“Gentlemen, if you wish to submit your answers, please write them on paper. After they are collected, Lady Luzhu will select her favorite.”
Jin Yi had just turned around and had not yet taken a step to leave when the surrounding crowd began to stir, with voices rising one after another.
“Lady Jin Yi, we all came for Lady Luzhu. At the very least, let us have a look, don’t you think?”
Once someone started egging her on, the atmosphere became lively, and everyone began joking and clamoring to see Luzhu.
Jin Yi smiled, yet her face wore a look of mock sorrow. “Why, do you all not like Jin Yi? That is truly heartbreaking.”
The people offstage looked at Jin Yi’s feigned pitiful expression and burst into laughter. Some even could not help but tease her softly.
“How could you say that, Lady Jin Yi? Who could possibly not like you!”
“They are all liars! Wait, Luzhu is coming right out.”
Jin Yi set aside her playful expression, waved to the person who spoke, and walked off the stage.
Amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, emerald-green silk cascaded from the roof like a waterfall, swaying gently. The area around the stage turned mysterious, and suddenly, silence fell over everything.
Melodious string music flowed from afar, with the graceful singing voice and the music echoing each other, complementing one another perfectly.
A woman with a beautiful figure, wearing a veil, leaped down from the third floor, landed steadily in the center of the stage, and immediately began to dance gracefully to the music.
Except for Shi Yu and Mo Yuan, who remained unmoved, almost everyone else was entranced, eyes fixed tightly on the exquisite figure on stage.
As the music gradually faded, Luzhu’s agile and graceful dance movements slowed to a halt. A breeze brushed past, stirring her smooth hair and light garments, blowing away her veil. The beauty’s breathtaking countenance was thus exposed to everyone. The crowd seemed unable to snap out of the stunning performance, standing dazed in their spots until someone finally reacted and cheered, which ignited the rest of the room.
Luzhu scanned the audience below, curled the corners of her lips slightly, and revealed a faint smile.
“I hope you all enjoyed yourselves. Luzhu must take her leave.”
After Luzhu turned around, her footsteps faltered slightly, and her gaze flickered, as if by chance, toward the direction where Shi Yu and Mo Yuan were sitting.
There was a profound look in her eyes, one that was difficult to decipher.
Shi Yu watched the woman’s departing silhouette, feeling somewhat confused, but had not yet spoken.
Beside him, Mo Yuan saw Shi Yu’s gaze and felt somewhat dissatisfied, his eyes darkening.
“Is she beautiful?”
Hearing this inexplicable question, Shi Yu turned to look at Mo Yuan, his eyes filled with puzzlement.
Before Shi Yu could ask what he meant, a servant walked over to collect their answer sheets. Shi Yu had to decline the servant first before returning to question Mo Yuan.
“What did you just say?”
Mo Yuan’s expression turned somber. He turned his head away, refusing to look at Shi Yu, a flicker of displeasure and dissatisfaction crossing his eyes.
Shi Yu naturally would not indulge his mood; he stopped paying attention to him and turned back to sit in his seat.
Until Jin Yi returned to the stage, the two did not exchange another word.
“Everyone, Lady Luzhu has chosen the final winner. Shortly, someone will go to invite this lucky gentleman.”
The people below were anxious, constantly trying to fish for information from Jin Yi on stage.
Jin Yi merely stood on the stage, smiling at everyone, shaking her head without saying a word.
Shi Yu had initially thought they would return empty-handed today, but unexpectedly, someone knocked on their room door.
The servant looked at the two men in the room, assessed them for a moment, and bowed to Shi Yu. “Sir, Lady Luzhu invites you upstairs for a conversation.”
Shi Yu frowned slightly, feeling confused and sensing something peculiar.
“Are you sure you have not made a mistake?”
Mo Yuan, standing nearby, could no longer sit still. He frowned and walked quickly to the door, his eyes staring sharply at the servant.
The servant seemed unfazed, merely lowering his head slightly to indicate that he was simply following orders.
Shi Yu, on the other hand, appeared calm and composed as he asked, “Does Lady Luzhu reside on the third floor?”
