Qing Meier

"Is the Eldest Princess following me?" Lang Huan muttered, rubbing her temple.

"Zhou Ming, could you ask Qing Meier to give a private performance?" Lang Huan thought a private performance would be more comfortable.

Qing Meier wasn't an ordinary performer. She didn't sell her body—only her unparalleled talent for music. Her exclusivity made her a rare treasure, someone who couldn't be approached easily.

Zhou Ming spoke to Madam Hua about Lang Huan's request. Madam Hua was unsure if Qing Meier would agree. Qing Meier almost never accepted private performance, no matter the payment. But before Madam Hua could respond, Lang Huan approached the stage just as the final note of the song faded into the air.

"Miss Qing, I wonder if you would honor me with a private performance?" Lang Huan asked in respectful tone.

Qing Meier was somewhat surprised by Lang Huan's request, her red lips curling into a playful smile. "If the young master wishes," she replied, her voice smooth and intoxicating.

Lang Huan chuckled softly, then she called Zhou An and Zhou Ming.

Madam Hua was stunned—Qing Meier had agreed without hesitation. But what surprised her even more was how Qing Meier reached out and gently took Lang Huan's arm, leading her toward the private room on the second floor with an almost flirtatious air.

The room was filled with whispers of jealousy as the men watched the two of them. Qing Meier's grace and beauty were unbeatable, and her willingness to spend time with Ye Langhuan made the men feel even more jealous.

Wei Yanzhou, who had been rejected by Qing Meier on numerous occasions, slammed his hand against the table in frustration. He had offered a fantastic sum of money for a private performance, but Qing Meier never even glanced at him, let alone gave him a smile.

As Lang Huan walked up the stairs to the second floor, her eyes searched for the Eldest Princess, but she couldn't find her.

Qing Meier and Lang Huan entered the private room, leaving Zhou An and Zhou Ming to stand guard outside. Zhou An and Zhou Ming exchanged a glance and chuckled, watching how Qing Meier stuck close to Lang Huan.

As Lang Huan settled into her seat, she suddenly froze when Qing Meier sat down on her lap. Oh my God, what are you doing? Lang Huan hadn't been involved with a woman in a long time, and she felt nervous being teased like this.

Lang Huan stiffened, her hands instinctively lifting into the air, afraid to touch anything she shouldn't.

Qing Meier laughed softly at Lang Huan's flustered reaction. Most men would have melted under her charm by now, but this little duke's politeness was amusing. She wrapped her arms around Lang Huan's neck, and her head rested on Lang Huan's shoulder.

Lang Huan remained silent, like an old monk deep in meditation, not daring to turn her face towards the beautiful courtesan. She prayed in her heart that Qing Meier would stop teasing her.

Qing Meier's arms draped loosely around Lang Huan's neck, her eyes gleaming with curiosity as she studied this enigmatic pretty boy who had dared to propose to the ruthless Eldest Princess. Lang Huan hesitated for a moment before gently placing her hands-on Qing Meier's waist, purely to steady her and maintain balance.

"Am I not attractive to you?" Qing Meier whispered, hoping to catch a trace of lust in the pretty boy's eyes. But all she saw was a pair of innocents, nervous eyes.

"Miss Qing, of course you're attractive," Lang Huan replied with a polite smile. "But I found the song you played earlier far more captivating. How about playing it again for me?"

Qing Meier blinked in surprise before letting out a soft sighed. Then, she gracefully rose from Lang Huan's lap and walked toward the guqin set on a low wooden table.

"I used to think all the good men were gone, but I was wrong," Qing Meier murmured to herself, her fingers brushing lightly over the strings as she prepared to play.

She cast one last glance at Lang Huan, who now sitting calmly, before letting her music fill the room once more.

Lang Huan adjusted her robe and sat cross-legged. She poured herself a cup of wine, savoring the melody that Qing Meier played. This time, Qing Meier not only played the beautiful, melodic tones, but she also sang. Her voice was like a soft breeze, smooth and enchanting.

But the lyrics were too sad, telling the story of a couple parting ways. Lang Huan was reminded of her ex-girlfriend. They had been separated for nine years, and perhaps she was now married to another woman. Lang Huan wondered, as she had disappeared all this time, how her family and her ex must have felt.

No one could tell what was on Lang Huan's mind. Memories slowly returned, clear and bittersweet, like shadows drifting through the soft sounds of the guqin. That home, that world—so far away now, maybe she would never return again.

