Li Kui hadn’t a clue he’d ruffled feathers.

As he brimmed with confidence, a woman stepped out.

“Xiao Lian Girl!”

Those poised to depart brightened in an instant—while Qingya Girl was out of reach, a night with Xiao Lian Girl would still be a fine prize indeed!

Li Kui’s eyes gleamed too, fixating on Xiao Lian. Her looks alone rivaled top brothel courtesans.

If she’d bed him tonight, this trip wouldn’t be wasted.

Heart thumping, he watched her greet the crowd and stride his way.

Was he… chosen?

Had Xiao Lian pegged his standout air, somehow knowing his dad was a Ministry official, opting to keep him—standing in for her mistress to make his night?

Li Kui’s mind spun fantasies, then his peripheral caught her breeze past, halting before Yang Xi—his would-be pal.

“Sir, my mistress requests you!”

Xiao Lian’s clear voice rang, bowing to Xia Chen. Her white dress clung tight, accentuating every curve, her round hips bared fully.

Breaths caught, eyes blazed, and heavy panting filled the air.

But jaws dropped too—Qingya Girl picked someone tonight, and him?

They recalled Xia Chen—Qingya’s gaze had lingered on him an extra beat earlier.

Yet in the games, she’d ignored him, and his flat showing faded him from notice.

The night’s stars—top talents—rose, faces sour with defiance.

Why this latecomer? Because they hadn’t jostled enough?

This was about a woman—about tonight’s deep communion with Qingya. No one would yield.

“Xiao Lian Girl, isn’t this a bit unjust? This fellow’s performance tonight was utterly lackluster!”

A voice boomed in protest.

Li Kui, beside Xia Chen, froze. He’d just claimed Qingya wouldn’t pick them, pitching a brothel jaunt to treat Yang Xi. Now Yang Xi was tapped?

On what grounds? Masks hid looks—was it just a sliver of extra poise?

As the crowd simmered, teetering on chaos, Xiao Lian inhaled deeply, flashing a smile.

“Gentlemen, staying at Qingya Xiaozhu hinges on my mistress’s whim. Tonight, she’s made her choice—come again another day!”

She turned to Xia Chen. “Sir, please!”

“Go back ahead,” Xia Chen said, rising, nodding to Xia Qian and Li Xi.

Xia Qian opened his mouth, but Li Xi, grinning, yanked him back. “Sure thing, Boss! But rise early tomorrow—camp’s got a job, probably helping the Lamplighters.”

Li Xi whispered, winking with a knowing leer.

Xia Chen brushed him off, following Xiao Lian. Passing the stunned Li Kui, a hand grabbed him—Li Kui’s eyes shone.

“Brother Yang, what’s the trick? How’d you snag Qingya Girl’s favor?”

He paused, swallowing “back door” with tact.

He craved that secret—slipping through Qingya’s back door? Bliss!

Xia Chen mused, patted his shoulder, and murmured, “Maybe I’m just… handsomer than the rest.”

He strode off, leaving a cryptic silhouette.

The crowd—especially the night’s standouts—fretted, fearing he’d truly taken Qingya’s “back door.” They surged forward, but two burly guards emerged from the shadows, barring their path.

The talents eyed the hulks’ bulk, then slunk back to their seats, feigning calm.

Scholars knew when to bend!

Inside, Xia Chen found a hidden sprawl—this courtyard was vast. Trailing Xiao Lian quietly, he took in every detail.

“Sir, here!”

Xiao Lian stopped at an inner chamber, stepping aside for him to enter.

Xia Chen paused at the threshold, eyeing the silhouette on the paper door, then pushed it open without hesitation.

A heady scent hit—floral yet bodily, intoxicating.

Qingya sat at her vanity, ignoring him, grooming silently.

Her lotus face gleamed in the bronze mirror, damp hair shedding jade-like drops.

She lifted a silk cloth, wiping them away—movements soft as spring petals.

Then, with a wooden comb, she smoothed her cloud-like locks, stroke by stroke, each pass wafting a faint perfume.

Her raven tresses shone like polished ink under candlelight.

Clad only in undergarments, no excess skin showed—her rosy cheeks glowed, a lady’s grace hinting at what lay ahead, rendering the scene tantalizing.

Xia Chen watched silently, savoring without interruption.

“You’re quite composed, sir!”

Her cool voice broke the stillness, revealing a face of devastating beauty as she turned.

“With such beauty before me, spoiling it would mark me as a man blind to charm!”

Xia Chen chuckled, playing the rakish noble.

“You’re in my room—still won’t unmask?”

Qingya’s gaze feigned reproach, stirring the heart as she approached.

“I figured keeping it on might spice things up!”

Xia Chen grinned. Qingya blinked, puzzled—how’d a mask add zest?

But sharp as she was, she caught his drift—deep communion.

She snorted inwardly: Men—always after flesh!

Xia Chen plopped at the table, eyeing her lithe form—those peaks could unleash a thunderous triple strike!

“The moon’s fine, the night long—if it’s a reveal you want, fair’s fair!”

He laughed, peeling off his mask.

A chiseled face emerged—deep, bright eyes, a peak-like nose, thin lips curved in a faint smirk. Pale skin glowed under shifting light.

Her rare pupils had glimpsed him before, but fleetingly.

Now, face-to-face, Qingya’s gaze faltered, unable to casually drift from his features.