Youthful Glory

The next day, Yu Bozhong sent an invitation, using the pretext of hosting a welcoming banquet, to invite Prince Dingbei and Second Young Master Shu for a casual gathering at Hui Tower to enjoy wine and music.

Before heading out this time, Jiang Xu deliberately reassured Ming Tan with a few extra words.

Now that Ming Tan understood the underlying power struggles, she could naturally deduce that the Su family was unlikely to cause him any harm.

However, just yesterday, she had heard the Prefect's Wife mention that the women at Hui Tower in Quancheng were on par with the famed "Yangzhou Thin Horses," quite different from the courtesans who entertained guests at the hundred and eighty pleasure boats. Many of them had been taken as concubines by high-ranking officials and nobles.

Ming Tan felt slightly uneasy but couldn’t say much. She only muttered under her breath, "Inviting guests is one thing, but couldn’t he come up with a more plausible excuse? A welcoming banquet? You’ve been in Lingzhou for days now—what ‘dust’ is there left to wash off? Is my husband a feather duster, collecting dust everywhere?"

As she grumbled, she helped him dress, her eyes downcast as she dawdled. After fastening his jade pendant, she stealthily tied a black sachet embroidered with a mandarin duck design to his waist.

Jiang Xu only noticed the sachet’s modest color and didn’t pay attention to the embroidery. Once dressed, he gave Ming Tan a few instructions, absentmindedly ruffled her hair, and left with Shu Jingran.

Since Yu Bozhong had framed this banquet as a welcome for Prince Dingbei, he naturally invited several officials to accompany them. Apart from the prefect, other high-ranking local officials like the deputy magistrate also attended in full force.

After Yu Bozhong exchanged pleasantries, the guests took turns toasting Jiang Xu.

Noticing that Prince Dingbei was more accommodating today than yesterday, Yu Bozhong relaxed slightly. After a drink, he even blurted out an extra polite remark: "Your Highness and Second Young Master Shu have been in Lingzhou for several days. This humble official should have hosted a welcoming banquet earlier, but I was delayed by other matters. My apologies for the inadequate hospitality."

Jiang Xu lowered his gaze, idly toying with his wine cup, and suddenly remarked coolly, "Lord Yu, such words are unnecessary. It was never your place to offer hospitality in the first place."

The crowd fell silent.

Indeed, with the prefect and deputy magistrate still very much alive, how could a mere superintendent of maritime trade presume to play host? Even if Lingzhou was the Su family’s territory, such audacity was blatantly overstepping.

Yu Bozhong stiffened slightly, the fear instilled by yesterday’s intimidation resurfacing. A cold sweat broke out on his back as he hurriedly forced a smile. "Yes, yes, of course. With the prefect and deputy magistrate present, it’s not this humble official’s place to take the lead. It’s just that I’ve long admired Your Highness’s reputation and wished to contribute my meager efforts."

Jiang Xu didn’t respond further.

Yu Bozhong wiped the sweat from his brow and cautiously exchanged a few more polite words with Shu Jingran. Fortunately, Shu Jingran’s responses were far more agreeable, easing some of his nervous tension.

After three rounds of drinks, Yu Bozhong finally broached the main topic: "By the way, Your Highness, there is a matter I must report. Regarding the death of Zhou Baoping, the supervising official of the Maritime Trade Bureau, our bureau and the prefectural office have conducted a thorough investigation. This humble official believes that Supervisor Zhou was a man of integrity and diligence in his duties—certainly not the type to indulge in debauchery and pleasure-seeking."

Jiang Xu and Shu Jingran listened quietly while the others nodded in agreement, playing along with Yu Bozhong’s performance."Everyone agrees that Inspector Zhou's sudden death must have hidden circumstances. However, despite prolonged investigations, no leads were found initially. Considering Inspector Zhou was someone His Majesty valued highly, I dared not conceal or delay matters. I immediately submitted a memorial to the capital detailing the apparent cause of his death. But now, after these days, we've finally uncovered the truth behind Inspector Zhou's demise."

