Reborn Doctor Concubine

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The next day, led by the Prefectural Governor, the group toured almost the entire ten-li radius. Without exception, wherever they went, they only occasionally saw a few refugees.

The Prefectural Governor still wore that Maitreya Buddha-like appearance, chuckling as he said, "Your Highness, Young Master Wei, actually, this disaster situation isn't too severe. You two can rest assured now, right?" Su Li, concealing her identity, temporarily used her mother's surname.

The Prefectural Governor's idea was simple: one of these two was a noble prince, the other a wealthy young master. They were surely just going through the motions for disaster relief. The sensible thing was to fool these two into leaving early.

Su Li and Jun Mo exchanged a glance, both seeing the mockery in the other's eyes. If the two of them truly didn't understand the disaster situation and hastily returned to the capital, it was likely that by then, the memorials impeaching Jun Mo on the Emperor's desk would pile up into a mountain. Clearly, the disaster situation was severe, yet he returned to the capital in a hurry. Wasn't this perfunctory handling of duties, treating human lives as grass, and attempting to deceive the Emperor? At that time, if Jun Hui then jumped out to open the granaries and distribute grain, he could forever stand above Jun Mo.

Jun Mo smiled. "I've long heard that Shu Du produces beauties, and its delicacies and scenery are also unparalleled. This Prince has finally managed to get an idle assignment; of course, I must enjoy myself thoroughly. Right, Young Master Wei?"

Su Li smiled faintly. "Yes, Your Highness has yet to marry. Although there's an engagement, I hear that Miss Su is very ugly; how could she be a match for Your Highness's celestial appearance? Since Shu Du produces beauties, Your Highness should certainly choose carefully."

Jun Mo's smile vanished. He seemed to have misspoken. "Young Master Wei jests. In this Prince's heart, naturally, the future Princess Consort is the most beautiful."

Su Li smiled. "Then you can also have a secondary consort, concubines, serving maids, and the like. I believe that Miss Su is not an intolerant woman."

The Prefectural Governor, following behind, looked at the two in confusion. How did the conversation suddenly turn to His Highness's marriage? But he understood one point: Prince Jing loved beauties! This made things much easier!

The group returned to the Prefectural Governor's Mansion. Su Li was talking with Mo Yun when Jun Mo came in.

"Your Highness." Mo Yun cupped his hands in salute.

Su Li said, "You may leave first. Coordinate your actions with Brother Wang and the others."

"Yes, Miss." Mo Yun vanished from the room in an instant.

Jun Mo stepped forward. "Li'er, a servant just reported that the welcoming banquet is arranged for tonight."

Su Li nodded, indicating she understood.

Jun Mo, seeing her calm expression, still said, "No matter how beautiful the beauties of Shu Du are, it has nothing to do with this Prince." Having said this, Jun Mo turned and left.

Su Li was stunned. Why did he say that out of the blue? She actually hoped he could find someone congenial in the Shu region; that way, annulling the engagement would be easier. Then she thought of the evening banquet. It seemed the action would begin tonight.

By evening, the Prefectural Governor personally came to invite them.

Sitting in the carriage, Su Li frowned. "The banquet isn't set in the Prefectural Governor's Mansion. Then where are we going?"

Jun Mo said, "Looking at the Prefectural Governor's expression, it's quite mysterious. Whether it's a dragon's pool or a tiger's den, we'll have to brave it."

Half a shichen later, the carriage stopped. The two dismounted and, looking at the scene before them, were both stunned on the spot.

Gold and jade dazzled the sun, fine silks exuded fragrance. New songs and clever laughter filled the willow-lined lanes and flower-strewn streets; music and strings were tuned by beauties of all sorts.

The Maitreya Buddha-like figure smiled with reserved lewdness. "Your Highness, Young Master Wei, if we're talking about what our Shu region is most famous for, it's truly beauties! Let's go in quickly; they should all have arrived!"

Su Li's mouth twitched slightly. Since they were already here, they could only bite the bullet and go in.

Jun Mo's smile didn't change as he lifted his foot and entered.

As soon as they entered, a madam came forward. "Prefectural Governor, you've arrived? This must be the important personage you mentioned? Aiyo! So handsome! This mama has never seen such a handsome young gentleman."

Su Li covered her mouth and nose; the smell of rouge and powder was nauseating.

The Prefectural Governor said, "Mama Yang, have the girls all come over. We'll go up first."

"You esteemed guests go up first; I'll go prepare the girls now."

