Where some feel disheartened, some feel elated. Ever since He Cheng had met Ji Cheng, he had been eagerly anticipating their engagement and marriage day and night. Now, with the Lantern Festival upon them, he knew that the young ladies of the Shen family would surely come out to enjoy the lantern-lit river. So, he waited early at the City God Temple.
Where there is true sincerity, even metal and stone can be penetrated. Sure enough, He Cheng’s wait was rewarded when he spotted Ji Cheng.
“Miss Ji,” He Cheng called out to Ji Cheng. The excitement in his voice could be heard from afar.
Ji Cheng looked up and immediately spotted He Cheng. In an instant, she decided to lead Hong’er by the hand towards him. The Lantern Festival was the grandest holiday for unmarried young men and women, especially for those already engaged. It provided the perfect opportunity for couples to meet, which is why the bridges and areas behind trees were filled with pairs of lovebirds.
“I never expected such a coincidence,” He Cheng said, scratching his head sheepishly. “Are you tired from walking? Would you like to rest for a bit?” He pointed to a nearby stall emitting white steam, the mere sight of which seemed to evoke a delicious aroma.
However, on this night, all the small stalls around the City God Temple were already full of people. To sit down and eat something, one would have to queue.
Ji Cheng nodded at He Cheng, who then joyfully made his way through the surrounding crowd, protecting Ji Cheng and Hong’er as they walked towards the small stall selling shepherd’s purse dumplings.
The people sitting at the small stall immediately stood up when they saw He Cheng approach. They bowed and wiped the stools, clearly having been there to hold the spots.
Ji Cheng hadn’t expected He Cheng to be so thoughtful, and her fondness for him grew. Only Hong’er seemed a bit sullen. As soon as he saw He Cheng, he knew this must be the man who was to be engaged to Ji Cheng, and he resented him for stealing away his Sister Cheng.
He Cheng tried to tease Hong’er, but the boy haughtily ignored him, leaving He Cheng a bit embarrassed. Ji Cheng didn’t help him out either.
“Hong’er, would you like to eat some radish pastries?” He Cheng asked. Next to the dumpling stall was a small booth selling radish pastries and steamed beef. The aroma was enticing, making even Ji Cheng’s mouth water, let alone Hong’er’s.
Being a child, after all, Hong’er couldn’t resist the temptation of delicious food and finally nodded.
He Cheng relieved, went to the side to personally buy radish pastries for Hong’er. Ji Cheng, seeing his patience, was even more delighted.
Soon, the shepherd’s purse dumplings were ready. He Cheng dipped the bamboo chopsticks in the owner’s pot for a moment before handing them to Ji Cheng.
Ji Cheng said “Thank you” and lowered her head to scoop up a dumpling with her soup spoon. The dumpling was translucent green and looked very tender.
He Cheng himself made no move to take chopsticks, only focusing on watching Ji Cheng. Her eyelashes were long and curled, like little brushes, which He Cheng found extremely beautiful. Then there was Ji Cheng’s nose, straight and pert, with graceful and lively contours. And her lips, like the softest peach blossom petals in spring.
He Cheng found himself falling more in love the longer he looked, feeling as if this young lady was born just for him. How else could he explain his adoration for everything about her, finding Ji Cheng beautiful in every aspect?
Ji Cheng naturally noticed He Cheng’s passionate gaze, so she could only keep her head down and continue eating dumplings, allowing him to look.
“I haven’t been back to the capital for many years, so I’m not sure which snacks are good. I heard about Old Zhang’s shepherd’s purse dumplings from my cousin in the Zhou family. He said they’re the best in the City God Temple area,” He Cheng said.
Since they were supposedly the best, there must be many people waiting to eat them. Ji Cheng noticed quite a few people queuing nearby, and some who couldn’t wait any longer had taken bowls and squatted by the roadside to eat. It was clear that He Cheng must have been occupying this spot for a while to ensure they had a place to sit when they arrived.
“They are indeed delicious. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Young Master Ho,” Ji Cheng said softly.
He Cheng felt that even Ji Cheng’s voice was the best, sweet and soft, making his heart skip a beat.
He Cheng encouraged Ji Cheng to eat more and started playing with Hong’er, making the atmosphere less awkward.
Ji Cheng had nearly finished eating and didn’t want to keep sitting there, preventing the owner from doing business. She was about to say something to He Cheng when she noticed him staring intently at something else.
