Wine-scented Beauty

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Getting into Trouble

Ji Meiqing was puzzled by this sudden situation. She had not been notified in advance that another person would appear, but now not only had the person come out, but they were also blatantly trying to sabotage her business.

Looking at Madam Hu again, she saw that Madam Hu also seemed angry, her face sullen and expressionless. Could it be that Madam Hu didn't know about this either? Ji Meiqing lowered her head in thought, when the cheers from the hall suddenly snapped her out of her reverie.

"What's wrong?" Lu Yu looked at her with concern. "Did you bump your wound?"

"No." She shook her head, her gaze remaining fixed on the girl who had just finished dancing. Her face was covered by a veil, but it couldn't hide her arrogance; she didn't look like someone from the world of prostitution.

"I'm here to vie for today's top courtesan title, so be sure to vote for me later!" She winked at the people in the private rooms, then turned and left.

Ji Meiqing's heart sank, and she said to Lu Yu beside her, "My stomach is a little upset, I need to go to the restroom."

"Hmm..." Lu Yu's face suddenly turned red for some reason. Ji Meiqing didn't have time to look at him anymore and hurriedly left, as if she really had something to do.

She secretly climbed over the fence and went to the back yard. As soon as she entered the back yard, she heard two sharp questions.

"You left here back then, so why are you back today to compete for the title of courtesan? What are you really up to?"

"Mom already knows, so why are you asking me again?"

Mrs. Hu continued with a stern face, angrily saying, "Let me tell you, even if I burn this building down, I won't give it to you, you ungrateful wretch."

"Then go ahead and burn it." She nonchalantly played with her nails, showing no fear whatsoever, and simply said, "No matter how many times you burn this building, I will always make an exact replica in the end, and see what you do then."

"You..." She was so angry that she couldn't speak, her chest heaving. Ji Meiqing walked over and interrupted them.

When the girl saw Ji Meiqing, she raised an eyebrow and looked at Hu Mama next to her. "Who are you? You weren't sent by that old hag, were you? Let me tell you, with your looks, you're not even fit to be a cleaning maid."

"And who is this?" Ji Meiqing looked at Madam Hu. "If she ruins our plans, I think we're not a good match."

"Don't worry about it, she will definitely not cause any trouble."

Ji Meiqing crossed her arms and glanced at her indifferently, "I'm not a maid. Compared to you, I feel that even the maids who sweep and tidy up are prettier than you. Without makeup, you're just an ordinary mortal."

"Hmph... It's my skill to use makeup to enhance my beauty. If you're so capable, why don't you do the same!"

"If you serve a ruler with your beauty, his love will fade when his beauty fades. I may not be beautiful, but I am wise. I am a little poor now, but when you are discarded like a worn-out shoe, I will be at the height of my power and have a fortune of thousands."

She spoke these words with a calm expression, as if she were talking about something that didn't concern her. The sky had completely darkened. She glanced at the man again and said, "I don't know why you've come to cause trouble, but I think if you don't leave, I think you'll be in some remote mountain ravine tomorrow with your neck bound by chains, reduced to a tool for childbirth for the rest of your life."

"You dare threaten me?" She narrowed her eyes. "If you dare to touch me, King Qi Wei will probably not let you off the hook."

"King Qiwei wouldn't want a woman who has already been touched by many men. Tell me, what would you do if I threw you on his bed in your humiliated state?"

Her expression remained indifferent. "It's getting late, I'm going back now. If you dare to come out again, I guarantee you'll be in deep trouble tonight."

Mrs. Hu watched her cold expression the whole time, and only after she left did she kindly advise, "If you don't want to, that's fine. Although I'm no longer able to do it, I can still do some things."

"You want your building to be demolished."

"On the premise that this depends on your importance in the prince's heart."

After giving the warning, she left leisurely, leaving the woman standing there sulking.

Ji Meiqing returned to the building, followed by Hu's mother, who said apologetically, "I'm so sorry for this mess."

"It's alright, as long as the outcome is the success we expected."

"I understand. Don't worry about it. There won't be any problems."

Ji Meiqing nodded. "I hope so." Her heart sank again. Letting that girl named Die'er go might lead to even greater danger if she realized what was happening.

King Qi Wei… she has to go and ask him.

Back in the private room, Ji Meiqing sat and watched for a while before asking Lu Yu, who was sitting next to her, "Brother Lu, do you know what kind of person Qi Wei Wang is?"

"Why are you asking this?" Lu Yu frowned, somewhat displeased, but still told him, "He is fond of women and has an army that he considers himself powerful. However, he is quite loyal to the Emperor."

"So that means he can be considered a good person, albeit barely?"

Lu Yu shook his head. "Not really."

Ji Meiqing understood. Having offended that girl today, her future days would likely be difficult. However, although she wouldn't have to take action herself, there would still be some obvious difficulties.

"Wouldn't that make him invincible?"

"No, that's not it. He's afraid of his wife. King Qi Wei's wife is the current eldest princess."

"Oh..." Ji Meiqing lowered her head and pondered carefully. She was quite curious about why this Prince Qi Wei was so afraid of his wife. But to still sneak out to eat, it really made that little girl cry. If she was discovered, her fate would probably be quite terrible.

After the program had lost its appeal and Ji Meiqing was almost asleep, Hu's mother went on stage to announce that the price of alcohol had increased and a different type of alcohol had been introduced.

There was an uproar below. As instructed, they brought up the wine that Ji Meiqing and the others had prepared.

"This is a new wine we just introduced. The price won't be increased tonight; it will start tomorrow, so everyone can enjoy it to their heart's content."

The servant downstairs brought over the wine and filled their glasses. Ji Mei took a sip; the wine was clear and spicy. She put it down and didn't drink a second sip.

Lu Yu nodded with satisfaction, "If we're going to mass-produce wine, the ones in the cellar might not be enough."

"So, you want to hire some more people?"

She stroked her chin. "That's a good idea, but since we're cooperating with others, we should make the most of the resources we can."

"did you mean?"

She gave him a mysterious look. "Isn't there also Young Master Liu? He would surely be happy to cooperate with us."