Chapter 4

**Quick Note**

There might be some slight inconsistencies describing what happened during execution on this chapter compared to the previous chapter

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But his seemingly dissatisfied words were truly intriguing.

Not to mention, everyone in Prince Xi’s mansion was greatly wronged . Take Prince Xi as an example. How can people who take loyalty and righteousness as their foundation and national security as their life betray their country? But if it is placed on some other ministers in the court, I think it wouldn’t be impossible..

***** before the execution*****

Finally, I took another look at my mother and at my family’s servants. I grabbed the choking Xin Xing and walked away, ignoring the desperate cry behind me and the coming cold execution.

The imperial family will send someone to clean up the corpse. After all, this is the imperial family’s business.

From now on, I’ll be at peace, but to be so is what I wish for in my life, isn’t it?

I don’t know if I can go back to Prince Xi’s mansion, I really wanted to see if the red apricot tree in the backyard was spared.

With the sound of someone arriving under the execution platform, the knife wielded by the executioner paused in the air. I looked back in amazement. The hand in my sleeve tightened and loosened slowly.

“The emperor has said that there is still something wrong with the case of Prince Xi, and it will be handed over to Dali Temple for a thorough investigation.  The execution will be suspended!”

The people on Xingtai breathed a sigh of relief, and then we were taken to Dali Temple for a thorough investigation.

“This is great, master. Everyone doesn’t have to die.” Xin Xing was quite excited but I was silent. I don’t think it was as simple as that.

*****after the execution****

Walking aimlessly, I was picked up by Prince Yi and his party in the street with a smile. The plaque of Prince Xi’s residence was replaced. The new plaque was inscribed with the three characters of Prince Xiang’s residence, which is said to be written by Feng Yin. Today, when an old prince died, the Emperor will send this long cast plaque to hang on the door of the residence. It was a gift for staying alive, but I didn’t commemorate it. I’m afraid I was too busy with state affairs.

The house had been cleaned up and was now without any clutter. Prince Yi and his party pushed me into the hall. The delicious food on the table was said to be a set up for me to catch the wind and wash away my bad luck.

My heart felt warm. At the dinner table, Prince Yi kept pouring wine for me. I didn’t drink it at first, but the big truth he said later made me have to drink all the wine in the cup. Back and forth, I pretended to be drunk, and let my nephews leave unwillingly. Today’s meal was so enjoyable that I had to eat to my heart’s content.

On another full moon night, I walked slowly to the backyard under the pale moonlight. Fortunately, the things in the yard were not damaged, and the fruit on the apricot tree was still tender.

I stroked an inch of soil under the apricot tree and raised the corners of my mouth, obsession very evident in my eyes.

Si Ran

I thought things would now be calm, but just a few days later, my thoughts became a fantasy…

“Ziqing, this Emperor heard that there is a beautiful person who is famous and charming in Zhao Mu mansion. Let’s have a look together.” Emperor Feng has a habitual gentle smile, his voice was slightly raised, and looking very spirited.

It really does not let people feel decent upon hearing those words early in the morning.

I twitched the corners of my mouth.

“Zhao Mu mansion?”

I heard that Zhao Mu mansion is famous for its small shops. How could Feng Yin, who usually only thought of women, think of going there?

“Since Imperial Uncle said he didn’t like women that day, I asked Xiao Zhu to inquire about it. This Emperor went to see it a few days ago and learned that men can also be with fellow men.”

He said such blushing and heart-pounding words nonchalantly, which made me stunned. In the end, I took a sip of tea indifferently.

Fortunately, the mausoleum of the late emperor was far away from here, otherwise he would have been so angry that he would turn over in his grave.

I held back my extreme reluctance, and agreed with a dry smile.

This Zhao Mu mansion was located in the westernmost part of Kyoto, surrounded by willows and without any unnecessary decoration and noise.  It’s very quiet and elegant. It is really a men’s brothel here, aside from men, there are also boys, boys who lead and accompany men. All the men and boys here are beautiful, delicate, masculine or charming. All looked outstanding….But wandering with Feng Yin all day, I often look at and compare his face. And I thought, all the beauties are not as good as Feng Yin.

At first, Ziqing, who couldn’t help but lament on the situation, took Feng Yin to Hua mansion to watch some dance. Feng Yin’s appearance made the top girls in the building ashamed, but he wasn’t aware of it.

The top grade in Zhao Mu mansion was called Muqin, who was excellent in qin, chess, calligraphy and painting. He was dressed in a lilac tulle, and his black hair is half loose and half tied behind his head, adding a touch of elegance.

Even the Dao would be ashamed. Playing qin, knowing how to play chess, calligraphy and painting? For me, I only know what the four orifices are and I don’t know anything about the rest. I’m better at martial arts and sword than this.

Feng Yin called Muqin and another man who looked more masculine to the guest room. I only watched, sat and did nothing. There was also a man with a beautiful appearance and elegant temperament who also took me to another guest room.

I didn’t think much about it, I just drank tea and chatted with him to pass the time. Although I have loved coming to these places to hang out since I was young, I only mingled, watched the beautiful dance, and did nothing else.

The man’s name was Han Shu. He was originally a famous zither player. Later, he was forced to be a servant for some reason. We were getting along quite well.

The tea in Zhao Mu mansion tastes good. It was sweet and mixed with light fragrance. It was warm in the stomach and a little hot…

After a while, I felt my stomach was a little too hot and I was burning up. I found out later….There was a problem with this tea!

“This tea…are there aphrodisiacs in it?”

“Oh… Don’t be ridiculous, young master. In the red-light district, who doesn’t know that the drinks and refreshments contain aphrodisiacs?” Han Shu, who also drank the tea, had half squinted eyes and a faint blush, then stripped off his clothes without delay. His words clearly contained ridicule.

But this action, in my opinion, was extremely provocative!

With a pair of arms placed down on my shoulders, Han Shu smiled lowly, his half naked body was very bewitching.

I couldn’t help stroking his face and covering his lips with mine. There was the fragrance of the previous tea on his lips and his body radiated some coolness that I couldn’t help but want to caress.

‘Don’t! Si Ran will be angry!’

‘Stop! Si Ran will be sad!’

It’s really vexing. I came to this men’s brothel for fun, so why should I care about Si Ran’s feelings?

What’s more, who is Si Ran? I don’t know such a person……

Not a moment later, I paused. Ran out of the men’s brothel all the way back to my house. My hair was disheveled, my clothes were disarray, all in all, I looked like a mess. It made the watchman think he’d seen a ghost.

I ran to the ancient well in the house, took a bucket of water, and drenched myself from head to toe. Only then did the abnormal dryness and heat in my body dissipate. My clothes were wet and stuck close to my skin. When the breeze blew, bursts of piercing cold were felt.

As soon as I turned sideways, I saw Xin Xing holding a lantern and staring at me in a daze with sleepy eyes. After a long time, he reacted, rubbed his eyes and shouted at me in amazement.

I frowned: “What in the ghost’s name…Don’t you know that this is your master?” I quickly took off my wet clothes. I was a little impatient. “Gee, don’t be silly there. Bring me a dress quickly.”

In a hurry, he replied yes. Not long after Xin Xing brought me a dress, I wrapped it around my body and stared at Xin Xing for a while, and then called him into the room to speak.

Translator’s Note

Zhao Mu=morning to night/all day long

Dali Temple= is a Buddhist temple located on Mount Jizu, in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Cast plaque=are long-lasting metal panels used for signage, dedications, trail markers, memorials and works of art.

Kyoto= ‘a Japanese city’

tulle=a soft, fine silk, cotton, or nylon material like net, used for making veils and dresses.