However, the Soul-Entering Melody was not particularly harmful.

It only made those with fragile minds indulge in beautiful fantasies, so it couldn’t be said that Young Master Yanran was truly harming people.

But if someone with ill intentions used this melody, its power could be immense.

It could make people kill each other in their dreams—truly a way to take lives without leaving a trace.

[“It seems this Young Master Yanran is not simple! I wonder who is behind him? Could they be a threat to the Xia Kingdom? It looks like I need to have Li Xiaocheng investigate. After all, as the guardian of Xia Kingdom, if he doesn’t check, then who will?”]

Lin Yuxin didn’t even realize it herself, but whenever something happened, she would instinctively think of Li Xiaocheng and seek his help, without finding it odd at all.

Deep in her subconscious, only Li Xiaocheng was someone she truly trusted.

Lin Yuxin pulled herself out of her thoughts, only to see that the two people beside her were already under the melody’s influence.

Helplessly, she took out her flute.

Xiao Hao was too young to withstand the Soul-Entering Melody, so she had to break its effect.

Lin Yuxin raised the flute to her lips and began playing the Clear Spirit Melody.

As the notes filled the air, they clashed with the guqin’s tune, creating a silent battle between the two melodies.

Neither tune overpowered the other at first, but upon closer listening, one could sense that the Clear Spirit Melody was elegant and soothing, bringing calmness to the heart.

Meanwhile, Yanran’s Soul-Entering Melody gradually began to lose its dominance.

The people around, influenced by Lin Yuxin’s flute, started regaining clarity.

“What’s going on? Someone is playing music along with Young Master Yanran?”

“Yeah, but I have to say, this tune is refreshing—it’s making me feel so much better!”

“Exactly! My nagging wife scolded me yesterday, so I came here to relax, and now, after hearing this flute, I suddenly feel that life is still beautiful!”

“Let’s find out who is playing this tune!”

As they awakened, many began searching for the source of the flute music.

Some, however, were still immersed in the melody, feeling their souls cleansed.

“Over there! That young lady—is she from Zhaixing Tower? She looks so pure and delicate.”

Though Lin Yuxin had been sitting in a concealed spot, the first floor of Zhaixing Tower was only so big.

Based on the sound, it wasn’t hard to locate her.

And sure enough, someone soon spotted Lin Yuxin’s position.

As her melody came to an end, Lin Yuxin lowered her flute, preparing to leave with Xiao Hao and the others.

Just now, while playing, she had noticed someone looking directly at her.

She had seen the famed Young Master Yanran and now understood what he was about.

She had lost interest and was ready to head home.

“Young lady! Please wait!”

Just as Lin Yuxin picked up Xiao Hao, she heard someone calling her.

She stopped and turned around, only to see the breathtakingly beautiful Young Master Yanran standing before her.

She blinked in surprise, raised an eyebrow, and asked,

“I wonder why Young Master Yanran has stopped me?”

“Haha! Please don’t take offense, young lady. I just heard you play and wish to discuss music with you,” Yanran replied with a charming smile, gracefully fanning himself.

However, Lin Yuxin frowned.

[“Oh my god, is this guy gay? He’s acting so flamboyant—it’s obvious he’s the ‘bottom’ one! Did he just lift his pinky?! This is definitely a sister!”]

It wasn’t that Lin Yuxin looked down on same-sex relationships.

She strongly believed in love and respected everyone’s choices.

But she just couldn’t stand overly effeminate men. Even the eunuchs in the palace had more masculinity than this guy!

Yanran frowned—Who is lying? And what does ‘gay’ mean? Who’s acting feminine? Who lifted their pinky?

He instinctively glanced at his own hand and withdrew it awkwardly. It’s just a habit…

Yanran wasn’t sure who was speaking, but hearing these words filled with mockery made him irritated. Yet, looking around, he saw no one talking.

Was he hearing ghosts?!

“No need,” Lin Yuxin declined. “I have to take my brother home—he’s tired.”

“Young lady, don’t be in such a hurry to leave! Since you’re from Zhaixing Tower, come have a drink with us!”

A vulgar voice called out from the main hall.

“That’s right! Miss, what’s your name? What was that tune you played? Come, let’s discuss it!”

“We’re here to have fun, and you’re ruining the mood! I’ll have the owner punish you!”

The crowd, hearing the fat man speak, began to chime in, jeering and heckling.

Lin Yuxin scanned the room and finally locked eyes on a pot-bellied man sitting nearby, clutching a woman in his arms while leering at her.

He had been the first to speak.

Lin Yuxin’s gaze turned cold. Ignoring the man, she picked up Xiao Hao and stood to leave.

“Smack! You cheap woman! You think you’re too good for us?! I told you to come drink with us—didn’t you hear me?”

The fat man, enraged by being ignored, felt humiliated.

He shot up from his seat and stormed toward Lin Yuxin, blocking her path.

Lin Yuxin was forced to stop.

She looked at him icily, her voice sharp as a blade:

“Move.”

“Oh? Zhaixing Tower has some feisty girls! I like it. If you please me today, this silver ingot is yours!”

The fat man smirked, pulling a heavy fifty-tael silver ingot from his robe and waving it in front of her.

He didn’t believe that a girl working at a brothel could resist money.

Yanran remained still, curious to see what kind of skills the woman that Li Xiaocheng favored possessed.

If she couldn’t handle it, he would step in—after all, he didn’t want to face Li Xiaocheng’s wrath later.

Lin Yuxin didn’t even glance at the silver.

Instead, she handed Xiao Hao to Xiaodengzi.

Xiao Dengzi anxiously caught the child, trembling with fear. Looks like we can’t leave peacefully today. Should I try to hold back the fat man while Miss escapes?

Lin Yuxin turned back to the fat man, silently pulling out a silver needle. Her voice was deathly cold.

“I will say this one last time. Move.”

“Hah! No way! You’ll drink with me, or you’ll regret it! Do you know who I am? I’m Hou Lihai, son of the Prime Minister!”

“Please me well tonight, and I’ll buy your freedom!”

As Hou Lihai reached out to grab Lin Yuxin’s face, her eyes gleamed with a deadly light.

She struck, stabbing the needle into the back of his neck with lightning speed.

Hou Lihai’s outstretched hand froze midair. He blinked twice—then his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground.

“Thud!”

Unconscious.

Lin Yuxin scoffed.

“M-murder! Someone’s been killed!”

The onlookers were horrified.

A woman had taken down the Prime Minister’s son effortlessly, without anyone even realizing what had happened! If the Prime Minister sought revenge, they’d all be in trouble!

Panic erupted in the hall.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Lin Yuxin prepared to slip away with Xiao Dengzi and Xiao Hao.

“Miss Lin, it’s too crowded and noisy here. Go through the back courtyard—I’ll escort you,”

Yanran suddenly leaned in, whispering into her ear.