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"Alright!" Li Jiancheng nodded happily, then curiously asked, "The other day when I offered to redeem you, you were unwilling. Why are you willing now?"
Dan Bingbing had already anticipated this question from Li Jiancheng. Feeling a bit shy, she replied, "To be honest, Your Highness, although I admired your talents back then, I was afraid that after you redeemed me, you might force me into something I didn't want. So..."
She hesitated to continue, but Li Jiancheng understood her meaning well enough. Was she merely afraid that he would force himself upon her?
Li Jiancheng pondered this quietly and asked, "So now you're not afraid that I might force you?"
Dan Bingbing shook her head gently. "Your Highness is joking! You are the Crown Prince, of noble status. What kind of women haven't you seen? How could you possibly force a humble girl like me? Besides, I know that Consort Li is not only a great beauty but also comes from a prestigious family. A common girl like me, plain and ordinary, could never catch your eye."
Li Jiancheng shook his head with a smile. "You are mistaken. I wasn't lying before; I truly desire your company."
Dan Bingbing's cheeks flushed. "Your Highness is joking! I believe you are not that kind of person."
Oh, but I really am! Li Jiancheng chuckled inwardly and said, "It's rare for you to trust me so much. Don't worry; although I desire your company, as long as you are unwilling, I won't force myself on you."
Dan Bingbing immediately showed a grateful expression and said, "Thank you, Your Highness! Your Highness, I have another request."
"Speak!"
Dan Bingbing hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Liang Jing may be my maidservant, but she is like a sister to me. I would like to ask Your Highness to help redeem her as well so she can leave this place of ill repute."
"Not a problem!" Li Jiancheng agreed readily.
With this matter settled, everything else became much easier.
After the meal, Li Jiancheng immediately followed Dan Bingbing to Qunfang Garden to redeem her.
Ma Qiang walked up beside Li Jiancheng and quietly reminded him, "Your Highness, bringing a courtesan back home might upset Consort Li..."
Ma Qiang's reminder was valid. Although Zheng Guanyin had a good temper and wouldn't mind if he fancied the daughter of a wealthy family, buying a courtesan to take home would surely provoke her.
Li Jiancheng laughed dismissively. "It's fine; I'll explain it to her!"
"Oh?" Ma Qiang was somewhat skeptical. How would he explain this?
Li Jiancheng shot him an exasperated glance and whispered seriously, "Do you think I'm really just after Dan Bingbing's company? I'm doing this to strengthen the guard at the Eastern Palace!"
Ma Qiang glanced at him suspiciously. Considering Dan Bingbing's background, he felt it was likely true and quickly flattered, "Your Highness is wise!"
Li Jiancheng smiled faintly and then quietly instructed, "For now, let's pretend we don't know about Dan Bingbing's identity. During this time, you need to keep a close watch on her and Liang Jing. Remember, don’t let her catch on!"
"Understood!" This was serious business, and Ma Qiang hurriedly agreed.
Soon, Li Jiancheng followed Dan Bingbing to Qunfang Garden and found the madam.
"How much? Thirty thousand taels of silver? Do you think I'm a fool?"
Upon learning that it would cost thirty thousand taels to help Dan Bingbing and Liang Jing buy their freedom, Li Jiancheng was furious.
Of course, his anger was feigned; otherwise, how could he negotiate? Moreover, thirty thousand taels was indeed exorbitant. He had only spent eight hundred taels on a hairpin for Zheng Guanyin.
Helping Dan Bingbing and Liang Jing buy their freedom for thirty thousand taels?
"Your Highness, this is unfair!" the madam said with a pitiful expression. "Dan Bingbing is our Oiran at Qunfang Garden. Many guests come specifically for her. If anyone else were to redeem Dan Bingbing, it would cost at least fifty thousand taels..."
Fifty thousand? Li Jiancheng thought to himself that she was essentially offering him a six percent discount!
This madam certainly knew how to talk; she had the makings of a good businesswoman!
"Then give me another discount of ten thousand taels. How about twenty thousand?" Li Jiancheng began to haggle with the madam.
There was no other choice; Dan Bingbing was so beautiful that her worth surpassed gold!
"Your Highness, well then!" The madam reluctantly agreed.
"Alright, I'll take them now, and I will send someone with the silver notes later." Li Jiancheng waved his hand with a broad smile on his face.
The madam nodded helplessly; she wasn't worried that the Crown Prince would default on the payment.
Li Jiancheng took Dan Bingbing and Liang Jing away.
Spending twenty thousand taels felt worthwhile to him, so he was in an exceptionally good mood. After bringing Dan Bingbing and Liang Jing back to the Eastern Palace, Li Jiancheng arranged accommodations for them and sent someone to deliver the silver to Qunfang Garden.
At that moment, Zheng Guanyin arrived and said sarcastically, "Your Highness seems quite happy! I heard you brought back two beauties from Qunfang Garden. Why don’t you let me see what kind of beauties they are?"
Zheng Guanyin was clearly angry. After all, Li Jiancheng was the Crown Prince, and he had brought back two courtesans? What would outsiders think if they found out? Especially if their father knew—wouldn’t he be furious?
Moreover, what did this mean for her, Consort Li? Had he lost respect for her? Since marrying Li Jiancheng, he had always treated her with deference. What had changed? Although she had noticed a significant change in him since last year, it seemed to be in other aspects. His feelings for her appeared unchanged.
Could it be that because she was pregnant and unable to share his bed, he sought other women? Was one woman not enough for him, or was he dissatisfied with Lu Lingling? If that were the case, he could find another woman, but not a courtesan!
Meeting Zheng Guanyin's gaze, Li Jiancheng appeared calm. "Guanyin, you misunderstand!"
Zheng Guanyin pouted, confused. "Misunderstand? Your Highness has brought women from Qunfang Garden home; how can I call that a misunderstanding?"
Li Jiancheng smirked slightly. "You are indeed mistaken! I brought them back as guards. After all, there are still the ladies of the Eastern Palace here; I thought it would be more convenient to have two female guards."
Zheng Guanyin was somewhat skeptical. "Guards? I thought Your Highness wanted to find a concubine! If that's the case, you won't be taking them to your chambers, will you?"
"Of course not!" Li Jiancheng smiled gently. "Rest assured, my beloved! They are guards, not concubines!"
However, I will soon turn this beautiful guard into a concubine!
Hearing him say this, Zheng Guanyin felt there was nothing more to say. Just as she was about to leave, Dan Bingbing approached.
"Dan Bingbing pays respects to Consort Li," she said respectfully as she bowed to Zheng Guanyin.
Zheng Guanyin looked up at Dan Bingbing and a glimmer of understanding crossed her eyes. No wonder Li Jiancheng had brought her back! This woman was born with a seductive charm; she looked like a cunning fox!
Li Jiancheng claimed she was a guard; it was hard to believe he didn’t want her as a concubine!
"She truly is an extraordinary person!" Zheng Guanyin exclaimed in admiration.
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