Chapter 256 Picture Books

Chapter 256: Smutty Picture Books

Ji Yuntang: "!!!"

Mind-blowing!

She had no idea that Tao Zhi, such a straitlaced maid, would secretly keep that kind of picture book?

Ji Yuntang squinted, caught her by the ear, and pressed, "Where did the picture book come from? Spill it."

Tao Zhi lowered her eyes, clamped her hand over her mouth, and remained silent.

"Not gonna talk, huh? If you don't, I'll recite the love poems you secretly wrote to Wang Sheng and let him know that our Xiao Taozi wants to marry him, have a little family with him, and pop out a bunch of babies for him!"

Tao Zhi: "..."

Tao Zhi: "!!!"

She raised her head and stared at Ji Yuntang with wide, shocked eyes.

She'd hidden those love poems under her pillow in her own room; how did the princess know?

The next second, Ji Yuntang gave her the answer.

"Hong Xiu found 'em under your pillow when she was cleaning your room."

"I had no idea our Tao Zhi fell for Wang Sheng at first sight during the medical competition and pined after him for days without daring to say a word. Want me to play matchmaker and pull a few strings for you?"

There was a teasing tone in Ji Yuntang's voice, and Tao Zhi's face instantly turned as red as a boiled crab, red all the way down to her neck.

"Princess, no… I don't want Wang Sheng to know yet. Please, don't tell him."

"He has to go to the Evening Dress Tower to check the accounts every day and also act as the mansion's steward. He's already working hard enough. I don't want to put Wang Sheng in a difficult position."

Ji Yuntang raised an eyebrow slightly. "Little Tao Zhi feeling sorry for him? You think I've given Wang Sheng too much work?"

Tao Zhi quickly said, "No, no, Princess, please don't get me wrong. I know that by giving him these tasks, you trust him and want to groom him. I think he's still young and should focus on his career."

"Besides, I can tell Wang Sheng is pretty happy helping you every day, which shows he really likes this work."

"As for love, it's all about fate. If he doesn't like me, then crossing that line is pointless. We see each other every day, so it'd just make things awkward for both of us."

Ji Yuntang raised her eyebrows. She didn't expect Tao Zhi to have such a take on things.

"Since you put it that way, I won't meddle in your business."

"If you ever change your mind and want me to play matchmaker, just tell me, and I'll feel out Wang Sheng for you."

Tao Zhi instantly beamed with joy. "Thank you, Princess."

"Then where did the picture book come from?"

The smile on Tao Zhi's face vanished. She didn't expect that after all that circling, Ji Yuntang would bring it back to this topic.

Tao Zhi bit her lip, torn inside. This was too embarrassing; should she tell her or not?

In the end, she couldn't hold out and told Ji Yuntang the whole story.

"Yesterday, when I went to Cuifang Residence to buy you those peach blossom pastries, I overheard a customer saying that some picture book was super popular in the capital. I figured since you like reading, you'd probably like this new thing, so out of curiosity I went and bought two copies."

"When I opened them, I found they were… actually…"

She didn't finish, but Ji Yuntang could tell right away—what else could it be but dirty drawings?

Ji Yuntang looked up at the sky, speechless.

She wondered, when exactly did Tao Zhi start going down this path?

She even dared to buy something like explicit drawings.

The kicker was that she actually thought Ji Yuntang would like them.

Just then, a yell came from the street outside.

"Smutty books, smutty books! The one and only smutty books in the entire capital!"

"Don't miss out, folks! Whatever you wanna see, I've got it in my books! Three taels for one, five taels for two! Two little people scrapping will keep you up all night—once you see it, you'll want more~"

Ji Yuntang: "..."

She turned to look at Tao Zhi, her eyes asking if this was the book.

Tao Zhi nodded obediently.

"Princess, I told you it was a hit! Look at that long line of people buying!"

Peeking through the carriage window, there was indeed a sea of people, completely surrounding the smutty book stall.

Ji Yuntang was stunned. This way of doing business was insane!

"Three taels for one book? Why doesn't he just go rob someone?"

She thought her skincare pricing was steep, but she never expected this smutty book seller to be even more outrageous.

A normal book only costs thirty to forty wen, but he's jacked up the price ten times.

Tao Zhi said softly, "Princess, when I bought it, it was only one tael."

"Then you got fooled by him too. Don't just buy everything you see. I think this guy is a scammer, specifically tricking clueless young girls like you."

Ji Yuntang lowered the carriage curtain. For some reason, she had a nagging feeling that the shouting voice sounded familiar.

It was androgynous, just like that damn sect leader of the Blood Rain Sect.

Ji Yuntang shook her head and laughed wryly.

She figured she must be hearing things because she hadn't slept well.

The sect leader of the Blood Rain Sect stays holed up on the mountain, never stepping foot outside; how could she possibly come to the Dongchen Kingdom?

The carriage slowly moved forward until it stopped at the Xu residence gate. The coachman's voice came through.

"Princess, we have arrived at the Xu residence."

Ji Yuntang stood up and got off the carriage.

Xu Muyan stood at the gate, and when he saw Ji Yuntang, he walked up with a smile.

This humble official greets Princess Ye, "Princess, please come in."

Xu Muyan was wearing a sapphire blue cloud-patterned robe today, looking gentle and refined, with a delighted smile on his handsome face.

Ji Yuntang politely declined Xu Muyan's offer and said slowly, "Assistant Minister Xu is busy welcoming guests, so there's no need for you to escort me personally. I can go in myself."

"That's fine. There are many distinguished guests in the mansion today. If I have been remiss in any way, please forgive me, Princess Ye." Xu Muyan was not the kind of person to be awkward; he smiled and stepped aside.

After Ji Yuntang entered, she found the Xu Mansion was truly lively today, with people filling every courtyard and hall.

She took only a brief glance and saw many familiar figures.

Among them was the entire family of Marquis Yongning.

Madam Ji had her silver hair coiled at the back of her head, adorned with an exquisite jade hairpin. Today she was wearing a splendid silk brocade robe, she looked refined and dignified.

Marquis Yongning, Ji Nanchuan, and his wife, Lady Meng were sitting beside Madam Ji, and beside them were Ji Qingqing and Ji Huaiche.

As for Ji Qingfeng and Ji Zihang, Ji Yuntang did not see them.

She intended to ignore them and walk past, but Ji Huaiche stopped her.

He said angrily, "Ji Yuntang, didn't you see that Grandmother, Father, and Mother are all sitting here?"

"How can you just walk away without even greeting them? Is this the upbringing befitting Princess Ye?"

Ji Yuntang glanced at him coldly and said sarcastically, "Who are you?"

"And who are they?"

"Where are the grandmother, father, and mother you mentioned? I don't see any of them."

After speaking, she turned to ask Tao Zhi, "Tao Zhi, did you see my parents and grandmother?"

Tao Zhi played along and shook her head and replied, "Princess Ye, I didn't see them either."

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