Time Travel: Brothel Maid

The ministers were not surprised by this. The emperor had been increasingly fond of the Eighth Prince recently, and he summoned him alone more and more often.

Only the Fourth Prince had a slightly gloomy look on his face. He stared unkindly at the backs of his father and his eighth brother as they disappeared from the court. His eyes flickered, and it was unknown what he was planning.

Zhao Yunrong followed the emperor into the inner chamber, and heard a deep and majestic voice ringing in his ears, "I heard that you went to the Lotus Viewing Festival yesterday?"

Zhao Yunrong answered softly, "Yes, father is very busy, so he has to let his son take advantage of the good time to relax and have fun. Father, don't worry, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and the people are praising their majesty for his wisdom, wisdom, and extraordinary power. He is a rare wise ruler."

The emperor was so amused by him that his eyes widened with laughter. "I didn't know you were so good at talking before. I thought you were a serious, wooden man. I didn't expect that you were just pretending."

Zhao Yunrong also smiled faintly, with a gentle and harmless look, "Father, you are joking. I am not saying anything to please you on purpose. This is the truth. If you don't believe me, please go with me to the people when you are free someday, and you will know the truth."

The emperor rarely left the palace, but this time he nodded, "It's time to go and see the people. Otherwise, I wouldn't know that there is a wonderful woman among the people. She is untainted by the mud and clean in the water. What a good poem. I heard that the first prize in the poetry competition yesterday was written by a prostitute?"

The smile on Zhao Yunrong's face froze and his heart skipped a beat. How could he forget that his father, the Emperor, loved reciting poems and composing essays the most.

Under normal circumstances, seeing that his father was so interested in a woman, even if she was a prostitute, it would not be impossible for him to find a way to get her and present her to his father.

But it’s not possible now. Yingniang is still useful to him. He can find another woman to be by the emperor’s side, but Chen Fengyao may not be so attracted to any woman again.

"I heard that she was the courtesan from the year before last. She seems to have married a good woman. I only heard about it, and I don't know who she is with."

The emperor expressed regret, "What a pity..."

Zhao Yunrong thought secretly in his heart that he had to ask Concubine Qing to use some tricks to attract his father's attention.

Even if a prostitute who had married a man and became a good woman had some talent, it was not enough to make the emperor spend more time on her, and the emperor quickly put aside his curiosity.

"Your poems are also good and very interesting."

"I am ashamed that I lost to a woman and brought shame to my father."

The emperor smiled and said, "It's nothing shameful to lose to a poem like that. Your poems are already very rare. Besides, you are a prince. You don't need to delve too much into poetry and songs. It's your duty to focus more on the affairs of your family and country."

Zhao Yunrong's expression became serious, and he bowed and replied, "I will follow the instructions of my father."

The emperor nodded, and seemed to remember something, and said with some regret, "Back then, the talent of the imperial concubine was unmatched in the entire Shangjing City."

Zhao Yunrong's lowered eyes were calm and cold, and he was indifferent to the emperor's melancholy and nostalgia.

The empty inner room suddenly fell into silence.

The emperor seemed tired and waved his hand, "You can leave. I want to be alone for a while."

Zhao Yunrong packed his luggage and left. When he turned around, the corners of his mouth raised up in an arc of sarcasm that he couldn't help.

The eunuchs around the emperor had never seen the Eighth Prince with such a creepy expression. When they wanted to take a closer look, they saw that the Eighth Prince was as gentle, calm and composed as usual. They could not help but shook their heads, wondering if they were getting old and even their eyes were starting to become blurry.

-

When Xiao Guoer got up in the morning and had her breakfast, she took a deep look at Yingniang, who looked listless. She seemed to be in a very bad mood and didn't even eat much for breakfast. Xiao Guoer didn't say anything and just walked out the door.

Instead of going to the lottery shop as usual, she went directly to Zhou's house.

The gatekeeper of Zhou Mansion stopped at the door with a cold look on his face, "Who are you? What's your business?"

Xiao Guoer thought for a while and said, "I am the owner of the lottery shop on Yongxing Street. I have something to ask Madam Zhou. I hope you can tell her."

The servant boy had a look of suspicion on his face. Although the Zhou family was a family of officials and did not take merchants seriously at all, it was not easy to neglect them. The lottery shop was very popular in the capital recently and even opened a branch.

He said politely, "What do you want from my wife? My wife won't easily meet with male guests."

Xiao Guoer didn't directly explain what she was doing, otherwise Madam Zhou might not want to see her, so she lied, "The little brother said that he came for Mr. Zhou's marriage."

The servant was even more confused. What did his son's marriage have to do with him? It was obvious that the guest had a profound expression and didn't want to talk too much. The servant thought about it and was afraid that he would really miss the opportunity, so he went to report it himself. "Wait a moment."

The servant came back after a while and said, "Come with me."

Xiao Guoer breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she could see Madam Zhou, there would be room for negotiation. She did not directly say that she came for Yingniang because she was afraid that she would not even be able to see Madam Zhou.

After following the servant for a while, they arrived at a courtyard.

Entering the main house, there was a beautiful and elegant lady sitting in the hall. Xiao Guoer thought that this must be Zhou Fangye's mother.

Xiao Guoer bowed and said, "Meet Madam Zhou."

Zhou looked at the man in front of her and asked in confusion, "Who are you? What do you want from me? Why do you say it's about my son's marriage?"

Xiao Guoer smiled faintly and asked instead of answering, "Madam Zhou, do you know that your son has a mistress in Zhuxian Lane?"

Zhou's originally calm expression instantly faded, and her eyes were filled with a grim meaning, "So what if you know?"

Xiao Guoer knew from her expression that she hated Yingniang, who came from a brothel, very much, and this negotiation would definitely not be easy.

Xiao Guoer continued without changing her expression, "Then will Madam Zhou allow this concubine to come in as a concubine?"

Zhou showed disdain on her face and snorted coldly, "How can a prostitute enter the Zhou Mansion? Of course she is not allowed. Who are you? What is your relationship with that prostitute? If you don't tell the truth, I will have you kicked out right now!"

Xiao Guoer said sternly, "Mrs. Zhou, please calm down. I am your son's mistress's younger brother. I came to your house today to ask for an audience with you. I hope you can show mercy and give me a name as your elder sister."

"What a pipe dream! A prostitute wants to enter my Zhou Mansion. It's just a daydream! You don't have to say anything more. I won't agree. Leave the Zhou Mansion immediately. Someone, send her away!"

Xiao Guoer didn't expect her reaction to be so intense. How could she leave before she even had the chance to tell the point!

"Madam Zhou! I came here with sincerity, please listen to what I have to say!"

Zhou waved her hand again to signal the servant who had just come in to leave. With a look of suppressed disgust on her face, she said, "What else do you want to say?"