Her current predicament was little different from that of a top courtesan at the Snow Moon Pavilion, who served men with her beauty.
Jiang Lan smiled faintly, sipping his tea as he enjoyed the dance, looking quite content and at ease.
In the original novel's plot, the protagonist Lin Fan had never received such treatment, had never been able to feast his eyes on such a sight.
However, this was the only period he would be able to bully the heroine.
If he had transmigrated too late—after her special constitution awakened, her cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, and she became the favored successor of Empress Wanyang—she would have been much harder to deal with.
In high spirits, Jiang Lan watched Su Qinghan dance gracefully with her sword, his gaze filled with genuine appreciation.
He had to admit, he suddenly understood those monarchs who stopped attending morning court.
If it were him, he'd likely be lost to a warm, fragrant bed for the night. Who would care about attending morning court?
'Isn't life all about enjoying oneself?'
A peerless beauty like this exuded a thousand charms with a single dance. And that indifferent expression, hiding how she couldn't stand the sight of him yet was forced to endure—he had to admit, it was strangely appealing.
'But this body of his is too weak right now. I'll have to rest up for a while.'
Su Qinghan's expression was cold and indifferent. As she danced with her sword, she shut out her five senses, ignoring Jiang Lan's teasing gaze that was sizing her up.
She hated that look. It was the look of a hunter sizing up his prey, of a shopper casually picking out wares on the street.
In the depths of his heart, it seemed Jiang Lan never saw her as a person. To him, she was just some commodity, a plaything.
Today, she was getting a firsthand taste of the perverse hobbies of a top-tier heir.
Jiang Lan could vaguely guess what Su Qinghan was thinking, but he didn't care. He was in no rush to subdue this heroine.
'There would be plenty of chances later on.'
The dance ended, and a faint fragrance wafted through the air.
Su Qinghan returned to the pavilion, set down her Long Sword, and gave a graceful curtsy. A timely look of apology appeared on her face as she said, "Qinghan's dancing is subpar. I hope Young Master Jiang will forgive my clumsy performance."
Having been taught by her elders since childhood, she knew how to assess a situation and act accordingly.
Jiang Lan was still smiling. He applauded and said, "Miss Qinghan, you needn't be so modest. Seeing Miss Su's dance today has made my trip to Yu Yi City worthwhile."
Su Qinghan scoffed inwardly.
But seeing Jiang Lan's attitude soften, she breathed a small sigh of relief. It meant there was still a chance to turn things around, that the situation was salvageable. The humiliation she had just suffered had not been completely in vain.
Now that she had calmed down, she realized something was amiss.
'Maybe... he was after my sister and me from the very beginning...'
'I was too impulsive and careless today.'
She had judged Jiang Lan's character based on external rumors, treating him like any other spoiled heir.
'Moreover, I should have realized it. As the Prime Minister's only son, how could Jiang Lan possibly lack life-saving treasures?'
'Would he really be afraid of my assassination attempt?'
'If I'd just calmed down for a second, I would have understood.'
In fact, looking at the situation now, Jiang Lan hadn't seemed surprised or shocked by her arrival at all. Instead, he looked as if he had anticipated it and had been waiting here for her.
'Perhaps today's incident isn't as simple as my sister being kidnapped.'
She hadn't investigated carefully, hadn't a shred of evidence, yet she'd jumped to the conclusion that Jiang Lan had sent men to kidnap her sister.
After all, the moment she thought of the many rumors surrounding Jiang Lan, her first fear was that her sister would be defiled and abused.
Every second she delayed, the greater the chance her sister would be violated.
That was why, in her desperation, she had thrown caution to the wind and forced her way in.
But just as Su Qinghan's mind was reeling with chaotic thoughts, Jiang Lan's voice rang out.
"Guards, take this assassin away."
Su Qinghan froze when she heard this. Then, her lovely eyes widened as she stared at Jiang Lan, her face a mask of pure shock and disbelief.
Jiang Lan, however, had no intention of explaining himself.
'The free show is over,' he thought. 'Time to get down to business.'
"Young... Young Master Jiang..."
Su Qinghan stammered, her face paling. She never imagined that Jiang Lan would turn on her so suddenly and order her to be taken away.
"Miss Su, you just tried to kill me. Did you really think a simple apology would be the end of it?"
"Where in the world would you find a deal that good?" Jiang Lan asked with a faint smile.
"..."
Su Qinghan's hands clenched, her face pale.
With a clash of armor, a group of guards rushed forward, drew their long blades, and held them to her neck.
Su Qinghan pressed her lips together. She knew further words were useless, and she didn't dare resist.
If she resisted now, it would confirm the grave crime of attempting to assassinate Jiang Lan. She had only meant to scare him; she'd never expected this would be the result.
'Perhaps now, my only hope is that the Su Family gets news of this and comes to rescue me.'
'Jiang Lan's words earlier were obviously just toying with me, yet I actually believed him.'
After Su Qinghan was taken away to be imprisoned, Jiang Lan slowly strolled back into the pavilion.
'Knowing this part of the plot, of course I would make preparations.'
'The heroine, Su Qinghan, is no threat.'
'The Eunuch Sword Master, Lin Fan, is the real enemy I need to deal with right now.'
'Now that Su Qinghan is in my hands, setting a trap for Lin Fan will be much simpler.'
'To be absolutely safe, I should call for backup first. With that in hand, I won't have to worry about any tricks that Lin Fan might pull.'
...
News that the eldest young lady of the Su Family had publicly tried to assassinate the Young Master of the Prime Minister's Mansion at the Snow Moon Pavilion quickly spread through every street and alley of Yu Yi City, causing a tremendous uproar.
The eldest daughter of the Su Family was a legendary figure in Yu Yi City, renowned not only for her peerless beauty but also for her outstanding talent.
Years ago, she had broken through to the Third Realm of cultivation, the Spirit Sea Realm, and was hailed as the number one genius in Yu Yi City. Later, she entered the Cyan Mountain Academy and became one of its most outstanding students.
The younger generation, men and women alike, held her in genuine admiration.
This time, it was said that the Su Family's eldest daughter had returned to Yu Yi City to visit her family and share the good news of being accepted as a disciple by an Elder from the Dao Cang Sword Sect.
But who could have imagined that on that very day, word would spread that she had stormed the Snow Moon Pavilion, attempted to assassinate Young Master Jiang Lan of the Prime Minister's Mansion, and been captured in public.
The sensation caused by this incident, needless to say, was immense.
The young master of the Prime Minister's Mansion was the undisputed most powerful and privileged scion in the Great Xia today. Who would dare provoke him?
One would have to be insane to dare to assassinate him.
No one could believe that the Su Family's eldest daughter, Su Qinghan, would do such a thing. There had to be some misunderstanding.
But who would dare say so?
Many were more inclined to believe the truth was that the young master from the Prime Minister's Mansion had taken a fancy to the Su Family's eldest daughter and sent men to take her by force. When she refused, a struggle ensued, and she was ultimately framed for assassination.
This version of events quickly gained a great deal of traction.
But regardless of the truth, Yu Yi City was abuzz with heated discussion because of the incident.
And happiest of all were the three other great families of the city, who took no small amount of pleasure in the Su Family's misfortune.