Song Wanchu coaxed patiently, "Above Qin Xuanyan, there is an older legitimate brother named Qin Ziqi."
She had managed the affairs of the Duke's Mansion for three years and had attended many banquets of all sizes.
At that time, she was a noble concubine with a bad reputation. A proud and haughty young lady like Qin Xuanyan disdained to talk to her.
Song Wanchu knew Qin Xuanyan but had never had any interaction with her.
However, Qin Ziqi "accidentally met" her several times and casually struck up a few conversations.
He often appeared on the training ground. Like many young noblemen, his eyes followed her.
At that time, there were many young noblemen who liked Song Wanchu.
Du Yong was one of them.
Du Yong never hid his love for her. Before she became Liang Yuzhou's noble concubine, he pursued her vigorously. After she became a married woman, he treated her with courtesy and never overstepped the rules to make her embarrassed.
Qin Ziqi was different from his straightforward love.
Every time she appeared in public, Qin Ziqi always stared at her with those dark, furtive eyes.
That sticky feeling of being coveted made her very uncomfortable.
Cheng Simian didn't know about Wanchu's past.
"I've also heard something about it. It is said that Qin Ziqi is excellent at poetry and is quite proficient in calligraphy and painting. He has a close relationship with the Second Prince and is a regular guest at the Second Prince's poetry gatherings. People all praise him as a handsome young gentleman, as good-looking as Pan An and as talented as Zuo Si. He is a peerless beauty among men."
(Note: Zuo Si is the author of "Odes to the Three Capitals". Because his works were so good that people scrambled to copy them, causing the price of paper in Luoyang to skyrocket. This has become an allusion.)
"His reputation outside doesn't necessarily represent his character in the inner courtyard."
While they were talking, Shen Yuhe finished her work and walked out of the consultation room. She sat down beside them.
She affectionately put her arms around their arms. "Thank you, thank you. Only you still remember me."
The three of them drank tea and ate some candied fruits while chatting about daily life.
Shen Yuhe mentioned that little maid.
"Her name is Qiluo. This isn't the first time she has come to my place for a consultation. This time, her face was beaten up. The last time, her back was whipped with a rattan cane. Her delicate skin was beaten to pieces. It was really heart - wrenching."
"Did she come here last time after the Empress Dowager's flower - viewing banquet?"
A flash of inspiration came to Cheng Simian's mind.
That time, Qin Xuanyan made a fool of herself in front of the Empress and the Crown Prince. She must have taken out her anger on the maid when she got back.
Shen Yuhe nodded. "Yes. This little maid is so pitiful. Her parents are really heartless. Which parents could watch their daughter being abused again and again? They should have gritted their teeth and scraped up the money to redeem their daughter. Even if she is a slave born into the Qin family, they should have begged the mistress to give their daughter a different job."
Song Wanchu remembered Qiluo's beautiful and charming appearance.
"Maybe she has already been transferred to many different jobs by the mistress. Sometimes, being too beautiful is a sin in the eyes of the master."
Shen Yuhe gave Song Wanchu a thumbs - up. "Wanchu, you really hit the nail on the head. Guess what Qiluo asked me today? She actually asked me for some medicine that could make her ugly. A girl cares most about her appearance, but her good looks have brought her endless troubles."
Cheng Simian had a definite guess in her mind. "Did she used to be in Qin Ziqi's courtyard?"
Wanchu wouldn't have mentioned Qin Ziqi for no reason.
Shen Yuhe was already very familiar with Qiluo. She knew more about Qiluo's grievances and difficulties than others.
"You're right. That Qin Ziqi may seem like a refined and elegant gentleman outside, but he is actually a lecher in the inner courtyard. He has very high standards and disdains to flirt with ordinary - looking maids. He took a fancy to Qiluo and forced himself on her several times. So, Mrs. Qin transferred Qiluo to Qin Xuanyan's courtyard. Qiluo said that since she was transferred to Qin Xuanyan's courtyard, Qin Ziqi has visited his sister more often."
Shen Yuhe cursed angrily, "What a beast in human clothing."
Cheng Simian nodded thoughtfully.
Song Wanchu, like a teacher, made a summary of the class. "Mianmian, now you should have a general understanding of the Qin family's situation inside and out, right?"
Cheng Simian smiled faintly and couldn't help sighing. "Which inner courtyard of these noble families is clean?"
The inner courtyard of the Martial Virtue Marquis Mansion was just as gorgeous but dirty.
