Chapter 253 Shame

Zhang Hanyu and Gao Ziang remained silent for half an hour before they could finally calm down and talk.
"What unresolved issues do you two have? One cries sorrowfully, while the other sneaks off to the alley of fireworks to flirt with beautiful women," Zhang Hanyu asked him.
High Ziang, who had been lost in deep thought, snapped out of it and sighed, "She has a connection with the Emperor..."
His words were immediately interrupted by Zhang Hanyu: "What happened between her and the emperor? You know what kind of woman Wan Ning is better than me. She has always fought to maintain her innocence, for whom, don't you know? How can you doubt her? No matter what she did, she will always be Wan Ning. Even if she gives birth to the Dragon Prince, she is still Wan Ning!"
"It's easy for you to talk like that when you're not in my position. If you were in my shoes, you wouldn't say the same."
"Don't you understand what I mean? No matter what, you can't doubt her. It's hurtful. If you truly love her, even if you feel uncomfortable, you should stay silent on this matter. It's because of your suspicions that you've committed such despicable acts. With Wan Ning's character, even if the Emperor forces her, she would choose to protect herself even if it means death. She has never been intimate with the Emperor, and yet you still don't trust her? If Wan Ning had received the Emperor's favor, considering her family background, wouldn't she be one of the Emperor's concubines by now? How could the Emperor break the rules in the palace? If other noble daughters from prestigious families knew the Emperor broke the rules, do you think they would let it go?"
Listening to Zhang Hanyu's words, Gao Ziang's mindset begins to change. Yes, Wenning has already been bestowed with a palace. If she really serves the emperor, he cannot break the rules of the palace and keep it a secret.
"Why did she enter the palace? Wan Ning sought justice for her father and suffered countless hardships inside the palace. Don't you know the pain she endured? You not only fail to offer comfort, but at this time, you stab her in the chest. How heart-wrenching is that? Wan Ning is pure and bright through and through, how can you not believe her? She wouldn't even become your concubine, so how could she possibly become the emperor's concubine? Just because the emperor can offer her more wealth and glory? Is this how you see Wan Ning?"
"Don't say any more." Gao Ziang's voice was very low, probably feeling some shame and self-blame.
"I think this time, you should apologize to Wan Ning,"
Gao Ziang still said firmly, "I won't go."
"If you don't go, you will lose her."
"Up to this point, does Wan Ning have no responsibility at all? You don't understand the Emperor's thoughts towards Wan Ning. Yes, Wan Ning has protected herself very well now, but perhaps the Emperor will someday lose patience with her."
High Ziang was suspicious again, which made Zhang Hanyu angry. He said angrily, "Then what are you doing! If I were you, I would go to the emperor and tell him that Wan Ning has already been promised to you, she is already yours."
"Don't you think I knew? The Emperor has long been aware of my relationship with Wanning. Do you think he cares? You know the identities of the Yan Consort and Yang Consort in the palace."
"Are you saying that the emperor is like Cao Cao, greedily seeking the wives of the nobles?"
"I didn't say that. There is no man who doesn't care about noble wives. It depends on who they are. Perhaps the king likes to possess the wives and concubines of his enemies."
"So that's settled? You're not the emperor's enemy, after all."
Gao Ziang knew he was right. He certainly wasn't the emperor's enemy, but wars between people exist everywhere. After a long silence, he finally sighed and said, "But defeating me would make the emperor feel twenty years younger."
"In short, I tell you, if you want to make amends with Wan Ning, apologizing is just a matter of time."
Hearing this, Gao Ziang fell silent, deep in thought once again.
Since he was here to settle accounts on behalf of Wan Ning, he had to settle them thoroughly. Now, the issue of Zhujun from Qinfang Pavilion is a big problem.
Zhang Hanyu asked, "What do you plan to do with Miss Zhuyun from Qinfang Ge? You shouldn't have any interest in Wan Ning anymore. We can't have people like her around us."
"Just give her a few taels of silver and send her away. She is always in need of money, or rather, being in need of money has become a habit for her."
"I'm afraid it's not as easy as you say. Money can solve any problem, but I'm afraid money can't solve this one. She's not just after money, she likes you. I heard that she throws herself at you when she sees you."
"When it comes to the women in the brothel, which one of them doesn't throw themselves at men?"
"You still have the nerve to say that! Can they be the same? You know very well that Zhuyun likes you."
"There is little true affection in the world of fireworks," Gao Ziang said softly, "She is just accompanying with a few glasses of wine."
"We've already kissed, what else do you want? Are you not satisfied because you didn't get beaten up?"
Gao Ziang's heart skipped a beat, "How do you know? Whose mouth spreads information so quickly?"
"What's wrong? Are you scared now? I understand, it means the news has already spread, Wenning must know. We're at this crucial moment, yet you still don't plan on telling me the truth. With so many people watching, those who treated Wenning well won't hide it from her, and Zhu Yun's group would even hope she knows about this matter. You've done it, and now you're complaining about someone being too talkative! Let's see how you explain this to Wenning!"
"No wonder Wan Ning has always refused to be your concubine. Any random brothel woman can achieve the same status as her."
Gao Ziang was taken aback, "Who said I wanted to take a brothel woman as my concubine?"
"I don't plan on taking her as a concubine, yet you still provoke her. You know very well that she likes you! I'm afraid that Zhu Jun has already regarded herself as your concubine. I heard from Pin Hong that she even engraved a character for you, which shows her deep devotion. If it has gotten to this point, knowing your character, you probably won't just settle it with a few taels of silver."
Gao Ziang showed his fear of Wan Ning's reaction and hurriedly declared, "Don't worry, I won't take her as a concubine. The Gao family won't tolerate her."
"You expect me to feel relieved? What kind of relief do I have! Don't you realize that the person you should be most concerned about is Wan Ning? Thankfully, the Gao elders are there to act as gatekeepers. Don't you feel guilty towards Wan Ning? By the way, doesn't she have a story?"
"It's just a story about a lack of money."
"Did you ask her?"
"No, I didn't."
"Then how do you know?"
"She only cares about money, so what else could it be if not a lack of money?" Gao Ziang thought for a moment and said, "Zhu Jun is indeed a pitiable person. I intend to rescue her from danger, but may not take her in. I plan to give her more silver and send her away."
"Listening to you say that gives me some confidence in you. Life without stories is dull, and there are many pitiful women in the world. How many of them who have fallen into the dust are without stories? Can you pity them? Since you want to send her away, I won't hold on to it."
"Forget about her," Gao Zi'ang finally diminished his interest in Zhu Jun.
"Alright, forget about her, let's talk about Wan Ning. You value and cherish beauty, isn't Wan Ning worthy of pity? Ever since the Li family's misfortune, she has been enduring hardships day and night in the palace. Now, you have become her biggest affliction. No wonder she appears so dejected. You didn't even see how desperate she was that night. I'm afraid she won't forgive you."
As soon as the words fell, Zhang Hanyu sighed again: "I am worried about Wei Wanning's refusal to forgive and your lack of apology."