When people were in Qin, they captured Zhao and questioned Qin.

Chapter 50 The Courtesan

Zhao Yan rose from the bed, his movements somewhat labored. His face remained gloomy, as if he hadn't slept well the night before, with faint dark circles under his eyes.

Behind him, on the couch, Jianxin Jun was still naked from the waist up, lying on his side fast asleep, the brocade quilt only covering his waist, revealing his well-maintained back.

Zhao Yan was used to this and didn't even glance at it. He put on his outer robe and called a maid to help him wash and change.

"Wait until Jianxin wakes up before calling me."

The maidservant bowed her head and agreed.

Zhao Yan didn't look at them again and walked out of the dormitory.

The cool spring morning breeze brushed against his face, slightly dispelling the drowsiness in his mind, but it couldn't dispel the unease in his heart. He stood under the veranda for a moment, about to head towards the front hall, when he saw a small figure running from around the corner.

But it was his eldest son, Zhao Jia.

Zhao Jia is eight years old this year. Her hair is combed into two topknots, and she is holding a scroll of bamboo slips in her hands. When she sees Zhao Yan, the child's eyes light up. She runs over, stops in front of Zhao Yan, bows respectfully, and then looks up and holds up the bamboo slips.

"Father," Zhao Jia said with a pleased air, "I was able to recite the entire 'Guanju' poem from the 'Zhou Nan' section that the teacher taught me yesterday. Listen to it..."

As the child spoke, he took a deep breath and, as if trying to please, began to recite: "Guan Guan cry the ospreys, on the islet in the river..."

As Zhao Yan looked down at his son, another face suddenly flashed through his mind.

Zhao Heng was only eleven or twelve years old, but he showed no signs of childish timidity or timidity in the palace. When presenting the doubts, he was clear and logical; when he kowtowed and begged for mercy, he was genuinely grief-stricken; and when he finally prostrated himself and wept bitterly, he was able to instantly regain his composure.

A nameless fire suddenly surged from the bottom of my heart and rushed straight to the top of my head.

"What's so great about reciting poetry?" Zhao Yan snatched the bamboo slips away, tossed them aside without even glancing at them, and shouted, "Useless piece of trash!"

Zhao Jia was startled by the sudden reprimand. She just stared blankly at her father, who was suddenly enraged. Then she pursed her lips, her eyes began to redden, she lowered her head, her shoulders hunched slightly, but she didn't dare to cry out loud.

Seeing his son's timid and aggrieved appearance, Zhao Yan felt even more irritated.

They dare to suppress their grievances and not even dare to cry out loud. How can someone so cowardly achieve anything in the future?

"Take the eldest young master back." Zhao Yan waved his hand in annoyance, summoning a maid who was standing in the distance: "Don't get in the way here."

The maid standing nearby quickly stepped forward and carefully led Zhao Jia away. The child kept turning back, his eyes full of grievance and confusion.

As Zhao Yan watched his eldest son's figure disappear into the corner of the corridor, the anger in his heart not only did not subside, but intensified.

He caught a glimpse of the bamboo scroll he had tossed onto the wooden railing. It had rolled halfway and stopped precariously at the edge of the railing; a slight gust of wind would have sent it crashing to the ground. He stared at the scroll for a moment, but ultimately didn't pick it up.

Good morning, Master.

A familiar and respectful voice came from the other end of the corridor at just the right moment.

Zhao Yan looked up and saw Guo Kai walking quickly towards him.

The man, with a smile on his face, approached and bowed respectfully. He inadvertently noticed the scroll of bamboo slips on the railing and simply said with a smile, "The young master is young and eager to learn; why should the master be so harsh? There is plenty of time in the future."

Zhao Yan was already annoyed, and although the words were considerate, they sounded grating. "There's plenty of time later?" That brat Zhao Heng wasn't much older than his son, yet he could already stand shoulder to shoulder with him in the palace!

He snorted coldly, unwilling to discuss his son further, and walked straight to the front hall, asking as he went, "Stop with the useless talk. What brings you here in such a hurry?"

Guo Kai followed, keeping a half-step distance from him, and lowered his voice: "What I mentioned to Master last time, regarding Lord Xinling... perhaps there is a new opportunity."

"Wei Wuji?" Zhao Yan frowned, his tone becoming even more impatient. "Didn't you try to befriend this old scoundrel before? He was just being polite then. Now he's clearly siding with that brat Zhao Heng, why should I bother with his cold shoulder?"

