TFWYH – Chapter 734 Tang Wan First

Uncle Rui chuckled.

“Master, as you said, there’s only a fine line between genius and madness. In the end, that still makes her a madwoman.”

“But also a genius,” Jin Lin replied as he withdrew his gaze and prepared to leave.

Uncle Rui nodded and casually added,

“Speaking of Yuanyuan, I recently heard some news concerning her—and Madam Wan has been dragged into it as well.”

“Oh?”

Jin Lin stopped in his tracks and looked at him in surprise.

Only then did Uncle Rui explain in detail.

“Master, perhaps you don’t know this, but the young master of the Prime Minister’s household has been frequenting the pleasure quarter these past few days. He’s spent enormous sums visiting various establishments and meeting their leading courtesans, even hiring professional painters to create portraits of them. Yesterday, he even arranged a meeting with Miss Yuanyuan.”

He paused before continuing,

“After making some inquiries, I learned that Gu Chengwen intends to compile a Register of Beauties for public appreciation. Miss Yuanyuan is the final entry.”

“Oh.”

Jin Lin responded indifferently. He had thought it was something important.

Just this?

There were countless brothels and pleasure houses in the entertainment district, and nearly every establishment had its own celebrated beauty. Besides Gu Chengwen, many self-proclaimed scholars before him had created similar collections.

A Register of Beauties was, in essence, an album gathering portraits of famous courtesans from various houses, ranking them according to beauty for men’s enjoyment.

In doing so, it also enhanced the fame of both the establishments and the women themselves.

Jin Lin casually remarked,

“Then Yuanyuan would naturally be ranked first.”

To his surprise, Uncle Rui shook his head.

“Ordinarily, she would unquestionably take first place. But this time, I’ve heard that the top position doesn’t belong to Yuanyuan—it belongs to Madam Wan.”

“What?!”

Jin Lin nearly jumped in shock.

“Wan-niang isn’t a courtesan! What in the world is Gu Chengwen trying to do? Is he courting death? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“…”

I am telling you now.

And you never asked.

Of course, Uncle Rui absolutely refused to admit that he had simply forgotten about it.

Lowering his head, he said,

“I only found out yesterday myself.”

Jin Lin grew anxious.

“Has that Register of Beauties already been printed?”

“It seems it has,” Uncle Rui replied with a shake of his head.

“Come on! Follow me to the Minister’s residence immediately!”

Jin Lin hurried off in great alarm.

At almost the same moment, Yuanyuan learned of the news as well.

The shock nearly made her lose her footing.

She immediately ordered Ye Yi to personally go to the Heaven Worship ceremony and inform Ling Yu.

Gu Chengwen was truly despicable.

In this era, a woman’s reputation meant everything.

If Tang Wan’s portrait appeared in a collection exclusively dedicated to courtesans, then…

Would she have any honor left at all?

Gu Chengwen!

Gu Chengwen!

Sitting in her room with a dark expression, Yuanyuan quietly awaited Ling Yu’s instructions.

She firmly believed that he would never let this matter pass.

And Ling Yu did not disappoint her.

The moment he received the news, he no longer cared about accompanying the Emperor during the ceremony. He immediately left in haste with Ye Yi.

At the same time, Jin Lin arrived at the Minister’s residence.

Tang Wan had a special patient scheduled that day and had departed for her clinic early in the morning.

Only Ling Yue remained at the residence, preparing to send Ling Chen to the academy.

At first, she was delighted to see Jin Lin rushing over.

But before she could exchange greetings, Jin Lin grabbed her and poured out the entire story in one breath.

Ling Yue: ?

Ling Yue: !

Ling Yue: (╬￣皿￣)

“Is that bastard surnamed Gu trying to die? He dares bully my sister-in-law?!”

She was furious—

Even more furious than if she herself had been wronged.

She stuffed Ling Chen into Jin Lin’s arms and hurried back into the house.

When she came out again, she was still stuffing banknotes into the front of her clothes as she walked.