Chapter 4: I Would Rather Marry a Courtesan

Her black hair was casually scattered, held in place by only a single hairpin. Clad in a plain, light-colored silk skirt, she appeared extraordinary from a distance, her temperament so striking that at first glance, one could almost overlook her facial features. When the maids and servants of the Prime Minister's manor saw Meng Juese in such a state, they were all left staring in stunned silence.

How had the Young Miss changed so much today, as if she had become a different person?

"Sigh, Young Miss, do you think that Young Master Hua Rong has been missing you for a long time since we haven't visited Meng Huan Pavilion in so long?" Chun'er suddenly spoke up. Her voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for the maids and servants in the courtyard to hear clearly.

Upon hearing these words, the looks of surprise in everyone's eyes were promptly replaced by disdain. They had originally thought that the Young Miss had changed her personality due to her injury, but they hadn't expected her to remain just as incorrigible!

Meng Juese cast a faint glance at Chun'er, the coldness in her eyes deepening. This Chun'er was truly no simpleton.

Meng Huan Pavilion was exceptionally lively today, not for any other reason than the fact that one month ago, the capital's number one talented woman, Li Yingxue, and the capital's number one ugly woman, Meng Juese, had made an agreement to hold a competition at Meng Huan Pavilion today.

This matter had long since become a topic of much discussion among the common folk during their leisure time.

The duel between the number one talented woman and the number one ugly woman—the confrontation between two of the capital's most famous figures—was indeed a spectacle worth watching.

Li Yingxue, the daughter of Minister Li, was a concubine-born daughter, yet she was proficient in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Combined with her breathtaking beauty, she was undeniably the most sought-after woman in the capital. For several years, countless men had flocked to her like moths to a flame. However, Li Yingxue and the current Crown Prince shared a mutual affection, which should have been a beautiful tale of romance. Unexpectedly, after the Crown Prince, Qiao Chuchi, petitioned the Emperor to marry Li Yingxue, the second miss of the Meng family actually used death as a threat to stop it.

Minister Meng was a high-ranking official of the state who had followed Emperor Jin since the founding of Dongjin, contributing immense merit. How could Emperor Jin possibly deny him face? With a single imperial decree, Meng Juese was betrothed to the Crown Prince, brutally tearing apart a pair of lovers.

People sighed in regret. In this Dongjin, who did not know Meng Juese? Though called "Juese" (Peerless Beauty), she was the capital's number one ugly woman. Coupled with her arrogant temperament and her frequenting of various brothels every few days, she was a constant object of ridicule. Rumors had even circulated in the outside world: "Better to marry a prostitute from a brothel than to marry Meng Juese." No one expected that this woman, mocked by the whole world, would be granted a marriage to the current Crown Prince.

But how could the Crown Prince be willing to marry an ugly woman? Thus, a month ago, a competition was set. As long as Meng Juese could pass today's test, he would marry her as his Crown Princess. Anyone with eyes could see that this competition was a trap set for Meng Juese, but Meng Juese was too proud; under Chun'er's instigation, she had accepted it directly...

And today was the appointed day. At this moment, Meng Huan Pavilion was already bustling with excitement, as everyone eagerly anticipated the arrival of a farce.

In a private room on the second floor, a man dressed in ink-colored brocade sat quietly to one side. His ink-black hair was tied up high, and his sharp features carried an air of majesty. However, at this moment, a few traces of impatience occasionally flashed through his hawk-like eyes.

"Brother Qi, why hasn't Sister Juese arrived yet?" A soft, gentle voice sounded beside him. Qiao Chuchi looked at the delicate woman by his side, and his expression softened slightly. But when he thought of that nauseating face, impatience surged in his eyes again. "It is better if she doesn't come, so this Prince doesn't have to look at her and feel annoyed." Having said that, he pulled the woman closer, grasping her soft hands with both of his. "Xue'er, rest assured, only you are worthy of being this Prince's Crown Princess."

Full of grace, the woman lowered her head slightly, a hint of shyness rising to her face. Yet, when she thought of Meng Juese, the woman who had tried to steal her man, she couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

*Meng Juese, you think you're worthy?*

In the main hall on the first floor, the crowd had already grown somewhat impatient. Someone called out, "It looks like Second Miss Meng doesn't dare to show up. Well, she shouldn't come, lest she loses face."

As soon as those words were spoken, laughter erupted. Indeed, in the eyes of the crowd, Meng Juese was nothing more than a joke. Just as everyone was laughing, a voice filled with resentment rang out, "Is our Young Miss someone you all have the right to gossip about?"

Looking toward the voice, a figure in plain clothing was seen walking in slowly. Gazes converged upon Meng Juese. There was mockery, surprise, and disdain...

After stepping into Meng Huan Pavilion, Meng Juese had heard the discussions. She had originally intended to ignore them, but she hadn't expected Chun'er to be the one to speak up first. As expected, as soon as Chun'er finished speaking, she became the center of attention.

Meng Juese felt helpless... It seemed this Chun'er was determined to make her lose all her dignity in the most high-profile way possible.

"Young Miss, please don't be nervous. Just a few days ago, you told this servant that as the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's manor, you certainly wouldn't lose to Miss Li." Her voice was loud, and her face was filled with smiles, as if she were truly proud of Meng Juese. Furthermore, these words were intentionally or unintentionally casting shade on Li Yingxue's status as a concubine-born daughter.

Meng Juese glanced at her and shook her head slightly. There was no helping it; it seemed the grudge between her and the Miss of the Li family was only growing larger. However, she didn't have a good impression of Li Yingxue either, so none of this mattered to her.

Upon hearing Chun'er's words, the crowd burst into laughter. Although they were surprised by Meng Juese's attire today, an ugly woman was still an ugly woman; nothing could change the fact that she was coarse and unsightly. Meanwhile, on the second floor, Li Yingxue was so angry her teeth itched upon hearing those words. The only pain in her life was her status as a concubine-born daughter. She had finally managed to earn everyone's admiration through her talent, only for this maid to suddenly poke at her sore spot.

If it weren't for Meng Juese's deliberate coaching, how could this maid have said such things?! Li Yingxue thought, gritting her teeth. Her gaze shot straight through the second-floor window toward the woman in plain clothing, her eyes flashing with coldness. But in the next moment, she lowered her head, and tears slowly welled up in her beautiful eyes. Lifting her head, she looked at the man beside her with a sense of helplessness, "Brother Qi, will you look down on my status? I am merely a daughter of a concubine; I fear I am not worthy of you, Brother Qi."

Qiao Chuchi's expression softened slightly as he reached out to stroke her hair. "There is no need to take the words of a useless person to heart."

Li Yingxue buried her head deep in his embrace, her eyes and brows brimming with triumph.