Chapter Thirty-Six: A Delightful Conversation, and Rumors Stir Once More

"It's alright, Uncle Zhang. I know it's a matter of necessity."

Jiang Qin naturally understood what the recruitment office was referring to, and she did not take it to heart. Although she was prone to jealousy, she was not an unreasonable person and could distinguish between what was important and what was trivial.

Seeing Jiang Qin so composed, Zhao Ang felt a sense of satisfaction. It was fortunate that she was not like other women who knew nothing but petty jealousy.

"Then, I must trouble you, Miss Jiang."

"Huh?"

Zhang Mu's words left Jiang Qin confused. What could he possibly need her for?

"This..." Zhang Mu hesitated, casting a pleading glance at Zhao Ang.

Zhao Ang understood immediately. He whispered something into Jiang Qin's ear, causing her cheeks to flush a deep crimson.

"Must it really be like this?"

Jiang Qin was still embarrassed, but Zhao Ang nodded. "Think about yesterday; you know there is no other way now."

"You... you're wicked! How could you say such things in front of Uncle Zhang?" Jiang Qin stomped her foot, her eyes full of bashfulness.

Zhang Mu looked at the two of them with understanding but remained silent.

"Enough, let's focus on the real business."

Putting aside Jiang Qin's emotions, Zhao Ang turned his attention back to Zhang Shan. "Uncle Zhang, the Old Prince is now in the Prince of Zhennan's residence, surrounded by spies. I have no idea about the current state of the Black Tiger Army, and I hope you can enlighten me."

Zhao Ang's tone was sincere, and Jiang Qin steeled herself. Thinking of the sounds she had made the previous night, she gritted her teeth and began to moan loudly. The conversation between Zhang Shan and Zhao Ang was entirely masked by the rhythmic, intense sounds.

"Sigh," Zhang Shan sighed. "The Black Tiger Army today is not what it used to be. Many scoundrels have infiltrated its ranks. Those like Sun Er, who joined halfway, have long been working for the Emperor. And then there’s..."

Zhang Shan spoke at length, his voice filled with indignation. Just on the surface, there were more than a handful of generals who had defected to the Emperor. Not to mention those stirring up trouble in the shadows, and the spies planted by various factions. The Black Tiger Army was now like loose sand, a far cry from its former glory.

"Uncle Zhang, I understand everything you've said. Rest assured, within a few days, I will purge these wavering elements." Patting Zhang Shan on the shoulder, Zhao Ang already had a plan in mind.

"In that case, this subordinate will await the Young Prince's good news." Zhang Shan bowed to Zhao Ang and began discussing other generals. There were still many who remained loyal to the Old Prince, and ever since they witnessed the drills Zhao Ang conducted at the manor and the formations he left behind, they knew he had been hiding his true capabilities. With a bright future in sight, their loyalty only deepened.

"Leave it to me, Uncle Zhang." Zhao Ang promised, then poured a glass of water and handed it to Jiang Qin. "Take a sip to soothe your throat; you've shouted until you're hoarse."

"Okay." Jiang Qin took the water and downed it in one gulp. Just as she was about to continue, Zhao Ang stopped her.

"Your acting is too fake. Take a rest."

With that, Zhao Ang turned his gaze back to Zhang Shan. "Without using inner energy, would you mind sparring with me, Uncle Zhang?" Seeing Zhang Shan, his hands were itching; there was nothing he loved more than a hearty fight with a strong opponent.

"Then I won't hold back." Zhang Shan attacked immediately. Fortunately, the Jade Pavilion was spacious enough for them to trade blows. Jiang Qin, watching from the side, was dumbfounded—how did things end up like this?

Outside the Jade Pavilion, those keeping a close watch frowned.

"Why did the moaning stop, but the noise inside got louder?"

"Are you stupid? Two people playing with one, there’s bound to be a scramble, right?"

"Besides, that girl has been at it for ages; her throat must be raw. She wouldn't have the strength to keep calling out for us to hear."

As he finished speaking, a playful smile appeared on his companion's face. "With this much noise, perhaps they aren't scrambling—maybe they're switching positions."

"You mean..."

The man nodded. Among the young nobles, especially one as hedonistic as Zhao Ang, having certain eccentricities was perfectly normal. Had they not seen enough of such things?

The two men dismissed it, but the capital was thrown into a frenzy. Especially after Zhao Ang and Zhang Shan both requested hot water and changed their clothes, the rumors grew even more outrageous.

"The Young Prince actually has a penchant for men? Who could have guessed?"

"It seems the Prince of Zhennan will truly have no heir."

"Young Prince, the rumors they're spreading are just too ridiculous."

Listening to the chatter from outside the carriage curtain, Jiang Qin felt it was all inexplicable. They described it with such vivid detail, even specifying who was on top and who was on bottom. If she hadn't been there herself, she might have believed it too.

"I finally understand how those rumors started!" Jiang Qin thought, lost in reflection. Upon arriving at the residence, the Old Prince looked at him with an expression of profound exasperation. After the customary performative whipping, the two sat down in the study.

"Zhao Ang, I know you wanted to use rumors to cover up your private meetings. But... to invent a scandal about having a penchant for men, isn't that going a bit too far?"

Zhao Ang felt quite innocent. He spread his hands, helpless. "Old man, do you think I wanted this? They were already so outrageous; I hadn't even started to play my part, and things had already spiraled into this state." Forget it; he should have realized that the people in the capital were just too idle. They could weave a believable story out of thin air. If anyone was to blame, it was the previous owner of this body, whose reputation was already too well-established.

"Should I have someone explain it?"

"Explain? To hell with that! The more you explain, the more they'll believe it. Sigh..." The Old Prince sighed, clearly not wanting to mention the subject again. "How did the business go?"

"I've found out most of what I needed about the Black Tiger Army. Everything is ready; I only lack the east wind."

Since Zhao Ang already had a plan, the Old Prince didn't press further and instead issued an order to leave. "Fine, go. I get annoyed just looking at you."

"Alright, take it easy, old man. I really don't have a penchant for men."

"Get out!" The Old Prince hurled a teacup at him. He truly didn't have such a penchant, but all afternoon, everyone in the capital, including his own colleagues, had been looking at him with pity. Even the Emperor had specifically summoned him to ask about it—it was infuriating!

"Right, right, I'm going." Seeing this, Zhao Ang stood up.

The Old Prince added one last thing: "By the way, the Emperor is hosting a banquet tomorrow, and Princess Zhaohuo will be there. Make sure you look presentable."

"Don't worry, Grandfather. Your grandson is dashing; I'll look good no matter what." Zhao Ang was extremely confident, and the Old Prince nodded—that, at least, was the truth.