The box contained a beautiful jade bracelet.
Pure white and translucent, it felt warm to the touch, made of the finest Hetian warm jade.
Sheng Ge was secretly surprised. The King of Ning was notoriously stingy. For so long, he had only offered empty promises, never a decent gift, always seeking to profit without giving anything in return, wanting both favor and wealth. She hadn't expected him to be so generous this time.
However, she soon understood the reason for his generosity.
After she feigned delight and accepted the bracelet, Situ Jue impatiently revealed his true intention—to borrow money for a temporary shortage.
And he asked for a staggering two hundred thousand taels of silver.
Sheng Ge set down the bracelet, the smile on her face disappearing. She poured herself a cup of wine from the small bottle of Jade Brewed Spring, a gift from Ji Jin. "Two hundred thousand taels? Your Highness, this bracelet is far too expensive. Sheng Ge has nothing, she cannot afford it."
"How can you call it buying? This bracelet is to apologize to you," Situ Jue explained. "Those two hundred thousand taels are a loan from you, Your Highness. Don't worry, once my situation stabilizes, I will return it to you intact."
"Your Highness is of noble status. For Sheng Ge to visit your manor, I must enter through the side gate, and even then, I must be verified by three or four servants." Sheng Ge downed the wine and poured a cup for herself and Situ Jue. The clear liquid in the delicate jade cups looked no different from the wine she usually drank.
Her meaning was clear: if meeting her was so difficult, what could she do if he defaulted on the loan?
Situ Jue drew her into his embrace. "With our relationship, would this Prince cheat you?"
Sheng Ge remained silent.
Situ Jue had no intention of repaying the money, so he didn't feel offended by her silence. Instead, he said good-naturedly, "Sheng Ge, it's not fitting for a young lady like you to stay in a brothel all the time. I will find an auspicious day to take you as my concubine. With my protection, no one will dare to bully you."
"Your Highness jokes. Sheng Ge's status is too low; how can I enter the Prince's manor?"
"If I say you can enter, you can enter. It's just taking a concubine. Back then, my father, the Emperor, during his southern tour, even ennobled a woman from the entertainment quarters as an imperial consort. Even with two imperial censors, they wouldn't dare impeach me for this."
Sheng Ge's face turned pale, and she looked as if she were about to cry. "So, in Your Highness's heart, Sheng Ge is only fit to be a concubine."
Situ Jue was taken aback. In his mind, a woman from a pleasure house entering the Ning Prince's manor was already an immense favor. How dare she aspire to the position of a side consort?
Seeing his expression change, Sheng Ge cried even more sorrowfully. "Your Highness, Sheng Ge knows her humble origins. To enter the Ning Prince's manor is already a blessing from a past life. But concubines are for sale, and the main consort is notoriously jealous. If she finds an opportunity one day and has Sheng Ge sold to a low-class brothel, what will become of Sheng Ge? Rather than that, it's better to be a small boss here at De Yi Tower. At least my finances are secure, and no one will humiliate me."
"Would this Prince not be able to protect you?"
Sheng Ge reminded him, "The Concubine Mei in the manor was just forced to miscarry by the main consort a few days ago!"
She didn't, of course, covet the position of the King of Ning's side consort. The main issue was that taking a concubine was too casual; a simple sedan chair brought in completed the ceremony. She didn't want to truly marry into the Ning Prince's manor. But a side consort was different; the various rituals would take at least several months, by which time Situ Jue would have already died from poisoning.
Situ Jue lowered his head and pondered for a while. Exchanging the position of a side consort for Ru Yi Tower and her savings over the past few years was definitely a very worthwhile transaction.
Once she was in the manor, wouldn't she be completely at his mercy?
So he said, "I truly like you. Since you have these concerns, I will grant you the position of side consort."
"Really?" Sheng Ge looked up in disbelief, her eyes full of unexpected surprise.
"A true man's word is his bond. Would this Prince lie to a young woman like you? However, the process of marrying a side consort is rather complicated, and I am in urgent need of this money. I fear I cannot wait that long?"
Sheng Ge mentally scoffed, but outwardly, she appeared deeply touched. "Your Highness cares for Sheng Ge, and Sheng Ge would not dare to trouble you. However, two hundred thousand taels is too much, and it's difficult to gather so quickly. Would one hundred thousand taels suffice?"
It seemed she was still wary of him, hence offering half the amount first.
However, one hundred thousand taels was enough to alleviate his immediate crisis. Situ Jue said, "One hundred thousand taels is barely half. For the other half, it will be much easier for me to find another way."
Sheng Ge raised her cup. "Then, Your Highness, Sheng Ge shall await your bridal sedan here."
How could he refuse such wine? Especially since he had already watched Sheng Ge drink a cup with his own eyes.
Situ Jue cheerfully downed the wine. The蛊 worm, already released, wriggled its slender, pale red body and silently burrowed into Situ Jue's body.