The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Have a Drink

The sudden voice of anger interrupted the laughter and joy in the room.

The girl in red, who was feeding grapes to Xia Wenjin, suddenly brightened up, and said with a smile, ”This young master looks handsome. Young master, let Qi Hong serve you!” With that, she walked over with a smile.

Her red skirt grazed the floor, her figure was graceful, with beautiful curves. Every inch of her exuded an irresistible charm, making it impossible for men to look away. She was one of Jinxiu Square’s four famous entertainers. With such alluring ladies, how could Jinxiu Square worry about bad business?

Huangfu Jingchen hurriedly took a step back and shouted, ”Stop!”

Qi Hong chuckled and said, ”Young master, isn’t everyone coming here to seek pleasure? Why such a temper? Perhaps you’re not looking for women, but for a male courtesan?”

Her words were full of mischievous teasing, and her voice was sweet and pleasant, drawing laughter throughout the room.

Xia Wenjin, with a fair hand, held a delicate porcelain wine cup, sipping the fine wine lightly, looking at Huangfu Jingchen with indifference: ”The silver I have is earned by my skills! I only took my rightful share, didn’t ask for more, nor did I trouble Young Master Huang in the slightest. What, are you going to dictate how I spend this silver?”

Huangfu Jingchen was extremely angry in his heart. In his life’s teachings, a man should have the responsibilities and duties of a man, just like his father, never indulging frivolously. Loving someone meant treating her well for a lifetime. Before meeting that person, a man should remain pure, not frivolously enticing, lingering among the flowers.

Especially since this was a Qinglou, could it be a good place?

Xia Wenjin, this young man, indulges in both genders, behaves recklessly, and his character is so lowly; he truly despises him!

Xia Wenjin put down the cup and smiled, ”Ladies, it’s time to test your skills. Whoever can make this young master stay overnight, I’ll reward her with a thousand taels of silver!”

A thousand taels of silver?

Although the Qinglou is a money pit, where spending lavishly is common, this casual manner somehow exudes unspeakable confidence and extravagance. Several girls immediately leaned toward Huangfu Jingchen, giggling, ”Young master, since you’re here, at least sit down and have a drink?”

Huangfu Jingchen stepped back, pointing at them, ”Stop, stay away from me!”

The girl in green beside Qi Hong sighed softly, with a voice full of helpless sorrow, ”Young master, it seems you are new to the Qinglou, presumably from a decent family. With your status, how can you fancy us women floating like duckweed? Many men in this world think we are unaware of self-love, willing to sink into depravity. But who knows our inner pains? If possible, who would want to be in the Qinglou? Who doesn’t wish to be an ordinary girl, marry into a family, and teach children? But who gives us such an opportunity? We are just weak women driven by destiny, riding the waves and drifting along.”

Qi Hong said, ”Ming Cui, why dwell on the past? Our fates are unfortunate, born to be abused. Who told us we couldn’t be born into rich families, without worries about food and clothing, so we wouldn’t be sold to this place? Stop thinking, otherwise, how will we get through these days?”

The faces of several women showed signs of sorrow.

Huangfu Jingchen naturally understood that many Qinglou women were driven by circumstances, swept into this life by fate. He did not look down on them but wouldn’t indulge in pleasure like Xia Wenjin, clasping his hands respectfully, ”Ladies, I do not intend to disrespect you. However, family rules are strict. Family members are not allowed to enter the Qinglou. I came this time to find him!” He pointed at Xia Wenjin.

His face was righteous, his expression solemn and serious, and indeed there was no hint of disdain or frivolity in his tone.

This made Qi Hong, Ming Cui, and the other girls feel reluctant to continue pestering. Xia Wenjin laughed, stood up, brushed his sleeve, and said with a smile, ”It was quite interesting initially, but with Brother Huang arriving, the atmosphere is completely ruined.” He pulled out a stack of silver notes in hundred tael denominations, counted ten and placed them on the table, waving a hand, ”Ladies, divide it among yourselves!”

The women rejoiced and all said, ”Thank you, young master!”

As they walked out of the Qinglou, seeing Huangfu Jingchen with a sullen face, Xia Wenjin couldn’t help but laugh, ”Brother Huang, I haven’t run away; I’m just having a drink and a bit of fun. Even if you didn’t come to find me, once I’ve had enough, I’d naturally go back; why such a demeanor? People might think I owe you a lot of silver!”

Huangfu Jingchen exclaimed angrily, ”This young master should let you drink yourself to death in the tender places!”

Xia Wenjin chuckled and teased, ”Brother Huang, you’re the one interrupting me, and I’m not even upset, yet you’re this angry. Are you perhaps a green-skinned toad, learning only to glare and inflate all day long?”

Green-skinned toad? Don’t think he doesn’t know this is a curse. Huangfu Jingchen coldly glanced at her, his voice annoyed, ”Pack up, let’s move now!”

”It’s nearly dark; tomorrow, perhaps?” Xia Wenjin looked at the sky outside, seeing the sun was about to set.

Huangfu Jingchen gave her a cold glance and said, ”Do you want to return to Jinxiu Square?”

”Jinxiu Square? I’m bound to return sooner or later because it’s mine!”

Huangfu Jingchen ignored her; he had already witnessed her shamelessness, boasting without a hint of embarrassment.

Xia Wenjin yawned lazily, ”Alright, alright, you’re the boss, you decide! Isn’t it just camping outdoors, traveling by night? What’s the big deal?”

They didn’t have much luggage anyways, packed up, checked out of the room, and left the city.

Huangfu Jingchen wasn’t sure whether he was fueled by an inner fire or made decisions for safety, or if he felt being in secluded areas would prevent Xia Wenjin from indulging, so he chose to avoid the official road, opting for small paths.

The direction was correct, and it was indeed a shortcut. Within ten days, they would arrive at Liangzhou. The Glazed Pavilion Xia Wenjin mentioned was located in Yutong County, the county of Liangzhou closest to Jiazhou.

Spending more days with Xia Wenjin made him feel suffocated.

This suffocation was not only due to Xia Wenjin’s irresponsible, lazy behavior, his cunning shamelessness. It was also due to an indefinable sense of oppression on his own part.

Indeed, as Xia Wenjin predicted, after traveling for over half an hour, it got dark.

Under these circumstances, they naturally had to camp.

Huangfu Jingchen found a relatively flat area, with some wild grass and trees, and planned to camp the night there.

Xia Wenjin sighed, ”We should have had dinner before setting out; now I’m hungry!”

Huangfu Jingchen untied a bundle and took out two white buns.

Xia Wenjin: ”...”

She looked up and down at Huangfu Jingchen in astonishment, ”You prepared just this for me to eat?”