Chapter 404: The Master is dead but the body remains stiff; the courtesan of the small courtyard comes to the door!

【The first day of the new year, the sky is clear.】

【Perhaps due to yesterday's wind and snow, the sun shines today, but the cold air rises, making it feel exceptionally chilly.】

【Birds outside are chirping noisily; when Sister Wu Tong wakes up in a daze, the sun is already high in the sky.】

【She touches her head, still feeling a bit dizzy. She truly cannot remember what happened last night, only that she went to the Qunfang Banquet with Miss Ying and Luya, and then fell into a muddled sleep.】

【In the end, she vaguely remembers that it was the Young Master who carried her home on his back.】

【Her face flushes with shyness, and she thinks to herself: "Where is there any reason for a master to carry a servant girl?"】

【By the time she finishes dressing and steps out of her boudoir, the small courtyard is already filled with curling smoke from the kitchen, and the aroma of food on the stove is enticing, making her stomach growl and her mouth water.】

【"The Young Master must have already woken up."】

【The Young Master has been sensible and managed the household since he was young; all sorts of trivial matters, from cooking to washing, he is proficient in.】

【Sure enough, as she walks into the living room, she feels a wave of heat hitting her face; the stove has already been lit in the morning, and she feels warm all over.】

【She sees a young man leaning by the window, reading a book.】

【The midday sunlight spills onto his face, making him appear exceptionally quiet.】

【You hear Sister Wu Tong's footsteps, put down the scroll, and look over.】

【Sister Wu Tong says with some embarrassment: "Young Master, Sister Wu Tong woke up late."】

【You smile, your tone gentle: "There is food in the pot, still being kept warm for you."】

【Sister Wu Tong feels a warmth in her heart. She and you have long been familiar with each other; the two of you rely on each other for survival, and there is not much restraint between you.】

【She lifts the pot lid; it is steaming hot, with a bowl of rice and steamed perch, making him swallow his saliva.】

【Sister Wu Tong takes the food out of the pot; it is slightly hot to the touch. She wraps the bottom of the bowl with a steaming cloth, places it on the small table on the sitting couch, and asks: "Young Master, are you still eating?"】

【"I have already eaten."】

【Sister Wu Tong blinks and asks curiously: "Young Master, where did the perch come from?"】

【You slowly explain: "In the morning, Wu Guanshi sent someone to deliver it, along with a lotus leaf chicken. He also gifted fifty taels of silver, which I politely declined."】

【Sister Wu Tong, upon hearing this, says with surprise: "Fifty taels of silver? Wu Guanshi has always been stingy; he is truly an iron rooster that won't pluck a single feather, even picking up thread ends dropped on the ground. Fifty taels of silver—did the sun rise from the west today?"】

【You point to the main hall. Sister Wu Tong turns her head to look and sees a pile of gifts neatly stacked, a full two feet high, almost filling one wall of the main hall.】

【Among them are fine wines, the Four Treasures of the Study, tonics, and even house deeds—dazzling and exhaustive.】

【Sister Wu Tong, seeing this, widens her beautiful eyes and says in surprise: "Young Master, what is this?"】

【"Sent by others this morning."】

【Sister Wu Tong's eyes light up. Among the pile of gifts, she notices many valuable items, not lacking gold, silver, and treasures.】

【Her face is full of joy as she picks up the gifts to touch and look at them. The locations of several of the residences are excellent, and the more she looks, the brighter her eyes become.】

【"Young Master, we have struck it rich!"】

【You pick up the book to continue reading, just smiling; you had long expected Sister Wu Tong to show this expression of a little money-grubber.】

【Sister Wu Tong hugs the gifts, happy from ear to ear.】

【You point to the fish soup by the table and remind her: "Are you not drinking the soup?"】

【Sister Wu Tong's face is flushed red, and she excitedly picks up a deed: "Young Master, look, this three-entry residence on Fish-Dragon Street, how much money must it be worth?"】

