Yangzhou City lay in the heart of Jiangnan—wealthy, bustling, scenic, and with a pleasant climate.
This place of gifted people and spiritual lands produced countless talented scholars and beautiful women. You could say stunning women filled the streets, and talented men were as common as ox hairs.
No one knew when it began, but the elegant scholars of Jiangnan created two ranking lists: the Rouge List and the Young Lords List.
The Rouge List ranked the beauties of Jiangnan.
The Young Lords List ranked the elegant and flirtatious scholars.
The courtesan of Zuìhuā Tower, Du Niang, was ranked fourth on the Jiangnan Rouge List.
The daughter of the Prefect, Han Yiyi, was ranked third—one place higher than Du Niang—showing just how stunning her looks were.
Ji Huaian had just agreed to the marriage and instantly regretted it.
No matter how beautiful she was, there was no emotional connection. He was at least a well-educated modern man. How could he be so superficial?
Besides, Han Yiyi harbored nothing but loathing for the Young Marquis. To say she hated him to the bone would be more accurate.
Marrying her would definitely lead to a miserable life.
Not to mention, he had just transmigrated here and hadn’t even started enjoying his freedom. He had no desire to get married so soon.
He had agreed so quickly just now—it must have been the influence of the original host’s instincts. After all, the original had obsessed over Han Yiyi and put in great effort for her. But he wasn’t such a shallow person.
He thought about it and decided to take back his words. But just as he was about to speak, Han Yiyi’s face drifted across his mind again, and the words caught in his throat…
If I refuse, the Marquis will probably kill the Prefect… wouldn’t that be costing someone their life?
To save a life is better than building a seven-tiered pagoda.
“Since An’er has no objection, it’s settled then,” the old Marquis said.
With the words already spoken, Ji Huaian swallowed his protest.
Forget it. If not me in hell, then who?
“The Han family is also a prominent household. The Prefect has always cared about his face and dotes on Miss Yiyi. Once the engagement is set, you should calm down, stay home more, read some books, and stop fooling around outside.”
“I will follow Father’s teachings.”
“You may go. Don’t tell your mother about today, or she’ll worry again.”
“Yes. Your son takes his leave.”
He rose and saluted before turning and leaving the study.
“The young master seems to have matured a bit,” Uncle Fu said with a smile.
“When has he not agreed so readily?” the old Marquis sighed in frustration.
“Being young and wild isn’t necessarily bad. I recall you were the same back then, Marquis.” Uncle Fu chuckled.
The old Marquis rolled his eyes at him and took a sip of tea before asking seriously, “Have we figured out the background of Zuìhuā Tower?”
Hearing that, Uncle Fu put away his smile and answered seriously, “It should be backed by a martial world force, but we’re not sure which one yet.”
Earlier, Uncle Fu hadn’t mentioned everything. While the kidnappers were indeed hired by the Han Residence, it was Zuìhuā Tower that had leaked the Young Marquis’s whereabouts to them, allowing the kidnappers to act at the perfect moment.
“Shall we eliminate Zuìhuā Tower?” Uncle Fu asked.
The old Marquis shook his head. “Judging from how they operate, they bear no hostility toward our Marquis Residence. They just don’t want to be spied on… take a look at this.”
As he spoke, the old Marquis handed him the letter on the table.
Uncle Fu stepped forward and read it carefully. The letter said:
[Marquis, may you be in good health. This matter was beyond our control. Du Niang apologizes to the Marquis. You are an extraordinary man, and I believe you will understand our difficulties.]
[Zuìhuā Tower is merely a humble business and bears no ill will toward the Marquis Residence. We ask that you refrain from sending spies. As for the safety of the Young Marquis, as long as he is within our Zuìhuā Tower, it will be fully guaranteed. The Marquis may rest assured.]
[Someone from the Han Residence harbors hatred toward the Young Marquis. The Marquis must be cautious.]
