Yin Gezhi nodded, then looked at the two people before him with a righteous expression: “I don’t place much importance on skill level, but one must conduct oneself with integrity and uprightness. You must never engage in devious schemes to harm others, understand?”
“Understood!” The two snow-white young boys straightened their backs as they answered.
Guanzhi covered his face.
Speaking of deviousness, the one sitting in the master’s seat was an expert! Yesterday’s taking of disciples had offended people, but it was his doing, yet he let the Crown Prince take all the blame. The noble families were not people one should easily offend, and while his master had remained silent at the training grounds yesterday, the Crown Prince had been considerate enough to speak on his master’s behalf, making these two appear as if they were recommended to his master by the Crown Prince.
Anyone with complaints could take them to the Crown Prince!
Of course, no one would dare to complain, but there would inevitably be some grumbling behind closed doors. The Crown Prince probably knew nothing of this and would just think it was a nice day today.
Indeed, the weather was quite nice. Shortly after lunch, Feng Yue was carried in a small sedan chair to a teahouse on Xiangyu Street.
Ye Yuqing and Yi Zhangzhu sat across from her. Feng Yue wore a vermillion dress more suited to a respectable woman, holding her teacup and grinning like the shop attendant at the entrance below.
“You’re too kind to spend money on me.”
Yi Zhangzhu dabbed her handkerchief and smiled: “His Highness is the one spending money, I haven’t paid a single coin.”
Ye Yuqing nodded gently: “Zhu’er wanted to thank you for saving her life, and specially invited you out for tea.”
Looking at Yi Zhangzhu with a touched expression, Feng Yue nodded: “Miss Yi is very kind.”
Her almond eyes scanning Feng Yue up and down, Yi Zhangzhu said: “You’re too modest. You were so brave that day, saving my life. Of course, I must thank you. Though Brother Yin and His Highness have sent you many tonics these days, I should still express my gratitude personally.”
Feng Yue was startled, thinking that’s why Yin Gezhi had sent those tonics. She had wondered why he’d been so kind as to give her supplements.
Sipping her tea with a smile, Feng Yue fell silent, but Yi Zhangzhu seemed very interested in her and asked a series of questions:
“Why did you fall into this profession?”
“Because I needed money.”
“Haven’t you thought about settling down with someone?”
“Haven’t met the right person.”
Yi Zhangzhu nodded and pointed to the servant standing behind her: “What do you think of Sun Li? He’s strong, has no family burdens, and hasn’t looked for anyone since his wife passed away three years ago. He’s looking to start a family now.”
Feng Yue raised an eyebrow, thinking this Miss Yi’s Buddha-like compassion was spreading a bit too wide.
“To be honest, Miss Yi,” she smiled kindly, “I’m quite content at Menghuai Lou and have no thoughts of leaving the profession at present.”
Yi Zhangzhu’s expression changed slightly as she frowned: “Who would want to stay in that world forever? Look at your age—if you don’t marry soon, you’ll have no one to rely on in your later years.”
“The young miss needn’t worry about this…”
“Is it that you look down on Sun Li’s status?” Yi Zhangzhu cut her off, somewhat angry: “Though he’s a household servant, in the Yi manor, we treat him like family. While he may not have the status of those who frequent brothels, he’s reliable!”
This was getting awkward. Feng Yue simply fell silent, keeping her eyes down and saying nothing more.
Even Ye Yuqing’s smile faded slightly as he said softly: “Zhu’er, if Feng Yue is unwilling, why force her?”
She was forcing her? Yi Zhangzhu was truly angry now and looked at Ye Yuqing with considerable displeasure: “I’m trying to help her, and she’s ungrateful enough, yet Your Highness still blames me?”
“That’s not…”
“I know, you’ve been frequenting Menghuai Lou lately, and Brother Yin too. You men all like pretty women, I understand.” Clenching her fists, Yi Zhangzhu tried to speak calmly: “But a woman of the brothels is still a woman of the brothels, and you should mind your status. If you want beautiful women, aren’t there enough noble ladies in the capital to catch your eye?”
Moreover, she wasn’t dead yet!
Feng Yue finally understood—Ye Yuqing and Yin Gezhi’s frequent visits to see her had upset Miss Yi. Though she had been grateful for being saved, now that gratitude seemed overtaken by resentment, and her gaze was particularly unfriendly.
What was this about? If she remembered correctly, Yi Zhangzhu had rejected the Crown Prince’s proposal and had no relationship with Yin Gezhi—there was no reason for her to be jealous on either count.
Her eyes rolled around a few times, and when she looked up again, Feng Yue smiled innocently: “Both courtesans and noble ladies are women—why does Miss Yi think they cannot keep company with courtesans?”
Still, wanting to keep company? Yi Zhangzhu gave a cold smile, and remembering the debt of gratitude, barely suppressed her anger as she said: “Since ancient times, marriages have always been about matching status. Women from brothels know nothing and have no refinement—how could they match noble young masters?”
“This humble one has seen quite a bit of the world,” Feng Yue raised her chin defiantly: “I’ve been to many official residences. The last time I went to Minister Li’s mansion, it was nothing special, quite similar to wealthy civilian homes.”
