I am a prince in Zhutian Films

Chapter 364: Encountering the Peerless Zhang Haohao

"Madam Zhao, this courtyard was bought by the owner of the family in his early years. It has a good location in Anyefang, with convenient transportation. It is not far from our Prince Han's Mansion. Most of the people in the area are our people, so it is safe. The house is a little small, with only three entrances. However, after years of renovation, the scenery is still good, with a side hall, a flower room, an artificial lake..."

Hearing Zhao Huai'en's enthusiastic introduction of the courtyard, Zhao Pan'er became more and more confused.

"Manager Zhao, wait a minute." Zhao Pan'er interrupted Zhao Huai'en and turned to look at Zhao Wei: "Your Highness, what are you doing?"

Zhao Wei smiled and said, "Didn't you say that the cost of staying in the inn is too high and we can't stay here forever? This courtyard will be given to you to live in from now on."

"what?"

Zhao Pan'er, Sun Sanniang and Song Yinzhang all opened their mouths in shock. Just after they walked around the front yard, they could already guess how big and nice this courtyard was. It was probably a first-class mansion in the whole Tokyo city.

Zhao Pan'er hastily refused, "Your Highness, we cannot accept gifts without merit. We cannot afford to live in such a nice courtyard. You have helped us a lot, and we cannot take advantage of you anymore."

Zhao Wei shook his head and smiled, "Did you misunderstand something? I didn't say I would give it to you, nor did I say you could live here for free. You have to pay rent if you live here, three taels of silver per month."

"Three taels of silver? Such a nice and big yard, only three taels of silver per month, isn't it like living there for free?"

Sun Sanniang spoke her mind, but what she said was indeed true. Even in their Qiantang County, the rent of three taels of silver was not considered high, not to mention that this was Tokyo City and the house was so nice and big.

It was obvious that Zhao Wei wanted them to stay here on purpose, which was why he offered such a cheap rent. After all, who would be willing to rent out such a nice yard? Even if they were willing to rent it, it would not be something that could be bought for just three taels of silver.

Looking at the refreshing courtyard scenery, Zhao Pan'er refused: "Your Highness, we appreciate your kindness, but we really can't live in this yard."

Zhao Wei smiled and said, "Do you think I deliberately gave you a low price?"

"Is not it?"

Zhao Wei shook his head: "Really not, just ask Huai En and you will know, some of my personal guards also rent here, their rent is three taels of silver."

"Madam Zhao, the rent here is indeed three taels of silver." Zhao Huai'en echoed.

However, there was one thing he didn't say. It was true that the rent was three taels of silver, but that was only for the Blood-Clothed Guards and the royal palace's personal guards. Others could not rent a house here even if they came with tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of taels of silver.

The entire Mingying Street in Anyefang is filled with Zhao Wei’s closest confidants.

"If you don't believe Huai En, you can go out and ask other people. I definitely didn't deliberately lower the price to rent it to you. Besides, this place was originally empty. Not only can I not collect rent, but I also have to send people to clean it frequently. It's a relief to rent it to you now."

Zhao Pan'er and the other two daughters looked at each other in bewilderment. How could the Han Palace be so short of this little money? They were just looking for an excuse to provide them with a place to stay.

"Your Highness."

Seeing that Zhao Pan'er was about to speak again, Zhao Wei immediately showed dissatisfaction on his face: "This is settled. If you refuse again, it means you don't treat me as a friend and don't give me face."

"I never meant this, it's just..."

Sun Sanniang quickly grabbed Zhao Pan'er who wanted to say more and persuaded her, "Pan'er, His Royal Highness the King of Han means well, so just listen to His Royal Highness. If you think the rent is not enough, we can make up the rent after we settle down."

Song Yinzhang also advised: "Yes, Sister Pan'er, I think it's better to live here than in an inn."

Seeing that both sisters wanted to live here, and looking at Zhao Wei with a smile on his face, Zhao Pan'er felt helpless. But then she thought, since she already owed Zhao Wei so much, it seemed that one more debt would not be a burden, so she simply agreed.

"Okay, we can live here, but I'll inquire about the rent, and you must collect it, otherwise we'll move out immediately."

"Of course, the rent must not be less. At the end of every month, I will ask Huai En to come and collect the rent. You must be ready by then."

"As it should be."

Following Zhao Pan'er's response, Sun Sanniang and Song Yinzhang immediately became happy and kept expressing their gratitude.

Zhao Wei waved his hand: "No need to thank me, it's all mutually beneficial. Take another look at this yard. If there is anything missing, tell Shuangxi and he will help you make it up. If you have any problems in the future, go to Huai En. His house is next door. We are the owner and you are the tenants, so naturally we should prepare the things."

Just as Zhao Pan'er was about to thank him, she heard Zhao Wei continue, "Madam Zhao, I have some things to do, so I'll take my leave now. I'll go to the inn to help you move tomorrow. Shuangxi, remember to send Madam Zhao and the others back to the inn safely."

