Wanyan Liang burst into laughter. “Brother Tang Kuo, you’re too honest! The one in the palace isn’t keeping an eye on the inner treasury every moment. The people below will always find ways to handle such matters—why should we worry about it?”
Song Qingshu sighed inwardly. In his past life, he had heard an anecdote about the late Qing Dynasty, where the emperor believed eggs were an extremely rare and expensive delicacy because the Imperial Household Department reported that each egg cost dozens of taels of silver. The emperor even hesitated to eat them, unaware that eggs could be bought for just a few coins in the common markets. Back then, Song Qingshu couldn’t understand how the officials of the Imperial Household Department could be so brazen as to openly swindle the emperor. But tonight’s events finally gave him some insight.
“Brother Tang Kuo, I must apologize for tonight’s incident. There’s no point in staying here any longer—come, let’s go to my manor. I’ll treat you to more wine.” Wanyan Liang stood up, reaching out warmly to pull Song Qingshu along.
“Your Highness flatters me…” Song Qingshu hurriedly tried to decline. ‘What a joke!’ Though the thought of toying with a prince’s women was tempting, he knew better than to believe in free lunches. The price would surely be far greater in the end.
“Could it be that Brother Tang Kuo, who spends every day with the most beautiful woman in the Jin Dynasty, now considers the women in my manor mere vulgar powder and unworthy of his attention?” Seeing his reluctance, Wanyan Liang’s expression darkened.
Song Qingshu knew this was just a feigned display of anger, but with things put so bluntly, he had no way to refuse without implying that the women of the King Hailing’s manor were indeed beneath him.
‘Better to offend a gentleman than a villain.’ Given that he was in a critical phase of rescuing the Laundry Courtyard’s captives, the last thing he needed was Wanyan Liang sabotaging him behind his back.
Just as Song Qingshu was racking his brain, a hearty laugh suddenly came from outside the door.
“Prince Hailing, will you welcome this prince inside?”
Everyone in the room recognized the voice.
Wanyan Liang instinctively glanced at Xiao Yu. “What does he want with me?”
Xiao Yu subtly shook his head. “I’m not sure. Let’s wait and see.”
Their hushed exchange didn’t escape Song Qingshu’s notice, but he kept his eyes downcast, pretending not to hear. Soon, Prince Changsheng was ushered inside.
“So the imperial son-in-law is here too!” Prince Changsheng exclaimed upon seeing Song Qingshu.
Song Qingshu bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness.”
“We’re family—no need for such formality.” Prince Changsheng laughed.
Song Qingshu was momentarily taken aback before realizing that Prince Changsheng was Gebi’s older brother—his brother-in-law.
After some pleasantries, Wanyan Yuan suddenly said to Wanyan Liang, “Prince Hailing, I hope you don’t resent me for stealing your prize tonight.”
Wanyan Liang smiled. “You exaggerate, Prince Changsheng. Competing for a courtesan is an elegant affair—how could it be called ‘stealing’?”
“Heh, we grew up together. Do you think I don’t see through you?” Wanyan Yuan chuckled. “Don’t worry, I have no real interest in that courtesan. I just couldn’t stand that brat Daoji’s arrogance.”
Wanyan Liang remained noncommittal. “Prince Wei is young and hot-blooded—it’s only natural.”
Only then did Song Qingshu learn that Prince Wei’s birth name was Wanyan Daoji. His mind reeled. ‘Daoji? Isn’t that the monastic name of the legendary Monk Ji Gong, who lived during the early Southern Song Dynasty and claimed to have been born into an official family? Could Prince Wei be the future Ji Gong?’
Song Qingshu felt his head spinning. ‘This world is far too chaotic.’
“You’re always overthinking things,” Wanyan Yuan grumbled at Wanyan Liang’s diplomatic response. “And here I was, coming to gift you the courtesan.”
“Gift her to me?” Wanyan Liang was genuinely surprised.
“Don’t play dumb. Everyone knows your reputation as a romantic.” Wanyan Yuan rolled his eyes. “You know I’ve never been one for women, and Taoyao keeps me on a tight leash. If I actually brought the courtesan home, she’d raise hell.”
Wanyan Liang blinked. “Your wife has always been gentle and virtuous—she doesn’t seem the type to control you.”
“That’s how she acts in front of others. With me, she’s a tigress!” Wanyan Yuan sighed in frustration.
Listening to their conversation, Song Qingshu deduced that “Taoyao” was Prince Changsheng’s consort. He found it curious. ‘After spending so much time in the capital, I’ve noticed most Jurchen names are either bizarre or outright unbearable. But this consort’s name is quite elegant—almost on par with my Gebi. It sounds like something from the’ Book of Songs, ‘but given the Jurchens’ lack of literary refinement, it’s probably just a coincidence.’
“Don’t take your blessings for granted,” Wanyan Liang teased. “Back in the day, your wife was the most famous beauty in our circle. Countless men lamented when she chose you. Even the emperor later honored her with the title ‘Lady Taohua (Peach Blossom)’—a distinction many noblewomen envied.”
As he spoke of the radiant girl from their youth—now a mature woman, even more alluring—his heartbeat quickened imperceptibly.
Song Qingshu’s sharp ears caught the subtle change in Wanyan Liang’s breathing. He shot him a sidelong glance, inwardly scoffing. ‘This Wanyan Liang is a full-blown married-w0man addict. I thought I was bad, but there’s always someone worse.’
At the mention of “Lady Taohua,” Wanyan Yuan’s expression darkened briefly before he masked it and retorted, “As if Tudan Jing wasn’t the dream girl of our entire group—yet she still ended up with you.”
‘So the Prince Hailing’s consort is named Tudan Jing. No wonder Wanyan Liang has such close ties to the Tudan clan.’ Song Qingshu’s gaze flickered toward Wanyan Liang’s four elite guards, two of whom were named Tudan Alichuhu and Tudan Zhen. ‘It seems the Tudan family has staked their entire future on the Prince Hailing.’
“That’s different,” Wanyan Liang said meaningfully. “Though many admired Tudan Jing back then, at least ‘he’ never fancied her…”
Wanyan Yuan’s face immediately soured. Before the current emperor, Wanyan Quan, ascended the throne, he had been just another prince. His infatuation with Taoyao had been an open secret in their circle. When Taoyao chose Wanyan Yuan, it hadn’t been a big deal—until Emperor Taizong passed away, and political maneuvering unexpectedly placed Wanyan Quan on the throne. That old history suddenly took on new implications, especially when the emperor later bestowed Taoyao with the title “Lady Taohua.” Anyone with eyes could see Wanyan Quan’s lingering feelings, leaving Wanyan Yuan stuck in an awkward position.
Though Song Qingshu didn’t know the full story, he pieced together most of it from their conversation and Wanyan Yuan’s reaction. He could only sigh inwardly.
‘Your noble circles are truly a mess.’