The lanterns light up, and the streets are crowded with people. The city is as bright as day. The shouts of vendors in the distance rise and fall, not very clear.

A small boat glides across the shimmering river, with the lights on both banks reflected in the water. The moon casts a tranquil shadow, and stars twinkle, falling into the reflection.

The lantern on the bow sways as the boatman steers, and the sound of water flows gently.

The boat rocks lightly. Shen Zhiyi leans out, touching the water with her fingertips, signaling Yu Tingwan to look across.

Yu Tingwan, for some reason, feels her eyelids twitch. As she turns her wrist to pour tea, some spills over.

She frowns slightly, wipes the water stains with a handkerchief, and follows Shen Zhiyi’s pointing direction with her gaze.

Across the water is a luxurious flower boat.

Adorned with beautiful silk fabrics, it’s very lavish. The roof arches elegantly with hanging glass lanterns, and there are bells that sway with the wind, their clear sound audible.

Shen Zhiyi explains to her: "Every night market, the brothel sends an Oiran with budding courtesans over, either swaying their waists or playing music to showcase their skills."

"Whoever takes a fancy, and pays enough, can take her away. Look, those boats going over there are all after the courtesans."

"Don’t be fooled by how upright some men seem; when it comes to this, they all indulge just as much."

The courtesans on the boat move gracefully, their skirt hems forming elegant arcs.

Yu Tingwan rests her chin on her hand.

"Truly beautiful."

Yu Tingwan says: "I like the one in the bright red dress. She’s the most striking."

Sultry in nature, and she dances the best.

Her voice is as melodious as a warbler.

Even as a woman, watching her makes one’s heart itch.

This comment, Shen Zhiyi cannot refute.

"That’s the Oiran of the brothel."

Of course she’s outstanding.

"When she was brought to the Capital by the Flower House Steward years ago, she was already a sensation. If it weren’t for her young age and the brothel’s madam grooming her like a cash cow, she would’ve started entertaining guests long ago."

Her food, clothing, and shelter are all of the best, and the skills she learns are respectable arts, not merely seducing men, but truly music and chess, calligraphy and painting.

Elegant.

Shen Zhiyi pauses: "The year before Wei Zhao returned to the Capital, he was assisting the Ministry of Justice with a case that involved a brothel. When he went, that girl was auctioning her first night, and a bunch of young lords were competing for it, but she only had eyes for Wei Zhao."

"Many people, seeing this, couldn’t help but wonder aloud whether General Wei could withstand the beauty’s charm."

Yu Tingwan didn’t expect the gossip to involve herself.

If it were someone else, they would have been anxious by now.

But Yu Tingwan hesitated for a moment: "Nothing happened, right?"

After all, Wei Zhao was quite uncompromising.

"It turned out okay."

"But all the courtesans in the building, the patrons, and even the servants serving tea and water were detained for questioning under suspicion. The brothel was closed for a month for overhaul as well."

Yu Tingwan: ...

She sat up straighter.

"Can’t be helped."

She spread her hands innocently: "My husband remains as virtuous as a jade."

Shen Zhiyi said so much, but cared only about one thing.

"Many people privately said that Wei Zhao was too chaste and did not like women."

Yu Tingwan straightened her back even more.

Clearly, this is her talent!

It’s because she’s exceptionally good, that Wei Zhao is moved!

Then she heard Shen Zhiyi give a slight cough.

"Let me ask you something"

Lowering her voice, she glanced at Yu Tingwan: "You’re still a maiden, right?"

Yu Tingwan: ?

"Given your status, many are watching, and there’s plenty of gossip."

"I understand Wei Zhao may not be physically capable; after all, he may be pained that he can’t do anything with someone so stunning and gentle by his side."

Shen Zhiyi considered Yu Tingwan a confidante, and wasn’t shy to say such things.

"But I’m worried that he’s truly incapable, a half-man, using his health as a pretext to delay you openly. Isn’t that unfair to you?"

