Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Xu Sheng said, "Why didn't Young Master Nan say anything just now?"

Nanfei said to Yuan Feng, "Be careful of this kind of treacherous person."

Yuan Feng nodded: "Yes, I know."

Are they ganging up on each other to bully others?

Xu Sheng said, "When it comes to cunning, I am nothing compared to Young Master Nan."

Nanfei asked, "What do you mean?"

Xu Sheng scoffed, "Young Master Nan, you have quite the memory. What were the agreements made back then? Luo An has already spoken; it's time you honor your promise."

Yuan Feng noticed Nan Fei's strange expression: "What promise? Do you want money?"

Nanfei shook his head.

Xu Sheng said, "General Yuan, don't be too strict with men. Give them some money. Young Master Nan is the best at bargaining with courtesans."

Nanfei said, "I am frugal and thrifty, it's none of your business."

Xu Sheng picked up his folding fan and waved it twice: "My jade flute is worth at least five hundred taels. I'll give you a 50% discount, two hundred and fifty taels, pay me back."

Nanfei said, "I didn't break the jade flute, so why should I pay for it?"

Xu Sheng said, "It broke because I spoke up for Luo An, so it shouldn't be blamed on you."

Nanfei said, "You injured me, how do you explain that?"

Xu Sheng said, "Young Master Nan, you said you were willing to cooperate with me before I started this fight. Seeing blood is considered bad karma, so you'll have to pay another five hundred taels, which is half price as usual, making it two hundred and fifty taels..."

Nan Fei's face was grim, his hands clenched into fists, and his teeth clenched...

Yuan Feng asked, "What happened?"

Xu Sheng closed his folding fan and made a gesture to stand up: "I'd better ask Luo An for it, after all, it's all for him..."

Nanfei said, "I'll pay."

Nan Fei hesitated, holding the money pouch, then took out five taels of loose silver before placing it in front of Xu Sheng: "There are seventy taels in here, the rest can be paid later..."

Mr. Xu said, "We do not offer credit."

Nanfei said, "You..."

Yuan Feng pressed him down, took the money pouch back, and pulled out a silver note from her bosom: "Your Highness, one thousand taels."

Xu Sheng took the silver note: "General Yuan, do you have any sisters? Introduce me to one. Someone as handsome and dashing as me would be perfect for teaming up with Nan Fei, indulging in frivolous pursuits and frequenting brothels..."

Yuan Feng said, "Your Highness, Princess Dongyang is only fifteen years old and not yet married. I can act as a matchmaker for you."

Xu Sheng laughed and said, "Alright. After the war, you should send the princess to Nan Yue to propose marriage. She should be like General Yuan, with a ten-mile-long red bridal procession that the whole world would envy."

Nanfei threw a cup at him. Xu Sheng dodged it, laughed, and walked away.

Nanfei got up to chase after him: "We agreed on a 50% discount, give me your change."

Yuan Feng grabbed him and said, "Never mind."

Nanfei was furious: "How can you let five hundred taels of silver go? I earn five taels a month, it would take me ten years to earn that."

Yuan Feng pulled out two silver notes from his pocket: "Two thousand taels, is that enough?"

Nanfei refused: "No."

Yuan Feng said, "Why wouldn't I want it? Aren't we short of money?"

Nanfei carefully put away the money bag: "I earn my own money and spend it myself. I'm a man of principle."

Yuan Feng put away the silver notes: "Okay, I'll pay you back the thousand taels from earlier, slowly."

Nanfei glanced at her: "Sister, may I sell myself? I used to practice medicine with you in Guangzhou. Someone was willing to pay five hundred taels of silver for one night. Five hundred taels last night, and I'll come again tonight."

Yuan Feng was speechless for a while before asking, "Male or female?"

Nanfei asked, "Who?"

Yuan Feng asked, "Is the person who pays five hundred taels of silver in one night a man or a woman?"

The two looked at each other. Nan Fei looked away first, picked up the teapot, and poured tea.

Yuan Feng said, "Why don't you let the courtesan pay you? Why do you have to bargain with her?"

Nan Fei said, "That would have been possible. The Nan family motto is to be conscientious in one's work and honest in one's conduct. Honesty is of utmost importance, so I can only suffer financial loss."

