Such a dog deserved death a thousand times over. Though retribution came late, it came nonetheless.
“Thank you for your hard work, Brother Yin.” Yi Zhaozhu turned to look at him with immense gratitude: “I don’t know how to repay you.”
“No need.” Nodding to her, Yin Gezhi said: “Now that the matter is resolved, I should take my leave.”
Yi Zhaozhu froze, looking at the person before her, pinching her handkerchief with a slightly hurt expression.
Yin Gezhi seemed not to notice, turning to leave with Guanzhi to pack his things.
“Dianchai.” Turning sadly to her maid, Yi Zhaozhu asked: “Does he not like me at all?”
Dianchai’s eyes widened as she supported her mistress’s arm: “Young Miss, what are you thinking? Everyone in Buyin City knows Lord Yin least likes to get involved in affairs. For you, he stayed at the General’s mansion, exposed the traitor, and even accompanied you up the mountain to distribute tea. Forgive this servant for saying so, but in all of Buyin City, you’re the only one Lord Yin values so highly!”
Is that so? Yi Zhaozhu lowered her gaze: “But, wouldn’t others stay a few more days? As soon as the matter is resolved, he leaves…”
“Perhaps he’s being proper,” Dianchai said. “After all, with the General away, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to stay long.”
Oh, that’s why.
Her expression softened, Yi Zhaozhu brightened somewhat and nodded: “Let’s prepare some gifts to thank Brother Yin.”
“Yes.” Dianchai smiled as she accompanied her back to her chambers, continuously muttering: “Right now in all of Buyin City, among all unmarried young ladies, you have the most noble status. You’re also the most beloved – everyone wants to be around you. You should have more confidence in yourself. Though Lord Yin isn’t good with words, his actions show he surely cares for you. Besides, even if the situation with Lord Yin is awkward and can’t lead anywhere, you still have His Highness the Crown Prince!”
General Yi’s precious pearl, noble birth, gentle beauty – she seemed to have everything in life. The pity was that she couldn’t be with the one she loved, while Ye Yuqin… his kindness made her feel guilty.
What thing in this world is love…
“Master.”
Just as they crossed the envoy mansion’s threshold, Guanzhi called out.
Yin Gezhi frowned and looked up to see a rosewood box placed in the courtyard’s open space.
News spread yesterday, and today things were already being delivered – they moved quite fast.
With a cold laugh, he went to pick up the box and open it. Inside was a light piece of official paper.
“Who did you assign to investigate the City Guard Commander?” Yin Gezhi asked.
Guanzhi silently passed over a token with a name carved on it — Ganjiang.
“Have someone watch him,” collecting the items, Yin Gezhi went inside to change clothes. “Find out who’s behind him.”
“Yes.”
Feng Yue was swinging her legs while eating plums when she suddenly shivered. She looked behind herself – outside the window was cloudless, a fine day.
But why did she feel like something was about to happen?
“Master, Master!” Ling Shu burst in as if her bottom was on fire, running three circles around her, excitedly saying: “Big news! This servant forgot to remind you, that tonight is the selection of the lead courtesan!”
Blinking, Feng Yue pressed her index finger against her forehead and shouted: “Stop!”
Ling Shu immediately froze, her bright eyes rolling around.
“I know about the lead courtesan selection,” Feng Yue smiled. “But your master is very satisfied with the current situation. Let them fight over being lead courtesan.”
She only wanted to seduce Ye Yuqin anyway and had already gotten Yin Gezhi as a bonus. Why should she compete for lead courtesan? Was she so bored?
“But…” pouting, Ling Shu said unhappily: “Have you heard how the other courtesans in the tower talk about you? Many people are waiting to see you make a fool of yourself today! They say you only know how to dance… dance shamelessly and know nothing else – all show and no substance!”
“Oh.” Feng Yue nodded: “That’s quite accurate.”
Ling Shu: “…”
“Don’t worry, little girl.” Feng Yue smiled crookedly: “What your master wants, she’ll use any means to get. What she doesn’t want, no matter what others say, she won’t pursue.”
Deflated, Ling Shu’s little head hit the table with a “thump,” playing dead.
Feng Yue found it amusing, got up to put a plum in her mouth, and then opened the door to look at the main hall.
Brothels always had gimmicks like selecting lead courtesans to attract patrons. A lead courtesan’s value was different from others, so naturally many competed for it. Though it wasn’t dark yet, the courtesans had already begun moving about, gathering in groups of three or five in the corridors of each floor and the main hall below, whispering together.
“Currently the most popular in the tower are only Courtesans Duanxian and Feng Yue. Guess who will win tonight?”
“I bet on Courtesan Duanxian, after all, she plays the zither beautifully.”
“I’ll still bet on Feng Yue. Though she’s not very proper, look – quite a few people like her style.”
Duanxian opened her door and saw Feng Yue leaning against the railing opposite, looking down. Her seductive face wore a silly smile that was irritating no matter how you looked at it.
With a sneer and an eye roll, she fanned herself and went downstairs.
She might not be able to serve Yin Gezhi, but that didn’t necessarily mean she was inferior to Feng Yue. Tonight was a good opportunity – she had to win.
