World-Ending Demon Emperor-Chapter 28 - The Top Socialite Yi Manman

28: Chapter 28: The Top Socialite Yi Manman

28 -28: The Top Socialite Yi Manman

“Princess Zhining.” Suo Ningbing performed a grand salute.

“Please rise, elder sister,” Princess Zhining said gently, then gracefully took her seat at the head position.

Suo Ningbing did not sit down; when facing members of the royal family, one cannot sit unless invited to do so.

“Young Master Suo Lun’s performance at the Royal City Academy today was truly astonishing,” Princess Zhining remarked.

“Instructor Xiuyan has already conveyed his viewpoints to the royal family and the cabinet: develop the navy, and let go of Tianshui City.”

Suo Ningbing saluted again, “Please grant mercy, Your Highness, and Commandery Princess.”

“Why are we so set on capturing Tianshui City?

Suo Lun clarified this in class,” said Princess Zhining.

“We had no personal grudge up until now; although Tianshui City is wealthy, the royal family owns the richest land under the heavens and wouldn’t normally fixate on a stretch of land five hundred miles wide.

We sought to acquire it only because it involves the kingdom’s future expansion strategy—our apologies.”

Suo Ningbing said, “However, attacking the Barbaric Wilderness Plains via a maritime route could be considered an option, right?”

Princess Zhining replied, “But that plan would take far too long, not to mention it was proposed by Uncle Zhi Ting, not by His Highness Prince Zili.

If we adopt that approach, it would signify a strategic failure for His Highness Prince Zili.

Do you understand what that means?”

Suo Ningbing certainly understood, and the key point was that Prince Zili was not King Zhi Bian’s biological son but his nephew.

King Quo Bian had but one daughter and no sons, so he adopted his nephew Zhi Li to be his heir.

Although everyone treated Zhi Li as the Crown Prince, he himself was filled with a sense of crisis.

Taking over Tianshui City and occupying Barbaric Gorge as a front for attacking the Barbaric Wilderness Plains was Prince Zili’s strategic direction.

Furthermore, he had already paid a great price for it, even going as far as to tear apart the kingdom’s feudal system—he could not afford to fail.

Suo Ningbing said, “Prince Zili’s strategic considerations are, of course, important.

But does that mean the Suo Family should die?”

Princess Zhining didn’t answer directly but instead said, “Today’s performance by Suo Lun in class was penned by you, was it not?”

Suo Ningbing hesitated before nodding.

To protect Suo Lun, if the royal family knew how wise and judicious he had already become, his life would be in danger.

“Your wisdom is unparalleled, elder sister, and I greatly admire you.

That’s why I’ve come to see you,” Zhi Ning said.

“Originally, your Suo Family was doomed to die.

And it wouldn’t even require our hand; Duke Zhi Ting would personally destroy you.

As you know, his actions can be far more direct than ours because he doesn’t have to care about his reputation.

But upon discovering your wisdom, I still made the trip.”

Suo Ningbing said, “Please enlighten me, Commandery Princess.”

Zhi Ning said, “Lend Tianshui City to us for now, and we will return it to the Suo Family in twenty years.”

Suo Ningbing replied, “You’re not known for returning what you’ve once seized.”

“True,” the Commandery Princess agreed.

“But Prince Zili cherishes talent greatly.

For you, he would give up the five hundred miles of Tianshui City.”

Suo Ningbing trembled and asked, “How so?”

Princess Zhining said, “Pledge your loyalty to His Highness Prince Zili and become his assistant.

In twenty years, your son will inherit the role of City Lord of Tianshui and will be promoted to Marquis.”

Suo Ningbing replied, “Unfortunately, I have no son.”

“You can have a son,” Princess Zhining said.

Suo Ningbing asked, “With whom?”

“With none other than my brother, His Highness Prince Zili, of course.

You should know it’s a tremendous blessing, as well as your only chance to save the Suo Family,” Princess Zhining stated.

Suo Ningbing’s complexion turned pale as she asked, “Then what about Suo Lun?”

Princess Zhining said indifferently, “You’re saving a family, not just one person.

There are no perfect outcomes in this world.

His Highness Prince Zili cherishes you, not him, Suo Lun.

Moreover, Suo Lun has sought my affection, which has provoked His Highness.”

Her words implied Suo Lun must die.

Suo Ningbing lifted her beautiful face, smiling, “Then it would be better if you, Commandery Princess, married Suo Lun.

Your son would become the Lord of Tianshui City in the future, and we’d all be one family.”

With that, Princess Zhining’s expression vanished, and she donned her cloak once more, rising to leave.

“As though I was never here.

You have two more days.”

…

Yuhua Pavilion, the largest courtesan house in the Royal City.

