Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3614052
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Meng Chang'an felt troubled.
Why does she always feel like something's a bit off about this question?
Comparing Her Highness to her elder brother’s flesh and blood...
How could this even be compared?!
Young Master Meng felt extremely troubled, but she also felt that if she didn't answer this question properly, the Princess would definitely not let it go easily.
Thinking about this, Young Master Meng couldn't help but glance resentfully at the approaching beauty in front of her, and asked back, "Then if we were to compare me to your flesh and blood, who would be more important?"
Upon hearing this, the Princess was first stunned for a moment, then she laughed and said, "Do not worry, I do not intend to have any flesh and blood. Since there are none, naturally you are the most important!"
A hint of sweetness emerged on Young Master Meng's tongue.
So, Young Master Meng gradually relaxed her furrowed brows and echoed the Princess’ words, saying, “Mm, that makes sense. Since you have no flesh and blood, then my elder brother also has no flesh and blood. Therefore, if compared to those flesh and blood that do not exist, Your Highness is still more important for the time being."
After listening to Young Master Meng's words, the Princess merely smiled with resignation and looked at Young Master Meng without much reaction.
But Young General Lin, who was still standing at the door, couldn't help himself and burst out laughing.
The white powder all over his body and face, combined with the trembling laughter of the young general, looked truly comical.
With that, Meng Chang'an finally shifted her gaze from the Princess to him, asking disdainfully, "What are you laughing at?"
“Ahem, ahem, ahem." Lin Xingyang gradually suppressed his laughter, trying to put on a serious expression, and replied, "I was laughing at your special way of flirting."
Flirting?
Upon hearing this, the Princess couldn't help but curl her lips slightly.
But Young Master Meng was not as easygoing. If it weren't for the Princess grabbing her in time, Young Master Meng would have almost knocked Lin Xingyang's head again.
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
Without giving Young Master Meng the opportunity to step forward to reprimand anyone, Her Highness the Princess had already grabbed her wrist and turned to instruct, "Yuechu, take Young General Lin to freshen up first, and go change into some fresh clothes before coming back, let us have a meal together."
Yuechu was afraid of disturbing the Princess’ affairs, so she quickly agreed upon hearing the words, and hurriedly led the equally disheveled Young General Lin away from the scene.
Once the two had left, the Princess took Young Master Meng's hand and slowly left the messy room, heading towards the one where she had originally been. She casually asked, "By the way, what is your relationship with the Young General Lin?"
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3614052
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Afraid of arousing any misunderstanding from the Princess, Meng Chang'an decided to be straightforward and confessed, "He is my godmother's nephew. We have been like siblings from different families since childhood. He recognized me at the palace banquet and feared that I would be isolated and without support in the capital, so he specially came to find me."
With just that explanation, the Princess nodded in understanding.
“Mm, I see."
In the original private room, the tea she had shared with Ye Wuyou, had already been removed, and a new pot of hot tea was set up.
The table had been tidied up, so when the Princess sat down at the table, Meng Chang'an couldn't see any traces of her meeting with her friend.
"Steward Yan said you were here to meet a friend, right? Could it be that your friend has not arrived yet?"
Rarely does Young Master Meng show concern for her own affairs, which pleases the Princess. After pouring a cup of tea for Young Master Meng, she leaned her chin on her hand and turned her head to face Young Master Meng, raising her eyebrows with a smile, and asked, "The person has already left. Why, do you want to know who it was?"
At this moment, Meng Chang'an's mind was suddenly filled with the words and actions of this person from last night in the carriage.
‘Kiss me, and I will tell you.’
The Princess's words were already etched in Young Master Meng's mind, unable to be dispersed.
Young Master Meng was afraid that the Princess would say such words again, so she didn't even dare to look at the Princess anymore. She quickly turned her head away and looked out at the scenery outside the window.
After licking her dry lips slightly, Young Master Meng whispered, "I don't want to... there is nothing I really want to know."
The Princess had no intention of answering, so naturally, she wouldn't trouble herself by continuing to ask further.
Not giving Meng Chang'an a chance to evade, Li Qiubai immediately reached out and turned her face back, gently touching the faint red mark on her forehead.
"Does it hurt?"
Meng Chang'an lowered her eyes, momentarily forgetting to struggle, and simply allowed the Princess to gently stroke the faint scar. She softly replied, "It does not hurt."
Even so, the Princess did not retract her hand. She continued to gently stroke Young Master Meng's forehead, carefully massaging the red mark, and asked again, "Are you hungry?"
Young Master Meng couldn't help but smile gently, "I am not hungry yet.”
"Okay, let us wait until they come back before serving food."
The Princess didn't inquire about Ye Wuyou's matter.
The Young Master didn't inquire about her meeting with her friend either.
With a faint sense of guilt towards the Princess, Young Master Meng became even more indulgent towards her, allowing the Princess to play with the ointment she carried with her, rubbing it casually on her cheeks.
Both had their own thoughts, but neither revealed them. They sat peacefully at the table, tending to wounds while waiting for their friends to return.
Unlike the oppression of last night in the palace, the simple comfort and ease now made Young Master Meng feel much more relaxed.
When Young General Lin and Yuechu returned after freshening up, the Princess had already released Young Master Meng's cheeks and was sitting properly beside her, chatting and laughing while drinking tea together.
"I have finally met Your Highness."
Unlike the casual attitude he had when he saw the Princess in a hurry outside the room earlier, when he saw the Princess again, Lin Xingyang solemnly saluted her according to protocol.
"We are all family here, Young General Lin, there is no need for formality. Come and sit with us."