Lang Huan's expression shifted like ripples on a calm lake—sometimes showing brief sorrow, other times carrying a quiet longing deep within her. Qing Meier watched her closely, noticing the subtle changes in her face. She wondered how the carefree young master could suddenly feel this way.

Outside the door, Zhou Ming and Zhou An stood guard with their arms crossed.

"Young Master is really taking her time," Zhou Ming said with a smile and shook his head.

Zhou An smirked. "Can't blame her. Yun Xiang Tower's top courtesan playing guqin just for her? I'd take my time too."

Finally, the private performance that Qing Meier had given for Lang Huan came to an end. Lang Huan was very happy and clapped her hands. She generously praised Qing Meier's skill in singing and playing the guqin.

Lang Huan got up from her seat, walked over to Qing Meier, and promised that she would definitely come again to listen to her music. Lang Huan was about to leave, but as she stepped toward the door, a mischievous thought crossed her mind. Instead of leaving through the door, she headed toward the window. She noticed a balcony below, so it wouldn't be too high to jump.

As Lang Huan climbed out of the window, Qing Meier was confused and called out, "Young Master Ye?"

Lang Huan turned around, put a finger to her lips, and whispered, "Shh... I'm going to scare Zhou Ming and Zhou An. They'll freak out if I disappear." Then she chuckled, feeling playful.

Qing Meier was a little surprised. She furrowed her brows and called out with a playful tone, "Young Master Ye, please be careful." She couldn't help but think that Lang Huan was quite amusing, her carefree attitude so different from what she expected of someone with her noble background.

Thud! Lang Huan jumped, and as Qing Meier approached the window, she saw Lang Huan running quickly, leaving Yunxiang Tower behind.

Lang Huan ran quickly toward the Duke's mansion. By the time she arrived, she was out of breath. Lang Huan knocked on the gate, and the guard who opened it greeted her.

"Young Master…"

Lang Huan nodded, then sprinted toward the dining room, arriving just in time for dinner. When she saw that Su Qing wasn't in the dining room yet, she felt relieved. It seemed that her running skills were unquestionable after all.

Su Qing lifted her skirt and walked into the dining room. "Lang Huan, why are you sweating?" She glanced at Lang Huan, noticing she wasn't in training clothes, then wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"Uh... it's hot..." Lang Huan replied.

While waiting for the food to be served, Lang Huan and Su Qing chatted casually. After a moment, Su Qing offered her some advice. "Stay at home and don't wander around outside. There have been so many bad people lately."

"Do you mean the kidnappers?" Lang Huan asked.

Su Qing nodded and served some vegetables and meat into Lang Huan's bowl.

"Haha, Mother, don't worry. They only kidnap women. So, if you need anything, just ask A Cai to go, don't go yourself," Lang Huan said in a very worried tone.

"Yes, I won't go outside. And you, be obedient and stay at home, practicing calligraphy with me," Su Qing replied.

Hearing the word "calligraphy," Lang Huan's face turned green. She didn't want to learn calligraphy; it wasn't her talent. Why hasn't Master Xuan Kai returned to teach me martial arts? She thought. The old priest must have already ascended to heaven...

Lang Huan and Su Qing vaguely heard Zhou Ming and Zhou An arguing about something. A moment later, they appeared at the door, clearly rushing into the dining room.

Zhou An and Zhou Ming breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Lang Huan eating dinner. They had been looking for her everywhere and there was a huge problem happening at Yunxiang Tower.

Seeing the worried expressions on their faces, Lang Huan started to feel guilty.

Su Qing glanced at Lang Huan, then turned to Zhou An and Zhou Ming, asking, "What's going on?" She could tell they were hiding something.

Lang Huan looked guilty and uneasy. She shifted uncomfortably under Su Qing's gaze and avoided eye contact. "I went to Yunxiang Tower earlier and came back through the window without telling Zhou Ming and Zhou An."

Lang Huan quickly added to avoid any misunderstanding, "I'm sorry, Mother. I swear, I only went there to listen to music."

"Young Master, when you came back, was Qing Meier still there?" Zhou An asked with a pale face.

Lang Huan nodded, then Zhou An and Zhou Ming exchanged worried glances.

"Young Master, we're afraid something happened to Miss Qing. While we were standing outside, we heard sounds of a fight coming from the room. When we broke down the door, you and Miss Qing were already gone. We searched the whole of Yunxiang Tower and caused a stir."

"Did you find Qing Meier?"

Zhou Ming and Zhou An shook their heads. "That's the problem now…"

"Is Qing Meier being kidnapped?" Lang Huan dripped cold sweat as she recalled Zhou An's story about the tragic Mu Lian.