Yu Bozhong spoke without batting an eyelid: "It turns out there had been long-standing discord between the harbor overseer at the Maritime Trade Office and Inspector Zhou. This overseer had formed factions within the office, colluding with subordinate clerks—accountants, registrars, and archivists—to embezzle funds privately. Unfortunately, Inspector Zhou discovered this. Being upright, he refused to be complicit. When their attempts to recruit him failed, the overseer and his cohorts murdered him to silence him, then deliberately framed him to tarnish his posthumous reputation!"

Jiang Xu remained expressionless, while Shu Jingran lowered his gaze to sip wine, thinking to himself: This Lord Yu has truly sacrificed—willing to offer up so many as scapegoats to accompany Zhou Baoping in death.

"All involved parties have now been handed over to the prefectural authorities. These officials harmed their colleague and engaged in misconduct—their deaths would be no loss. They await escort to the capital for sentencing. Yet Inspector Zhou served the Maritime Trade Office with utter dedication; his integrity and competence were witnessed by all. To perish thus is truly unjust. I humbly request that upon Your Highness's return to the capital, you might plead our case to the Emperor on behalf of Lingzhou's Maritime Trade Office, to clear Lord Zhou's name and allow this loyal subject to rest in peace underground."

After Yu Bozhong finished speaking, the others chimed in agreement:

"Indeed, indeed."

"How unjust for Lord Zhou."

"What a pity."

Jiang Xu remained silent, his thoughts inscrutable.

Yu Bozhong grew uneasy, carefully reviewing his words for any missteps—or perhaps this revised account still failed to satisfy His Highness?

After a long pause, Jiang Xu finally uttered an "Mm," then poured himself another cup of wine.

Did this "Mm" indicate approval?

Yu Bozhong cautiously studied Jiang Xu's expression. After what felt like an eternity, he finally exhaled in relief, then clapped his hands to summon a procession of graceful young women.

Soon, a line of slender maidens entered, arranging themselves in a row before curtsying softly: "We pay our respects to Prince Dingbei and to all the honored lords."

Even Shu Jingran was momentarily transfixed. These women seemed even more captivating than those seen previously at Xianquan Pavilion—each possessing unique charms, their beauty rivaling that of imperial consorts.

These were maidens meticulously cultivated by Huilou for years, far surpassing common courtesans. Each was a peerless beauty, accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, their manners no less refined than noble maidens', yet possessing certain... unteachable advantages. Several had originally been kept by Su family elders for personal enjoyment, yet now had to be offered to placate this fearsome lord.

Jiang Xu's gaze swept over them, lingering inexplicably for an extra moment on the second maiden from the right.

Ever perceptive, Yu Bozhong immediately signaled for that particular girl to approach and serve.

The other women withdrew without approaching any other men, replaced by several lovely—though slightly less exceptional—companions.

The maiden assigned to Jiang Xu wore crimson ruqun, her skin like snow, eyes brimming with charm.She curtsied and obediently took a seat beside Jiang Xu, maintaining a proper distance of about an inch. Picking up her jade chopsticks, she added a portion of green bamboo shoots to Jiang Xu's plate, her voice soft and clear: "The green bamboo shoots from Lingzhou are fresh and crisp, best when stir-fried. Your Highness, would you like to try them?"

Everyone was watching Jiang Xu's reaction, including Shu Jingran. This girl was exceptionally beautiful, but there was something oddly familiar about her features. She resembled... resembled... He seemed lost in thought, unable to recall at the moment.

Jiang Xu didn't look at the girl, but after a moment of silence, he picked up his chopsticks and took the bamboo shoots she had served him.

Yu Bozhong felt reassured—even heroes could not resist the charms of a beauty. He had known it all along. Though Prince Dingbei appeared cold on the surface, he had privately indulged with women in his study. Surely, he wouldn’t refuse the girls from Huilou. This move had been the right one!

Meanwhile, at the prefect's residence, Ming Tan was also savoring the delicacies of Lingzhou specially prepared by the Prefect's Wife.

