Chapter 656: Intelligence and Fortunate Fate [Many Thanks! Bowing Again! 36k Chapters Owed]

"She looks somewhat familiar in a daze."

Liang Han continued looking down without turning his head, saying, "Familiar? Haha! Brother Jing, whenever I see a beauty, I often feel she looks familiar too!"

Gu Gu Tingye nodded repeatedly beside them, as if saying, 'Me too.'

Qi Heng did not interject, merely watching Mother Cui Ruan and the others downstairs.

Since they had received news of Xu Xu Zaijing and the others before arriving,

when Mother Cui Ruan downstairs looked up toward the upper floors, she did not scan around but looked directly at the third floor.

Several of the girls wearing veils behind Mother Cui Ruan also lifted their heads slightly.

This movement allowed Xu Xu Zaijing to clearly see the appearance of the 'Li Shishi' Miss that Liang Han and the others had mentioned.

Although the candlelight in Mother Cui Ruan's small courtyard that day was not very bright, Xu Xu Zaijing had still clearly seen the maid standing beside Mother Cui Ruan.

After all, this girl's beauty was exceptionally striking.

Even though she wore a veil today, Xu Xu Zaijing recognized her at a glance as she looked up.

Seeing this situation, Xu Xu Zaijing shook his head slightly in mild confusion.

"Second Uncle, why has Mother Cui Ruan brought people to Pan Tower today? Wasn't it said before that Mother Cui Ruan's small courtyard was so crowded one could hardly squeeze in?" Qi Heng asked, his gaze following that Miss Li Shishi without turning his head.

Gu Gu Tingye exchanged a glance with Liang Han and said with considerable pride, "Why? Naturally, it is because of us!"

Liang Han added, "Little Duke, Mother Cui Ruan intends to vigorously promote that Miss Li Shishi; she fears that, like before, our tipping of silver money might cause some unforeseen complications!"

"Mother Cui Ruan went to Huixian Restaurant in the southeast of the inner city yesterday, came to Pan Tower today, will go to Yang Tower tomorrow night, and the day after tomorrow she will still go to Fan Tower."

"There are not many people who can appreciate the music and dance performances of the girls under Mother Cui Ruan's hand within the private rooms of these several Yuxian Yuxian Zhengdian!"

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded: "It seems somewhat different from before."

Liang Han said, "That is so; after all, the competition among the various brothels within Jingcheng is still quite fierce!"

While Liang Han was speaking,

Mother Cui Ruan had already led her people up to the second floor; seeing the few people leaning over from the third floor, Mother Cui Ruan smiled and waved her handkerchief.

Just as she was about to continue upward, a young man dressed in silver-white brocade hurriedly chased up from the first floor, cupped his fists, and shouted, "Please wait, this Mother!"

From the moment Mother Cui Ruan and her group entered Pan Tower, the clamor on the first floor had undergone a change from high to low.

When Mother Cui Ruan and the others went upstairs, some people had already stood up from their tables, their gazes chasing the figures of Mother Cui Ruan and the several girls; some did not even notice that the rabbit meat in their pots had been stewed tough.

Seeing someone chase up and call out, the guests on both the first and second floors fell silent.

"May I ask the fragrant name of that girl behind you, and which establishment's champion she is?" As he spoke, the gaze of this brocade-clad young man never left Miss Li Shishi's pink face.

Perhaps because they were closer, besides curiosity, there was also a trace of joy in the eyes of this brocade-clad young man.

After the brocade-clad young man finished asking this,

someone on the first floor shouted, "Heavens! You don't even know Mother Cui Ruan, yet you have the audacity to step forward and ask?!"

Another person shouted, "Seeing him chase after her, I thought he was some formidable big shot! Turns out he's just a greenhorn with no foundation!"

"Hahaha, let me advise you, kid, better come down! With your level of knowledge, asking is in vain!"

"What this brother says is true!"

"Hahaha!"

Hearing the sounds from the tower behind him, the brocade-clad young man who had chased up immediately looked somewhat embarrassed, and a hint of timidity appeared in his eyes.

Mother Cui Ruan stopped, turned around, and smiled, saying, "This Young Master, my surname is Cui Ruan!"

The brocade-clad young man nodded repeatedly.