Guo Kai remained calm and smiled, saying, "Master, it is common knowledge in Handan that Lord Xinling is fond of music, especially the qin (a seven-stringed zither). The musicians we have sought in the past were of mediocre skill and did not meet his standards, thus failing to satisfy his tastes."

Zhao Yan snorted.

"Do you even need to tell me? Wei Wuji is a master of the zither himself. How could ordinary things impress him? We've tried before, and it was all in vain, only making us a laughingstock."

"Master, I recently came across a woman by chance. This woman is not only exceptionally skilled in playing the zither, but also proficient in swordsmanship. She can seamlessly blend the vigorous and fierce sword dance with the melodious and clear sound of the zither. When she plays the zither, she can perform a sword dance to add to the merriment, and when she dances with her sword, she can match the rhythm of the zither. Her combination of strength and gentleness is truly captivating. If we can befriend Lord Xinling through this woman, even if we cannot win him over to your side, at least we can show outsiders that Zhao Heng's favor with Lord Xinling is merely due to the old friendship with Lord Chunping, not because of any ability he possesses himself."

Zhao Yan slowed his pace slightly for a moment, but his expression remained indifferent. He flicked his sleeve and said:

"So what? Even if such a person existed, why would we present her to Wei Wuji? Offering her a beauty out of the blue would only arouse suspicion."

Guo Kai was confident and unhurried, and said:

"Master, please hear my word. Although Lord Pingyuan has been seriously ill and staying at home recently, his birthday is approaching. I have heard that his household may be planning to use a joyous occasion to dispel his illness. Lord Xinling and Lord Pingyuan are close friends, and he will surely go to offer his birthday congratulations in person. Master, you have always been close to Lord Pingyuan, why not take this opportunity to arrange a musical performance under the guise of 'offering joy and blessings, and adding to the celebration' to enhance the birthday banquet?"

Zhao Yan finally stopped and glanced at Guo Kai.

Guo Kai continued:

"At that time, simply follow my plan and arrange for this woman to be the lead dancer or musician in the music and dance performance, performing at the birthday banquet. Her appearance will surely amaze everyone present. If Lord Xinling admires her talent, you can then go with the flow and introduce this extraordinary woman to him. Whether it is under the guise of a gift or a temporary assignment for his instruction, it will be an elegant and graceful affair, without any awkwardness. Even if Lord Xinling does not accept her immediately, I dare to assert that she will leave a deep impression on him, making him remember her fondly. Then, you will have a pretext to pursue her later."

Zhao Yan's expression shifted slightly.

"Oh? You're so confident? Sure you can catch Wei Wuji's eye?"

Guo Kai bowed, his tone resolute:

"I dare not deceive my master. This woman's art is indeed captivating. Even if it doesn't produce immediate results with Lord Xinling, this carefully prepared birthday celebration dance will surely please Lord Pingyuan and deepen his favor towards you, so it's a win-win situation. Lord Pingyuan is getting old, and considering his family's legacy, how could he forget your kindness?"

These words struck a chord with Zhao Yan.

Although Lord Pingyuan has been old and ill in recent years, and lives a secluded life, his influence among the Zhao royal family and the court is still considerable. Making an appearance at his birthday banquet and leaving a good impression would certainly be beneficial.

As for Wei Wuji... it would be best if it succeeded, but it wouldn't be a big deal if it didn't.

"Leaving aside Wei Wuji, it would certainly be beneficial to leave a good impression on Lord Pingyuan. After all, he is a powerful and well-established figure."

Zhao Yan nodded as he looked at Guo Kaidao:

"Alright, I'll leave this matter to you. Let me know what you need, and I'll make the arrangements."

"Yes, I will do my utmost. This girl is already being secretly placed and trained, and she will certainly not disappoint her master."

Zhao Yan nodded and waved for him to get back to work.

After sending Guo Kai away, Zhao Yan was temporarily relieved of his worries and his mood improved slightly because of this plan. He stood there for a moment, pondering, then turned and walked towards a relatively secluded courtyard in the backyard of the mansion.

The courtyard was some distance from the main buildings, with a few clumps of bamboo growing there, creating a tranquil environment. The gate was ajar, and two maids standing at the entrance with their heads bowed saw Zhao Yan, quickly bowed, and gently pushed the door open.