The servant nodded. “The lady is waiting for you in her room. Please.”
The servant gestured for Shi Yu to leave the room. Mo Yuan watched on, anxious, and was about to stop Shi Yu.
Noticing his movement, Shi Yu looked back, gave him a reassuring look, and sent a secret message: “I will go up to take a look. Do not act rashly; wait for me outside.”
Hearing Shi Yu’s telepathic message, Mo Yuan stopped his actions, his brow furrowed tightly and his eyes filled with worry.
Shi Yu did not continue to entangle with Mo Yuan and followed the servant upstairs.
Mo Yuan stood at the door, watching Shi Yu’s fading figure. He felt anxious internally, but ultimately followed Shi Yu’s instructions and left the Huanyao Qige, finding a tea stall outside to wait for him.
By now, Shi Yu had reached the third floor. He scanned his surroundings; the decor on the third floor was more magnificent, but otherwise, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
If it is not the place, then it is the person, Shi Yu thought. He withdrew his gaze.
“Sir, this way, please!” The servant led Shi Yu to a room, stopped, and gestured for Shi Yu to enter alone, then departed.
Shi Yu stood at the doorway to observe for a moment. Finding nothing suspicious, he reached out to push the door open and entered.
However, as soon as the door opened, a faint, strange fragrance wafted toward him. Detecting something amiss, Shi Yu immediately used his magic to hold his breath.
Stepping into the room, Shi Yu saw the woman from the stage sitting in front of a mirror.
“Lady Luzhu.”
After steadying himself, Shi Yu called out to her in a flat tone.
Hearing the movement, Luzhu stood up, turned around to face Shi Yu, and wore a faint smile.
Shi Yu did not miss the flash of emerald-green light in her eyes as she turned.
Recalling the suspicious points he had discovered earlier, Shi Yu immediately changed his demeanor. His formerly clear, ink-black eyes gradually became turbid.
Luzhu noticed the change in Shi Yu, sighed softly, retracted her smile, and spoke with a tone of detachment.
“Young Master Shi, please, have a seat here.”
Luzhu walked to the side. Shi Yu, unsure of how one should act when bewitched, waited for Luzhu’s move and followed her to sit nearby.
“Young Master Shi, do you like Luzhu?”
Shi Yu observed Luzhu’s performance; her face remained indifferent and distant, yet her voice was alluring and enticing.
“Naturally, I do.” Shi Yu replied with a light chuckle, his face composed and heart steady.
Luzhu did not seem surprised or delighted by his answer; she appeared accustomed to it.
“Then, how much do you like Luzhu, Young Master Shi?” Luzhu handed a wine cup to Shi Yu, and as he reached out to take it, she brushed against his hand slightly.
Shi Yu noticed the contact and struggled to suppress his discomfort. He took the cup steadily, his eyes fixed on Luzhu’s face.
“Whatever you desire, I can provide.”
A moment of clarity flashed through Shi Yu’s eyes, though Luzhu evidently did not notice.
Hearing his words, she nodded with satisfaction.
“You say I can have whatever I desire, Young Master? Are you willing to redeem Luzhu from her indenture?”
Luzhu’s expression remained unchanged, but her voice became even more heart-wrenching.
Shi Yu pondered her motives, pausing for a moment.
Just then, he heard a faint noise from the window. Shi Yu felt displeased, realizing Mo Yuan had secretly followed him up.
Luzhu, seeing Shi Yu did not respond, stood up and moved toward him.
“Young Master Shi, do you not like Luzhu?”
As she spoke, she leaned in toward him.
Suddenly, a black shadow darted out, stopping Luzhu and pushing her away.
Mo Yuan stood before Shi Yu like a vengeful spirit, his gaze as if he intended to tear the woman apart.
Luzhu let out a pained cry and looked toward Shi Yu, intending to ask for help, only to find that he did not look the least bit bewitched.
The previously calm expression on Luzhu’s face finally changed. Panicked, she started to call for help, but Mo Yuan struck her unconscious with a single palm.
Mo Yuan then looked at Shi Yu, his face full of resentment, seemingly demanding an explanation.