Since the Drunken Bliss Tower was renovated, the "Love at First Sight" courtesan selection of a "wife" has been held once a year. Coincidentally, Ye Xiaobai, the top courtesan of Drunken Bliss Tower, possesses a celestial beauty that seems to belong only to the heavens. Both women from the Danfeng Kingdom and other nations flock to him.
This situation truly fills men with jealousy and envy.
Qiao Ci inquired about the location of Drunken Bliss Tower and followed the crowd there.
The first and second floors were completely filled, with many people standing.
The majority of these attendees were women, with a small number of men disguised as women hoping to witness the spectacle.
However, those present, even those standing, could be princesses or noble ladies from various kingdoms.
Many had attended before, been rejected, and were returning again, all eager to see what kind of celestial being the top courtesan of Drunken Bliss Tower would choose.
In fact, there had been occasions where princesses and noble ladies attempted to coerce Ye Xiaobai with their influence. However, any such move was met with a series of bizarre occurrences.
People of this era were quite superstitious, believing in ghosts and spirits. Word spread from one to ten, and then to a hundred, transforming Ye Xiaobai into an even more miraculous figure. It was rumored that he might be an exiled immortal from the nine heavens, sent to the mortal realm for trials.
Consequently, everyone dared not harbor any other intentions, and they all adhered to the rules of Drunken Bliss Tower.
Speaking of this, Lou Zuiren couldn't help but smile, as those strange occurrences were all orchestrated by his men. He had also encountered those who were unafraid of gods and spirits, and in such cases, he had no choice but to go all the way and eliminate them directly.
Looking at Ye Xiaobai, adorned in vibrant attire yet still exuding an unparalleled aura, Lou Zuiren's eyes revealed envy. He sighed, "If I possessed your appearance, what kind of woman couldn't I find? It's a pity that certain people are so stubborn and their standards are outrageously high. I think perhaps, the only one who could be worthy of you isn't a mortal, but a divine maiden from the nine heavens."
Facing his friend's teasing, Ye Xiaobai smiled faintly, "Zuiren, thank you for all these years."
Upon hearing this, Lou Zuiren's eyes involuntarily welled up with moisture. He chided playfully, "What are you thanking me for between us! It sounds like a farewell. Don't worry, this time you'll definitely find the woman who makes you fall in love at first sight. By then, I might not only envy your looks but also be force-fed affection!"
Ye Xiaobai looked at Lou Zuiren this way, his lips pressed into a thin line, and said with utmost seriousness, "Zuiren, you should also find a woman who cares for you, who knows your needs. You don't need to devote all your energy to me. This time, I don't know if I can make it through. If I can't, don't be too sad. It will mean I'm going to find that woman in my dreams, and I will be happy with her. Therefore, you must also be happy."
Lou Zuiren reached out and patted Ye Xiaobai's head, laughing and scolding, "What nonsense are you spouting? We made a pact before, to grow up together and marry a wife together. Anyway, you decide. If you truly leave me, I'll remain alone for the rest of my life, humph!"
Knowing that his friend wanted him to live, Ye Xiaobai smiled, "I will try my best."
"That's good. I'm already twenty-five this year, and everyone secretly calls me an old man, an old pimp behind my back. You have to be more spirited and try to help me get married this year," Lou Zuiren said with a charming smile.
He didn't want to put pressure on his friend. If his friend could find happiness, he would also feel happy.
"Mmm."
Drunken Bliss Tower was already crowded with people.
When it was Ye Xiaobai's turn to appear, Lou Zuiren placed a veil over his face and said with feigned casualness, "Are you scared?"
"Scared," Ye Xiaobai tightly clutched the brocade handkerchief in his hand.
However, despite saying he was scared, he still walked into the crowd's sight without hesitation.
At this moment, his posture was upright, his temperament exceptional, his eyebrows like distant peaks, his eyes like scattered stars. Wearing a veil made him even more mysterious and captivating.
The people on the first and second floors instantly erupted.
"Ahhh, Ye Xiaobai is as beautiful as ever. Just one look can kill me."
"Ye Xiaobai, Ye Xiaobai."
"Ye Xiaobai, I love you, Ye Xiaobai, come with me."
"No wonder they say one glimpse of Ye Xiaobai ruins a lifetime. In the future, perhaps no other man will catch my eye."
Qiao Ci, in a private box on the second floor, looked at Ye Xiaobai, who was clearly at the end of his strength, and couldn't help but furrow her beautiful brows slightly.
She could only tell that Ye Xiaobai's health was not good. Due to the distance, she couldn't determine the exact reason.
At this moment, Ye Xiaobai on the high platform spoke, "As usual, say something that moves me. Of course, you don't need to repeat what has already been said."
Those who had never attended before began to rub their hands together, preparing to step forward and showcase their voices.
A valiant woman in brocade, standing closest, walked up. Looking at Ye Xiaobai up close, her heart couldn't help but pound.
The veil was transparent, and at such close proximity, she could clearly see Ye Xiaobai's heavenly features. She involuntarily declared, "A lifetime, one pair. I can give up my entire harem for you and dote on you alone."
The crowd below erupted in an uproar.
Which empress was this? Were they all competing so fiercely to increase their chances? Giving up their harems. Truly, of the three thousand waters, they would only drink one sip.
Everyone looked towards Ye Xiaobai. Although emperors from other countries had sought the favor of beautiful people in the past, no empress had dared to make such a promise.
Ye Xiaobai's expression was calm. He politely declined the woman, "I'm sorry, next please."
Although she was an empress, the woman was not angry at being rejected, only a little lost. She added, "If you change your mind, my harem is always open to you."
Ye Xiaobai smiled without speaking, the refusal clear: Thank you, but no need.
Next, another impeccably dressed woman came onto the stage. She gazed at Ye Xiaobai affectionately, "If you are willing to come with me, in our home from now on, you will be the superior, and I will be the inferior."
Ye Xiaobai shook his head, "Thank you for your affection, please proceed."
After this woman stepped down, another exceptionally beautiful woman gracefully approached, smiling enchantingly, "What you need isn't a sentence, but a person, isn't it? Do I still catch your eye?"
Ye Xiaobai neither shook his head nor turned away. He merely made a gesture to proceed, and the woman dejectedly stepped down.
...
Hundreds of women spoke hundreds of heartfelt words. Many of these words even moved them, as women themselves, yet Ye Xiaobai's expression never changed, showing no sign of being touched.
Ten years.
After this session, it had been a full decade.
Was there no woman who could capture his eye?
Was he playing with them?
The people below whispered among themselves. Ye Xiaobai on the stage picked up a white handkerchief, lifted the veil, and coughed lightly.
Seeing the crimson bloodstain on the handkerchief, he gave a self-mocking smile.
It seemed that today was the day of his death.