"Li Shishi." Mother Cui Ruan smiled and lifted her chin slightly.

That Miss Li Shishi glanced at the brocade-clad young man who had chased up, smiled, and said, "Greetings, Young Master; my surname is Li, and my courtesy name is Li Shishi."

As Miss Li Shishi spoke, her beautiful eyes, like autumn water, looked into the eyes of that brocade-clad young man.

After speaking, Miss Li Shishi shyly lowered her eyes and brows again.

The brocade-clad young man, as if his soul had been bewitched, swallowed, nodded in a daze, and murmured, "Oh, oh..."

Mother Cui Ruan reached into her sleeve, walked over, and handed a floral note to this brocade-clad young man, smiling, "This Young Master, next May my daughters will take the stage to perform their arts; we hope you will honor us with your presence then."

"Good! Go, I will definitely go!" The brocade-clad young man took the floral note and said with a firm tone.

"We have other appointments, so we must take our leave!"

Saying this, Mother Cui Ruan led her people in a slight bow, then proceeded to walk upstairs.

"This Young Master, please go downstairs," said Min Ge'er, a page boy of Pan Tower standing nearby, gesturing with an invitation.

"Oh!"

The brocade-clad young man nodded, holding the floral note, and descended the stairs, looking back every few steps.

On the way to his own table, the brocade-clad young man said to Min Ge'er, "Where is Mother Cui Ruan going today?"

"Honored guest, there are several sons of dukes and marquises on the third floor; previously, the famous pipa player Wei Yang Xingshou was tipped into fame by those few."

"Oh!"

Just as he was about to reach his own seat, a guest of Pan Tower leaned over, cupped his fists, and said, "This Young Master, could that floral note in your hand be..."

The brocade-clad young man shook his head like an Er Lang Gu drum, saying, "Not for sale!"

On the third floor, watching the guests downstairs discussing excitedly, especially that brocade-clad young man who was in a daze, Liang Han pursed his lips and said, "Looks like he might be a second Qiao Jiu Lang."

After speaking, Liang Han turned around, a smile appearing on his face, and walked toward Mother Cui Ruan and the others who were ascending to the third floor.

Once Mother Cui Ruan and the several girls had entered the private room,

Xu Xu Zaijing grabbed Gu Gu Tingye, who wanted to enter directly, and said, "Er Lang, what is the difference between Mother Cui Ruan doing this and the performance in the nearby small courtyard before? Why bother traveling all across the city so troublesome?"

Gu Gu Tingye smiled and said, "Brother Jing, you don't understand this! Last time, the several girls under Mother Cui Ruan's hand were of comparable strength; now, this Miss Li Shishi stands far above the rest! If promoted well, she will be a money tree and a cornucopia bringing in buckets of gold daily in the future."

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded: "No wonder!"

"Let's go! Let's go in!" Gu Gu Tingye pulled Xu Xu Zaijing by the arm and walked toward the private room.

Inside the private room,

Xu Xu Zaijing sat behind the table, watching Miss Li Shishi performing in the open space of the private room.

Whether inside or outside the palace, Xu Xu Zaijing had seen more than one outstanding dance performance; after all, at the Emperor's grand birthday banquet in the main hall, his seat was not bad, and he had watched court dances from close range.

But it must be said that Miss Li Shishi, whom Madam Cui Ruan was promoting, was indeed very outstanding.

The other young ladies brought by Madam Cui Ruan had by then all become mere foils for Miss Li Shishi.

And unlike Wei Wei Fangzhi before, this Miss Li Shishi was extremely skilled in poetry and literature; even Xu Xu Zaijing and the others, who had studied for many years, were moved by her literary talent.

After the performance concluded,

Miss Li Shishi took the lead and, carrying a breeze of fragrance, began to pour wine for Gu Gu Tingye and the others.

This Miss Li Shishi already possessed a graceful figure and an extremely fine appearance; when pouring wine, the fingers holding the wine pot were long and fair, with tender pink nails.

"Next May, I hope the Young Master will do us the honor of attending again."

Her voice made one feel as if bathed in the spring breeze.

"Naturally, certainly!" Liang Han, who had just been speaking of others, now stared fixedly at the young lady opposite him.

When pouring wine for Qi Heng, Qi Heng's smile never left his lips.

