Chapter 198: Today, I Must Recoup My Losses [Many Thanks for Everyone's Support]

"Brother Min, for the guest who just went up, can this humble one truly not enter?"

"Sister Sister Luoyou! I have already told you: those two Young Masters who just went up are either immensely wealthy or exceedingly noble; just that single purple lambskin cloak is worth enough to buy our entire Pan Lou!"

Hearing these words, the speaking woman's hand trembled in surprise.

Li Chengmin, the tea and wine scholar of Pan Lou, was only fourteen or fifteen years old, yet he had already worked at Pan Lou for more than four years.

Looking at the little girl beside the woman's skirt hem—her eyes large, gazing at him with timidity—Li Chengmin thought to himself: Do not soften your heart! Do not soften your heart! These guests are not to be trifled with!

"Moreover, the young attendants of those two honored guests have already gone to Qiyun Lou to invite musicians; look, they have returned."

The woman called Sister Luoyou, holding her pipa, spoke with a ingratiating smile in her eyes above her veil.

"Ah? Then this humble one will wait a while longer."

Seeing the smile on the woman's face, the little girl by her skirt hem mimicked her and began to smile as well.

"Sister Sister Luoyou, your face is already ruined; this humble one dare not let you enter the private room again! Last time you frightened a guest, it was only after the steward offered apologies that the matter was settled!!!"

The tea and wine scholar sighed, turned, and left the spot.

Hearing these words, the woman bowed her head apologetically.

On the stairs,

Zhi Que led two renowned musicians to the third floor; glancing up at the strange combination of one adult and one child on the third floor, Zhi Que did not meddle further and continued walking.

The two renowned musicians behind him, upon seeing this woman, exchanged a glance; one of them quickly stepped to Zhi Que's side and whispered something.

After listening, Zhi Que glanced at the woman previously called Sister Luoyou, then nodded.

When the three reached the woman named Sister Luoyou, the two musicians simultaneously hugged their instruments, halted, bowed their heads, squatted respectfully, and whispered in low voices:

"Greetings, Yang Yang Xingshou."

Holding the pipa with one hand, the woman waved the other, saying, "I am no longer that, no longer that..."

Yet the two still remained squatting with bowed heads, showing no intention of leaving.

The woman glanced at Zhi Que, who stood waiting nearby.

She had once seen fine things before;

she knew that although the clothes worn by this young attendant appeared unremarkable, they were made of Suzhou Zhou brocade, a material that even most wealthy households in Bianjing could not afford!

Moreover, observing his demeanor—neither arrogant nor impatient, calmly waiting even when facing women of the musician registers—he was clearly no ordinary household servant.

Her eyes filled with helplessness; she bowed her head slightly toward Zhi Que, squatted in a slight bow, then gently plucked her pipa,

"Ding~ Deng."

At the sound of the pipa, the two finally rose and departed.

Zhi Que glanced at the woman, gave a slight bow in return, then led the two inside.

At this moment, the earlier Brother Min approached, carrying an embroidered stool: "Sister Sister Luoyou, the steward says the proprietor, grateful that you did not disdain our desolate Pan Lou during your most glorious days and came to play 'The Golden Toad's Lure,' wishes you to sit here."

"Many thanks to the proprietor, the steward, and Brother Min."

Afterwards, the woman sat down, while the little girl leaned against her lap.

Soon, the sound of guzheng and xiao playing in ensemble drifted from the room.

Suddenly, the little girl looked up at the woman and whispered, "You missed one note."

The woman smiled and stroked her hair: "Yesterday, when practicing 'The Zhu Father and Son's Charge into Battle,' didn't you also miss a few notes?"

"Only one mistake."

Inside the room,

Xu Xu Zaijing and Gu Gu Tingye listened to the familiar melody while eating their meal.

"This tune is exquisite~ Brother Jing, it deserves a full cup!"

Xu Xu Zaijing clinked cups with him.

"We said today we would experience the north wind; when we return home and Auntie Bai asks, what will you say?"

"Uh, cold, of course."

"Tsk. You two renowned masters, do you have any pieces related to winter and wind?"