Following He Cheng’s gaze, Ji Cheng craned her neck and saw Shen Che walking towards them with the female scholar she had seen on the Manyuanxiang houseboat the night before.
Although Ji Cheng was a rare beauty and He Cheng was considered handsome, neither could match the striking presence and demeanor of the approaching pair.
Shen Che wore a dark robe with subtle gold ruyi cloud patterns and a black fox fur cloak. On his head was a gold-inlaid white jade crown. He looked noble and upright, strikingly handsome. When he walked through the crowd, he made everyone around him seem insignificant by comparison.
Ji Cheng inwardly scoffed, thinking that Shen Che’s face was truly deceptive.
However, no matter how handsome Shen Che was, unless He Cheng had a preference for men, it was rare for a man to stare unblinkingly at another man.
Ji Cheng’s gaze quickly shifted to the female scholar, the top courtesan from Manyuanxiang. This woman couldn’t be called exceptionally beautiful, at best above average. Her eyes, with their upward slant at the corners, inexplicably reminded one of a fox.
But these weren’t Huang Zhenzhen’s main features. Her distinctive trait lay in her gourd-shaped figure. Ji Cheng couldn’t appreciate it, but the men passing by Huang Zhenzhen all stared dumbfounded, nearly drooling.
Huang Zhenzhen’s bosom was truly magnificent. That day, Ji Cheng couldn’t see clearly from a distance, but now, only about ten feet away, she could make out her chest, as round and full as small melons. Huang Zhenzhen’s waist was even slimmer than Ji Cheng’s, and because it was so slim, it accentuated her voluptuous hips in a way that was hard to ignore.
To Ji Cheng, such a figure seemed exaggerated, but men seemed to like that kind of exaggeration because it carried strong, seductive implications.
Even He Cheng, whose heart was entirely inclined towards Ji Cheng, couldn’t help but glance at Huang Zhenzhen a couple of times.
“Second Uncle!” Hong’er, seeing Shen Che, cheered and rushed over. Shen Che picked up Hong’er and, following the direction he had come from, saw Ji Cheng.
Ji Cheng felt only resignation. She had originally planned to pretend not to see Shen Che, but now she had no choice but to reluctantly go over to him. He Cheng naturally followed; he knew Shen Che as well.
“Cousin Che,” Ji Cheng greeted softly.
“Second Young Master,” He Cheng also smiled and called out.
Shen Che, holding Hong’er, exchanged brief pleasantries with He Cheng, then patted Hong’er’s belly. “What did you eat tonight? Is there a watermelon in there?”
Hong’er giggled.
Huang Zhenzhen, truly worthy of her title as the top courtesan, wasn’t at all embarrassed even though Ji Cheng and He Cheng hadn’t acknowledged her. She smiled and interjected, “What an adorable young master. Would you like to play with your sister for a while? I’ll take you to see fire-eating, tightrope walking, and shadow puppetry.”
Hong’er was conflicted. He wanted to stay with Ji Cheng but also didn’t want to leave Shen Che. His little face was almost scrunched up in indecision, but ultimately, his Second Uncle won out. Hong’er looked hopefully at Shen Che, who hadn’t yet expressed his opinion.
Huang Zhenzhen, who dealt with countless people daily in her profession, had to be observant and perceptive. One look at Ji Cheng and He Cheng told her that these two were likely an engaged couple.
“Young Master, let’s take the little one to play,” Huang Zhenzhen said, clinging to Shen Che as if boneless, smiling coyly at Ji Cheng and He Cheng. “It’s the Lantern Festival, after all. How can they crawl under bridges with this child? Don’t you agree?” She playfully pushed Shen Che’s arm.
The words “crawl under bridges” immediately made Ji Cheng and He Cheng blush.
Only someone of Huang Zhenzhen’s background would dare to make such a brazen joke.
Ji Cheng was inwardly furious but could do nothing about Huang Zhenzhen. Arguing with a woman like her would only lower one’s status.
As for Huang Zhenzhen, she looked down on so-called noble ladies like Ji Cheng. In her eyes, they were just lucky in their birth. If they had been born in the same circumstances, what abilities would they have? They’d only be good for spreading their legs.
Huang Zhenzhen’s personality was carefree and unrestrained in her jesting and scolding. Her status as a top courtesan was different from others. While most women fawned and flattered to please their patrons, Huang Zhenzhen had a sharp tongue, and oddly enough, some men preferred her spicy attitude.
