Five days later.

The little courtyard where Luo Qing Luan lives is as before, simple and crude.

The greenish black tiles were full of spots and cracks, doors and walls were also somewhat mottled. There wasn't any changes as a result of Luo Qing Luan having earned a huge amount of money. It's not because she wouldn't have liked the improvement, it's just that she was unwilling to have other people discover anything unusual, especially the Luo Qing Shuang mother and daughter. Otherwise, there'll likely be trouble.

This could be considered the first time that she made a business deal with Boss Li. The initial payment was one thousand taels. As for after that, the two of them agreed that the rest would be distributed based on profit from the sales. Luo Qing Luan, as the one supplying the original work, had control over the decision making. Moreover, if she didn't partner with Hundred Taste Study, she could partner with another store. Therefore, Boss Li had no choice but to give her forty percent of the profits.

Just then, Boss Li had sent someone to deliver her the first distribution of profits. Luo Qing Luan's share was already four thousand taels. It's obvious how big of a sensation was created by her book that she traded along with the erotic illustrated version.

As for Luo Qing Shuang and Nangong Chen's reputation......

The great hall in the general's mansion. Nangong Chen and Luo Qing Shuang arrived earlier precisely because of this reason. Their complexions were of the same ink black.

"What in the world is going on? Tell me! Simply shameful......" Luo Cheng was fuming in anger as he glared at his precious daughter, Luo Qing Shuang, sitting next to the highest position.

This matter started spreading since yesterday. It had only been one day, yet had already set the entire capital abuzz. He originally even thought that this was just a joke some bored person was fooling around with for fun, nothing more than some romance novel. There were plenty of these kinds of books, basically none of which were worth taken seriously.

But today, after the imperial court morning session, a fellow official pulled Luo Cheng aside. With a strange smile, the official asked Luo Cheng about the book and even handed a copy over. Only then did Luo Cheng know what happened.

The General's Mansions' oldest daughter, his most beloved daughter, Luo Qing Shuang, had actually been written into a novel. And the fifth prince was also dragged in together, weaved into a nauseating story, as entertainment for people.

Even though the book did not mention their names, it might as well have. The setting of the General's Mansion and the eldest daughter as the female character. Only the names were changed. Who wouldn't be able to tell!

The book described in detail how flirtatious that eldest daughter was, how she seduced a prince. The scenes depicted were unbearable to look at. Furthermore, it was even supplemented by a set of erotic drawings. Just thinking about the way his colleague looked at him, and Luo Cheng's face was so filled with shame that he nearly dripped blood. If the leading characters didn't implicate Fifth Prince, he had been so angry that he nearly resolved to put Luo Qing Shuang in order.

"What does this have to do with our Qing Shuang? She is also a victim who's been wounded!" The side madam, Wang Xue Ru, promptly defended her daughter. "My Lord, how can you turn your anger on Qing Shuang?"

"Father, I'm too embarrassed to see anybody now! Boo hoo hoo......"

Her tears were like raindrops on a pear blossom (teary beauty). Luo Qing Shuang practically fainted on Wang Xue Ru's bosom. Even breathing was difficult through her sobs. No matter what, she never thought that this kind of thing would happen. How would she still have the face to meet those upper class young ladies in the future, or ladies from the imperial family!

"Fifth Prince, you have to stand up for our Qing Shuang! This matter is truly.....surprisingly, even you, Fifth Prince, are involved as well. After all is said and done, just who is so reckless to have created this mess?"

Luo Cheng was beyond anxious. This kind of matter really caused the most harm to an unmarried girl and can be considered a calamity of great proportions. If it's not dealt with properly, don't even mention being too embarrassed to meet people, the entire General's Mansion also won't be able to lift their heads and live properly!

Dark clouds covering his face, Nangong Chen can practically imagine how detrimental it would be for him if his imperial father found out about this matter!

He normally already didn't have his imperial father's favor and ordinarily, very rarely received a smile from Him. If those brothers of his took advantage of this matter and used it to file a complaint, he's afraid even his position as the fifth prince would be lost!

He already sent someone to visit that bookstore to investigate. Unfortunately, that owner was a man with extensive experience and didn't reveal anything. Even when his subordinate tried to suppress the owner by bringing out his name, the owner immediately brought out his even more powerful behind-the-scenes backer. Damn it! Unexpectedly, even a bookstore had a supporter that was no less powerful than him. Moreover, the book did not mention his name. If he continued to seriously pursue the matter, how would that be any different from him admitting that he's involved?

"General Luo, this matter has already spread through the entire capital. I'm afraid it's already impossible to suppress it."

Luo Cheng's heart constricted while his voice trembled. "Don't tell me......even you, Fifth Prince, don't have a solution?".

Nangong Chen already considered all of the stakes involved. Even though this matter had caused quite a sensation, still, nobody dared to say outright that the book's leading characters were him and Luo Qing Shuang. This could still be considered the most fortunate point.

Each and every advantage had a disadvantage. When he thought about Luo Qing Shuang's position and also the tender and affable way she treated him ordinarily, Nangong Chen already made a decision. He turned his head to look at Luo Cheng and spoke in a lowered voice. "General Luo, to settle this matter and to redeem Qing Shuang's and my reputation, there's only one way."

"What way?" Not to mention Luo Cheng, even Luo Qing Shuang and Wang Xue Ru also fixed their gaze on Nangong Chen.

"I'll go and tell imperial father that I want to take Qing Shuang as my main consort!"

..........

Inside a warm room, the current emperor of Wester Chu was sitting on a soft divan, looking gloomily at Nangong Chen kneeling before him.

"What did you say? Say it again!"

Clearly discernible in his voice was controlled anger. Nangong Chen didn't have to raise his head to be able to imagine what his imperial father's complexion looked like right now. However, he had no choice, but to do this. This is the only method capable of resolving this matter. Not only could it eliminate bad impressions, it could also allow him to start receiving his father's favor again.

Therefore, even though he was nervous, Nangong Chen also had to take the risk. He knocked his head on the floor again and declared with unflinching resolution. "That's right, your son request that imperial father cancel the engagement between me and General Luo's daughter, Luo Qing Luan, and change the future consort to Luo Qing Shuang."