Chapter Sixty-Three: The Shop

“Yes, it is indeed quite pitiful,” Yun Yan Yi nodded, his face full of sympathy.

Su Li Luo was secretly delighted, her tearful eyes shimmering as she said, “Only Your Highness truly understands me. With you as my confidant, I could die without regret.”

Yun Yan Yi noticed Su Li Luo was getting more and more carried away, so he coughed lightly to remind her to restrain herself, then smiled and said, “I agree with your sentiment, but you must hand over that beauty recipe. If you do, I guarantee you’ll live happily.”

Su Li Luo’s tears hung at the corner of her eyes, refusing to fall. She stared at Yun Yan Yi, her face stiff, hardly believing what she heard. “Your Highness, don’t you believe me? Why do you still insist on the recipe?” Had she betrayed herself somewhere? Su Li Luo reviewed everything carefully but found no clue.

“I only said I trust your unfortunate situation, I didn’t promise anything else. You’d better hand over the recipe soon, or I’ll let you suffer some hardship—perhaps that clever tongue of yours will reveal a few more secrets.”

Seeing the cold sharpness in Yun Yan Yi’s eyes, Su Li Luo knew he meant what he said. She wiped her tears forcefully, and after a moment, spoke honestly, “It’s true I concealed the beauty recipes, but they are secret formulas I’ve prepared for my future shop. How could I give them to Your Highness? Besides, after I use them, they’ll become my shop’s signature. Anyone who sees my results will want to use these recipes, and business will surely flourish.”

The more Su Li Luo spoke, the more excited she became, her eyes shining. Yun Yan Yi abruptly threw cold water on her grand ambitions. “Miss Su, your idea is good, but do you have any silver to start with? How will you open a shop without money? Truly, you’re indulging in wild fantasies.”

Su Li Luo wasn’t bothered by Yun Yan Yi’s mockery, responding softly, “I never said it would be now. In a year, the shop will naturally open.”

Yun Yan Yi thought for a moment and guessed immediately the source of Su Li Luo’s capital. Seeing the calm in his eyes, Su Li Luo realized he had figured it out, and laughed lightly, “Just as Your Highness guessed, it’s the brothel’s dividends.”

“You certainly think ahead. I actually find the shop idea rather promising. Since it’s funded by the brothel’s dividends, I should get half.” Yun Yan Yi’s audacious demand was instantly rejected by Su Li Luo.

“No! The shop is mine from the start. The brothel’s dividends are clearly documented—Your Highness, this is robbery.” Su Li Luo ground her teeth in anger. She had plotted so painstakingly, yet with a single word, this man wanted half. How could the world be so unfair?

“Well then, I’ll simply break the brothel contract. If you want to sue, go ahead. Then everyone outside will know the eldest Miss Su is involved in brothel affairs—who knows if you’ll ever be married.” Yun Yan Yi watched Su Li Luo’s face freeze, feeling immensely pleased.

“You…” Su Li Luo was so furious she could cough up blood. She never imagined Yun Yan Yi would be so unscrupulous.

“Well? Miss Su, have you reconsidered? Everything you have now was given by me. If you won’t agree to half the profits, I could take the whole shop and you wouldn’t dare utter a word.” Yun Yan Yi’s words displayed his formidable power. Su Li Luo grudgingly nodded, “As Your Highness wishes.”

“You seem reluctant, Miss Su. In that case, I’ll just take over the entire shop—it would be better for me.” Yun Yan Yi beamed.

Su Li Luo dared not retort, forcing a smile after a long pause. “Your Highness, I truly am willing to give half the shop. As long as you protect me, that is all I ask.”

She had figured it out: with Prince Yi behind her, no one would dare bully her. Yet she couldn’t understand why Prince Yi was so interested in a mere cosmetics shop.

Seeing her smile, Yun Yan Yi finally spoke gently, “With such sincerity, Miss Su, I accept. Don’t worry, you won’t be taken advantage of.” Having obtained what he wanted, Yun Yan Yi was amiable. The thought of a new source of household intelligence made him smile.

“Thank you, Your Highness. I am exhausted and wish to rest—please make yourself comfortable.” Su Li Luo, having surrendered a large sum, lay on the bed in frustration. When she heard the window close, she turned to look around, finding no trace of the man. She grabbed her hair in annoyance, muttering, “My silver, my silver…”

Thinking of the lost half of her shop’s profit, sleep was impossible. She stared at the ceiling, pondering, “This is bad, very bad…”

Suddenly, Su Li Luo sat up, tapped her forehead and murmured, “The brothel belongs to Prince Yi, the cosmetics shop isn’t even open and he’s already involved. Everything I have now was given by this man…”

“Ah! Everything I own comes from him. I have no property of my own. If he wants me dead, it’d be as easy as crushing an ant. That’s terrifying.” The more she thought, the more frightened she became, her face stricken, yet she had no idea how to distance herself from Prince Yi.

Su Li Luo’s gaze fell on the dressing table’s cosmetic box. Remembering the jade pendant and military tally inside, her heart raced in panic. She muttered to herself, “If he discovers the tally, I’ll have no way to survive.”

Only now did Su Li Luo realize the true terror of Yun Yan Yi. Her hands clenched tightly as she silently repeated, “It’s fine, don’t panic. As long as you hide it well, he won’t know. No one will know.”

After chanting it four or five times, she finally felt better. Sleepiness returned, and she soon closed her eyes.

The day of the Plum Blossom Banquet soon arrived. Su Li Luo brought Su Bai Han and Su Shan Er along in a carriage to the Prince of An Nan’s residence. Su Shan Er and Su Bai Han were close, whispering quietly between themselves, never once looking directly at Su Li Luo, but she took no offense.

After alighting, they were led through a side gate by a matron and arrived at the plum garden, where they saw Princess An Ping standing at the entrance, as though waiting for someone.

When Princess An Ping saw Su Li Luo and her party, her eyes lit up, and she walked quickly to Su Li Luo’s side. Su Li Luo half-knelt in greeting, “Greetings, Princess An Ping.”

Su Bai Han and Su Shan Er followed suit, bowing respectfully. Princess An Ping personally helped Su Li Luo up, her tone relaxed, “There’s no need for such formality, Miss Su. I feel a real kinship with you. Why don’t you come into the garden with me? May I call you Sister Li Luo?”

The sincere goodwill radiating from Princess An Ping left Su Li Luo a little at a loss, but she quickly composed herself and smiled gently, “Of course you may, Your Highness. These two are my younger sisters—would it be possible for them to accompany us?”

Only then did Princess An Ping look at Su Bai Han and Su Shan Er. Seeing her gaze, both girls straightened, their faces painted with ingratiating smiles. Princess An Ping glanced at them and simply nodded, saying, “If they wish, let them follow.” Her tone was neither warm nor cold, clearly showing no intention of befriending Su Bai Han or Su Shan Er.