Ji Jin poured himself a cup of cold tea and drank it down before saying, "We've known each other for some time."
"How did you meet?"
"She came to me to buy poison to kill someone, and I only found out later that the person she wanted to kill was Situ Jue."
"So, what poison did you give her?"
"The Hehuan Gu. It's administered through intercourse, and the death looks much like premature ejaculation."
Situ Yan was speechless for a moment: "You sold such a poison to a young lady. Did you consider the consequences?"
"There was nothing I could do; she paid too much." Ji Jin was also annoyed. If he had known he would develop feelings for Sheng Ge, he would never have given her the Hehuan Gu, no matter what. The thought flashed through his mind, and he quietly explained, "Later, when I saw her at your estate and learned that her target was Situ Jue, I found an opportunity to put a little something on Situ Jue as well."
"What does it do?"
"It can turn him into a eunuch."
Situ Yan felt a chill run down his lower body: "All day long, under the guise of researching medical formulas, you've been dabbling in these nonsensical things? And you didn't even succeed. Look, Situ Jue clearly has a strong libido."
Is that how a eunuch should behave?
Ji Jin sighed: "It's only a matter of a month or two. I don't know who he found, but he managed to get rid of the Gu."
Situ Yan probably guessed who the expert was, and his face changed like a palette.
Ji Jin, unaware of his changing expression, said helplessly: "I can't do anything. You should try to persuade her. Revenge is important, but she's still young. Since there are other ways, why risk her life against such a scumbag?"
Situ Yan looked at him with a hint of suspicion.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they grew up together. Although this fellow studied medicine, he never knew what medical ethics were. When did he start caring so much about others' affairs? He moved his chair to sit next to Ji Jin and kicked his leg, lowering his voice to gossip: "Ah Jin, you're acting strange. Tell me, when did you start having these thoughts?"
Ji Jin didn't hide it: "It's been some time."
"You've been rebuffed, haven't you?"
"Isn't that obvious?" If she had agreed to him, would today's situation have happened?
"Don't look so glum, this is a good thing." Situ Yan patted his shoulder: "You, why hide it? If you had said it earlier, we could have brainstormed, and perhaps you would have already won her over."
"Stop talking about this nonsense. You should first think about how to persuade her." Ji Jin's gaze drifted towards the door, indicating that Sheng Ge had come out.
Her disheveled hair was re-tied into a bun, and she had changed into more modest clothing. Sheng Ge walked up to Situ Yan and curtsied gracefully: "Your Highness."
Situ Yan glanced at her and said coldly: "Your second uncle sent a letter saying your brother Feng Zhangning has already headed north. Did you time it so he could come to collect your corpse directly?"
Sheng Ge was full of shock, almost breaking into tears of agitation: "Is he crazy?"
"Keep your voice down, do you want to attract the attention of everyone in this building? Besides, if his coming to the capital is considered crazy, then what do you call what you're doing?"
"Feng family's revenge is mine alone. He was safe in the countryside; why should he come to the capital and wade into this muddy water? What if Situ Jue finds out?" She paced anxiously: "Your Highness, Xin Yao will write a letter immediately, please help me deliver it to him and urge him to stay away from the capital."
Years ago, when three counties in Yangzhou fell, Situ Jue, to cover up his mistake, shifted the blame to Prefect Feng. To destroy the evidence, he didn't spare his own people. The truth of the county's fall had long been buried in that battle for conquest, along with the complete annihilation of their own forces.
Her father, to protect his wife and children, committed suicide, leaving no possibility of vindication.
Situ Yan originally did not want Feng Zhangning to come to the capital, but now he had changed his mind. Having a relative by her side would prevent Feng Xin Yao from acting recklessly. He said, "The capital is not a dragon's den. If you can come, why can't he?"
"That's different."
"How is it different? You, a mere woman, can risk your life for revenge, but can your brother comfortably remain in a corner?"
Sheng Ge wanted to argue further, but Situ Yan waved his hand: "Enough. Save your endless reasons for your brother. I have no interest in listening. I've delivered the message, and I won't stay any longer. Ah Jin, it's still early, shall we go out for a drink?"
Ji Jin: ......
There was no point in staying. He looked at Sheng Ge with a complex expression and finally followed him out the door.
Prince Ning's Estate
Situ Jue returned in time, and Concubine Mei saved her life, but she would forever lose the chance to be a mother. Having lost a lot of blood, Concubine Mei had lost her former delicate beauty. Her face was pale, her eyes tightly closed, and her maidservant wept by her bedside.
As she was a woman he currently doted on, Situ Jue furiously went to argue with Princess Aishah.
Aishah was not flustered at all and calmly said: "She became arrogant with your favor. She even dared to speak such shameless words in front of this princess. I only made her kneel for a while, and who knew she couldn't endure it. She didn't even report her pregnancy early, and this princess hasn't even punished her for failing to protect the child."
Because he married Aishah, everyone knew he would have no chance of ascending the throne.
Therefore, even though she was as beautiful as a celestial being, Situ Jue could not love her. To maintain diplomatic relations, he couldn't indulge in debauchery outside, so he doted on concubines within the estate.
Concubine Mei was the one he had been doting on most recently.
Usually, Situ Jue would often use Concubine Mei to pressure Aishah.
Aishah had endured it all, thinking that a woman from a distant land was timid. She didn't expect such a big commotion.
Aishah brushed him off with a few words and generously sent some high-quality medicinal herbs to Concubine Mei through her maid. The matter was thus resolved.
Situ Jue wanted to make a fuss but could do nothing to her.
He couldn't possibly fall out with his principal wife over a mere concubine, especially when this principal wife was crucial for the peace between the two countries. Aishah, being from a foreign land and lacking strong backing, he dared not truly cause a scene of neglecting his wife for his concubine in court.
In the end, Concubine Mei had to swallow her bitterness.
Upon receiving the news, Zeng Weiyang remained silent for a long time. Finally, she picked up her brush and wrote a post, sending it to Prince Rui's estate via Yin Qiao.