"General, the top courtesan here is named Li Shishi. She's said to be the number one courtesan in the capital," Zhou Fu said to Wang Han immediately after the madam left. "We've really benefited from following the General today."
"I didn't expect a boy with such an overdeveloped pectoral muscle like you to know about this. Looks like you've been to these places quite a bit!" Wang Han said with a smile upon hearing Zhou Fu's words. Zhou Fu was saying this on purpose, afraid that the madam would fool him and prevent him from seeing Li Shishi.
"Pah! Who would come to a place like this!" Upon hearing Wang Han's teasing, Zhou Fu immediately spat and said with a flushed face, "I just heard it from other people."
"I know you heard it from others, right? You heard it from Zhong Shidao and Su Yuanjing!" Wang Han said with a smile. "Although I'm a little annoyed by their scheme against me, I can understand their thinking. Their intentions weren't bad, and I am indeed the most suitable candidate. I'm not afraid of this trouble, so I came. Otherwise, do you think I brought you all here to visit a brothel? But they still owe me two big favors. Consider it as them inviting me here. I'll also handle Emperor Huizong's affairs. I've done what they wanted. I think Emperor Huizong would never have imagined that a troublemaker like you would be involved."
"You already know!" Zhou Fu said awkwardly upon hearing Wang Han's blunt words, realizing that Wang Han had seen through his plan with Zhong Shidao and Su Yuanjing. He didn't seem to care much about Wang Han addressing Emperor Huizong of Song as "Emperor Huizong," or rather, he deliberately ignored Wang Han's disrespect.
“If I didn’t know the relationship between the most famous courtesan in the capital and Emperor Huizong, I naturally wouldn’t be able to see through it. But I can figure this out with a simple calculation.” Wang Han said with a smile, “Young man with well-developed pectoral muscles, you should probably go back to wearing women’s clothes tomorrow. It looks really awkward.”
"So you knew all along," Zhou Fu said through gritted teeth. It turned out that Wang Han had been teasing him all along when he called him a boy with well-developed pectoral muscles.
"Even transformation tricks are no match for me. You've only put on makeup; how could you possibly fool me? You have too many flaws; I simply can't keep up the act any longer. Princess Maode, Princess Zhao Fujin," Wang Han shook his head and sighed.
“General, my brother Zhao Heng was also involved in this matter,” Zhao Fujin said immediately.
"It was Zhong Shidao and Su Yuanjing who made you betray your brother, wasn't it?" Upon hearing this, Wang Han shook his head and said, "Didn't they say exactly that if I saw through your scheme, didn't get angry, and continued to cooperate with the plan, they would also implicate the Crown Prince? You really are something, being betrayed and still smiling as you work for them!"
"It wasn't just a few of them who betrayed me; Father Emperor led the way long ago!" Zhao Fujin muttered under her breath, then her eyes darted around before she asked with a smile and a slightly ingratiating tone, "General, now that I'm a princess, can you teach me magic?"
"No." Wang Han refused without even thinking. He didn't continue the previous topic.
"General, the person has been brought here." Just then, the madam's voice came from outside the door. Zhao Fujin promptly shut his mouth.
"Come in," Wang Han said.
"Yes," the madam replied from outside the door before pushing it open and entering respectfully. Behind her followed eleven girls, all beautiful and graceful, each carrying a musical instrument. Upon entering, they lined up in the room and bowed to Wang Han and his companion, saying, "This humble servant greets the Great General."
"Who among them is Li Shishi?" Wang Han asked.
“General, Li Shishi is not among them.” Zhao Fujin interjected before the madam could answer.
"There is no Li Shishi! You madam, I came here today because of the reputation of the most famous courtesan in the capital, and you promised to make arrangements for her." Wang Hanwen said angrily, "Where is she now? Are you trying to deceive me? Guards!"
"General, please give your orders." Yang Zhi, who was holding a sword, immediately entered the room with two burly guards. They knelt on one knee and awaited instructions.
Upon hearing Wang Han's words and seeing Yang Zhi walk in, the madam broke out in a cold sweat. She immediately knelt on the ground and stammered, "General, please forgive me. I would never dare to deceive you. Yes, yes, Li Shishi caught a cold today and was afraid of passing it on to you, so I didn't dare to bring her."
The madam naturally knew about the relationship between Li Shishi and Emperor Huizong. If it were anyone else, she wouldn't be afraid, since the emperor had her backing. Even the ministers who knew wouldn't dare name Li Shishi. However, from Grand Commandant Gao Qiu's secret visit and his repeated instructions not to let General Shenwei see Li Shishi, the madam knew things weren't simple. She had also heard of General Shenwei's reputation; this time, the emperor might not be able to back her up, otherwise Gao Qiu wouldn't have come secretly. Even if he could, she wouldn't fare well; she would inevitably be a sacrifice.
“A cold! She must still be here. Perfect timing, I know a bit about medicine, and I have a skilled apprentice from the Imperial Medical Academy with me. Please invite Li Shishi here, we can also take a look at her.” Wang Han said to the madam, “Also, when I came up, I heard the guests below talking about Grand Commandant Gao Qiu. Go and call Grand Commandant Gao Qiu here as well, and tell him I want to see him. If either of them is missing, regardless of the reason, I will hold you responsible.”
Then Wang Han instructed Yang Zhi and the other two: "You three go with this madam to invite Li Shishi and Grand Commandant Gao Qiu over. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility."
"Yes!" Yang Zhi and the other two immediately responded loudly. Then they said to the madam, "Madam, lead the way!"
"Yes," the madam replied with a mournful face. Wang Han's few words had effectively blocked her path. She could only reluctantly walk out. She knew in her heart that since General Shenwei knew Gao Qiu was here, he had seen through their tricks. After all, Gao Qiu had come secretly; no one except her and Li Shishi knew. Now, General Shenwei was clearly after Li Shishi, and there must be official reasons involved. Otherwise, why would he be so insistent, even bringing along a top student from the Imperial Hospital? No wonder Grand Commandant Gao Qiu had rushed here secretly, repeatedly instructing her not to let General Shenwei see Li Shishi.
"Grand Commandant Gao Qiu, the Divine Might General wishes to see you." As soon as she left Wang Han's room, the madam spotted Gao Qiu peeking out from a room on the second floor. A thought flashed through her mind, and she immediately called out, hurrying towards Gao Qiu's room.
"Damn it!" Upon hearing the madam's shout, Gao Qiu's face changed instantly. He quickly closed the door and ran towards the window. Now, all the officials knew that General Shenwei was someone no one dared to offend; even the emperor had to give him some leeway. After all, the Song Dynasty still relied on him to fight for them, to reclaim lost territories, and to expand its borders. Now, whoever fell into General Shenwei's hands had to swallow their losses. If they were given any leverage, their deaths would be meaningless. A few officials could be easily wiped out by General Shenwei's achievements; the emperor wouldn't even pursue the matter, at most issuing a few reprimands. In his heart, he secretly hoped that General Shenwei would achieve merit and demonstrate the might of the Song Dynasty's army.
But if anyone dares to anger the Divine General, the Emperor will likely be the first to punish them. Look at the princess, the most suitable age (sixteen), already being sent to his side. The wealth accumulated by the ministers through gifts even surpasses his own.
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