"Ari, are you satisfied?"
The man on the intricately carved rosewood bed, satiated, asked in a teasing tone as he gently addressed the woman lying on his chest.
Ari squinted her eyes, seemingly exhausted. It was unclear whether she had even heard his question.
The man gently lifted her chin with his fingers. "Not talking? Are you unsatisfied? Then... let's go again!"
As he spoke, his hand slid down her smooth neck.
Ari's eyes snapped open, and she slapped his hand away. "John! Stop it, that's enough!"
"Enough?" John raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased.
If it were any other time, Ari wouldn't mind spending some effort to soothe him. After all, his appearance truly aligned with her aesthetic taste.
He was handsome but not lacking in masculinity, refined yet never crude. Dressed in long robes, he was as graceful as a jade prince. When undressed, his eight-pack abs exuded an irresistible male allure.
But today was a special day.
Her nominal husband, after serving as a regional governor for two years, was returning to the capital today.
"John, here is your bond and five thousand silver notes. Take this money and start a business. You won't have to serve others with your looks at Qinzhu Pavilion anymore."
After dressing, Ari placed the silver notes and bond she had prepared on the table.
John was visibly stunned, and then his eyes turned red with anger.
"What do you mean by this?"
Ari didn't dare meet his gaze. "Exactly what you think. You've been with me for a year; this is your rightful payment."
"Hmph," John scoffed angrily, "Five thousand for a year? You're quite generous!"
"You're worth the price. I know telling you this suddenly might be hard to accept. But in this life, we meet many people. You and I... are just passing through each other's lives."
"Take this money, find a good woman, and live a proper life. I won't be coming to Qinzhu Pavilion anymore."
John was a male courtesan at Qinzhu Pavilion. She had bought him with a fortune when she was drugged and framed.
The drug was potent, and over the past year, she had to be with him on the 1st and 15th of each month to barely suppress its effects.
She had originally planned to let him go once the drug was fully neutralized, but Mr. Mo was returning soon, and after all, she was still his wife in name.
But after saying these words, she realized a faint reluctance growing in her heart.
"Ari! Did you ever have genuine feelings for me..."
John stared at her, stubbornly demanding an answer.
Ari lowered her head, avoiding the sight of John's heartbroken expression.
"No! You were just a male courtesan I bought. With your lowly status, how could I ever have feelings for you? From beginning to end, I only used you for amusement!"
If she was going to dismiss him, she might as well sever ties completely.
Having steeled her heart, Ari said these harsh words and then turned to leave the room.
"Ari! The humiliation you've given me today, I will repay a hundredfold!"
"Ari, do you even know who I am..."
John's furious roar echoed from behind.
Ari hesitated for a moment but didn't stop.
Of course, she knew who he was. Before buying him, she had learned about his background from the owner of Qinzhu Pavilion.
A once-prominent young man from a declining family, with a clean background—she didn't believe he could actually do anything to her.
---
Ari knew that before she married Mr. Mo, there had been an idealized lover he always thought of.
What she didn't expect was that on this trip, he would bring his idealized lover back openly.
Moreover, the woman in front of her was visibly seven or eight months pregnant.
"Sister, I am carrying Mr. Mo's child. I beg you, please give me and the child a chance to live."
The delicately dressed and charming woman appeared to be only eighteen or nineteen. Upon meeting, she knelt before Ari in front of everyone.
She spoke words of pleading, but when she looked at Ari, her eyes were full of provocation.
"You and I have never met before. How can you claim that I wouldn't give you a chance to live? Accusing me right from the start—I can't bear such a charge." Ari sneered.
Upon hearing this, the woman's lips quivered, and she started to cry.
Seeing this, Mr. Mo's face darkened. "Ari, Wendy has a timid nature; don't frighten her."
Frighten her?
When did that happen?
Ari couldn't help but sneer, continuing to watch their performance.
"Sister, I didn't mean to get pregnant with Mr. Mo's child before you. It was just an accident."
"Please, don't make me get rid of the child. Even if I give birth to the eldest son, he will be born of a concubine. He will never compete with you for anything from the Mo family. I only love Mr. Mo, not the power and wealth of the Mo family..."
Wendy's heartfelt plea moved Mr. Mo but made Ari sick.
Mr. Mo: "Ari, Wendy has laid it all out. Don't overstep your bounds. You should find a good day to let me take Wendy as a concubine."
"Uh..." Ari, watching their performance coldly, finally replied unhurriedly, "Husband, I never said I wouldn't let Wendy enter the house."
Her uncharacteristic response drew suspicion from Mr. Mo.
"You're not against it?"
Ari took a sip of cold tea and smiled, "Having Wendy help the Mo family continue its lineage is a good thing. I have no reason to oppose it. Husband, it's getting late. How about I arrange a courtyard for Wendy to stay in first, and I'll take care of the concubine matters according to your wishes later."
Her agreeable attitude left Mr. Mo somewhat skeptical.
"After two years apart, your personality has changed so much. You seem much more understanding and reasonable than before."
Mr. Mo had expected to have to persuade her, even prepared to tear into her if necessary.
If Ari had refused to let him take a concubine, he would have kept Wendy as a mistress. After all, Wendy was carrying his child, and he would never abandon...
