Prefectural Governor's Office
Two enormous stone lions, imposing and majestic, stand guard at the main entrance, while the ground is paved with red brocade to welcome guests.
Inside the magnificent prefectural governor's mansion, the winter plum blossoms were in full bloom, filling the air with their delicate fragrance.
The women were dressed in their finest attire, all so that the Prefect could stay overnight in their courtyard.
However, Madam Zhang, the matriarch of the household, remained unmoved. After arriving late, she sat upright in the head seat, her emotions impossible to discern.
"Madam, almost all the guests have arrived, except for that one person."
"Okay, let's keep waiting."
"This old servant obeys."
As they spoke, the guests took their seats.
These were the wives of the prefect and other officials of all ranks who usually depended on the governor.
What they all had in common was that they brought their concubine daughters with them. The youngest of these daughters was only six years old, and the oldest was only twelve or thirteen. They were all in the prime of their youth.
Zhang sneered inwardly. They're all troublesome; they've got a real scheme up their sleeves!
"Madam Prefect, is there another distinguished guest who has not yet arrived? Why have you been waiting here?"
A self-righteous lady, feigning to stand up for justice, came to test him.
Zhang put down her fragrant tea, flicked her handkerchief, twirled it between her fingertips, and asked casually:
"Madam Qian, why haven't you brought your beloved daughter to the banquet?"
"Well, my daughter has caught a cold and is still resting at home. But Jing Shu wants to go for a stroll around the mansion, and as her legal mother, I naturally grant her wish."
"Oh? Really?"
"Mmm~"
Just as the other ladies hesitated about whether to step forward and make a move, a servant announced—
"A distinguished guest has arrived!"
"Welcome, Lady Jiang!"
Lady Jiang?
Is that the legendary widow, the country bumpkin?
Why did the Prefect's wife invite her to the banquet?
They've arrived.
Zhang smiled knowingly. This Lady of the County was indeed very difficult to invite.
The old woman beside her reached out her hand, and Zhang Shi placed her hand on it, slowly rising and leading the way in a curtsy:
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
Following the governor's wife's statement, the other ladies also stood up in a similar manner and curtsied to the newcomers.
Despite the scrutinizing looks from many, Jiang Yue remained remarkably calm.
No need for formalities.
He was then led to the head seat and sat down with a clear conscience.
Aunt Ge stood behind the Lady with January and February, and the other ladies were arranged in the same way. Their arrangement did not seem out of place.
"It is truly an honor for me that Your Highness has graced me with your presence at the banquet."
Zhang had intended to make sarcastic remarks to retaliate for the embarrassment of being repeatedly refused invitations, but seeing that the visitor was hostile, she withdrew her sharp edge and dealt with the situation cautiously.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Jiang Yue wore a mocking smile, making her an unapproachable figure to anyone who saw her.
However, since the other women were meeting this Lady Jiang for the first time and were unsure of her preferences, they did not dare to speak rashly.
Seeing that Madam Zhang had run into a wall, they became even more cautious in their dealings.
Although it is said that even a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake, why does this young lady seem like a fearless newborn calf?
Lady Zhang was the lawfully wedded wife of Prefect Wang. Even though she had countless lovers outside the marriage, and Prefect Wang had a penchant for collecting young boys and girls, it did not affect the status of this legitimate wife in the slightest...
"nature."
Zhang's smile was almost uncontrollable. For over ten years, since becoming the wife of the prefect, no one had dared to speak to her like that...
For a moment, the atmosphere became quite awkward, but fortunately, the perceptive lady smoothed things over...
At the same time, Wang Sinian woke up from his drunken stupor and rubbed his head, which was throbbing from the hangover.
"Waaaaah~"
The crying in his ears was annoying him, so he gave an order and the person in charge came to get rid of these annoying things.
"Pfft~"
The maids moved about the room like fish. Wang Sinian opened his arms and let the maids serve him as he dressed and washed.
After he finished tidying up, he looked in the mirror and was radiant.
He was overjoyed and said:
"What does the lady do at home?"
The steward bowed and respectfully reported:
"Reporting to the master, the lady is at home, currently hosting a banquet for Lady Jiang."
"Oh? I haven't met this lady before. Perfect, let's go back to the manor and meet her."
Wang Sinian smiled. According to the intelligence, this lady had been widowed for many years and was quite good-looking. Wasn't this a waste of her beauty?
How could he bear to leave a beautiful woman alone in her room? Why not have a little sparring and then take her into his bedchamber? Wouldn't that be wonderful?
......
The table was laden with countless delicacies from land and sea.
Looking around, the Prefectural Governor's Mansion offers a beautiful view at every turn. Not only are precious flowers, plants, and trees neatly arranged, but there are also countless artificial hills and pavilions, all exquisitely beautiful.
This is just the tip of the iceberg; there is still much to explore.
The ladies were all tired from their stroll, so Madam Zhang instructed her maids and servants to lead them to the pavilion in the middle of the lake to watch the song and dance performance.
Yes, the prefect's mansion also kept dancers and singers.
Charcoal stoves were everywhere, and the pavilion in the middle of the lake was covered with a beaded curtain to keep out the wind, making it quite warm.
The dancers and singers, dressed in revealing clothing and shivering from the cold, twirled and leaped on the stage, performing all sorts of alluring and enchanting dance moves.
This type of dance is normally performed for male customers.
At this moment, Zhang took out the food to entertain the female guests, which shows that she didn't have any good intentions.
Which of the women on the field isn't shrewd and calculating?
Zhang's actions were partly a demonstration, but also likely specifically targeted at that Lady Jun.
Jiang Yue watched the song and dance with great interest, and when the dance ended, she clapped and praised it:
"Today has truly been an eye-opening experience!"
"Oh? Has Your Highness seen any other song and dance performances?"
Zhang's smile was ambiguous, her tone carrying a condescending and sarcastic undertone.
"I've seen her. I saw a Western Region dancer in Jinling, but well..."
Jiang Yue reached out and picked up the teacup, lifted the lid, and took a sniff. The tea smelled good, but the host was a coward.
Zhang was curious but reserved enough not to ask. Another woman, observing her expression, took the initiative to inquire:
"But what?"
"However, I had no idea that what was a place of pleasure for men could actually be kept at home..."
Jiang Yue took a sip of the fragrant tea and gave Zhang a meaningful look.
The implication is that Nanjing, being under the emperor's nose, was a place where men sought pleasure only in brothels and singing houses, places akin to sensual pleasures.
Madam Zhang is truly magnanimous; she kept a mistress at home. Is it because she didn't win her husband's heart, or...?
"Madam Zhao, if I may ask, how old are you this year? Why do you have wrinkles around your eyes?"
Not wanting to stir up trouble, Jiang Yue deliberately questioned the woman who was pressing her for answers.
"Thirty... thirty already..."
Madam Zhao reflexively reached up to touch the corner of her eye, remembering that she had spent an hour or so in front of the mirror getting ready before the appointment that morning, but she still couldn't hide the fine lines at the corners of her eyes...
Could it be that she's getting old?
Her youth has faded, her beauty has withered, so lately her husband has stopped coming to her room to sleep.
Thinking of this, she panicked. She couldn't grow old, she didn't want to fall out of favor!
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