After Being Marked by the Eldest Princess, I Got Pregnant with Her Child [Transmigration into a Novel] - Chapter 3

“Miss, it’s time for your medicine.”

The maid, Xiao Tao, entered with a bowl of freshly prepared herbal decoction. Song Shujiu pinched her nose, but still couldn’t bring herself to drink it. The bitterness was overwhelming. Who in the world had prescribed something so awful? She was not even sick.

Could they not have just said she fainted from exhaustion?

She had only come back from the market. That sounded like a perfectly reasonable explanation.

“Xiao Tao, how many days of freedom do we have left?”

“Miss, we have three days left,” Xiao Tao replied. “After that, you will become the Eldest Princess’s study companion.”

How impressive. Xiao Tao’s eyes sparkled with admiration. To serve in the residence of the Eldest Princess was a dream for many young women. But her mistress was different. She was outstanding.

“Let’s go.”

Song Shujiu stood up. If she could not escape it, then she would face it head on. Life had to continue, and with three days remaining, she intended to make the most of every moment.

“Miss, are you really going in there?”

Xiao Tao stood frozen in disbelief at the entrance to the pleasure district. The air was thick with the sweet and heavy scent of powder and rouge. Above them hung a large golden plaque with four flamboyant characters written in bold calligraphy: Moonlit Pavilion.

“Let’s take a look inside.”

Xiao Tao hesitated. “I’m afraid the Prime Minister will break my legs if he finds out.”

Song Shujiu gently tapped her on the chest and smiled. “Don’t you want to see what it’s like inside?”

She had never been inside an ancient brothel before. The novels always described them as extravagant and enchanting. Now that she had the chance, how could she not be curious?

She was an adult. What harm could there be in just looking?

Xiao Tao blinked and hesitated. But Song Shujiu had already stepped onto the stairs ahead of her. Before she could react, her mistress had disappeared through the door.

Panicking, Xiao Tao cried out, “Miss! Miss!” and hurried after her.

The main hall of Moonlit Pavilion was breathtaking. A massive crystal chandelier sparkled at the center of the ceiling. Scarlet silk drapes fell from the beams like waterfalls, shimmering under the soft glow of lanterns. It felt like stepping into a dream full of stars.

Petals drifted through the air as dancers, dressed in revealing and graceful silks, moved elegantly across a circular stage. Their long scarves brushed gently against the faces of the guests, drawing waves of cheers and applause.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, “Will Lady Yue appear tonight?”

“I have been coming here for a month and still haven’t even seen her shadow.”

“Someone like you could never hope to see Lady Yue.”

That reply came from a noblewoman dressed in brocade. Judging by her bearing and confidence, she came from a wealthy and powerful family. Yet her voice was full of contempt. Clearly, she was here for Lady Yue as well.

Song Shujiu became curious. “Who is this Lady Yue?”

A nearby guest answered kindly, “Lady Yue is the brightest star of Moonlit Pavilion. They say she is incredibly beautiful and plays the zither like a goddess. She offers her art, not her body.”

“A white moonbeam shining in the mud,” Song Shujiu muttered thoughtfully.

Brothels were never short of beautiful women, but the top courtesans always stood out with unmatched talent and elegance.

“Has no one ever seen her face?” she asked. It seemed strange that everyone only spoke in rumors.

“Lady Yue always wears a veil. But just her figure alone tells you she is no ordinary woman. She appears at most three times a month, and even if you are rich, it does not mean you will see her.”

The noblewoman’s eyes lit up with deep longing.

“No wonder this place is so crowded,” Song Shujiu remarked, glancing around. Were all these people really here just for someone they had only heard of?

“You are willing to spend money without even seeing her face?”

How ridiculous, she thought to herself. It was like buying a gift and admiring only the wrapping paper without ever opening the box. And somehow, you still convince yourself it was worth it.

Utter madness.

“Like flowers in a mirror or the moon reflected in water. That kind of beauty is precious because it cannot be reached. Where is the excitement in someone you can simply buy with silver?”

