Yin Yin’s plan had sounded perfect in her head.

First, she needed a beauty to lure Bu Wei into the trap. As for the candidate— ahem— after screening everyone around her, she had to admit Du Qianqian was right. She really was the most suitable one.

Ahem, it wasn’t that she was being narcissistic. She was, after all, written as a vicious supporting female character. At the very least, she had the advantage of looks.

Next, she needed a setup. Since Bu Wei liked frequenting brothels, she planned to disguise herself as a courtesan, then wait for the right moment to spring a trap— have her men rush in and accuse him of attempting to defile Yin Yin, the eldest miss of Yin Manor.

Mhm, it was a textbook honeytrap.

But…… a few problems cropped up.

The first issue was how she’d pass as a courtesan. Yin Yin immediately thought of Haitang. Haitang was one of only two courtesans she knew, and the other party happened to owe her a favor. This was the perfect chance to have her pay it back. Plus, Haitang was the top courtesan of Caiqing Garden. Surely, sneaking Yin Yin in wouldn’t be a problem for her.

The second problem was Ling Long. If he found out about it, he would never approve. So Yin Yin patted her chest and swore she would handle everything related to Bu Wei herself, and no one else needed to worry. Ling Long simply looked at her without questioning further. Still, Yin Yin felt uncertain deep down. She had no idea what Ling Long was thinking.

But since the plan was already in motion, Yin Yin resolved to go through with it.

She first contacted several of the Yin family’s skilled guards, informed them of the time and place of the ambush, then secretly headed to Caiqing Garden to find Haitang. Haitang had been surprised to see her, but she readily agreed to help.

However, when it came time to carry out the plan, several unexpected twists occurred.

Yin Yin had originally intended to quietly dress as a courtesan and lure Bu Wei into the trap room. Once he undressed, she would scream, prompting the Yin Family’s men to rush in and accuse him of assaulting their young miss. Haitang would back up the story, proving that Yin Yin was not a courtesan, and the whole affair would be perfectly staged.

But Haitang had gone off script.

She spread word that Caiqing Garden had welcomed a new girl. One so devastatingly beautiful that she made even Haitang pale in comparison. And not only that— the girl was still a virgin, and tonight would be her first night. Hehe.

Yin Yin stormed over to confront Haitang, demanding why she didn’t follow the plan. Haitang only curled her lips into a mischievous smile. “This is the only way to lure Bu Wei in. I’m helping you.”

Yin Yin: “……”

She was absolutely, positively, undeniably sure that Haitang was messing with her on purpose.

Whatever. She’d just adapt as things unfolded. Yin Yin swallowed her frustration.

The second unexpected twist was…… Could someone please explain why Ling Long was now standing in front of her?

Ling Long looked at Yin Yin, who was dressed in a flowing pale blue gown with her face heavily powdered, and let out a cold laugh. “I heard a new girl had arrived at Caiqing Garden today, so I came to have a look. I didn’t expect it to be you, Yinyin.”

Yin Yin: “……”

Help! QAQ

The chill emanating from Ling Long made all the blood in Yin Yin’s body freeze. She could feel her life force slowly ebbing away with the deepening smile on his face.

Please, Crush, I beg you, just stop smiling already……

She turned furiously to glare at Haitang, who only looked innocent. “Young Master Ling Long asked why you came to find me, and I told him.”

What was this?! Not fearing clever opponents, but fearing teammates who sabotage you to death!

Ling Long grabbed Yin Yin’s arm and dragged her outside. His grip was so strong it nearly brought tears to her eyes.

“Wait.” Haitang blocked their way. “She can’t leave right now.”

Ling Long narrowed his eyes. The barely veiled rage on his face made Haitang’s heart jump.

“Move.” Ling Long’s voice was icy.

Haitang steadied herself and said, “If she leaves now, where am I supposed to find another beautiful girl for the guests?”

Ling Long’s grip tightened even more. The pain made Yin Yin cry out in agony.

“She’s not one of yours. Handle your own mess.” Ling Long lifted his gaze and looked at Haitang. Just that one glance made Haitang feel like she’d been pierced by thousands of poisoned arrows.

“Wait!” Yin Yin clung to Ling Long and desperately leaned her weight back.

“What, you want to go out there and serve clients?” Ling Long’s voice was soft, but Yin Yin felt that if she dared to nod, her head would fly off her neck.

She swallowed hard and mustered her courage to look up at him. “I’ve already laid everything out. Bu Wei will fall for the trap any moment. How can I abandon the mission now? Besides, those girls who were taken don’t have time to wait.”

Ling Long’s amber eyes deepened. He stared at her silently, but the force in his grip continued to increase. Yin Yin was in so much pain she wanted to cry for her mother, yet she bravely held his gaze. The first to look away would lose!

Seconds ticked by, and just as Yin Yin thought the bones in her hand might shatter, Ling Long finally spoke, “Take off your clothes.”

Yin Yin looked at him like facing a mortal threat. “What are you trying to do?!”

Ugh! Too sudden! I’m not mentally prepared!

Ling Long finally let go of her poor hand. “Take them off. I’m wearing them.”

Huh?