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I will definitely send Madam Zhao back to the inn safely."

As soon as Zhao Wei took Zhao Huai'en away, Sun Sanniang and Song Yinzhang cheered excitedly, and then ran hurriedly to find their own rooms.

Zhao Pan'er did not leave, but looked at Shuangxi and said, "Mr. Song, is His Royal Highness the King of Han busy?"

"Busy. His Highness has transferred 10,000 Blood Robe Soldiers back to the capital. The border has been a little unstable recently, and he has to deal with many things."

"Then please tell His Highness that we can move our things here by ourselves. The three of us don't have much luggage, so there's really no need to trouble His Highness."

"This... I really don't dare to tell His Highness. To His Highness, you are different from others. I am also afraid of being punished by His Highness. Madam Zhao, please don't embarrass me." Shuangxi was startled and quickly changed the subject: "Madam Zhao, let me take you around and see if there is anything you need so that I can buy it for you."

"Then I'll excuse you."

"No, no, just call me Shuangxi."

……

The next day.

When Zhao Wei arrived at the inn, he happened to see the innkeeper chasing Sun Sanniang.

The reason was simple. Sun Sanniang thought that she had been well taken care of by the innkeeper's wife in recent times, and now she was going to move away, so she made some snacks to express her gratitude.

Unexpectedly, the snacks she made immediately won the heart of the innkeeper, who begged her to stay and be a cook.

Seeing Zhao Wei and his men coming in from outside, Sun Sanniang was like seeing a savior, and hurriedly shouted, "Mr. Zhao, you are here."

Seeing Sun Sanniang greeting the famous Zhao Yanei, the shopkeeper was stunned for a moment and lowered her voice to ask, "Madam Sun, do you know Zhao Yanei?"

"know."

While he was talking, Zhao Wei had already come over with his men and said with a smile, "Madam Sun, are you in trouble?"

Zhao Wei had a great reputation in Tokyo City. The shopkeeper's wife naturally knew him and knew that he was someone she couldn't afford to offend. She quickly smiled and said, "No, no, I just wanted to talk to Madam Sun about snacks. Zhao Yanei, please go in."

After getting rid of the shopkeeper's wife, they followed Sun Sanniang to their residence in the backyard. Zhao Pan'er and the others had already packed their luggage. After chatting for a while, they got on the carriage to Anyefang again.

Still in the same position as yesterday, Song Yinzhang sat next to Zhao Pan'er, holding a pipa and looking at Zhao Wei, but the difference was that she spoke today.

"Your Highness, I heard that you have been to Qiantang Leying?"

Zhao Wei nodded: "Yes, I have been there. I wanted to listen to Lady Song's pipa, but unfortunately I didn't get to hear it. It's a bit regrettable."

This was purely a polite remark, but Song Yinzhang didn't hear it. His eyes lit up and he said, "When are you free? I will play a few more songs for you with Lonely Moon."

Zhao Wei smiled and said, "Mrs. Song is thoughtful, but I'm afraid I haven't had the time recently." "Your Highness is too polite. This is what I should do. I'm useless. I can't do anything else but play music, so this is the only way I can repay you."

"Being able to play music, and being able to play it well, so well that it is famous in Jiangnan, is a very remarkable thing. Madam Song, there is no need to belittle yourself."

Sun Sanniang looked at Song Yinzhang who took the initiative to talk to Zhao Wei, and then looked at Zhao Paner who remained expressionless, and couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

In fact, Zhao Pan'er felt a little unhappy in her heart, but she hid it well. In order to prevent herself from showing it, she even lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked outside.

Then, she said in surprise: "This doesn't seem to be the road we walked yesterday. It's so lively here."

Zhao Wei didn't want to waste time talking to Song Yinzhang, so he quickly explained, "This is the Imperial Street, which leads directly to the Xuande Gate of the Imperial Palace. It is one of the busiest streets in Tokyo City. We took another route yesterday."

Imperial Street is one of the main streets in Tokyo City. It starts from Xuande Gate of the Imperial Palace in the north, passes through Zhouqiao and Zhuque Gate, and goes directly to Nanxun Gate of the outer city. It is more than ten miles long and two hundred steps wide. It is the street for the emperor to enter and exit, showing his dignity and style.

Hearing that it was the Imperial Street, Sun Sanniang and Song Yinzhang also came to Zhao Pan'er and looked outside.

"This is the Imperial Street. I heard people mention it when I was at the inn. They said it was the most prosperous street in Tokyo. Now that I see it, it's really true."

"Yes, this road is really wide and beautiful."

Although Zhao Pan'er and the other two lived in the inner city, they were always busy with Ouyang Xu's affairs. In addition, they were unfamiliar with the place and had never wandered around Tokyo City.

Naturally, the three of them did not want to miss this opportunity. They were admiring the scenery on both sides of the street along the way and were dazzled by the prosperity of the streets.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped, Zhao Huai'en outside knocked on the door, and then lifted the curtain.

"Master, there are people patrolling the Imperial Street ahead, blocking the street."

