CH 18

At night, Lingxiang Lou was full of singing and dancing, and many were drinking and gambling together. Because today was the day where the famous courtesan Linlang was performing, even the lobby was seated full of guests. Long before sunset, all the private boxes in this brothel had been booked by high officials and nobles. An Ning excessively spent a total of five hundred taels of silver and the half-severed ear of the stone lion at the entrance of the building to forcibly seize a seat from the hands of a madam of Lingxiang Lou.

After using up countless coaxing and praise to send away the down-and-out old master who had previously reserved the box, Yu-daniang, the boss of Lingxiang Lou, walked into the Mudan Pavilion with her buttocks twisting. When she caught sight of the two big Bodhisattvas half lying on the armchairs, she stared and said to the pimp beside her: “Are these the two guests you mentioned?”

(TN: 大娘 – polite address of ‘aunt’)

These were obviously two lively and pure maidens, but the person who had reported them described them as evil gods descending into the world.

The pimp gritted his teeth and nodded, silently retreating to the side.

Although it was odd, Yu-daniang has been at Fengyue Field for almost a decade, and there were no weird guests that she hadn’t seen. Her gaze shook at the long skirt made of an elegant cloud brocade pattern texture on An Ning’s body, and her face was overflowing with a splendid smile like a chrysanthemum. She twisted forward: “Yo, the two young ladies have chosen to come to the right place. Our Lingxiang Lou is one of the very best in the capital. Go, go, why aren’t you hurrying up and exchanging for some eloquent young men over here…” Seeing that the two did not stop her, Yu-daniang’s state of mind was determined, and she said with a smile: “Do the two young ladies still have any other instructions?”

“Yu-daniang, it is heard that the headliner here at your place, Linlang-guniang, looks better than Diaochan. You name a price, and this young lady will keep her for the entire night.”

(TN: 姑娘 – polite address for young women, 貂蝉 – Diaochan is a character from the historical novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”, and is said to be one of the four great beauties of ancient China))

As soon as An Ning’s voice had settled over them, Yu-daniang staggered once, blinked her eyes and said shrilly: “An entire night? Xiaojie… why don’t you have mercy on my old self. Xiaojie looks wealthy and respectable, if the elders in the mansion were to know, they wouldn’t only tear down my Lingxiang Lou!”

An embroiderer from Jiangnan spent a year embroidering this elegant cloud brocade pattern skirt, which was harder to find than thousands of gold. She was not so blind.

An Ning’s eyebrows furrowed. She looked at Anle with a half-smile and teasing gaze, and said embarrassedly: “What nonsense are you talking about? This young lady heard that Linlang is excellent at playing the qin, so a friend was brought here to listen to the music.”

“Oh.” Yu-daniang breathed a long sigh of relief, and turning back to the eyes of Anle, she was abruptly startled by the young lady’s natural fierceness. Only when she swallowed her saliva did she reply: “Xiaojie, if it’s listening to the music, that’s easily handled. Tonight, Linlang will be playing on the high platform; the two young ladies can simply just enjoy it.”

“I said that I would keep her for the entire night, so naturally she will play in front of me.”

An Ning spoke resolutely and decisively, and Yu-daniang’s complexion changed. Only then did she understand that she had really let in two evil gods, and she awkwardly said: “Xiaojie, tonight is Linlang’s periodical performance day, and there are many high officials outside, I can’t afford to offend.”

What she said was really the truth, the reputation of Lingxiang Lou was practically stirred up by Linlang alone. If all the guests in the building were provoked, she was afraid that they might have to close their doors and go out of business tomorrow.

A stack of banknotes was lightly thrown on the table. An Ning smiled and said, “Yu-daniang, this is ten thousand taels of banknotes. As I said, keeping Linlang for one night, do you think it’s enough or not?”

Lingxiang Lou’s courtesan Linlang was only paid one thousand taels of silver to appear on stage. If Linlang hadn’t sold herself, perhaps this ten thousand taels of silver would have been enough to buy her. Yu-daniang took a deep cooling breath, her eyes glued to the dazzling stack of Huitong Bank banknotes, awkwardly saying: “May xiaojie forgive me, it’s not that I don’t know what’s good for me, but the distinguished guests that have come today are really too many…”

A “dang” sounded crisply, and a piece of green pendant was thrown on the table and spun.

An Ning raised her eyebrows: “Go, take this thing and go around each box in turn. If anyone is not convinced, then let them come and speak to my face.”

Hearing these words, Yu-daniang’s expression turned frosty. She sized up An Ning cautiously, hurriedly picked up the green pendant, bowed and retreated.

