Chapter 723: Miss Shishi

Gu Tingye said nothing but stood up with a smile and waved: "Liu Lang, Jiu Lang, come sit over here."

Qiao Jiu Lang and Liang Han nodded with smiles and walked toward Xu Zaijing and the others.

Over those few steps, Qiao Jiu Lang's gaze at Chang Bai shifted from confusion to understanding.

When they drew near, Qiao Jiu Lang bowed with a smile: "Brother Chang Bai, long time no see."

Chang Feng stared at Qiao Jiu Lang in surprise: "Jiu Lang, my second brother spends his days reading at home—he rarely goes out—and yet you know him?"

Chang Bai nodded with a smile: "We've met twice before—at Jinming Pool and the polo field."

Qiao Jiu Lang grinned and raised his thumb.

Everyone sat down.

They ate melon and fruit.

Chang Feng glanced at Gu Tingye, then at Qiao Jiu Lang, thought for a moment, and dropped the matter of Madam Ruan's "Literary Gathering."

"Hehe! Jing Ge, a few days ago, we went to Madam Ruan's little courtyard nearby, and there was a—" Qiao Jiu Lang didn't finish.

"Cough." Liang Han cleared his throat, glancing shyly at Xu Zaijing: "Jing Ge, it's not that I didn't invite you—it's just my mother won't let me drag you into these things."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "I understand, Liu Lang, don't give it another thought."

Liang Han raised a slice of watermelon and grinned: "Brother, you're a true gentleman!"

Qiao Jiu Lang glanced between Liang Han and Xu Zaijing, then let the subject drop.

Watching their demeanor, Xu Zaijing smiled: "Liu Lang, it seems both Chen Ge and Jiu Lang have strong memories of Madam Ruan's courtyard—what's special this year?"

At these words,

Chang Feng, curious, turned to look at the three.

Qi Heng, eating melon, wore the same expression and gaze as Chang Feng.

Liang Han set down his watermelon and scratched his head: "Uh, yeah, this year's a bit special."

Liang Han exchanged glances with the other two: "Jing Ge, this year, Madam Ruan has a new courtesan—exceptionally talented."

As Liang Han spoke, Qiao Jiu Lang and Gu Tingye both nodded vigorously, their faces full of agreement.

"Oh?" Xu Zaijing's interest sparked: "Exceptionally talented? You rarely give such praise, Liu Lang."

Qiao Jiu Lang chimed in eagerly: "Jing Ge, what Liu Lang says is true!"

Xu Zaijing smiled: "Then how does she compare to Yun Niang?"

"Pfft." Gu Tingye burst out laughing.

Qiao Jiu Lang flushed, pursed his lips, and shook his head: "Yun Niang's only better in figure and dance—everything else? Far inferior!"

Qi Heng smiled: "Then how about Wei Xingshou, last year's champion?"

Liang Han shook his head slightly: "Little Duke, hard to compare—Wei Xingshou never removed her veil, so none of us know her face. But even veiled, this courtesan's beauty rivals Wei Xingshou's."

"The key is, this courtesan isn't just beautiful—she's also skilled in dance, music, poetry, and verse."

"Lately, Madam Ruan's courtyard has been so crowded the threshold's nearly worn through."

Qi Heng glanced at Xu Zaijing and smiled: "Jing Ge, if Liu Lang says this much, we ought to go see for ourselves."

Xu Zaijing smiled without committing.

After taking a bite of melon, Liang Han said: "Little Duke, Madam Ruan's courtyard's hard to get into these days."

"We got in only because of our status in the capital and old connections. Now, even money and power won't open the door—you need talent."

Chang Feng frowned: "Huh? That's unusual—won't this drive away future patrons?"

Qiao Jiu Lang waved his hand: "Ah, Chang Feng, you're wrong! Because of this, more people are going to Madam Ruan's than ever before."

Xu Zaijing sat aside, fanning himself and biting into a white peach: "Jiu Lang, does this courtesan have a name?"

Qiao Jiu Lang and Liang Han exchanged glances, their eyes and voices filled with admiration: "Jing Ge, this courtesan's famed name is Shishi."

Xu Zaijing froze: "Shishi? As in the 'shi' from poetry and verse?" He was about to say he wanted to go see her—

Qiao Jiu Lang shook his head: "No—it's the 'shi' from Wang Xingyu's 'shi.'"

Liang Han and Gu Tingye nodded with smiles, their eyes holding traces of memory.

Xu Zaijing's eyes flickered with thought: "What's her surname?"

Liang Han sighed: "Alas, Jing Ge, Shishi's surname is Wang."

Xu Zaijing smiled and thought: "Of course—it couldn't be that coincidental."

"She entered the brothel as a child after her family fell on hard times, then took the surname Li after becoming a disciple of an old Li madam," Liang Han said, watching Xu Zaijing's stunned expression: "Jing Ge, what's wrong?"

Xu Zaijing came to himself and smiled: "Liu Lang, after hearing you, Jiu Lang, and Chen Ge praise her so, I'm curious too."

"That's right, Fifth Brother Xu!" Chang Feng agreed with a smile.

