Chapter 214
214 Missed by chance (1)
He only came out after being called for thousands of times, still holding the PIPA and half-covering his face.
When Bai Juyi wrote this sentence back then, he wondered if he had secretly mocked The Lute Player for being pretentious.
Xu Qi ‘an felt that the courtesan lady named Hong Xiu was pretentious, or perhaps she thought too highly of herself? The second half of the tea gathering was late. He chuckled indifferently, held the wine glass, and said, ”
“This servant’s body was not well, so I rested for a while. Please don’t take offense.”
After drinking a cup of wine as an apology, he didn’t do anything else.
However, there were also some who fulfilled their duties as head officers and played drinking games. Well, there were gongs on the scene, so it was definitely not elegant. It was playing games and shaking dice.
The smile on his face was too professional … His back was straight and his body was slightly stiff, which meant that he had not really integrated into the atmosphere … ‘It’s a taboo to have physical contact with customers. When I touched her little hand just now, there was disgust in her eyes …’
[ conclusion: they look down on martial artists. ]
Xu Qi ‘an liked to observe people’s micro-expressions and subtle movements. This was because these details were a reflection of one’s heart to a certain extent.
This was an occupational disease he had left behind.
Miss Hong Xiu’s behavior reminded Xu Qi ‘an of the first time he met the fu Xiang courtesan. The courtesan of the teaching workshop, who was famous for her beauty, was also polite on the surface but kept a distance from him on the inside.
It was just that Fu Xiang’s professional ethics were higher, so she didn’t make it so obvious. On the other hand, Hong Xiu was a little naked.
Of course, Fu Xiang was the top courtesan of the Imperial Academy. How could Yuzhou compare to the gathering of officials and nobles?
In addition to her professional ethics, Hong Xiu was naturally extremely beautiful in terms of appearance. She had the gentleness and delicate temperament of Jiangnan women.
She always ended her words with a “ya” or “what?” she was so soft that no matter who she spoke to, it was like she was talking to her lover.
“This servant will play a song for the Masters.” Hong Xiu smiled gently.
Lady Red-sleeved’s zither skills are the best in Yuzhou’s educational workshop. Since you’re here, you must listen to Lady Red-sleeved’s zither music. The official from the water transport Yamen immediately praised.
It was like introducing the local specialties of one’s hometown to an honored guest from afar.
After the song ended, the official of the water transportation Yamen raised his wine glass with a smile. “My Lords, how is it?”
Song tingfeng was a wily old fox, he raised his glass and continued the topic, “”For example, the floating fragrance courtesan of the capital’s education workshop is not inferior to her.”
There was still a gap … Xu Qi ‘an wasn’t biased towards her lover. She was simply evaluating her from an objective point of view.
“Is it that floating fragrance courtesan Belle who’s known as” thin shadow across the water, clear and shallow, dark fragrance floating in the evening moon “?” The eyes of the official from the Inland-water transportation Office lit up.
The distance between Yuzhou and the capital was long, but this poem had been around for a long time. Scholars had written letters to each other and spread it to the scholars of various provinces.
These two lines of the poem were widely circulated, and its popularity was even higher than ‘don’t worry about not knowing a bosom friend in the future, who in the world doesn’t know you’.
“Yes, I am.” Song tingfeng said.
“It’s said that lady Fu Xiang is a peerless beauty in the world.” The official from the water transportation Yamen asked expectantly.
This was the filter of reputation. Fu Xiang was the most famous courtesan in the capital. With such a Halo on her head, she was simply a goddess in the eyes of men who loved to go to brothels.
Lady Hong Xiu’s smile stiffened slightly, and she was a little unhappy.
In her courtyard, they were discussing a Big Shot in the same industry. She felt that she had lost face.
Song tingfeng did not seem to notice the lady’s displeasure. He chuckled and pointed at Xu Qi ‘an, “”You’ll have to ask him.”
she’s not bad, ” Xu Qi ‘an said lightly. among the beauties I’ve seen, she can be ranked in the top five.
As he said this, a beautiful woman flashed through his mind:Aunt, lingyue, huaiqing, Lin ‘an, the state preceptor, Yan Caiwei …
Did people say no?
The crowd couldn’t help but look at Xu Qi ‘an.
“You’re really good at joking, my Lord.” The official from the water transportation Office laughed dryly.
I’m not joking, ” the reticent Zhu guangxiao spoke up and explained on behalf of his colleague, “”Fuxiang is his lover.”
… The expression on the official’s face almost collapsed, and he tried hard to control his expression so that he wouldn’t laugh.
Fu Xiang was his lover? Would the number one courtesan of the capital take a fancy to uncouth martial artists like you?
Why don’t you say that the princess is your lover? why don’t you say that the mysterious woman, the state preceptor, is your lover?
However, bragging in a drinking session was a basic rule. The official from the water transport Yamen who came to accompany them to drink was disdainful in his heart, but he still smiled on the surface.
Vulgar man … The disdain in the eyes of the courtesan with red sleeves could no longer be concealed. However, she lowered her head and drank her wine, not letting anyone see it.
She had never liked martial artists and did not know how to be tender to women. She spoke and did things very rudely, unlike scholars who were gentle and elegant, recited poems, and were polite to the women in the Imperial Academy.
“I didn’t think that Daren would have such a relationship with Lady Fu Xiang, I wonder what Daren’s name is?” Hong Xiu said in a half-serious and half-mocking tone.
The official of the water transportation Yamen gave her a reproachful look and quickly raised his wine glass. “Let’s drink.”
Song tingfeng laughed and said, “”Ningyan, it’s a good thing that the boss didn’t go to Yunzhou with us. Otherwise, he would definitely not agree to let us have fun in the Imperial Academy.”
