Chapter 17: Nie Yunzhu

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Jiangning City enjoyed clear weather for about two days before turning overcast. As people walked the streets, a crisp autumn breeze swirled fallen leaves, lending a touch of desolation to the once bustling city.

To most people, however, the city remained as it always was; autumn, after all, was meant to look this way. The river water flowed clear, pleasure boats glided gracefully, their oars gently splashing as they navigated through the weeping willows. The wind picked up nearby fallen leaves, sending them twirling onto the water's surface, where they floated and drifted away with the ripples. The city streets teemed with various people: pedestrians, carriages, sedan chairs, and street vendors. Wide streets and narrow alleys, long bluestone steps, and wooden bridges spanned the narrower waterways. Where the current slowed, women could be seen washing clothes on stone steps, chatting and laughing. From afar, the sounds of banquets drifted from teahouses, and the aroma of wine wafted from taverns.

Most people, however, remained absorbed in the hustle and bustle of their daily lives—a routine they had grown accustomed to. When they found a moment to pause, perhaps at a teahouse or resting by the roadside, their conversations often turned to recent intriguing rumors. The events of the Mid-Autumn night, just a few days prior, were a frequent subject. Among these, the most talked-about topics were undoubtedly the new poem, "Shuidiao Getou," and the incident at the Stop-Water Poetry Gathering, where the renowned Neo-Confucian scholar Kang Xian famously reprimanded the attendees.

A story’s dramatic appeal hinges on elements like cause, progression, outcome, coincidence, suspense, and climax. If it were merely about a talented scholar composing a poem that captivated an audience with its brilliance, people would quickly grow tired of it. Add the admiration of a gifted woman, and the drama intensifies. "Shuidiao Getou" excelled in this regard, offering more than just exceptional verse. People enjoyed not only the fine poetry but also the captivating narrative surrounding it. For days, visitors to pleasure houses would invariably request to hear "When Will the Bright Moon Appear?" and discuss its exquisite qualities.

As for the identity of the lyricist, it remained a matter of speculation, with no reliable information emerging.

Ning Yi, also known as Ning Liheng, was a live-in son-in-law of the Su family. Kang Xian's chastisement at the Stop-Water Poetry Gathering cemented "Shuidiao Getou's" reputation as a masterpiece, yet it did little to quell the public's doubts. People wondered why he had previously been unknown despite such talent, and why he chose to marry into a merchant family as a live-in son-in-law. Most importantly, the question of whether his poem was bought or plagiarized was the primary concern for almost everyone discussing the matter.

Scandal often proved more dramatic than praise, and people were more inclined to believe such narratives. The practice of scholars buying poems to gain fame was hardly uncommon, and most discussions leaned towards this suspicion. After all, the status of a live-in son-in-law was considered lowly; some even claimed such individuals lacked integrity and betrayed their heritage, arguing that no person of true pride would stoop to such a position.

Nevertheless, within a few days, an alternative rumor began circulating: the Su family's second daughter, Tan'er, was a woman of stunning beauty, gentle and graceful, and Ning Yi, captivated at first sight, willingly became a live-in son-in-law to be with her forever. However, in an era dominated by male chauvinism, very few would credit such a tale. With prostitution rampant and women largely regarded as property, who would believe a man would go to such lengths for a single woman? Moreover, even if one were to believe it, if the man were talentless, it might be forgivable. But for a genuinely talented man to become a live-in son-in-law for the sake of a woman was deemed an unforgivable affront, a disgrace to manhood, a betrayal of scholarly pursuits, and an insult to humanity itself.

In this era, people favored the romanticized narrative of a protagonist returning successful from imperial examinations to marry his beloved; the notion of a man abandoning everything for a woman was simply intolerable. Consequently, over the past few days, most speculation about Ning Yi leaned negative, as becoming a live-in son-in-law was inherently considered a flaw. While no definitive conclusion had yet emerged, people remained curious, eagerly awaiting more reliable information. Meanwhile, the sheer quality of "Shuidiao Getou" and the lyricist's talent continued to elicit widespread astonishment, and this admiration only intensified. Over the past few days, effusive praise for the poem steadily grew. Its acclaim and prominence in this Mid-Autumn poetry competition were expected to far surpass all other entries—a phenomenon not witnessed in several years.