Having the guts to say these words, this young lady was probably not as simple as just being wealthy.

Ren Anle lounged comfortably on the armchair, and threw a grape into her mouth: “An Ning, I have to say, today, this piece of green pendant on you is quite exhausted.”

An Ning snorted, her voice a little lazy: “If not for thinking that it would still have this bit of usefulness after returning to the capital, I would have pawned this flashy thing early on back in the northwest.”

The Shuangfeng Xiangyun green pendant was carved with the world’s rare jade stone, and was the token of the eldest princess of the dynasty. Ren Anle blinked, and said doubtfully: “Even if you wanted to pawn, there would be no family’s pawnshop daring to accept it. Why, the dignified princess of a nation, can’t she be ashamed?”

(TN: 囊中羞涩 – lit. to be shy of what’s in one’s pockets; embarrassed by not being financially well off)

“The northwest has been fighting again and again, and my little bit of salary is not enough to subsidize the soldiers who died in battle…” An Ning muttered this one sentence, quickly flew past this topic, and said happily, “Taking you today to Jucai Lou was indeed going correctly, that Jin Tong is a highly skilled gambler with deep internal strength. If it weren’t for you, I really wouldn’t have been able to win this much silver.”

To drive the dice with internal strength without touching it, with her skill, it was nowhere near enough.

Ren Anle laughed, took a glance at the magnificent private box, and raised her eyebrows: “So you returned the favour?”

(TN: 投桃报李 – lit. tossing a peach and receiving back a plum)

An Ning nodded repeatedly, and while speaking, the doors of the private box were opened. A few handsome young men entered behind Yu-daniang. Yu-daniang smiled very modestly this time, presenting the green pendant to An Ning solemnly, and said with a smile: “Xiaojie, Linlang will arrive very soon. It is only playing the qin anyway, there is not much of a difference between being at Mudan Pavilion and on the high platform.”

Hearing Yu-daniang’s completely different words from before and after, An Ning said: “Alright, dismissed.” Seeing Yu-daniang’s gaze glued to the banknotes on the table but not daring to move, she quickly waved her hand and said, “Take it away then, you deserve it.”

Yu-daniang was overjoyed, hiding the banknotes inside her sleeves at lightning speed, and left with her buttocks twisted.

But after a short while, the news that the Mudan Pavilion had a distinguished guest was known by all in Lingxiang Lou. Actually, anyone who could sit here was a distinguished guest, but allowing Lingxiang Lou’s headliner Linlang-guniang to play for someone alone for a night let the others in the private boxes have no objections; this wasn’t just simply someone wealthy.

Everyone guessed for themselves, the curiosity in their eyes stopping the guests’s thoughts of leaving the venue. They were just listening to the qin’s sound anyway. Wasn’t it the same wherever Linlang-guniang played?

The doors of Mudan Pavilion were pushed open, and Linlang walked in holding the guqin. She was also taken aback; she had already heard that the ones who were keeping her all night were these two young ladies, and originally thought that the private box must be a vibrant and lively scene. But she didn’t expect to see the several quiet young men standing by the two’s sides, being well-behaved and serving them tea and wine, without a trace of disorder. It wasn’t until the appearances of the two turned around at the same time when she understood.

With such temperaments, presumably, they were ladies of some aristocratic family. Linlang’s expression was calm, and she knelt down and said: “Linlang greets the two young ladies.”

Worthy of being the headliner of Lingxiang Lou, her face was stunningly beautiful, she had a gentle temperament, neither humble nor overbearing. No wonder it caused all the men in the city to scramble over. The two glanced at each other, very satisfied.

(TN: 趋之若鹜 – lit. rush like ducks, an unruly crowd scrambling for something unobtainable)

“I just returned from the frontier fortress, and haven’t seen any beauties for many years. Linlang-guniang certainly lives up to her reputation. Come, play a few songs to hear.” An Ning smiled boldly, stealing glimpses at Linlang with her chin propped on her hands.

Linlang nodded. With a slight smile on her face, she gracefully walked to the stands and put the guqin in place. She breathed a sigh of relief, moved her fingertips lightly, and the refreshing sound of the qin smoothly flowed out.

The two were surprised. The sound that came to their ears was sonorous and unadorned. What Linlang played— was actually a requiem song that was often heard in the frontier military camps. Presumably, having heard An Ning say that she had just returned from the frontier fortress, she thus selected this song.

Magnificent and heroic, with a touch of tenderness, the two of them closed their eyes, and in a trance, they seemed to see a young newlywed woman tearfully sending her husband far away to the borders, a picture scroll of anxious anticipation.

