The Fallen Consort

"Young Master, my name is Jiang Mei. May I accompany you tonight?" Jiang Mei said courteously.

Yi Ling didn't replied but instead walked closer to Jiang Mei, she lifted her hand towards her. Jiang Mei was stunned, at that moment she felt like she couldn't move at all. Yi Ling's hand landed on her hair, there was a piece a small leaf in it. She took one of Jiang Mei's hand and handed the leaf to her. Yi Ling then passed everyone and went inside the Pavilion.

Everyone was quiet, It felt like everything was on slow-motion. When Jiang Mei came back to her senses, she turned around and saw Yi Ling being directed to a room by another courtesan.She didn't know why but somehow she was captivated by that masked man.

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Yi Ling sat down and ordered a couple of dishes. The courtesan that lead her to this room stayed and gave her company. The courtesan introduced herself as Yu Weiyan, she was quite the opposite of Jiang Mei. She acted more reserved and modest, As well as being respectful to Yi Ling. She didn't dare touch nor flaunt to the young masked man beside her. Yi Ling appreciated it a lot, since she really wasn't here to see the courtesans.

When the food and drinks came, Yi Ling started to converse with Yu Weiyan while eating. Though Yu Weiyan really wouldn't drink much, Yi Ling knew how to gain a woman's trust. It's to be blunt and honest, she smiled behind her mask.

"Do you know the Uncle of the Crown Prince?" She directly asked.

Yu Weiyan eyed the man beside her. Though she doesn't know this man, she felt at ease beside her. Not like her other customers, who only knows how to flirt and to harass her.

"You mean Xiang Ren?" She lifted the cup of wine to her mouth and gracefully took a sip.

"I'm new to this kingdom, so forgive me. I don't know their names. If he is the Crown Prince' Uncle, then yes. Do you know of him?" Yi Ling rubbed her chin as she stared at Yu Weiyan.

"He is one of Jiang Mei's frequent customers. I heard he is asking her to be one of his concubines." She shrugged her shoulders, she didn't like Jiang Mei very much. She was too narcissistic.

"Can you tell me anything about him?".

"What's there to tell? He is the most cunning man in Xiang Kingdom. I'd be careful, if I we're you. Once he knows that someone is trying to dig up information about him, he won't let you go easily." She warned him since she didn't have any ill-will to this man. Though she had been a courtesan at a young age, doesn't mean she was like any others. But getting information out of her, came with a price.

"Thank you for the warning, But I can handle myself." Yi Ling waved her sleeve and a vial appeared in her hand. She displayed it in front of Yu Weiyan.

Yu Weiyan's brows furrowed as she stared at the vial.

"What's that?".

The vial has a clear liquid inside of it. She felt a small spiritual energy emitting out of the vial. She was at the 3rd Rank of Dawning Stage, even though she was a courtesan. That's why she was able to sense it. She made it a hobby to cultivate. She dreamed about getting out of the Flower Pavilion someday. She was an orphan, caught by traffickers and was sold to the Flower Pavilion at age 10. One of her customers before taught her how to cultivate. It's been years since she last saw that man. She sighed when she remembered him.