Chapter 438 Snowflake

A mere adopted daughter with no blood ties—how could she be worthy of being the Crown Prince's proper consort, especially when she had also committed murder!

At the thought of this, Consort Li couldn't hold back her anger, feeling wronged for Luo Jingshen.

Jian Lan chimed in to comfort her, saying, "Consort Li, please calm your anger. The Marquis Yongning's household really pulled a nasty move here, but look on the bright side—thankfully the Crown Prince hasn't brought her through the door yet, and all the betrothal gifts he sent have been returned, so His Highness hasn't come out on the losing end."

Consort Li's eyes flashed with anger as she slammed her hand on the table. "How hasn't he lost out?"

"Let's not even talk about how much time, money, and energy the Crown Prince poured into Ji Qingqing—not to mention he publicly asked for her hand in marriage, personally delivered the betrothal gifts, and gave her all the face in the world, all while catching a ton of flak himself. Just when he was about to win over the Marquis Yongning's household, now he's told Ji Qingqing is a fake. Who knows how many people out there are having a good laugh at his expense right now!"

"A perfectly good marriage, just gone like that, and he's got a stink on him because of it. Just thinking about it makes me want to gut someone, let alone the Crown Prince himself."

As Consort Li spoke, a hint of worry crept onto her face, and her heart ached even more for Luo Jingshen.

"He must be feeling awful right now. I wonder if there's anyone by his side to talk him through it and comfort him."

Jian Lan, standing behind her, suddenly had a brainstorm and said, "Consort Li, haven't you always wanted to patch things up with the Crown Prince? Now might be the perfect chance to clear the air between you two."

"His Highness is really hurting right now. Why not think about how you can help His Highness?"

"As long as you show up for him when he needs it most, are you worried he won't remember your kindness?"

Consort Li heard this and immediately thought she had a point.

As the saying goes, it's better to offer timely help than to add to someone's glory.

As long as she helped Luo Jingshen when he was at his lowest, wouldn't he naturally warm up to her?

With that thought, she immediately turned to Jian Lan. "Go out and find out what's going on with the Crown Prince right now. When you come back, tell me everything, down to the last detail."

Jian Lan acknowledged, "Yes, this servant will do as you command."

Meanwhile, Luo Jingshen was feeling restless and irritable, already furious over Ji Qingqing's marriage scam.

The people he'd sent to investigate the stolen betrothal gifts hadn't reported back in half a day.

And because the five new barbecue joints had suddenly closed their doors, owing suppliers eighty thousand taels, a bunch of people had already shown up at the East Palace gates demanding their money!

Luo Jingshen didn't show his face, sending Liu Qingya to calm them down instead, but that barely did anything—the dozen or so suppliers wouldn't listen to a word he said, so it was completely useless.

With all five barbecue restaurants closed at once, every supplier figured they were about to go belly-up and skip town, so they all swarmed over to demand their money, kicking up a big fuss.

The East Palace was caught in the eye of the storm, and Luo Jingshen, fed up beyond belief, fled to his usual haunt, the Flower Pavilion, to drink and have some fun.

The Madam swayed her hips, all smiles, and eagerly ushered him up to the VIP room on the second floor.

"Your Highness, you've come at just the right time! Our Flower Pavilion just got a new girl recently—she's an absolute knockout, a beauty that could topple cities. One smile could charm a nation, a second could bring down a city. She's a hundred times more gorgeous than our previous top courtesan."

It was the first time Luo Jingshen had ever heard the Flower Pavilion's Madam praise a girl so effusively.

After all, the previous top courtesan, Peony, had already been beautiful enough. A girl even more beautiful than Peony—one could only imagine how breathtaking she must be.

At this thought, much of the gloom in Luo Jingshen's heart cleared away, and he immediately became intrigued.

"Oh? Is this girl truly as beautiful as you claim?"

The Madam's face crinkled into smiles. "Of course! That girl—never mind men, even this mama here feels her heart flutter just looking at her."

Luo Jingshen's heart stirred, and he grew even more eager to meet this young lady.

He pulled a gold ingot from his pocket and tossed it to the Madam, instructing, "Go bring her to me. If she's truly as beautiful as you describe, then I'll reward you handsomely."

The Madam accepted the gold, knowing exactly how to handle things, and promptly said with enthusiasm, "Right away! Your Highness, wait here for a moment, and this servant will have Miss Xuehua come upstairs to see you."

Before long, the door was pushed open, and a woman of breathtaking beauty entered gracefully, carrying a pipa in her arms.

She was clad in red silk, her eyes shimmering like spring water, her skin as smooth as congealed cream. Her exquisitely gorgeous face radiated a thousand charms, as if seduction itself were innate to her. With every smile and every frown, she was dazzlingly, impossibly beautiful.

The moment Luo Jingshen laid eyes on her, he felt as if his breath had stopped!

How could there exist in this world a woman so alluring, so bewitching, so utterly captivating?

Beautiful without being vulgar, glamorous without being ostentatious—she merely stood there, as if she embodied the very phrase "femme fatale" to perfection.

"You're the Flower Pavilion's new Miss Xuehua?" Luo Jingshen asked.

Xuehua's eyes flickered subtly. She curtsied slightly, offering a bow.

"In answer to Your Highness the Crown Prince, yes, this servant is she."

"Show me what talents you possess!"

After speaking, Luo Jingshen also pointed to the spot directly in front of him. "Don't stand so far away. Sit right here before me, and let me have a good look at you."

Xuehua curved her lips into a smile and obediently replied, "Yes, this servant obeys."

She sat down before Luo Jingshen, her fingertips plucking at the strings as she began to play the pipa.

Luo Jingshen had already prepared himself to enjoy the performance, expecting that what she played would surely be a melodious, flowing tune.

But to his surprise, the melody that came from her hands was grating and discordant—a chaotic mess of notes that was utterly unbearable to the ears.

Luo Jingshen furrowed his brow. Even he, who knew nothing of music, could tell the tune was dreadful, like demonic noise drilling into one's ears. Had Miss Xuehua not noticed?

Xuehua, however, seemed to play with increasing enthusiasm. After finishing the piece, she saw Luo Jingshen looking at her with a very complicated expression.

She quickly rose to her feet, looking deeply alarmed. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, is this servant's playing not pleasing to your ears?"

Before Luo Jingshen could speak, her tears began to fall in rapid succession, and she poured out her tale of woe.

"Your Highness, you wouldn't know—this servant was once the daughter of a respectable family. But unfortunately, our family fortunes declined, my loved ones died tragically, leaving only me alone in this world. I had nowhere to go, and when I heard that the Flower Pavilion could provide women a place of refuge, I came here seeking shelter!"

"Today is my first day at the Flower Pavilion. I didn't know what Your Highness enjoys listening to, so I brought out my best skill—the pipa..."

Before Xuehua could finish speaking, Luo Jingshen suddenly grabbed her hand, his gaze deep and tender as he looked at her.

"Miss Xuehua, say no more. I understand."

"The pipa you played—its flowing notes are exquisite, something rarely heard in this mortal world. I love it very much."

Xuehua stopped her tears and looked at him with excitement. "Really, Your Highness the Crown Prince?"

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