After that night, Ying Qingge certainly didn’t forget Ji Hanqing’s actions.
She promptly sought out the Duke of National Defense and gave a detailed account of his son’s deeds.
The outcome was obvious.
Since then, Ji Hanqing had been strictly disciplined, no longer allowed to lead Su Chen astray!
Meanwhile, Su Chen, having a rough idea of Ji Hanqing’s recent plight, felt sympathy and casually asked,
“And then what happened?”
“My old man gave me a thorough beating and banned me from leaving the Duke’s residence.
That’s why I haven’t come to find you, Brother Su, during this time,” Ji Hanqing said with a bitter smile.
But he also recalled his father’s scolding.
Especially the impact of taking the Imperial Consort to a place of debauchery—Su Chen’s consequences were likely even worse!
Concerned, Ji Hanqing asked,
“Brother Su, I was reckless before. You didn’t run into trouble when you returned, did you?”
He was genuinely nervous.
Back then, he hadn’t thought things through.
He’d only considered that with Su Chen’s help, success was guaranteed—he’d surely win the top spot with ease.
Had he known it could cause Su Chen so much trouble, Ji Hanqing would never have invited him.
“No worries,” Su Chen said, waving dismissively with calm confidence, showcasing his status.
“Everything was fine when I returned to the palace. My character? My senior sister… the Empress, of course, trusts me.”
Ji Hanqing’s admiration grew even stronger.
Now that’s a real man!
As for how Su Chen placated his jealous senior sister that night? That remained a mystery.
In any case, all her frustrations had been fully vented.
Just look at Ji Hanqing’s current state—how pitiful!
After a moment of lament, Ji Hanqing suddenly asked curiously,
“Brother Su, what brings you here this time?”
“To the Misty Rain Pavilion again,” Su Chen replied candidly, taking a sip of tea.
“The Misty Rain Pavilion? But… Pfft!”
Ji Hanqing had been about to agree to go with Su Chen, but upon realizing where Su Chen wanted to go, he spat out his tea.
“Brother Su, you’re going back to the Misty Rain Pavilion?”
Ji Hanqing stared at Su Chen in disbelief.
He never imagined Su Chen would come to him with the intention of revisiting the Misty Rain Pavilion together.
“You don’t want to go?” Su Chen asked, puzzled by Ji Hanqing’s reaction.
Last time, Ji Hanqing had gone to great lengths to visit his beloved at the Misty Rain Pavilion.
Su Chen’s invitation should’ve thrilled him.
“Of course not!”
“It’s just… my father has strictly forbidden me from going to the Misty Rain Pavilion again.”
“If he finds out this time, I might lose half my life.”
Ji Hanqing spoke with lingering fear. In truth, he wanted to go more than anyone.
Sneaking there alone was one thing, but bringing Su Chen along?
My skin would be flayed!
Su Chen, however, didn’t press him.
“So, you’re not going?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to—it’s that I can’t (go with you).”
Ji Hanqing was helpless. If he could, he’d love to spend every day at the Misty Rain Pavilion.
But now, even a single visit was fraught with danger and trouble.
Let alone going with Su Chen—that was practically suicidal.
Su Chen, exasperated, retorted,
“For your beloved, you’re not even willing to take this small risk?”
“If you can’t face this danger, how can you talk about loving her?”
“You don’t even dare fight for her now—do you plan to keep your love underground forever!?”
“…”
At that moment, Ji Hanqing fell silent.
Su Chen’s words hit hard.
He could hide for a while, but could he hide forever? Would he never face reality?
The opportunity was right in front of him.
Be a coward for life, or a hero for a moment?
The answer was obvious.
Ji Hanqing’s eyes ignited with renewed determination.
“Brother Su, let’s go!”
That’s the spirit of a real man!
The Misty Rain Pavilion, the imperial city’s most bustling place of revelry, was always lively, day and night.
But at this moment, the vibrant atmosphere came to a screeching halt with the arrival of two people.
The entire place fell deathly silent!
After all, no one was unfamiliar with these two.
Ji Hanqing was a regular, often frequenting the Misty Rain Pavilion.
And Su Chen, by his side, wasn’t exactly a new face either.
At the last poetry gathering, Su Chen had won without a fight, claiming the top spot and earning a meeting with the courtesan, sparking envy in many hearts.
Most importantly—
As the Imperial Consort, Su Chen had visited the courtesan and emerged unscathed, even returning for a second visit.
That was downright outrageous!
Did the Empress have no objections at all?
Or was Su Chen’s charm so overwhelming that even the Empress didn’t mind?
Is this what a true life’s winner looks like?
Of course, Su Chen was oblivious to the crowd’s high praise. His purpose here was simple—to uncover the truth.
He could clearly sense the courtesan’s familiarity with him.
It was natural, not feigned, suggesting she might be someone he’d met before.
But before he could head upstairs, he was stopped by Ji Hanqing’s beloved.
“Young master, please wait. To see the lady, you must provide the matching verse.”
“Me too?”
“Indeed. The lady said if you came, you must take a look at this verse.”
Hearing this, Su Chen’s face showed surprise.
Must take a look?
A couplet?
Is there some deeper connection here?
Curious, Su Chen turned his gaze to the couplet nearby.
This legendary couplet had stumped countless talents for days, with no one able to solve it.
Now, as Su Chen approached, someone couldn’t help but exclaim,
“The Imperial Consort is back!”
This time, though, no one fled.
Last time, people had scattered to avoid trouble, letting Su Chen win by default.
But after realizing the Empress Ying Qingge didn’t care at all, they had no reason to leave.
Instead, they eagerly awaited the upcoming clash.
Could the courtesan’s legendary couplet stump this newly crowned top scholar?
“Do you think the Imperial Consort can match it this time?”
“I doubt it!”
“The courtesan’s couplet is so bizarre, it’s impossible to find a clue. Even the Imperial Consort will struggle!”
A scholar shook his head, clearly skeptical.
No matter how talented Su Chen was, the couplet was too strange.
Over these days, likely ninety percent of the imperial city’s scholars had tried, yet none had come close.
Could one person really outshine all of us combined?
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