Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 563

On the other side, Zhao Ping, the owner of Flower Fragrance Building, found himself in a dilemma.

Just now, He Court, the County Magistrate of Qinhuai, who was also his brother-in-law, sent someone over to inform him to cancel the Summer Lotus Poetry Gathering seven days later.

The so-called Summer Lotus Poetry Gathering was in fact a banquet organized by Flower Fragrance Building to make money off Zhihua.

After all, Flower Fragrance Building had created such a buzz for Zhihua, spending quite a bit of silver, and it was time to reap the rewards.

Zhao Ping was waiting for the day of the Summer Lotus Poetry Gathering to make a big profit. For this, he not only invited the wealthy businessmen and noble sons of Qinhuai City but also invited the sons of noble families from the surrounding counties.

If it were to be canceled, the credibility of Flower Fragrance Building would plummet, and the hard-earned "reputation" would evaporate.

In the future, if Flower Fragrance Building’s girls wanted to "raise their prices," it would not be as easy.

But if not canceled, he feared offending Duke An.

After all, Duke An had publicly told Zhihua today, "Miss, you look really beautiful."

He might have taken a fancy to Zhihua.

After all, Duke An’s reputation as a lecher was no secret.

If Flower Fragrance Building sold Zhihua’s first night to someone else while Duke An was interested, it would be very disrespectful.

Of course, if Duke An was truly interested in Zhihua, Flower Fragrance Building would naturally obediently offer Zhihua, as this was a great opportunity to befriend Duke An. If the building’s reputation and fame were lost, so be it.

But the crux is, this matter is uncertain.

People guessing that Duke An is interested in Zhihua is all speculation.

If he isn’t, and the gathering is canceled, he won’t be pleasing either side.

Of course, solving this issue is quite simple.

Just go ask Chen Mo directly.

But that’s also foolish.

It’s like giving a gift; who directly asks the recipient what they like?

Or directly handing over money in person.

This has to be done discreetly.

One must accomplish the task without being too direct.

"It’s hard, it’s hard," Zhao Ping felt a headache coming on.

The young servant next to him saw his master in distress and immediately suggested, "Master, why not invite Duke An to the Summer Lotus Poetry Gathering as well. If Duke An comes on that day, it would indicate he is interested in Miss Zhihua. Then we can go with the flow and send Miss Zhihua to Duke An’s room, without..."

Before he finished speaking, Zhao Ping kicked the young servant and called him a fool.

The young servant didn’t understand.

Zhao Ping immediately explained.

Visiting a brothel is not something respectable.

Many noble families even forbid their family members from visiting brothels because they view it as damaging to their family’s good name.

For example, even though Duke An is known for his lasciviousness, you cannot openly say he is lascivious.

And considering his status, if it gets out that he went to a brothel, it would damage his reputation.

Now you’re inviting him to a brothel in person, which is no different from spitting in his face in public.

However, the servant’s words gave Zhao Ping an idea.

If he can’t invite in the name of Flower Fragrance Building, why not extend a personal invitation?

The venue doesn’t have to be at Flower Fragrance Building either.

As for an excuse for the invitation, it could be that Zhihua wants to thank Duke An for stopping the horse that day and saving her life.

This way, it can be done discreetly, and he can also find out if Duke An indeed fancies Zhihua.

As long as Duke An politely declines Zhihua’s personal invitation, the Summer Lotus Poetry Gathering can proceed as planned.

"Go, call Zhihua over." Zhao Ping was quite pleased with his own wit.

"Understood."

Just as the servant was about to leave, Zhao Ping quickly stopped him and said, "Wait, I will go in person."

If Zhihua really caught his eye, that person would be someone he himself would need to curry favor with.

...

In Room No. 3, Zhihua had just finished her bath and the maid was helping her with her hair.

As the courtesan Flower Fragrance Building was promoting this year, Zhihua naturally had someone to serve her.

The maid had a knowing smile as she said, "Duke An must have taken a liking to you, Sister Zhihua; otherwise, he wouldn’t have said those things in public, or asked where you came from..."

Zhihua was kind to the maid, so she allowed her to call her sister.

"Don’t talk nonsense. Duke An is such a personage, how could he fancy someone like me, a brothel girl," Zhihua said.

"Sister Zhihua, it’s not that I’m talking nonsense. Now everyone’s saying outside that Duke An has taken a liking to you, Sister Zhihua," the maid said, looking envious. "If Duke An truly fancies you, Sister Zhihua, that would be so fortunate."

"Fortunate, hmm..."

Zhihua murmured to herself, just as she was about to remind the maid not to speak carelessly no matter what was being said outside, a charming voice called out from outside the room.

It was the madam of Flower Fragrance Building.

"Madam, is there something you need?" Zhihua asked.

"Daughter, the boss wants to see you," the madam said.

"Madam, one moment, I’m coming," Zhihua replied.

...

Very soon, Zhihua met the owner Zhao Ping in a private room in Flower Fragrance Building.

"Zhihua, you’re here, please have a seat," Zhao Ping stood up and invited her to sit, showing great respect, although there was a glint of amazement in his eyes.

In all the years Flower Fragrance Building had been established, Zhao Ping had to admit that Zhihua was the most beautiful courtesan they ever had.

To let her go was something Zhao Ping was reluctant to do.

After all, every courtesan Flower Fragrance Building had each year would eventually warm his bed, unless they were redeemed.

He wouldn’t touch their untouched purity because they needed to earn money for him.

But after they lost their virginity, it would be his turn to enjoy.

"Is there something you need me for, Boss?" Zhihua asked after sitting down.

"I’ll be frank with you," Zhao Ping said after taking a sip of tea. "Zhihua, there’s a chance for you to soar to great heights and become a phoenix. Do you want to seize it?"

"Are you referring to Duke An?"

"Precisely. Now rumors abound that Duke An might have taken a fancy to you, and I think it might be possible. So, I thought, just today, Duke An’s man stopped your frightened horse, and you can use this opportunity to invite him out alone to express your gratitude. If he comes, you know what to do without me saying it," Zhao Ping said.

"You’re giving me too much credit; such a grand personage like Duke An would never be interested in someone of my low status," Zhihua said.

"Don’t underestimate yourself. At least, I think you have a shot. Besides, if it doesn’t work out, it’s fine, you can try. If successful, please put in a good word for me in front of Duke An," Zhao Ping smiled.

"Then... I’ll give it a try," Zhihua said.

...

The bright moon was high as Chen Mo attended the Xiao Family’s banquet with Yue Ruyan.

Yue Ruyan appeared quite anxious. After all, both she and Xiao Yunxi were Chen Mo’s women, yet this was Xiao Yunxi’s home, surrounded by all her elders and cousins.

However, despite her anxiety, being a Divine Power Realm Martial Artist, she didn’t show any signs of nervousness. She responded when spoken to and kept silent when there was nothing to say.