Chapter 28

"Pay your respects to Princess Zining." Song Ningbing performed a deep bow.

"Please rise, Sister." Princess Zining said gently, then gracefully took her seat at the head of the room.

Song Ningbing did not sit down. When facing a member of the royal family, one could not sit unless invited to do so.

"Song Lun's performance at the Royal City Academy today was truly impressive," Princess Zining said. "Tutor Xiuyan has already conveyed his views to the royal family and the cabinet: to develop the navy and leave Tian Shui City alone."

Song Ningbing bowed again and said, "I beg for the mercy of Your Highness and Princess."

"Why are we determined to take Tian Shui City? Song Lun explained it clearly in class," Princess Zining said. "We have no personal grudges, and although Tian Shui City is prosperous, the royal family is wealthy enough that a territory of five hundred miles is not a concern. This involves the kingdom's future expansion strategy, which is why we are determined to take Tian Shui City. I apologize for that."

Song Ningbing said, "But, attacking the Wilderness Plain by sea is not impossible, right?"

Princess Zining replied, "However, this plan was proposed by Uncle Ziting, not by Prince Zili. If this plan is adopted, it would mean a strategic failure for Prince Zili. Do you understand what that means?"

Song Ningbing, of course, understood. Moreover, Prince Zili was not King Zibian's biological son, but his nephew.

King Zibian had only one daughter and no sons, so he adopted his nephew Zili. Although everyone treated Zili as the crown prince, Zili himself felt a sense of crisis.

Taking Tian Shui City and the Wilderness Canyon as a base for attacking the Wilderness Plain was Prince Zili's strategic direction. He had already paid a great price for it, even to the point of dismantling the kingdom's feudal system. He could not afford to fail.

Song Ningbing said, "Prince Zili's strategy is important, but does that mean my Song family must die?"

Princess Zining did not answer directly but said, "Song Lun's performance in class today was surely due to your guidance, Sister."

Song Ningbing hesitated for a moment and nodded. This was to protect Song Lun; if the royal family knew that Song Lun was already wise and intelligent, his life would be in danger.

"Sister, you are truly wise. I admire you greatly, which is why I came to visit," Zining said. "Originally, your Song family was doomed. Even if we did not act, Duke Ziting would have destroyed you himself. You know he is more direct than we are, as he does not need to consider his reputation. But upon discovering your wisdom, I still came."

Song Ningbing said, "I beg for your guidance, Princess."

Princess Zining said, "We will temporarily borrow Tian Shui City and return it to your Song family in twenty years."

Song Ningbing said, "Giving up what you have already obtained is not your style."

"That's true," Princess Zining said. "But Prince Zili values talent greatly. For you, he can give up the five hundred miles of territory in Tian Shui City."

Song Ningbing's body trembled, and she said, "How so?"

Princess Zining said, "You will swear allegiance to Prince Zili and become his aide. In twenty years, your son will inherit the position of Lord of Tian Shui City and be promoted to a duke."

Song Ningbing said, "Unfortunately, I have no son."

"You can have a son," Princess Zining said.

Song Ningbing asked, "With whom?"

"Of course, with my brother, Prince Zili. You should know that this is a great honor and your only chance to save the Song family," Princess Zining said.

Song Ningbing's face turned pale and she said, "What about Song Lun?"

Princess Zining said coolly, "You are saving a family, not an individual. There are no perfect solutions in the world. Prince Zili values you, not Song Lun. Not to mention, Song Lun once pursued me, which is a grave offense to Prince Zili."

In her words, Song Lun was destined to die.

Song Ningbing lifted her beautiful face and smiled, "Then why not marry Song Lun, and your son will become the Lord of Tian Shui City, making us one family."

Upon hearing this, Princess Zining immediately put on a hood and left, saying, "Pretend I never came. You have two days left."

...

Feihua Pavilion, one of the largest brothels in the Royal City.

In this world, there were also courtesans who sold their art but not their bodies, known as "great ladies."

However, the women of Feihua Pavilion sold both their art and their bodies. As a playboy, Song Lun rarely patronized the so-called "great ladies" who sold their art but not their bodies. He said that these women were specifically there to deceive others and did not need his comfort.

His words won the hearts of many women in the pleasure quarters but offended many "great ladies" who sold their art but not their bodies.

Song Lun's reputation in the pleasure quarters was, to put it mildly, that of a patriarch. He even brought his girlfriend to the brothels.

Over the years, he had spent at least a thousand gold coins in brothels. Moreover, he often brought other rich young men with him, and together they spent thousands of gold coins.

