Inside, Xing Muzheng was in the middle of taking off his outer robe when he saw the twins walk in. He said coldly, “Get out.”
Yanluo quickly bowed. “Madam sent us to assist the Marquis in changing.”
Xing Muzheng furrowed his brow slightly. Zhen Hao stepped in to smooth things over, gently saying, “Your lord doesn’t need assistance changing. Wait outside.”
Yuluo tugged at Yanluo and returned to the hall, only to find that Qian Jiaoniang was no longer there. Yuluo complained, “Sister, you’re really lowering yourself. We’re the famed flower courtesans of Minghu—one appears every three years! So many officials and nobles have spent fortunes on us. Even entering the Marquis’s household, we’re to be noble concubines. If we bear children, we’ll become titled secondary wives. Why lower yourself to act like a servant?”
Yanluo gave a bitter smile. “Noble or low, a concubine is still a concubine. And all concubines are but servants. You mustn’t think that way. Being a flower courtesan sounds glamorous, but we’re still only playthings for men’s pleasure. To be admitted to the back courtyard of a great hero like the Marquis is already a blessing beyond compare. We must know our place and not act out.”
Yuluo didn’t agree. “Even if he’s a great hero, he’s still just a man. You’ll see—within days, this great general will be captivated by us.”
She spoke with conviction, but Yanluo’s brows furrowed and she gently shook her head.
Inside, Zhen Hao was rummaging through the trunks, selecting clothes for Xing Muzheng. He also mentioned that he’d prepared two more trunks of cloaks and one of shoes, urging him to take them back.
Xing Muzheng bent down, picked out an outfit, and quickly removed his belt. “This time I’ll accept the clothing and items—but I want one more thing from you.”
Zhen Hao instantly sprang up. “What is it? Just say it, Brother. Even if I had ten of it, I wouldn’t give you only nine.” It was the first time Xing Muzheng had ever asked him for something. Of course he was excited.
Xing Muzheng stared at him and opened his mouth, seemingly hesitant. But after thinking it over, he figured only this guy might have what he needed. He motioned for Zhen Hao to lean in and whispered something in his ear.
Zhen Hao burst into laughter.
Xing Muzheng elbowed him sharply in the chest.
Zhen Hao cried out, “Ow!”
Xing Muzheng said coldly, “Do you have it or not?”
Rubbing his chest, Zhen Hao tried to stifle his grin and replied, “Of course I do. I’ll prepare it for you tonight.”
Xing Muzheng gave a stiff grunt of acknowledgment and changed out of the wine-scented clothes into the robe he had picked out. Zhen Hao found a jade belt and fastened it for him, then looked up with a sly expression and asked, “Brother, did you ask for it because of Sister-in-law?”
“Obviously,” Xing Muzheng cast him a sidelong glance.
Zhen Hao chuckled and slyly took off the ornament hanging from the belt tossed on the chair. “Sister-in-law is really lucky to have someone as sincere as you. But Brother, you’ve finally come to your senses. I’m truly happy for you. I’ve always said—women are the most beautiful flowers in the world. It eases my mind to see you with more of these understanding flowers around. Sister-in-law is wonderful, and Yanluo and Yuluo are wonderful too. In the future, if there are more beauties, I’ll help you find them and send them over to Yuzhou.”
Xing Muzheng took the ornament from him and attached it, replying, “No need.”
Zhen Hao was stunned for a moment, then smiled. “Alright, I’ll listen to you. But… we all know that theory is just theory. If you truly care about Sister-in-law and don’t want to lose face in front of her, you might want to test things out with Yanluo and Yuluo first. They may have been clean courtesans, but they’ve learned all the tricks.”
Xing Muzheng’s brows furrowed slightly.
“What’s this? Doesn’t match the outfit.” Zhen Hao tugged at the long ivory pendant hanging around Xing Muzheng’s neck. This flashy thing didn’t seem like his style at all.
Xing Muzheng tucked the pendant into his inner robe. “It’s nothing.”
***
Qian Jiaoniang had returned to the guest quarters in the rear courtyard to rest for a bit. She had just called Qingya to help remove her hair ornaments when Xing Muzheng strode in with large steps. She turned to look and saw that, rare as it was, he had changed into a pomegranate-red robe with a subtle swastika pattern and a jade belt at his waist. Though not as flamboyant as Zhen Hao’s, it was noticeably brighter than what he usually wore. She had to admit—though Zhen Hao dressed like a peacock, he did have good taste. Worn on Xing Muzheng, it truly made him look like a strikingly handsome young man. Only… that color—
Noticing her momentary daze, Xing Muzheng curled his lips and said, “What are you staring at? Do I look good in this?”
Qian Jiaoniang snapped back to herself, looked toward the bronze mirror, and removed her earrings. “Just like Lord Zhen—Marquis looks good in anything.”
She had said Zhen Hao looked good before, and now she was comparing him to Zhen Hao. That meant—did she think he looked good too? Xing Muzheng was secretly pleased. But seeing her take off her earrings, he frowned. “What are you doing? If you’re ready, let’s go.”
From the mirror, Qian Jiaoniang looked at him vaguely. “I’m not going. Minghu cuisine doesn’t suit me. If I go, I’ll just be sitting there. Just say I’m not feeling well.”
Xing Pingchun suddenly jumped in from outside and immediately echoed, “Exactly! Why is everything sweet?!”
“Minghu dishes are mostly sweet and sour,” said Xing Muzheng. “But I heard tonight’s banquet is a crab feast.”
“Crab?” Qian Jiaoniang and Xing Pingchun’s eyes lit up at the same time. Once, while working at a wealthy household, Qian Jiaoniang had tasted a little bit of crab roe from two crabs served to guests—and the flavor had been unforgettable. Now that Xing Muzheng had been invited to a crab banquet, surely there would be many crabs.
She swallowed, and Xing Muzheng noticed. “That’s right—big mitten crabs, full of rich roe. If you really don’t want to go, then—”
“I just thought about it again. Since Local Commander Liu is sincerely hosting the banquet, it would be rude of me not to go. I suppose I’ll force myself to attend.” When there’s good food, one must go—who knows if there’ll ever be another chance to eat crab again? Forget everything else—eat first. Qian Jiaoniang swiftly put her earrings back on.
“I want to go too!” Xing Pingchun shouted. “I want to go too!”
Xing Muzheng suppressed a smile and said, “Always thinking about food. Did you finish your morning lessons?”
“I did, I did! I even listened to a lecture from Mr. Cao.” On this trip to the capital, Xing Muzheng had brought Mr. Cao along.
“Then go invite Mr. Cao. Ask him to join us at the banquet.”
Xing Pingchun rushed off immediately.
Qian Jiaoniang stood and said, “Qingya, you come too. Help me change into another dress first—”
“What change? You’re not wearing anything that smells like wine. No need to change. Local Commander Liu and the prefect are already waiting in the front hall. Let’s go.” Xing Muzheng grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her outside before she could even finish saying “wait a moment.”