Yuan Feng chuckled and pinched his cheek: "Sister likes it."

Nanfei brushed her hand away: "What are you doing in broad daylight?"

Yuan Feng smiled broadly.

Nanfei suddenly whispered in his ear, "Last night's first attempt wasn't satisfactory, let's try again tonight."

Yuan Fengying's face flushed red with anger. She picked up her teacup and took a small sip: "Why are we suddenly talking about an alliance in Nanyue?"

Nanfei lowered his voice: "I originally thought that the Dahe Gang only had these fishing boats, cargo ships and boatmen, and that we would fight Xiling to the death, with Dongyang cleaning up the mess. Later, I found out that the Dahe Gang had a lot of ships and navy, and I guessed that they also had the Fenglong soldiers. If Dongyang doesn't take the opportunity to get involved, Nanyue will definitely deal with Dongyang after it finishes dealing with Xiling."

Yuan Feng asked, "How many?"

Nanfei thought for a moment: "Dongyang has rumors of 50,000 Xingtian cavalry, but in reality there are 100,000. Nanyue has rumors of 50,000 Fenglong soldiers, but I estimate there are 100,000. Xu Sheng said there are 10,000 naval troops, so there are probably 40,000 Fenglong soldiers."

Yuan Feng asked, "Where?"

Nanfei said, "East of Chongming Island is Shadong Island, a sacred island forbidden to the Great River Gang. Legend has it that the River God lives there, and no one is allowed to go up there without permission."

Yuan Feng nodded: "Don't you know, Chief Xue?"

Nanfei said, "You should know that she wasn't surprised at all to see Xu Sheng, and she wasn't interested in your discussion about the war. Besides, this matter is of great importance, and her father would definitely have told her about it before he died. She can mobilize 10,000 naval troops, but she shouldn't be able to mobilize the Wind Dragon Soldiers."

Yuan Feng sighed, "The old leader is truly devoted to Nan Yue."

Nan Fei said, "He never mentioned his background to Xue Nianyao, nor did he ask General Xue to openly acknowledge her. He never got over it in his heart, which is pitiful."

Yuan Feng asked, "How did you come to this realization?"

Nanfei said, "Neither you nor the Emperor are reckless people. Since you've come, you must have already thought of a solution. I was too impulsive yesterday, I'm sorry."

Yuan Feng smiled and said, "I didn't help you first, so it's normal for you to feel resentful. Besides, your words may sound harsh, but they are all out of concern."

Nanfei said, "It's only natural to care about your wife."

Yuan Feng said, "You care about me? Why haven't you replied?"

Nanfei said, "You'll definitely be angry if I run away from the marriage. You're always at the border, and I'll be left alone in an empty house, having to pay my respects to your father morning and evening. Your father is so terrible, he could kill me. We're living a carefree life on Chongming Island, and even the young master doesn't want to go back."

Yuan Feng was silent for a moment, then whispered, "Then...you don't miss me?"

Nanfei said, "Uh... I dreamed about you a few days ago."

Yuan Feng asked, "What did you dream about me about?"

Nanfei said, "I dreamt that you were wearing a light gauze dress and dancing for me..."

Yuan Feng glanced at him sideways: "Did you dream about the courtesan?"

Nanfei was very honest: "I thought it was the courtesan, but I didn't expect it to be you. I recognize your eyes."

Yuan Feng sighed: "So, you don't think about me usually?"

Nanfei said, "...When it comes to matters of innocence, I think about having a family, and receiving things from you also makes me think about that. Normally, we don't really have a serious relationship, but feelings are built up over time, aren't they?"

Yuan Feng hummed in agreement.

Nanfei said, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

Yuan Feng asked, "You had no feelings for me last night either?"

Nanfei said, "We are husband and wife, isn't that normal?"

Yuan Feng said, "Aren't you husband and wife?"

Nanfei said, "How can you ruin someone else's reputation? To ruin your own reputation... No, we're not husband and wife, how can you do that? Even if you marry into the family, you still have to keep your chastity."

Yuan Feng said, "Never mind."

Nanfei wasn't used to the silence, so he started making small talk: "Your dad's gone, why didn't you tell me? If I had known, I definitely would have called back."