Chapter 37
Although the patrons who frequented the Jiao Fang Department weren’t as crude as those in more common places, every now and then there would still be a bold military officer who couldn’t help but grope and flirt right in the hallway. People might glance over curiously, but it wasn’t anything unusual.
So when that passing civil official held the woman in his arms and looked briefly in the direction of Li Zhan and Ji Qingzhou, he didn’t linger.
Even after the flirtatious laughter and teasing between the man and woman in the hallway gradually faded into the distance, Ji Qingzhou still didn’t dare turn his head to look. Instead, he whispered close to Li Zhan’s ear, “They shouldn’t be able to see us anymore, right?”
Ji Qingzhou was so close to Li Zhan that his lips nearly brushed against the curve of Li Zhan’s ear as he spoke.
That faint, almost imperceptible warmth from the youth’s lips startled Li Zhan when it touched the sensitive skin of his ear. His breath caught involuntarily, and the arm he had wrapped around the youth’s body unconsciously tightened.
Ji Qingzhou assumed it was a warning not to move around too much, so he obediently held onto Li Zhan’s neck without daring to shift away.
“All good?” Ji Qingzhou asked in a small voice.
“Mm.” For some reason, Li Zhan’s voice was slightly strained. He let go of the boy in his arms and casually helped him straighten the folds of his slightly disheveled robe. Ji Qingzhou didn’t suspect anything—his bright eyes darted around nervously like a guilty thief, clearly afraid someone might have seen them.
Li Zhan couldn’t help but find his reaction amusing and said, “Even if someone saw us, it’s not a big deal. No need to be scared.”
“I’m just worried the gossip will reach the ears of those censorial officials. Then they’ll come pester you again,” Ji Qingzhou replied, looking up at him. “Don’t you always say they’re annoying with all their constant nagging?”
Li Zhan’s eyes lit with amusement as he listened. He led the youth down the corridor. But just as they turned a corner, two people suddenly appeared from around the bend. One was a tall military man, the other a pretty young woman. They were whispering to each other and didn’t notice Ji Qingzhou and Li Zhan, but Ji Qingzhou and Li Zhan saw them clearly.
Ji Qingzhou, who went to court daily, recognized the military officer at once—it was Gu Yiheng, the commander of the Imperial Guards.
Though Gu Yiheng wasn’t as aggravating as those civil officials, it was still awkward running into someone familiar.
This time, Ji Qingzhou reacted quickly. Before Li Zhan could do anything, he grabbed him and pulled him toward the wall, thinking to use the same trick as before to hide. But he hadn’t realized the spot he chose was actually in front of a door. As he pulled Li Zhan back, the door suddenly swung open, and Ji Qingzhou stumbled backward into the room. Fortunately, Li Zhan had quick reflexes and caught him just in time to steady him.
“That was close!” Ji Qingzhou clutched Li Zhan’s robe, hiding his face behind Li Zhan’s shoulder, peeking out with just his eyes. Outside the door, Gu Yiheng looked inside, puzzled, then left with the woman without saying a word.
Ji Qingzhou finally let out a breath of relief and muttered, “There are way too many familiar faces around here.”
“Yeah,” Li Zhan let him cling to him, one hand still resting on Ji Qingzhou’s lower back, not moving. He whispered, “In such a short time, that’s already the third one.”
“Three? Wasn’t it two?” Ji Qingzhou looked up at him in confusion. Then, following Li Zhan’s gaze, he turned around—only to see a girl standing inside the room. Her eyes were red, and she held a dagger in her hand, staring at them in shock.
Ji Qingzhou: …
The girl: …
“Sorry to bother you… we entered the wrong room.” Ji Qingzhou smiled awkwardly, only then realizing he was still clutching Li Zhan’s clothes and quickly let go. Li Zhan also quietly withdrew his hand from Ji Qingzhou’s waist and looked toward the girl.
Her eyes never left Ji Qingzhou. Her shocked expression gradually shifted to disbelief, then transformed into joy as she took a few steps forward. Tears filled her eyes and spilled over.
Ji Qingzhou now had a clear look at the girl. She looked to be around fifteen or sixteen, with fair skin and delicate features. There wasn’t a trace of vulgarity in her appearance—on the contrary, she had the grace of a noble young lady.