【"And this shop on Changning Street... Young Master, am I dreaming?"】

【You say helplessly: "In this daylight, dreaming is just a daydream."】

【Sister Wu Tong pinches herself and says with a chuckle: "Young Master, it hurts."】

【She suddenly remembers the main business and asks: "Young Master, who sent this, being so generous? That young master from the Su family?"】

【You laugh: "It is the socialites of Bianjing, admiring your young master's talent, coming to pay New Year's greetings to get acquainted, or to seek poems."】

【Sister Wu Tong asks suspiciously: "What kind of poem is worth this much money?"】

【Her face looks strange, and she lowers her voice: "Young Master, you didn't go and sell your body, did you?"】

【"Young Master is born so handsome, I suppose he could be sold for this price."】

【You have black lines all over your head and say helplessly: "What are you thinking, you girl."】

【"At last night's Qunfang Banquet, your young master became famous throughout Bianjing. What did you think?"】

【Sister Wu Tong was dizzy after entering the Qunfang Banquet yesterday and slept soundly; she felt great regret in her heart for not seeing the head courtesan.】

【Just at this moment!】

【Your mind stirs slightly: "Sister Wu Tong, a guest has arrived."】

【Sister Wu Tong looks toward the entrance, but does not see anyone.】

【However, she still walks out of the courtyard gate. Before leaving, she does not forget to cover the gifts with a red cloth, only then feeling at ease to walk out of the room.】

【Not long after!】

【"Physician Hua, why have you come?"】

【Hua An carries warm wine in one hand, the fragrance of the wine overflowing, clearly of high value; in the other hand, he carries a snow-white goose, and there is a bundle on his back.】

【He walks into the small courtyard with a face full of joy and says: "Miss Sister Wu Tong, Happy New Year."】

【Sister Wu Tong welcomes Hua An in and shouts: "Young Master, Physician Hua An has come to pay a New Year's visit."】

【You have already stood up and smile as you welcome him: "Physician Hua, the New Year has arrived; may your family fortune be prosperous, and may your hands bring spring back to the withered."】

【Hua An walks in. Originally, he was somewhat anxious in his heart, but seeing you still so kind, he breathes a sigh of relief.】

【He puts down the gifts in his hands and says with a smile: "Young Master Guan, Happy New Year! I have specially brought some humble gifts today, hoping you will accept them with a smile."】

【You see the worry in Hua An's heart and use a few jokes to dispel his concerns.】

【After a few cups of wine, Hua An's face has already become ruddy.】

【After a few cups of hot wine, Hua An's chatterbox opens: "It is shameful to say, but this morning I saw the carriages and horses like a flowing river in front of Young Master Guan's small courtyard, all of them noble people. In my heart, I was both happy and worried. Happy that Young Master Guan is talented and famous throughout the four seas; worried that my own shabby appearance would not be worthy of stepping through Young Master Guan's door again."】

【"Now it seems that Young Master Guan still recognizes this old man. I am happy in my heart and must drink another large cup."】

【Sister Wu Tong, through your chat with Hua An, finally learns about your fame from your poems at the Qunfang Banquet yesterday.】

【She feels even more regret in her heart. Usually, she wouldn't sleep so early; why did she sleep so soundly yesterday and fail to see the Young Master in his high spirits?】

【You smile and pour wine for Hua An, saying: "Physician Hua, there is no need to be so polite between us. Furthermore, if it weren't for your careful care in the past, it would be difficult for these eyes of mine to see the light again."】

【Hua An, hearing this, raises his wine cup and drinks it all in one gulp: "It is all in the wine."】

【Hua An says with some shame: "Today I am a bit sorry to Young Master Guan. The spring couplets I asked Young Master Guan to write before the year ended were bought by the Xue family of the Nine Great Surnames today."】

【"This old man truly fears the power of the Nine Great Surnames, and plus, the price they offered was truly too high, leaving me in a dilemma."】

【"The spring couplets Young Master Guan wrote for me sold for one thousand taels. This old man dares not embezzle it; now I return the original item."】

