"I won't let you talk about Linghua like that! She may have fallen on hard times, but she had no choice. Our relationship is completely pure! Every time we met, we would compose poetry, appreciate tea and flowers—there was never anything sordid about it, and certainly not... not what you're implying..."
"If you don't understand, then don't slander her! Twenty taels might seem like a lot to you, but it's nothing in Yeyang. If Linghua were some gold-digger, she would have had plenty of other opportunities to make a fortune..."
"Her rank may not be high, but that's because she's intentionally holding back for my sake. She only wants to see me. She was even willing to give up the chance to become the star courtesan for me..."
Ji Liantang's heartfelt narrative, delivered with a face swollen like a pig's, was utterly comical.
Never mind how the others in the main hall felt upon hearing this; Mrs. Zhu was growing faint.
First, she was stunned by Ji Liantang's arrogance.