Xu Zaijing said: "Soon, Madam Ruan's girls will perform on stage—we'll surely get a fine show."

"Jing Ge speaks truly—we'll go together," Gu Tingye smiled.

Watching the group in the private room, Zai Zhang smiled helplessly.

At that moment,

Gu Tingye's personal attendant, Zhi Que, stepped in from behind the screen, bowing: "Master, Third Miss and several noble ladies are at the Eastern Four Treasures Shop. They heard you and the other young masters are here, and sent some gifts over."

Gu Tingye's eyes lit up: "Oh? Bring them in quickly."

Qi Heng glanced at Xu Zaijing and smiled: "Jing Ge, since they're at Four Treasures Shop, Chai's cousin and Zhang's Fifth Niang and the others are probably there too."

Soon,

Pan Lou's servants brought up a large array of cold dishes from Pan Lou's main street.

Looking at the exquisite dishes,

Xu Zaijing and the others asked Gu Tingye to thank Tingyi and the ladies on their behalf.

Finally,

The group enjoyed themselves at Pan Lou until the first hour of You (after five p. m.),

avoiding the hottest part of the afternoon before returning home.

After the sixth day,

Xu Zaijing and his classmates had no more rest.

Though the academy had ice trays,

June's summer sun was fierce and the heat intense,

even sitting and fanning oneself could be unbearable.

Time passed,

and it was mid-June.

That morning,

as Xu Zaijing went to school, the sky was overcast—cooler than when the sun was out.

On the way to Sheng's house, Hua Xiang kept leaning out of the carriage, gazing at the sky with clear hope for rain.

Inside the academy,

though early, large blocks of ice already sat beside each desk.

Chang Bai and Gu Tingye's servants sat nearby, fanning their masters.

Whenever the heat became unbearable, Xu Zaijing longed endlessly for the days of air conditioning in his memory.

Watching Xu Zaijing enter, Gu Tingye asked curiously: "Jing Ge, where's your maid?"

Xu Zaijing carried his book box to his desk and smiled: "She's in the back courtyard."

In the back courtyard of the Sheng household,

Shou'an Hall,

the old lady, advanced in years, slept early and rose early.

Each morning, in the cool, she walked and exercised in the courtyard with Madams Fang and Cui.

Before stepping out of Shou'an Hall's door that day,

the maid Cuiwei entered with a smile, curtsied, and said: "Old Lady, Hua Xiang, the maid from the Xu family's Fifth Young Master, is here."

The old lady, fanning herself, smiled in surprise: "Oh? So early—what does Jing Ge's maid want?"

Cuiwei smiled: "Old Lady, Hua Xiang has come to deliver lotus flowers."

The old lady glanced at Madam Fang and chuckled: "Not another pair of twin lotuses, grown naturally?"

Cuiwei nodded with a smile: "Old Lady, you guessed it exactly."

The old lady waved her round fan: "Quick, bring her in."

Cuiwei bowed and left.

Moments later,

Hua Xiang entered, holding a bundle of lotus flowers, and smiled: "Your servant greets Old Lady. Master ordered me to deliver these lotuses picked this morning."

The old lady waved: "Suqin, Ruan An, come take them."

The two madams hurried forward, took the lotuses, examined them, and both showed expressions of surprise.

Madam Fang turned and smiled: "Old Lady, I can see clearly—these are all twin lotuses."

"Quick, bring vases, fill them with water, and arrange them," the old lady said, then smiled at Hua Xiang: "Girl, how much did your master pay for these lotuses?"

Hua Xiang smiled after handing them over: "Old Lady, Master didn't spend a single copper! He hired a brother-sister pair who are experts at finding twin lotuses."

The old lady shook her head and laughed: "Today's too many."

Hua Xiang replied: "Old Lady, the brother in that pair has been following Liang's Sixth Young Master around the city and its ponds these past days—so naturally, he found more."

In the hall, Cuiwei and Madams Fang and Cui exchanged glances of surprise.

The old lady continued smiling: "So that's why there's so many."

"Cuiwei, take this girl to collect her reward. You two each deliver one of these to the other courtyards."

Cuiwei and Fang Mama both replied, "Yes."

Huaxiang quickly bowed: "Your maid thanks the old lady."

Carrying the vase out of the hall,

Fang Mama smiled: "Miss Huaxiang, does the Marquis's household have these?"

Huaxiang nodded in agreement.

Weirui Pavilion,

in the bedroom,

"Madam?" Liu Mama whispered beside the bed.

"Hm? What is it?" Wang Ruofu opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and asked without opening them.

"Fang Mama from the old lady's courtyard sent over a pair of lotus blossoms."

"Hm?" Wang Ruofu snapped her eyes open, sat up sharply, and said, "Again from Xu Zaijing's boy?"

Liu Mama smiled and confirmed it.

A smile spread across Wang Ruofu's face: "This boy truly knows how to behave. Bring it here so I can see."

Liu Mama nodded and called out: "Caihuan!"

Soon, Caihuan entered carrying the vase.

After gazing at it for a few moments, Wang Ruofu sighed: "I wonder if Hua's place has lotuses this fine."