【Hua An opens the bundle; inside is gleaming silver, a full one thousand taels.】

【Sister Wu Tong, standing to the side, has her eyes light up.】

【You cover the bundle and push it back: "Do not mention this matter again. The couplets were gifted; whether bought or given, it is Physician Hua's decision."】

【"If you mention it again, do not come to my door again."】

【Hua An is stunned. Seeing that you are not joking, he puts away the silver.】

【You laugh: "Sister Wu Tong, bring the brush and ink."】

【"I will write another pair of couplets for Physician Hua."】

【Hua An no longer acts coy and bows: "Then many thanks, Young Master Guan."】

【Sister Wu Tong hurriedly fetches the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. You dip the brush in ink, and with the brush moving like a dragon or snake, a pair of couplets is already written.】

【You also paint a portrait of Zhong Kui chewing on a ghost and laugh: "This can ward off evil spirits; just paste it on the door."】

【Hua An looks at it and sees the black-faced Zhong Kui in the painting with eyes like lightning, fierce and imposing, making one dare not harbor any evil thoughts, and he cannot help but feel awe.】

【He takes the painting and says gratefully: "Young Master Guan has great talent; this old man is endlessly grateful."】

【Hua An does not stay long and takes his leave.】

【You see him to the entrance of the small courtyard, and Hua An suddenly mentions one thing.】

【"Yesterday on Changning Street, the body of that Old Master Dong is gone. The group of cooks invited in the evening to prepare food in the early morning saw the coffin lid moved and were scared to death."】

【"Today, officials were invited to investigate, but they couldn't say anything for certain. The neighbors on the street spread rumors that it was carried away by some kind of wild beast."】

【"The only adopted son of Old Master Dong while he was alive, for some reason, suddenly went mad today and injured several officials. It is said that he also went to the West Chamber Building to find his old lover, and actually strangled the other party to death. Now that he has committed murder, he has already fled."】

【Hua An sighs: "This Heaven is truly ruthless. You say Old Master Dong was such a good person."】

【You hear this, your brows furrow slightly, and in your heart, you vaguely feel that this matter is not simple.】

【Old Master Dong is Dong Shao!】

【The adopted son raised by the Master, how could he be an ordinary person? Why did he suddenly go mad?】

【What exactly is the mystery in this?】

【Facing this matter, you decide.】

1. Ignore this matter. (Hint: Disadvantageous to the future.)

2. Let Hua An take the gold and silver to settle the woman who died in the West Chamber Building. (Hint: Advantageous to the future.)

3. Participate personally. (1/3)

The Great Tripod rings, revealing ten thousand rays of rosy light, and the words above slowly freeze.

Yu Ke sees this, his eyes revealing thought.

It seems this Master is dead but not yet stiff!

He does not hesitate and chooses directly.

2. Let Hua An take the gold and silver to settle the woman who died in the West Chamber Building. (Hint: Advantageous to the future.)

【You turn to Sister Wu Tong: "Go and take fifty taels of silver for Physician Hua An."】

【Hua An, hearing this, shows a look of confusion. You then explain your plan in detail, stating that this silver is to be used to bury the woman from the West Chamber Building, to fulfill a heart's wish.】

【Hua An, after hearing this, hurriedly waves his hand to decline, his tone carrying a bit of respect: "Young Master Guan, you are truly kind-hearted. For Master Dong to have a student like you, it is truly his good fortune of three lifetimes."】

【He pauses and then says solemnly: "Don't worry, I will definitely handle this matter properly and will never have the slightest mistake."】

【However, no matter how you persuade him, Hua An refuses to accept the silver and finally has to take his leave.】

【Sister Wu Tong stands to the side, watching Hua An's back as he goes further and further away, somewhat unable to believe it: "Young Master, do you say a pair of couplets is really worth one thousand taels of silver?"】

【"One thousand taels? That is a bit too cheap."】

【Yesterday, one of your paintings was worth over four million taels in the mouth of the Second Imperial Prince.】