When Song Lun visited a brothel, he usually did not choose the most popular women but those who were less in demand, and he would choose dozens at a time. He said that this was to ensure that even the less popular women could earn a living.

Therefore, Song Lun's reputation in the Royal City was very poor, but in the pleasure quarters, he was highly respected and considered a close friend by many women.

When Lan Ling stepped into Feihua Pavilion, he immediately felt like a star.

Almost all the women in Feihua Pavilion rushed over, regardless of whether they had customers or not.

Not only the women, but also all the pimps and servants bowed deeply.

The patriarch of the pleasure quarters had arrived, their bread and butter.

"Master Song Lun, you have finally come. I have missed you so much."

"Master Song, you have really made me miss you..."

"My dear, I have missed you so much that I have lost weight. How could you be so heartless to not come home for months?"

Although Lan Ling was prepared for his popularity, this reception still surprised him.

It was a scene of complete adoration and a sea of people.

Soon, a middle-aged woman with a lingering charm pushed through the crowd, bowed to Lan Ling, and said, "Master Song Lun, you have finally come. These past few months, my heart has been empty. Don't believe me? Feel it for yourself..."

Clearly, this woman was the madam of Feihua Pavilion.

She grabbed Lan Ling's hand and guided it toward her chest.

Lan Ling, playing the role of the pleasure quarters patriarch, did not flinch. Instead, he lightly grabbed her and kissed his hand, saying, "Still as fragrant as ever."

The madam's eyes sparkled, and she embraced Lan Ling's arm, rubbing against him and said in a hoarse voice, "There are even more fragrant places. Would you like to try them?"

"Why don't you try me?" Lan Ling said.

The madam flicked her tongue and said seductively, "Try, then. And in front of everyone. Do you dare?"

Lan Ling laughed, "Alright, I can't compete with you in being a rogue."

The madam said resentfully, "I knew you were just teasing me, looking down on old women like us. Tell me, who do you want to accompany you today? I want to see which of my daughters is so lucky."

Lan Ling said, "Where is Man Man?"

The madam immediately shouted, "Where is Man Man?"

A nearby pimp immediately said, "Miss Man Man has a guest in her room."

The madam said, "Drive them away, drive them away. With Master Song Lun here, who needs other guests? Have Man Man change into a new outfit and receive Master Song Lun."

Song Lun was like a rat everyone wanted to catch at the Royal City Academy, but here he was treated like a super VIP.

Amid the resentful gazes of the other women, the madam led Lan Ling to the room of the most popular courtesan, Man Man.

...

Man Man, as the most popular courtesan, even the most popular in the entire Royal City, naturally had her own small building and garden.

Moreover, she was one of the few women Song Lun had contact with who sold her art. She was considered a top courtesan in the Royal City, with a price tag of at least two to three gold coins per visit.

The madam escorted Lan Ling to the door and said, "Since you two are so in love, I won't accompany you inside."

Then, she left.

Lan Ling stood outside for a moment. To be honest, he was very curious about Man Man and wondered what she looked like. Of course, she must be very beautiful to have reached the top of the pleasure quarters, which was extremely difficult.

Song Lun and Man Man had a very intimate relationship, which had lasted for several years. She could be considered Song Lun's long-term lover.

However, Song Lun had not left any portraits of her, which puzzled Lan Ling. Did Song Lun look down on this courtesan named Man Man deep down?

The key to raising the astronomical sum of 3,900 gold coins in two days lay with Man Man.

After a moment, Lan Ling pushed open the door and entered.

Behind the screen was a richly decorated room, with a tone that was full of ambiguity and even seduction.

The color of the bed sheets, the lamps, and the carpet were all a hazy red.

In short, the room was arranged like a bridal chamber.

A woman was sitting in front of a mirror, combing her hair. She was wearing a bright red belly band and a bright red silk undergarment.

Most of her white, smooth skin was exposed, shimmering with a captivating glow in the lamplight.

Her figure was as Lan Ling had imagined, very... voluptuous.

Of course, this voluptuousness was not fat, but a plump and tight figure that made one feel full of hormones.

If compared to a female celebrity on Earth, she would be like Lisa Li.

Of course, she was a bit taller, about 1.7 meters.

At that moment, she was facing away from Lan Ling, and the mirror in this world was a bronze mirror, not very clear, so Lan Ling could not see her face.

"Didn't you say you were going to reform and not come to such dirty places for Princess Zining?" the woman said lazily and mockingly.

...

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