Chapter 118

Fengyue House in Yu capital was the most extravagant and decadent place in the entire city.

Love and pleasure were the ultimate indulgences of the mortal world, yet the establishment was not solely dedicated to such pursuits.

In fact, because its patrons were often nobles, high-ranking officials, and wealthy heirs, beneath its veil of romance and indulgence, the place carried a refined air. Over the years, it had even been the birthplace of many celebrated poems.

There were courtesans, of course, but also performers who sold their art, not their bodies, but by accompanying guests with wine and song, turning a deaf ear to all else, and earning the rewards they deserved.

Rong Tang had been dragged here by Ke Hongxue a few times. At first, he hadn’t even known what kind of place it was. Later, he discovered that for all of Tutor Ke’s talk of debauchery, the man was actually chaste to an absurd degree.

More than once, after a few rounds of drinks, Ke Hongxue had teased a beauty with a smile, asking if she wanted to leave with him. Whether his words were spoken in jest or sincerity, whether she accepted or declined, it always seemed to be the pinnacle of romance. Yet the reality remained. There was not a single woman in Ke residence’s rear courtyard, nor did Ke Hongxue keep any mistresses.

After witnessing this a few times, Rong Tang came to understand. When Ke Hongxue said he was here to have fun, he really meant just that.

Listening to music, sipping wine, and cultivating the image of a libertine.

—After all, he had declared himself a frivolous playboy before the Emperor. If he didn’t live up to the reputation, who would believe him?

Besides, in a place like Fengyue House, a few drinks in, with the scent of rouge in the air and soft bodies brushing past, people naturally let down their guard. A few seemingly casual words exchanged, and Tutor Ke could glean all manner of private affairs… useful information for the future.

Ke Hongxue wasn’t an upright man, but he wasn’t truly improper either.

So when he suggested coming here, Rong Tang hesitated only briefly before changing his clothes and following along.

…

In the carriage, Ke Hongxue looked at him in amusement. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll corrupt you, Prince?”

Rong Tang was in a somewhat sullen mood. The evening sky was dim, and he cast Ke Hongxue a sidelong glance before countering, “Aren’t you afraid the Imperial Court of Justice will come investigating?”

Both of them knew exactly who was in charge of the Imperial Court of Justice.

Ke Hongxue opened his mouth, then simply laughed, lifting the carriage curtain to let the crisp autumn night breeze swirl inside. The lively chatter and street noises drifted in with it. He watched the bustling city for a moment before turning back with a casual remark. “The Court of Justice couldn’t care less about these things. It’s only those old fogeys at the Censorate who go around making a fuss.”

Rong Tang: “…”

The Censorate… old fogeys…

He lifted his gaze, staring at Ke Hongxue in silence. Tutor Ke, utterly shameless, met his eyes with a faint smirk, as if to say: I said that on purpose.

Rong Tang held the stare for two seconds before looking away.

It was unlikely to be such a coincidence. Su Huaijing had mentioned he had a dinner engagement tonight—who knew when he’d be done?

Besides, even if the Censorate really did plan a raid on Fengyue House, they would send word ahead. They never staged surprise inspections.

And taking a step back… if they were investigating court officials, what did that have to do with the Shizi of Ningxuan?

With that reassurance, Rong Tang steeled himself and stepped through the doors of the capital’s most notorious pleasure house.

…

Ke Hongxue ordered two jugs of wine and called for a few performers. They happened to run into some colleagues and ended up sitting together.

Rong Tang blended in naturally, his expression calm, though his heart was far from it. His eyelid twitched slightly as he took small sips of peach blossom wine.

Ke Hongxue chatted idly with the others before turning back, feigning casual curiosity. “Something on your mind, Prince?”

Rong Tang shook his head. “No.”

“Oh?” Tutor Ke nodded, smiling in a way that made Rong Tang wary.

They were seated on floor cushions, and Ke Hongxue leaned in slightly, half-turning his body. His lips brushed close to Rong Tang’s ear as he whispered, “I thought… you came here to learn something.”

Rong Tang’s fingers trembled slightly, and a few drops of wine spilled onto the carpet. Ke Hongxue raised an eyebrow, his smile deepening with amusement.

Rong Tang was caught off guard, but he forced himself to maintain composure. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Ke Hongxue tilted his head. “Nothing much. It’s just that Excellency Su spoke with me after court this morning. He looked rather radiant… like a man in high spirits after a victorious battle. Or, perhaps, like a peacock in full display after a night of passion. And he said—”

Rong Tang’s heart leaped into his throat. The chatter around him blurred; he had no idea what was being discussed or what the musicians were singing. His ears burned as he stared at Ke Hongxue, unconsciously swallowing in an attempt to steady himself. “What did he say?”

