Chapter 154: Xieliu Alley (Requesting Moon Tickets)

"Where?"

"In... Chengxi's Xieliu Alley." Lang Xiao Ba knew the several officials were outsiders, so he kindly explained in a low voice what Xieliu Alley was.

Xieliu Alley was only seventy or eighty zhang long, quiet and elegant, with a dozen or so courtyards; one Miss rented one of them.

These women were young and beautiful, and well-educated and refined.

In terms of scholarship alone, ordinary scholar-candidates would bow in defeat.

But fate played cruel tricks, reducing them to such a state.

They differed from ordinary courtesans; their courtyards housed their own musicians, maids, cooks, and others.

Once inside, one would wish to stay several days.

For these few days, the Miss will kindly accompany you and will not take any other guests.

What is sold here is the word "elegance."

Lang Xiao Ba met a gang captain from the Iron Boat Guild at the yamen gate and led Xu Yuan and the others to Xieliu Alley.

At the gate of one small courtyard, the Iron Boat Guild men stopped, clasped fists, and said: "Inspector Xu, my duty ends here."

Then, after a moment's thought, he added softly: "My lord, a few houses in this alley are different—this one is among them."

With this reminder to cultivate a favor, the captain hurried away.

Lang Xiao Ba frowned: "Can't even speak clearly—acting all mysterious."

Xu Yuan waved his hand: "Even a single warning is better than nothing. Go knock. Observe proper etiquette."

"Yes." Lang Xiao Ba stepped forward and knocked.

…

Deep in the courtyard, green willows hung lightly, swaying gently in the breeze.

In the southwest corner stood a lotus pond, with a rock garden in its center. A covered walkway half-circled the pond, connecting ahead to a narrow path and behind to a bamboo hut.

Inside the bamboo hut, a snow-white fox lay lazily curled in brocade quilts, fast asleep, a tiny pink tip of its tongue peeking from its pointed snout.

Drool trickled out unconsciously; with each breath, it blew a bubble, rhythmically expanding and shrinking.

Suddenly it burst, scattering countless illusionary realms around.

These fragments of beautiful dreams vanished swiftly, yet in that instant one could glimpse scenes—talented scholars and beautiful maidens, princesses and princes-consort, imperial sons and common girls, human and ghost lovers—clichéd plots, yet deeply alluring love stories.

As the bubble popped, the white fox awoke, yawned, and muttered discontentedly: "Zhang Laoya, you live here without paying me a single coin—and still keep bringing me trouble."

No sooner had the words left her mouth than a maid hurried along the path, crossed the walkway, and reported outside the bamboo hut: "Miss, officials from the Purification Office are here to visit—one Deputy Inspector, one Inspector, and two Captains."

"Understood. Tell them I'm washing and dressing—will receive them shortly."

"Yes." The maid bowed deeply and departed.

Behind the hut lay a bamboo grove.

From beneath the bamboo grove came an irate voice: "You let me live here—and still want money?"

Beneath the bamboo grove, a hole had been dug.

When visitors came to see her, the white fox would house them there, to prevent their scent from leaking out.

Thus the hole smelled truly foul—even the white fox refused to go down.

Inside the hut, the white fox had already leapt lightly from the bed, then exhaled a breath of yin qi; from it emerged four ghost maids, trembling and swift, who swiftly tidied the entire bamboo hut.

The brocade quilts on the bed were neatly folded and stored in a chest.

Only the white fox was a supernatural being in this courtyard.

All others were living humans.

When the white fox hired them, she warned them: Do not secretly spy on me.

The first four maids had succumbed to curiosity; the white fox had no choice but to eat them, keeping their spirits to serve her still—and saving on wages.

After the ghost maids finished, the white fox opened her mouth and inhaled, swallowing them back into her belly, then smiled: "According to your old Zhang, everything in this world has a price.

Whether it's my bamboo hut or the hole in the grove—I gave you shelter, so you owe a corresponding price."

"When you came from your ancestral land and first arrived in Zhan City, it was I who pointed you to Xieliu Alley—the perfect place for your cultivation. Isn't that favor worth more than one night in the hole?"

The white fox had transformed into Lu Renxing and was now combing her hair before a mirror: "Hehehe, I gave you half the bed—you were too afraid to climb on."

"Sleeping with you one night is too expensive—I'd feel it in my flesh," grumbled Zhang Laoya, crawling out of the hole, his face scowling.

"Old thing has lust but no courage."

"Who are you calling an old thing? I'm not even a fraction of your age…"

"Zhang Laoya!" The fox's fur bristled.

"Alright, alright—you're sixteen, happy now?" Zhang Laoya didn't provoke her further, soothed her, then said: "Call them in. Let me see if this is the one I need to meet."

The white fox frowned: "Who exactly are you hiding from? Don't tell me you've got some huge enemy—I warn you, if a real threat shows up, I'll sell you out immediately."

"Don't ask so much. I don't count on you. I'm leaving today."

…

Xu Yuan and the other three were ushered into a side hall in the front courtyard.

This was not where the Miss received guests—it was where she met her "friends."

Yet the decor was equally refined, exuding quiet luxury.

Lang Xiao Ba and Yu Yunhang were awestruck: the calligraphy and paintings on the walls, small in size, sparse in brushwork, were masterpieces from the previous dynasty.

The porcelain pieces on the table were also from the official kilns of the Northern Song.

As for the chairs and tables, their designs were simple, but made of precious woods, emitting a faint, elegant fragrance.

The two marveled aloud.

Xu Yuan didn't recognize any of it.

Fu Jingyu had been intrigued, standing with hands behind his back beneath the paintings, ready to appreciate and critique them—but then frowned and sat back down.

Xu Yuan asked quietly, "A fake?"

"Not the original master's work, but a copy by a high expert of the previous dynasty; by now it counts as an antique, and the copy truly captures seven or eight-tenths of the spirit."

Xu Yuan nodded, secretly giving him a thumbs-up.

This is the depth of a great surname's scion; look again at Lang Xiao Ba and Yu Yunhang, two country bumpkins, who, though stunned, cannot find a single elegant word to describe it; I fear their hearts hold only the two characters "awesome" right now.

A clatter of jade pendants sounded, and the maid guarding the door entered, saying, "Our Miss Bai has arrived."

Xu Yuan lifted his gaze, but what he saw was not the woman, but "Fate."

It is not even human!

Fortunately, that patrol captain offered a reminder.

Xu Yuan remained unmoved; as Miss Bai entered the door, she revealed a smile as faint as a quiet orchid. Just as she was about to speak, Xu Yuan instead called toward the doorway, "Senior has made us search so bitterly!"

Another "Fate" trailed not far away yet did not reveal itself; who else could it be but Zhang Laoya?

Miss Bai paused, covered her mouth with her hand, then calmly stepped aside to sit, signaling the maid to serve her tea and snacks.

Zhang Laoya, you have always claimed to be a master of deep schemes; who would have thought you would be exposed by a junior in a single glance?

Zhang Laoya was still reluctant to believe, thinking this young patrol inspector was bluffing him.

He shifted positions several times, but no matter where he moved, Xu Yuan's eyes followed him.

Zhang Laoya had no choice but to reveal his form and entered, grumbling, "Truly unfair!"

He had already guessed Xu Yuan was a Fate Cultivator, and Xu Yuan knew he had guessed.

(End of this chapter)