【Sister Wu Tong is about to turn back to the room when you speak: "Sister Wu Tong, go and make tea; someone is coming again."】

【With your current realm, even without using the power of the Primordial Spirit, you can easily know every move in the West Garden of the Xie Fu; even the rustling of the wind cannot escape your perception.】

【Sister Wu Tong, hearing this, looks up into the distance, her gaze landing on the bamboo forest that is the only way, but she sees no one there.】

【She says with slight confusion: "Young Master, I don't see anyone."】

【However, she does not ask more and turns to make tea.】

【Not long after, sure enough, a group of people arrives, mostly women.】

【The leader is Su Yun.】

【Sister Wu Tong's face is surprised, mainly because these women are too beautiful.】

【You are familiar with them; the two in front are Su Yun and Xie Xuan.】

【Behind them are Hu Yunniang of Yuehua Pavilion, Yun Wan, Chen Xiang, Zhou Yuner, and others.】

【Among them are two other outstanding-looking women you do not recognize.】

【This group of people walking over immediately attracts the attention of the servants in the West Garden. Especially the grace of those head courtesans makes many servants watch, mesmerized, even forgetting the work in their hands, stretching their necks to look.】

【Zhou Yuner follows behind Su Yun, walking all the way, but her face becomes increasingly strange. She mutters in a low voice: "Is this really where Young Master Guan lives?"】

【Her heart is full of doubts. The West Garden of the Xie Fu is a place where servants live; how could a dignified young master of the Xie family live in such a place?】

【Furthermore, this courtyard looks too simple, completely out of place with the grandeur of the Xie family.】

【Hu Yunniang, stepping into this place for the first time, has her gaze flowing, looking around, a trace of surprise flashing from the bottom of her eyes. She thinks to herself that the situation of this illegitimate son of the Xie family in the Xie Fu is truly as the rumors in the streets say; not only has he not gained the favor of the Old Matriarch and the Mistress, but he is instead treated coldly.】

【If it weren't for this, with Xie Guan's world-shocking talent at the Qunfang Banquet yesterday, if it were any other descendant of the Xie family, it would definitely be a sensation this morning, advertised extensively.】

【However, this quiet small courtyard before her eyes is so cold.】

【Several people step into the small courtyard!】

【Su Yun says with a happy face: "Young Master Guan, Su Yun has come presumptuously and brought these friends. I hope I am not disturbing you."】

【You smile slightly: "Noble guests arriving at my door, my humble home is honored; how could you be disturbing me?"】

【"It is just that the small courtyard is simple, and there are not many chairs or stools in the house; I fear I cannot let everyone sit down."】

【While speaking, your expression shows no embarrassment, open and generous.】

【Sister Wu Tong, hearing this: "Young Master, I will go to the other courtyard to borrow a few chairs."】

【You nod, and Sister Wu Tong leaves quickly.】

【Zhou Yuner cannot help but feel a pang of heartache. A talented scholar famous throughout Bianjing, a noble young master of the Xie family, yet even the chairs for guests in his home are insufficient.】

【You lead everyone into the small courtyard. The courtyard is paved with blue stones and dotted with green plants; although simple, it has a unique, elegant charm.】

【Su Yun's demeanor is joyful. Yesterday's Caotang Poetry Gathering's fame has already been established, and it is all thanks to Xie Guan's name.】

【He orders: "You all handle them gently."】

【The servants behind him are all carrying heavy gifts.】

【Su Yun laughs: "Young Master Guan, Happy New Year."】

【Yun Wan steps forward, bows gracefully, and says softly: "Yun Wan, greets Young Master Guan."】

【"Hu Yunniang, greets Young Master Guan."】

【Chen Xiang's expression is slightly hesitant, but in the end, she says: "Chen Xiang, greets Young Master Guan."】

【You scan the crowd with a gentle gaze, your tone indifferent: "Everyone, no need for such politeness."】

【Xie Xuan, to the side, has a complex expression. These head courtesans did not show such respectful postures when they saw him.】

【Truly, times have changed!】

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 405 =====