Chapter 24

First Volume, Chapter 24: Reserved Singing Girl

Shen Qingshuang's emotions turned complicated; Qin Feng's gaze radiated ill intent, no different from a vulgar street loafer, and she had witnessed firsthand what had just happened—Qin Feng's shameless behavior had utterly shattered her understanding.

But…

Yet Shen Qingshuang felt a strange sense of peace, for when she had been humiliated by Wu Yong and An Shiyun, all those so-called upright gentlemen present had merely watched from afar, while only this ruffian, Qin Feng, had stepped forward.

If she stayed here, neither Zhao Zhangfu nor Wu and An would let her go.

Shen Qingshuang decided to take a gamble; she helped up her personal maid attendant and walked over to Qin Feng's side, bowing slightly: "Thank you, Young Master, for coming to my rescue—I am deeply grateful."

Qin Feng was no kind-hearted fool; having intervened, he must have had ulterior motives. But right now, the urgent matter came first—he merely gave a slight nod in response.

As for Zhao Zhangfu, now that Qin Feng had a patron, he naturally intended to make full use of his newfound power—he reached out and slapped Zhao Zhangfu squarely on the forehead.

As the saying goes, a man's head and a woman's waist are the two places most forbidden to outsiders' touch.

Qin Feng didn't care—he wanted Zhao Zhangfu to pay for his recklessness; public humiliation alone wasn't enough. After all, Qin Feng's grudge was smaller than a chicken's eye—he held grudges, and he settled them immediately!

"Master Zhao, make the most of these few days to earn more silver—otherwise, you might not be able to feed your whole family."

Zhao Zhangfu naturally understood the implication—Zui Xian Lou was Jingdu's largest wine house, and even with the Second Prince backing it, offending Qin Feng meant it would still collapse.

Though Zhao Zhangfu had no idea where Qin Feng's confidence came from, in front of Li Zhan, he dared not defy him—he lowered his head and endured Qin Feng's arrogance.

The surrounding guests kept their heads down, not daring to breathe, until Qin Feng and Li Zhan had both left Zui Xian Lou, when they finally exhaled in relief.

Instantly, murmurs rose and fell like waves.

"Strange—the Sage has always despised Jingdu's official brats, so why suddenly summon Qin Feng, this wastrel?"

"Shh, the Sage's will is unfathomable—don't speak rashly! But one thing is certain: if this were a routine summons, a mere Imperial Eunuch would have come. The fact that Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong came in person means there's hidden meaning."

"No wonder Qin Feng dares act so brazenly!"

Hearing the whispers, Zhao Zhangfu's face turned green—he couldn't fathom what luck Qin Feng had stumbled upon to earn the Sage's favor. His resentment had already been replaced by caution; no matter what, he must report this to the Second Prince immediately.

Meanwhile, Qin Feng wore a serious, almost critical expression as he scrutinized Shen Qingshuang, his eyes sweeping from head to toe, making her skin crawl.

No wonder she was the top courtesan of Yi Hong Yuan—this figure, this face, this aura—according to some comedian, she was "both alluring and tantalizing."

Qin Feng had his own personal scoring system: appearance and physique rated separately. If Liu Hongyan and Jing Qianying were perfect in both categories, then Shen Qingshuang here was at least a "top student."

If Qin Feng weren't pressed for time, he'd have taken this little vixen home to thoroughly discuss the grand topic of biological origins—perhaps even contribute a modest effort to global population growth.

Under Shen Qingshuang's trembling gaze, Qin Feng took a stack of silver notes from Xiao Xiangxiang and casually handed them to her.

Each note was worth one thousand liang of silver—ten notes total, amounting to ten thousand liang.

Shen Qingshuang's cheeks flushed crimson; she stammered, "Young Master… I sell my art, not my body."

"What kind of talk is that?" Qin Feng felt his dignity insulted; he seized her cold, slightly trembling hand and slapped the silver notes into her palm.

"Saying you sell art, not body, is hollow—how can anyone in the brothel quarters remain pure? But then again, if not for dire hardship, who would willingly sing in a place like Yihong Lou?"

"This ten thousand liang is a deposit. When my wine house opens, I'll hire you as a permanent performer—your monthly salary will be one thousand liang."

At these words, Shen Qingshuang gasped and clapped a hand over her mouth, thinking she must be dreaming. How could such a thing exist? As Yi Hong Yuan's top courtesan, she was the biggest earner, yet her monthly pay was only three hundred liang—and she still had to spend two hundred on bribes to deter persistent clients and protect her purity.

Now Qin Feng offered ten times that—and guaranteed her protection from harassment—how could she not be overwhelmed?

Yet after a moment of elation, her eyes darkened with sorrow: "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master, but how do I explain this to Yi Hong Yuan? I signed a contract with them—five years remain. If I leave early, I must pay a hundredfold penalty."

"Oh."

"Oh?"

Under Shen Qingshuang's bewildered gaze, Qin Feng turned to Qin Xiaofu and said casually: "Go to Yi Hong Yuan and tell them I've taken a fancy to this girl. If the owner's smart, he'll tear up the contract himself. If he's not, I'll visit three times a day—every time, no payment."

At this, every woman present turned beet red—even Li Zhan, who had been patiently waiting, turned away, stifling a laugh.

One had seen ruffians, but never one so brazenly shameless, so refreshingly vile.

Shen Qingshuang, overjoyed, no longer hesitated—she knelt with her maid and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Young Master, for saving me—I vow to repay your great kindness for the rest of my life."

Hearing this, Qin Feng's eyes lit up: "Really? I'll rush home and tell my father—we'll get married right away. Didn't you say 'for the rest of your life'?"

"Ah?" Shen Qingshuang nearly stumbled backward—she'd only been being polite, but Qin Feng took it completely literally.

Hearing Li Zhan's cough, Qin Feng stopped teasing—he told Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng to return to the mansion first, then followed Li Zhan toward the Imperial Palace.

Watching Qin Feng's back, the young maid whispered: "This Young Master Qin is truly strange—he speaks like a madman, full of nonsense."

But Shen Qingshuang shook her head, biting her thin lips: "He may seem mad, but there's true wisdom beneath. Some men appear kind but are cruel inside; Qin Young Master appears a ruffian, yet his heart is pure. You and I, mistress and maid, are blessed to have earned his favor—it must be karma from a past life."

Walking beside Li Zhan, Qin Feng wondered curiously—did Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong pee standing up or squatting?

As he pondered, Li Zhan suddenly turned his head—Qin Feng nearly stumbled backward.