What shocked Ji Qingzhou most was that she looked surprisingly similar to him—perhaps three or four parts alike. Her features were softer and carried the unique charm of a young woman, while Ji Qingzhou’s were sharper and more handsome with the vibrant edge of youth.
His heart skipped a beat—he had a sudden realization.
No wonder Li Zhan said it was someone familiar. This girl was… his sister?
“Second Brother…” the girl rushed forward and hugged Ji Qingzhou tightly, bursting into tears.
Ji Qingzhou instinctively looked at Li Zhan. Li Zhan gave him a small nod and quietly closed the door, though he remained inside.
“I had been thinking maybe it would be better to just die… that would be better than falling into disgrace and bringing shame to our Ji family,” the girl choked out, still clutching the dagger. “But if I killed myself, I’d bring misfortune to you and eldest brother. I didn’t know what to do anymore… I’m not dreaming, am I? Second Brother… you really came to see me?”
Ji Qingzhou’s thoughts whirled. He finally came to his senses.
This girl was indeed the Ji family’s third young lady, Ji Qinglan. In a sense, she was his sister.
“Don’t cry. Give me the knife.” Ji Qingzhou gently took the dagger from her and said, “I’m here now. Don’t be afraid.”
Ji Qinglan clearly wasn’t a weak-willed girl. After her outburst, she calmed down quickly, wiped her tears, and respectfully bowed to Li Zhan. Li Zhan gave a small nod in return but said nothing, leaving the conversation to Ji Qingzhou.
“Second Brother, are you doing well in the palace? Have you been mistreated?” Ji Qinglan asked, still choked up, yet worried for him.
Ji Qingzhou used his sleeve to wipe away her tears and said softly, “Don’t worry about me. I should be the one apologizing for not coming to see you sooner…”
“Second Brother,” Ji Qinglan held his hand tightly and said with determination, “It’s been so hard for us to reunite. Let’s not talk like that. Do you have news of Eldest Brother? He’s never left the capital before, and the road to the northwest is so far—I don’t even know if he’s safe…”
Ji Qingzhou nodded. The Ji family’s eldest son had indeed sent a message through Li Zhan, saying he had safely arrived in the northwest. Ji Qingzhou immediately told her, assuring her not to worry.
Perhaps it was the bond of blood. Even though Ji Qingzhou and Ji Qinglan had never met before, just this one encounter stirred a strong protective instinct within him.
Despite her young age and all she had been through, Ji Qinglan’s first concern upon seeing him wasn’t to beg for help but to worry about her brothers’ safety. Ji Qingzhou felt deeply moved—and heartbroken.
“Miss Lan… it’s almost time.” A knock came from the door. A woman’s voice followed, “Shall I help you change and fix your hair?”
“No need. I’m coming,” Ji Qinglan answered.
Once the person outside had left, Ji Qinglan let go of Ji Qingzhou and respectfully knelt in front of Li Zhan. He reached out to help her up, but Ji Qinglan spoke first, “Wang Ye, I can never repay the kindness you’ve shown the Ji family. I will pray for your safety for the rest of my life. Now that Second Brother has your protection, even our father in heaven can rest in peace. I only beg you to take good care of him.”
She wasn’t sure what relationship Li Zhan and Ji Qingzhou had, given how close they had seemed earlier.
But since they appeared here together, she knew Li Zhan was no enemy.
After saying this, Ji Qinglan tried to bow again, but Li Zhan helped her up.
She didn’t resist. Instead, she walked over and hugged Ji Qingzhou again. Then she leaned in and whispered, “Don’t let anyone see you came here. And don’t worry about me. You’re Wang Ye’s person now—just stay by his side and take care of yourself.”
With that, Ji Qinglan stood up, exited the room, and quietly shut the door behind her.
Ji Qingzhou stood there, dazed, unable to react for a long time…
According to the law, they were both convicted criminals, and siblings weren’t allowed to meet privately. If someone saw them together, it would bring trouble to Ji Qingzhou. Ji Qinglan didn’t know the extent of his relationship with Li Zhan and didn’t want him taking risks for her—so she said what she did.