The courtyard wasn't small; it was paved with bluestone slabs, and there was a small well in one corner. A person stood in the courtyard, but it was a fierce-looking old woman. Upon seeing Zhao Yan, the old woman bowed respectfully.

Zhao Yan ignored him and continued to go inside.

Beside the bamboo grove, in a small clearing, a beautiful woman dressed in a light dance costume was gracefully dancing in the morning light.

Her dance was unique, not entirely graceful, but possessing an indescribable rhythm. When her arms stretched out, they resembled willow branches brushing the water; when she turned, her skirt swirled open like a flower suddenly blooming. The morning light shone on her face, making it alluring and captivating, her eyes slightly upturned, her every glance brimming with charm.

Zhao Yan stood at the courtyard gate, watching, a look of infatuation gradually rising in his eyes. All the troubles outside, and Zhao Heng's hateful face, seemed to be temporarily dispelled by this dance.

As soon as the dance ended, the woman seemed to realize someone was there. She gasped softly, covered her mouth with her sleeve, and looked over with a hint of reproach in her eyes: "You didn't even make a sound when the master came. You startled me."

Zhao Yan was aroused by her behavior and couldn't resist. He quickly stepped forward to hug her.

"The beauty's dance moves are becoming more and more exquisite, making me itch with desire."

The beautiful woman nimbly spun around, flicking her long sleeves toward Zhao Yan's face, and dodged with a charming laugh.

"My lord hasn't come to see me these past few days, and when he does, he's so clumsy and intrusive. It's really displeasing."

Zhao Yan was so amused by her that he couldn't resist trying to catch her. He laughed heartily and insisted on going to catch her.

The woman circled the stone table in the courtyard. Zhao Yan took a couple of steps and finally caught her. The woman pretended to struggle, squirming in his arms, panting heavily.

"My lord, you're using so much force," the woman said coquettishly, leaning against Zhao Yan's chest while pressing her fingers against his chest. "You're hurting me. Aren't you afraid of disturbing the baby in my belly?"

Zhao Yan's smile froze.

He looked down at the woman's still slightly flat stomach, his lust quickly fading and replaced by a worried expression. He then released his grip, took a half step back, and leaned closer to listen.

"It was my oversight. How is my child?"

The woman took the opportunity to gently push him away and turn her back.

"If I hadn't spoken, I'm afraid my lord wouldn't have even thought about us, this poor mother and child. Indeed, I come from a humble background, merely a courtesan whom everyone despises, and a remarried woman at that. How can I compare to my mistress, who comes from a noble family and whose son is of high status? It's understandable that my lord looks down on me and thinks that I and this unborn child are not worthy of being presented to the public."

As the courtesan spoke, her eyes reddened slightly, as if she were about to shed tears.

Seeing the beauty so close yet untouchable, and captivated by her mournful expression, Zhao Yan's anger was reignited, mixed with restlessness. He rubbed his hands together, paced back and forth, and said repeatedly:

"My darling, what are you saying! Haven't I already brought you into the manor and been feeding you with the finest food and clothing? I know you're feeling wronged, but as for the old man... sigh, according to the patriarchal system and etiquette, I have to find a suitable time to give you and the child a proper status, don't I? Just wait a little longer, once I've sorted things out outside, I will definitely..."

The courtesan turned her head and glared at him.

"When will that be?" she asked softly. "I've heard about the troubles my lord is facing outside, even though I live in the inner quarters. Rather than living in constant fear and having to read other people's faces here, I'd rather move out with my child. Even if life outside is tough, it's better than worrying about him day and night. My child will also be spared from being looked down upon in the future."

She picked up a silk handkerchief to wipe away her tears, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Zhao Yan was so anxious he scratched his head. Seeing the beauty's tears, her face like a pear blossom in the rain, he found her even more captivating. A thought flashed through his mind, and he quickly said:

"Don't cry, don't cry. You're going to kill me if you keep crying like this. How about this? Didn't you mention last time that you have a younger brother who is serving in the army but is not doing well and has no chance of promotion? I'll arrange a good place for him and promote him. How about that? Let him have some glory, and you'll feel proud too."

Upon hearing this, the courtesan rolled her eyes at him.

"I was just casually complaining about my brothers' lack of ambition at the time, it shouldn't be taken seriously. Besides, my brother isn't a commoner, and right now my lord has a lot of troubles outside, so it's best not to trouble him with such trivial matters."

Her words were considerate, but her tone remained indifferent.