In this world, there are artists/entertainers, respectfully referred to as Da Jia.

But the women of Yuhua Pavilion not only sold their talents but also their bodies.

Suo Lun, known as a philanderer, rarely patronized those so-called talented women who didn’t sell themselves.

He said they specialized in deceiving others and didn’t need his comfort.

His remark won the hearts of many women of pleasure and offended many talented and noble women.

What was Suo Lun’s reputation in the world of pleasure houses?

He could very well be called the godfather of pleasure seekers, having even brought his own girlfriend to the courtesan house.

These years, he spent at least more than a thousand Gold Coins on such places, and, accompanied by other debauchees, the combined total exceeded several thousands.

Moreover, once Suo Lun visited a brothel, he usually didn’t pick the most popular girls; instead, he chose those whose business wasn’t that good, and he would pick dozens at a time.

In his words, it was to ensure that the less popular girls could also eat.

Therefore, Suo Lun’s reputation in the entire Royal City was terribly tarnished, but within the brothel community, it was exceedingly good, and he was regarded by many women there as family.

So, when Lanling stepped into Yuhua Pavilion, he immediately enjoyed the sensation of being a star.

Inside the whole Yuhua Pavilion, nearly all the women swarmed up to him; whether they were with clients or not, they all rushed over to him.

It wasn’t just the women, but all the attendants too, who bowed and greeted him with respect.

The patriarch of the pleasure quarters had arrived, their patron who provided for their livelihood.

“Young Master Suo Lun, you finally came, I’ve missed you to death,” one said.

“Young Master Suo, you really missed me to death…” another cooed.

“My dear daddy, I’ve missed you so much I’ve lost weight,” yet another joined in.

“How heartless of you, not coming home to see us for months.”

While Lanling had prepared himself for his level of popularity, the scope of it still took him by surprise.

He was the center of attention, surrounded by an adoring crowd.

Soon, a mature woman of lasting charm desperately pushed through the crowd to Lanling, bowed at the waist, and said, “My Young Master Suo Lun, you finally bothered to come?

My heart has been empty without you these past few months, you don’t believe me?

Look…”

Clearly, this woman was the madam of Yuhua Pavilion…

Lanling asked, “Where’s Manman?”

The madam immediately called out loudly, “Where’s Manman?”

An attendant next to her promptly replied, “Miss Manman has guests in her courtyard.”

The madam quickly said, “Send them away, send them away.

With Young Master Suo Lun here, what need do we have for other guests?

Tell Manman to change into fresh clothes immediately and attend to Young Master Suo Lun.”

Suo Lun, treated like scum in the streets of the Royal City Academy, was enjoying super VIP treatment here.

Amid the envious glances of the other women, the madam led Lanling to the room of Yuhua Pavilion’s most popular girl, Yi Manman.

…

As the most sought-after woman, and even the most revered in the entire Royal City, Yi Manman naturally had her own small building and garden.

Moreover, she was one of the rare entertainers Suo Lun interacted with, considered a top socialite in the Royal City, commanding a company price of two to three Gold Coins or more.

The madam brought Lanling to the doorway and said, “Since the two of you are so passionately involved, I won’t see you in.”

Then, she left directly.

Lanling lingered outside for a moment, to be honest, he was filled with curiosity about Yi Manman, eager to see what she looked like.

Of course, he could be certain that she would be beautiful; it was extremely difficult to reach the pinnacle of the pleasure industry otherwise.

Suo Lun had a very intimate relationship with her, even maintaining this close association for several years.

She could be seen as Suo Lun’s long-time lover.

However, Suo Lun never left behind a portrait of her, which puzzled Lanling.

Did Suo Lun look down on this brothel woman named Yi Manman deep down?

Whether or not he could gather the astronomical sum of three thousand nine hundred Gold Coins in two days hinged upon this Yi Manman.

After a while, Lanling pushed open the door and entered.

Passing behind the screen, he arrived in an opulent room.

The entire room was in a color scheme full of warm, even flamboyant, tones.

From the color of the sheets and the lights to the carpet, everything was enveloped in a hazy red.

A woman was sitting in front of a mirror, combing her hair, dressed in sheer clothing.

Most of her body was exposed, emanating a bewitching luster under the light.

Her figure was, as Lanling imagined, very substantial.

Of course, it was not overweight, but that kind of plump yet firm build.

If there had to be a comparison to a female celebrity on Earth, it would be Zhong Liti.

Of course, she was a bit taller, about 1.7 meters or so.

Currently, she was sitting with her back to Lanling, and since mirrors in this world were made of bronze and not very clear, Lanling couldn’t see her face.

“Didn’t you say you were going to cleanse your heart and steer clear of dirty places like this for the sake of Commandery Princess Zhining?” the woman taunted languidly.