Chapter 68 Envoys and Prostitutes

Li Yujing woke up in the Hundred Flowers Room of Yifeng Pavilion, removed the man's hand from her waist at the other end of the bed, and got up to tidy her hair.

The moon shone through the gauze window at this moment, and the sky was just beginning to brighten.

The man groaned and stopped sleeping. A moment later, he sat up from his pillow and started rummaging through his clothes. Li Yujing had no choice but to stop dressing and help him change and wash up.

Li Yujing said, "Didn't you say you were sick and wouldn't be attending court today?"

Just like the court officials who had to attend court at dawn, the girls of Yifeng Pavilion also had to change clothes and wash up at dawn to greet and see off guests. The top courtesan, however, did not need to follow the usual rules. As a living advertisement, when she was not receiving guests, she could sleep until late morning without anyone daring to disturb her. Li Yujing's residence, Baihua Tower, was also a detached building, located deep in the courtyard, surrounded by peach groves and flower gardens, and ordinary people were not allowed to approach it.

The madam was a plump, somewhat rounded woman. The people in the brothel called her Mama Yin, while Li Yujing called her Sister Yin. People said she was middle-aged, but when asked, she was only just over thirty. She wore heavy makeup, and her collar often couldn't cover her chest, revealing a beautiful view of her breasts. She moved up and down the main hall of Yifeng Pavilion, swaying her hips and selling smiles.

She often said that neither the emperor nor the ministers were as comfortable as the girls in the pavilion. The emperor had so many things to do, and the ministers could lose their heads at any time, while the girls here only needed to put their effort into dressing up beautifully and pleasing their patrons, and they would have no worries about food and clothing.

Li Yujing felt that fate was playing tricks on her.

Just like the "patron" in front of her, who was her rightful fiancé many years ago.

Sheng Yu'an countered, "And what about you? Why did you get up so early?" He opened his arms to make it easier for Li Yujing to fasten the leather belt around his waist. "Don't tell me it's because of that Dongyin man from the front court."

Li Yujing said, "That Dongyin man is no ordinary person; he has power and influence..."

Sheng Yu'an grabbed Li Yujing's wrist. "Powerful and influential? So what if you're powerful and influential? Your indenture is with the court. Do you think you can go to Dongyin with him?"

Li Yujing found it amusing that someone would be so jealous of the relationship between a client and a prostitute.

Sheng Yu'an continued, "Ayu, are you really so willing to debase yourself? You fawn over any powerful man you see?"

Li Yujing said calmly, "Lord Sheng, who wasn't once a person of immense power? Before my father was beheaded, he came to your door twice, begging you to marry me. It was your Sheng family who, fearing trouble, insisted on breaking off the engagement. After the engagement was broken off, you repeatedly came to Yifeng Pavilion to give flowers and money. Now you think I'm lowly, but who knows if your Sheng family won't suffer the same fate as my Li family in the power struggle?"

After the Li and Sheng families broke off their engagement, the two men's social statuses were worlds apart overnight.

She was reduced to a lowly status, while he achieved academic success.

Sheng Yu'an was once a model among the young noblemen, known for his integrity and outstanding talent. However, after a poetry contest at a birthday banquet in the Eastern Mansion, he became a frequent guest of Yifeng Pavilion, spending lavishly on the newly crowned top courtesan, "Qin Sensen".

Yifeng Pavilion refers to the money given by guests as "gifts of flowers".

Daisies, roses, white plum blossoms, and peonies were worth a fortune in Yifeng Pavilion, priced at ten, fifty, one hundred, and one thousand taels of silver respectively. The peony, the king of flowers, was the most valuable, costing ten thousand taels of silver per branch. This was a forced attempt to cloak the stench of money in the name of elegance.

Those who came to frequent prostitutes called it: "I have nothing from Jiangnan, but I can offer you a sprig of spring." It means, "I cannot give you a title, but I can give you a flower."

