36: Looking for Yuan Meng? It'll cost extra!

Chapter 36: Looking for Yuan Meng? That'll cost extra!

The next day, Jing Wang Manor.

Li Chang'an arrived at Jing Wang Manor. Li Zhi, Prince Jing was meticulously tending to his flower beds, his movements practiced and skilled, clearly an expert.

Name: Li Zhi, Prince Jing

Age: 38

Realm: Eighth-Rank Peak

Talent: Farming (Eighth-Rank), Poetry (Third-Rank)

Abilities: Socializing (Fifth-Rank), Politics (Third-Rank), Poetry (Fifth-Rank), Farming (Sixth-Rank)

Affection: 90

Li Zhi, Prince Jing's martial arts had made no progress, and his socializing ability had not only failed to improve but had actually dropped two ranks since his youth.

It seems Prince Jing's reclusive lifestyle over the years, after completely laying flat, had led to a regression.

However, his poetry ability had improved, and his farming ability had gone from non-existent straight to Sixth-Rank.

“Congratulations, Second Brother, for finally finding a career you love!”

Li Zhi, Prince Jing looked up, revealing a simple, weathered smile like an old farmer.

When he saw the scroll in Wang Qinian's arms behind Li Chang'an, his smile grew even wider.

“Third Brother has arrived. Wait a moment in the main hall. Second Brother will tidy up and be right there.”

Li Chang'an hadn't sat long in the main hall before Li Zhi, Prince Jing, having changed his clothes, came out with a smile.

Prince Jing didn't say a word. He first walked up to Wang Qinian and snatched the painting and calligraphy.

He unrolled the scroll, his expression a little disappointed. “The painting and calligraphy you gave Fan Jian had both poetry and a painting. Why does Second Brother only get poetry!”

Count Sinan and Prince Jing had been close since childhood, so Fan Jian must have shown off that piece of calligraphy to Li Zhi, Prince Jing.

Li Chang'an calmly said, “Second Brother, this is different.”

“The painting and calligraphy I gave to Fan Manor were for Ruo Ruo, and had nothing to do with Count Sinan.”

“But this poem, it's for you, and it's a new poem!”

Li Chang'an never claimed his poems were plagiarized; no one would believe him anyway, and it would still be attributed to him, so why bother with the extra effort.

Li Zhi, Prince Jing quickly said, “Fan Jian has a daughter, and I have a daughter too! You should give Roujia a painting as well. She's your own niece!”

Li Chang'an pouted and said, “Since she's a blood niece, why bother with a gift?”

If it were a fake niece without blood ties, like Lin Wan'er, Li Chang'an wouldn't mind carefully nurturing her.

Li Zhi, Prince Jing slowly recited the new poem: “From the side, a Peak; from the front, a range. Far or near, high or low, it looks different. One cannot see the true face of Mount Lu, simply because one is in the midst of the mountain.”

“The poem is well-written. At least it's not the usual melancholic spring, sorrowful autumn, or beautiful women's faces. You've made some progress.”

Although Li Zhi, Prince Jing said this, the expression on his face was incredibly excited. He grinned, showing his teeth, and laughed for a long time before sitting down.

“The Second Prince is about to enter politics. You two are the same age, and His Majesty might have arrangements for you too.”

Li Chang'an knew that Emperor Qing had already started using Li Chengze as a whetstone.

“Second Brother, can't I be like you, hiding in the manor every day? You plant flowers, I listen to music—how delightful!”

Li Zhi, Prince Jing's face darkened. He glanced at Wang Qinian, and Li Chang'an waved his hand, sending Old Wang out.

“You've been a prodigy since childhood. With your current reputation, will His Majesty let you idle?”

“His Majesty's thoughts are so profound. I handled many matters back then; I wasn't always idle.”

“But later, after the Crown Prince grew up, I also grew tired of political affairs, and I wasn't skilled in this Dao, so His Majesty allowed me to leave...”

Prince Jing's words were true, but not entirely complete; his distance from the imperial court was also related to Ye Qingmei's tragic death.

In fact, Li Chang'an currently didn't want to get deeply involved in the imperial court because the Net wasn't fully established yet.

Without the support of a mature intelligence agency, he would be very passive in the imperial court.

Many so-called power struggles were, in essence, merely information asymmetry.

He needed to personally visit the Net branches in various places, help them truly recruit talented individuals with intelligence aptitude, and fully establish the Net in Southern Qing and Northern Qi.