How could an official residence be like a civilian home? Yi Zhangzhu laughed, her eyes showing some contempt: “Though the Minister has a rank, he’s not considered a high official, so his residence is naturally modest. Since the weather is nice today, if you truly want to broaden your horizons, why not come with me to see the General’s mansion?”
This was exactly what she had been waiting for!
Feng Yue put on a troubled expression, looking hesitantly at Yi Zhangzhu for a while before saying: “I’ve heard the General’s mansion is complicated in layout with few scenic spots, and the rules are strict with no random wandering allowed. There probably isn’t much to see, is there?”
“How amusing these civilian rumors are.” Rising with a flourish of her sleeves, Yi Zhangzhu looked down at her: “The General’s mansion was built by imperial decree, with many beautiful scenes. Though the rules are strict, what is there to fear with me leading the way?”
“All right.” Reluctantly agreeing, Feng Yue’s expression appeared nervous yet trying to maintain composure. Yi Zhangzhu was determined to show off before her, to make her understand the difference between official and common families, so she immediately ordered carriages prepared.
As everyone was leaving, Ye Yuqing looked at Feng Yue with some pity, slowing his pace to whisper in her ear: “Zhangzhu can be somewhat prideful at times, having been raised with indulgence. Please be understanding.”
Returning a coquettish smile, Feng Yue nodded: “I understand.”
The three rode together in the carriage. As Ye Yuqing continued calmly fanning himself, Feng Yue couldn’t help but ask: “Is Your Highness not busy? You seem to spend much time outside the palace.”
“What would you know about it?” Yi Zhangzhu laughed lightly: “His Highness knows how to delegate—he assigns tasks to those most capable, allowing himself more freedom.”
Ye Yuqing smiled and nodded.
Feng Yue nodded in understanding, saying with great admiration: “Truly worthy of being the Crown Prince.”
Yi Zhangzhu frowned slightly, uncomfortable but unable to say anything.
When they arrived at the General’s mansion, Feng Yue lifted her skirts as she alighted, pretending to be startled by the entrance before coughing twice to regain composure: “It’s well built.”
Looking at her with amusement, Yi Zhangzhu invited Ye Yuqing through the main entrance, then waved for Sun Li to lead her through the back door.
Feng Yue followed properly. The servant ahead, probably still bitter about her rejection, wasn’t very pleasant: “Keep up and don’t wander off.”
“Alright.” Responding gently, Feng Yue crossed the back entrance. After a brief inspection by the guards, she lifted her skirts and walked inside.
General Yi’s residence was truly luxurious—even entering through the back door was like entering a maze, with winding corridors and similar-looking courtyards. Without a guide, one would surely get lost in no time.
However, Feng Yue had good spatial awareness. Even when Sun Li walked them in circles, she remembered which direction they had come from and recalled all the pavilions and buildings they had passed.
It was a fine residence. According to feng shui principles, General Yi’s quarters should be just to the east. Feng Yue glanced that way, secretly making mental notes, when the person in front suddenly stopped.
“What is it?”
Looking up, Feng Yue showed a slight surprise.
Sun Li’s expression had turned somewhat fierce, his already unhandsome face becoming even more twisted. They were in a small courtyard, deserted, with artificial mountains on both sides. Feng Yue glanced around, realizing that even screaming for help might be useless.
“You look down on me?” he asked through gritted teeth.
Smiling and shaking her head, Feng Yue said very sincerely: “No, I just truly don’t plan to leave the profession yet.”
His gaze swept down her collar, and Sun Li’s throat moved slightly before he suddenly reached out to tear at her clothes. Feng Yue made a token resistance, and her outer robe was torn—that stingy Madam Jin never bought clothes of good quality anyway.
Going with the momentum, Feng Yue shed her outer robe, wearing only her inner dress. She giggled a couple of times and cast a flirtatious glance at the man before her: “Look how impatient you are. If you want me, that’s easy enough. Just stand still.”
Taking control of the situation, Feng Yue pushed Sun Li against the artificial mountain. Her fox-like eyes fixed on him as she struggled to move her fingers to undo his belt.
When a beauty takes the initiative, any man would stand still to conserve energy. Sun Li watched the person before him lecherously, feeling his belt loosen and then something tighten around his legs. Suddenly, he felt something was wrong.
“Do you like me?” Feng Yue smiled: “If you like me, come to Menghuai Lou tonight and ask for me—this won’t do in broad daylight.”
With that, she stepped back, still smiling, and kicked him to the ground before running away!
She had used his belt to bind his legs in a tight knot! Sun Li stared stupidly, reaching down to untie it, but in the time it took him to do so, the woman had vanished without a trace.
Damn it!
The eastern quarters were just ahead, possibly General Yi’s main residence. Feng Yue messed up her hair, clutched at her collar, and ran ahead crying pitifully, attracting the attention of many nearby guards. However, not knowing where this girl had come from, the guards surrounded her but didn’t immediately take action.
“Is this how the General’s mansion treats guests? Let me through, I need to seek justice from Miss Yi!” Shouting, Feng Yue rushed into the courtyard and sat down crying! Her hands covered her eyes, but between her fingers, a calculating light gleamed through.