Tangli Fried Snow

Those young, lustful, and unreliable men had their eyes gleaming, barely able to hold their wine glasses. Several notorious playboys even stood up involuntarily, hoping to catch another glimpse of the beautiful woman.

Only some older or deep-thinking people remained calm and were able to converse with each other.

"This beautiful woman is none other than Chu Beitang, the most famous songstress in the world. Seeing is believing."

"I've heard that she's world-famous and is currently traveling the world. To be able to see her performance would be the greatest honor of my life."

It seemed like a long time had passed, yet it also seemed like only a moment. The music from the band and the beautiful women's singing disappeared together. The dancers then surrounded the stunningly beautiful Bei Tang girl again, and the group gracefully retreated, leaving the main hall.

Before anyone could react, still savoring the performance, a burst of applause and cheers erupted, bringing the banquet to a climax.

Once those beauties left, the men's hearts began to wander, and the women started talking about Chu Beitang again.

"I heard she is a descendant of a noble family from Goryeo."

"Yes, she does have a certain exotic charm, unlike the women here."

"She's a world-renowned songstress, truly beautiful. I heard even the Mongol Khan invited her to perform..."

. . . . . .

The banquet lasted until late at night before finally ending. Lin Pianyue felt stiff all over, and her face ached from smiling so much. Everyone said their goodbyes. Ding Lan and her mother stayed by their side all night. The ladies whispered about official matters, while the young women talked about youthful topics. Ding Lan, being quick-witted and adept at handling social situations, shielded her from many unnecessary social interactions.

The tiring night came to a perfect end, and she and her mother slowly departed in a carriage.

The guests left the main hall one after another and returned to their respective residences.

Hong Zhiying was still talking to Jiang Qimo about the girl from Beitang, his tone full of admiration.

The men did nothing but drink and talk about the courtesan. In just one night, no fewer than twenty men wanted to spend the night with her, and the fierce competition in private escalated from a hundred taels of gold to a thousand taels.

They left late, exchanging pleasantries with their superiors, elders, and friends, and then reporting some previous events to Shen Shibai.

Shen Shibai showed no airs of a powerful minister. He affectionately linked arms with the two men and led them to a secluded spot. He whispered to Jiang Qimo, "I need skilled fighters like you, Qimo and Zhiying, right now. How about I recommend you for the finals of the martial arts tournament?"

Just as Hong Zhiying was about to agree, Jiang Qimo gave him a sharp look without saying a word, and Hong Zhiying quickly swallowed his words.

Jiang Qimo bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Lord Shen. However, the war in the north is urgent, and I'm afraid my Jiang family army will have to go to the front line soon. I hope you will understand."

Shen Shipai laughed and said, "Of course I know you look down on the first place in this martial arts tournament. I already guessed that your ambitions lay elsewhere. I was just asking for Zhiying's opinion."

Hong Zhiying smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, sir. I have already registered and will be able to go on stage to compete the day after tomorrow."

Shen Shibai smiled and nodded at him, then said to Jiang Qimo, "If you want to go to the front line, you can't just serve in the Jiang family army. Your father is too cautious and never goes to the front line personally. If you want to make military achievements, you should go with General Teng. I have already discussed it with the Empress and appointed you as General Teng Jie's deputy. If you can help General Teng resist the southward invasion of the Mongol army and make military achievements, then you will be promoted to lieutenant general when you come back."

Jiang Qimo thought to himself that he was shrewd. No matter what, he couldn't escape being manipulated by him. He came from a prestigious family, the Jiang family army was his own, and his father was a duke. He could use some tricks to get him away from his father. If they were defeated, he could probably shift the blame to his father, and if they won, he could take the credit for himself and Teng Jie.

He naturally felt some resistance towards this despicable person, but on the surface he only said respectfully, "Since Lord Shen thinks so highly of Qi Mo, I will certainly not fail your patronage."

Seeing that he would not say anything more, Lord Shen smiled and exchanged a few more words with Hong Zhiying, affirming and encouraging their previous wisdom and courage, which made the two feel deeply honored. They only left after the crowd dispersed.

Seeing that no one was around, Hong Zhiying asked him in a low voice, "Brother Jiang, why didn't you let me speak? It would have been great if Lord Shen had just recommended me to enter the finals of the martial arts competition. I was going to participate anyway."

Jiang Qimo looked at him seriously and said in a low voice, "He only uses us as henchmen to recruit us into his camp to bolster his own power. I'm afraid they have already nominated the most suitable candidates to participate in the final competition. The two of us will definitely not win the championship."

