At last, the doors opened.
Everyone glanced from Lila to Nathan Ye, their faces mixed with restrained envy as they congratulated him.
"Congratulations, Master Ye!"
"Congratulations, Brother Ye!"
"A poem worthy of a nation, and a meeting with a beauty—this is surely a tale for the ages!"
Nathan allowed a smile to play on his lips at their words. They all thought he was heading for a night of romance, but they were wrong. This wasn't a lover's embrace—it was the path to his own demise.
"I'll be heading up," Nathan said, giving a nod to Sang Liu before moving toward the stairs. He hadn't forgotten his purpose, nor did he underestimate the situation. To him, Clara Xiao wasn't a captivating beauty; she was the executioner waiting to bring him to his fate.
"Brother Ye, please go ahead, "Sang Liu responded with a sly smile.
Little did they all know that upstairs, Clara Xiao was likely even more taken aback than anyone. What had started as a straightforward test seemed now to be evolving into a challenge for her as well. After all, just as a man could find a woman irresistible, so too could a remarkable man command a woman's interest.
Take a look at the famed courtesans of the Spring Breeze Tower—all eyes had followed Nathan's every move, captivated and ready to swoon at the slightest sign from him. Could Clara resist?
So, who exactly was testing whom?
Nathan had no idea of Sang Liu's private amusement, as he made his way up to the top floor under everyone's watchful gaze. Passing the Eight Courtesans' balcony, their gazes lingered on him until he was out of sight, and when their eyes finally met, sparks of rivalry flew.
"Little minx, you think you can compete with me for Master Ye?"
"Compete? You're not even worthy to hold his keys!"
Their eyes blazed, thick with unspoken competition.
"Why fight? Master Ye has gone to her room, so what does that leave for us?"
The courtesans fell silent, each filled with a sudden bitterness. Clara Xiao, like a queen ruling her domain, was untouchable.
"Ah, such a cruel fate," sighed one, already misty-eyed. "Once you've met a man like him, how can you ever go back?"
"Pass it down—we're closed today," they declared, hanging "closed" signs, to the utter confusion of the hopeful patrons downstairs.
Nathan reached the room, his mind still strategizing. He reminded himself that he sought death, and no beauty could distract him. When he became Emperor, he'd have his pick of any woman he desired. For now, he couldn't let his focus slip, no matter how alluring his adversary.
The question, however, was how far he should go. Sang Liu had told him that Clara was kept by a powerful figure, and that no ordinary man would survive attempting to pursue her. But Nathan figured, with his reputation, he could easily arouse her interest. Simple flirting, however, might not be enough.
He'd have to initiate some form of physical contact to spark jealousy in her protector—a strategy that was essential to his plan.
After all, nothing enrages a man more than humiliation of the heart, and the more powerful a man, the less he tolerates it.
But how far should he take it?
A hand-hold? A kiss? Or... all the way?
Just as these thoughts circled his mind, he stepped through the door.
But Clara wasn't in sight. Instead, a sheer white curtain hung before him, obscuring her, though he could faintly make out her elegant silhouette, her long hair like a waterfall, her robe flowing like clouds, her delicate hands resting on the guqin (a Chinese musical instrument) with a poised, graceful stillness.
Guess I read too much into it, Nathan thought, his expression growing serious.
It was clear that Clara Xiao hadn't been moved at all, or rather, not moved enough. This wasn't a simple courtesan—she was more guarded, more challenging.
But Nathan wasn't daunted. If anything, the higher the difficulty, the more satisfying the conquest.
Courting death? It's my specialty, he thought. Charming women? I've got tricks for that, too.
...Meanwhile, as Nathan was preparing himself for the "showdown" with Clara Xiao, Sang Liu had already hurriedly left the Spring Breeze Tower, clutching the national treasure of a poem with a heart full of joy.
"This is an heirloom!" he thought. He was determined to take it home and cherish it forever.
But his path was soon blocked.
Lila leaned against the wall, stretching out a fair hand, her face adorned with a playful smile.
"Master Liu, my mistress requests that poem," she said, grinning.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]