Liu Mama smiled: "Madam, don't worry—I asked. Fang Mama said the Marquis's household had them since morning."

"Only our courtyard has them?" Wang Ruofu asked again.

Liu Mama shook her head: "Jin'an Study and Lin Qige have both received theirs."

Wang Ruofu pursed her lips in disappointment: "What a waste."

She rolled off the bed, leaned on Liu Mama's arm to stand, and said: "Go wake up Ru'er! When we place this lotus on the altar, have her join me in paying respects."

"Yes, Madam."

Lin Qige,

in the main hall's outer room,

Lin Qinshuang swung a round fan with one hand and rested the other on Mo Lan's shoulder as she watched Xueniang arranging the vase by the table: "Move it a little more to the left—place it in the center."

Xueniang adjusted the vase as instructed and looked to Lin Qinshuang.

"Perfect. This spot suits it," Lin Qinshuang said with a smile.

Then, gazing at the unopened blossoms in the vase, she sighed: "Hmm. In past years, we'd see a pair of lotus blossoms once every few years—if we saw any at all. And even then, most were fake, stitched together with thread. I never expected we'd have real ones every year these past two."

The breeze from Lin Qinshuang's fan occasionally stirred Mo Lan's loose hair. Mo Lan nodded: "Xu Wu-ge has some talent—he finds these rare things every year."

Lin Qinshuang smiled and nodded: "Mo'er, look—these rare treasures are just passed around as gifts among noble households! If they were sold in the market, they'd fetch a fortune."

Mo Lan murmured an "Mm."

"So, Mo'er, since you were born into an official family, when you choose a husband, you must look upward—like your elder sister. Find a young master from a ducal or marquis household! Only then will your life remain as lavish and dignified as it is now."

Mo Lan bit her lip and nodded shyly: "Mama, didn't I tell you? When Shulan got married, Yuanruo smiled at me."

"Mo'er, you've never been alone with the young duke—how do you know he smiled only at you?" Lin Qinshuang asked.

Mo Lan turned her head to look at Lin Qinshuang: "Mama, I only see Yuanruo in the schoolroom—where would I ever have a chance to be alone with him?"

Lin Qinshuang thought for a moment, then nodded: "True. I hope you get a chance to be alone with the young duke someday, so we can be certain of his feelings before we plan further."

Beside them, Zhou Xueniang nodded vigorously: "Miss is right—our girl's talent and beauty will catch every young master's eye in school."

After smiling, Lin Qinshuang said: "Go—when you reach school, don't forget to thank Xu Zaijing."

"Yes, Mama."

Smiling at Mo Lan, Lin Qinshuang turned to Zhou Xueniang: "Go, send someone to wake up Feng-ge. What time is it? He's still asleep."

Jin'an Study,

the main room,

fine gauze covered the windows to keep out insects,

incense smoke curled from the censer, repelling flies,

Wei Shuyi sat at her embroidery frame by the window, glanced at Chang Zhen as she prepared to sit at the desk, and said: "Zhen'er, the light is dim today. Practicing calligraphy will strain your eyes. Wait until it brightens."

"Madam, if dim light harms the eyes, why are you still embroidering?" Chang Zhen asked in her child's voice.

Wei Shuyi paused, thought, then smiled: "Zhen'er, because I'm an adult—and I'm sitting by the window."

Chang Zhen blinked: "Then I'll go sit by the window to practice. Second brother says diligence brings mastery, while play leads to neglect."

Hearing this, Wei Shuyi smiled warmly: "Then come sit beside me."

When Chang Zhen approached,

Wei Shuyi glanced at the pair of lotus blossoms in the vase on the table and said: "Zhen'er, these lotuses will wither in ten days. Let's paint them on paper together, shall we?"

Afternoon,

after a few summer thunderclaps,

the sky, gray all day, began to drizzle.

By the time Xu Zaijing and the others finished school, the rain showed no sign of stopping.

Xu Zaijing did not insist on riding in the rain—he returned home by carriage with his personal maid.

Though it rained, the carriage remained slightly warm.

Raindrops occasionally struck the roof with soft taps.

To cool off,

the carriage's window and door curtains were drawn up, leaving only the fine gauze for ventilation and insect protection.

Xu Zaijing gazed out through the gauze,

breathing in the fresh, rain-scented air, occasionally spotting people sheltering by the roadside, their heads covered with straw hats or giant lotus leaves, moving along the streets.

"Master."

Hearing Huaxiang's voice, Xu Zaijing turned his head.

Seeing the chilled drink Huaxiang held, he smiled, took it, and sipped.

Back at Quyuanjie Marquis's household,

the rain had stopped.

As Xu Zaijing stepped down from the carriage inside the Marquis's courtyard,

"Ribbit! Ribbit!"

from the pond beside the riding field, countless frogs croaked in a lively, overlapping chorus.

Meanwhile,

Guangfu Alley,

in a mansion rented at great expense by a certain young lady,

in the northernmost two-story wooden pavilion,

a noblewoman sat comfortably in a chair by the window, catching the cool breeze, smiling as she gazed northward, admiring the misty, rain-blurred beauty of the imperial gardens.

(End of Chapter)