The imperial capital was stable and prosperous, and it was rare to hear such moving and tragic music. The entire Lingxiang Lou fell silent because of the abrupt and unusual sound.

After a short while, the sound of the song came to a spontaneous end, expressing a feeling of unfinished business.

An Ning and Ren Anle opened their eyes at the same time, both filled with ruefulness.

“Linlang-guniang is indeed brilliant at playing the qin, and few people in the world can match the requiem you played.” An Ning’s expression was serious, speaking slowly.

“Xiaojie’s praise is fallacious, Linlang just feels that the two young ladies are worthy of this song.” Linlang replied softly, “Although Linlang has not been to the border in this life, she has seen the helpless scene of sending husbands and sons to the frontier fortress. Sending your son away, it’s hard expecting him to return. If Yunxia can reduce the flames of war, naturally these losses would be avoided.”

An Ning felt a bit shocked. She never thought that a woman from a brothel could say such a thing, or… had the courage to say these words.

The current emperor is warlike, which is a matter known to the entire world.

(TN: 天子 – lit. the ‘rightful’ emperor, the son of heaven)

Ren Anle’s pupils were dark and her gaze was distant. She straightened up slightly and said, “The day guniang wishes for will definitely not be too far away.”

An Ning swiftly turned her head to look at Ren Anle and glimpsed a firmness between her brows, feeling slightly moved.

“Xiaojie’s words are valued, Linlang will present a few more songs.” Linlang’s face wore a slight smile. She lowered her head, and the sweet-sounding music began again.

Almost all the guests in Lingxiang Lou became aware that today, headliner Linlang’s performance was completely different from the past, which made everyone even more curious; just who exactly was the saintly visitor in Mudan Pavilion?

However, this night was destined to be difficult to settle down. When the sound of galloping war horses sounded in the open streets, for a while, the high officials of the imperial capital who had long been accustomed to extravagant nights could not recover. Only until soldiers in armor walked into Lingxiang Lou coldly, did they then have to accept this practically absurd fact— that just now, Taizi-dianxia issued an imperial edict to rectify the capital, strictly ordering all brothels to stop business for a month.

Who could’ve told them that their Taizi-dianxia, who has always been devoted to national affairs, would issue this kind of idle order so abruptly and uncharacteristically, and even let the soldiers of the western suburbs military camps enforce it?

During the chaos, the activity from outside also spread to Mudan Pavilion. Ren Anle raised the corners of her mouth, a little surprised. As expected of Da Jing’s crown prince; he usually keeps quiet, but once he moves, it becomes a big deal.

An Ning got up, speaking with a wry smile: “Must have been discovered.” As she said that, she looked at Linlang: “Linlang-guniang, thank you very much for playing the music today.”

“Being able to play for the two young ladies, it is Linlang’s honour.” Linlang stood up and returned the bow, and escorted Ren Anle and An Ning out of the room.

The soldiers in the lobby stood holding their halberds, unusually solemn. The guests in the lobby who had not left yet saw the two women walking out of Mudan Pavilion, all of their eyes widening in surprise.

The ten thousand taels of silver that covered the courtesan’s performance, and the nobles that each and every one of the building’s guests did not dare to speak of, were these two women?

Although their character was extraordinary and their presence was majestic, how could women visit a brothel with such grandiosity, it was really an insult to decency!

(TN: 堂而皇之 – to make no secret of one’s presence)

The guests in the building were not fools either. Feeling that the soldiers in the lobby were visibly relieved after seeing the two appear, they immediately lowered their heads and moved out of the way.

The noblewoman who could make the crown prince mobilize the camp in the western suburbs, her identity was revealed. It was heard that An Ning-gongzhu’s temperament was brazen, but it wasn’t thought to be unruly to this extent. Those who wanted a long life wished that they had never showed up in Lingxiang Lou tonight. It’s just… one was An Ning-gongzhu, who was the one next to her?

(TN: (不)嫌命长 – describes people who do risky things)

Looking at that appearance and posture, it was a bit more free and easygoing than An Ning-gongzhu’s.

A muffled “dong” sounded, breaking the suffocating atmosphere and successfully stopping the footsteps of the two people who were about to step out of Lingxiang Lou. Everyone wailed internally and raised their eyes one after another to look towards the wooden stairs.

A fifteen or sixteen-year-old young girl in a long, dark green skirt rolled down the wooden stairs in a frantic escape and crawled in front of Ren Anle in a flash. She grabbed the hem of Ren Anle’s skirt anxiously and cried: “Xiaojie, save me.”

Ren Anle lowered her head. She looked at the young girl who was crying with snot and tears, her eyebrows wrinkling: “What’s the matter?”

