Chapter 10

“Who was that person playing the flute today?” Sima Rui asked lazily.

He had appeared only after that gentleman in plain clothes had departed. Although he hadn't seen the man, he had heard the flute, and heard the lingering words of laughter left behind by the departing melody. To tell the truth, he was truly curious as to who could play such a beautiful rhythm.

He had never heard this piece of music before, but it was truly exquisite—clear as a spring, melodious as a cloud, and fluid as the wind. Though he had not seen the man, he imagined him to be no ordinary person; otherwise, he would not be worthy of such a melodious sound.

Yue Jiao shook her head. “I do not know which family's young master he is. Judging by his attire and mannerisms, he is certainly no son of an ordinary household. However, this is also my first time seeing him. His flute playing is superb, but it is the first time I have heard that melody. It is very beautiful, but I cannot give it a name.”

Sima Rui nodded but said nothing.

For three consecutive days, this gentleman in plain clothes was present every day when Yue Jiao danced, but the flute was never played again. He merely sat quietly, without a word, simply sitting in silence to appreciate the dance, occasionally taking a sip of tea, and leaving as soon as the dance ended.

Despite this, Yue Jiao still found her heart racing under his gaze. His eyes were not piercing; instead, they were very gentle and focused, devoid of any impure thoughts, yet they caused Yue Jiao’s mind to wander, nearly causing her to make mistakes several times.

On this day, before Yue Jiao began her dance, she suddenly spoke toward the gentleman in plain clothes in the VIP seat: “Could this gentleman perhaps play another tune for this humble girl? This humble girl is willing to dance a new piece for you.”

The gentleman in plain clothes smiled, nodded slightly, and said, “Very well. These past few days, I have observed that Miss Yue Jiao’s dance movements have appeared somewhat stiff, and I could not understand why. Since Miss Yue Jiao wishes to dance a new piece, I shall gift you a melody to resolve the knot in your heart.”

Yue Jiao’s face flushed red. He was indeed a master; he could actually see that her dancing had been stiff these past few days. Furthermore, hearing his words, it seemed he also knew she had a mental grievance. How did he know of her inner misery? Although Sima Rui stayed in Yue Jiao Pavilion every day, the person he was trying to please with all his heart was the kidnapped Murong Xue. She found it strange—now that Murong Xue was missing, was the Murong Prince's Mansion not anxious? Were they not searching? But who would have thought that the dignified Fourth Miss of the Murong family would be held under house arrest in Yue Jiao Pavilion?!

The sound of the flute suddenly rose, like heavenly music. Yue Jiao could not help but dance gracefully, dancing until her tears flew, her inner frustrations being vented out through the melody.

Suddenly, the flute music came to an abrupt halt. Yue Jiao paused, only to see that Sima Rui had sat down beside the gentleman in plain clothes at some unknown moment, staring coldly at the flute player without saying a word. The gentleman in plain clothes smiled faintly. “Miss Yue Jiao, I am truly sorry. Today, I can only gift you this half of the melody. I shall gift you the remaining half on another day.”

Yue Jiao could only lower her head. Among the various spectators below, those in the know had already quietly departed; this Sima Rui was naturally someone they could not afford to offend. Even if they didn't know who this flute player was, he likely wasn't someone to be trifled with either. As for those who didn't know, they had already been quietly ushered aside by the waiters.

For a moment, only Sima Rui, the gentleman in plain clothes, and Yue Jiao—who could neither stay nor leave—remained. The atmosphere was extremely strange.

The gentleman in plain clothes looked at Sima Rui and smiled slightly, his tone very peaceful. “It was truly not easy to get you to come out.” He took a sip of the water in his cup and looked at Sima Rui.

Sima Rui was extremely handsome and possessed a very noble temperament. Born into an imperial family, even though he played around in the martial world, he possessed an inherent, subtle aura of a king. With sword-like brows and starry eyes, a straight nose, and a well-shaped mouth, his skin was like congealed fat, and he was as elegant as a jade tree in the wind. Combined with a pair of deep, affectionate peach blossom eyes, it was no wonder so many women remained infatuated with him.

Sima Rui raised an eyebrow slightly. Given his skills, he knew that although only this gentleman in plain clothes was before him, there were certainly experts protecting the vicinity. This gentleman spoke very straightforwardly, without any concealment, which stirred a sense of curiosity in his heart.