Li Yujing became famous in Yongdu for her underwater dance in the Xu River, becoming the new top performer of Yifeng Pavilion. After the East Mansion Poetry Competition, she received a calligraphy inscription from the old princess, which made her even more famous. Whenever she performed, the flowers and branches of Yifeng Pavilion were sold out every day.

Among all the flowers, only three peonies bloom each day, worth three thousand taels of silver. As soon as Sheng Yu'an appears, the others know that they will have no chance to steal the peonies again that day.

Sheng Yu'an tightened his grip and said, "Were you forced to submit to me that day, or, like me, couldn't forget our destiny as husband and wife?"

Li Yujing said, "What are you saying, Lord Sheng? Only with proper matchmaking, betrothal, and auspicious rites can a marriage be considered a true union. Our relationship today is merely a romantic affair, so you cannot skimp on the money."

After Crown Prince Yizhang was assassinated, Princess Jiangning, who secretly sheltered her, fled to the south. The Li family had suffered hardships before, and she was more perceptive of power struggles and changes in the political landscape than most people. Therefore, after Yongdu was sealed off, she used Sheng Yu'an's identity as the son of the Minister of War to survive once again.

Thinking about it this way, it's not wrong to say that she had no choice but to submit.

Sheng Yu'an's face flushed red and then turned pale. After several changes of expression, she shook off Li Yujing's hand and said, "When will the Princess arrive? Although I had no choice but to break off the engagement back then, I still feel guilty towards you. A'yu, I don't blame you for using me."

Li Yujing was taken aback, then sneered, "You, Sheng Yu'an, are so proud and arrogant, how could you willingly be used by me? The Sheng family once pledged allegiance to Prince Qi, but now that Prince Shen has ascended the throne, your Sheng family is in danger. Who knows when that sword hanging over your head will fall? Isn't the reason why Lord Sheng is willing to fall into my lowly trap just to preserve his family's power and pledge allegiance to a new master? You're putting on this show of deep affection, aren't you moved to tears yourself?"

Sheng Yu'an said, "Li Yujing, do you think that now that the Princess is back and you have a new backer, you can just tear down this old bridge of mine?"

Li Yujing said, "Lord Sheng, I think you haven't grasped your situation yet. Now you're the one asking me to act as a go-between and get in touch with the Princess. Asking for a favor and then being so arrogant—isn't that inappropriate?"

Sheng Yu'an said, "The Sheng family wants to get in touch with the Eldest Princess, but the Eldest Princess only controls agriculture and there's no one in the Six Ministries. You can imagine that she's also eager to take over the Ministry of War now, right? Otherwise, why would you go to such lengths to keep me here?"

Li Yujing smiled to herself, "Since Lord Sheng has said that Minister Rong is also willing to serve the Princess, then let's get dressed and go with Lord Rong to see Her Highness."

Inside the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, there is a small hall, which is usually used for receiving guests, playing music, and composing lyrics. There is a hidden door in the small hall, which allows people to enter and exit the building.

The hall door opened, and Rong Jun walked out, saying, "Lord Sheng, please."

Sheng Yu'an felt as if a bucket of water had been poured over his head. Only after calming down did he realize that he had fallen into a trap.

Minister of War Sheng Xiuyuan intended to curry favor with the Princess, but that was only intentional. Although the Princess seemed to have some power at the moment, compared to the mighty imperial power, Sheng Xiuyuan believed that the power held by the Princess of Jiangning was insufficient to ensure the prosperity of the Sheng family.

Sheng Yu'an was right about one thing: compared to the Sheng family's eagerness to find a new master, Xie Wenjun was more in need of winning over the people of the Six Ministries. In Xie Wenjun's view, the Ministry of War was indeed the weakest and most vulnerable of the Six Ministries.

One careless move, and Li Yujing provoked him into revealing his hand with just a few words.

If they go, the Sheng family will have no way out and will have no choice but to join forces with the Eldest Princess.

But if he doesn't go... Rong Jun won't allow him not to go.