Lin Xingyang readily complied, got up, and sat opposite them at the table by the window.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Seeing that Lin Xingyang still seemed a bit reserved, Li Qiubai added, "Since we are all family, you do not have to be too polite. Just like you address her, you can also call me sister."
Receiving such treatment from the Princess, Young General Lin was truly flattered, but upon careful consideration, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
This foolish Young Master, how could she trust the Princess so much? She even revealed this much information?
Lin Xingyang glanced toward Meng Chang'an several times, but unfortunately, Young Master Meng couldn't see the hints in Young General Lin's eyes. She continued to drink her tea, seeming unaware that anything was amiss with the Princess' words.
At this critical moment, even Young General Lin's gaze toward Meng Chang'an became somewhat complex and difficult to express.
Without receiving any clear indication from his own sister, the young general cautiously and politely said, "Well... I dare not overstep..."
Since that was the case, Li Qiubai didn't say anything further. After instructing to serve the dishes, she immediately asked Yuechu to come over and join them for the meal.
People in the martial world have always been unconcerned about minor details. Lin Xingyang could also be considered half a martial artist, so he didn't see anything wrong with men and women sitting together, or even master and servant dining together.
During the meal, the four of them enjoyed each other's company, chatting and laughing.
Especially Yuechu, being able to watch the Princess and her husband serving each other soup and food at such close quarters, was already so delighted that she couldn't even close her mouth. Even without the delicious dishes, just watching their interaction was satisfying enough for her.
It wasn't until they were full and satisfied that Meng Chang'an finally set down her chopsticks and casually asked, "Your Highness, do you have any plans for tonight?"
Since Young Master Meng took the initiative to ask, regardless of how many tasks were piled up in the study, the Princess could pretend they didn't exist. She casually replied, “There is nothing urgent. Why? Do you want to go out and see the night view with me?"
Facing the hopeful gaze of the Princess, Meng Chang'an couldn't help but feel a little guilty. But when she thought that this could also be for the Princess's benefit, she straightened her back and replied, "Yes, I heard that Ling Xixi, the courtesan of the Xueyue Pavilion, is inviting distinguished guests tonight. I have long heard of her fame as the most beautiful woman in the capital, with exceptional talent, and she never entertains guests in private, only showcasing her skills. I have been curious about her for a long time and wanted to see her while in the capital. Now that she has suddenly changed her ways, I am even more intrigued. Your Highness, would you be willing to accompany me to see the true face of this talented lady?"
Upon hearing this, the smile on the Princess's face stiffened for a moment.
Li Qiubai narrowed her eyes slightly, carefully observing Meng Chang'an's expression. It wasn't until Meng Chang'an awkwardly turned her head away that she responded with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "Talented lady? Wanted to see her? Curious about her? Do you also want to be one of her distinguished guests?"
Upon hearing this, both Lin Xingyang and Yuechu shuddered simultaneously.
At this moment, if Yuechu and Young General Lin dared to communicate, they would surely discuss how to arrange Meng Chang'an's funeral together.
Unfortunately, at this moment, neither of them dared to utter a word. They simply lowered their heads and continued eating, pretending not to have heard anything, while silently waiting for Meng Chang'an's response.
“Ahem, how could that be?! As a woman, how could I ever want to become a courtesan's distinguished guest? I simply admire her talent and feel curious, that is all!"
Chuckling awkwardly, Meng Chang'an felt less guilty and continued confidently, "Besides, it was only because I happened to overhear someone mentioning her that I thought of her!"
"I was once renowned for my talents. Why have I not seen you admire me?" After saying this with a hint of bitterness, the Princess narrowed her eyes and continued, "I almost forgot to ask you, who did you hear it from?"
Realizing belatedly that the Princess’ reaction seemed a bit off, Meng Chang'an decided to find a scapegoat for herself. Without changing her expression, she immediately started to weave a lie: "Lin Xingyang said it! He was afraid of getting beaten up by his family after visiting the brothel, so he wanted me to accompany him! Coincidentally, I was also very curious, so I agreed to go with him!"
An innocent person suffered a sudden misfortune. Young General Lin nearly spat his tea onto Meng Chang'an's face.
Before the young general could figure out how to respond to this situation, the Princess chuckled lightly and said, "Alright, let us go together then. It just so happens that I also want to see what kind of talented woman could capture Young Master Meng’s favor."
This...why does this feel that something is wrong the more I hear it?
At this moment, the other three unexpectedly shared a rare tacit understanding.
Before the group could fully grasp the implication behind the Princess' words, she continued, “Coincidentally, tonight the Fenghua* Pavilion's leading courtesan is also hosting guests of distinction. With both establishments competing for attention, it promises to be quite lively. Why do we not take advantage of this opportunity and join in on both of these lively events?”
*Windflower
With this proposal, Young Master Meng's expression took on a rather peculiar hue.
Fenghua Pavilion and Xueyue Pavilion were not only renowned, but they are also adjacent to each other. Both of these establishments boast talented courtesans, yet they are not very harmonious.
The reason Young Master Meng knows about these two brothels is because Fenghua Pavilion happens to be built by the Blood Flame Sect.
When the Princess suddenly mentioned Fenghua Pavilion, was it intentional or unintentional?
Young Master Meng suddenly felt that the was no way to hide in front of the Princess.
But after all, it was her own idea that she proposed voluntarily. Regardless of whether the Princess mentioned it intentionally or unintentionally, Young Master Meng could only grit her teeth and respond, "Okay, as long as Your Highness is pleased, I will follow your lead!"
Author's Note:
Li Qiubai: Alright, you dare to go to a brothel, if I do not make you regret it tonight, consider me defeated!