Yin Yin tilted her head. Wait, what’s going on now?! Her heart began to race. Is he…… cross-dressing?!

Wooooow! I want to see this!!!

“I’ll play the courtesan.” Ling Long said, reaching to remove her clothes. Yin Yin, blushing, slapped his hands away. “No, Xiao Lingling! I’ll take them off myself!”

Ling Long: “……”

After leaving Haitang’s room, Ling Long kept repeating to himself, It’s fine. I’ll make her pay for this ten times over someday.

Meanwhile, Yin Yin, happily stripping down, suddenly shivered. A bone-deep chill ran through her. She glanced toward the door, feeling like she’d just been thoroughly schemed against.

────ρя

This translation is by Pocketrobbin at S h a n g h a i f a n t a s y . c o m

When Ling Long reappeared in full costume and makeup, Yin Yin felt like her heart had been shot into a honeycomb by Cupid.

Though Ling Long was much taller than her, the long and flowing gown didn’t look out of place. His ink-black hair cascaded down his waist like the finest silk. That flawless face, that graceful posture, that slender waist— Yin Yin couldn’t hold back and pounced.

“Goddess! Marry me!” She hugged Ling Long’s waist tightly, nuzzling her head against his chest. Woooah~ So soft! What’s he hiding in there?!

Ling Long pried her off and sneered faintly. “Do you act like this with everyone?”

“Of course not! Only with you! Goddess, marry me now!” Yin Yin continued clinging to him.

Her words seemed to please Ling Long. He stopped resisting and let her do what she wanted. After all, she’d have to pay for it later anyway.

Even Haitang stared and exclaimed, “Ling Long, it’s such a pity you’re not a woman.”

Ling Long curled his lips into a smile. “What did you say?”

Haitang stiffened. “Nothing!”

Ling Long smiled again but said no more. He might let Yin Yin get away with this nonsense, but that didn’t mean he’d tolerate it from anyone else.

As night fell, more and more patrons gathered at Caiqing Garden. The hall was soon packed.

“They’re all here to see Ling Long.” Haitang said to Yin Yin. “Oh wait, I mean Miss Ling’er now.”

Yin Yin nodded solemnly. Ah…… Xiao Ling’er^[1]Little Spirit. Such a beautiful name.

She hid offstage, quietly scanning the crowd, only to spot that idiotic face of Helian Kong.

This guy never learns, huh!

Haitang stepped onto the stage to cheers and laughter. She smiled at the crowd. “You’re all here to see Miss Ling’er, aren’t you? Then I won’t keep you waiting. Let’s welcome her out now!”

Wolf whistles erupted from below.

Yin Yin scrunched her nose in disgust. How dare you lust after my crush and goddess? Want me to curse your whole family line?!

Silken curtains dropped onto the stage, briefly obscuring the scene. When they lifted, Ling Long, dressed in his pale blue gown, was seated elegantly on a chaise lounge.

Haitang had insisted he sit down since his height might give him away. Sitting masked that completely.

Though Ling Long remained expressionless, every man in the hall stared at him as if their souls had left their bodies— utterly entranced.

Yin Yin looked at Helian Kong’s love-struck eyes and silently lit a candle for him in her heart.

When he finds out the truth, he’s definitely going to cry.

“I’ll pay five hundred taels!” Someone shouted after snapping out of his daze.

“A thousand taels!”

“Fifteen hundred!”

Damn you, filthy rich pigs! Think you can buy my crush and goddess with your stinky silver?!

Suddenly, a delicate-looking man in ornate robes snapped his fan shut and stood. With a wicked smile, he looked at Ling Long. “I’ll pay five thousand taels for Miss Ling’er’s company tonight.”

WTF?!!!

Even the male protagonist doesn’t do that devilish smile, and this cannon fodder dares to pull one off?!

Yin Yin wanted to flip him the finger. You dare say you’re buying one night with my Xiao Ling’er?! I’ll cut off your tongue!

“Hmph, what good is money? Miss Ling’er isn’t someone mere mortals like you deserve!” A burly man stood up. “A real man wins with skill! Only I deserve her!”

The refined man sneered. “Oh? What special skill do you have?”

“Heh, don’t be scared, but I’ve summoned a dragon before!” The big guy said proudly.

Yin Yin: “……”

Better summon an ambulance instead.

“I! I’ll pay ten thousand taels!” Helian Kong suddenly shoved to the front. “I want to redeem Miss Ling’er’s freedom!”

Yin Yin: “……”

Damn it, do you even have money?! Why join the bidding?!

Ling Long gave him a blank stare. Did Helian Kong not recognize him, or was he pretending? If he was pretending, he was doing an awfully convincing job.

Yin Yin began to grow anxious. She’d been fishing this long. Why hadn’t the real target shown up?

“Hahahahaha!” A man in black robes flew in from outside. “Whoever can beat me gets to spend the night with Miss Ling’er.”

Bingo! There he is!

Yin Yin immediately signaled to Haitang. She had memorized Bu Wei’s portrait a hundred times and wouldn’t mistake him.

Ling Long whispered something to Haitang. She grinned and announced, “That young master who just arrived, Miss Ling’er says she chooses you.”