Xu Qi ‘an said, ” we’re not looking for fun. We’re going on a scenic tour. The next time the boss asks, you can answer him like this.
Ning Yan, this should be his handwriting … Hong Xiu looked at Xu Qi ‘an.
The tea gathering ended.
The red-sleeved beauty left the banquet early and then there was no more sound.
She didn’t ask the guest to stay for tea, which meant she didn’t like the night watchman.
“You don’t know how to appreciate my kindness!” One of the night watchmen said in a deep voice.
The official of the water transportation Yamen was a little embarrassed and angry, not at the night watchman, but at Hong Xiu.
However, the Imperial Academy was not under the jurisdiction of the water transportation Yamen. As one of the six courtesans of the Imperial Academy, Hong Xiu did not need to live her life in the shadow of the water transportation Yamen.
Song tingfeng waved his hand, “”It’s fine, it’s fine. Let’s move on to the next round?”
Xu Qi ‘an agreed with old song’s approach. A melon that was twisted by force was not sweet.
They left the yard and song tingfeng and the other two turned to the river. Under the cover of the night, they stood by the river to relieve the swelling of their bladder.
…..
In the bedroom where the charcoal fire was burning, Hong Xiu took a sip of The Hangover Tea and sat in front of the dressing table, letting the servant girl who pushed the door in massage her shoulders.
“Wifey, they’ve left.” “He actually said that the capital’s number one courtesan, Fu Xiang, is his lover? even I can tell that he’s just bluffing,” the maidservant chuckled.
Hong Xiu pouted and said lightly,”martial artists are like this, vulgar and unbearably ..”
After a short rest, a maidservant knocked on the door and said from outside, “”Wifey, young master Wei brought his classmates to book the entire place.”
Hong Xiu’s face brightened up when she heard that. She said happily, “”Serve the young masters wine and have them wait for a moment.”
“Hurry up and help me change my clothes. Get me the most beautiful gold-woven dress,” she urged the maidservant.
Young master Wei was the nephew of Yuzhou’s magistrate. He was a scholar who had read a lot of poetry and books. He was a talented man with a gentle and elegant appearance.
Hong Xiu, who had changed into a beautiful dress, with a Jade hairpin and golden buyao on her head, came to the wine room and bowed.”Hongxiu greets the young masters.”
Naturally, she sat beside the white-robed young master Wei. He was a young scholar who would point out the world and write passionately. This was the environment she liked.
Every time this happened, he would be envious of the number one prostitute in the capital who he had never met but had heard of.
What kind of luck was this to be able to meet an outstanding student and receive a poem from him, which would be passed down for generations.
Hong Xiu poured wine for young master Wei as she talked about this matter. She smiled and said, ”
“Someone actually said that the capital’s floating fragrance courtesan Belle is his lover.”
All the scholars present laughed, ” this is really interesting. How could Lady Fu Xiang like a vulgar martial artist? ”
“Brother Wei went to the capital half a month ago, did you go and see the charm of the floating fragrance courtesan Belle?”
“I’m ashamed, I’ve only seen the floating fragrance courtesan Belle once out of three rounds of tea gathering.” The white-robed young master Wei revealed an infatuated expression as he said,
a faint fragrance floating in the evening moon … She’s just like her name, devastatingly beautiful.”
“Does the floating fragrance courtesan have a lover?” a young master immediately asked.
Young master Wei suddenly said, ” I just remembered something. During the tea gathering that day, I was chatting with the guests at the table. He said that Fu Xiang has stopped receiving guests. Every day, there are endless guests at the tea gathering just to see her face.
However, there was one person who frequently entered and left the Ying Mei Pavilion … En, Fu Xiang’s courtyard was called Ying Mei Pavilion. It is said that this person is Fu Xiang’s lover.”
The hearts of the young masters present moved.”The poetter of” the fragrance of the floating moon at dusk “?”
“Who else could it be besides him?” young master Wei sighed.
After a pause, he looked around at everyone and said in a secret tone, “”This person’s identity is extraordinary. This poem was widely circulated and everyone in the great Confucian sect knew it, but why was the poet not well-known and no one even talked about it? Don’t you find it strange?”
This piqued everyone’s curiosity, and they all guessed, “”Your identity is sensitive, and you can’t tell anyone?”
The courtesan with red sleeves listened with bright eyes. She was the most curious about the identity of the poet. He was a talented scholar who could make the women of the Imperial Academy of etiquette undergo a complete transformation.
After waiting for his companions to discuss for a moment, young master Wei pressed his hands and the scene suddenly quieted down.
“Because that person’s true identity is a night watchman, not a scholar,” he said, shaking his head.
it’s actually like this?! Everyone was shocked and immediately came to a realization.
No wonder the scholars didn’t publicize the identity of the poet at all and tacitly chose to forget it. It turned out that he was a night watchman, not a scholar.
The night watchman … The speaker did not mean it, but the listener took it seriously. Hong Xiu’s heart suddenly sank.
“What, what’s your name?” she asked in a hoarse voice.
Young master Wei glanced at the beauty and said,”Xu Qi ‘an, also known as Ning Yan.”
Clang … The wine glass fell on the table, slid to the ground, and shattered.
Everyone turned to look at Hong Xiu. This Beauty’s face was pale and her eyes were dull, like a lifeless paper flower.
Just as she was at a loss, Hong Xiu suddenly lay on the table and began to cry in pain. She cried so hard that her body trembled.
[ author’s note: I’ve finally published a chapter. I didn’t have time to check the typos. I’ll post it first. Everyone, help me catch the bugs. ]