"Patroness of the Imperial Street?" Zhao Pan'er looked curious.

Zhao Wei first explained what the Imperial Street Parade was, and then ordered: "Since someone is parading the Imperial Street, then wait."

Given his status, everyone had to give way to him unless it was Zhao Heng's personal carriage. Only to satisfy Zhao Pan'er and the others' curiosity did Zhao Wei let Zhao Huai'en and the others park the carriage on the side of the road.

Zhao Pan'er and the others also looked outside through the curtain, ready to see the so-called Imperial Street Parade.

"The Oiran is here, the Oiran is here."

Suddenly there was a shout outside, and then people swarmed around the sides of the street, scrambling to stretch their heads to look forward.

"Master, this is Zhang Haohao, the courtesan of the Imperial Music Bureau. Today is the birthday celebration for His Royal Highness Prince Jing. The Imperial Music Bureau has ordered a variety show to be held in the south tower of the government office. Madam Zhang sang a song called "Goose Voice". The emperor rewarded her with a colorful dress and allowed her to parade in the Imperial Street."

Hearing what Zhao Huai'en said, Zhao Wei couldn't help but joked: "Oh, you know what just happened today. That's good, Huai'en, you pay enough attention to her."

Zhao Huai'en smiled embarrassedly: "Master, if I say that I heard it from others on the road, do you believe it?"

Zhao Wei laughed: "Do you think I believe it?"

Zhao Huai'en stopped talking.

Song Yinzhang looked at Zhao Huai'en and asked in surprise, "Manager Zhao, the Zhang Haohao you are talking about is she the most beautiful girl in the Jiaofang Bureau, a prostitute?"

Zhao Huai'en nodded: "Yes, Zhang Haohao is one of the famous courtesans in Tokyo. She is good at vocal music and often performs at noble houses. She has even been to the imperial palace and has been rewarded twice by the emperor."

"really?"

Song Yinzhang was extremely surprised, and an indescribable emotion rose in her heart. She was also a prostitute, but compared with the glorious Zhang Haohao, her situation was completely different.

Zhao Huai'en nodded and shouted, "Here I come."

Song Yinzhang stopped talking and looked quickly ahead.

I saw a group of people walking slowly towards this side on the wide Imperial Street. It was quite a large group, with dozens of people, but there was only one person riding on a horse, and that person was the courtesan Zhang Haohao who was wearing colorful clothes.

Zhao Pan'er and the other two daughters were all stunned. After all, in their minds, the prostitutes in the Jiaofangsi were of low status, always inferior to others and looked down upon by others.

But Zhang Haohao in front of them was obviously a prostitute, yet she was sought after by the people and could even parade on the Imperial Street. This was beyond their imagination and subverted their cognition.

However, Zhao Wei saw those people scattering flower petals as they walked, and the corners of his mouth twitched: "Zhang Haohao should be fined for disrupting the public health environment."

These words immediately confused Zhao Pan'er and the others, and they couldn't help but look at him.

Soon, the team parading along the Imperial Street passed by Zhao Wei and his group.

Song Yinzhang's face was full of envy, while Zhao Pan'er exclaimed in surprise: "The person who led the horse for Madam Zhang seems to be Mr. Liu Jiu."

"Do you know Liu Jiu?"

As a man, Zhao Wei admired him. After all, this man was a great man who didn't even have to spend money to visit brothels, but instead made the girls there willingly pay for it.

But as a prince of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Wei really looked down on him.

Zhao Pan'er didn't notice the slight disdain in Zhao Wei's tone, and nodded, "I saw her once in Qiantang in my early years. To be able to let Liu Jiu lead the horse, that lady must be very powerful."

"She's OK. She sings well and is pretty. Plus, Chi Pan pays her to support her. Zhang Haohao is quite famous in Tokyo City. She is known as the most beautiful woman of her generation."

At this time, the team parading on the Imperial Street had already passed, but there was still a group of spectators following behind.

Zhao Wei turned to look at Zhao Huai'en and jokingly said, "Huai'en, why don't you go up and say hello?"

"Master, do you think it's fun to make fun of me like this?"

"Interesting." Zhao Wei said cheerfully, "If you ask me, you are a coward. Chi Pan is nothing. In terms of looks, intelligence, status and position, he is no match for you. Why don't you dare to compete with him?"

"Master, I'm not afraid of Chi Pan. It's Madam Zhang who likes him. I can't just snatch him away by force. Didn't you say that a forced melon is not sweet?" Zhao Huai'en looked helpless and didn't want to talk more about this topic. He said directly: "Madam Zhao, please sit down. I'm going to drive."

"Trouble."

Zhao Pan'er nodded, and when she turned around, she found Song Yinzhang still staring blankly at the departing team, so she hurriedly called out to him twice.

"Quote, quote."

"Ah, Sister Pan'er, what's the matter?"

Zhao Pan'er was somewhat helpless: "It's okay, sit down quickly, we are leaving."

(End of this chapter)