The prince is more stable

Chapter 150 The New Oiran
Zhao Ji was weird and acted like a nerd.

Zhao Xiaoqian's words confused him, but he also seemed to have realized something, and he looked conflicted and entangled.

Zhao Xiaoqian ignored his hesitation. He was not interested in talking about the philosophy of life with him today. His purpose was to get to know this future tyrant up close.

"Brother Ji was conferred the title of Prince of Suining in the eighth year of Yuanfeng, right?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked.

Zhao Ji nodded and said, "Yes, after the emperor ascended the throne, he was conferred the title of Prince according to the rules."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed: "I am still only a county marquis, so logically I should kowtow to you..."

Zhao Ji said hurriedly, "No, no, I'm sorry to bother you. Besides, Brother Zi'an's Marquisate is much more valuable than my Princehood. I only rely on my clan background, but Brother Zi'an earned his Marquisate through his own ability. This is a great story in our clan."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled, then asked, "Is Brother Ji's Prince's Mansion on the Imperial Street?"

"Yes, it's not far from Brother Zi'an's Chu Palace."

"My Chu Palace is not worth mentioning. It's too small. I want to expand it, but I'm afraid it will exceed the regulations. Besides, the people living around here are not willing to move."

Zhao Ji didn't understand why this topic was suddenly brought up, but he still said carefully: "My Prince's Mansion is not big. After all, Yanfu Palace is already very small. The residence of a minister can't be bigger than the imperial palace."

"How are the attendants and staff in your Prince's Mansion?"

"I have more than 200 followers, but only the chief secretary and a few other subordinates." Zhao Ji smiled embarrassedly.

"I enjoy painting and calligraphy, so the staff I recruited are mostly scholars skilled in painting and calligraphy. Since I can't get involved in politics anyway, I might as well find some staff with similar interests to entertain myself."

The topic continued. Zhao Xiaoqian seemed to be talking about meaningless gossip, but every topic had a purpose.

After drinking two more bottles of wine, Zhao Ji was already on the verge of collapse.

Zhao Xiaoqian had already gotten a general idea of ​​Zhao Ji's situation through casual chatting, including the staff of the Prince's Mansion, the number of imperial guards, the names of the chief secretary and secretary, the name of the commander, and so on.

Through these situations, Zhao Xiaoqian made some rough judgments.

Zhao Xu was in power, and it was the heyday of the Spring and Autumn Period. As early as the seventh year of Yuanyou, Zhao Xu had made Meng the queen, and he also favored Concubine Liu in the harem. In the past few years, Queen Meng and Concubine Liu had given birth to three daughters for Zhao Xu.

In other words, under normal circumstances, Zhao Xu would have children in a few years, and giving birth to a son was only a matter of time.

Therefore, at least for now, Zhao Ji should not have the intention to actively fight for the throne. He knows very well that he has no chance.

From the quality of the staff in his Prince's Mansion, it can be seen that most of them are down-and-out literati who are good at painting and calligraphy. Such staff will not accomplish anything.

Of course, Zhao Xiaoqian still needs to investigate and verify whether the specific situation is true or false. He can't just believe everything Zhao Ji says.

Zhao Ji was drunk and was staggering on the mat. Zhao Xiaoqian was very satisfied. He felt that he had gained something today. Although he did not know Zhao Ji's character well enough, he had basically figured out his situation.

Clapping his hands, Zhao Xiaoqian contentedly asked the shopkeeper to come in and settle the bill.

The wine cost little, and no girls were called today. The two of them just drank, spending about ten strings of cash.

Zhao Ji was so drunk that he fell on the table. Zhao Xiaoqian was never shy with his brothers, so he reached into Zhao Ji's arms and took out his purse, which contained several silver ingots.

After counting a few ingots and throwing them to the shopkeeper, Zhao Xiaoqian saw that there was still a lot left in the purse. He thought for a moment and put the purse into his arms.

As I said, we are brothers, so don’t be shy.

He supported Zhao Ji as he walked out of the elegant pavilion and was about to go downstairs when he met a woman in white holding a pipa. Zhao Xiaoqian should have passed by her, but the woman lost her balance for some reason and with a cry, she fell towards Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhao Xiaoqian held Zhao Ji with one hand and had to hug the woman with the other hand. His arms were filled with warmth and softness, and a faint fragrance permeated his heart.

"Yes, I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean it." The woman struggled to get up from his arms and apologized with a blushing face.

Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but take a look at her. He saw that she had a beautiful face and was as pretty as a peach. Her appearance was not inferior to Jiang Miaoxian at all.

At this time, the shopkeeper who was leading the way hurriedly turned back and apologized.

"Don't blame me, Your Highness. This is the new courtesan from Zuihuayin, named 'Niao Niao'. She just arrived yesterday and doesn't know the rules, so I offended Your Highness. Please forgive me."

The woman named Niaoniao was holding a pipa, standing a little further away with her head down. The blush on her pretty face had not yet faded. She looked up from time to time and glanced at Zhao Xiaoqian quietly, then immediately lowered her head shyly.

Zhao Xiaoqian was delighted. Oh, this little tune with the faint fragrance of green tea...

Were you serious when you twisted your ankle and fell into my arms just now?

I couldn't help but feel a little confused. Where did the shopkeeper get the resources? Just as one top courtesan left, another one came immediately. Did you go to Yiwu for wholesale?
After taking a deep look at the graceful girl, Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "It's okay. A beautiful woman has taken the initiative to throw herself into my arms. I'm so happy that I can't blame her."

