Chapter 34: Departure for White Jade Pavilion

"Did you have a hand in this book?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ang took the book and flipped through it casually.

"I had someone write it. Has it already reached you? It seems Qian San did a truly excellent job."

"Qian San?"

The old Prince looked puzzled. Who was he? But that was unimportant.

"It has not only reached me; the entire capital is currently buzzing about this book."

"Although the names and identities in the story have been changed and certain adaptations made, anyone with a discerning eye knows it refers to the Duke of Dingguo and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."

"They have no face to show anyone now!"

When Zhao Ang heard this, he thought it was a good thing; why was the old Prince looking so glum? It seemed something had gone wrong.

"The matter has reached the Emperor, and he has ordered us to suppress the book."

"On what grounds? Old man, have you admitted that you were behind this?"

"How could that be?" The old Prince wore a smug smile. "I, of course, have firmly denied it."

That was what he thought; the old Prince couldn't be foolish enough to take the blame.

"Since that is the case, what does it have to do with us? Let them spend their own effort to suppress it."

Zhao Ang did not understand; could this even be considered a serious matter?

"Ahem..." The old Prince coughed softly, hesitating to speak further.

"Is the pressure coming from the Emperor himself?"

That made sense. The Jing Emperor, having ascended the throne, was certainly no fool. No matter how much the old Prince denied it, the Emperor knew who the mastermind was. The old Prince nodded, confirming his guess.

"One must always show respect to the Emperor."

Although he knew the Jing Emperor was preparing to discard him like a worn-out tool, he could not be the first to tear off the mask of civility.

"Understood. Don't worry, old man, I will handle it."

Regardless, the purpose of spreading the story had been achieved; it didn't matter if the books were gone.

"By the way, a general from the Black Tiger Army is entering the city today. Go to the White Jade Pavilion."

"Take Jiang Qin with you; she knows that general."

Hearing this, Zhao Ang nodded and walked out with the book in hand.

"Fu Gui, go tell Qian San to stop printing this book."

Calling Fu Gui over, Zhao Ang handed him the book.

"Understood, Young Master."

Taking the book, Fu Gui turned and left with nimble efficiency. Zhao Ang then headed toward his own courtyard.

***

Thanks to the massages from the servants and her own martial arts background, Jiang Qin's legs had largely recovered and were no longer weak. Seeing Zhao Ang, she hurried over to greet him.

"You're back. Would you like some breakfast?"

It must be said that sleeping with a woman brings about significant changes. At this moment, Jiang Qin vaguely exuded the aura of a virtuous wife and mother. Of course, this was merely a facade.

"What? You are actually going to the White Jade Pavilion!"

"Am I not beautiful enough? Do you have to go looking for prostitutes?"

As she spoke, Jiang Qin gestured toward herself, her eyes filled with disbelief.

*Sigh, women. Their jealousy is truly heavy.* Zhao Ang couldn't help but sigh; he suddenly regretted sleeping with her. She was indeed troublesome, though the comfort was undeniable. *Forget it, things are as they are; I'll just have to make do.*

"It was the old man who asked me to go. He said a general from the Black Tiger Army is there and needs you to introduce me."

After Zhao Ang finished, Jiang Qin felt a sudden pang of shame.

"So that's how it is. I'm sorry, I misunderstood you."

How could she think such things about Zhao Ang? It was clear he was nothing like the rumors suggested.

"I will go with you right now."

Jiang Qin was somewhat excited, and the carriage was prepared quickly. This time, without Zhao Ang needing to initiate, Jiang Qin already leaned into his arms. However, his trip to the White Jade Pavilion did not draw the usual chorus of insults this time.

"The Young Master has been cuckolded; what's wrong with him going to the White Jade Pavilion to have some fun?"

"Exactly. If you ask me, the Young Master is magnanimous for not pursuing Wang Xiuyun over this matter."

"Otherwise, Wang Xiuyun would have been drowned in a pig cage."

At this point, someone became curious.

"They say the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue values propriety above all else. His daughter has done such a thing; why haven't we heard any news from the Minister's manor?"

"That's right, and what about the child in Wang Xiuyun's belly?"

"Does the Duke of Dingguo really not want it? That's his great-grandchild!"

As they spoke, they looked toward the man on the stage—it was Qian San. The Young Master had only told him to stop the books, not to stop his performances. He was a storyteller, and since this was the hottest topic in the capital, what else could he talk about?

With a strike of the wooden gavel, Qian San answered their doubts.

"The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Wang Chengzhi, was filled with rage upon learning the truth, and in a fit of anger, he picked up a board and broke Wang Xiuyun's leg."

"As for the child in her belly, the Duke of Dingguo naturally refuses to acknowledge it at all."

"With Wang Xiuyun being so promiscuous, who knows if she only had an affair with Zhou Qi?"

***

Qian San's words were half-truth and half-fabrication; after all, storytellers made their living by spinning tales. But he wasn't afraid of being exposed. Setting aside whether these people had the leisure to investigate, even if they wanted to, they had no way to do so. After all, Wang Xiuyun had been placed under house arrest by Wang Chengzhi; where could they go to ask?

"Good! If you ask me, Wang Xiuyun deserves this fate."

Someone in the audience cheered, and Qian San began to solicit rewards. Zhao Ang was unaware that his reputation in the capital had been quietly improving lately. After all, sympathy is the easiest way to win the hearts of the common people.

As soon as he stepped out of his sedan chair, the madam of the White Jade Pavilion rushed over.

"Young Master, you've finally come again! My girls have been missing you so much they've nearly fallen ill!"

The madam pushed Jing Hong forward as she spoke. With Zhao Ang having been away for half a month, the aesthetic preferences in the capital had returned to normal. Jing Hong had finally stepped over the others to become the top courtesan of the White Jade Pavilion once again.

"Young Master..."

Jing Hong's voice was soft and seductive, but before she could say more, a pink whip cut through the air between them.

"Stay away from him!"

Zhao Ang covered his forehead, feeling helpless. Why did she have to bring that whip out? Jing Hong shrank back in fright, but her eyes immediately welled up with tears. She looked at Zhao Ang with a pitiful expression.

"Young Master, look at her, she's so fierce."

"This slave is terrified."

She reached out to touch the red whip and leaned her entire body toward Zhao Ang.

"Terrified? I don't think you're afraid at all."

Stopping Jiang Qin from swinging the whip again, Zhao Ang half-embraced Jing Hong, looking every bit the dashing, carefree gentleman. Jing Hong couldn't help but feel even more smug; she knew Zhao Ang still fell for her routine.

"Young Master, with you here, this slave is no longer afraid."

She cast a provocative glance at Jiang Qin, who flicked her whip angrily. If not for the fact that she had important business to attend to today, she would have certainly taught this woman a lesson.

"Alright, let's go. Follow me to the Jade Pavilion."

Pulling Jiang Qin over, Zhao Ang walked with one in each arm, and Jiang Qin did not resist. The onlookers were stunned.

"As expected, when it comes to women, you have to look at the Young Master!"

"Who says otherwise? The Young Master really is holding one in each arm, enjoying the blessings of both worlds."

The male guests in the White Jade Pavilion were deeply envious; it was truly comfortable to be Zhao Ang.