I am the champion of palace intrigue, and even the proud prince bows his head in submission.

Chapter 124 What's wrong with courtesans?

Xie Yanli glanced at him. "Too talkative."

He spoke as if he disliked his three children a lot.

However... there is some truth to it.

The next day.

The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the theater, and a theater servant came forward and respectfully lifted the curtain.

Qin Jiuwei stepped down from the carriage, wearing a light purple brocade dress and a moon-white gauze cloak.

With a veil covering her face, her clothes fluttered as she walked, making her appear like a fairy descending to earth.

The servant respectfully led Qin Jiuwei to her reserved private room.

Qin Jiuwei had just sat down when the door behind her was pushed open.

"Cousin!" Jiang Yunzhu called out in a light and cheerful voice.

Today she wore a light blue silk dress with a pale pink ribbon tied around her waist, which swayed slightly with her light steps.

Jiang Yunzhu stepped forward and sat down next to Qin Jiuwei, close to her.

"Cousin, this theater is so grand!" Jiang Yunzhu exclaimed in surprise, her eyes curiously looking around.

As expected of the capital city, it is truly prosperous.

Their private box had an excellent location, with a window in front that offered a perfect view of the scene on stage.

On the table to the side were delicate tea snacks and fruits, as well as steaming hot tea.

After Jiang Yunzhu sat down, she saw the pastries placed next to her, picked up a piece and put it in her mouth. "Hmm, this pastry is also very delicious."

Qin Jiuwei couldn't help but smile as she looked at her adorable appearance.

At this time, more and more guests were arriving at the theater, and the noise was rising and falling, as everyone was looking forward to the upcoming excerpt from the opera.

"Yunzhu." Qin Jiuwei put down her teacup, turned to look at her, and asked, "Are you satisfied with your marriage to Chen Xiuming?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yunzhu's eyes dimmed instantly, and she slowed down her eating of the pastries.

“What use is it whether I’m satisfied or not? This marriage was arranged by our elders when I was young, and I already knew what was going on.”

She sighed softly, "Since ancient times, a woman's marriage has always been arranged by her parents and the matchmaker, and I have no say in it at all."

"I'll get married sooner or later, and if not Chen Xiuming, then someone else..."

"Moreover, I met Chen Xiuming yesterday, and he is quite a handsome man."

"Yesterday?" Qin Jiu asked, frowning slightly.

"Mmm." Jiang Yunzhu nodded. "After you left yesterday, the Chen family sent someone over in the afternoon."

"When they heard that my mother and I had returned to Beijing, they sent Chen Xiuming with gifts in person."

Qin Jiuwei scoffed coldly, "Your manners are certainly impeccable."

“Yes.” Jiang Yunzhu put the last bite of pastry into her mouth, and after finishing, she continued, “Father said the same thing.”

“My father was on good terms with Chen Xiuming’s father, and I never heard anything bad about the Chen family from him.”

Her tone was slightly complaining, and after she finished speaking, she ate another piece of pastry.

When it eats, its mouth puffs out like a hamster's.

Qin Jiuwei looked at her and couldn't help but chuckle, finding her utterly adorable.

But this adorable and lively person will be... in just one month...

Qin Jiuwei's heart tightened involuntarily.

Just then, a loud male voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"You little rascal, you're being far too careless! If you hurt my wife, you'll be sorry!"

Immediately following was the sound of the servant repeatedly apologizing.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yunzhu's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.

That voice sounds so familiar.

Seeing her expression, Qin Jiuwei subtly curved her lips into a smile.

She finally got what she'd been waiting for.

"Cousin, how about we go out and take a look?" Qin Jiuwei said.

After saying that, he stood up straight without waiting for Jiang Yunzhu's reaction.

"Cousin, wait for me."

Seeing that Qin Jiuwei had gone, Jiang Yunzhu, who always loved excitement, quickly lifted her skirt and followed.

Outside, a man in a purple robe was pointing at the servant in front of him and shouting, "What kind of work have you done? You almost burned my wife! Do you really think an apology will solve everything today?"

He held a woman tightly in his arms. The woman was dressed in a brightly colored silk dress, with exquisite makeup, a charming look in her eyes, and her eyebrows were furrowed, her face full of grievance.

Upon seeing his face clearly, Jiang Yunzhu's eyes widened in surprise.

"Chen Xiuming!"

When Chen Xiuming saw her, he was taken aback for a moment, and a hint of unease flashed across his face.

But she quickly regained her composure. "Miss Jiang, what are you doing here?"

They had just met yesterday and were preparing to discuss marriage, but unexpectedly, she bumped into Mengniang today.

What a coincidence.

Jiang Yunzhu's lips trembled slightly. "Who is she?"

They were to get married in a month, and here he was, embracing another woman!

Moreover, Chen's father once said that Chen Xiuming did not have any concubines, so what's going on now?

Chen Xiuming opened his mouth, but didn't really want to answer.

At this moment, the crowd gradually gathered, and a man in blue shouted loudly.

"I almost didn't recognize her. Isn't this Miss Meng from the Yihong Courtyard? I heard she was redeemed recently. I never expected it was Young Master Chen's doing."

Yihong Courtyard? Brothel?

Jiang Yunzhu's eyes widened in shock upon hearing this.

Qin Jiuwei gave Chen Xiuming a cold glance.

Last night, she sent Xiaohe to the brothel to spend money to inquire about it.

They soon learned that Chen Xiuming had been frequenting the brothel Yihong recently, and had even spent a fortune to book one of the girls, named Mengniang.

The reason my cousin got venereal disease in my past life has been found...

The Jiang family was still kept in the dark.

The Jiang family had just arrived in the capital, and this matter was not considered a big deal, so it naturally did not spread.

If Qin Jiuwei hadn't thought of venereal diseases, she wouldn't have thought to investigate the brothel.

Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, Chen Xiuming said nonchalantly, "Mengniang was indeed redeemed from the Yihong Courtyard. She is now innocent. I want to take her as my concubine."

"Mengniang is gentle and kind, you will surely get along well."

After Chen Xiuming finished speaking, he casually glanced at Jiang Yunzhu.

It's perfectly normal for a man to have multiple wives and concubines.

The fact that he's willing to patiently explain so much to Jiang Yunzhu is already a great favor to her.

"You still want to take her as a concubine?" Jiang Yunzhu's face instantly turned cold.

How could she share a husband with a courtesan?!

"I disagree!" Jiang Yunzhu said coldly, her voice rising several decibels.

Chen Xiuming was taken aback when he heard this, not expecting her to refuse so directly.

The crowd quickly began to discuss it.

At this moment, being publicly humiliated, he couldn't help but get angry.

He reached out and hugged Mengniang even tighter.

"Whether you agree or not is not important. It is your blessing to marry me. Our Chen family is an earldom, and I am my father's only son. I will inherit the title in the future."

Chen Xiuming raised his chin provocatively: "Our marriage is arranged by our elders. Don't worry, as long as you can tolerate Mengniang, I will treat you well and make you a respectable young mistress of an earl's mansion."

“But she’s a courtesan.” Jiang Yunzhu glared at him.

"What's wrong with courtesans?" Chen Xiuming raised his chin, his eyes full of disdain.

"Are you a princess or a county princess? What makes you so noble?"

Jiang Yunzhu trembled with anger. "Chen Xiuming, you've gone too far! Aren't you afraid our Jiang family will break off the engagement?"