The most vibrant areas along the Qinhuai River were the Confucius Temple and the Imperial Examination Hall district. Directly across the river lay numerous pleasure houses. Although it was just past noon and these establishments had yet to open their doors, those who typically rose early were already awake. Strolling along the street below, one could spot women on the upper floors, some sitting idly by railings, others chatting and laughing. From within the courtyards, the faint strains of stringed and wind instruments subtly drifted.

Such melodies emanated either from skilled women practicing their craft within the building or from young girls learning zither pieces under the tutelage of teachers arranged by the pleasure house. At that moment, in the inner courtyard of Jinfeng Tower, a zither lesson was drawing to a close. Several younger girls diligently played the assigned tunes. The female instructor, simply dressed in a cloth skirt and wooden hairpin, sat at a small table at the front, chin propped in hand, listening intently to the zither music.

The woman was, in fact, only in her twenties. Though her simple attire paled in comparison to the vibrant, elaborate dresses typically seen in pleasure houses, her beauty was truly striking. She possessed a clear and elegant oval face, eyebrows as graceful as painted ink, and an exceptionally refined demeanor. As she sat quietly, listening to the zither, her silhouette exuded a delicate, ethereal quality, reminiscent of an ink wash painting. She was, in truth, far more remarkable than the girls seated below her, learning to play.

Following the usual routine, once the zither piece was finished and the instructor had offered her guidance, the day's lesson would conclude. However, just as the woman prepared to gather her belongings, several girls below exchanged glances. One of them smiled and asked, “Sister Yunzhu, Sister Yunzhu, could you teach us to sing 'Shuidiao Getou'?”

“Hmm? 'Shuidiao Getou'...” The woman, addressed as Yunzhu, paused in surprise, then looked at them, blinking. She seemed not to understand why they wanted to learn that particular piece. The girls below quickly began to explain. “The guests who’ve come these past few days all love hearing it...” “It’s that one from Mid-Autumn night...” “We like it a lot too!”

Upon hearing this, the woman understood. “Mid-Autumn? Was it a notable poem from this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival?” “Oh? Sister Yunzhu, you don’t know about it yet?” “I’ve been preoccupied recently and haven’t had time to keep up with the Mid-Autumn events,” the woman replied with a smile. Beneath her gentle expression, however, lay a subtle hint of weariness, a fatigue that the young girls before her likely failed to perceive.

The girls then chattered excitedly, producing a small booklet with 'Shuidiao Getou' copied inside. The woman sat, reading it word by word, her lips subtly moving. She genuinely understood the poem's profound beauty, and her expression quickly grew serious. In this atmosphere, the girls below explained the poem's origins from Mid-Autumn night. “...It’s a pity that person became a live-in son-in-law in another family.” “Yes, he’s a live-in son-in-law...” “Now everyone says this lyric was bought...” “But the lyric is truly wonderful... 'When will the bright moon appear? With wine in hand, I ask the blue sky...'” The girls continued to babble, taking turns to recount the poem’s background and origin, then began to sing it. Although still learning musical theory, they heard the older sisters at Jinfeng Tower sing it daily, so imitating the tune was no challenge. In fact, musical scores for the 'Shuidiao Getou' melody were available in the establishment; they had learned various finger techniques and could play it themselves, but having an instructor guide them was always preferable.

“A live-in son-in-law, indeed...” Yunzhu remarked, looking at the lyrics. After hearing their account, she smiled. “In that case, dear sisters, you must already be somewhat familiar with the melody of 'Shuidiao Getou,' aren’t you?” “We’ve tried playing it, but some parts are difficult...” “Hmm, learning the tune is good. This 'Shuidiao Getou' piece has a few unique finger techniques, and the lyrics can actually be slightly altered in places. I’ll play it once with you, and then explain it in detail for everyone...”