An Ning turned around and held her chin to watch the good show.

“Xiaojie, I beg you to redeem me out of here. Being a cow or a horse, I’m willing.”

(TN: 做牛做马 – to work extremely hard)

The young girl was out of breath from crying, but obviously, no one could tell what had actually happened from these few words. Yu-daniang ran down from the wooden stairs; her stout body was extremely flexible, and she rushed in front of Ren Anle, saying in embarrassment: “Xiaojie, this girl was bought a few days ago. She still doesn’t understand the rules and has disturbed the young lady. May xiaojie please forgive me.” Then she immediately scolded: “Hongxiu, hurry up and go in.”

The young girl called Hongxiu didn’t move a muscle, just gripping Ren Anle’s skirt hem tightly.

It was obvious when looking at Ren Anle and An Ning that they had extraordinary family backgrounds, and they were women, so this young girl made such a big commotion, hoping that the two of them would show compassion and redeem her out. Everyone had almost guessed the outcome. After all, redeeming a woman out of a brothel was considered a good deed, and one could gain a good reputation.

Ren Anle bent over and helped Hongxiu up. Pleasant surprise flashed across the young girl’s eyes, and she hurriedly let go of Ren Anle’s skirt hem, standing aside delicately.

“Hongxiu, how did you get into Lingxiang Lou?” Ren Anle spoke lightly.

“My father passed away half a month ago. I sold myself to Lingxiang Lou, and Yu-daniang bought me for one hundred taels of silver.” Hongxiu’s eyes became red-rimmed, which made several guests feel discomforted and in succession, they lamented that her filial piety was rare.

“Then you sold into Lingxiang Lou voluntarily?”

Hongxiu nodded, and quickly added: “I couldn’t think of any other way.”

Yu-daniang’s face was full of anger: “Xiaojie, seeing as she was somewhat good-looking, and wasn’t too bad at playing the erhu, I then spent a hundred taels to buy her. Neither did I force her to sell herself, nor did I treat her harshly. This little wench really bites the hand that feeds her!”

Ren Anle waved her hand and continued to speak, “Did Yu-daniang bury your father?”

Hongxiu felt a little uneasy, but still nodded, and looked at Ren Anle anxiously: “Xiaojie, you are a person with a good heart, please help me.”

Who would’ve guessed that Ren Anle had already turned around and never looked at her again.

“Hongxiu, selling yourself into the Lingxiang Lou was your own will. Yu-daniang bought you for a hundred taels and buried your father for you. She has done her best to be kind and can count as your benefactor in times of crisis. If you want to leave, you can just show your skills here and earn a hundred taels to redeem yourself.”

After the words had settled, Ren Anle had already stepped out of the gates of Lingxiang Lou. An Ning shook her head, smiling wryly, and followed.

Everyone had thought that the matter was a foregone conclusion, but they didn’t expect the outcome to be like this. Looking at Hongxiu’s flushed expression, all the guests also felt that what the woman had said was not wrong, and left in succession after a few words of lamentation.

In the middle of the night, the streets of the imperial capital were empty and serene. Ren Anle and An Ning walked side by side along the roads, and not far behind them, a row of soldiers followed.

“If you don’t return to the palace, they won’t give up. Seems that your royal brother is very worried about you,” Ren Anle said teasingly.

An Ning raised her eyebrows, pretending to be surprised and said: “I thought you knew…”

“Knew what?”

“My reputation is not the greatest known in the capital, and it’s not the first time I’ve visited a brothel, my royal brother has never once mobilized soldiers of the western suburbs camp to capture me back! Ai, I’m afraid that the young ladies in the capital are probably going to cry their hearts out!”

Facing An Ning’s particularly meaningful gaze, Ren Anle shrugged, as if she had received her obscured compliment.

At the end of the dark street was a small wine shop, and the aroma of wine was overflowing. The two’s eyes met, and in a tacit understanding, they walked towards the wine shop.

Simple tables and chairs, rough utensils, old married couples; everything made the hustle and bustle of the capital go away, leaving only good wine and tranquility.

An Ning lifted up the small wine pot, pouring a sip into her mouth. She raised her eyes, looking at the woman in dark clothes with light eyebrows hidden in the moonlight across from her, with a reminiscing expression full of disappointment and frustration. Without any warning, suddenly, she opened her mouth.

“Ren Anle, you… are a lot like an old friend of mine that I used to know.”

Not far behind them, Han Ye’s figure of pale yellow guanfu stood quietly with deep and thoughtful eyes.

(TN: 冠服 – clothing typically made of a hat and robes, based on the official’s title and ranking.)