30
Previously, Shui Ying had found this marriage arrangement rather dull.
That fourth young lady of the Ming family was likely no different from other noble daughters in the capital: dignified and serene, yet so strictly observant of propriety as to border on rigidity.
Their master was already sufficiently taciturn and cold; adding another rule-bound and tedious mistress meant there was little hope of ever witnessing any tender affection beneath his iron exterior.
But now, however, Shui Ying found this marriage somewhat intriguing.
She smiled warmly, poured fruit wine for Ming Tan and Bai Minmin, and exchanged a few polite remarks.
Ming Tan and Bai Minmin accepted the cups but showed no intention of drinking.
Understanding their hesitation, Shui Ying smiled and said, “This wine is exceptionally light and sweet, specially prepared for young ladies. Please, do try some.” She then poured herself a cup, raised her sleeve to her lips, and drained it in one gulp.
Since this was their first meeting, with no prior grievances between them, Lady Shui Ying certainly had no reason to poison the wine. Seeing her drink, Ming Tan also took a slight sip from her cup.
Shui Ying’s smile deepened: “This humble one still has a dance to offer and shall not trouble the two young ladies any longer. I only hope my performance may bring smiles to your faces.”
She offered a graceful bow and began to retreat outward.
Yet halfway through her withdrawal, as if suddenly recalling something, she lifted her head again, stepped forward with a slight incline of her body, and whispered softly into Ming Tan’s ear: “In truth, this humble one knows well why you have come today. In the past, many noble ladies in the capital have sought my counsel on this very matter. If you are inclined, perhaps you might honor me by watching a single dance; once I have finished, you could accompany me inside for a brief rest.”
“This humble one shall perform but one dance today. After our short repose, the festivities outside will still be in full swing, so you need harbor no concern. Should you remain uneasy, simply let Young Master Bai the Second keep watch in the outer chamber. Moreover, this humble one merely finds your countenance kind and wishes to forge a favorable connection with you. Ordinarily, my fee for receiving guests is fifty gold pieces per hour; thus, if you would kindly grant me fifty gold pieces as well, that would suffice.”
Ming Tan: “…”
Fifty gold pieces per hour.
The courtesan of Bieyu Tower certainly commands a high price.
Of course, fifty gold pieces is hardly a concern.
After Shui Ying gracefully departed, Ming Tan finally regained her composure: “She… she said she knows why I came today, but how could she possibly know?”
Bai Minmin was also taken aback. She simply grabbed her second brother, who was still staring dumbstruck at the beauty, and yanked him down to his seat, then demanded fiercely, “What exactly did you and that Miss Shui Ying just talk about?!”
Bai Er looked utterly innocent. “What? I didn’t mention either of your names; I’m not that foolish. I only said she was my younger sister and my female cousin!”
Ming Tan: “…”
That was as good as saying it outright! After all, he had only one female cousin here in the capital—her!
Nevertheless, she found herself somewhat admiring this Miss Shui Ying. To deduce her identity so swiftly from just a few scattered words, and then infer her purpose for coming here today based on that identity, meant she must be thoroughly familiar with the intricate and deeply entangled relationships among the various noble families in the capital.
To stir up romance in the capital yet remain untouched by scandal truly demonstrates remarkable skill and finesse. Thus, understanding her intentions, it was only natural to proactively extend an olive branch to forge a favorable connection.
Ming Tan rested her chin on her hand, hesitating, her slender fingers tapping lightly upon the table.
While she pondered, the festivities outside had already begun. Shui Ying led a troupe of dancers in performing the “Seven-Plate Dance.”
This dance, with its long heritage, blends grace and strength, possessing both softness and power. Tonight’s performance at Bieyu Tower seemed to have been freshly choreographed; Shui Ying, leading the group, was graceful and delicate, yet carried an allure that transcended the mundane, captivating every gaze as she danced.
Ming Tan had initially hesitated, but after watching Shui Ying’s dance without blinking once, she suddenly made up her mind.
–
Outside, the festivities at the Qiqiao Tower continued unabated; lantern lights shimmered upon the river, casting rippling reflections. Unnoticed by all, two young ladies wearing veiled hats quietly slipped out of a private chamber, followed a servant around to the rear entrance of the Bieyu Tower, and entered the building.
