TFSRITA Chapter 166

“What the heck?” Ji Jiaxun cursed with a laugh. “What’s with all the mystery? You’re driving me nuts!”

Qi Haolin cleared his throat and said, “Brother Ji, we’re just looking out for you. But if you don’t like it, please don’t hold it against us.”

Ever cautious, he added a disclaimer, worried about any backlash.

Shi Yibin immediately smacked him on the shoulder. “Idiot! Why wouldn’t he like it? Once he gets a taste of this, he’ll love it!”

Ji Jiaxun listened, feeling a vague sense of realization, but it quickly slipped away. Then, his nose picked up a faint scent of powder and perfume.

Just as he was about to speak, Qi Haolin stepped behind him and removed the blindfold.

The sudden brightness made Ji Jiaxun squint, and what he saw next nearly blinded him.

In front of him stood over a dozen beautiful women, each with their unique charm. Some held musical instruments, their postures and smiles dazzling enough to make any man swoon.

But Ji Jiaxun’s first reaction was to step back, alarmed, glaring at his friends. “What’s this? Didn’t we agree not to go to a brothel?” he growled.

From the moment he got off the carriage, his three friends had blindfolded him under the pretense of a surprise. Trusting them, he followed along, but now he found himself facing a crowd of women.

Looking around nervously, Ji Jiaxun noted that the building didn’t resemble a brothel, which eased his nerves a little. He had promised earlier not to go to such places, and breaking his word on the same day wouldn’t sit well.

The other three were dumbfounded, not expecting such a dramatic reaction.

Shi Yibin explained, “Relax, Brother Ji! We’re not at a brothel. This is one of my private courtyards. These ladies were brought here for you. If you like any of them—or all of them—you can keep them here. That way, we won’t have to risk running into your wife.”

“No way! Send them all back!” Ji Jiaxun replied without hesitation, his tone firm. “I said I wouldn’t go to a brothel, and I mean it! A man’s word is his bond!”

The three friends stared at him, dumbfounded.

“What???”

Zhang Zhong and Qi Haolin exchanged glances and shrugged. “Alright, alright. We won’t force it. But since we went through all this trouble, at least stay and enjoy the setup,” Qi Haolin said.

Only then did Ji Jiaxun notice the lavish spread of fine food and wine prepared alongside the women. It was clear they had intended to cheer him up.

Under normal circumstances, Ji Jiaxun would have been overjoyed by the combination of music, food, and wine. But now, an inexplicable anxiety gnawed at him.

He licked his lips and finally said, “Let’s just drink and send them away, alright?”

Shi Yibin gave him a horrified look. “Brother Ji, what’s happened to you? Just a few days away, and you’ve turned into a scaredy-cat?”

“Exactly! We thought getting married would help you loosen up and enjoy life. We even picked someone soft and gentle to comfort you.”

“If they leave, what’s the point of us sitting here, a bunch of men, just drinking?” Zhang Zhong argued.

He exchanged a look with Shi Yibin before the two linked arms with Ji Jiaxun and dragged him to a seat.

Meanwhile, Qi Haolin spoke with the women, who eventually reduced their number to six, all skilled musicians. Two of them began to play a melody, their harmonious tunes filling the room and lifting the atmosphere.

Ji Jiaxun, being someone who loved luxury, stopped resisting. He picked up his wine cup with a grin and said, “Alright, you guys aren’t half bad.”

“Of course!” his friends chimed in, laughing.

As the music played, the wine flowed, and the food was devoured, the mood in the room soared.

Seeing their chance, Zhang Zhong and Shi Yibin exchanged mischievous glances.

“So, Brother Ji,” Zhang Zhong began slyly, “you’re the first among us to get married. How’s it feel?”

“Yeah,” Shi Yibin added with a smirk. “The wedding night… was it fun?”

Ji Jiaxun’s face turned bright red. Luckily, the alcohol provided a convenient excuse for his flushed cheeks. Still, he fidgeted in his seat, shifting uncomfortably, and barked, “What’s there to talk about? Drink your wine!”

Shi Yibin looked disappointed, muttering, “Come on, Brother Ji. You were always so hesitant with women before. Now that you’ve experienced it, surely you can share a little? We just want to know—”

In aristocratic circles, women outside of legitimate wives were often treated casually. Sharing mistresses or courtesans among close friends wasn’t uncommon, so long as no pregnancies were involved.

They had assumed Ji Jiaxun’s past restraint was due to strict supervision or inexperience. Now that he was married, they thought he’d have embraced the pleasures of life.

Instead, Ji Jiaxun’s expression darkened, and he snapped, “How can you even compare?!”

He held his wine cup firmly, glaring at them. “Watch what you say, or I’ll beat the lot of you!”

“Alright, alright, we get it!”

“We won’t say another word!”

“Relax, Brother Ji…”

The three quickly nodded, backing down. They all knew how Ji Jiaxun had ended up marrying Yan Qing, and seeing him so protective of her, they decided not to push further. Instead, they shifted the conversation to lighter topics.

Meanwhile, the women playing instruments exchanged glances, their beautiful faces tinged with sorrow and resignation.

…

As the evening continued, Ji Jiaxun sipped his wine, his hand idly swirling the cup. His gaze grew distant, a trace of confusion flickering in his eyes, as though lost in thought.