“Duanxian.” Weiyu and others were on the second floor. Seeing her come down, they pulled her over, saying mysteriously: “There’ll be a good show tonight!”
“What?” Duanxian was confused. Weiyu whispered secretively: “Don’t you dislike Feng Yue? Just wait and see – she’s sure to be humiliated!”
After listening to their whispers for a while, Duanxian smiled too, narrowing her eyes as she looked up at the third floor.
The railing was now empty – perhaps she’d gone to prepare for tonight’s performance. Breathing out in relief, Duanxian pulled the group of courtesans downstairs.
After the servants finished cleaning Menghui Tower and left the room, Feng Yue opened the freshly wiped cabinet as usual and took out a paper.
“Zhao Lin’s son, Zhao Xi.” Six characters, with a portrait below.
Feng Yue raised an eyebrow. Yin Gezhi’s choices were quite precise – each one someone she disliked.
Zhao Xi had visited Menghui Tower. For anyone who spent the night at Menghui Tower, if their waist tokens or jade pendants ever left their person, or if they fell unconscious or into deep sleep, their personal items would definitely be sent to the general store on Xiangyu Street to be replicated overnight for future use.
In other words, whether she wanted to frame someone or get close to them, she could do it faster and more discreetly than ordinary spies.
Since Yin Gezhi had his eye on this person, she’d help him out.
“What are you looking at?”
A sudden voice behind her made Feng Yue’s hair stand on end. She quickly stuffed the paper back in the cabinet, then turned around seductively, throwing a flirtatious glance at the visitor: “This servant was naturally waiting for you, Young Master~”
Yin Gezhi looked at her coldly, as if watching an actor on stage.
Feng Yue didn’t mind, swaying side to side as she walked to him. She looked up at him pitifully: “Young Master is so cruel, saying you wouldn’t come for two days, and didn’t come for two days. This servant was so lonely, boo-hoo-hoo!”
For some reason, every time this person spoke in that affected voice, he wanted to pick her up and shake her until she straightened out!
However, one couldn’t expect too much from a brothel woman.
Glancing at her, Yin Gezhi said: “I just heard you’re selecting a lead courtesan today?”
“Yes.” Feng Yue blinked, lifted her head, sliding her hand from her hair bun to her chin in an affected pose, asking proudly: “Who does Young Master think should be our lead courtesan?”
His eyes filled with disdain again. Yin Gezhi spoke coldly: “Certainly not you.”
Though she hadn’t planned to compete, hearing this, what woman wouldn’t be upset! Feng Yue pouted: “What’s wrong with this servant?”
“Menghui Tower’s lead courtesan must surely be accomplished in both appearance and talent, virtuous and skilled,” his gaze swept over her unfriendly. Yin Gezhi shook his head: “You have none of these.”
None of them?! Feng Yue ground her teeth, her mouth twitching for quite a while before she finally managed to look up and smile at him: “Then this servant has wronged Young Master. This servant has nothing, yet you still request my company!”
Looking at her steadily, Yin Gezhi was silent for a moment, then suddenly bent down, moving close to her ear to say: “It’s not that you have nothing. At least you’re pleasant in bed.”
Feng Yue: “…”
What do you call a beast in gentleman’s clothing? This is a beast in gentlemen’s clothing! Disdaining her while flirting with her. Is something wrong with him?
If it weren’t for how useful he was, she would have slapped him… well, better not. She couldn’t win that fight.
The wise bow to the powerful – one must be docile before the strong.
Drooping like a deflated balloon, Feng Yue hung her head silently, looking like a wronged puppy, whimpering with tears in her eyes.
Yin Gezhi watched her, his mood improving. He beckoned to her.
Feng Yue turned her head away and bared her teeth, then giggled and pounced on him, hugging his lean, strong waist and giving it a firm squeeze: “Young Master?”
“Want to be lead courtesan?”
“No!”
“Then why do you look so dissatisfied?”
Feng Yue paused, looked up, and gazed into his eyes emotionally: “This servant doesn’t care what others think of her, but cares very much about Young Master’s opinion. If Young Master looks down on this servant so much, this servant will be very sad, boo-hoo-hoo!”
“…”
Every time his master was with this Courtesan Feng Yue, he seemed to be in a better mood. Peeking inside from outside the door, Guanzhi discovered this phenomenon with surprise. Although Prince Yin’s face showed no ripples of emotion while being bear-hugged, the aura around him was incredibly gentle, like spring wind blowing over green grass, making flowers bloom everywhere.
How strange.
“Young Master, we’ve prepared a seat for you downstairs.” Mama Jin went room to room inviting people. Reaching Feng Yue’s door, she didn’t dare enter but carefully said from the doorway: “If it’s convenient, you can go down to take your seat first.”
Ever since those four loads of gifts were delivered to Menghui Tower, this young master had become the most sought-after patron among all the courtesans. Though it was unclear why Duanxian failed to please him, tonight the other courtesans were all eager to try their luck.
“Mm.” Acknowledging with a sound, Yin Gezhi picked up the person in his arms and started walking.