Neither Ming Tan nor Bai Minmin had ever set foot inside a pleasure house before. Yet in the past, when passing through the red-light districts by carriage, they had seen courtesans dressed revealingly soliciting guests outside. From afar, those establishments appeared awash in garish reds and greens, so overwhelming that even from a distance, the cloying scent of powder seemed to assault the senses.
However, inside the Bieyu Tower, there was not the slightest trace of what one might imagine a pleasure house to be. The corridors and inner courtyards were arranged with exceptional elegance and poetic charm. Though adorned with gold tracery and jade embellishments, nothing appeared vulgar or tasteless; instead, an air of refined nobility and graceful sophistication pervaded the space.
Tonight, the establishment is closed to guests, leaving it exceptionally quiet. As I followed the young attendant up to the third floor, hardly a soul was in sight.
Only upon reaching the private room reserved for distinguished guests did Ming Tan begin to grasp the true nature of this pleasure house; after all, ordinary restaurants and tea houses would never think to furnish a private chamber with scented curtains and a soft bed.
Bai Minmin’s elder brother, a frequent patron of the place, noticed nothing amiss, yet both Ming Tan and Bai Minmin felt as though sitting on pins and needles. Fortunately, they had not waited long before Shui Ying emerged, having changed her attire, drifting into the room with a radiant smile.
Shui Ying: “To have kept Young Master Bai and the two young ladies waiting so long is truly my fault; I humbly beg Young Master Bai and the two young ladies for your forgiveness.”
“No trouble at all, no trouble at all.” Bai Minmin’s second brother waved his hand dismissively.
Earlier, the young attendant had led the three of them upstairs, merely explaining that Lady Shuiying had invited them to move to a better spot to continue enjoying the music and dance. Unaware of the true circumstances, Second Master Bai assumed it was due to his own considerable influence and felt quite pleased with himself.
Lady Shuiying punished herself by drinking three cups as an apology, then played a zpiece for them. Seated beside the window couch, she chatted and laughed with them while watching the singing and dancing outside. When she judged the time appropriate, she exchanged a subtle glance with Ming Tan, casually offered an excuse about needing to fetch her pipa, and quietly slipped away.
Ming Tan and Bai Minmin exchanged a look. Suddenly, as if having made up their minds, Ming Tan also rose. “I’m going to change my clothes.”
The second brother of the Bai family didn’t immediately catch on: “Why change clothes when everything’s perfectly fine?”
“Second Brother, are you being dense!” Bai Minmin shot him a sharp glance.
“Oh, oh! Go ahead, let the servants outside show you the way.” It was all his fault for being so accustomed to Bai Minmin’s blunt manner; he hadn’t realized right away that her reference to her cousin Tan visiting the privy was phrased so euphemistically.
A young attendant waited outside; upon seeing Ming Tan emerge, he promptly guided her to Shui Ying’s boudoir.
Shui Ying was already waiting inside her room. Seeing Ming Tan arrive, she smiled gently and said, “Fourth Miss, please sit.”
While observing Shui Ying’s boudoir, Ming Tan slowly took her seat. Before she could speak, Shui Ying got straight to the point: “Fourth Miss, I shall be direct. Although Bieyu Tower claims to sell only art and not bodies, in a pleasure house, all rules are negotiable. Men may control many things, but their belt straps are beyond anyone’s restraint.”
“…?”
Ming Tan was stunned. What exactly had she just heard?
She… she certainly hadn’t come here to listen to such things!
Seeing Ming Tan’s delicate face flush crimson in an instant, Shuiying covered her mouth with an embarrassed laugh. “This humble servant spoke a bit too plainly; those vulgar words have surely offended the young lady’s ears. Nevertheless, although you will soon become a noble and respected wife, if you wish to win your husband’s affection, there are certain matters above that you ought to understand.”
She cast a meaningful glance toward the bed.
Ming Tan was still in a daze.
Her original intention tonight had merely been to see what made this Lady Shuiying so captivating, so that in private moments with her husband, she could learn how to start conversations and present herself better. Yet, as if bewitched, she had entered the building; and now, judging by Lady Shuiying’s words, the most crucial thing to capture her husband’s heart was actually…?!