Lingzhou was prosperous, and its cuisine was refined and exquisite. Ming Tan had sampled several novel pastries and was just telling the Prefect's Wife that she would seek out a skilled Lingzhou chef for her household upon returning to the capital when a servant suddenly announced: "Consort, Madam, Lord Yu... Lord Yu has sent over a few girls from Huilou, saying... saying they are to be presented to Prince Dingbei."

The smile on Ming Tan's lips froze. After a long pause, she set down her chopsticks and stood up. "What did you say?"

The servant trembled as he repeated his words, adding, "The girls are now waiting outside the reception hall..."

Ming Tan stood silently for a moment before calmly ordering, "Bring them in."

She turned and seated herself at the head of the reception hall, while the Prefect's Wife sat beside her, not daring to breathe too loudly.

The Huilou girls entered gracefully, lining up to greet Ming Tan and the Prefect's Wife.

Ming Tan scrutinized them one by one, an unnamed fury rising within her. Clenching her jade-like hands imperceptibly, she asked, "You’ve come from Huilou—does His Highness know of this?"

The girls exchanged uneasy glances. When they left, the Lord had not been informed. Whether he knew afterward, they couldn’t say.

Reading their expressions, Ming Tan relaxed slightly. She pressed on, "Where is His Highness now?"

One of the girls, quick-witted and thinking ahead—knowing that if they were to be taken in by the Lord but later abandoned without being brought back to the capital, they would need the Consort's favor—stepped forward with a graceful curtsy and answered dutifully, "Your Grace, when we left, His Highness was still drinking and conversing with the officials. He only kept Qingyu by his side. As for the rest, we do not know."

Ming Tan paused. "Qingyu?"

"Yes. Qingyu is the finest girl in Huilou, the one most favored by the instructing madam. The rest of us... are hardly comparable."

Ming Tan could easily detect the veiled provocation in her words, but she had no patience for the girl's scheming at the moment. The fact that the Lord had singled out a girl to accompany him—this news alone was enough to unsettle her.The Huilou was once again filled with music and dance. After some time, someone came to report to Yu Bozhong that the ladies had been successfully escorted to the mansion.

Yu Bozhong nodded in satisfaction. Setting down his wine cup, he carefully ventured, "My Lord, is Qingyu to your liking?"

Though Prince Dingbei had only eaten a single slice of bamboo shoot and hadn’t even spared a glance at anyone, Yu Bozhong understood the unspoken desires of men. If there was no refusal, wasn’t that the same as acceptance?

With a knowing smile, he continued, "When traveling, my Lord must have some attentive company. Guards and maids are clumsy and rough-handed—how could they compare to the gentle care of beauties? However, I thought that with Qingyu alone, she might be overwhelmed when busy, so I took the liberty of sending the other ladies to your mansion in advance."

Yu Bozhong was rather pleased with his thoughtful arrangements and eagerly steered the conversation toward the matter of maritime taxes: "...But regarding the matter of making up the shortfall in maritime taxes, to be honest, the seas have been treacherous these past two years, and the fleets have suffered heavy losses. The Maritime Trade Office is truly stretched thin. As for making up the taxes for the past two years, could we perhaps—"

Jiang Xu abruptly interrupted, "You sent people to the official residence?"

His voice turned icy, startling Qingyu, who was about to pour him wine. A drop spilled onto his embroidered pouch.

Flustered, she instinctively reached for a handkerchief to wipe it, but Jiang Xu pressed down on the pouch before she could. "Don’t touch it."

He stood up, brushing off the spilled wine himself, only then noticing the intricate embroidery on the pouch.

Qingyu murmured, "Your Highness..."

"Step aside."

Without so much as a glance, Jiang Xu turned to leave, hands clasped behind his back. Shu Jingran rose as well.

Yu Bozhong was bewildered, unsure what had gone wrong. "My Lord, my Lord, this humble official—"

Jiang Xu paused slightly. "Since Lord Yu could spend a fortune to procure so many beauties, it seems the Maritime Trade Office is quite well-off. Making up the maritime taxes for the past two years shouldn’t be difficult. In that case, I’ll ask Lord Yu to also compensate the interest at the market rate of two percent, to replenish the national treasury—a contribution to the prosperity of Daxian’s people."

Yu Bozhong: "...?"