However, this matter was currently just an idea; its implementation would require adapting to circumstances and finding a pretext to push it forward.

He came to Prince Jing, of course, to ask Prince Jing to speak on his behalf and bring Liu Shuyan out of the palace.

“Second Brother, I want to bring Mother out of the palace.”

Li Chang'an got straight to the point. Prince Jing fell silent for a moment upon hearing this. “According to custom, you can only bring Imperial Concubine Liu out to live out her golden years after she reaches an advanced age.”

Li Chang'an directly stated his idea, “But I am ignorant and unruly, and I need someone to discipline me.”

Li Zhi, Prince Jing was unimpressed. “You've even invited virtuous courtesan to sing in the manor, and His Majesty didn't think you were unruly.”

Li Chang'an knew that, deep down, His Majesty wished Li Chang'an would be even more unruly, preferably indulging in wine and women with no great ambitions.

“Hongcheng has recently been very close with a courtesan, and I expect he's exhausted daily. As his uncle, I feel extremely pained.”

“I'm afraid his body won't be able to take it. How about I help you beat him up, so he can rest for a while?”

Li Chang'an's meaning was that he would go cause a ruckus in the Brothel and beat up Li Hongcheng. This should count as unruly, right?

Li Zhi, Prince Jing slapped his thigh, his expression somewhat excited. “There's such a good thing! You just hit him!”

“That idiot hasn't even fully grown, yet he doesn't know how to take care of himself. Just don't beat him to death!”

“After you've beaten him, I'll go complain to His Majesty! I'll say you committed assault and need someone to discipline you!”

... A few days later, Liujing River Red Light District, Brothel Street.

This day was the day before Si Lili was scheduled to open her doors to receive guests.

Li Chang'an rode directly to Drunken Immortal Tavern, which was the most popular Brothel in the capital.

As he reached the entrance, Li Chang'an suddenly turned. “Old Wang, you don't need to go in.”

Wang Qinian swallowed hard, exclaiming in regret!

Li Chang'an, accompanied by Xiren and Qingwen, who were disguised as men, entered Zui Xian Ju and immediately saw a large crowd of women.

Qingwen couldn't help but pout in grievance; these women were truly far inferior to her and her sisters.

She was somewhat perplexed as to why His Highness, with readily available women in his manor, would come here to pick wild flowers.

Li Chang'an's attire was luxurious, and his demeanor elegant, clearly indicating he was a son of a wealthy family.

A few Young Masters, embracing women, passed by and couldn't help but mock him.

“Who's this? He looks a bit familiar.”

“With such a pair of Heavenly Immortal twin maids, yet he still comes to a Brothel? He must be crazy!”

“Not necessarily. Maybe he's tired of what he has and wants to try something new.”

“Damn it, I'm so envious!”

... Li Chang'an had never invited the courtesans from Zui Xian Ju to sing in his manor; he always invited those from song and dance halls, not Brothels.

So, it was unlikely anyone here had seen him in person.

Soon, a charming old madam, still graceful, warmly greeted him.

“Young Master, you're a new face. Do you have any familiar ladies you'd like to see?”

Li Chang'an curiously looked around. Several passing Brothel women eagerly cast seductive glances his way.

He casually said, “I don't have any familiar... *cough cough*!”

The old madam's expression was slightly awkward. She assumed Li Chang'an had never been here before, and calling the girls 'prostitutes' was a bit undignified.

“Young Master, so this is your first time. This elder sister will introduce you to some popular ladies.”

Li Chang'an coughed twice, covering up his slight embarrassment from just now. “This Young Master is looking for Yuan Meng!”

The old madam looked troubled. “Young Master is looking for Yuan Meng... A courtesan generally doesn't receive new guests!”

“Yuan Meng is exceptionally talented in both beauty and art, renowned throughout the capital. If Young Master truly wishes to see her... *hee hee*!”

“It'll cost extra! Two thousand taels of silver for one hour!”

Two hours' expense was equivalent to Fan Jian's twenty years of salary, and this was for a virtuous courtesan.

Li Chang'an lazily said, “Stop with the nonsense. Do I look like I lack money?”

The old madam forced a smile, making a money-demanding gesture with two fingers.

“Young Master, you haven't been here before, so you don't know the rules. You need to pay with silver notes first...”

Li Chang'an's expression froze, somewhat surprised, then he became stern.

“Nonsense! In such a proper, high-end establishment, of course, payment should be made after service!”

“You're already quite old. Do you have any discernment?! Do you know how to do business?! Do you understand the rules?!”

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