"Welcome, esteemed guest," the madam said, approaching with a fawning smile.
Ji Zizhao had no desire to interact with the madam and looked towards Fubao.
Fubao quickly stepped between the madam and her young lady, tossing a gold ingot. "This is a gift from our young master. You only need to keep your mouth shut, and our young master will surely reward you further."
Zui Chun Tower was one of the more renowned brothels in the flower district, currently even housing the newly chosen courtesan queen. Yet, even so, the madam had never encountered such a generous patron, one who produced a gold ingot as a mere deposit.
Glancing at the official seal embedded in the gold ingot, the madam dared not utter another word, nor even look at Ji Zizhao again. "Please, enter, my lord, please..."
Ji Zizhao, accompanied by Mo Hen and Xue Ying, entered the building through the back door. Xue Ying acutely sensed the madam, who was nodding and bowing at the rear, stealthily appraising Ji Zizhao.
Instantly, Xue Ying's killing intent leaked out.
Ji Zizhao suddenly grabbed Xue Ying's hand and gently shook her head. "Those who can afford to run such a place are not fools. She's sizing me up, merely trying to guess my identity. The more she tries, the less we must let her know who we are."
"This subordinate merely worries that this madam might leak today's events," Xue Ying said, more cautious and careful than Mo Hen, who was of the death warrior origin.
"Places like this fear bloodshed the most. Rest assured, this madam is more concerned about the exposure of Ji Zongyou's matters than we are," Ji Zizhao stated calmly.
What she had Fubao give earlier was imperial silver personally bestowed by the Empress after the Emperor's decree for their engagement. However, the madam only saw it as official silver, unaware of its origin. Thus, the madam would only assume that the imperial court had already intervened. The common folk do not contend with officials. If this madam is not foolish, she will proactively distance herself from this matter.
As expected, after leading Ji Zizhao and her companions to a room on the third floor, the madam retreated downstairs, her demeanor akin to a whipped dog fleeing.
Ji Zizhao left Ta Xue to guard the door while she, with Mo Hen, pushed open the room's door.
Upon stepping inside, a miasma of foul air assailed them. The room was littered with broken soft whips, snapped bamboo strips, and various powders and pills typically sold only in the flower district scattered carelessly on the floor.
Mo Hen was surprised that Ji Zongyou, no longer even considered a man, could resort to such despicable methods. Fearing these things would sully his young lady's eyes, he quickly stirred up a gust of cool wind, clearing a clean area, and then brought a chair.
Ji Zizhao had long known Ji Zongyou's character and was unfazed by the current filth. She took out a small medicine bottle from her bosom and handed it to Mo Hen. "Go fetch a bucket of cold water, pour this in. Our young master Zongyou is sleeping too soundly; he needs to be awakened first."
Mo Hen nodded, took the medicine bottle, and went out.
In a moment, a bucket of bone-chilling well water was doused over Ji Zongyou.
On the bed, Ji Zongyou, who had been in a coma, groggily opened his eyes. He vaguely saw a figure not far away and, without thinking, called out, "Why aren't you coming to serve me and help me wash and change! Don't say I didn't warn you; I am the brother of the Fourth Prince's consort. Offend me, and you offend royalty!"
As he spoke, he fumbled in his embrace and tossed a bank note towards Ji Zizhao.
This scene truly ignited Mo Hen's desire to kill! Their young lady had no lack of money, but it was all earned through hard work, and how could they allow it to be squandered like this! And now, he dared to brandish the royal banner and bully others with borrowed prestige. Who gave him the nerve?
Ji Zizhao did not seem angry, merely stating calmly, "Young Master Zongyou indeed has great airs. However, I was unaware that my relationship with Young Master Zongyou had become so intimate, so much so that you dare to use my name to flaunt your power even against royalty."
This voice...
Ji Zongyou quickly widened his eyes. As his vision cleared, he finally saw Ji Zizhao sitting not far away!
"Ji! Zi! Zhao! What are you doing here?"
"I've come to find an answer from you."
"What do you mean?" Ji Zongyou glared at Ji Zizhao, full of suspicion.
Under Ji Zongyou's scrutiny, Ji Zizhao unhurriedly shifted her posture, propping up her cheek with her hand, and said again, "How exactly did my mother die."
Ji Zongyou's gaze flickered, then he let out a mocking laugh. "How would I know how your mother died? Did you get confused with anger because I've been living lavishly outside using your name? But even if you deny it, you can never escape the fact that I am your brother."
"Miss, shall this subordinate take action?" Mo Hen could no longer bear to listen.
Ji Zizhao, however, shook her head. "I am not here today to beat him."
"Hahaha! This is a brothel, and soon it will open for business. If you beat me here, the people of the imperial city will soon know that the current Fourth Prince's consort is heartless and cruel, daring to beat her own brother. At that time, how could the royal family want a daughter-in-law with such a tarnished reputation!" Ji Zongyou laughed heartily, utterly arrogant.
But the next second, Ji Zizhao's words sent him plummeting to the depths.
"I have come here today to send you on your way."
Since he is a dying man, why waste further effort?
Ji Zongyou snorted dismissively, "Ji Zizhao, you're bluffing me. You're just a foul woman, a worthless rag. How can you possibly take my life?"
"By the fact that I broke your legs, drove you out of the Ji family's door, and left you to wander the imperial city as a homeless orphan, even after being kicked aside like garbage by the Zou family..." Ji Zizhao extended her slender, jade-like fingers, counting as if absentmindedly. With each count, the smile on Ji Zongyou's face stiffened a little more.
Ji Zizhao, as if not seeing Ji Zongyou's expression, thought for a moment and continued, "Oh, and I forgot to tell you, the matter of you being unable to become a man was also my doing."
"Ji Zizhao, you slut!" Ji Zongyou's face was as contorted now as it had been arrogant before. He had long felt that the events that befell him seemed too coincidental, never imagining it was all Ji Zizhao's doing.
Ji Zizhao met Ji Zongyou's gaze fearlessly, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Now, you should believe that I am truly here to send you on your way, shouldn't you?"