Shuiying rose and rummaged through a chest to pull out a booklet with a green cover.
Ming Tan hesitantly turned a page, then immediately flung the book away as if it were a scorching hot potato, nearly fainting from shock.
Shui Ying was no stranger to such scenes; in the past, when she taught young ladies from wealthy families, their reactions were always the same, as though merely glancing at such material would cause them to die of shame and indignation.
Patiently retrieving the book, she gently reasoned, “Miss, you will soon be married. If I do not show you these things, surely your mother will have to before your wedding day. Yet, out of propriety, Her Ladyship cannot instruct you in detail, and ordinary ‘fire-avoiding pictures’ are never this explicit. Regarding matters between husband and wife, if one does not understand their beauty, the experience can become exceedingly difficult to endure—” She paused. “It seems my presence here makes Fourth Miss uncomfortable. I shall go fetch some refreshments.”
With that, Shui Ying rose, quietly withdrew, and closed the door behind her.
Meanwhile, in another private room at Bieyu Lou, Jiang Xu suddenly set down his wine cup, glanced at the messenger standing before him, and said calmly, “Say that again.”
The messenger hesitated for a moment, cold sweat breaking out on his back. “Miss Shuiying said that Lady Wang… the fourth young lady of the Jing’an Marquis’s household, is currently in her private chambers. Miss Shuiying said nothing more.”
“The fourth young lady of the Ming family has come to Bieyu Lou?” Shu Jingran’s voice was full of surprise, his wine cup nearly slipping from his grasp. “What could she be doing here?”
The messenger knew nothing more and could answer no further questions.
Jiang Xu seemed lost in thought; before Shu Jingran could utter another word, he had already risen to his feet.
The boudoir was silent, save for the faint sound of pages turning.
At first, Ming Tan felt that such lewd illustrations were utterly indecent and shaming to behold! Even after Shui Ying left, she did not dare touch them.
Yet anything forbidden proves all the more enticing. Slowly, inch by inch, her fingers drew nearer… At first, curiosity compelled her to peek at just one page, but before she realized it, she had flipped through many more, one hand turning the pages while the other covered her face, trying to cool her burning cheeks.
When Jiang Xu pushed the door open, she mistook him for Shuiying and hastily closed her book, took a sip of tea, trying to calm her racing heart.
But once she clearly saw who it was, she froze!
She must be hallucinating.
How could her future husband be here?
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
Yet Jiang Xu slowly approached, lowered his gaze, and attempted to draw the spring palace illustration booklet from her hand.
Only then did she realize what she had done; pressing down firmly, she blurted out instinctively, “Don’t look!”
Jiang Xu gazed at her. “You dare tell me not to?”
His voice was as melodious as striking gold and carving jade, yet his words sent a shiver through Ming Tan.
Ming Tan’s mind was in chaos, her heart pounding as if it might leap from her chest, causing her speech to stumble. “That’s not what I meant! How could Your Highness be here? Weren’t you supposed to be on patrol with the guards—”
Realizing she had slipped up, she immediately fell silent.
Jiang Xu, however, did not expose her blunder; instead, he followed her lead and replied, “Returning to the capital ahead of schedule.”
Though Ming Tan was still in a state of confusion, she knew that the most important thing for her now was to explain why she was here.
Yet Jiang Xu seemed uninterested in her reasons for being there. He casually plucked the erotic picture book from her hands, flipped through merely two pages, and then tossed it aside.
“You need not see these, nor is this a place for you to be.” His voice was exceedingly cool. “I shall have someone escort you back to the residence.”
“…?”
Ming Tan felt like crying! She wished to explain, yet didn’t even know where to begin.
Seeing Jiang Xu turn as if to leave, she hurriedly stepped forward to block his path: “I am not what Your Highness thinks I am; I…”
In her desperation, she forgot all the rules about propriety between men and women that she had always observed. Unconsciously, she tugged at the hem of Jiang Xu’s robe, tilted her head up to look at him, tears welling urgently in her eyes: “Does Your Highness think me shameless? Do you think I…”
Jiang Xu looked at the tears already clinging to her fluttering eyelashes and suddenly interrupted: “The young lady is excellent; this prince has never thought such things.”