Maomao scoffed, 'You 're

joking

right? '

Gaoshun and Jinshi exchanged a glance, the prince tilted his head, 'Why would I? '

'That 's literally the

worst idea

I 've ever heard, ' her disdain was apparent.

It was just the three of them in his office so Jinshi let his frustration pinch at his brow, 'but it 's foolproof. '

'Fool

hardy

-more like- there 's

NO way

someone doesn 't wind up dead, ' even her beads clacked angrily.

'That 's why Basen and I are undercover back up. '

She dragged a hand down her face and groaned, 'Basen nearly jumped out of his skin after Pairin greeted him.

GREETED

him

Jinshi!

He can blend in to save his

life

let alone

mine. '

'You can handle yourself. '

'Sure but can

you

when a drunkard sneaks a grope? I have no problem calling in a bouncer but you're gonna have his head rolling and he 'll never know what hit him. '

Jinshi stifled a growl, Gaoshun 's attempt to master inner peace was failing.

'And what happens if I need to 'butter up ' this client of yours hmmm? If getting the information means I need to do more than

flirt

with him- '

'It won 't come to that- '

'

Kiss

him, get him alone- '

'There 's no way that would- '

'It 's a

brothel

Moon Prince.

And

not

in the 'good part ' of the pleasure district. '

Jinshi let out an exasperated sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose, 'Then what do

you

suggest? '

'Do it at the Verdigris house where I 'll actually have helpful back up and a madam who keeps the rules. '

'He can 't afford the Verdigris house, nor does he frequent that part of town yet. '

'Well

duh

, Madam would never let that kind of drug near her merchandise. '

Sighing heavily she thought for a moment placing her hand on her chin,

this is SUCH a bad idea. Is there

any

kind of work around?

Jinshi knew better than to interrupt, he also hated the points she brought up. He thought it would be great, two strong guards keeping an eye on things while she gathered intel as a lower level serving courtesan. Simple. Then again, his knowledge of the industry was woefully insufficient. The concept of high class and low class brothels let alone various rule changes between them was ' vexing. Sounds like Maomao was lucky she grew up where she did, relatively speaking.

'I want Lihaku, Lahan, and Chue at tables, and either a couple of servants from the Verdigris House or Yao and En 'en as servers. I need to be one of the higher class ones, ' she glared at Jinshi.

'Explain. '

'Lihaku and Lahan can relax in that setting, interacting at least politely, if not engage in verbal banter, providing ample 'good Samaritan 's ' if things go sideways. Chue can be with one of them keeping an eye on things. You want eyes, get multiple girls in the field to see what type he prefers. '

Gaoshun cleared his throat, 'Actually Xiaomao, he prefers intellectuals, and seems to engage when any server asks about what flower he pins to his robe on a given night. '

'A drug dealer who 's into plants ' makes sense. But I need to be harder to get to, a mystery for him to pursue, not the waitress he can just pull into the booth and kidnap '. Again. '

The gentleman winced at the jab.

'And how do you intend to catch his eye? ' Jinshi asked, a little playful, and maybe a little jealous.

Maomao considered for a moment, a smirk pulled at her lips, 'you said he wears a flower every night, what kind? '

'Each night it 's different, but several have been poisonous, of the ones we could identify we spotted oleander, spider lily, and foxglove. '

Her ears perked, invisible tail swishing, 'You know, I 've got this one silver hair stick that just might get his attention. '

Jinshi 's eyes softened, he knew the one. 'Will I have to replace this one too? '

She clicked her tongue, 'it 's not like I 'm handing them out as party favors, sheesh. Oh and you 're not coming. '

'Like

hell I 'm not!

Nonnegotiable! ' The bellow rattled the shoji door.

'Then tell me

Moon Prince

are you going in disguise? '

'Of course, I think Jinka would handle it just fine. '

'And how quick 'til you get jealous and do something stupid? '

'You act as if I can 't control my own behavior. '

'Jinshi, you 're asking me to flirt and interact with other men as a

courtesan

. Someone so much as throws a comment my way you 're debating how to remove them from the palace. '

'Give me an example. '

'How 's Rikuson doing in the Western Province? '

'Okay that 's complicated and you know it. '

'Great, and that time Lihaku asked for an inspection? '

'Okay but I 've actually stationed him as your guard multiple times since then. '

'And if you didn 't know about Pairin? '

The silence spoke volumes.

'Seriously Jinshi what 're you gonna do if someone makes a move? '

The prince looked at his aid, Gaoshun raised his hands in surrender, 'she 's asking a valid question Sir. '

He growled and muttered under his breath, 'How would you

like

me to handle it? '

'Honestly by

not being there

. You 're a liability at best, staring at me the whole time is going to be a dead giveaway unless I 'm pitched as one of the house princesses, and we both know I don 't have the skills to perform for that. '

Disagreeing was going to be pointless judging by the looks on Gaoshun and Maomao 's faces.

I can scan the room and watch others.

He remembered the last time he went out as Jinka, scanning the room was not just risky it was risqu ' from shady business deals to intimate moments which couldn 't afford to purchase privacy. He 'd have to find another performer to 'enjoy '.

Maomao sighed heavily, 'You 're not going to give this up are you? '

Jinshi shook his head.

'Fine, then Chue will be at your table, you can be 'married ' looking for 'advice on your love life '. '

Gaoshun suddenly needed to clear his throat- must 've choked on his own spit.

'Uh- NO! ' Jinshi protested.

'What was the word you used? Foolproof. It lets you be uncomfortable and allows Chue to be inquisitive with the waitresses, meanwhile she and I can work out some signals. '

Boy, Gaoshun was really struggling with that spit.

'Oh, and one more thing. '

'What

now? '

'I need to speak with the head of this brothel and see Lady Ah Duo at her villa. '