Hearing their conversation, one of the two musicians, having finished playing, stood up, bowed to the pair, and said, "Honored guests, upon hearing the words 'north wind,' this humble one does indeed know a piece called 'Scroll of the North Wind'."

Xu Xu Zaijing and Gu Gu Tingye exchanged a glance; Gu Gu Tingye said, "Then play that piece."

"Honored guests, forgive our offense, but this piece lacks one essential element: the pipa; may we..."

"What difference does it make?"

Hearing Gu Gu Tingye's question, the two musicians exchanged a glance; fearing they might be suspected of colluding to extort extra silver, they dared not say more.

At this moment, Zhi Que, pouring wine beside Xu Xu Zaijing and Gu Gu Tingye, said, "Young Master, Brother Jing, there is a woman holding a pipa at the entrance; even these two renowned masters address her as 'Yang Yang Xingshou'!"

"Oh? Yang Yang Xingshou! Is she even more formidable than a 'renowned master'?"

As he spoke, Gu Gu Tingye looked at the two female musicians; both nodded.

"Then invite her in."

The two women's gazes followed Zhi Que; once he was out of sight, they exchanged a glance, their eyes showing some delight.

Xu Xu Zaijing looked toward the entrance; soon, a woman holding a pipa and wearing a veil, leading a little girl by the hand, entered the small room.

"Sister Luoyou pays respects to the two Young Masters."

The little girl and Sister Luoyou squatted together in a bow.

"Since you are addressed as Yang Yang Xingshou by two renowned masters, Da Da Niangzi must surely be formidable; please."

Hearing Xu Xu Zaijing's words, Sister Luoyou offered thanks with a bow.

She then took her seat on the embroidered stool beside the other two musicians, while the little girl stood obediently behind them.

After exchanging mutual courtesies, the musician playing the guzheng began to play with a leisurely rhythm.

Several notes from the guzheng nearly made one envision the night sky amidst harsh winter,

The flute beside them was also played, sounding like a tree not far away swaying in the north wind, emitting a mournful wail.

The pipa sounded; with gentle plucking and slow pinching, it carried a chill as if a north wind were blowing straight into one's face, causing the flames on the bonfire to dance wildly.

Sister Sister Luoyou sang softly:

"I gaze up at that northern wind,

Yearning for the Wei capital.

I wish to spur my Dai horse,

And swiftly journey north."

Listening to the beautiful singing, Xu Xu Zaijing and Gu Gu Tingye both had eyes full of surprise.

The performance ended.

Xu Xu Zaijing involuntarily clapped his hands, while Gu Gu Tingye stood up and said, "Such a melody should only exist in heaven; how rarely is it heard in the mortal realm? Please, Yang Yang Xingshou, play another piece."

Hearing these words, the three musicians were very happy; after discussing among themselves for a moment, the music began again.

The sky gradually grew dark.

When Xu Xu Zaijing and Gu Gu Tingye arrived at the counter on the first floor of Pan Lou to settle the bill, just as Gu Gu Tingye was about to sign the Gu family's account, he looked at the amount of silver with some surprise and asked, "Shopkeeper Ran, why has so much been spent?"

Manager Ran of Pan Lou smiled and said, "Young Master Gu, for Miss Sister Luoyou alone, one song costs quite a lot of silver."

Gu Gu Tingye glanced at Xu Xu Zaijing and said, "Very well, this money was well spent. Brother Jing, let's go!"

After signing the bill, the two Young Masters from Hou Fu turned and left while chatting.

Several wealthy landowners dressed in splendid clothes nearby seemed to recognize one of the two, Xu or Gu; they quieted the others waiting behind them, and upon seeing the two turn around, this landowner hurriedly bowed deeply.

Although Xu Xu Zaijing and Gu Gu Tingye did not know him, they still politely nodded before walking straight away.

Once the people had walked far away,

someone beside that landowner asked, "Landowner Hong, who are those two?"

"The second young master of Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu."

After saying this, Landowner Hong approached the counter and said, "Brother Lingbo, I wonder which house's champion those two young masters just invited, that they would say the money was well spent? We will invite the same one."