[If you ever need help from us at Zuìhuā Tower, we will do our utmost. Du Niang, on behalf of Zuìhuā Tower, once again apologizes… —Du Niang.]
After reading, Uncle Fu looked puzzled. “What does this mean?”
From the letter’s tone, it almost sounded like she was confessing to the kidnapping.
A confession without being forced?
Uncle Fu couldn’t make sense of it.
The old Marquis narrowed his eyes with a smile. “That woman is smart. She knew we would find out, so she wrote this letter to apologize in advance.”
“Since they fear the Marquis, why would they do this in the first place?” Uncle Fu asked in confusion.
“They discovered Honglian and Yuan Tong’s identities. They didn’t want our surveillance, but couldn’t directly drive them away, so they played this trick,” the old Marquis explained.
Uncle Fu suddenly understood. They borrowed the Han Residence and the kidnappers to expose Honglian and Yuan Tong, forcing them to reveal their identities.
At the same time, they gave the Marquis a heads-up about the Han Residence’s hostility, earning a favor in return. Then they sent a letter to apologize, leaving the Marquis no reason to hold a grudge—and no more excuse to keep spying on them.
“Then… are we letting Zuìhuā Tower off the hook?” Uncle Fu asked.
“To have so easily seen through Honglian and Yuan Tong, and cleverly used the kidnappers to make them reveal themselves, while still earning a favor and avoiding our wrath… such calculation is no small thing.”
The old Marquis stroked his beard and thought for a moment before continuing, “Send them a warning letter, that’s enough. As for Zuìhuā Tower, continue investigating secretly. No need to send people anymore.”
“Understood!” Uncle Fu nodded, then asked, “What about Honglian and Yuan Tong?”
“Have them stay in the residence for now…” The old Marquis paused and asked, “How old is that girl Honglian?”
“She’s already sixteen,” Uncle Fu replied.
The old Marquis thought for a moment and said, “Let Honglian follow An’er from now on.”
“Yes! I’ll arrange it right away.” Uncle Fu nodded.
The old Marquis picked up his tea again, then added, “The kidnappers were hired by Han Cheng, but the mastermind was likely Miss Han. The Prefect wouldn’t do something so foolish.”
Uncle Fu nodded in agreement. “Then shall we still go to propose tomorrow?”
“Of course. Bring the kidnappers along. Let them serve as betrothal gifts.” The old Marquis laughed.
Uncle Fu narrowed his old eyes, already imagining the look on the Prefect’s face tomorrow.
…
“Achoo!”
Ji Huaian had just returned to his room when he sneezed hard.
Did he catch a cold? This body really is weak…
He sighed and fell onto the bed.
After lying for a bit, he heard soft footsteps approaching.
“Linglong, get me a bowl of ginger tea. I think I caught a chill…” he said weakly from the bed.
Linglong was the Young Marquis’s personal maid, always attending to him in the room.
The only person who could enter without knocking was usually Linglong, so he didn’t think much of it.
After his request, the footsteps left the room. A moment later, they returned.
“Young Master, the ginger tea is ready.”
Upon hearing the voice, he sat up abruptly.
A beautiful maid stood beside the bed holding a bowl of ginger tea—but it wasn’t Linglong. It was Honglian, the girl who had saved him today.
“Honglian? Why is it you? Where’s Linglong?”
“Linglong went to serve the Ninth Madam. From today onward, I will be your personal maid,” Honglian replied.
Ninth Madam? His cheap mother?
The old Marquis had married nine wives. The youngest, the Ninth Madam, was the birth mother of this sixth son.
He looked closely at Honglian. She had changed into a fresh plain dress. Her delicate face still held a hint of youthful innocence, with rosy lips, pearly teeth, bright eyes like stars, and a hint of heroic spirit in her brows.
She was very beautiful, though her expression seemed cold and a bit reluctant.
Understandable.
Who would be willing to serve such a disreputable sixth son up close?