Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In the end, Jiang Pengji brought ten taels of silver pieces. The amount was enough to alarm most moners at pickpockets. Jiang Pengji found it adequate, too, but it was close to nothing for Meng Liang.
Unlike the other four kingdoms, Dongqing had not imposed a curfew. The town gate was closed only at night.
The streets were noisy. Vendors were yelling, selling handicrafts and cheap jewelry. The modities were sophisticated despite their plain materials.
Against the backdrop of the prosperous streets, there were young ladies walking, hiding their countenances behind thin veils. Their diminishing figures stunned Meng Liang, causing him to stop in the middle of the road.
Jiang Pengji side-eyed him and teased, “You act more like a man than I do now. Why are you staring at them like that? You are much prettier.”
Interrupted, Meng Liang frowned at her. He admitted that he was proud of his appearance, but he disliked it when others pared it to feminine contours. Jiang Pengji’s words were like mockery to him, and, if they were in Cang, he would have smacked her on the face.
Luckily, he managed to refrain himself and faked a smile when his hands secretly clenched into fists. “Lanting, you shouldn’t have said that, or else others would know I’m a girl. I’m just curious about beautiful ladies in Hejian.”
Jiang Pengji nodded with unshown scorn, turned to him, and said some flatteries that made Meng Liang feel better.
She then stopped in front of a hawker. “How much are these?” The round-shaped flowers were made of rabbit hair and tinted with attractive colours. Similar handicrafts were hung next to the one she liked.
“Boys don’t buy flowers.” Meng Liang seized the opportunity to tease her back.
Jiang Pengji said, “It’s for my attendants. I may use all my money on gifts for them like clothes and makeup… Nongqin, try this on! It suits you.”
Nongqin blushed when she touched the flower and felt the warmth of her finger tips. “Thank you.”
“Oh, I’ve forgotten that you can’t wear it now. Maybe later.”
The girl’s hands froze, her face red like apples. She had also forgotten about her disguise as a male at the moment.
Next to them, Meng Liang said, “Tst! Is this what you give to ladies? Such cheap products?”
“Attendants can’t wear jewelry.” She picked some other flowers, and then bought some blush palettes and pink lip balm. The colors were not too sharp so the girls could use them every day at the Liu’s house. “My attendants are at their bloom. It’s better we avoid luxurious items that will only make them appear older than they really are.”
After a long time of selection, almost every attendant had a small pile of gifts.
Meanwhile, Meng Liang had lost his patience.
His plan was to take Liu Xi to the gambling house. As soon as he became a punter, he would be too afraid to tell his parents, and Meng Liang would be the only person he could turn to. That way, Meng Liang could form a close relationship with Liu Xi, and at the same time ruin the langjun’s future.
I can’t wait to see how Liu Xi wastes all his family’s money! However, when Meng Liang watched Jiang Pengji pick girlish items, he wondered if his goal could ever be achieved.
“Why do you want to gamble?” Jiang Pengji shook her head. “What if someone offends you? There are all kinds of people in those places. Let’s go somewhere else…”
Meng Liang laughed at her innocent rejection. “No worries! My servants say many langjuns frequent there, too! It won’t be that bad. Cousin, please! I’m so curious!”
“No! Definitely! My mother won’t forgive me if anything happens to you.” Jiang Pengji rejected as if she was determined.
Yet, Meng Liang would not give up easily. Eventually Jiang Pengji “was persuaded” to take him there for a glimpse, but the two agreed they would not stay there long. Nonqing was deeply concerned—how she wished to alert Second Langjun to Meng Liang!—but she must swallow the words in front of the “cousin” and follow the two into a gambling house.
Behind the curtains was a boisterous crowd of men shouting around tables. Their sleeves were rolled up, and some stepped on a bench to watch clearly.
“Big! It must be big!”
“No way! It must be small!”
Nongqin shuddered at the constant roar.
“I’m here.” Jiang Pengji put her arm around the girl’s shoulders and gave her a forting smile, which calmed her down.
The place was spacious. The first floor alone consisted of around fifteen tables, each surrounded by more than twenty people.
A receptionist’s eyes were brightened the moment he saw them. The teenagers assembled all features of easy prey: young, innocent faces, lavish clothing…
“Good evening. How may I help you?” The receptionist approached them, grinning. His teeth were yellow.
Jiang Pengji took a step backward, gesturing to Meng Liang to leave, but the boy answered, “We’re here for fun. What do you have?”
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