Chapter 281 – Obvious Consequences (Part 2)
Feng Ren stepped out of the palace, his expression colder than stone.
“Huaiyu, let’s go.”
Feng Jin cast a clandestine glance at his father, then perked up to listen to the loud crashing and the palace maids’ frightened screams from inside. After a moment of hesitation, he decisively followed his father’s lead, feeling utterly disappointed in that emperor and completely hopeless.
As Feng Ren expected, that emperor merely lavished a large sum of wealth and medicinal herbs on Feng Jin, considering it a consolation, without mentioning how to deal with the troublemaking envoy from Beijiang. His words sidestepped the issue while explicitly defending that lot from Beijiang.
Even when Feng Ren threatened to resign from his position, the other party remained stubborn and even seemed secretly pleased.
Though Feng Ren was not much of a hands-on official, he was still an important one; even a mosquito is meat, right?
If he were to resign, the emperor could insert his own trusted confidant, gradually amplifying his voice in the court.
Thinking about Liu Changshi’s reaction, who rushed in to report upon hearing Feng Ren’s intent to resign, the emperor laughed heartily at this news… Comparing the reactions of both, Feng Ren nearly burst out laughing… a mere eunuch’s foresight outstripped that of an emperor!
If the Feng family continued to follow such an emperor, they were as good as doomed.
It was wise to extricate themselves early.
When it came to chess skills, ten Lü Zhengs couldn’t compete with one Wei Ci, filled with schemes and plots.
“I’m done playing chess with you. Every time it feels like punching cotton; just utterly frustrating.”
Seeing the situation on the board rendered hopeless, Lü Zheng admitted defeat, continuing to play would just be self-torture.
He initially intended to seek comfort from Jiang Pengji, but turning around, he found she had already vanished without a trace.
“Zixiao, did you see where Lan Ting went?” Lü Zheng casually asked.
Wei Ci replied, “He left about fifteen minutes ago. I guess he went to sleep.”
Lü Zheng nodded, then realized what he was saying, grinding his teeth in frustration.
“Fifteen minutes ago you were playing chess with me, and you had the time to pay attention to others!”
Wei Ci: “…”
Jiang Pengji had been watching their game, but as soon as she scanned the board, she knew Lü Zheng would lose and immediately lost interest in watching any further.
Instead of obediently going to bed as Wei Ci suggested, she changed into a comfortable outfit and accompanied Liu Zhi to enjoy the brothel scene.
Yes, enjoying the brothel scene, with Liu Zhi in tow.
Liu Zhi: What can I do? I’m in despair too!
Watching the girl drink alcohol as casually as if it were plain water, Liu Zhi, who couldn’t even manage one drink, didn’t dare touch it at all.
“What’s bothering Lan Ting?” he asked.
Jiang Pengji waved off those around, asking Liu Zhi, “Father mentioned marrying off my bastard younger sister to Wu Ma Jun—are you serious?”
Liu Zhi frowned, replying, “Of course it’s serious. Father has said before, the grievances of the previous generation don’t concern you…”
“In that case, Lan Ting has an unreasonable request.”
Jiang Pengji’s eyes lit up, seemingly glittering with excitement in the interim.
“What is it?”
Jiang Pengji stated, “I want to find an exceptionally good-looking woman to accompany my younger sister as a dowry so she can go along with her marriage to Wu Ma Jun.”
With chaos reigning in Nansheng and the southern tribes advancing directly toward the capital, she could no longer wait.
Liu Xi’s body was still months away from turning thirteen; in a few years, who knew how the world would change? Jiang Pengji was determined to start making moves now, rather than waiting to passively enter the fray later.
Liu Zhi was somewhat baffled.
He understood that his daughter likely intended to use beauty as a tool, plunging an already chaotic situation into deeper chaos while secretly reaping benefits. Beauty strategies, pillow talk—these were indeed effective methods, but Wu Ma Jun was merely an underappreciated prince on the surface…
Jiang Pengji merely scoffed coldly at this.
“Does the Dongqing royal family still possess any integrity? They’re capable of raping ministers’ wives, murdering brothers for their sisters-in-law, and even patricide—adding a son’s concubine to the mix seems trivial. Rather than directly sending a beauty over, why not let him take her himself? It would raise less suspicion.”
“Also, this woman should resemble Wu Ma Jun’s mother, Lady Wang, in certain ways.”
Jiang Pengji drummed her fingers on the tea table, finally adding a remark.
Upon hearing this, Liu Zhi’s hand trembled, causing the teacup he was holding to crash down, spilling tea everywhere.
His face turned extremely grim, and Jiang Pengji’s expression showed a “I knew it” demeanor after seeing him.
“You say this, it shouldn’t be too difficult. I’ll have someone look for it right away.”
Liu Zhi struggled to maintain a calm demeanor, fearing any excess emotion might slip through.
Jiang Pengji, seemingly oblivious to Liu Zhi’s earlier outburst, leisurely continued drinking, a faint smile lingering on her lips.
Meanwhile, Liu Zhi was growing increasingly anxious, and as time passed, the psychological pressure from his daughter mounted ever higher.
Spending the night in the brothel, basking in the soft whispers and songs of the courtesans, was simply exhilarating.
By the time the sun hung high in the sky the next day, Jiang Pengji returned to the汤泉馆舍, reeking of alcohol.
“Where the heck have you been?”
Lü Zheng was about to approach her but was pushed back by the mixed perfume and strong scent of alcohol on her, which was all too overwhelming. Although perfume was pleasant, the alcohol was just too heavy; combined, it was a sensory torture for someone used to all kinds of fragrances.
“Changqing Alley, it’s not a ‘where the heck’ kind of place.”
Jiang Pengji wiped her face with a damp cloth, looking significantly more alert.
Lü Zheng: “…”
Even if this was his first time in the capital and his first visit to the hot springs, he knew what Changqing Alley was.
The tender haven for men filled with all sorts of beautiful women!
This half-grown boy barely had any facial hair yet!
“The drinks there are quite nice, and the songs aren’t bad either. If you’re interested, I can take you there later to check it out.”
Jiang Pengji invited, to which Lü Zheng hurriedly responded, “I… I couldn’t possibly… But I’ve heard there are quite a few talented women there, and many young prodigies would contest for a smile from the beauties, often engaging in poetry battles… I’d really like to see that.”
Wei Ci: “…”
He watched silently as Lü Zheng seemed eager to try it, then shifted his gaze to Jiang Pengji, snorting coldly.
Seeing Wei Ci pass by without a word, Lü Zheng wore a pained expression, “Zixiao has never been fond of feminine company and looks down on such places. I hope he won’t blab to our master…”
“He won’t say a thing.” Jiang Pengji replied confidently.
Lü Zheng asked, “How do you know?”
Jiang Pengji chuckled softly, answering, “Intuition.”
Indeed, Wei Ci didn’t gossip, but Jiang Pengji and Lü Zheng couldn’t go roaming around Changqing Alley either because Mr. Yuanjing was taking his students away from Jishan in the afternoon. Liu Zhi noticed this, feeling that soaking in hot springs had lost its charm, and simply decided to hitch a ride down the mountain with Jiang Pengji.
Just as they reached the city gate, a thunderbolt of shocking news struck.
The heir of the Duke of Beichen had met with misfortune!