"Landowner Hong, the two young masters invited Miss Sister Luoyou; as a regular customer, you know the situation!"

"Then forget it! The price is exorbitant, and they don't even let you touch them! Especially with faces full of scars, how unlucky."

Before he could finish speaking, seeing the curious look on the face of the person beside him whom he needed to ask a favor from, he changed his tune: "She does know quite a lot! Landowner Xi, so, shall it be her?"

The latter question was directed at that Landowner Xi.

Seeing the man nod, Landowner Hong nodded to the Shopkeeper.

Thus, several landowners walked toward the second floor, and as they turned, they saw a group of burly men radiating a fierce aura.

A few of these men looked left and right, their faces clearly writing, 'This is my first time here.'

This provoked snickers from several landowners.

Ye Fang, wanting to explode in anger, was held fixed by the shoulders by Scar-faced Hu Ma, who said, "We are here to have fun; if we start fighting, there will be no fun left."

Ye Fang nodded.

Shopkeeper Ran watched Zhu Zhu Qinghu and his group with a face full of smiles, a flash of sharp light in his eyes; after speaking a few words with Zhu Zhu Qinghu, he beckoned.

Min Ge'er, the tea-and-wine attendant who had previously seen Sister Luoyou, walked over and led the group up to the second floor as well.

Zhu Zhu Qinghu waved his large hand and said, "Sit; I will go find some entertainment for you."

Stepping outside, a woman whose charm remained despite her years approached; upon seeing Zhu Zhu Qinghu, her eyes lit up: "This official, I am the flower-mother of this tower; I wonder what orders you have..."

Zhu Zhu Qinghu smiled slightly and spoke a few words with her.

"Rest assured, wine and water will be plentiful, and the girls will certainly be sensible! If you, official... this humble wife also..."

"This, no need. By the way, there are brothers in here who are about to receive promotions; please, Flower-Mother, find a champion to let my little brother..."

"I understand, this humble wife understands."

Soon, feast after feast was brought into the room like flowing water; looking at the chicken, duck, fish, meat, and fine wine on the table, as well as the quite attractive girls, once Zhu Zhu Qinghu gave the order, the soldier guards began their revelry.

After drinking for half an hour, Zhu Zhu Qinghu stood up to slip away to relieve himself.

Passing the door of Landowner Hong's private room from earlier, Zhu Zhu Qinghu saw a girl about the same size as Xiao Xiao Xiaotao sitting quietly on an embroidered stool at the doorway, moving her hands in time with the music from inside the room.

Zhu Zhu Qinghu smiled slightly.

As he finished relieving himself and walked up the stairs back to the second floor,

suddenly, Zhu Zhu Qinghu felt someone staring at him, and then the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end; this was the presence of killing intent, which instantly sobered him from his alcohol.

Zhu Zhu Qinghu looked around in all directions but saw no suspicious figures; he had encountered this situation several times before, each time escaping death by a narrow margin.

But in this city of Jingcheng, what could cause such a reaction in him?

Zhu Zhu Qinghu continued walking, wanting to return to the room of his comrades.

Passing the place where the little girl sat once again, a voice came from inside the room: "I am tired of listening to these few songs; do you have any new tunes?"

"This humble one has composed a new song titled 'The Song of the Zhu Father and Son Falling into Battle Formation'; if you gentlemen wish to..."

Zhu Zhu Qinghu suddenly stopped in his tracks: "Zhu? Father and son? Could it be?"

"Related to Bing Lu Zi? Tsk! Who wants to listen to that?"

"I certainly won't listen."

"Neither will I; who would listen to that stuff about damned soldiers!"

"Hahaha, when we came up just now, didn't we see a bunch of them? Look at their uncouth appearance, as if they've never seen the world."

Zhu Zhu Qinghu stopped in his tracks, the fist in his hand gradually clenching tight.

A female voice came: "Landowners, if not for these soldiers in the northwest, resisting Bai Gao and Northern Liao in the north, how could we be here..."

Before the voice could finish, someone said:

"I heard from Landowner Hong that Miss Sister Luoyou has been released from the musician registry and is now living as a commoner?"