Ji Cheng and He Cheng’s earlier disregard had angered Huang Zhenzhen, which is why she spoke out with sarcasm.
Shen Che, hearing Huang Zhenzhen’s words, smiled and said, “You’re always so thoughtful.” Then he turned to Hong’er and said, “Let’s go, Second Uncle will take you to see a show.”
After Shen Che and his group left, Ji Cheng and He Cheng were left with faces as red as baboons’ bottoms, unable to look at each other. The natural atmosphere from earlier had completely dissipated.
“Young Master Ho, I should be heading back,” Ji Cheng said, lowering her gaze.
He Cheng agreed and escorted Ji Cheng to find Shen Yuan and the others. Just as they reunited, they saw Shen Qing and Lu Yuan hurrying back, out of breath.
Shen Yuan teased the panting Shen Qing, “What have you two been up to? Was there a dog chasing you?”
Shen Qing and Lu Yuan exchanged glances, both their faces reddening.
Shen Qing couldn’t help but complain, “Sister Yuan and I went to the waterside to release Kongming lanterns and make wishes, but then…”
The rest didn’t need to be said. As natives of the capital, how could they not know what happens in the shadows by the water?
Ji Cheng and He Cheng’s faces turned an even deeper shade of red.
“Those people have no sense of propriety,” Shen Qing grumbled.
Despite these small incidents, the festive atmosphere of the Lantern Festival remained unaffected. Especially on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the main day of the festival.
In the morning, everyone ate tangyuan (sweet rice balls), and in the evening, there was a lantern parade through the streets. This was the highlight of every year’s Lantern Festival, and tonight the streets were sure to be packed.
If you were to ask about the liveliest place in the entire capital on the fifteenth night of the first lunar month, anyone you grabbed would give you the same answer: Laifeng Tower.
Laifeng Tower was located at the intersection of the north-south Imperial Street and the east-west Changyang Avenue. The open space in front of the tower could accommodate sixteen carriages side by side, so every lantern parade that passed by Laifeng Tower would stop to perform their specialty act.
With such a prime location, how could Laifeng Tower not be bustling?
The owner of Laifeng Tower was also a savvy businessman. On this night, many nobles and marquises would come to Laifeng Tower to watch the festivities. If he arranged for one group, he would offend another. So, Laifeng Tower simply removed all the private rooms, took down all the window partitions from the first to the third floor, and arranged tables and chairs tightly together. Those who considered themselves above mingling with commoners naturally wouldn’t come.
The Shen family members didn’t have such an air of arrogance. Ji Cheng and her companions had excellent seats on the third floor near the window by the crossroads, offering a very expansive view.
Most of the lantern parade teams came from various prominent brothels and small courtyards in the capital. The most eye-catching figure in each team was their top courtesan of the year, either singing and dancing, performing sword dances, or sitting cross-legged on a lotus flower, creating a dazzling spectacle for the onlookers.
Other teams were from various guild halls in the suburbs of the capital, each performing distinctive acts from their hometowns.
Ji Cheng couldn’t help but marvel at the capital’s prosperity. The costumes worn by the lantern teams and the props they used were products of lavish spending. The ingenuity of the capital’s merchants was also unparalleled.
For instance, on the flower-lantern boat of Manyuan Xiang, Huang Zhenzhen was dancing while holding a pipa. Her ethereal, fairy-like dress was the handiwork of the capital’s Yunshang Pavilion. Ji Cheng thought that after today, Yunshang Pavilion would likely be swamped with orders.
Ji Cheng watched intently, joining the surrounding crowd in applauding and cheering.
“Oh my, my throat is sore from shouting,” Lu Yuan said with a laugh. She turned to sit at the table, picked up the teapot, and poured herself some tea. She also handed a cup to Ji Cheng, who was standing right beside her.
Ji Cheng was thirsty too and drank the entire cup in one go. However, just a quarter of an hour later, Ji Cheng felt something was amiss. Her heart was racing, her vision blurring, and her body felt as if it was on fire, making her want to tear off her clothes to cool down.
Ji Cheng realized she had fallen into a trap. Biting her tongue to maintain her composure, she casually glanced around. She noticed that Shen Yuan, Lu Yuan, and the others showed no signs of discomfort. Ji Cheng tried hard to recall where she might have been compromised but couldn’t figure it out.
