Chapter 10: Do Not Drive Me Away Again
On Little New Year's Eve, snowflakes began to drift down once more.
The golden charcoal burned warmly in the bedroom, filling the entire room with a cozy heat.
Jiang Ning sat by the table, holding a warm stove in her hands, slowly eating the dumplings that Chun Zhi had carefully made herself.
Gazing out at the snow-covered world wrapped in pure white, Chun Zhi rubbed her small hands together and smiled brightly, "The common folk’s Little New Year's Eve is always lively. Princess, are you going out tonight?"
Jiang Ning set down her bowl and chopsticks, eyes wide open.
“Of course I am!” she exclaimed.
If she didn’t go out now, she’d grow moss.
Just as the young lady finished speaking, a knock sounded at the door.
Before Chun Zhi could get up to answer it, a tall figure suddenly barged in.
Seeing who it was, Jiang Ning frowned irritably. “Pei Heng, what are you doing here?”
Today, Pei Heng seemed unusually well-groomed, quite unlike his usual self.
But Jiang Ning had no mood to admire the handsome man before her.
Noticing the disdain in her eyes, Pei Heng clenched his fists, suppressing his anger. “Naturally, I’m here to bring the princess some money.”
Hearing this, Jiang Ning’s eyes lit up immediately.
“Money? What money?”
At that moment, she looked like a little kitten who had just caught a whiff of dried fish—utterly adorable and tempting.
Pei Heng cleared his throat and produced a thick stack of silver notes, tossing them to her. “Here you go.”
Staring at the hefty pile of silver, Jiang Ning was speechless.
“Where… where did you get so much money?”
Pei Heng narrowed his eyes, casually explaining, “The shop you gave me last year is doing quite well.”
“This money is your dividend.”
His words left Jiang Ning puzzled.
If she recalled correctly, the shop the princess had gifted him had always been running at a loss, hadn’t it?
As if sensing her doubt, Pei Heng raised an eyebrow. “You don’t want the money?”
Jiang Ning took a step back, clutching the money tightly to her chest.
“Who said I don’t want it! Since you’ve given it to me, don’t even think about taking it back!”
After all, since the money had come knocking on her door, she wasn’t about to let it go to waste. She didn’t care what intentions the man harbored.
Seeing the secret delight on the young lady’s face, Pei Heng chuckled softly. “Don’t worry, with this amount, I’m not about to ask for it back.”
That sentence hit Jiang Ning hard.
How could this guy be so rich?
She was a princess, yet she didn’t even have as much money as her favorite companion.
What kind of situation was this?
Noticing Jiang Ning’s displeased expression, Pei Heng was genuinely confused.
Are women’s moods always this unpredictable?
She had just seemed so happy.
Had he said something wrong?
While Pei Heng pondered, Jiang Ning huffed indignantly.
“From now on, you have to hand over the shop’s dividends to me every month!”
“Or else, the princess will make you regret it!”
After saying this, she carefully folded the silver notes and stuffed them into her purse.
Her arrogant posture amused Pei Heng.
He pursed his lips and slowly leaned closer to her.
“Fine.”
Then he lowered his head and took hold of the young lady’s hand.
“You can hand over the dividends, but the princess has to promise me one thing.”
Feeling the man’s possessive aura, Jiang Ning bit her soft red lips firmly. “What is it?”
Looking at the enchanting beauty before him, Pei Heng’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and his eyes darkened.
“From now on, the princess mustn’t drive me away anymore.”
Meeting his deep, unfathomable gaze, Jiang Ning inhaled sharply.
After a long hesitation, she slowly responded, “Alright… the princess understands.”
…
Dusk fell, and the falling snow suddenly ceased.
At this moment, the entire city of Chang’an was brightly illuminated.
Along the bustling streets hung countless colorful lanterns.
From afar, the gathering lights resembled a dazzling river of stars.
Watching the lively scene outside, Jiang Ning sat happily inside the carriage.
So, even in ancient times, nightlife was this vibrant.
Seeing Jiang Ning’s joyful expression, Chun Zhi spoke up, “I heard the Wangchun Pavilion recently brought in some young men from Jiangnan. They’re not only handsome but also talented and artistic.”
“Princess, do you want to take a look?”
Hearing this, Jiang Ning felt tempted.
Indeed, the ancient brothels were places worth visiting…
After a brief pause, Jiang Ning shyly said, “Of course, I want to go.”
Who didn’t love to look at handsome men?
—
Upon arriving at Wangchun Pavilion,
the master and servant alighted from the carriage one after another.
To avoid revealing Jiang Ning’s identity, Chun Zhi thoughtfully helped her don a veil.
“Many noble guests come here to play. Princess, you mustn’t remove this veil.”
Jiang Ning nodded, then anxiously tugged Chun Zhi inside.
Wangchun Pavilion was unlike other brothels; the ladies and gentlemen here mostly sold their talents, not their bodies.
—
Only a few steps inside, Jiang Ning was stunned by the luxurious surroundings.
The place was like a fairyland…
No wonder ancient people loved visiting brothels so much—there was food, entertainment, and music. Who wouldn’t enjoy such a place?
At this moment, the madam standing at the entrance noticed Jiang Ning’s splendid attire.
Eager to secure this potential big spender, she rubbed her hands and warmly stepped forward.
“Miss, is this your first time here?”
“Our Wangchun Pavilion has many beautiful young men.”
“Which type do you like? I’ll arrange it for you.”
Facing the smiling madam, Jiang Ning hesitated, then said, “I like the well-behaved ones…”
The madam clapped her hands and gave a knowing look.
“Alright, alright, I’ll arrange it for you right away.”
Just as Jiang Ning was about to say more, the madam pulled her upstairs.
On the third floor were several quiet private rooms.
The madam led Jiang Ning to a door.
“Our most popular young man is right here.”
“I guarantee you won’t regret this visit.”
After saying that, she reached out her hand.
Jiang Ning immediately understood and hurriedly took out two silver notes from her purse.
“Here you go.”
Seeing the amount on the notes, the madam smiled so broadly it nearly split her face.
“Enjoy yourself. If you need anything, just call me.”
Jiang Ning winced in pain but forced out a couple of polite laughs.
After the madam left, Chun Zhi cautiously asked,
“Princess, do you need me to accompany you inside?”
Thinking of the princess’s usual flirtatious behavior, Jiang Ning tugged the corners of her mouth and reluctantly said, “No need.”
Chun Zhi bowed her head and didn’t press further.
“Alright, I’ll wait here. If you need anything, just call me.”
Looking at the tall, slender figure behind the folding screen, Jiang Ning let out a long breath.
She had spent a full two hundred taels of silver on this popular young man.
No way was she going to miss out on seeing him.
After a moment of inner struggle, Jiang Ning lifted her skirt and strode into the private room.
Listening to the music coming from inside, her curiosity about the young man behind the screen grew even stronger.
Was this ancient popular favorite anything like today’s top celebrities…?