Quick Transmigration: The Sweetheart Everyone Loves Is Stuck in Romantic Chaos Every Day - Chapter 236

Su Yu let out a cold laugh.

Devoted?

That hardly seemed likely.

That lipstick mark on her skin had been far too fresh.

Every night she went to Qingliu Courtyard to beg an audience with the courtesan leader, putting on a show of infatuation, while at the same time secretly fooling around with other young male companions.

He knew her nature was exactly like this.

But then… why did it hurt so much?

Compared to the searing pain in his body caused by the Heartless Powder, the pain in his chest was tenfold, a hundredfold worse.

And that pain felt familiar.

It was as though this had happened countless times already—watching her chase after other men, watching her smile in their arms, her face flushed, showing coquettish looks he had never once seen directed at him…

Su Yu’s sharp, handsome profile slowly darkened, a shadow of loneliness clouding his expression.

That night, Ruan Tang went again to Qingliu Courtyard.

The reason was simple: she wanted to finally meet the legendary courtesan leader.

She wore a pale pink gauze dress, her hair falling loosely with a peach blossom–shaped jade hairpin tucked at an angle, making her snowy cheeks and delicate brows look even more breathtaking.

Every step she took left a lingering fragrance in the air.

Passersby could not help but stop and stare, their faces full of awe.

“Which family’s young lady is this? She’s so beautiful, like a little fairy.”

“Like a goddess descended from heaven—”

“Even prettier than the girls in paintings!”

But someone recognized her and hastily covered a friend’s mouth.

“Are you insane? That’s Her Highness the Phoenix Lord! Do you want to die?!”

Someone nearby scoffed.

“Phoenix Lord? Impossible. Isn’t she supposed to be terrifying and vicious? How could she look anything like this soft, adorable girl? You must be blind—”

Before he could finish, a young man suddenly pulled out his hairpin, letting his hair fall loose. His face was shy as he rushed toward Ruan Tang, holding out the hairpin.

In Feng Nation, when a man removes his hairpin and offers it to a woman, it’s a traditional way to express love—a courtship ritual. (t/n: This gesture is equivalent to a love confession, similar to giving a ring in Western culture.)

But just as he neared her, a tall, imposing figure appeared in front of Ruan Tang like a ghost.

It was a broad-shouldered man carrying a sword, his skin slightly tanned, his features sharply chiseled.

His dark eyes glared so coldly that the poor young man collapsed on the spot, trembling as if he had seen a demon.

Ruan Tang peeked out from behind Mo Xuan’s back, tilting her head curiously.

“What’s wrong, Mute?”

(Mute was the nickname she had given him because of how rarely he spoke.)

Mo Xuan cast the trembling youth another warning glare before softening his voice for her.

“Your Highness, please be careful. This could be an assassination attempt.”

The onlookers fell silent.

Assassination? Everyone in Feng Nation knew this was a courtship ritual!

And that frail boy with his skinny arms and legs? He hardly looked like an assassin.

Besides, in broad daylight, right next to the imperial palace—who would dare attempt such a thing?

…Wait. What did he just call her?

Your Highness?!

The crowd’s eyes went wide. They could hardly believe it.

This soft, innocent, sweet-looking young girl… was truly the infamous Phoenix Lord?

Looking at her lively, bright peach-blossom eyes and curious expression—adorable as a little deer just stepping out of the forest—the bystanders who had loudly mocked others for being “blind” now felt their cheeks burning.

This time, Ruan Tang entered Qingliu Courtyard surrounded by a swarm of handsome men.

At first, Mo Xuan had stood with a dark expression, arms spread to shield her tightly. But the male courtesans’ enthusiasm was overwhelming—they pushed him aside within minutes.

Yet without her order, he couldn’t actually attack them. The frustration in his eyes grew darker and darker.

The courtesans had already heard rumors that she had paid to free Green Yi from the brothel, and that the Phoenix Lord had somehow “changed her ways.”

Seeing her tonight only deepened their infatuation.

“Your Highness, let me serve you tonight.”

“Step aside! Your Highness, look at me, I’m far better-looking than Jintang.”

“If you were better-looking, you’d be the courtesan leader instead of him. Don’t you know your place?”

“Out of the way! Your Highness, I’m gentler and more considerate than Jintang. I guarantee you’ll never regret choosing me—”

One by one, the beautifully dressed men, skin exposed and gestures bold, crowded around her, each trying to steal her attention. In the struggle, Ruan Tang’s clothes were nearly torn apart.

Finally, overwhelmed, she cast a desperate glance at Mo Xuan.

The moment their eyes met, his dark gaze lit up.

With a flash of steel, his sword sliced the porcelain vase on the table perfectly in half.

The pieces clattered to the ground.

And silence fell.

“Anyone who doesn’t want to end up like this vase—get out.”

Mo Xuan stood there, sword in hand, his entire body exuding killing intent, like a black-faced god of death.

The courtesans scattered at once like waves retreating from shore.

Ruan Tang immediately darted to Mo Xuan’s side, clutching his sleeve with both hands, her expression pitiful and frightened.

Her peach-blossom eyes shimmered with tears. “Wuwu, thank you, Mute.”

Mo Xuan stiffened, hastily sheathing his sword. Lowering his gaze, he spoke in a hushed voice.

“It is my duty to protect Your Highness. No need to thank me.”

But Ruan Tang truly had been frightened. She clung to his solid arm as they went upstairs, her soft body pressed close.

Mo Xuan moved like a general marching into a battlefield surrounded by enemies, his face and even his neck burning hot.

Thankfully, his dark complexion made it less noticeable.

Once inside the private room, she finally released him and casually leaned back on the soft couch.

Picking up a cup of wine, she raised it toward her lips.

The truth was, one of her real reasons for coming to Qingliu Courtyard was this fruity wine—sweet and fragrant, like the fruit-flavored bubble tea she missed from modern times.

She craved it.

Mo Xuan, still standing by the door with a dazed, empty feeling in his arm, suddenly caught sight of her lifting the cup.

He darted forward in alarm, seizing her wrist without thinking.

“Your Highness! Be careful, you might get drunk—”

Memories of her drunken antics the previous night—demanding husbands everywhere she went—made his handsome face flush.

“Besides, what if they’ve put something in the wine…”

Ruan Tang paused, realizing he had a point, and reluctantly set the cup down.

But her eyes still lingered on it with longing.

Mo Xuan sighed in relief—then realized his calloused palm was still gripping her soft, delicate wrist far too tightly.

The sensation of such fragile smoothness pressed against his rough skin was intoxicating, impossible to resist.

He stood frozen, unable to let go.

A knock suddenly sounded on the door.

Mo Xuan jerked awake, instantly releasing her hand before dropping to one knee.

“Forgive me, Your Highness. I was disrespectful.”

Ruan Tang absentmindedly reached out and patted his head, her voice soft and warm.

“What’s there to forgive? I’m not a porcelain doll. Touching me won’t break me.”

Mo Xuan’s heart pounded like a war drum.

It was the first time in his life anyone had patted his head like that—yet it felt strangely familiar.

As though something deep inside him… some bloodline yet to be awakened… was stirring.