Niao Niao turned her face away shyly, and her fair face turned red again.

Then she bravely turned around and bowed to Zhao Xiaoqian: "If you don't mind, please come again when you have free time. I am willing to play the zither and sing a song for you."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and nodded: "Practice your flute skills hard. I like to see a beautiful woman half-unbuttoning her silk robe and enjoying the flute under the moon. I'll come to see you next time."

Hearing this, Niao Niao blushed and chuckled, and gave him a cautious look. Helping Zhao Ji down the stairs, Zhao Xiaoqian turned around inadvertently and found that Niao Niao was still holding the pipa, looking at him from the railing. Her gentle eyes were so tender that they almost made him shed tears.

Zhao Xiaoqian's smile deepened, and he suddenly crossed his thumb and index finger and made a heart shape with his hands towards Niao Niao upstairs!

Niao Niao was frightened and embarrassed, and quickly shrank back.

This woman is quite interesting...

…………

After leaving the brothel, Zhao Xiaoqian left the drunken Zhao Ji to the servants of the Prince's Mansion who were waiting outside, and turned around to get on his own carriage.

After the drowsy Zhao Ji got on the carriage, he suddenly woke up.

At this moment, his eyes were clear and bright, and he didn't look drunk at all.

Serving him in the carriage was a eunuch of about the same age as Zhao Ji, named Wang Xi. He had been Zhao Ji's personal servant since childhood and could be said to be Zhao Ji's confidant.

Wang Xi was stunned when he saw Zhao Ji suddenly wake up: "Your Highness, you are not drunk?"

Zhao Ji smiled and did not explain.

Feeling empty in his arms, he reached out and found that his purse was gone. Zhao Ji was silent for a while, and suddenly laughed out loud.

"This brother is really interesting, a wonderful person, haha!"

Wang Xi looked him over and suddenly asked, "Your Highness, where is the jade pendant on your waist?"

Zhao Ji couldn't stop laughing and said, "Today is unlucky. It's not auspicious for me to go out. My jade pendant was stolen. Not only was the jade pendant stolen, but my purse was also stolen."

Wang Xi was stunned for a moment, then asked in shock, "Who... who dares to snatch His Highness? Are you trying to save your life?"

"The man who robbed me is named Zhao Xiaoqian, he is my brother. Can you help me get it back?" Zhao Ji glanced at him and said.

Wang Xi had naturally heard of Zhao Xiaoqian, and suddenly said, "Crown Prince of Chu? No, he should be called Marquis of Anle County now."

Then the king said in a rage, "Even a county marquis shouldn't be so arrogant as to steal your Highness's things. This person has such bad character. How could he have the ability to occupy the position of county marquis..."

Before he could finish his words, Wang Xi suddenly saw a black shadow flash by. There was a crisp sound, and his face suddenly felt a burning pain.

He looked up in surprise and found that Zhao Ji was looking at him with a smile, but there was a sinister cold light in his eyes.

Wang Xi suddenly woke up, his face pale as he immediately knelt in the carriage and kowtowed to apologize.

Zhao Ji said gloomily, "You are a useless eunuch. What qualifications do you have to criticize my relatives of the Song Dynasty? Who is Zhao Xiaoqian? You are the one who deserves to criticize him. Wang Xi, you seem to be losing your sense of etiquette."

Wang Xi was so frightened that he kowtowed repeatedly, tears streaming down his face, and begged for mercy continuously.

Zhao Ji said calmly, "You will receive twenty strokes of the cane when you return home, and watch your mouth from now on."

Wang Xi hurriedly kowtowed to express his gratitude.

The scene in the brothel just now appeared in Zhao Ji's mind, and every word Zhao Xiaoqian said was replayed in Zhao Ji's mind at this moment.

"He's asking his subordinates, and his staff..." Zhao Ji muttered, "Why is he testing me for no reason?"

Since he met Zhao Xiaoqian in Funing Palace today until they parted, Zhao Xiaoqian's various attitudes towards him really puzzled him.

He acted like a brother to Zhao Xu, but when he left the palace, he kicked people, stole his things, and forcibly invited him to a brothel, and asked him a lot about the situation in the Prince's Mansion...

What puzzled Zhao Ji was that he was just an idle prince with no power or influence, who never participated in state affairs and had no interests at all with his relatives and court officials.

So, why did Zhao Xiaoqian test him?
At this moment, Zhao Ji's eyes were calm, and he didn't look like a fourteen-year-old boy at all.

At this time, Wang Xi came over and interrupted his deep thoughts.

"Your Highness, the palace spies have reported that Concubine Liu has slept with the Emperor three times this month, but the Empress has not even once. The Emperor has not touched the Empress in six months. Furthermore, the Emperor has not favored any other concubines, and has mostly been in Funing Palace handling state affairs, often staying up all night."

Zhao Ji came back to his senses and hummed lightly.

Then Zhao Ji said, "The palace has just purchased ten pieces of Shu brocade. I have asked someone to prepare them. I will go to the palace tomorrow and personally present them to the Queen Mother."

"Yes."

Wang Xi agreed. As Zhao Ji's trusted eunuch, Wang Xi knew what Zhao Ji was doing, but he also didn't know what Zhao Ji was doing.

Whether it was bribing spies in the palace, caring about the emperor's sex life, or frequently giving gifts to the empress dowager, Wang Xi always thought it was normal, the most normal thing.

(End of this chapter)