Seeing that her tone had softened, Zhao Yan immediately patted his chest and agreed.

"This is no trouble at all. Arranging a position with real power might take some effort, but arranging a suitable official title is just a matter of a word from me. How about this, transfer him to your maternal clan's side? That way, he'll be close by and able to look after you, and it'll also be a respectable and practical arrangement for your brother-in-law. What do you think?"

The courtesan feigned hesitation, saying tentatively, "This...won't this put my lord in too much of a difficult position? If this matter were to implicate my lord, I would truly be guilty beyond redemption..."

Seeing that she cared about him, Zhao Yan felt a little better, chuckled, and thought himself wise and magnanimous:

"It's just a trivial matter, how could it involve anything? Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

Chang Ji then turned her anger into joy and smiled. She snuggled closer to Zhao Yan, leaning softly on his shoulder, her fingers tracing circles on his chest.

"My lord treats me so well. My child and I will be counting on you from now on..."

Zhao Yan, his mind wandering, was about to take another step when the maid who had been guarding the door suddenly timidly entered and announced:

"Reporting to Master, Jianxin has awakened and is in the front hall. He says he has something to discuss with you."

Zhao Yan's interest was interrupted, and he was immediately furious. He cursed under his breath, but knowing he couldn't offend Lord Jianxin, he forced himself to suppress his anger, comforted the courtesan a few words, promised to come again soon, then straightened his robes and hurriedly left.

The courtesan moved gracefully to escort him to the courtyard gate, then leaned against the gate watching his retreating figure until Zhao Yan disappeared at the end of the corridor. The smile on her face gradually faded, finally returning to calm.

She walked to the stone table, picked up the ceramic cup that had been placed there, poured herself a cup of water, and slowly drank it.

The fierce-looking old woman emerged from the shadows of the corridor and silently stood beside her.

"News just came from the front courtyard that when the master got up this morning, he scolded the eldest son for reciting his lessons, and his words were quite harsh. The eldest son was frightened and was taken back to his residence by a maid. He cried alone for a long time."

The courtesan nodded slightly, her reaction indifferent.

She didn't care about Zhao Jia's situation. After all, he was Zhao Yan's eldest son, born to his legal wife. As long as nothing major happened, he would inherit the family business in the future.

"I asked you to keep an eye on Chunping Jun's residence. Zhao Heng hasn't made any move regarding Xue Nu yet?"

The old woman shook her head.

"According to Wu Ji's message, since the incident at Zuiyue Tower, Zhao Heng has only sent someone to say that he would arrange a time for lessons, but there has been no further concrete news, nor has he taken the initiative to contact or go to Zuiyue Tower again. It's rather strange."

The courtesan frowned slightly.

She hesitated for a moment, then tapped her fingers lightly on the edge of the stone table.

The old woman tentatively suggested, "Should we ask Wu Ji to push things a little harder? Find a reason to get the Snow Maiden to take the initiative?"

The courtesan snorted coldly.

"These things are never easy to rush. The more impatient you are, the less a man will care, especially since he's not just an ordinary, naive boy." She paused, her voice growing colder. "This kid, though young, is quite shrewd and cannot be underestimated."

She got up and paced slowly in the courtyard for a few moments before stopping and turning to look at the old woman.

"Find a way to subtly let Jianxin Jun know that Zhao Heng has hired Xue Nu as his teacher but has yet to fulfill his promise."

The old woman understood: "What you mean, madam, is..."

"Jianxin Jun has a past grudge against Zhao Heng for their public conflict at Zuiyue Tower, so he must be sensitive to this matter. If he hears about it, he might think that Zhao Heng's actions that day were not genuinely to help Xue Nu out of trouble, but rather to deliberately embarrass him, and then he would forget about it afterwards."

"Given Jianxin Jun's magnanimity, even if he doesn't react immediately, this thorn in his heart will only grow deeper, and he might very well resort to the same old tricks again. Since Zhao Heng is so composed, let's find something for him to do, to put him in a difficult position. And incidentally, let's add fuel to the fire between Jianxin Jun and Zhao Heng."

The old woman suddenly understood, bowed, and said, "This old servant understands, I will go and make the arrangements immediately."

Chang Ji nodded, picked up the ceramic cup again, and slowly drank the remaining half cup of water.

She looked out of the courtyard wall, where the rooftops of Handan City stood in rows, and further away, the palace of the King of Zhao could be vaguely seen.