Nathan stared up at the balcony, unaware that a pair of eyes within were gazing back at him.
"Is that the famous Nathan Ye?" a melodious voice murmured from inside the room.
In the dimly lit room sat a woman wrapped in a radiant gown. She wore a white silk bustier, modestly concealing her ample curves, paired with a pleated pink silk skirt that exuded grace and elegance. Her cherry-red lips, porcelain skin, and especially her expressive, enchanting eyes drew anyone who looked upon her. Her gaze seemed to whisper, inviting a second look, and a third—one could quickly become lost in her beauty. She exuded an alluring presence that captivated men, no matter how refined she appeared.
"Miss, this is indeed the gentleman called Nathan Ye. I've confirmed it," said a maid dressed in green, youthful and delicate, standing by her side.
Even on her own, the maid was stunning, but in the presence of her mistress, her beauty paled in comparison.
"The Emperor sent a secret order, asking me to test him," the woman mused with a slight smile, resting her delicate arm on the window frame as she pondered aloud. "Do you think this Nathan Ye is worthy of my personal intervention?"
Unlike a typical servant, the maid smiled boldly, her hands gently massaging her mistress's shoulders as she cooed, "It's said that Brother Ye is a true hero—this is likely no exaggeration. Otherwise, the Emperor wouldn't have requested that our lady, the owner of the Spring Breeze Pavilion and the head of the Secret Spy Division, personally assess him. But I must say, I feel it's rather unfair to Brother Ye."
Her relaxed, teasing tone was lighthearted, but her words were shocking.
If anyone outside had heard, they'd be stunned. Clara Xiao was not only the mistress of the Spring Breeze Pavilion but also the head of the Secret Spy Division!
The Secret Spy Division had been established under the first emperor's rule, tasked with monitoring the empire and especially the activities of practitioners. Its agents were numerous, spread like an invisible web across the land.
Yet, centuries ago, the Immortal Sect had destroyed the division, burning all records and eliminating countless agents overnight. The division had become a relic of history. But here it was, revived, with Clara Xiao—a courtesan—at its helm.
How could anyone have imagined such a turn of events?
This entire revival plan had been orchestrated by Clara Xiao herself.
The maid's eyes sparkled with admiration. To her, her mistress was an extraordinary woman who willingly concealed her identity within a brothel for the sake of her mission. She once remarked that the Spring Breeze Pavilion, with its mix of people from all walks of life, was an ideal place to gather information. And so she stayed, enduring the hardships for her cause.
"Miss, your charm is unmatched—who could resist?" the maid continued to tease. "Testing Brother Ye with your allure hardly seems fair to him."
Clara Xiao chuckled softly. "You're hopeless," she said, poking her maid's cheek with a gentle finger.
Yet, she didn't refute the claim. She knew well that her allure was almost impossible for any man to resist.
Her beauty, enhanced by a bone-deep charm, was dangerous. As if that weren't enough, she was also a practitioner, with all the techniques and tricks that came with it. Is there a man in the world who could withstand such a combination?
Probably not.
"When will Miss begin the test?" the maid asked.
"There's no hurry. Meeting with me won't be easy for him," Clara Xiao replied with a light laugh. "Take a message to him."
The maid nodded.
Outside, the atmosphere had reached a fever pitch. The men in the hall stared at the eight courtesans, their eyes practically ablaze.
"What are they planning?" Nathan noted, noticing the fierce looks exchanged between some of the men.
"There are only eight courtesans, which means only eight can become their chosen guests," Sang Liu explained. "To win their favor, they must showcase their talents. As the saying goes, 'There is no first among scholars'—scholars are competitive by nature. Now that women are involved, they'll fight even harder."
"Talents, you say?" Nathan asked, resting his chin on his hand. "In what way?"
"Poetry, of course! A good poem can immortalize a man's name," Liu chuckled. "Here at the Spring Breeze Pavilion, competing in poetry for the favor of a courtesan is a famous tradition in the capital. Some men don't even care about the women; they come just to showcase their talent. If they stand out, they earn the reputation of a refined scholar."
Ah, so it's just another marketing tactic, Nathan thought. The courtesans used the scholars to raise their value, and the scholars used the courtesans' fame to promote themselves. It was mutually beneficial.
As the two chatted, the highest balcony suddenly opened, and a dainty maid emerged, holding a thin invitation. She looked around and announced in a clear voice, "Which of you is Master Nathan Ye?"
Her voice sent a shockwave through the crowd.
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