If the tea was the problem, Lu Yuan had drunk it too, and so had Shen Yuan and the others, yet they showed no unusual symptoms.
Ji Cheng took half a step back and gently tugged on Shen Yuan’s sleeve. “Sister Yuan, I’m not feeling well. I think I’ll head back first.”
Shen Yuan, who was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle, heard Ji Cheng’s words and asked with concern, “Do you want me to accompany you back?”
Ji Cheng quickly shook her head.
As soon as they got downstairs, Ji Cheng grabbed Nan Gui’s hand. “Take me to Changchun Hall.”
Fortunately, Changchun Hall wasn’t far, just two streets away. However, during the Lantern Festival, Changchun Hall’s main gate was tightly shut with no one around. Nan Gui had to climb over the wall into the courtyard, only to find a young gatekeeper.
Ji Cheng’s body was burning up, and she was on the verge of losing control. Occasionally, she let out sounds that would make one blush. Ji Cheng’s eyes were constantly tearing, feeling as if they had been stabbed with an iron pick.
“Miss, Miss, what’s wrong with you?” Yuqian’er, who had accompanied Ji Cheng out, burst into tears, frightened by her condition.
Thanks to Nan Gui’s bit of worldly experience, she said with trembling hands, “Miss, this looks like… like you’ve been poisoned with an aphrodisiac.”
Aphrodisiac? Ji Cheng found the name unfamiliar. In the common world, if someone wanted to poison another, they’d use rat poison or sleeping drugs. Things like aphrodisiacs or knockout drops were known only to those in the jianghu.
Ji Cheng felt as if her brain was about to catch fire. Who was trying to harm her? This person didn’t want her life, but rather to ruin her reputation—a hatred even more vicious.
“Miss, who could be so vicious to harm you like this?” Yuqian’er’s tears fell even more heavily.
Ji Cheng was now beyond thinking clearly. She gripped Nan Gui’s hand tightly, “How do you cure this kind of poison?”
Nan Gui’s hand was hurting from Ji Cheng’s grip, showing how much pain Ji Cheng was enduring. “This kind of poison usually dissipates automatically after… after intimate relations between a man and a woman.”
“Is there any other way?” Ji Cheng bit her lip so hard she broke the skin.
Nan Gui was also flushed with anxiety, “The poison in your body is too potent. To cure it, we’d need the formula of the aphrodisiac to create an antidote, which is impossible to make in such a short time.”
“What if it’s not cured?” Ji Cheng took out her hairpin and stabbed it hard into her arm, causing blood to gush out like a spring.
Ji Cheng’s action scared Yuqian’er into screaming, “Miss, Miss!”
Nan Gui managed to stay relatively calm, “At best, blindness and deafness; at worst, death from the body bursting.”
Upon hearing this, Yuqian’er panicked even more, “Then let’s find Young Master He. He’s about to get engaged to our Miss.”
Nan Gui thought this was a good idea and was about to agree when Ji Cheng said, “No.”
If Shen Cui’s incident hadn’t happened, Ji Cheng might have considered taking a chance with He Cheng. But after Shen Cui’s affair, not only outsiders but even people in the Shen family were privately complaining about the impurity of the Ji family’s bloodline. If Ji Cheng were to go to He Cheng now, it’s likely that after the incident, the He family would no longer be willing to welcome her as the principal wife.
There was no logic to this situation. Ji Cheng had indeed been poisoned with an aphrodisiac and was not in control of herself, but others would only wonder why she was the only one affected by the aphrodisiac when no one else was. If it wasn’t because of her impropriety, how could she have been poisoned?
Losing one’s virginity before marriage, even if unavoidable, was something no one could forgive. This was the bitter fate of women.
Ji Cheng no longer had time to explain these reasons to Yuqian’er and Nan Gui. Looking at Nan Gui with tears in her eyes, she said, “Take me to Shen Che.”
Nan Gui was stunned for a moment, “But Second Young Master went to Phoenix Tower today.”
Phoenix Tower was in the eastern suburbs of the capital. It was originally a separate palace of the previous dynasty, but it had been reduced to ashes in a great fire. After the change of dynasties, it was never restored. It wasn’t until the establishment of the Great Qin that someone with great influence bought the land where the original Phoenix Tower stood and built the current Phoenix Tower.
