Chapter Thirty-One: Rational Reasoning

  "What was it again? 'The master is humiliated...' " Fan Xian looked at Tong Zi Jing.

  "Your Majesty, I am dead."

  "You're a nuisance, if you die I won't gain anything, of course it's better for someone else to die, you know what to do?"

  Tōji Kyō responded without hesitation, although he knew in his heart that if he were to severely beat Guō Bǎokūn on the street, it would be a serious crime, not only because of his relationship with the crown prince but also because he was the son of the Minister. If Sī Nánbó didn't intervene, Tōji Kyō himself might have had to flee the capital for many years. However, he still responded without hesitation because he believed that following this young man would eventually lead him out of his current miserable life. This confidence came from many aspects, including Fàn Dà Xiǎoyé's knowledge, eloquence, and character, as well as Tōji Kyō's intuition.

  Fan Xian nodded in satisfaction at the other's attitude, but said something a bit strange: "You don't know how to do it."

  Tōyako Kyō felt somewhat perplexed and didn't understand what the young master meant.

  "A beating is a must, otherwise how can I vent this evil spirit in my heart?" Fan Xian smiled warmly, but his radiant smile made Tong Zi Jing feel a little chilled to the bone as usual. "It's just that we need to think carefully about how to do it? Who will do it? And how can we make it enjoyable without worrying about being beaten by the official board?"

  "I was also reluctant to hit him, as it would dirty my own hands. But if you or your family's guards were to take action, it wouldn't look good in the future when dealing with the authorities. I'm sure Father wouldn't want to offend the Guo family over a few servants." Fan Xian continued to smile and explain: "If I were to take action myself, my identity is different, so the consequences would naturally be much lighter. With the marriage between the two families imminent, Father and that noble in the palace who are eager to facilitate this union wouldn't want me to get into trouble."

  Tongzi Jing frowned and advised: "Young master, you absolutely must not take matters into your own hands. Besides, the sons of noble families in the capital fighting is just a small matter. If we have to involve Old Master and the help of the Fan family in the palace, it's really...".

  Tong Qianjin remained silent, but Fan Xian took over his words: "Some people are too careless? Some people are making a fuss?"

  He smiled and shook his head: "I'm just saying if, but in fact, I don't plan to give him any chance to fight back after I beat him."

  Tōyako's heart skipped a beat as he thought to himself: "This young master isn't planning on making a murder case out of this, is he?"

  Fan Xian guessed what was on his mind and laughed, asking: "Has the Crown Prince of Jing asked for an audience?"

  "You're welcome."

  "Where is the reservation?"

  Drunken Immortal's Residence

  "The name of this wine shop is quite elegant."

  "......Young master, this is a sunny pavilion."

  Fan Xian was taken aback and reluctantly agreed, asking: "Is the sack ready?"

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  In the west of Kyoto, there is a river that flows into the mountains. Before it enters the mountains, its flow slows down and forms a large pool of water like a mirror. Every evening, many flower boats move freely on the lake surface, with lanterns and colorful decorations, like a crystal palace, very beautiful.

  Everyone knows what kind of business is being done here, but as society has become more open-minded, there aren't many people who will point fingers anymore.

  Zui Xian Ju is not the largest among the brothel boats, but it's the highest-end one. It's a two-story boat, exquisite and beautiful, with elegant decorations. Most importantly, this flower boat has the most popular courtesan in Kyoto's pleasure quarters right now, Si Li Li.

  This young lady's appearance and temperament are not to be mentioned, she also knows some piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, singing and dancing, all of which are proficient, although it is not necessarily a deep accomplishment, but under the intentional or unintentional boasting of many Kyoto talents, she has also gained a reputation as a talented woman.

  Of course, the reason why this girl can stand out in Kyoto's show and become a flower among flowers is not just because of these reasons. To a greater extent, it depends on a certain rumor - it is said that Lili girl does not actually have the surname "Si", but has the surname "Li", which is the royal family name. The rumors say that this girl is actually a descendant of a certain member of the imperial family from the beginning of the country, and only because her ancestors committed a great crime did she fall to where she is today.

  Those who truly understand the royal family would naturally scoff at such rumors, and those common people actually know in their hearts that this news is absolutely false. However, since Princess Shili never explains, everyone simply goes along with it, anyway, the Emperor wouldn't bother to reason with a mere technical girl like her. This mentality can also be easily explained: think about those officials who kowtow every day at court, if they were to find out that the wonderful person rolling around under their feet is actually the Emperor's "distant relative", I reckon they would be delighted.

  So Zui Xian Ju is very popular and expensive, but it's always bustling in the evening. Many people are willing to spend a lot of money to become one of Li Li's guests, but I don't know how many. However, today was a bit strange. The flower boat stopped at the shore, but those young men who were waiting eagerly were not allowed to get on. Several fierce-looking big men stood guard outside the gangway, and almost clashed with those people. Fortunately, Lao Bao came over to explain, and only then did those young men realize that Zui Xian Ju had been booked by someone today.

  How much did it cost to buy Xiaoxianju? Those young masters who loved to fold the willow branches of Zhangtai left with a huff, and couldn't help but secretly curse the person who bought Xiaoxianju as a prodigal son.

  Fan Xian looked at the exquisite pastries on the table, sipping the fine wine handed to him by those slender white hands, and indeed felt that he was being extravagant. Although this money was withdrawn from the account room of the South Branch Duke's mansion by Tong Zi Jing, and although his father managed the finances of Qing Guo, the Fan family's account room was equivalent to a small account room of Qing Guo, these small amounts would not be taken seriously. However, when Fan Xian thought about the amount he would spend today, he still felt some pain, plus he didn't know how his father would react if he found out that he used public funds to visit the brothel, so he was a bit uneasy.

  The source of anxiety also comes from this girl in his arms.

  The young lady's eyebrows were like willow leaves, her black eyes gazed and flowed with a gentle turn, her lips were as if painted with vermilion, lightly opening and closing to naturally reveal a hint of charm. The most lethal thing was that this figure's plumpness, sitting in Fan Xian's arms, every inch of touch made Fan Xian somewhat lose his mind.

  Feeling the handsome young master's heartbeat getting faster and faster under her, Cui Li couldn't help but smile secretly, confirming that this young master of the Fan family was indeed a novice. She stopped teasing him, got out of his arms, poured him a cup of wine, and brought it to his lips for a sip.