“Ji Jianming!” Gu Yu muttered, “Everyone ran into him, and Wang Dahuai wants to get close. We can’t possibly drink at the same table as those officials, can we? Coincidentally, He Gongzi, who was with Ji Jianming, is quite familiar with Zhao Zishi, so everyone went to Qianfo Temple Alley.” 

Wang Qinghuai, whose courtesy name was Dahuai. 

Song Mo was somewhat surprised. 

Since the person accompanying Ji Jianming was familiar with Zhao Zishi, it was clear that Ji Jianming knew her background. Most people would visit brothels, but he chose to go to Zhao Zishi instead. 

What did he mean by that? 

Did he think that since Zhao Zishi was a performer, it didn’t matter how raucous things got? 

But did he realize that if Wei Tingyu were rumored to have a preference for men, it would also harm Dou Zhao? 

Song Mo pondered, “What kind of person is Ji Jianming?” 

Gu Yu replied, “Very clever, witty, well-read, knows how to joke around, and enjoys life…” 

Song Mo slowly formed an image in his mind of a carefree young man who had achieved success through his studies. 

Such a person usually acted without much caution. 

He couldn’t help but ask, “Wang Dahuai went too?” 

Among these people, only Wang Qinghuai was composed and had a good grasp of the situation. 

“Yes!” Gu Yu said, “Wang Dahuai not only went but is also quite familiar with Zhao Zishi. The moment she saw him, she called over two beautiful maids to serve him, which shows she knows his preferences.” He teased Wang Qinghuai, “At this point, Wang Dahuai must be so enchanted that he can’t tell east from west!” He continued, “It seems Zhao Zishi is also a smart person, knowing that to do business, one must be thorough.

Now, those who go to her can have their fun however they like! But I don’t quite like that atmosphere; it’s a place for the flesh trade, yet they mimic those scholarly families from Jiangnan, turning the courtyard into a place with pavilions and winding paths, adorned with plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. Everything is designed to appear refined and elegant, making it feel just like my own garden. You see, I came to seek pleasure, but it feels like I’m at home, surrounded by the same scenery and the same people, which is quite boring. If it weren’t for Wang Dahuai, I definitely wouldn’t have gone…” 

Gu Yu had visited almost all the famous pleasure houses, taverns, and teahouses in the capital. 

Song Mo silently listened to his rambling, but his expression grew increasingly serious. 

At that moment, the music had stopped in Qianfo Temple Alley, and Zhao Zishi was seated in the waterside pavilion. 

Wang Qinghuai looked at Ji Yong and Wei Tingyu, who were toasting and drinking heartily and couldn’t help but shake his head with a smile. He said to He Yu, who sat beside him, “I’m only five or six years older than you, yet I don’t dare to drink like you do… Time waits for no one!” 

Although He Yu drank little, he had a low tolerance and was already feeling light-headed. He chuckled, not quite understanding what Wang Qinghuai was saying. 

Zhao Zishi smiled slightly and said, “Young Master, you must have more important matters on your mind than drinking, so it’s natural that you can’t fully focus on it.” Her hoarse voice sounded gentle as she stood up to brew tea for Wang Qinghuai with a purple clay pot. “I heard that this year you not only took on the dredging of the Grand Canal but also the renovation of the old Yellow River route. In all of Kyoto, how many can match your grand undertakings?! Let me congratulate you in advance!” She bowed slightly to Wang Qinghuai. “Lord Ji is the newly appointed top scholar, enjoying the spring breeze of success; the Eighth Lord of Jining has just finished mourning and is unaware of the hardships of farming.

You are all unburdened, how can you compare to the Young Master? The noble families of Kyoto all praise you; even Gu Yu, known as the little tyrant of Kyoto, must give you some face, right? I see there’s a fitting verse for the occasion.” She smiled and softly recited, “In youth, one knows not the taste of sorrow, and loves to climb high towers. Loves to climb high towers, compose new verses, and feign sorrow. Now, having tasted all sorrows, I wish to speak but hold back. I wish to speak but hold back, yet say, ‘What a fine autumn!'” She pointed at Wang Qinghuai, then at Ji Yong and Wei Tingyu, “This is about the Young Master, Lord Ji, and the Eighth Lord.” 

Wang Qinghuai laughed heartily. 

His feelings were like being smoothed out by a hot iron, all neatly in place. 

Zhao Zishi signaled to the maid serving Wang Qinghuai. 

The maid understood and leaned in to whisper sweetly in Wang Qinghuai’s ear, causing him to laugh again. With her support, he left the waterside pavilion. 

Zhao Zishi sighed in relief. 

Ji Yong had visited with He Yu once before, but it was Wei Tingyu’s first time meeting him. He Yu and Wang Qinghuai often came to visit, but they were different. He Yu usually gathered friends here, and as long as he served tea, wine, and music, the rest was up to the guests; Wang Qinghuai, on the other hand, always invited people to have fun but never indulged himself, only paying the bills. Both were not easy to serve, yet they were generous spenders, making them Zhao Zishi’s favorite customers. 

Having calmed Wang Qinghuai, he was about to turn and say a few words to He Yu when he suddenly saw Ji Yong’s handsome face. 

Zhao Zishi was startled and quickly put on a smile, calling out, “Lord Ji!” But she saw Ji Yong wink at her and tug at her sleeve, leading her outside the waterside pavilion. 

Zhao Zishi’s expression changed dramatically. 