The noblewoman rolled her eyes.

Such a romantic crowd, Song Shujiu thought, raising her eyebrows slightly. At that moment, through the drifting silk and glowing lights, a veiled woman in white appeared on the second floor. She was surrounded by several women in gaudy makeup and jewelry. The madam waved her handkerchief dramatically and announced in a loud, proud voice, “Lady Yue is here! Lady Yue has arrived!”

“Tonight is Lady Yue’s birthday. Whoever offers the highest bid will get to celebrate with her in private. Just imagine, the two of you in her chamber, whispering softly to each other, even eating longevity noodles together. What a blessing that would be.”

“So don’t waste time. Place your bids now!”

The madam went on and on like a wind-up toy, her makeup thick and exaggerated as she cleared a path for Lady Yue.

Dressed in a flowing sapphire blue robe embroidered with gold, Lady Yue reminded Song Shujiu of someone else. Someone she had once seen wearing that same brilliant blue.

Lady Yue’s expression was calm and distant. She held a round silk fan in one hand, her eyes looking straight ahead as if untouched by the noise around her. Halfway down the staircase, she paused. Then, with graceful ease, she leapt lightly onto the central stage. Her hands caught the falling drapes with perfect precision. Petals rained around her as she began to dance.

The entire hall erupted in wild cheers.

“Lady Yue! Lady Yue!” the crowd shouted, their voices rising like waves.

Song Shujiu could not take her eyes off her. That slim, elegant figure, half-hidden behind the veil, her long sleeves fluttering like spring swallows in flight, it was truly mesmerizing.

A group of dancers in white gathered around her, moving in perfect harmony. Lady Yue stood out in her dazzling blue, a lone star in a sea of red. The scene was enchanting, like a dream one could not wake from. The air was thick with the fragrance of flowers, and as the music reached its peak, the audience was completely entranced.

Silver coins rained down from all sides, but none of them touched Lady Yue.

Caught up in the moment, Song Shujiu pulled out a copper coin and tossed it toward the stage.

To her surprise, the blue-robed figure suddenly swept forward with stunning agility. With a soft and playful glance, Lady Yue raised her hand and caught the coin in midair.

Song Shujiu froze. Out of all these people, why her? What incredible luck!

The madam’s expression flickered with surprise before she broke into a delighted grin, waving her handkerchief. “This young lady has won the first prize!”

Murmurs of disappointment rippled through the crowd. “Why would Yue Niang choose some little girl?”

Before Song Shujiu could react, Yue Niang took her hand and whisked her up to the second-floor corridor.

The revelry below continued unabated.

Song Shujiu felt a pair of soft, warm hands encircle her waist, sending an inexplicable jolt of electricity through her. As they landed, she swayed dizzily, staring at the woman before her. A faint, narcotic scent of poppies teased her senses, and confusion clouded her mind. The same drunken haze from half a month ago returned her chest burned, her ears throbbed, and as Yue Niang drew closer, she instinctively reached to remove the white veil.

But her arm went limp mid-motion, and she collapsed backward, only to be caught once more in that firm embrace.

In her fading consciousness, she murmured something.

Yue Niang stiffened, studying her for a long moment before gently lifting her and carrying her into the chamber.

With the veil removed, Yue Niang gazed at the delicate girl before her. After all this time, she was still as spirited and reckless, daring to venture alone into such a den of chaos.

Song Shu Jiu was placed on the bed, dressed today in a pale pink gauze skirt with a water-blue soft smoke satin ribbon tied around her waist. Her raven-black hair cascaded like a waterfall, adorned with a single jade flower hairpin, the ends loosely spread out. Her waist was as slender as a willow, her shoulders delicately sculpted, and with just a touch of makeup, she outshone the common beauties downstairs by countless degrees.

Having an episode here fortunately, she was present today.

Seemingly uncomfortable, Song Shu Jiu let out a soft moan in her dazed state, her small face flushed. The heart-shaped birthmark on her left earlobe grew increasingly vivid and striking, far more intense than the faint mark seen before. This time, the crimson hue was deeper than bl00d, startlingly alluring.