Seeing Yu Tingwan furrow her brow, she feared she might not understand.

After all, when a woman gets married, a mother usually teaches bedroom affairs. Shen Zhiyi eavesdropped when her older sister was married off.

But Yu Tingwan didn’t have that experience.

She might think lying on the same bed means they’re truly husband and wife.

Shen Zhiyi: "Do you two have..."

She rephrased:

Yu Tingwan straightforwardly said: "Intercourse?"

Shen Zhiyi: ???

How crude.

She almost couldn’t believe it came out of the fair-skinned and tender Yu Tingwan’s mouth.

Yu Tingwan: "Stop worrying unnecessarily. If you want advice, I can teach you." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Shen Zhiyi: ???

No need for that.

"Last year’s night market, a group of young lords almost fought over that Oiran. It was a big fuss."

Yu Tingwan regretted not witnessing the scene.

"Who ended up with her?"

She wanted to know, perhaps she recognized them.

Shen Zhiyi: "Someone familiar."

Yu Tingwan had a foreboding feeling.

Shen Zhiyi casually said, "Xiao Huaian."

"No need for me to teach; he’s a seasoned player in the field of romance."

Yu Tingwan felt even Xiao Huaian would find it hard to explain.

"This...that..."

Shen Zhiyi: "It’s nothing, at least it proves he’s a healthy man."

"You haven’t seen how deferential my father acts in my presence these days."

"The concubines in the house no longer dare to upset my mother, and illegitimate brothers and sisters have also learned to behave humbly in front of me."

"I’ve gotten what I wanted, and I’m especially grateful to Xiao Huaian for that."

In life, when you gain something, you always lose something else.

Shen Zhiyi: "Now I’ve come to see, Aunt Xiao is easygoing. If I marry into Marquis Zhongyong Mansion and bear a son, life won’t be bad."

"Xiao Huaian might be a bit of a philanderer, but as long as he gives me face, I can turn a blind eye to what he does outside."

The small boat slowly passes by the flower boat, moving forward leisurely.

Yu Tingwan: "Don’t be so negative."

"Spent three hundred taels."

Yu Tingwan: "That’s okay then."

"Gold."

Yu Tingwan took a deep breath.

She insisted: "But I think there might be a misunderstanding in this."

Shen Zhiyi said: "Borrowed Wei Zhao’s silver, not sure if he’s repaid it."

Yu Tingwan changed her tone: "That’s too wicked."

The boat swayed lightly and finally stopped at the dock.

Before they could get off, the boat swayed as someone boarded.

The boat wasn’t large.

Xiao Huaian bent down to enter.

Behind him was Wei Zhao, walking slowly, his face pale.

Shen Zhiyi was surprised that Wei Zhao was able to walk, but seeing his complexion was not good, she couldn’t help but furrow her brows.

"Xiao Huaian, why don’t you support him."

If he falls to his death, Yu Tingwan would be widowed.

Seeing her, Xiao Huaian felt relieved and even obediently turned to extend his hand, but Wei Zhao brushed it aside and stood before Yu Tingwan.

"Let’s go."

Yu Tingwan, seeing Wei Zhao was okay, relaxed her heart. She didn’t remember Wei Zhao mentioning he’d accompany her to the night market, puzzled: "Where to?"

Wei Zhao squinted, his dark eyes deep, listlessly looking at Yu Tingwan. About to ask if she intended to stand him up.

"I agreed with Yu Tingwan that we’d later go to West Street to see the lantern festival."

That was Shen Zhiyi’s voice.

Xiao Huaian was not pleased.

He glanced around and sat directly next to Shen Zhiyi, making the cabin crowded, yet he was oblivious, mischievously taking the fan on the table, spinning it, and turning to look at her.

"Fiancée."

No longer calling her a cellmate.

He smiled: "I’ll accompany you to the lantern festival."