Ke Hongxue, deliberately slow, murmured, “Do you really want to know?”

It was as if a firework exploded in his head. Rong Tang abruptly turned away, raising his cup and downing the rest of his wine in one go, the alcohol burning the tip of his tongue.

Ke Hongxue, looking utterly pleased with himself, leisurely refilled Rong Tang’s cup. “Oh, nothing much. I was just wondering… if you truly went all the way this morning, Excellency Su surely wouldn’t have made it to court on time. And as for you…”

He trailed off, chuckling softly. “With your delicate constitution, would you really have been able to come out drinking with me tonight?”

“…”

In his mind, Rong Tang had already beaten this man to the ground eight hundred times over.

He forced himself to retort, “And why wouldn’t he be the one too exhausted for court?”

“Oh?” Ke Hongxue took a sip of wine, his tone playfully mocking. “My apologies. I didn’t expect Prince to have such grand ambitions… to wring every last drop from Excellency Su. My deepest respect.”

Rong Tang: “???”

Wait… what?

Ke Hongxue continued, his voice laced with amusement. “But Excellency Su is still young. No matter how composed and mature he appears, in bed, I’d wager he’s rather… enthusiastic. Even if Prince has such lofty aspirations, I’d advise against mentioning them to him. Otherwise, the one suffering in the end… will likely be you.”

Rong Tang: “???”

No… what the hell is wrong with you!?

What nonsense are you spouting!?

Rong Tang was utterly speechless. Just as he was about to fire back, a voice echoed in his mind.

[Tangtang, denial isn’t a good look.]

Rong Tang: “…”

[If you can’t even get it up, how are you going to keep Excellency Su from making it to court?]

The system’s voice carried the same smugness as a kid perched on a stool, licking a popsicle and watching the drama unfold. [Ke Hongxue isn’t wrong, you know. He’s even helping you strategise. And instead of thanking him, you’re getting mad?]

[Tsk tsk. You two lovebirds…]

[Neither of you knows how to act like a proper human being.]

One was spewing nonsense to his face, the other was roasting him in real time inside his head. Rong Tang was stuck, unable to come up with a rebuttal.

Meanwhile, Ke Hongxue had already drawn his own conclusions. “So tell me, Prince. What exactly did you want to learn? Bedroom secrets? Techniques to enhance pleasure? Or perhaps… the tricks courtesans use to keep their patrons coming back?”

Rong Tang, face flushed, clenched his jaw and growled, “Shut up.”

Ke Hongxue ignored him, as if suddenly enlightened. His expression turned sympathetic. “Oh… were you actually hoping to ask how to… perform, despite certain difficulties?”

System: [Bingo, Tangtang~~~]

Rong Tang: “…”

Damn it.

…

Su Huaijing had only been to Fengyue House once. When he was younger, he had heard of this place. It was usually from his san ge, who would sneak out of the palace, gather a group of scoundrel friends, and drink the night away. The next morning, he would return reeking of alcohol and be punished by their father, forced to kneel in silence and recite Confucian texts. In the Chancery’s study, the Third Prince knelt properly, reciting lines of moral philosophy with perfect diction.

Outside the study, the Fourth Princess munched on a peach or a jujube, speaking between bites. “San ge, louder! Father says he can’t hear you!”

The Seventh Prince glanced around. He saw neither their father nor their eldest brother. Lowering his voice, he whispered, “Si jie, you’re lying to san ge.”

“He deserves it!” The Fourth Princess handed him a sweet pastry in a show of goodwill. “Who told him to visit Fengyue House without me?”

Su Huaijing was bewildered, but then he heard Her Highness murmur under her breath, “I want to see the pretty ladies too.”

And so, to the young Seventh Prince, Fengyue House became synonymous with fine wine and beautiful women.

Until he grew up. Until a drugged lotus pastry and a cold, slender chain shattered every last childhood illusion.

He had thought he would never step foot in this place again.

Su Huaijing had many properties in the capital, but not a single one was a brothel.

He found them repulsive.

The young man stood outside the lavishly decorated establishment, his gaze lifting to the gold-painted plaque. His expression was unreadable, his emotions buried deep, like midnight tides stirring beneath the surface.