The main hall of Yifeng Pavilion was also bustling with activity.

After You Feibo was taken away by Xie Wenjun, he did not return overnight. The other envoys of Dongyin became restless and clamored for the postmaster to return the man. They threatened to petition their emperor and send troops if the man was not handed over.

Unable to withstand the commotion, the postmaster brought the man to Yifeng Pavilion and, together with the pimp, to a superior private room on the second floor of the main hall. The envoy opened the door, and a strong smell of alcohol filled his nostrils. He pinched his nose and went inside to look for the man. Embroidered couches and soft curtains, half-drawn silk veils, filled the room with a sensual atmosphere.

Yu Jingbo lay among seven or eight drunk women, their clothes disheveled, his face still flushed from the alcohol.

The envoy who came looking for someone was furious. "You Jingbo!" he shouted, grabbed the man, and threw a punch at him.

Yu Jingbo was jolted awake by the first punch, and before he could figure out what was happening, a second punch came. He raised his arm to block, and was so angry that he decided to fight back.

The girls screamed and ran outside.

It would have been better if they hadn't made a sound. As soon as they did, the doors to the private rooms upstairs and downstairs opened one after another, and a lot of people instantly gathered around the railings, craning their necks to watch the spectacle.

Envoys visiting brothels and indulging in prostitution. This is disgraceful to any emperor.

The envoy who came looking for someone swung his fists even more fiercely at You Jingbo's face. "You're still chasing after women! I'll teach you to chase after women! You shameless wretch, don't come out here and embarrass His Majesty and the Imperial Advisor!"

You Jingbo was completely sobered up by the beating. "Yan Changqing, have you lost your mind? Can't you see that I've been framed!"

"Does Your Majesty feel any pride if you are framed and sent to a brothel?"

Xie Wenjun's carriage passed by the Peach Blossom Pavilion in the backyard of Yifeng Pavilion. Just as it approached the main hall, a section of bamboo pole flew down from upstairs.

Dai Qing quickly stepped in front of Xie Wenjun, saying, "Your Highness, please be careful."

That was the yellow bamboo used to lift the curtains of Yifeng Pavilion; I don't know who threw it down.

Hearing the commotion, the onlookers scattered and squeezed inside, peeking out through a crack in the door.

Yu Jingbo covered one eye, "Princess, we have no grudge against each other, why would you harm me?"

Xie Wenjun felt extremely guilty, saying, "It was the staff below who failed to provide adequate hospitality and wronged the ambassador."

You Jingbo jumped up: "What do you mean by poor hospitality? You clearly drugged me and framed me!"

Xie Wenjun nodded and said, "Yes," then said to the envoy named Yan Changqing beside You Feibo, "It was indeed I who drugged Lord You and brought him to Yifeng Pavilion. Vice Envoy Yan, please do not blame Lord You."

"No?" You Jingbo exclaimed urgently, "It is indeed you who framed me!"

Xie Wenjun then said to Yan Changqing, "It is true that I framed Lord You."

Yan Changqing clenched his fists tighter and tighter, his face twitching a few times, before bowing to Xie Wenjun and saying, "Princess, there's no need for you to protect me. Dongyin also has its laws! Take him back!"

His men swarmed forward and bound You Jingbo tightly.

Judging from the look of terror on You Jingbo's face, it was clear that this "national law" punishment was not just a minor, superficial reprimand.

Each country has its most commonly used punishments. In Dalin, the punishment is caning, commonly known as beating with a board. Even in the military, soldiers who make mistakes are punished with caning. In Dongyin, the punishment is thorn whipping. As the name suggests, it involves stripping someone naked and whipping them with a thorny whip. Two lashes will leave the skin torn and bleeding.

You Jingbo lunged at Xie Wenjun, shouting, "If you've got the guts, then kill me! Kill me! Aren't you good at killing people?"

Yan Changqing blurted out, "Shut up!" Before he finished speaking, a dark shadow swept over and kicked You Jingbo, who fell backward and cracked the door hinge.

