Strolling through Flower Street, a thousand courtesans beckoned.
Amidst the sweet calls of "Sir, come play," Ji Jin followed Ouyang Wen into the Lingyan Pavilion.
Mama Jin, swaying her hips and fanning her embroidered handkerchief, releasing waves of perfume, "Oh, young master has arrived, please come in. And this gentleman is?"
"My surname is Ji. Just treat him well," Ouyang Wen replied.
"You jest, sir. Anyone you bring, how could I possibly neglect them? What kind of lady does Master Ji prefer? I have beauties of all shapes and sizes here, I guarantee you'll leave as satisfied as you came."
Mama Jin's naturally sharp features were accentuated by heavy makeup, creating a fawning expression that made the surrounding flower girls appear like celestial beings descended to earth. Ji Jin's lips twitched. Ouyang Wen, however, instructed, "My friend here prefers purity. Bring out a few *qingguan* (courtesans who primarily entertain, not engage in intimacy) to serve us."
"You just wait and see," Mama Jin said, fanning herself as she wiggled away. Ouyang Wen, meanwhile, led Ji Jin directly to the second floor, where he had a regular private room.
As they ascended, the air was filled with the sweet murmurs of women. Ji Jin was unaccustomed to it and urged Ouyang Wen, who was navigating the company of beauties with ease, to walk faster.
Finally reaching the private room, Ji Jin breathed a sigh of relief, feeling his breathing suddenly become much smoother.
Ouyang Wen crossed his arms and chuckled, "Old Ji, this won't do. You're clearly a novice."
Ji Jin took a sip of cold water to calm his nerves. "Was that the Sheng Ge girl you mentioned, the one whose beauty outshines all the other four top performers?"
"Of course not. That was Mama Jin, the madam. How could someone like us little fish and shrimp possibly have Sheng Ge personally attend to us?"
"So, her status is quite high then."
Ouyang Wen looked at him in surprise. "You didn't come here for Sheng Ge, did you?"
"Is that not allowed?"
"Absolutely not. Didn't I tell you? She has some connection with Situ Jue. Are you planning to compete with him for a woman?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? I just need to ask her something."
"...You know her?"
"To be precise, I know her, but she doesn't know me." If only he hadn't worn a mask that night.
Ouyang Wen scoffed. "So it's unrequited love then."
Ji Jin: ...
He finally understood what it meant to play the lute to a cow.
Although Ouyang Wen didn't think Ji Jin had much of a chance against Situ Jue for a woman, he still put aside his pride for his friend and requested Mama Jin to send for Sheng Ge.
Mama Jin sighed, "What a coincidence. Today, we have distinguished guests, and Sheng Ge is attending to them. Perhaps you could come earlier tomorrow?"
"What kind of distinguished guest? Is their status more esteemed than mine?"
In terms of nobility, as the Duke who Guards the Nation, there were only a few princes in the entire capital who outranked him.
Mama Jin gave him a look that implied he guessed correctly. "It's not something I can say, not something I can say."
"Alright, you can go. Take those girls with you. My brother and I will just have a drink."
"What about Miss Jing Hong..."
"No need to come. With my brother's romantic aspirations thwarted, how could I possibly enjoy the company of a beauty? Besides, I wouldn't be able to anyway, she sells her art, not her body."
The newly renovated Lingyan Pavilion had excellent soundproofing. Once the door was closed, silence descended upon the room. Ouyang Wen patted Ji Jin's shoulder. "Don't think about it, brother. Sheng Ge is definitely attending to Situ Jue. A man and a woman, alone in a room, you understand."
Ji Jin did understand.
It seemed Situ Jue hadn't been seeing women these past few days, or he wouldn't have dared to frequent a brothel. He wondered what his expression would be when he discovered his impotence.
If his Qinggong (lightness skill) hadn't been so poor, he might have considered going to watch.
The Situ Jue who was being thought of was indeed in Sheng Ge's room, and the atmosphere was just right.
Red candles dripped like tears, and the beauty was slightly tipsy. Her usual ten-tenths beauty had now bloomed to twelve-tenths. Situ Jue's desires stirred, and he cupped her chin, kissing her. As her clothes fell, Sheng Ge's beautiful fingernails dug into her palms. After so much maneuvering, this scoundrel had finally lost his patience. The thought that after tonight, her revenge would be complete made her tremble uncontrollably.
This reaction pleased Situ Jue greatly, who mistook it for nervousness on her first time. He bit her earlobe, "Relax, this King will cherish you well."
Sheng Ge softly hummed an "mm."
The gauze curtain slowly descended, clothes littered the floor, and an ambiguous atmosphere permeated the room...
Situ Jue, who hadn't touched a woman in a long time, was quite impatient. Then, there was no "then." He stared in disbelief at his unresponsive lower body, his entire being in disarray.
Sheng Ge waited for the expected response for a long time. Puzzled, she opened her eyes and met an enraged face. Her shocked gaze followed downwards, and then...
She became even more frantic than Situ Jue.
She had meticulously planned for a long time, finally finding this opportunity to poison him.
The expensive medicine she had acquired was ready, but at the last moment, she discovered that Situ Jue was... incapable.
But she couldn't show it and had to find a way to save his dignity. "What's wrong, Your Highness? Did you suddenly remember an urgent matter that needs your attention?"
Situ Jue's sinister gaze finally softened slightly. He picked up his clothes and put them on. "Indeed, there is an urgent matter. Rest first, and this King will visit you another day."
Sheng Ge watched his retreating back as he hastily tied his clothes and fled, so angry she almost spat blood.