The courtesans at the door cared little for such things. At the sight of his striking features and fine clothing, their eyes lit up, and they swarmed toward him, eager to claim a charming young master for the night.

But before a single delicate hand could reach his sleeve, Su Huaijing lowered his gaze.

That single glance froze them in place as if a midwinter frost had swept over them. No one dared to take another step forward.

And so, he walked past them, stepping cleanly into this house of pleasure.

Warm lanterns and red candles, debauchery in every corner. Yet all Su Huaijing felt was nausea, a deep-seated disgust curling in his stomach.

Before coming, Xingfeng had already investigated and informed him of Rong Tang’s whereabouts. Su Huaijing headed straight upstairs without so much as a glance to the side. Yet, when he reached the stairs, he paused, looking down to the first-floor hall, where officials of the imperial court indulged in drink and company.

One by one, he memorised their faces.

According to the laws of Dayu, any court official caught openly soliciting prostitutes would receive thirty lashes and forfeit half a year’s salary.

Su Huaijing thought to himself: Ke Hongxue was handing him an easy political victory.

He withdrew his gaze and continued upstairs.

He had been anxious before arriving, but the moment he stepped inside, all urgency faded. Leisurely, he passed by each door, even stopping at one to summon a brothel keeper and request a few items before finally making his way to Rong Tang’s room.

Before he even entered, the sound of a pipa drifted through the air. A young courtesan played and sang, a woman’s laughter rang out as she coaxed another to drink. The room was filled with the heavy sweetness of wine and incense, a world drenched in indulgence.

Su Huaijing tilted his head slightly and murmured, “No wonder he doesn’t want to go home.”

He lingered at the doorway for a moment. Only after the brothel keeper returned with the requested items did he lower his eyes, a faint smile curving his lips, and push the door open.

At first, the revellers thought another guest had arrived, turning their wine-flushed faces toward the entrance… only to freeze in shock.

Backlit by the corridor lanterns stood a tall, striking figure, dressed in flowing jade-white robes. He looked like an exiled immortal descending to earth.

For a brief moment, hearts fluttered.

Then recognition dawned.

Someone shoved aside the beauty in his lap, jolting to his feet in alarm. “Excellency Su?”

Rong Tang had been cornered by Ke Hongxue and was about to down his drink when he heard the name. He paused for half a second, then turned his head—only to meet the main villain’s faintly smiling gaze.

Su Huaijing spoke, his tone pleasant. “I’m here to fetch my husband. Please, continue.”

With that, he walked up to Rong Tang, voice impossibly gentle. “Tangtang, may I borrow you for a moment?”

A sudden panic seized Rong Tang. He set down his cup and was about to rise when Su Huaijing bent slightly, taking his hand in one of his own while the other casually plucked the wine cup from his grasp.

As he straightened, his gaze flickered toward Ke Hongxue, ice-cold and piercing.

Ke Hongxue merely chuckled, raising his cup in a silent toast before downing it in one gulp.

[Ungrateful. Ke Hongxue is obviously helping him,] the system commented.

Rong Tang had no energy to argue. The moment Su Huaijing appeared, his heart pounded so violently he thought it might burst.

He opened his mouth, instinctively wanting to explain.

But before he could, Su Huaijing had already led him into another empty room.

Inside, no lanterns were lit. Only the incense burner on the table let off wisps of curling smoke.

The door clicked shut behind them. Rong Tang inhaled sharply. “Huaijing—”

“Tangtang.” The main villain cut him off, stepping forward, pressing him against the door. Behind him was unyielding wood, in front of him a solid, radiating warmth.

Su Huaijing lifted the cup in his hand, gazing down at the painted mandarin ducks entwined along its rim. His voice was soft. “Is the wine outside better than the wine at home?”

“No—”

“You’re lying to me again.” Su Huaijing chuckled, leaning in close to his neck. “You reek of alcohol.”

He pulled back slightly and downed the cup’s contents in one swallow. Then, lowering his head, he caught Rong Tang’s lips in the dark.

The cool wine trickled between them, mingling with the scent of peach blossoms, intoxicating and tantalising.

Rong Tang barely had time to catch his breath before—

Clink.

A sharp, metallic sound rang out.

The cold bite of metal enclosed his wrist.

The main villain withdrew slightly, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Tangtang, you really don’t behave at all.”

Dazed, Rong Tang glanced down. A long, slender chain glinted in the dim light. One end locked around Su Huaijing’s wrist, the other secured to his own.

[Oh no—] the system muttered. [You’re doomed.]