"Not only her, but I can do it too."

The fear on You Jingbo's face shifted to Yan Changqing's, and he quickly stepped in front of You Jingbo.

Upon seeing who it was, You Jingbo dared not shout anymore. He knew that this person truly harbored deep hatred for Dongyin and wished to kill them as soon as possible. Moreover, His Highness the Crown Prince and hundreds of thousands of soldiers were still in her hands.

Yan Changqing said, "General Chen, please calm down! In times of war, envoys are not to be killed. You Jingbo's words were disrespectful to the Princess, and I will deal with him according to the law."

Chen Liangyu waited for a while, then asked, "Is that all?"

Yan Changqing, being pragmatic, said, "Please enlighten me, Princess and General."

Chen Liangyu said quietly, "Your Crown Prince said he misses his homeland, so why don't you stay in Da Lin and serve him?"

This is why we need to retain people.

Yan Changqing said, "Princess, General, are you trying to force the envoy to stay?"

Xie Wenjun said, "I am ill, and only someone from the You family can cure me. If Lord You is willing to stay, that would be good. If not, I will not force you to stay. Please do as you wish."

Yan Changqing glanced at You Jingbo, "Let's go."

He lifted the person off the ground and dragged him downstairs.

Rong Jun watched the group of people dressed in Dongyin attire leave the house, then jogged over to Xie Wenjun and said, "Your Highness, Sheng Yu'an from the Ministry of Agriculture is at Baihua Tower. The commotion caused by the Dongyin envoy is too great, and bringing him here now would attract too much attention. I've had him wait at Miss Li's place."

Xie Wenjun said, "I didn't see you today." She turned to Chen Liangyu and asked, "Why are you here?"

Chen Liangyu said, "I have nothing to do."

Xie Wenjun said, "There might be an imperial decree arriving today. Aren't you going to wait at the manor?"

Chen Liangyu said, "I'll be right back." It seemed that she had come to Yifeng Pavilion just to kick You Jingbo.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Chen Liangyu asked.

Xie Wenjun said, "You're lying to him. Did you see that? You Jingbo is not the chief envoy of Dongyin; it's Yan Changqing, who holds the title of deputy envoy."

"I can tell."

Chen Liangyu took her hand, rolled up her sleeve slightly, and pressed it against her pulse. She was truly fine.

But she could only detect a superficial pulse, and she still wasn't sure what to expect.

Xie Wenjun said, "I did not lie to you."

Chen Liangyu said, "I'll believe you for now. I heard on the way here that there was great turmoil in the court today, which seems to be related to the girls' school."

Stepping out of Yifeng Pavilion, the coachman drove up. Xie Wenjun stepped onto the carriage using a low stool.

Chen Liangyu hesitated for a moment between riding a horse or riding in a carriage with Xie Wenjun, then jumped into the carriage, lifted the curtain, and crawled inside.

Xie Wenjun said, "It seems to be related to the stars. The Imperial Observatory said that a guest star appeared south of the Ziwei star, which means it is driving away the main star. Opinions in the court are divided. Some say it is because the emperor is interfering in politics, while others say it is because of the promotion of girls' education. Most officials tend to believe the second explanation. But what the officials think is not important. What is important is what the emperor cares about."

Governing a prefecture like Linxia is ultimately different from governing the entire country. Xie Yuan knew that he did not have the ability to control everyone at the moment. He relied on Xie Wenjun to control the powerful families and manage agricultural affairs, and also tacitly allowed her to establish girls' schools and colleges.

The establishment of girls' schools seemed more like a secret deal between the emperor and the eldest princess.

He won't think about disrupting this balance anytime soon.

Xie Wenjun said, "Compared to who goes to school and who takes the imperial examination, my brother cares more about who calls the shots in the world. His heartache is never in the girls' school, but in the Nanyuan Palace."

Author's note: Thank you for reading this far!