Holding the script, I want to give up.

"Hey, have you all heard? A male courtesan has come to Tingfeng Tower, and they say a single song from him is worth a fortune."

"I've heard about it, I've heard about it. They say she's androgynous and incredibly beautiful."

"You women are so superficial when it comes to looks. Are all women like you?"

A water-sprinkling eunuch interrupted, only to be surrounded and attacked by a group of palace maids.

"It's none of your business. I'm superficial, I just like watching."

A maidservant sprinkled water on the eunuch and said smugly.

"What, can't I even say something in this monotonous life that goes on day after day, year after year?"

A maidservant swept the eunuch's footprints with a broom.

"You talk as if you've ever seen that courtesan."

The eunuch sneered.

The group was arguing heatedly, each person offering their own opinion.

Shangguan Zitong was just passing by when she heard such explosive news. She decided to go to Tingfeng Tower to find out what was going on, since handsome men like him are a rare sight.

......

Shangguan Zitong decided to travel light and didn't bring any attendants, wanting to see just how good-looking someone who could sing a song worth a thousand pieces of gold could be.

"Go away, little girl, get out of here and don't disturb my business."

The madam pushed Shangguan Zitong out.

"...Why are you kicking people out? Don't you want to do business anymore?"

Shangguan Zitong tossed a gold ingot to the snobbish madam.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I was blind and didn't recognize you. Please come this way, sir."

The madam, beaming, led her inside and brought out a group of courtesans of various styles to stand before her.

Do I look like I'm here to see a male prostitute?

"Who else should we go to if not them? The courtesan? There's a limit to how much a fool can dream."

The madam mocked and dismissed the male prostitutes, thinking this "golden ingot" was a bit foolish.

"...You know what...it's really true."

"Never mind, I'm not so hungry that I can eat anything," Shangguan Zitong thought to herself.

"I've come to see the courtesan, just to listen to music. After all, I'm only eleven years old. Could you please inform him? If he doesn't agree, I'll leave."

As Shangguan Zitong spoke, she slipped another gold ingot to the madam, who looked troubled by love.

"Alright, alright, he's a fool too."

The madam looked at her with pity and went upstairs to find the courtesan.

When Shangguan Zitong traveled incognito, ordinary people had no chance to see the princess of the court, let alone her, who had been gone for three years. So no one recognized her and just thought of her as an ordinary young lady.

Her legs were getting sore from waiting, so she casually found a place to sit down and watched the dancers performing in the center of the stage.

Inside the courtesan's room, the madam knelt and bowed, saying, "Master, I am not mistaken. The person downstairs is indeed exactly the same as the girl in the portrait. Would you like to see her?"

"You, go and bring her up."

The courtesan lay languidly on the soft couch, stroking a gold bracelet in her hand, lost in thought.

"Yes."

After the madam finished speaking, she got up and went downstairs to find Shangguan Zitong.

Meanwhile, Shangguan Zitong saw the madam walking towards her, so she got up and straightened her clothes, which had no wrinkles.

"How did it go? Is he willing to see me?"

"Yes, I will lead the way for you."

"Okay, let's go."

Shangguan Zitong lifted her skirt and followed her upstairs, taking the opportunity to look around at the furnishings of Tingfeng Tower.

Pushing open the door, you can see a flamboyant figure even through the screen, posing with a feather fan.

"...a peacock spreading its tail feathers."

Shangguan Zitong felt that the rumors were wrong; the claims of her being an "ice queen" or a "high-and-mighty beauty" were all false.

"Smite, wadashi, it wasn't on purpose." Shangguan Zitong thought she had gone to the wrong place and quickly retreated, only to be blocked at the door by the madam, leaving her in a dilemma.

"Miss, you've come to the right place. This is the flower room where the courtesan resides."

The madam smiled knowingly, finding the young lady quite amusing.

"Where did this show-off come from? He calls himself the top courtesan?" Shangguan Zitong thought to herself.

Shangguan Zitong was pushed inside by the madam, who then closed the door behind her.

Holy crap, what's with that screen in the middle? And why is he wearing a veil? Trying to create an air of mystery? If you don't want me to see it, just say so. And what's with the feather fan? It's such a waste.

"Miss, would you like to listen to some music?"

The courtesan spoke first.

"Huh? Listen."

Shangguan Zitong stopped muttering to herself, and her hands began to tremble involuntarily.

What's wrong? Do I have a tremor disorder?

"Listen to what?"

The courtesan's voice has an inherent alluring quality.

Shangguan Zitong was stunned, as if she had heard it somewhere before, but she couldn't remember where.

"Let's go with the 'High Mountains and Flowing Water' theme."

The courtesan quickly got into the mood and began playing the zither.

Shangguan Zitong sat upright and listened attentively.

When the music ended, they remained silent.

"Your piano skills are excellent, why have you fallen to this state?"

Shangguan Zitong snapped out of her reverie and stared at the person behind the screen, seemingly trying to discern something.

"boy."

The courtesan spoke softly.

"I can redeem you from your servitude. The sky's the limit; you can go wherever you want."

"What happens after the ransom is paid? How will we survive?"

"Then I, this young lady, will give you a lot of money."

"Miss, do you also consider me a male prostitute?"

"No, listening to your playing, young master, I have never thought that way."

"You must have gone through a lot of hardships. If you trust me, I can help you escape."

"No need, they'll break my legs."

"I really can..."

Shangguan Zitong was interrupted by the courtesan before she could finish saying she could help him escape.

Aren't you curious about what I look like?

The courtesan walked past the screen, stopped in front of Shangguan Zitong, and knelt down, waiting for her to lift her veil.

Shangguan Zitong seemed to have lost her mind, blurting out, "Holy crap, stay away from me, I'm scared."

Why did his hands start trembling even more when he got close to her?

"..."

The courtesan rose and walked a distance away, saying, "Since you're so afraid, don't expect anything from me."

"Don't mind me, I don't know why either. I'll come see you again next time."

Shangguan Zitong fled as if she were escaping.

The courtesan's gold bracelet was rubbed even more intensely. "One day, your true colors will be revealed," he murmured.

"Ah Li, who is he? Why do my hands tremble uncontrollably whenever I see him?"

[Considering that we've given you too many cheat codes, and fearing your intelligence might be clouded, please use your own judgment.]

"Thank you so much!"

How could the system subtly mock her for being stupid!

......

Shangguan Zitong encountered Huangfu Hongxi as soon as she returned to the palace, which made her even more upset.

What a coincidence! I see them everywhere.

Shangguan Zitong turned around and walked in another direction, indicating that she did not want to meet him.

Upon seeing this, Huangfu Hongxi quickly ran forward to block her path and asked, "Princess, aren't you going this way?"

Why does everyone like to stop people?

"I'm not happy with the way I'm going, so I'd like to change the route."

Shangguan Zitong said irritably.

"...Princess, why do you smell of perfume from courtesans? Could it be that you...?"

Huangfu Hongxi's eyes darkened; he felt that the princess had changed.

"Having nothing to do, I'd like to listen to music in a brothel. Is there any problem?"

Shangguan Zitong raised her hand and sniffed, but couldn't smell anything, so she flicked her sleeves to try and dispel the smell.

"Princess, you should avoid those filthy places and focus on your studies."

Huangfu Hongxi advised.

"My affairs are none of your business!"

Shangguan Zitong angrily turned her back on him.

Why am I getting rejected everywhere I go? It's infuriating! Shangguan Zitong is so frustrated she's practically turning into an emo meme.

......