Though she flaunted her beauty, she wasn’t the type to sleep with just anyone; otherwise, how would she differ from those brothels? Why would the wealthy and noble families support her? 

Ji Yong shushed her as they stood by the Taihu stone outside the waterside pavilion. 

“If you can keep the Eighth Lord of Jining in your room tonight,” he whispered, “I’ll have someone deliver three thousand taels of silver notes to you tomorrow.” 

Zhao Zishi’s heart raced. 

There was no such thing as a free lunch! 

Wei Tingyu was brought by Gu Yu; that three thousand taels might be a fortune he could earn but never spend! 

But if she refused, would Ji Yong let her off the hook? 

For someone like him, hearing certain things was already a mistake. 

She stared at Ji Yong, hesitating. 

The bright moonlight spilled over the lake, shimmering silver reflections, illuminating Ji Yong’s clear eyes, making his gaze as bright and cold as the moonlight, devoid of warmth. 

Zhao Zishi shivered involuntarily. 

Did this person just want her to sleep with the Eighth Lord of Jining? 

She instinctively pushed back, “But the Eighth Lord might not like it…” 

Ji Yong grinned, “That’s why it’s worth three thousand taels!” 

His teeth gleamed white in the moonlight, almost predatory. 

Zhao Zishi felt a chill run down her spine and glanced back into the waterside pavilion. 

Unbeknownst to her, He Yu had already passed out beside the table, while Wei Tingyu sat there dazed, grinning foolishly, clearly drunk. 

In the silent night, the sound of flowing water could be heard. 

What should she do? 

This was a scheme targeting Wei Tingyu. 

If she agreed to Ji Yong, she would offend Gu Yu. 

If she refused Ji Yong, would he let her go? 

Zhao Zishi hesitated, hearing Ji Yong’s cold laughter in her ears. 

She decided to handle the immediate situation first. 

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Zishi walked over to support the dazed Wei Tingyu… 

Inside the waterside pavilion, only Ji Yong and the sleeping He Yu remained. 

Ji Yong sprawled out on the carpet. 

The deep blue sky was dotted with sparse stars. 

Tomorrow should be a fine day. 

When rumors spread in Kyoto that Wei Tingyu had a preference for men, the Dou family would surely be furious. 

At that point, Dou Zhao would kick Wei Tingyu to the curb! 

I wonder how Wei Tingyu will continue to indulge in flower wine after this. 

With that thought, Ji Yong felt quite pleased. 

A wave of fatigue washed over him. 

After a busy night, although he had gotten Wei Tingyu drunk, he had also drunk quite a bit himself. With his mind at ease, his body relaxed, and he couldn’t help but yawn, falling asleep next to He Yu. 

In a daze, Ji Yong was awakened by a commotion. 

Perhaps still preoccupied with whether Wei Tingyu’s situation had succeeded, he jolted upright. 

The sky was already lightening, and through the partially obscured green trees, he could see the shadow wall from the waterside pavilion. 

A group of orderly guards in blue surrounded two young men standing in front of the shadow wall. 

From too far away, Ji Yong couldn’t see the faces of the two young men, but he sensed they were not friendly. 

Zhao Zishi’s steward was roughly shoved in front of the two young men, trembling as he knelt and was pulled up again, leading the group toward Zhao Zishi’s quarters, clearly intending to cause trouble for her. 

Among yesterday’s guests were Gu Yu, Wang Qinghuai, He Yu, and himself; who dared to ruin their fun? 

A sense of foreboding crept over Ji Yong. 

He slapped He Yu’s face, “Wake up! Something big has happened!” 

Xia Lian rushed ahead of Song Mo and forcefully pushed open the door to Zhao Zishi’s inner chamber. 

The dim room was filled with a strong scent of dragon’s saliva incense. 

Zhao Zishi sat up in bed, terrified. 

“Who?” she hissed, her naked body slender as a willow, white as jade, exuding a pitiful frailty. 

Xia Lian quickly lowered his head. 

Song Mo immediately spotted Wei Tingyu, who was sound asleep beside Zhao Zishi. 

His face turned ashen as he ordered Xia Lian, “Get a basin of cold water and wake the Eighth Lord of Jining.” 

Xia Lian complied and left. 

Behind Song Mo, Gu Yu’s beautiful face flashed by. 

Zhao Zishi turned pale with fright. 

Gu Yu’s people had come… 

In a panic, she hurriedly put on her clothes. 

Her fingers trembled, stiff and uncooperative. 

Xia Lian had already poured a basin of cold water over Wei Tingyu’s head. 

Wei Tingyu mumbled, rolled over, licked his lips, and continued sleeping, his hand resting on Zhao Zishi’s body. 

Zhao Zishi felt as if she could die. 

Song Mo’s expression darkened, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes. 

He called out to Xia Lian, “Get more cold water!” 

Xia Lian didn’t dare hesitate and poured several basins of water over Wei Tingyu’s head. 

Wei Tingyu let out an “ah” and sat up, groggily opening his eyes to see Song Mo. 

“Young Master Song!” he blinked in confusion, “What are you doing here?” 

“What am I doing here?” Song Mo laughed in anger, “I want to ask you, what are you doing here?” 

Wei Tingyu instinctively glanced around. 

He was sharing a bed with the stunningly beautiful Zhao Zishi… and there was a scarlet towel hanging at the head of the bed… 

He gasped and threw off the covers. 

Seeing himself completely naked… 

“W-What… what is going on?” Wei Tingyu stared at Song Mo, his voice trembling.