Shen Jia had already completely removed Yang Shujing from her heart on the day of her third-day homecoming, so she was completely unmoved by Yang Shujing's words.
She was ready to go, and she wanted to see just how shameless Yang Shujing was, that he could do such a despicable thing in front of her.
Anyway, it's the Marquis of Wuding's family that's losing face, so what does it have to do with her?
Following Yang Shujing, they entered the third floor of Lanquyuan, where Lan's mother quickly and warmly greeted them.
"Young Master Yang, hehe, you've arrived. I'll call Chunhua over right away."
Lan's mother held the handkerchief between her fingers, her plump hips swaying back and forth. Her eyes caught sight of Shen Jia in her fine clothes, and her expression changed almost imperceptibly. Then she looked at Yang Shujing with a troubled expression.
"Young Master Yang, aren't the girls at our Lanqu Garden beautiful? And who is this...?"
Lan's mother asked awkwardly, and Yang Shujing pulled Shen Jia into his arms and introduced her, "Lan's mother, this is my wife. She's here today to learn how to serve a man. You know I have high standards!"
Yang Shujing looked down at Chen Jia in his arms, chuckled, and raised his hand to pinch the woman's chin, looking quite amused.
Upon hearing that the person opposite her was actually the mistress of the Marquis's mansion, Madam Lan couldn't help but cough awkwardly twice and said with a forced smile, "Hehehe, Young Master Yang really has a unique interest. Shall I go and call Chunhua?"
Lan's mother stared directly at the two of them and tentatively asked.
Yang Shujing waved her hand impatiently, "Go, go, hurry up..."
With Yang Shujing's permission, Lan's mother said "Yes" and turned to call out to Chunhua across the street.
Lan's mother runs Lanquyuan in Kyoto, where many high-ranking officials and nobles come to visit. She is shrewd and ruthless, and she also has an improper relationship with a certain court official.
In short, Lanquyuan has always been able to stand firm because it has always been protected by influential people.
After Yang Shujing led Shen Jia and Chunhua into the room, Lan's mother quickly went downstairs, walked around several corridors, passed through a rockery, and then pushed open the door to a quaint little courtyard.
"My lord..."
Lan's mother's voice suddenly became more charming. She was only in her early thirties, with a very good appearance and a knack for dressing up. She looked much younger than the wives of officials.
Most importantly, she possessed a greater charm and allure than the others.
As Lan's mother ventured deeper inside, she saw Marquis Wuding standing by the window, his gaze fixed on a weeping crabapple tree outside.
The crabapple blossom is the national flower of the Chu Kingdom, and also his mother's favorite flower.
Marquis Wuding felt a pang of sadness when he thought of his mother, who had never been able to return to her homeland before her death.
Hearing someone enter, he quickly composed himself and put on a friendly expression.
When Lan's mother was still a dancer, she admired Marquis Wuding. However, the two were of vastly different social status, and Marquis Wuding was destined to marry only a woman of equal social standing.
But Marquis Wuding was good at coaxing people, and he coaxed Lan Mama into focusing all her attention on him. Even after he married someone else, Lan Mama was still willing to do things for Marquis Wuding.
The Lanqu Garden was later taken over by Lan Mama, and it transformed from a purely brothel into a place where Marquis Wuding gathered intelligence and held secret meetings with spies.
Marquis Wuding's ambition to seize power grew ever stronger. He wanted to become emperor and rule the world, so he made even greater use of the convenience of Lanqu Garden.
"Lanxin, you're here?"
The man spoke gently, walked over and embraced her, pointing to the crabapple tree and said softly, "Once the situation is settled, I will never let you down again. At that time, you will be the most honored imperial concubine outside the palace."
"Give me a few more children, and they will be princes and princesses. I can give you anything except the position of empress."
Lan's mother leaned against the man's chest with her eyes closed, a happy smile on her face...
Meanwhile, Yang Shujing, who was upstairs, had Shen Jia watch him and Chunhua drinking for a while, and then felt that having someone standing in the room was really an eyesore.
"Alright, alright, you go out first and wait for me downstairs!"
Yang Shujing waved his hand impatiently, and Shen Jia turned and left as if nothing had happened.
Stepping out of the room, she snorted coldly, her eyes filled with murderous intent. Yang Shujing had humiliated her like this, and she was even less likely to let him get away with it.
Just as she was about to go downstairs, her gaze was suddenly drawn to a strangely dressed figure.
Shen Jia had a strange feeling that this person had appeared in the Marquis's residence before, but she hadn't paid much attention to it then.
Now she saw this person again in Lanqu Garden. She originally wanted to find out the secrets of the Marquis's mansion. A few days ago, Shen Yun also told her to pay more attention to Marquis Wuding.
With this in mind, she composed herself and quickly went downstairs.
She had just seen the man slip into the backyard on the first floor. With so many people coming and going drinking and carousing, she blended into the backyard without anyone noticing. The servants just thought she was a new girl from Lanqu Garden.
Shen Jia proceeded cautiously, using the ancient trees as cover, and eventually followed them to a secluded courtyard.
The person suddenly turned around, and Shen Jia was almost discovered, but luckily she was quick and instantly hid behind the artificial hill.
Once the person was sure they weren't being followed, they immediately slipped into the room. Shen Jia quickened her pace and followed, hiding in a bush where they wouldn't be easily spotted.
At this moment, Marquis Wuding was still holding Lan Mama in the room, chatting away. Hearing the noise, he hurriedly let her go.
Turning around, he saw that the person who came in was Chu Han. He nodded to Lan's mother, and Lan's mother tactfully left the room.
Inside the room, Marquis Wuding and Chu Han sat facing each other.
Chu Han was a spy sent by the emperor of Chu to relay messages between the emperor and Marquis Wuding.
He learned of the Chu Emperor's plan from Chu Han. The Chu Emperor knew that Xiao Xuan was not easy to deal with, so he wanted to place his daughter Chu Mo next to Xiao Xuan.
"You mean you want me to put pressure on the Crown Prince in court to make him take a concubine?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Jia outside the house trembled and accidentally stepped on a few broken tiles.
Marquis Wuding's eyes narrowed instantly, and he quickly got up and ran towards the window.
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