with detachment. No one else could walk his path for him.

Thus, Ye Qingyun’s performance concluded, leaving the audience in a daze.

He passed with a perfect score, receiving all 350 votes, a testament to everyone’s unanimous approval.

This perfect score struck awe and fear into all the other contestants. However, if they knew that the woman who had bested them was, in reality, a man, all the other women would likely be mortified.

In this manner, Ye Qingyun became renowned within aristocratic circles.

From that day forward, his daily performances were booked out by young noblemen and influential figures, with VIP seats consistently overflowing.

While he had become incredibly popular, new problems inevitably arose. Naturally, certain nobles began to harbor intentions towards Ye Qingyun.

Indeed, many wealthy merchants approached Li Yulian, seeking to redeem Ye Qingyun from her service.

However, Ye Qingyun was now Li Yulian’s cash cow. How could Li Yulian possibly agree to such a thing?

Consequently, the wealthy merchants resorted to sending gifts, hoping for an audience with Ye Qingyun.

Just then, an important figure arrived at Ye Qingyun’s room. This was a remarkably robust young man, with sharp, sword-like brows and piercing eyes, exuding an imposing presence.

This individual was Lin Tianqi, the eldest son of The Capital Prefect.

“Miss Qingrou,” Lin Tianqi began, “I hear you’ve already shed your official courtesan status. If that’s the case, why remain in such a place of pleasure?”

“This young master has fallen for you at first sight. Why not join me and share in domestic bliss? As long as you agree, the title of this year’s Flower Queen will undoubtedly be yours, and I can arrange for your release from Sweetwater Lane.”

Lin Tianqi was quite direct, yet he possessed the standing to be so. His Lin family was a prominent and wealthy household in The Capital.

They were, in fact, one of the wealthiest families in the Imperial City.

Ye Qingyun regarded Lin Tianqi with a cool indifference. This man was clearly attempting to threaten him, but Ye Qingyun was entirely unswayed.

The title of Flower Queen held no particular importance to him; he could take it or leave it.

After the Flower Queen event concluded, he intended to embark on his true path, making it impossible to remain here.

“My words remain the same, Young Master Lin. Please take your leave,” Ye Qingyun stated flatly.

Seeing this, Lin Tianqi’s brows furrowed instantly. He spoke again, his tone now significantly less pleasant.

“Is that so?” he sneered. “Does Miss truly understand that my Lin family is second only to His Majesty in The Capital? We are practically the heavens themselves.”

“If I desired, I have countless ways to make you comply willingly. However, this young master has always disliked forcing others. Consider your options carefully, Miss.”

Lin Tianqi proved to be a decisive man, not entirely swayed by Ye Qingyun’s beauty. His readiness to leave surprised him somewhat.

Ye Qingyun watched Lin Tianqi depart after leaving such an inexplicable remark, feeling a wave of speechlessness.

This was the eighth person who had come to seek him out today. Even setting aside that this was merely a game, if it weren’t, there was no way he would abandon his own life to become someone else’s concubine. What a joke!

He was a man, an unchangeable fact. No matter how much he resembled a woman at this moment, it was merely superficial.

And so, Ye Qingyun began his wait of over ten days, finally ushering in the grand Flower Queen selection.

The outcome of this competition was already certain, barring any internal foul play, unless, as Lin Tianqi suggested, there was internal foul play.

After all, the Flower Queen was essentially chosen by the nobles. During this period, Ye Qingyun had rejected the advances of many nobles, and they had all vowed that Ye Qingrou would not attain the title of Flower Queen.

Yet, the result left Ye Qingyun perplexed: the title of Flower Queen was still hers.

However, he no longer cared. Once the news was announced, Ye Qingyun immediately went to find Li Yulian.

At this moment, inside Li Yulian’s room.

“So soon? You’ve already gathered the funds to buy your freedom?” Li Yulian looked at Ye Qingyun with utter astonishment. “Qingrou, are you truly abandoning such a promising future? Leaving Sweetwater Lane?”

Hearing this, Ye Qingyun couldn’t help but chuckle as he retorted.

“Heh heh, Mama Li,” he said, “do you truly believe that being an entertainer, especially one who sells her allure, is a good future?”

These words silenced Li Yulian. Indeed, their profession was, in the end, never truly respectable.

No matter how grand the Flower Queen pageant appeared, in reality, it was merely entertainment in the eyes of the nobility.

Every woman in a place of pleasure initially resisted, but eventually, they all succumbed to compliance and resignation. Such was life.

“Very well then,” Li Yulian finally said with a bitter smile, choosing to offer her blessings. “Then Mama can only wish you a better life ahead.”

She didn’t try to keep Ye Qingyun, for hadn’t she, in her own youth, also wished to escape this place?

Ye Qingyun nodded with a smile. This world was no longer just a game; it was a world of flesh and blood.

“Mm, thank you, Mama Li,” he said. “By the way, Mama Li, can the floral pattern on my forehead be removed? I find it too conspicuous.”

He certainly couldn’t go out like this.

At this, Li Yulian looked a little embarrassed.

Since the mark came from the authorities, they had no means to remove such an imprint.

Learning it couldn’t be removed, Ye Qingyun could only let it be.