“She must’ve been hoping I would rescue her, right?” Ji Qingzhou smiled bitterly. “What kind of older brother am I, letting her worry about me instead?”
Before, Ji Qingzhou had thought helping Ji Qinglan would just be a passing favor. But now he felt a genuine sense of protectiveness. By this point, there was no longer any distinction between him and the Ji Qingzhou of the book. With the Ji family’s blood running in his veins, there was no way he could stand by and do nothing.
“Wang Ye…” Ji Qingzhou turned to look at Li Zhan—only to find that his expression looked a little off.
Startled, Ji Qingzhou rushed to support him and asked, “Wang Ye, are you all right?”
Li Zhan furrowed his brow and sat down at a nearby table. His face was tinged with red, and his breathing was slightly unsteady. Ji Qingzhou reached out to touch his forehead, but Li Zhan caught his hand and gently pushed it aside.
“Wang Ye…” Ji Qingzhou asked anxiously.
“It’s nothing serious. The incense and lamp oil used in the Jiao Fang Department were laced with something—that was my oversight,” Li Zhan said hoarsely.
Ji Qingzhou: …
Seriously? He got drugged again?
But why didn’t he feel anything at all?
Ji Qingzhou quickly realized the reason. The substances used in places like this were likely meant to enhance the atmosphere, not to cause overpowering effects. The dosage must’ve been mild. Plus, seeing how it had no effect on Ji Qinglan at all, it probably only worked on vigorous, desire-driven men—so naturally, it had almost no effect on Ji Qingzhou.
He recalled how, last time in Fengxian Pavilion, Li Zhan had reacted far more strongly to the drug than he did. Even the young lady from the Qiu family hadn’t shown any reaction.
That could only mean… the Regent had very urgent needs in certain areas!
Ji Qingzhou silently came to this conclusion…….
Fortunately, judging by Li Zhan’s current state, he only looked mildly uncomfortable—it wasn’t like the last time when he lost all control. That thought alone brought Ji Qingzhou some relief.
“If the incense and lamp oil are drugged, would stepping outside help a little?” Ji Qingzhou asked.
Li Zhan lifted his eyes to look at him. There was a complex emotion in that gaze, and Ji Qingzhou only understood it after a pause…
Li Zhan had clearly become aroused. And in this hot weather, with thin clothing, walking out like that… would be extremely awkward. It might even draw unwanted attention.
“Then maybe…” Ji Qingzhou glanced at him. Seeing that Li Zhan was working hard to regulate his breathing and suppress his urges, yet the incense in the room continued to emit that aphrodisiac, it seemed the situation wouldn’t improve anytime soon. The only solution would be…
Let the Regent… relieve himself.
But Ji Qingzhou couldn’t bring himself to say that aloud.
With Ji Qinglan already gone, if they delayed any longer and someone bought her, that would be a disaster!
“Wang Ye…” Ji Qingzhou began, his expression twisted with inner turmoil.
Li Zhan naturally knew what he was thinking. He frowned, stayed quiet for a moment, and finally said, “Turn around and cover your ears.”
Ji Qingzhou: …
Honestly, he would rather wait outside. Staying in here just felt far too awkward. But the risk of running into someone familiar outside was too high. If anyone saw him, rumors might spread that a eunuch had been seen frequenting a brothel, and soon the entire Yinghui Pavilion would become the talk of the town.
Thinking of that, Ji Qingzhou had no choice but to walk over to the door, turn his back to Li Zhan, and cover his ears with his hands.
Half a stick of incense’s time passed…
Then a whole stick of incense…
Then half a cup of tea’s time…
Then a full cup of tea…
Ji Qingzhou was growing increasingly anxious, yet there was still no sign that Li Zhan had finished.
He vaguely recalled hearing somewhere that if someone was affected by such drugs, sometimes external stimulation was needed to help release the effects—handling it alone might not be effective. If that was the case, then things wouldn’t be resolved like this…
Time was ticking away. If they delayed any longer, Ji Qinglan’s fate might already be sealed.
Ji Qingzhou let out a long sigh, gritted his teeth, and said, “Wang Ye… how about I help?”
Li Zhan: …
After a short silence, Ji Qingzhou uncovered his ears and turned his head slightly to look back at Li Zhan. The Regent was sitting in the chair with his back to him. He didn’t say anything, nor did he refuse—his silence seemed to imply consent.
