Chapter 30: The Fourth Princess's Scheme

The top courtesan never expected Jiang Han to write such heart-wrenching verses. They were so profoundly sorrowful, filled with an inescapable, lingering melancholy. The final two lines, in particular, struck straight at her soul, making her heart flutter.

Zhou Yun’s eyes turned red. Looking at Jiang Han, she said, "Young Master, this poem of yours truly—it truly pierces my heart."

Jiang Han smiled at her and asked, "With this poem, can it make you famous?"

Instead of answering, Zhou Yun threw herself into Jiang Han’s arms and began to sob softly. With a soft, fragrant beauty in his embrace, Jiang Han felt a headache coming on. After a while, Zhou Yun regained her composure and said, "Young Master, this 'Butterfly Loves the Flower' is truly heart-breaking... If this gets out, all the other courtesans will be green with envy!"

Indeed, the top courtesan had a keen eye. Jiang Han smiled and said, "With this poem, your reputation is bound to soar; it wouldn't be impossible for you to become the greatest beauty in the Great Yu Dynasty. If I were to create a unique perfume just for you, one that only you could wear, would you still need to worry about being overshadowed by others?"

Zhou Yun trembled. She stood up, bowed deeply to Jiang Han, and said with deep emotion, "We have only just met, yet you bestow such a poem upon me. I... I truly do not know how to repay your kindness!"

Jiang Han’s intentions were not purely to elevate this courtesan; his primary goal was to secure an information channel. No matter the endeavor, information was paramount, and a top-tier courtesan knew far too much. Jiang Han reached out to help her up and said, "Don't be like this. I was taken with you the moment we met. What is a mere poem compared to that?"

The courtesan looked at Jiang Han with lingering affection and said, "Since you treat me this way, I must repay you." As she spoke, she leaned into his chest again.

Jiang Han stroked her back, his heart racing. In such a situation, what man wouldn't be stirred? But, just as in a television drama where the leads are about to kiss and are inevitably interrupted, a knock sounded at the door: "My Lady, that person has arrived and wishes to see you."

The courtesan froze, her expression shifting. "I understand," she said. She looked at Jiang Han with a helpless expression and added, "Young Master, please wait for me. I have something to attend to and will return shortly."

"Very well, go ahead," Jiang Han replied. After she left, he rubbed his nose. Who could be looking for her? Could Gu Ting be causing trouble? Unlikely; the Ningyan Pavilion was a major brothel and had its own powerful backers. It must be something else. Good things take time. Jiang Han poured a cup of tea and waited patiently.

...

"Greetings, Your Highness, the Fourth Princess."

In a tea room, Zhou Yun knelt on the floor, shocked. Why had the Fourth Princess come here in person?

Princess Zhaoyue narrowed her eyes slightly and asked, "Who is the man in your room?"

"Replying to Your Highness, it is Jiang Han," Zhou Yun answered.

"And what... has he done?" the Princess asked.

What had he done? What could he have done? Zhou Yun looked up, confused, and recounted the evening’s events in full detail.

Princess Zhaoyue narrowed her eyes further. "He sought you out just to make you famous?"

"Yes, Young Master Jiang is exceptionally talented and wrote a poem for me," Zhou Yun replied.

A gleam flickered in the Princess’s eyes. Jiang Han was not just here for amusement; he wanted information. A clever man indeed! After the success of his perfume, he hadn't grown arrogant. He knew the road ahead was difficult, so instead of rushing to expand, he was using the brothel to gather intelligence on the powers in Yunyang County and Luoyang, sizing up his competitors. He was steady and methodical, knowing that to defeat an enemy, one must first understand them. He had truly spent over a decade hiding his light, all for this moment of brilliance.

If he were just an ordinary merchant, the Princess wouldn't care, but his methodical approach earned her genuine admiration. Previously, she thought his perfume, while unique, couldn't defeat the Mianxiang Workshop, but now she felt that if he continued like this, he would surely replace them.

"What kind of poem did he write?" the Princess asked.

Zhou Yun recited the "Butterfly Loves the Flower." After hearing it, the Princess’s eyes shone. "A brilliant poem! It is no less than that 'Longing for Each Other'!"

Her maid, Siqi, also brightened. "Your Highness, this poem is truly exquisite! With it, Zhou Yun will surely become famous throughout Luoyang... Jiang Han is certainly generous!"

"Your Highness, this man... do you intend to deal with him?" Zhou Yun asked, her face turning pale. The Fourth Princess held immense power—even more than the Crown Prince. If she wanted to ruin Jiang Han, he would be finished.

The Princess shook her head. "He is a talent worth cultivating. Keep an eye on him; I may have use for him one day."

Zhou Yun breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, Your Highness."

"Go back now, and do not let him suspect anything," the Princess commanded. Then, she frowned slightly. "Wait until the fifth watch to return." After all, he was the man her ninth sister had taken an interest in; he might be her future brother-in-law. She couldn't let Zhou Yun be the one to 'use' him first.

After Zhou Yun left, the Princess asked, "Siqi, tell me, why did he give her this poem?"

Siqi pondered. "Was he attracted to her beauty? No, he is not so shallow. If he were truly a lecher, he wouldn't have hidden his talents for so long. Does he know she works for our Liming Department? No, her identity is a secret... Wait, is he trying to leverage her for information?"

"Precisely," the Princess nodded.

Siqi took a deep breath. "Using poetry to win her over and then cultivating her into the top courtesan of the Great Yu to gather intelligence against his competitors! Jiang Han is the exact opposite of his rumored foolish image! It is a pity he did not realize Zhou Yun is one of our own."

"Have Sijian keep an eye on him," the Princess ordered.

"As you command, Your Highness."