When Miss Li Shishi approached, Gu Gu Tingye looked at the chaste courtesan before him and smiled: "Miss, do you still remember me?"

"Young Master Gu the Second is an outstanding talent, skilled in both civil and martial arts; for me to forget would be futile," Miss Li Shishi said softly.

"Ha, hahaha! I am not that good," Gu Gu Tingye laughed.

Miss Li Shishi smiled, bowed her head in greeting, rose, and walked toward Xu Xu Zaijing on the side.

"Trouble you, Miss," Xu Xu Zaijing said with a faint smile, looking at the young lady before him.

Miss Li Shishi raised her head and met Xu Xu Zaijing's gaze; with her keen mind, she saw in that single glance that Xu Xu Zaijing had already recognized her.

"That day, Li Shishi acted rashly; I beg Young Master Xu the Fifth's forgiveness."

"It is a trifling matter; Miss need not trouble yourself."

Looking at the chaste courtesan opposite, whose eyes, even if unintentional, seemed full of affection, Xu Xu Zaijing said: "Does Miss have something else to attend to?"

"Hmm, I heard that the poem I love most, 'Tianjie's light rain moistens like butter,' was written by the Young Master. Today, having the fortune to meet, I boldly wish to ask the Young Master for a piece of your calligraphy," Miss Li Shishi said softly.

Hearing these words,

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled faintly and looked toward Gu Gu Tingye on the side.

Gu Gu Tingye laughed: "Miss Li Shishi, you may not know; earlier, when my good friend Xu Han Wulang went to watch the flower queen selection performance, he was so stingy he refused to spend money!"

"Flattering him like this is of no use!"

Miss Li Shishi turned to look at Gu Gu Tingye and laughed: "Ah? I have already spoken my words, and only now does the Young Master remind me! I cannot take them back."

Seeing the coquettish and slightly pouting look on the beauty opposite, Gu Gu Tingye said with some apology on his face: "I did not know the Miss would say such a thing! Brother Jing, why not write a piece of calligraphy for Miss Li Shishi?"

After looking at Gu Gu Tingye with a hint of disdain, Xu Xu Zaijing turned and smiled: "It is also a trifling matter."

"Thank you, Young Master Xu the Fifth!"

Third quarter of the Xu hour (before 8 PM)

Xu Xu Zaijing and the others had already left Pan Lou and returned to their respective homes.

In an alley not far from Pan Lou,

In a small courtyard hanging a lantern with the character 'Cui Ruan',

Inside the room,

Madam Cui Ruan looked sternly at the young lady before her and said: "Li Shishi, what were you thinking tonight? Why go ask Xu Han Wulang for a piece of calligraphy?"

"Mother, I simply like his poems."

"Hmph. Really?"

Before Li Li Shishi could finish, Madam Cui Ruan let out a cold snort.

"Mother, it is truly so!" Li Li Shishi declared solemnly.

"Is it not that you heard some old stories and wish to replicate Fangniang's fate?" Madam Cui Ruan asked.

Hearing these words, Li Li Shishi looked at Madam Cui Ruan with no trace of emotion in her eyes; she shook her head in confusion and said: "Mother, why would I wish to replicate her fate?"

"To speak arrogantly, if Fangniang were performing on stage with me today, the one outshone would certainly be Fangniang, not me!"

Seeing Li Li Shishi's proud demeanor, Madam Cui Ruan raised an eyebrow and said: "Enough! I am merely warning you; Jingcheng hides tigers and dragons, so do not underestimate other young ladies."

"Yes, Mother, I have remembered," Li Li Shishi said, lowering her eyes.

After lightly pursing her lips, Madam Cui Ruan turned and left the room.

When the sound of the door closing rang out, Li Li Shishi finally raised her head, but the pride from before was gone from her eyes.

Looking at the candle in the room, Li Li Shishi walked while murmuring to herself in a voice like a mosquito: "Who does not wish to replicate Fangniang's fate?"

Previously, when Wei Wei Fangzhi first 'debuted,' she was directly sold to the Chai family; now she plays the pipa and teaches children in shops within Bianjing, occasionally participating in some grand ceremonies in the court.

No need to force a smile to welcome and send off guests; her days are unspeakably comfortable.