Ji Qingzhou: …
As strange and awkward as it was, for Ji Qinglan’s sake, he was willing to do whatever it took.
…
After half a stick of incense had passed, Ji Qingzhou picked up a cloth, handed it to Li Zhan, then discreetly wiped his own hands.
Thanks to that tael of silver Li Zhan had given earlier, the madam had indeed saved the best private seat for them.
Once Ji Qingzhou and Li Zhan were seated inside, the performance on the distant stage had just concluded—Ji Qinglan had finished playing a tune.
Everyone familiar with the Jiao Fang Department knew the drill: after a girl’s performance, it was customary for the guests to begin vying for her without needing any prompting from the host.
Whenever a girl had her debut performance—her first day accepting patrons—she was always in high demand.
Ji Qingzhou found the whole custom rather distasteful, but to rescue Ji Qinglan, he had no choice but to join the fray with the rest of them.
“Fuliu.”
A woman’s voice called out, reporting the name of a certain private room.
Ji Qingzhou didn’t quite understand how the bidding worked and instinctively turned to Li Zhan. He found Li Zhan staring back at him with an unabashedly heated gaze. When their eyes met, Li Zhan calmly looked away and said in a light voice, “Go out and tell the attendant—no matter what amount others offer, we’ll add a hundred taels more.”
Ji Qingzhou didn’t stop to think and immediately got up to relay Li Zhan’s message to the maid waiting outside.
After returning to his seat, he heard a woman outside report the name of their room: “Lanyue.”
Soon, several other room names were called out. The voices rose and fell, but eventually only two names remained: “Fuliu” and “Lanyue.”
Ji Qingzhou was beginning to understand. It seemed these officials found it unseemly to call out silver amounts directly. Instead, they reported the names of their private rooms. The attending maids would ask them how much they wanted to add to the bid. The bidding would continue until one side could no longer raise their offer.
“Fuliu.”
“Lanyue.”
The calls continued. Ji Qingzhou was getting anxious. He asked the maid at the door, “What’s the current bid?”
“Nine thousand one hundred taels,” she replied.
Ji Qingzhou gasped sharply. As a sixth-rank chief eunuch, his monthly salary was only twenty taels. And now, in just a short while, the price had been driven up to nine thousand one hundred!
“The gentleman in Fuliu added another five hundred,” another maid came over and said.
“Would you like to add more, sir?” the maid at the door asked Ji Qingzhou. “It’s already at nine thousand six hundred.”
Ji Qingzhou clenched his teeth and said, “Add.”
“Lanyue adds another hundred taels,” the maid at the door replied.
The other maid, having received the new bid, immediately rushed off to the door of “Fuliu” to report it.
Ji Qingzhou wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and returned to sit beside Li Zhan. He asked, “Wang Ye, all this silver…”
“You can pay it off slowly. I’m in no hurry,” Li Zhan said flatly.
Ji Qingzhou let out a sigh of relief. It seemed he would be working his entire life just to pay off this debt to the Regent. With a monthly salary of only twenty taels, that made two hundred forty a year, two thousand four hundred in ten years… If he lived to seventy or eighty and Li Zhan didn’t charge interest, he might just manage to pay it off before death.
“Fuliu.”
“Lanyue.”
The voices outside kept going. Whoever was in the other private room seemed hell-bent on competing with Ji Qingzhou. He’d long since lost count of the silver being added and could only keep wiping the sweat from his brow.
Li Zhan turned his gaze on Ji Qingzhou. The youth was so tense at the moment he hadn’t even noticed. So Li Zhan took the opportunity to unabashedly study him—his smooth forehead, elegant brows and eyes, his straight nose, and finally those slightly pursed lips…
He couldn’t stop himself from recalling that earlier moment—when Ji Qingzhou leaned close to whisper at his neck, his lips lightly brushing his skin. That sensation lingered vividly in his memory. And later, when the youth helped him relieve the effects of the drug, that long, cool, fair hand…
“Hu….” Li Zhan exhaled slowly and tried to think of something else, but his gaze kept drifting back to Ji Qingzhou. Damn that incense—it really was far too potent.