Her glands screamed to break free. This little girl’s pheromones surged forth with such ferocity, how dare she wander about while still in the throes of her heat?

A delicate, fragrant scent of wisteria seeped steadily from just behind her earlobe, more refined than orchids. She raised her hand, lightly touching that spot of red, and suddenly, the intoxicating aroma of poppies surged forth like a tidal wave, mingling with the wisteria. Song Shu Jiu let out a contented murmur, her expression relaxing into satisfaction.

Her muddled body, initially wracked with discomfort, gradually eased under the enveloping sea of poppy scent. Yet, this relief left her feeling drained, her limbs too weak to even lift her eyelids. She only sensed a hand withdrawing from her earlobe, her waist being propped up, while another part of her grew restless, seeking release.

Narrow eyes gazed down at the consciousness-fading figure, their expression aloof and detached, as if looking down upon the mortal world. The faintly indifferent corners of those eyes softened momentarily at the honesty of the woman beneath her. Song Shu Jiu’s glands were infused with her pheromones—another temporary mark.

Meanwhile, a trickle of nectar spilled between her thighs. Yue Niang reached out, and with just a touch, the flow intensified, the wisteria scent growing richer. She glanced at the tea and fruit platter on the table, lost in thought.

Suddenly, Song Shu Jiu lifted a hand and hooked it around her neck, pulling her down unexpectedly. Caught off guard, Yue Niang tumbled forward, her ear pressed against the rapid, eager heartbeat of the girl beneath her.

Legs entwined around her waist, and only then did she realize Song Shu Jiu had trapped her between them, squirming restlessly. “Heh.”

She smirked. “So eager.”

The gauze skirt clung damply to her skin. On the table, a slender-necked vase held freshly replaced crabapple flowers. Never mind, right now, she couldn’t move at all.

“Mm.” Song Shu Jiu suddenly moaned, the emptiness within her now filled to the brim. In her delirium, she couldn’t help but whimper softly.

Outside the door, Aunt Mei eyed the girls and pursed her lips. “Can we go in or not?”

What was wrong with the princess? She never took anyone in at Lanyue Fang before. Today, she’d picked a young girl, barely more than a child, who might not even know how to serve her properly.

“Huamei, why don’t you go take a look?”

Aunt Mei’s eyes gleamed with cunning as she urged her on. Huamei arched a brow. “Don’t set me up.”

She didn’t dare go herself, so she wanted me to?

The princess’s temper was not to be trifled with.

The group outside the door exchanged uneasy glances, their thoughts inscrutable. Inside the room, Yan Chen’s fingertips grew damp with exertion. The wisteria fragrance thickened in the air as her cold, proud brows arched slightly her usually indifferent eyes now glazed with an uncharacteristic flush from stirring the floral essence. Song Shu-Jiu succumbed to helpless sobs, her tear-blurred vision catching glimpses of that sapphire-blue figure. The hands clutching the other’s neck tightened relentlessly, yet Yan Chen remained unperturbed. She pried them loose, binding the wrists with gauze cords before devising new methods to extract more of that jade-clear nectar.

“I’ll fetch water for Her Highness.”

Huamei understood implicitly, she had no intention of becoming collateral damage here. Once the princess finished her… activities, cleansing would be necessary. With that, she turned to leave.

Concubine Mei let out a series of dismayed sighs, but Huamei had already vanished. Downstairs, the crowd clamored noisily, demanding to see Yue Niang.

What a scourge this princess is, she thought. Of all the vices to indulge in, why must she take pleasure in teasing souls within these pleasure quarters, rousing desires she had no intention of fulfilling? She’d ensnare hearts and spirits, only to depart without a backward glance.

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

Pressing her ear to the door, Aunt Mei detected nothing beyond faint, muffled whimpers. Her temples throbbed as she bit her lip. Best to return downstairs and pacify those silver-tossing patrons.

After all, she had monthly quotas to meet, falling short wouldn’t do.