Ning Wang Manor
Situ Jue was in a secret discussion with Jian Shizhao: "Your Highness, Ling Yan Pavilion is indeed a good place, but are you sure you don't want to replace Sheng Ge?"
"She's just a woman. As long as I give her what she wants, she'll naturally be useful to me."
"Does Your Highness plan to take her as a concubine?"
"If she behaves, there's no harm in promising her the position of a secondary consort. Don't worry about this matter. I'll make sure she behaves." Women, once their bodies are given to him, their hearts will follow, just like Jian Yuyan. He pondered for a moment and decided to stay at Ling Yan Pavilion tonight.
After being troubled by the Jian sisters and always thinking about his seventh brother's wife, he lost interest in other women. It seemed he would have to endure it tonight.
Fortunately, Sheng Ge's beauty and figure were also top-notch.
A courtesan might be promised the position of a secondary consort, while his own sister was merely a concubine. Jian Shizhao was quite displeased, but he did not show it.
Although his elder sister's actions had been rather drastic and cost him dearly, the Qi Ying Marquis's manor was already trying to make amends. He had realized that Situ Jue was an ungrateful wretch. It seemed he needed to discuss the matter of allegiance with his father again.
Zui Xiang Lou
Situ Yan placed a slice of meat into the copper pot and asked amidst the rising steam: "A Jin, how is Father Emperor's illness progressing? When I recommended you to him, I boasted greatly. You can't drop the ball."
Ji Jin was brushing lamb slices, and after a few seconds, he dipped them into the sauce: "Do you think a medicinal substance like ač (gĒ - worm poison) can be easily used on an emperor?"
"You haven't started yet?"
"No, but it's almost time. I've already finalized the prescription and dosage with several imperial physicians. We should start the medication tomorrow."
Situ Yan was a little nervous: "Are you confident?"
"How many patients have I cured in trials? If it weren't for the patient being the Emperor, I wouldn't need to be this careful." Ji Jin said nonchalantly, taking a bite of lamb.
Ouyang Wen took a sip of wine: "With Ji Jin here, what do you have to worry about? Focus on preparing for the bandit suppression."
Situ Yan asked curiously: "How did you know I was going to suppress bandits?"
"If it weren't for the bandit suppression, why would Meng Changdong go to Shanxi?"
"Tsk tsk, your perceptiveness is wasted if you don't go to the battlefield. Why don't you come with me to Shanxi? Although it's not the battlefield, you can still get a thrill."
Ji Jin smiled: "A Yan, are you truly not afraid of being beaten by the old matriarch?"
Situ Yan immediately changed his mind: "Then forget it. Ouyang, you should stay in the capital and find someone. Listen to me, just find any woman and get married. Once you have offspring, the old matriarch naturally won't care where you go."
Ouyang Wen rolled his eyes: "Do you think no one in my manor has ever been pregnant? Three children, and not one had a chance to be born. Those women, despite their delicate appearances, are more ruthless than anyone when they strike."
Ji Jin was speechless: "When you knew they were pregnant, couldn't you protect them? Did you just let them fight amongst themselves?"
"The problem is, I didn't even know they were pregnant before the child was gone." Ouyang Wen felt increasingly frustrated the more he thought about it.
Situ Yan said: "Serves you right. Who told you to keep so many women in your manor? Too many women, not enough men, it's bound to be a fight."
"Anyway, I have psychological scars now. I see everyone as a poisonous snake. Until this problem is cured, I can't get married. Forget it, let's not talk about this, it's too upsetting. You two eat quickly. After we're done, I'll go to Ling Yan Pavilion for some entertainment."
Situ Yan: ...
"What? Do the women at Ling Yan Pavilion not seem like poisonous snakes?"
"Miss Jinghong's dance is superb, her beauty is perfect, she's most suitable for pleasing the eye."
Situ Yan spat at him.
Ouyang Wen was indifferent. His two friends were relatively well-behaved. He had always been a loner when it came to appreciating beauties at brothels. Unexpectedly, Ji Jin, who had been quietly eating, suddenly spoke: "I recall this Jinghong is a star performer who sells her artistry, not her body."
"Mm."
"Then won't you be able to see but not touch?"
"Nonsense. Who says you have to do anything when you go to a brothel? Can't I just appreciate them?"
Ji Jin thought for a moment: "Then I'll go with you."
Situ Yan: ...
Ouyang Wen: "...A Jin, why are you suddenly so interested today? Could it be you've finally opened up? Don't worry, I'll definitely find you a knowledgeable and sensible courtesan."
"If they're all knowledgeable and sensible, how are they still courtesans? They've probably been through countless experiences."
"You don't understand this. People trained in brothels, even virgins, are as gentle as water. You'll wait to enjoy the pleasure."
Ji Jin rolled his eyes.