With the Chai family as a great tree for protection, she will likely be able to shed her lowly status and become a commoner in the future.

As for Li Li Shishi, following the usual path to live like Wei Wei Fangzhi, she does not know how many years she must endure; by the time she grows old and her beauty fades, she may still not be able to shed her lowly status.

This most outstanding daughter under Madam Cui Ruan, when Xu Xu Zaijing deliberately tarnished his reputation some time ago, had already seen through many things.

Walking to the desk in the room, Li Li Shishi picked up a sheet of rice paper with writing on it; looking at the characters, she nodded and said: "The poem is good, the calligraphy even better."

"The Young Master is a person of great fortune; Sister Wei's closeness to you has improved her circumstances so greatly; I suppose if I draw closer a few more times, I too can turn my luck."

As she spoke, Li Li Shishi placed the rice paper in her hand back on the table; her fingers moved in the air several times, as if tracing Xu Xu Zaijing's handwriting.

Moments later,

"Someone come!"

A young maid pushed the door open and entered: "Miss Li Shishi?"

"Tomorrow, find a skilled mounting master to have this calligraphy carefully mounted for me."

"Yes, Miss."

After the Cold Clothes Festival,

because Xu Xu Zaijing and the others had taken quite a few days of rest recently,

Master Zhuang did not grant anyone a day off until mid-tenth month.

On this day,

the sky was overcast from early morning,

and the sun hid behind dark clouds for most of the day, making the temperature drop even lower.

Finally, after a gust of north wind in the afternoon, snow pellets began to drift from the sky.

By the time Xu Xu Zaijing and the others finished their lessons, a thin layer of white had already settled on the ground outside the academy.

Stepping out from the academy, which was quite warm thanks to the heated floor, Xu Xu Zaijing sniffed the scent of snow in the air a few times before exhaling a cloud of white breath.

"Hoo!"

A gust of north wind swept past,

blowing snow pellets onto Xu Xu Zaijing's face, feeling cool against his skin.

The few of them left the academy courtyard together,

and as they walked north toward the stables against the north wind, the snow pellets, driven by the gale, struck their faces with not just a chill, but a slight sting.

Upon reaching the stables,

Seeing Seeing Qingcao, wearing fluffy ear protectors, stepped onto the carriage using the mounting block, squinting to shield her eyes from the snow pellets, and turned back to say, "Young Master, please take the carriage today!"

Standing beside his small black foal, Xu Xu Zaijing waved his hand and said, "No need!"

"You really are suffering for no reason!" Seeing Seeing Qingcao muttered under her breath.

"What?" Xu Xu Zaijing turned his head to look at her, asking in confusion.

Seeing Seeing Qingcao quickly smiled and said, "Young Master, you truly are tirelessly persevering in tempering yourself."

"Of course!" After saying this, Xu Xu Zaijing vaulted onto his horse.

After leaving the Sheng family compound, the Xu family's procession of carriages and horses headed toward Hou Fu.

Along the way,

driven by the north wind and snow pellets, there were hardly any pedestrians left on the main streets.

From the chimneys atop many houses, wisps of blue smoke were now rising, and the scent of coal smoke drifted through the air from time to time.

Brother Qingyun reached out to brush the snow pellets off his mount's mane, then turned his head to speak to Xu Xu Zaijing: "Young Master, why do you suppose Lady Ningyuan Marquis's Manor chose this season to hold the wedding for the Second Young Master Gu? The weather is getting colder and colder!"

Pulling his warming face mask up over his nose, Xu Xu Zaijing's voice came out somewhat muffled: "Brother Qingyun, look at this weather and think about why."

"Swish, swish..."

The snow pellets struck the woven bamboo hats on Xu Xu Zaijing and Brother Qingyun's heads, making a fine, dense sound.

After walking for a while,

Brother Qingyun's eyes lit up as he looked at Xu Xu Zaijing: "Young Master, if the capital is this cold, the north must be even colder! If Northern Liao wants to mobilize troops, they will suffer greatly!"

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled, and a puff of white breath appeared briefly from beneath his mask before vanishing into the air.

"Exactly; only under such conditions can Marquis Gu return from the north to attend the wedding."

As they spoke,

the procession of carriages and horses gradually faded into the distance amidst the wind and snow.

(End of Chapter)