Chapter 139: Embarrassment

A dozen or so young women crowded around, their eyes gleaming as they gazed at Li Zhi. This was the illustrious Prince of Jin! Though he was still young, his status was undeniable. Anyone who could win his favor would have their future secured for the rest of her life. They were like mice spotting a grain of rice, each desperate to devour him in a single gulp.

Li Zhi chuckled and said, "What are you all doing? Don't make a scene! I’m only four years old; what could I possibly know about romance? Everyone, stand in line. I have an announcement to make!"

"Line up, line up..." The madam ushered them into a row.

Cheng Yaojin and his son stood by, their eyes leering and darting around greedily. Li Zhi tugged at Cheng Yaojin’s sleeve. "General Cheng, which one of them do you think is the most beautiful?"

"Me! Me! Me!" The women, unwilling to be outdone, eagerly began to recommend themselves.

Cheng Yaojin found himself in a bind. Whom should he choose? He scratched his head and said with a smile, "In my opinion, they are all about the same—equally beautiful! Such beauty as to make fish sink and birds fall, to make the moon hide and flowers blush—that is exactly what they are!"

"Thank you for the compliment, General!" the women said in unison.

"You certainly have a way with words... I want to select one from among them. Who do you think it should be?"

"This... this..." Cheng Yaojin was troubled again. He had always made it a point not to offend anyone, even a courtesan. If he were forced to pick one, wouldn't that imply that the others were ugly? Why should he offend a group of beauties just to please one?

"I think she is quite good!" Cheng Chuliang, being more straightforward, pointed to a young woman standing before them. "Her name is Aqu. She is most skilled at composing music and is very talented. There is a touch of elegance in her features that the others cannot compare to!"

As soon as these words were out, Aqu was flattered and overjoyed. The other women, however, shot sharp, resentful glares at Cheng Chuliang, their dissatisfaction directed entirely at him. Some even started swatting at him. Cheng Chuliang was overwhelmed.

"Hahaha..." Cheng Yaojin knew this would be the outcome, which is why he hadn't spoken up earlier. Truly, ginger is spicier the older it gets.

"Stop, stop, stop!!!" Li Zhi, annoyed by the chaotic scene, shouted, "Everyone, stand still! Chuliang didn't mean to disparage you. He was merely offering an objective analysis. While you may lack that particular air of elegance, you possess charm, shyness, and allure—all of which are wonderful in their own right!"

Li Zhi said tactfully.

"Your Highness... who do you think is the most beautiful among us?" one girl asked, gathering her courage.

"In my view, none of you!"

"Ah?"

Now he had offended everyone. Li Zhi explained, "I need to find someone pure and delicate. You have all spent time in the pleasure houses; you are too seductive. While that may stir a man's desires, it cannot touch his soul. Furthermore, everyone is already accustomed to the sultry courtesans of these clubs. If a naive, cute, and innocent girl were to appear, she would surely be unique and become the new star attraction!"

Hearing a four-year-old child talk about romance felt ridiculous, yet they had to admit that Li Zhi understood the male psyche well.

"As Your Highness says, we need a pure girl, but where would we find one in our club?" Cheng Chuliang asked.

"Look for one!"

"I have one! I have one!" the madam suddenly exclaimed, her eyes widening. "A few days ago, when I went out to buy rouge, I ran into a beggar girl on the roadside. I saw that she was quite pretty... and felt a bit sorry for her, so I brought her back. She’s locked in the backyard now. Would Your Highness like to see her? I think she is quite pure!"

"Take me to her at once!" Li Zhi’s eyes lit up as he sprang to his feet.

In the backyard, inside the woodshed, a disheveled young woman was curled up in a corner. On the floor lay a few cold steamed buns and some leftover wild greens. There were tear tracks on her face, showing she had clearly just been crying.

Li Zhi took one look and was sold. "This is exactly the feeling!"

"Madam, why have you left her in the woodshed? This is abuse; this is meting out private punishment!"

"Ah? No, no... I wanted her to join the club, but she was unwilling. If I let her go, she would just starve to death, so I kept her here!" the madam hurriedly explained.

"Give her a bath, get her some clean clothes, and then bring her to the parlor," Li Zhi ordered before turning and walking away from the woodshed.

"Yes!"

With the help of several maids