Jun Mo and Su Li followed the Prefectural Governor to a private room on the second floor. More than ten people were already waiting inside. Seeing them enter, everyone stood up and bowed.

"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Jing!"

Jun Mo went to sit in the main seat, with Su Li sitting on his right. "Everyone, no need for formalities. Please sit."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

At this time, the person sitting in the first seat below stood up and said, "I have long heard that His Highness Prince Jing possesses unparalleled grace. Seeing you today, it is indeed so."

The Prefectural Governor quickly introduced, "Your Highness, this is Jiang He, the eldest son of the Jiang family's head."

Jun Mo nodded. "So it is my sixth imperial brother's maternal uncle. Before this Prince departed, my imperial brother asked me to convey his greetings. For this disaster relief, I will still need Uncle Jiang's assistance."

Jiang He smiled. "Your Highness overstates it."

The Prefectural Governor quickly changed the subject, smiling as he said, "Your Highness, this is the best brothel in Shu Zhong. You must enjoy yourself to the fullest."

Just then, the madam brought in a group of young women – plump, slender, truly beauties. "Girls, what are you standing around for? Hurry over!" The girls giggled and stepped forward.

The girl beside Jun Mo was the most beautiful; every frown and smile was full of charm. Su Li thought, This must be the top courtesan.

With the addition of the young women, the room became more fragrant and amorous, less cold and detached.

"Your Highness, this is Miss Chuchu from the Phoenix Pavilion. She is still a virgin," the Prefectural Governor said with a smile.

Chuchu was also a clever person and immediately picked up a wine cup. "Your Highness, this is Shu Zhong's most famous Tusu wine. Chuchu toasts you." Jun Mo picked up the wine cup before him and drained it in one gulp.

Su Li was looking upwards when the girl beside her reached out and fed her a grape. "Young Master, am I not as beautiful as Sister Chuchu?"

Su Li swallowed with difficulty, a line of poetry popping into her mind: 'The hardest thing to bear is a beauty's favor.'

Su Li, mimicking a profligate young master, lifted the beauty's chin. "Of course, you are beautiful. Unrivaled beauty throughout the ages, a pleasing sight is a fair lady. Demeanor rich, thoughts profound, gentle and true. Skin delicate, flesh well-proportioned. Pretty as a peach in three springs, pure as a chrysanthemum in nine autumns. Charm hidden in the brows and eyes, gentleness revealed in voice and smile..." Su Li praised everything she could, praising until the girl giggled continuously.

At the head seat, Jun Mo glanced sideways, raising an eyebrow. This person is acting even more like it than he is.

The Prefectural Governor watched, his smile undiminished. "Come, come, tonight is His Highness Prince Jing's welcoming banquet. Let us first toast His Highness."

Everyone raised their cups. "To His Highness." Jun Mo smiled and drank the wine.

"Just drinking like this is too boring. Go sing a little tune," Jiang He said loudly to the girl beside him. The girl quickly walked to the center, and a maid brought musical instruments.

After three rounds of wine, seeing that Jun Mo still hadn't mentioned the disaster relief, some people gradually loosened up. Laughter, scolding, and flirtatious teasing filled the room. Su Li wished she could cover her ears, but she couldn't. She could only lower her eyes and eat the food before her.

"Little Young Master, why are you only eating? Come, this humble one toasts you." Su Li took the wine cup and, under the cover of her sleeve, quickly poured the wine into her wide sleeve.

The decadent music by her ear continued.

"Shoulders fragrant, delicate hands entwined,

Entering the orchid chamber, bolting the vermillion door.

Incense curls from dragon saliva, mat spread like cool jade,

Pillows side by side like glass, meeting,

Within embroidered hibiscus green gauze curtains,

Worth how much more than drifting peach blossoms west of the flowing water bridge.

Wearily leaning against the screen, slowly undoing silken robes,

Enjoying some rain-shy, cloud-tender moments,

Far better than a tryst under the moon, a week's wait."

A rendition of "Ballad of the Toad Palace" was sung with lingering sorrow, making Su Li blush. She thought this was the limit, but unexpectedly, after this song finished, the girl continued with another.

"Pink fragrance, sweat-dampened zither pegs,

Spring teases, softness melts like gentle rain paste.

After bathing, where her sandalwood lord caressed,

Cool spirit essence imbues the purple grape."

Su Li shot up from her seat. Everyone turned to look at her.

"I... I'm stepping out for a moment." After saying that, she hurriedly left the room.

"You all continue. This Prince will be right back." Jun Mo also followed her out.