Chapter 768 – Feng Zhen’s Peach Blossom Luck (Part Four)
It’s worth mentioning that Shao Guang’s specialty isn’t in strategizing.
His scheming IQ is higher than average, but when it comes to being as ruthless as someone like Feng Zhen, he’s still too green.
Feng Zhen undermined others and recommended him to Jiang Pengji, as Shao Guang was a relatively obscure talent—specializing in water conservancy with a minor in Mozi’s teachings.
No wonder he had remained unused under the Xu brothers.
The Xu family has firmly established themselves in Zhejun, where the land is fertile and the rainfall plentiful but not flooding.
Ordinary tasks can be handled by regular talents, and even the slightly more difficult tasks don’t allow Shao Guang to showcase his skills; he’s basically a useless appendage.
On the other hand, Jiang Pengji absolutely needs Shao Guang! Last year in Wanzhou, there was a severe drought. If Jiang Pengji hadn’t discovered it early and taken preventive measures, countless innocent common people would have perished of thirst, and many good fields would have gone barren, leading to a year of hardship.
Feng Zhen really struck gold this time.
With one swing of the hoe, he directly dug up the most critical talent she needed.
The atmosphere was harmonious; Jiang Pengji had no airs about her, making her neither seem easy to bully nor unattainably distant.
After a bit of conversation, Shao Guang was secretly amazed.
To him, the Xu brothers were already rare talents among the younger generation, but they still had small flaws typical of noble heirs—they looked down on those of lower birth, rarely lowering themselves to genuinely connect with others.
If only the Xu brothers behaved this way, others might just consider them as having too many “little princess” traits.
Unfortunately, in today’s environment, such arrogant attitudes are common; it’s considered normal to disdain others. Those common-born bastards aiming to stand out are merely deluding themselves. To put it bluntly, that’s not called “princess syndrome,” it’s just being a little princess, okay?
In Shao Guang’s perspective, Jiang Pengji was also a high-born noble… um, noble girl.
Whether it’s a noble son or daughter, even if she champions “meritocracy,” deep down, there must still be some pride and nobility characteristic of the aristocracy.
After spending time with her, he found that Jiang Pengji was quite easy to get along with, and he even felt an urge to forge a close bond.
Approachable yet not allowing disrespect, exuding nobility without making one feel alienated.
In summary, this is a rather unconventional aristocracy.
Shao Guang had sharp eyes; he could discern whether the interactions were for show or genuine in his heart.
Thus, when he called Jiang Pengji “Lord,” he felt no psychological pressure whatsoever.
Jiang Pengji ordered plenty of delicious dishes, and the three of them ate to about 60% full.
She glanced at the two of them, noticing the empty space beside them, and asked, “Should we call a couple of people over to serve us?”
Let’s not forget where they were; not calling for singers, dancers, and musicians felt a bit too serious.
The two men paused for a moment, confirming once again that their lord was indeed a woman.
Going to a brothel? Why is she more open than these two old boys?
“Don’t want to? It’s rare that I’m treating; if you miss this chance, there won’t be another!”
Feng Zhen, no longer pretentious, waved his hand to summon plenty of beauties over, eventually asking Jiang Pengji, “What a pity it isn’t the South Courtyard; otherwise, would you point out a few as well?”
The so-called South Courtyard refers to the male version of a brothel, a place that sells male companionship, where the handsome lads are like delicate flowers.
Jiang Pengji raised her brow slightly, “No need, you all enjoy yourselves.”
Feng Zhen, who had no shame whatsoever, had no idea what modesty was, while Shao Guang, who just joined, was more restrained.
Moreover, with a female lord watching, he felt uncomfortable embracing the flower girls.
Feng Zhen ordered several songs and dances, completely entranced, while Jiang Pengji skillfully toyed with her cup.
She glanced outside at the sky, her lips curling up slightly.
“I see a few lovely courtesans up there; are you interested in taking a look?”
Feng Zhen stared at the beauties dancing, not turning his head as he said, “Sure.”
Shao Guang was like: “…”
It felt surreal.
Why can’t the male lord say such things? Why can their new lady lord be so bold, and why is Feng Zhen being so shameless?
“Then let’s go take a look; maybe there’s even a fated encounter.”
As she spoke, a glint of something peculiar flickered in Jiang Pengji’s eyes, but neither Feng Zhen nor Shao Guang noticed.
Shao Guang felt once again that his newly appointed lord was quite hard to explain.
This brothel was not small, and this time, they showcased nine lovely courtesans, all between the ages of fourteen and sixteen.
Watching the youthful and adorable girls on the stage, the audience in the live stream felt a bit heavy-hearted.
In the past, when Jiang Pengji visited brothels, she hadn’t encountered courtesans to groom, and the audience could only watch helplessly and couldn’t save them.
Feng Zhen whispered, “This Qin Lou Chu Guan is interesting; despite the aftermath of a great upheaval, they can still put on such a show.”
Changshou Wang’s army had launched a surprise attack on the Chenzhou royal city, plundering and causing destruction, throwing the city into chaos.
While the loyalist coalition stabilized the situation, it couldn’t save the fact that the populace was suffering.
This brothel not only survived the calamity but also managed to present so many striking courtesans at once, truly impressive.
Jiang Pengji smirked, “I see a maid over there; she’s been watching you.”
Feng Zhen noticed too.
The courtesan girl, dressed in pink, around fifteen or sixteen years old, still had a touch of youthful innocence but was already stunningly beautiful. Though young, her figure was curvaceous—not in a mature way but rather with a hint of shyness, caught between youth and maturity. Standing alone, she outshone the other eight effortlessly.
All eyes were on her.
Currently, this focal point was sneakily glancing at Feng Zhen.
Feng Zhen, quite pleased, said, “Her charm hasn’t faded with time; this young girl has good taste.”
Jiang Pengji was like: “Hehe.”
“Zishi, I see your household is rather empty, with no caring person around. Why not buy one to take home?” Jiang Pengji suggested with a hint of malice and mockery, “They’re all young girls; if they stay in this smoky place, who knows what their future holds? If you take one home, even if you don’t give her a status, she can be a close maidservant to take care of your life.”
The way she said this made her truly the best lord in the five nations.
“How can my lord joke about people…” Feng Zhen shivered and pleaded, “The little rascals at home are already matured; I really wouldn’t want to ruin a young girl. I appreciate the kind intention of my lord, but I absolutely cannot accept it.”
What kind of temperament Jiang Pengji had, Feng Zhen was perfectly aware!
Likewise, what kind of temperament Feng Zhen had, Jiang Pengji knew all too well.
Feng Zhen liked mature, charming women; he generally wouldn’t touch these half-innocent fruits.
They had run to brothels, drinking and enjoying flowers together more than once or twice; would their lord not know his preferences?
His tastes leaned towards older women, and he had no interest in lolis.
Hearing his lord say this, Feng Zhen instinctively furrowed his brows, his gaze drawn to the stage, accidentally locking eyes with the breathtaking courtesan—ugh, he’d bet his own lord’s gender that there was definitely something fishy going on!