“Lanyue.”
At last, after a short while, the name “Fuliu” was no longer called out.
Ji Qingzhou finally relaxed and turned to Li Zhan. “They stopped!”
“Mm.” Li Zhan looked at the youth and, seeing the smile finally appear on his face, couldn’t help the slight warmth that crept into his own eyes.
Moments later, the maid entered and said to Ji Qingzhou, “Young Master, the final total is forty-seven thousand six hundred taels.”
Ji Qingzhou: !!!
He nearly stopped breathing.
Forty-seven thousand six hundred taels!!!
He’d need over two hundred years to pay that back…
“Bring Miss Lan over,” Li Zhan instructed calmly. “Someone will settle the payment shortly.”
The maid gave a curtsy and withdrew. After all, the guests here all held official posts—no one dared default. If the Jiao Fang Department reported someone for failing to pay, their career in the capital would be over.
“Forty thousand… forty-seven thousand six hundred…” Ji Qingzhou felt his breath catch and turned to Li Zhan, face pale. “That much silver… I…”
“That’s not something you need to worry about right now,” Li Zhan interrupted.
Ji Qingzhou blinked. “Then what should I worry about?”
Li Zhan fixed his gaze on him, his expression unreadable, and after a moment said lightly, “She’s a girl of the Jiao Fang Department. You can’t buy her freedom. Today marks her coming of age. You’ll need to spend the night here so everyone knows she now has a protector. Only then will others stop coveting her.”
Ji Qingzhou nodded. The Regent was right. He had been so stunned by the price that he’d stopped thinking clearly. Now reminded, he realized this was only the first hurdle. Since they couldn’t redeem her outright, they’d have to make long-term plans.
“Young Master, the payment’s been settled under the name of Chi Zhou from the Court of Judicial Review. Is that correct?” another maid entered and asked Ji Qingzhou.
He suddenly remembered he had used the Chi Zhou waist token and nodded quickly. “Yes, that’s right.”
“Young Master is quite generous,” the maid said. “According to our customs, Miss Lan may be sent to your residence to serve. She will return to the Jiao Fang Department in a month.”
Ji Qingzhou froze. He hadn’t expected this sort of arrangement. He turned to look at Li Zhan in surprise.
Li Zhan raised an eyebrow and said, “Then send Miss Lan to Assistant Minister Chi’s residence.”
Ji Qingzhou: …
They could do that???
After the maid left, Ji Qingzhou leaned closer and asked in a low voice, “What now? Won’t this cause trouble for Assistant Minister Chi?”
“It’s fine,” Li Zhan said. “He’s one of mine. If I trouble him a little, so what?”
Ji Qingzhou: …
Well, that did make sense. Still, he felt a little guilty.
Fortunately, in Dayu, such dalliances weren’t considered shameful. Whether civil or military officials, visiting the Jiao Fang Department wasn’t unusual. He just hoped Assistant Minister Chi didn’t have a wife at home—this could complicate things emotionally…
Too much had happened in one night. Ji Qingzhou was exhausted.
One moment he was panicking about the forty-seven thousand taels, the next he worried about Assistant Minister Chi, then about how he’d help Ji Qinglan escape her situation in the future…
“So we don’t need to stay the night at the Jiao Fang Department anymore?” Ji Qingzhou asked once he finally processed everything.
Li Zhan answered with a hum and avoided meeting the youth’s eyes—only to have his gaze land, unintentionally, on the youth’s hands.
Ji Qingzhou guessed that most of the crowd had dispersed outside and asked, “Should we leave now?”
“Mm.” Li Zhan responded again, but remained seated.
Ji Qingzhou looked puzzled, glancing at Li Zhan as if asking silently, Are we going or not?
Li Zhan raised an eyebrow, looking a bit awkward, then glanced over at the oil lamp burning in the room.
Ji Qingzhou froze, then noticed the faint redness at the corners of Li Zhan’s eyes and his slightly uneven breathing. The scene was all too familiar. Ji Qingzhou silently cursed—this was bad. He instinctively glanced down at Li Zhan…
Ji Qingzhou: …
Even the oil lamps in this private room were drugged???
The Jiao Fang Department truly had no bottom line!
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