Shen Yuhe hooked Cheng Simian's chin and joked, "Cold beauty, today Wanchu and I have really helped you a lot. How are you going to thank us?"
Cheng Simian was quite generous. "I'll treat you to a meal."
The three of them went to the Cui Ning Restaurant opposite and ordered a table of good food and wine.
It was rare for the three little sisters to get together, so they had a few drinks.
Shen Yuhe only had one glass because she still had to go back to see patients later.
Female doctors were already rare. Almost all the sick girls, women, and old ladies in the whole capital flocked to her Benevolent Heart Medical Hall for treatment.
Shen Yuhe worried herself sick for these women.
Song Wanchu and Cheng Simian had a few more drinks.
"Wanchu, is Taoist Qingzhou angry with the Crown Prince?"
Song Wanchu pressed her temples with her slender fingers, looking full of helplessness and annoyance.
"Men never grow up. When they get angry, they're just like kids."
"The Crown Prince knows how to recognize and employ talents, respects the worthy and recruits the able, and has a broad mind. I don't think he would really be angry with Taoist Qingzhou."
When Cheng Simian said this, the corners of her mouth involuntarily curled up.
Song Wanchu propped her cheek with her hand and tilted her head to look at her, with a meaningful smile on her lips.
"The Crown Prince would be overjoyed if he heard you praise him."
Cheng Simian didn't seem to catch the key point of the words and didn't care. "The Crown Prince receives a lot of praise every day. How could he be overjoyed because of just a few words from me?"
Song Wanchu winked at her playfully. "If you don't believe it, try saying it in front of him next time."
Cheng Simian's face turned bright red. The cold aura around her seemed to be warmed by the wine at this moment.
When the two of them walked out of the Cui Ning Restaurant, they saw Liang Yuzhou and the Crown Prince sitting in their respective carriages.
Without saying a word, Liang Yuzhou jumped out of the carriage, picked up Song Wanchu, and got into the carriage.
His movements were smooth and done in one go.
After stuffing Song Wanchu into the carriage, Liang Yuzhou didn't forget to turn back and raise his eyebrows at the Crown Prince.
He wanted to see if the reserved and dignified Crown Prince dared to carry Cheng Simian away in public.
Although Cheng Simian was a little drunk, she was still half - sober. When she saw the Crown Prince, she was about to salute.
"Your servant pays respects—"
The Crown Prince was provoked by Liang Yuzhou, and his blood boiled.
He also made a neat move, jumped out of the carriage, and hugged Cheng Simian, who was about to kneel, into his arms.
The unexpected intimacy made Cheng Simian's mind "buzz".
The alcohol was rising, and her thinking speed also slowed down.
Her clear and beautiful eyes stared blankly at the Crown Prince.
Under the influence of the alcohol, her face was like a red - tinged cloud, but her eyes were extremely bright. The wet ends of her eyes revealed a charming look that she was not even aware of.
The Crown Prince's Adam's apple rolled a few times, and he quickly stuffed her into the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Cheng Simian finally realized that the Crown Prince had carried her in broad daylight.
The last time he carried her was at the palace gate. It was already late at that time, so it didn't matter that no one could see clearly.
But in broad daylight, with people coming and going, everyone had eyes!
Was the Crown Prince so into the act?
She straightened her back.
She sat upright, but her expression was a bit dull, cute and funny.
The Crown Prince couldn't help laughing. He put his hand on her head and laid it on his shoulder.
"What were you talking about with Wanchu? You're so happy."
The faint fragrance of the wine and the delicate fragrance on her body intertwined. The Crown Prince felt that he was about to get drunk too.
Cheng Simian was already seven - tenths drunk and didn't abide by the etiquette so strictly anymore. She leaned on the Crown Prince's shoulder contentedly and let out a couple of happy laughs.
"Wanchu is really amazing. She just glanced at a little maid from the Qin family who came out for a consultation, and she helped me analyze the situation of the inner courtyard of the Rongxiang Duke's Mansion thoroughly."
The Crown Prince frowned. "Why do you want to know about the Qin family's situation? Their family has nothing to do with you."
Cheng Simian propped her head up from the Crown Prince's shoulder. Her bright eyes stared at the Crown Prince seriously.
"How can it be unrelated? The Empress Dowager insists that you take Qin Xuanyan as your side concubine. I need to know myself and the enemy well so that I can deal with it calmly."
When she was drunk, her brain became dull. The usually smart Cheng Simian didn't notice that the Crown Prince was already angry.
"Cheng Simian, don't you believe a single word I've said?"