"Yes, Member Wai Hui."

"Then you have someone powerful backing you; shedding one's registered status isn't something just anyone can arrange."

"Hee hee hee hee."

Laughter filled the room, a sound of mutual understanding.

"It doesn't matter that your face is ruined; wearing a veil, I think you look even more beautiful, hahaha."

"Thank you, thank you for Member Wai's praise."

"Come, sit beside me!"

At this moment, a young voice rang out: "Member Wai, please show mercy; if you desire a Miss, there are plenty in the Qiyun Tower next door."

"Oh? Then how many Yang Yang Xingshou are there? Back then, I boldly threw down eighty taels just to hear her sing a single song; nowadays, I certainly must get my money's worth."

"Member Wai, you!"

"You thieving bird of a wretch, you little waiter in this shop, dare to block me?"

"Slap!"

"Crash!"

Zhu Zhu Qinghu kicked the door open and strode inside.

Inside the room, the waiter who had just guided him to the second floor was already clutching his cheek.

Looking at the suddenly appearing, vigorous and robust Zhu Zhu Qinghu,

"Y-you, who are you? Let me tell you, my own uncle is Eunuch Huai Bao, an inner official of the palace!"

"Tsk. If you have any business, come find me at Hou Fu of Marquis Marquis Yongyi."

"Uh..."

Having spoken, Zhu Zhu Qinghu waved his hand, and Sister Sister Luoyou, holding her pipa, along with the waiter, hurriedly exited the room.

Zhu Zhu Qinghu followed them out; upon reaching the doorway, he glanced around with great caution, yet discovered no suspicious figures, before casually closing the door behind him.

Stepping onto the corridor of the second floor, upon seeing Zhu Zhu Qinghu emerge, Sister Sister Luoyou squatted and bowed, saying: "Sister Luoyou thanks the hero for his righteous assistance."

Still scanning the surroundings, Zhu Zhu Qinghu said: "Please, let us move elsewhere to speak."

Saying this, he and Sister Sister Luoyou entered the room where his comrades had gathered, but stopped right at the entrance.

Zhu Zhu Qinghu looked at the veiled woman, cupped his fists, and said: "Just now, I heard Da Da Niangzi Yang mention composing a new piece titled 'The Song of the Zhu Father and Son Charging into Battle'?"

"Yes; this humble one previously heard of the heroic feat of Viscount Xie Zhu, who deliberately plunged into the enemy formation to withstand the spearhead of battle, and thus was moved to compose it."

"To be honest, my surname is indeed Zhu. The one who charged into the formation was my father."

Hearing these words, Yang Sister Luoyou and the little girl beside her both displayed looks of astonishment.

"Did you truly take three arrows in your back?"

the little girl asked.

On the third floor of Pan Tower, a shrewd man hid behind a door and gently closed it.

Looking at the person sitting inside the room, he said: "Good; now that I have recognized the face of my enemy, the vengeance for my slain brother can be repaid within days!"

Having spoken, he scratched the hair glued to the top of his head, causing the entire scalp piece to shift chaotically under his rubbing.

Early morning of the second day.

At the border between Bai Gao and Northern Liao.

Prince Yelu Ying, who had grown considerably taller, had yellow paint smeared on his face and was wrapped entirely in precious furs.

Watching the small cavalry squads of the two nations charging back and forth in the distance, he asked in the Northern Liao language: "Why has Bu Zhou Tianhuan, hailed as the foremost warrior of the Heishan Weifu Military Command of Bai Gao, not yet appeared?"

Beside him, a stout and shrewd subordinate officer lowered his head, bowing respectfully with a hand over his chest while still mounted, and said: "My Lord, this humble official does not know."

"Dispatch another hundred Zha Ye to go over; devour these fifty knights of Bai Gao."

"This humble official obeys your command."

"Do not release the falcons; let them call for reinforcements."

"Yes."

Bianjing.

At the residence of Imperial Son-in-Law Lu,

The six golden flowers of the Lu family, looking at the round-faced, smiling old woman before them, bowed in unison and said: "Nanny, we wish you ten thousand peace."

(End of Chapter)