Si Yifeng heard the knocking on the door and raised an eyebrow. He didn't thought that the Madam would be so quick in preparing what he asked for.
"You may come in"
"Excuse me Young Master. The girl you asked to entertain you is here already. May I ask her to come in?"
Although finding her wording a bit wrong, Si Yifeng didn't mind it and nodded in consent.
Seeing his employee leaving to call the girl, he looked through the window and hold the sigh that was about to come out.
Yesterday his life became a little more hectic than it was before. Although the results from yesterday were good, it was a risk move on his part.
By associating his little brother with the Wangs, he gave his brother a powerful ally that he couldn't use unless he wanted to be disowned by their father.
And if the little girl did everything right, the Duke should try to suppress the Wang and Zhao Song, keeping them busy enough to not bother him for a time.
He was happy to get all these benefits from just a party, but they also made him change his plans.
He planned to start fighting for the throne only when he was announced.
He already made all the groundwork to become Crown Prince and the last step that was missing was to get rid of his prodigal reputation.
Even after the assassination attempt, he only wanted to divert his brother attention to somewhere else and finish leaving his last year in peace. But now with the Duke also involved, he was destined to start the throne game earlier than he wanted to.
And this all led to the current situation.
After the party he went complain to Ming Feng and his friend suggested he should use the 'Red Lotus', which he owned, to let out some stress.
He thought his friend only had his best interest in mind and was guilty on how much his little sister bothered his master's plans, and he would probably cough blood if he knew his friend thought all his stress was accumulated sexual frustration.
But he didn't, so now he was about to taste the 'entertainment' offered by the 'Red Lotus' for the first time.
Or so he thought.
The sound of something being put on front of him, took he out of his reverie. The smell of white tea assaulted his nose. It sooth his chaotic mind.
'Ming Feng was unusually right this time'
He took the cup in front of him without looking at the girl who served him, and sipped.
"You unexpectedly know my taste. It seems that the Madam has trained you well"
"Is difficult not to know about it when Brother always complains of your taste"
Whatever peace Si Yifeng found drinking tea left when he heard the young voice.
His head snap at her direction with such a force and speed that Ming Shu was sure he must have injured himself in the act.
"Y-You! What you doing here?"
"Entertaining you?"
"Don't even joke about that! Do you know what that crazy brother of yours would do if he even dreams about this?"
"Don't worry Feng-ge, if you don't say and I don't say it, how is he suppose to know?"
As she talked she approached Si Yifeng behind. Although they were close, they still were within the boundaries of proper - without any touch.
While Si Yifeng processed what she proposed, she bowed a little and asked "Are you afraid?". Letting a hot blow of air to his ear.
Ming Shu looked at the boy who quickly went red with her teasing and smiled at the wanted reaction, backing up a little so that he wouldn't be overstimulated.
Ha! She just knew his playboy fame was a sham. He even made-up his blood family, why would he show his true colors?
With how innocent he reacted and the discomfort on his face, she was sure he had little to no experience with women, which only increased her favorability. After all, no one would want a lecherous Emperor.
"Haha, I'm just kidding Feng-ge, I can only do that for my future husband right? But if you want me to..."
He looked at her with an expectant look that he was unaware of showing.
"... you should marry me!"
Silence.
Two pairs of eyes stared each other.
Until a laugh broke the small tension it was built.
"Just kidding! To think I could make the famous playboy show such a shy reaction!"
"You little fox!"
Si Yifeng notice how he was easily dismantled by the girl in front of him, and could only sigh since it was to late to revert to the disguise he always put.
He looked at the girl in front of him and shook his head, his friend always complimented how mature and serious his sister is, but most of all the times they met he could only see how she resembled a crafty little fox, who made every one dance on her tune.
"What is that Meimei came here to do?"
Ming Shu put another teacup across him and sat down on the other end of the table.
"Please, taste the tea I made before it gets cold"
Ming Shu saw him follow her instructions and look at her waiting for her answer. Grumbling how he could at least compliment her tea making skills under her breath, she started to explain why she came here... well, besides her obvious interest in the establishment itself.
"I notice how at odds Gege is with Song Prince..."
Si Yifeng still didn't comment and only looked at her.
"... and like Feng-ge, I also dislike him"
Finally some changes happened on Yifeng's face.
"It's worrisome how he's trying to control the Four Families by their heirs while there's still much time to our Emperor to govern. He's also the most probable prince to win the throne, although in my opinion he lacks what an Emperor needs"
"Oh? Why is that?"
"Besides the foolish plan of controlling the Four Families by its heirs, he is just smart and scheming. He never made anything significant to the Empire. No achievements as a civil or military officer. Never cared about the well being of the population. But, well, his siblings also didn't. Seriously, the Imperial sons are a tad bit disappointing"
With a sigh, Ming Shu saw the twitching eye of the future Crown Prince.
"So?"
"So, Gege and I should unite to destroy Song Prince!"