However, Phoenix Tower no longer enjoyed its former fame. It stood quietly in the suburbs, its gates rarely seen open. No one knew what business was conducted inside. But Ji Cheng knew that several of the Ji family’s major business deals were negotiated in Phoenix Tower. No matter which big shot you wanted to meet, whether from the underworld or official circles, the owner of Phoenix Tower had ways to introduce you. And the people inside dared to do any kind of business.
Most importantly, one couldn’t enter Phoenix Tower without an introduction.
Ji Cheng’s heart sank, thinking her fate was sealed. Her mind quickly flashed through other possibilities: Chu Zhen? Shen Jing? Shen Yu?
None of them would work. It would inevitably lead to entering their household as a concubine. If only her Brother Ziyun hadn’t returned to North Jin; distant water couldn’t quench a nearby fire.
Now only Shen Che was different. With his promiscuity and debauchery, he could treat a night of passion as if nothing had happened.
“Do you have any way to find Shen Che?” Ji Cheng placed all her hopes on Nan Gui.
Nan Gui nodded, “I’ll try.”
Nan Gui drove the carriage from Changchun Hall to the suburbs. When Yuqian’er got off the carriage, she immediately vomited, bringing up even bile.
Ji Cheng had been put to sleep by Nan Gui’s acupoint technique, luckily escaping this ordeal. When she was awakened, she was in a daze. Her eyes could no longer see things, and she felt thirsty as if all the moisture in her body had been lost. She wanted to drink water, but when water was poured down her throat, she only felt thirstier.
In her hazy state, Ji Cheng only felt Nan Gui supporting her as they moved through the air. Then occasionally voices of people floated by. They stopped and started again until Shen Che’s voice appeared in Ji Cheng’s ears.
After losing her sight, her hearing seemed to have become exponentially more sensitive. As her lifeline appeared, Ji Cheng, unable to contain her excitement, called out, “Second Young Master.”
This was Ji Cheng’s last bit of self-control. She dared not call him “Cousin Che,” fearing it would reveal her identity. With a veil covering her face, she only hoped that no one would know it was her—Ji Cheng—who appeared here tonight.
Shen Che said to the person beside him, “Excuse me for a moment.”
Nan Gui saw that Shen Che’s expression was very unpleasant. She knew that someone of her status shouldn’t appear here, but she was under orders to protect Ji Cheng. Now that Ji Cheng was clearly in grave danger, Nan Gui weighed the situation and resolutely brought Ji Cheng here, partly due to the respect and kindness Ji Cheng had always shown her.
Shen Che reached out and slightly lifted Ji Cheng’s veil, glancing at her unfocused eyes. He turned to the deep-eyed, hawk-nosed, and robust Manager Hu and said, “I apologize, Manager Li. Please go ahead, I’ll join you shortly.”
Shen Che took Ji Cheng from Nan Gui’s arms and whispered a few words to her. Nan Gui immediately obeyed and left. Although Ji Cheng was nestled in Shen Che’s arms, she could no longer hear his words clearly; they sounded like buzzing mosquitoes, a sign that the poison had spread deeper.
Ji Cheng’s legs could no longer support her body, and she felt as if she was being roasted on a fire. Fortunately, Shen Che lifted her with his strong arms. Later, it felt as if they were riding on clouds and mist, and she didn’t know where they were or what time it was.
When Ji Cheng truly regained consciousness, they were already in the top floor chamber of the Phoenix Tower in the Phoenix Building. Ji Cheng slowly opened her eyes to see Shen Che holding a two-inch long silver needle, waving it in front of her eyes before slowly inserting it into the Baihui acupoint at the top of her head.
As her mind cleared and the haze before her eyes dissipated, Ji Cheng felt a spark of joy. The worst hadn’t happened after all. She knew Shen Che had medical knowledge but wasn’t sure how proficient he was or if he could detoxify her. Now it seemed she had indeed found the right person.
Shen Che rolled up the cloth bundle containing the silver needles and put it into a box. “How did you end up poisoned like this?”
“I don’t know either,” Ji Cheng said. She truly had no clue beforehand, and although she had suspicions afterward, she felt that person wouldn’t be so vicious. They had no deep grudge, and the motive seemed insufficient.
Shen Che sneered, “If you continue to be this naive, nine lives won’t be enough for you.”
Ji Cheng was also angry at herself for being so careless. Although Shen Che’s words were harsh, she knew he was angry out of concern for her well-being.
“Cousin Che, can you neutralize this poison?” Ji Cheng asked anxiously.