Hong Zhiying remained silent after hearing this, and simply lowered his head and left.

As the two approached the palace wall, they were startled to discover something amiss to the east: a group of people were hurrying ahead, escorting one person.

A familiar and captivating figure at the very front, dressed in a magnificent robe, flashed by like a dream and entered a carriage. Others might not recognize it, but Hong Zhiying, who had been wandering around these past few days, knew it well. That carriage was none other than the Crown Prince's!

Hong Zhiying said to Jiang Qimo in a low voice, "This carriage belongs to the Crown Prince!"

"That woman is Chu Beitang!"

Jiang Qimo gave a puzzled "Oh~". The Crown Prince hasn't been having an easy time lately, keeping a very low profile. He must be up to something. Unable to contain their curiosity, the two secretly followed him. It wasn't far from the Eastern Palace.

Before long, the magnificent carriage stopped at the Crown Prince's residence. The eunuch lifted the curtain, and two young men and women got out and slowly walked up the steps of the palace. They were surrounded by more than a dozen palace maids and eunuchs, and guards stood guard all around, making it impossible to get any closer. Only some of their profiles could be barely seen.

Crown Prince Zhao Hehua was in his early twenties, a time of youthful vigor. With this beautiful and talented woman by his side, he was clearly overjoyed and excited, and his facial expressions were poorly managed.

When Hong Zhiying saw the beauty and the crown prince leave, he felt indignant and wished he could drive the crown prince away and take his place.

Jiang Qimo frowned, racking his brains to figure out who had presented this beauty to the Crown Prince, and whether there was some kind of conspiracy involved.

The two watched anxiously for a while, until everyone had left, before reluctantly departing the palace.

Chu Beitang remained calm and composed as she and the Crown Prince entered a main room.

This is a large, ornately furnished room. A charcoal fire burns in one corner, and there is an underground heating system. The room is warm and cozy, and thick carpets cover the floor.

A pretty maid helped Chu Beitang remove her hooded cloak, leaving her in only a thin, form-fitting yellow dress that revealed her exquisite and voluptuous figure. When she raised her head, she immediately revealed a face that could launch a thousand ships.

Crown Prince Zhao Hehua couldn't help but sigh inwardly. No wonder so many worldly men were infatuated with her; she was indeed a rare beauty who was both pure and charming.

Her skin was like porcelain, her eyes were dark and deep, her red lips were luscious and she had a strong foreign beauty about her, which made her extremely attractive.

The prince was mesmerized, and the two, alone in the room, fell into an enigmatic silence.

When Zhao Hehua came to his senses, he sat down at a small table with Chu Beitang, and immediately servants from the Eastern Palace brought him a table of delicious food and wine.

She emerged from her wide sleeves with her delicate hands, poured a full glass of wine for Zhao Hehua, and said shyly, "I would like to offer a toast to Your Highness the Crown Prince." After speaking, she held the wine cup up to the man opposite her, lowered her head, and looked gentle and graceful, which would make anyone who saw her feel pity.

Zhao Hehua took her delicate hand in his and brought the wine to his lips. After downing two cups, the beauty said shyly, "Your Highness..."

"Call me He Hua."

The beauty immediately changed her tune, saying, "He Hua, that sounds so nice. Then you can call me Tangtang. My family calls me Tangtang." Her eyes seemed to speak, revealing her obvious desire to please.

Zhao Hehua felt a sense of relief. He had been under immense pressure these past few months, with the political situation constantly changing and the immense pressure making it hard for him to breathe. Now, he wanted to enjoy the services of a beautiful woman and relax.

He raised his glass and downed the drink in one gulp, then reached out and pulled the beautiful woman into his arms. He thought to himself that when a beautiful woman deliberately tries to please you, her allure is truly not to be underestimated.

How many people in the world are like Liu Xiahui?

The beautiful woman chuckled softly and nestled into Zhao Hehua's arms, her right hand tightly wrapped around his waist, her left arm around his neck, her pretty face tilted back, her beautiful eyes half-closed. She presented a captivating posture, completely at his mercy.

Her soft breasts pressed against his chest, and with each breath, their bodies drew closer. Unable to contain his surging passion, Zhao Hehua lowered his head, found her red lips, and kissed her passionately.

Chu Beitang kept her eyes tightly closed, letting the man do as he pleased. An occasional, unconscious moan added to her allure. The two were like dry tinder igniting a raging fire; the passion within them burned fiercely, and they no longer cared about words, only following their physical desires.