This gentleman is not bad; he even came looking for her.
Mo Sang hummed a little tune as she returned to the Cheng residence, her mood considerably improved. Cheng Beizheng, who had received the news, was waiting for her at the entrance. "What's going on with you? You closed the shop without a word and didn't come home. What were you doing out and about in the middle of the night?"
Although he didn't want to marry this wife who had been forced upon him, she was the savior of Prince Rui, and if she got lost on his territory, he wouldn't be able to explain it.
Mo Sang said, "I went on a house call, one thousand taels." She dangled the silver notes in front of Cheng Beizheng's eyes, then stuffed them into his embrace. "We agreed on a three-seven split. Remember to change it into smaller bills for me tomorrow."
"What kind of illness do you charge a thousand taels for?"
"A private ailment, tsk tsk. I should introduce myself to his wives and concubines. I've indirectly cured them, and they might even send me some thank-you gifts."
Cheng Beizheng found it strange that someone would seek her out for such a problem on the very first day.
However, he understood the next day.
He pointed to the notice Mo Sang had put up: Specializing in difficult and complex illnesses, particularly male private ailments.
"What is all this?"
Mo Sang replied, "I have to let patients know what I'm good at, so they can find me for treatment."
"No, but can you really get customers by posting this sign like this?" Are people's faces so thick nowadays?
"Didn't you collect money yesterday?"
"That was a fluke, a blind cat catching a dead mouse. With it written so openly, what man would dare to come in?" Cheng Beizheng took a deep breath. "Also, since you've written it, why didn't you include breast enhancement and facial rejuvenation for women?"
"Don't girls have dignity?"
"Do men not have it?"
Mo Sang: ...
She seemed to understand why only one customer had come at night yesterday.
"Haha, write it down, write it down. We won't set up stall during the day anymore, we'll come back at night."
Cheng Beizheng: ...
Only opening at night didn't sound like a proper medical clinic at all.
Three days later, Situ Jue eagerly went to Zeng Weiyang's room. This pampered concubine, after months of being brought into the mansion, finally had her wedding night.
The next day, Situ Jue emerged from Zeng Weiyang's room refreshed, his chest even straighter than usual as he walked.
Meanwhile, inside the room, Yinqiao was helping Zeng Weiyang bathe. "His Highness rarely visits, and when he does, he torments you so much. He has no consideration for your feelings."
"Shut up," Zeng Weiyang reprimanded. "If His Highness hears you say that, I'll skin you alive."
After entering the mansion, Situ Jue had ignored her. The servants, seeing this, paid her no mind. But after last night's encounter, hot water was promptly sent from the kitchen this morning, and even the breakfast on the table was more substantial than usual.
Soon, the primary consort would be entering the mansion. What did it matter if the man was rough? The most important thing was to get pregnant.
Situ Jue, after a long period of abstinence, tasted the sweetness and stayed in Zeng Weiyang's room for three consecutive days. On the fourth day, he suddenly remembered Shenggu from Deyilu.
He was about to get married, and his bride was Princess Huige. Naturally, he wouldn't go to a brothel at such a time and give the Censorate an excuse. If it affected diplomatic relations between the two countries, his father would surely kill him! So, he sent for the butler to arrange for someone to be brought over in a sedan chair.
The butler hesitated, "Master, you are getting married in a few days. Many people are watching the mansion these days. If it's known that you're entertaining prostitutes, I'm afraid the Censorate will start complaining again. Why not wait a bit longer for Miss Shenggu? Everyone in the capital knows she's yours anyway, so what difference does it make if it's sooner or later?"
Situ Jue snorted, "My father has already given me Princess Huige. What do I need reputation for?"
Since he had no claim to the throne, why should he live so cautiously?
The butler advised, "Master, as long as the green hills remain, there's no shortage of firewood. Life is long. What does a temporary gain or loss matter? Cherish your reputation, and when the time is right, you might have a chance to contend with others. But if you leave behind a reputation as a rake, it will never be a good thing."
Jian Shizhao had also said this: With Princess Huige entering the mansion, the Crown Prince would surely relax his vigilance towards him. It would be a good strategy to lie low and bide his time. He didn't like Jian Shizhao's words, but the butler had taken care of him for many years, so he could listen to him a little.
Furthermore, his private ailment had been cured, and his mood was exceptionally good. By chance, he noticed a slender maid walking with a graceful sway that caught his eye, so he summoned that maid. Unexpectedly, although the maid was only moderately pretty, her figure was truly captivating, and her voice was like a warbler's. She served him so comfortably that the next day he unceremoniously elevated her to the status of a concubine.
Zeng Weiyang had only enjoyed favor for three days, and suddenly she had a formidable competitor. Enraged, she tore several handkerchiefs in her room to vent her frustration.