Sima Rui was no fool. From the first day he met this gentleman, he had sensed that this person's coming to watch Yue Jiao dance must have another purpose, and was definitely not merely admiring her dance skills. Moreover, everyone in the Drunken Flower Pavilion knew that Yue Jiao belonged to the Fourth Prince, Sima Rui; no one would be foolish enough to compete with him. Even if this gentleman didn't know this, after appearing for three consecutive days, he should have known something.

“To go to such lengths just for a woman of a brothel, this brother is being a bit too dramatic, isn't he?” He glanced lazily at the gentleman in plain clothes. For these three days, the gentleman had worn plain clothes every day, yet never the same outfit, making him look truly as white as snow and exceptionally extraordinary.

The gentleman in plain clothes maintained his light smile. He looked at Yue Jiao, who was still standing blankly on the stage in the distance, then looked back at Sima Rui and said with a smile, “Miss Yue Jiao is the beloved of the Fourth Prince. I have no intention of stealing his love. However, to catch a glimpse of the Fourth Prince, it truly has cost me quite a bit of effort over these three days.”

“Who are you?” Sima Rui asked softly but sternly. He disliked this current feeling very much; the other party seemed to know his background completely, yet he knew nothing of the other's identity.

The gentleman in plain clothes chuckled softly, poured a cup of tea for Sima Rui, and said, “Come, Fourth Prince. The tea here is quite good. Have a cup to moisten your throat. Why get angry? Is it just because you are curious about who I am? Drink your tea, and I will tell you slowly.”

Sima Rui smiled. “Interesting. It is rare for me, Sima Rui, to encounter someone as interesting as you. Fine, I will drink my tea while I listen to you tell your tale.”

“That is the way to do it.” The gentleman in plain clothes still wore a smile, looking like a breath of spring wind.

Watching him, Sima Rui thought: *I fear that no matter how unbelievable the reason, once this man says it, it won't even seem improper.*

Holding the teacup, the gentleman in plain clothes admired the tea leaves rising and falling within it. His gaze was as pure as water, and his tone was peaceful and calm. “You may call me Bai Min.” Suddenly, he raised his eyes to look at Sima Rui, smiling as he continued, “Is the Fourth Prince able to let go of one love?”

Sima Rui raised an eyebrow again, his expression somewhat dazed. Looking at this gentleman in plain clothes who called himself Bai Min, he felt that Bai Min possessed a natural leisure and freedom in every movement. Especially those eyes—to look into them was to make one's heart flutter. Even though he had seen all the beauties in the world, he had to admit that, fortunately, this Bai Min was a man; otherwise, he would surely enchant all living beings under heaven. “What?”

Bai Min also raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Sima Rui, and said in a soft, gentle voice, “Bai Min wishes to ask the Fourth Prince for a person. I wonder if the Fourth Prince is willing?”

“Yue Jiao?” Sima Rui turned to look at Yue Jiao, who was still standing there foolishly, and then looked back at Bai Min, asking.

Bai Min shook his head gently and said word by word with a smile, “Bai Min said he would do nothing to Miss Yue Jiao. The person Bai Min wants is... Mu—rong—Xue.”

Sima Rui nearly choked on a mouthful of water. He stared at Bai Min, his gaze becoming fierce, as if he wanted to devour the man. “Who exactly are you?”

“I am Bai Min,” Bai Min replied nonchalantly. “You already asked just now. —I know you have many questions to ask. Where do you come from? Why are you inquiring about Murong Xue's affairs? And so on.” Bai Min chuckled softly and continued, “However, to know the answers to these questions, one must pay a price.”

Sima Rui frowned. “A price? What price? It should be Brother Bai who pays the price!”

Bai Min still wore a smile, as if chatting with an old friend. From a distance, Yue Jiao truly could not tell what the two of them were doing; she only saw the gentleman in plain clothes with a tranquil smile, while Sima Rui's expression kept changing—sometimes peaceful, sometimes angry, sometimes quiet, sometimes violent.

“If it is like that, the Fourth Prince truly won't know the answers to questions like who Bai Min is, where he comes from, or why he is related to Murong Xue. Bai Min knows the Fourth Prince is truly very curious.” Bai Min said warmly.