The affair with his sister-in-law that led to his original wife's death.
This scandal from the Ning Prince's mansion provided the capital's populace with gossip for an entire year. Soon, various insidiously worded storybooks, oral recitations, and plays swept through the capital.
Even though this era was remarkably forgiving towards men, Situ Jue always received looks laden with unspoken meanings whenever he ventured out.
For a time, he even grew to resent Consort Jian. If not for her meddling, he would still be under house arrest, spared from enduring this.
Marrying that slut Jian Yu Yan was no different than branding himself with a stain.
The common people's opinions were a minor issue; more importantly, the court officials he had spent so much effort cultivating were now all avoiding him. In the past, with the position of Ning Princess Consort vacant, countless people would have rushed to offer him their daughters.
But now, with his reputation for heartlessness and betrayal spreading throughout the court, let alone a legitimate daughter, even a concubine's daughter was deemed undesirable.
To make matters worse, his father, the Emperor, seemed intent on making his life difficult, assigning him to the Ministry of Works to oversee the progress of new weapon casting. For a dignified prince to be constantly mixing with a group of lowly craftsmen was clearly a move of suppression from his father.
Situ Jue felt quite dejected for some time.
Jian Yu Zi had died too tragically, and Situ Jue had honestly stayed within the mansion for a period. But soon, his despondency on the path to succession overwhelmed his weak self-control.
He began frequenting brothels again, albeit more discreetly than before.
Lingyan Pavilion. Peony Hall.
Situ Jue was drowning his sorrows in wine, with Feng Xin Yao seated beside him. Her smile was as sweet as honey, but inwardly, she was plotting his demise. Unfortunately, Situ Jue, likely due to his many misdeeds, felt threatened everywhere he went.
Even when frequenting brothels, two guards stood diligently by his side. They even took out silver needles to test for poison in every dish or snack served.
Why didn't he just drink himself to death?
Feng Xin Yao thought resentfully, but could only obediently play the role of a devoted confidante.
The Princess Consort had instructed her to subtly reveal the advantages of Lingyan Pavilion. This way, it would pique his interest, leading him to try every means to obtain it. Only then would Feng Xin Yao's value increase.
As for whether she could become important enough for him to let down his guard, that would depend on her own capabilities.
Finally, as Situ Jue emptied another wine pot and, in a drunken stupor, ordered another, Feng Xin Yao made her move. "Your Highness, no matter how unhappy you are, you shouldn't ruin your health. Wine only deepens sorrow; you truly cannot drink any more. If your body were to be harmed, my humble Lingyan Pavilion could not afford the compensation."
"What? Are you also going to disobey this prince now?"
"This concubine naturally wouldn't dare. This concubine is merely worried about Your Highness's health."
"Hmph, do you also think this prince has fallen?"
"Your Highness jokes. No matter how great a fall you experience, it cannot change the fact of your noble status."
"Yes, exactly." Situ Jue suddenly stood up, grabbed the wine pot, and smashed it on the ground.
The silver wine pot did not break, merely rolling a couple of times on the floor before ducking under the table. Situ Jue, still not appeased, cursed fiercely, "That's right, this prince may be down on his luck for now, but I am still a descendant of the phoenix. That damned Tang Chong! I showed him favor, and he dared to refuse me ungratefully. When I rise again, he will be the first I deal with."
Feng Xin Yao frowned. "Tang Chong, the Vice Minister of Works?"
Situ Jue slurred, "You know him?"
Feng Xin Yao covered her mouth and chuckled. "He is a regular patron of our Lingyan Pavilion. It's just a pity he has a shrew at home, otherwise Ru Liu wouldn't still be unable to enter his door."
Situ Jue seemed to have grasped some important information, but he was too drunk to recall it immediately. The potent liquor, Lihua Bai, was taking effect, blurring not only his mind but also his vision.
"Your Highness, perhaps this concubine should help you to rest." Not too drunk, not too early, and he chooses to get drunk now.
Did this fool even grasp the meaning behind her words? Feng Xin Yao, frustrated, reached out to help him, but a guard stepped forward first. "Shengge girl, allow me."
Caution was paramount. Who knew what this woman might do to his master?
The guard did not consider that a brothel madam might try to assassinate Situ Jue, but what if she slipped him an aphrodisiac? His master had no intention of touching her yet.