Drunken Flower Pavilion.
Hongshi was fast asleep, holding Ningxiang in his arms. Most of the food and wine on the table had not been touched, and the wine jar was overturned by the chair leg. If it weren't for the snores coming from the bed, the messy state of the room would have made it look like a thief had been invited.
"Bang, bang, bang..." The madam kept knocking on the door, looking impatient. After a long while, no one came out to open the door. The madam had no choice but to step back and let her assistant pick the lock.
The door opened.
The madam swaggered in with three or four of her assistants, glanced around the room, tiptoed to the bed with disdain, and yanked back the covers.
"Ah...who is it..." Ningxiang, barely clothed, hurriedly covered herself with her hands and hid in Hongshi's arms.
Hongshi calmly opened his eyes, still slightly drunk: "It's so early in the morning, can't a person get any sleep?"
The madam, hands on her hips, chuckled in a strange tone, "Oh dear, I'm so sorry, young master, you've already spent all the deposit you paid yesterday. Drunken Flower Pavilion only let you stay for one night because you're a distinguished guest. How about it..." She gestured for money as she spoke.
The madam gave Ningxiang a wink, and Ningxiang, understanding, immediately nestled sweetly into Hongshi's arms, saying pitifully, "Master, Ningxiang can't bear to part with you... As long as you pay the money, Ningxiang can stay with you..."
Hongshi chuckled, pinched Ningxiang's chin, leaned in and kissed her, saying magnanimously, "It's just money, I have plenty. As long as Miss Ningxiang is happy, she can have as much as she wants..."
Seeing that the deed was done, the madam immediately changed her tune, smiling obsequiously, "Sir, you are truly generous! Ningxiang is the most beautiful courtesan in our Drunken Flower Pavilion. Others have to consider whether Ningxiang is willing to serve them, but now Ningxiang is only willing to serve you. It seems that you are indeed extraordinary, a hero among men..."
"Is that so? I also think highly of Ningxiang. As long as Ningxiang is with me, all my worries will disappear. Wait here, I'm going back to get the money now. Ningxiang can't go anywhere, she has to wait here for me..." Hongshi was completely charmed by the madam and Ningxiang, and left Zuihualou in a daze, preparing to return to his mansion to get the money.
After several days without seeing Hongshi return, as soon as he entered the mansion, the servant hurriedly ran to Ulanara Shuzhen to inform her.
Ignoring the pleas of the servants, Hongshi went straight to the storeroom to withdraw the silver. The accountant took out the ledger, carefully flipped through it several times, and shook his head nervously.
Hongshi was desperate for money. When he saw the accountant shaking his head, he became furious and launched into a tirade: "What's going on? Does this prince not give me money? Quickly... go and collect all my salary..."
The accountant pleaded desperately, "Your Highness, there really is no money left in the manor. This month, Your Highness has spent several thousand taels of cash, and even the money for building the new manor and your salary for the past few months has been used up. Next month's salary won't be available for another ten days or so..."
Hongshi impatiently interrupted him, saying, "You scoundrel! You think you're my family now? You won't give me the money, huh? I have plenty of ways to deal with you..."
At this moment, Hongshi's mind was filled with thoughts of Ningxiang waiting for him at Zuihualou. Only Ningxiang's understanding and gentle nature made Hongshi temporarily forget about the death of Irgen.
Hongshi couldn't care less about anything else now. Without money, he knew he would never see Ningxiang again. He racked his brains trying to figure out how to get the money, when suddenly he remembered something and turned around and rushed to the study...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com