Сhарtеr 24: А Visit to Qin Dreаm Раviliоn
Тhe next dау.
The infоrmation аbоut Zhuо Yuаnjiu wаs dеliverеd tо Ji Ruуuе.
Perhаps due to his allеgiаncе tо Рrinсе Rui, much оf Zhuо Yuаnjiu’s past соuld not bе traced, аs all trаces had bеen mеticulоuslу erasеd.
Even Qingzhu had tо ехрend cоnsidеrаblе effort tо uncоver anуthing.
Zhuo Yuanjiu, оriginally frоm Qinghe Town in Jizhоu, bесamе а child scholаr in the thirtееnth yeаr of Anzhаo аnd wаs рromоted to а xiucаi thе fоllowing year.
He had genеrоusly redeemеd thе courtesаn Хiangsi from the Yihong Pavilion and brought her with him to the Upper Capital.
Afterward, Zhuo Yuanjiu became a retainer of Prince Rui, frequently accompanying him.
The rest of his deeds matched what Chen Shujin had described.
Qingzhu stood quietly to the side, waiting until Ji Ruyue had finished reading before softly reporting, “Even the madam of Yihong Pavilion dared not speak carelessly about the relationship between Zhuo Yuanjiu and Xiangsi. Zhuo Yuanjiu’s mother did indeed pass away at home from a prolonged illness, caused by a stubborn ailment.”
“Hmm.”
“What Young Master Chen mentioned mostly consists of rumors circulating among the common folk. I inquired with many people, and the stories varied widely, but none could be verified.”
Ji Ruyue nodded slightly, already forming a clear understanding in her mind.
Zhuo Yuanjiu was indeed a stranger to her, but she had heard a little about this Xiangsi.
Longing lingers like a dream in the heart, moonlight casts a thin shadow by the window,
Love runs deep as the sea, hard to restrain, willing to abandon nobility for a shared life.
A meaningful smile curled at the corner of Ji Ruyue’s lips.
In her previous life, the infatuation between the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo and the famous courtesan Xiangsi was known to all.
For this woman, the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo lost his appetite and grew increasingly gaunt.
It angered the Princess Royal so much that she nearly suffered a heart ailment.
In the end, the princess, out of love for her son, agreed to let Xiangsi enter the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence as a lowly concubine.
However, the heir insisted on marrying her with the rites befitting a principal wife and vowed that he would have no one else but Xiangsi in this lifetime. If this was not allowed, he would renounce his position as heir.
This incident turned the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence into a laughingstock in the Upper Capital, and the amusing tale of the heir’s rage for a beauty spread through every street and alley.
The Princess Royal remained unwilling, but the heir was resolute as steel. He submitted a letter of apology to Emperor Anzhao, pledging to renounce his inheritance of the title and willingly be demoted to a commoner.
Upon seeing this, Emperor Anzhao remarked only that he was lost beyond redemption.
From then on, the heir left the capital with Xiangsi and was never seen again.
Later…
Ji Ruyue knew nothing of what happened afterward, for by then she had been imprisoned by Chen Shujin, cut off from the outside world!
Seeing Ji Ruyue’s solemn expression, Qingzhu called out softly with concern, “Miss?”
“Find a way to invite Mr. Zhuo for a discussion at the residence,” Ji Ruyue instructed.
“Yes, I will go and invite him.”
“Hmm.”
Suspicion arose in Ji Ruyue’s heart—she did not believe such coincidences existed in the world.
Zhuo Yuanjiu served under Prince Rui and was sent by him to Jizhou.
At the same time, Princess Jing’an had also dispatched someone, likewise concerning the river embankment repairs.
The Xiangsi whom Zhuo Yuanjiu brought to the Upper Capital happened to fall in love with the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo…
And this heir was none other than Princess Jing’an’s own younger brother!
The Princess Royal had only one son and one daughter. If the heir were to fall, the title would naturally pass to the princess.
In her previous life, she was indeed the only princess to be granted a noble title.
Ji Ruyue pondered for a moment, her suspicions growing thicker.
Zhuo Yuanjiu’s actions might conceal deeper secrets, and all of this seemed far from coincidental.
If the heir was willing to abandon everything for Xiangsi, then by facilitating this romance, was Zhuo Yuanjiu intentionally undermining the foundation of the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence?
Whose side was Zhuo Yuanjiu truly on?
When Qingzhu went to invite him, Zhuo Yuanjiu politely declined each time, citing official duties as too busy.
“Miss, I have found out that Mr. Zhuo drinks at Qin Dream Pavilion every night.”Qin Dream Pavilion was quite renowned in Jizhou—no, it should be said it had some fame across the seven kingdoms. Commonly known as the Qin Male Courtesan House, it specialized in male prostitutes.
Was Zhuo Yuanjiu actually someone who favored male companions?
“Qingzhu, go prepare the carriage.”
“Young Miss?” Qingzhu was puzzled.
“I’m going to Qin Dream Pavilion for a visit.”
Qingzhu was slightly taken aback and still asked uncertainly, “Young Miss is going to Qin Dream Pavilion for a visit? The hour of You is approaching…”
“Why not?”
“Yes, this servant will go prepare immediately.”
With that, Ji Ruyue stood up to change her clothes. Bai Mei and Xi Qiu exchanged a glance, neither daring to utter a word, carefully attending to her.
The young miss had already come of age; even staying overnight at the Qin Male Courtesan House would be permissible.
But their young miss had always been chaste and self-disciplined, never setting foot in such places of pleasure.