As she spoke, the girls returned to their seats before the zithers. Yunzhu’s gaze swept over them, and she placed her fingers on the strings of the *yaoqin*. With a faint, elegant smile, soft as a wisp of smoke, her fingertips lightly plucked the strings. “When will the bright moon appear...” The ethereal strains of the zither filled the room. With multiple people playing, most of whom were still unfamiliar with the piece, the performance should have been somewhat chaotic. Yet, amidst the collective sound, one zither’s clear and exquisite melody steadily guided the tune. Though all the sounds were of similar volume, that singular melody, in its artistic depth, completely harmonized with the other instruments. Then, a soft, beautiful voice joined in, leading the chorus. Had a connoisseur been present, they would likely have discovered that this musical performance and vocal skill surpassed those of most women in Jinfeng Pavilion, not even yielding an inch to Yuan Jin’er, the pavilion’s current star performer.

Yuan Jin'er's voice had a lively and agile quality, whereas Yunzhu's was like flowing water or the chime of bells, instilling a sense of calm and tranquility in listeners. As the music played, several nearby girls were drawn over, listening from a distance. Once "Shuidiao Getou" concluded, some murmured, “It’s Sister Yunzhu...” “Sister Yunzhu’s singing is still as wonderful as ever...” Their reactions ranged from admiration to envy.

Soon after, the lesson inside finally drew to a close, leaving the girls to their own practice. The woman in the simple cloth skirt and wooden hairpin emerged from the room, carrying a small parcel. She walked down the long corridor, exchanging greetings with several women she knew, before heading to the madam’s room to collect her teaching fee. As she made her way out, she encountered Yuan Jin’er in the outer corridor.

“Sister Yunzhu.”“Sister Jin’er.”“I just heard Sister Yunzhu singing from upstairs. Indeed, 'Shuidiao Getou' truly sounds best when you sing it, Sister Yunzhu. I always feel I can’t quite capture the right emotion, and it doesn’t sound good when I sing it.”

Yuan Jin’er, who was seventeen and naturally more vivacious, exchanged a few pleasantries with Yunzhu before her bright smile softened. She then quietly inquired, “Sister Yunzhu, how is Sister Hutao doing?” “She’s been well these past few days,” Yunzhu replied. “Her condition should mostly recover in another few days.” “That’s wonderful,” Yuan Jin’er said, nodding. A moment later, after glancing to ensure they were alone, she produced a small pouch from her clothing. “Sister Yunzhu, I know your usual disposition, but with Sister Hutao ill, emergencies can arise. Please accept this money and items, Sister. I’ve never forgotten the kindness you showed me back then...”

She attempted to place the small pouch of money into Yunzhu’s hand, but Yunzhu politely declined. Though deeply moved, she ultimately did not accept it. “Hutao’s condition truly is improving,” Yunzhu explained. “If it weren’t, I wouldn’t insist on enduring this difficulty. Sister Jin’er, you should save that money. Only if you can one day redeem yourself will you truly be free...”

“I don’t possess the same resolve as you, Sister,” Jin’er said. After their heartfelt exchange, both had slightly reddened eyes. Yuan Jin’er wiped the corner of her eye with a finger and laughed. “In my current position, I ultimately plan to choose a man and marry. Money kept by my side isn’t very useful, especially since this isn’t much; I have more besides...” “What if you were to meet a talented scholar you admired?” “Jin’er would never marry a man who possesses nothing but an eloquent tongue. Sweet words don’t put food on the table. My destiny is to be a concubine or a servant, so I must ultimately marry someone with wealth and status. Fortunately, with my current reputation, finding a suitable match shouldn’t be difficult...”

It seemed each had their own aspirations. The two walked out together, sharing intimate confidences, but eventually parted ways at Jinfeng Tower’s side entrance. Yuan Jin’er waved goodbye with a smile, keeping her hand raised until Yunzhu’s figure vanished from sight. Then she lowered it, a mix of envy and sighing in her heart—a feeling she herself couldn’t quite comprehend.

The woman Jin’er called Sister Yunzhu was Nie Yunzhu, one of Jinfeng Tower’s most sought-after courtesans in previous years. She excelled in zither playing, singing, poetry, calligraphy, and painting. However, her detached nature meant she was never the most celebrated; she had always declined to participate in the Qinhuai courtesan queen selections, so her renown never reached its peak. Two years prior, she had saved enough money to buy freedom for herself and her maidservant, Hutao, and found a secluded place to live. Even now, visitors to Jinfeng Tower occasionally inquire about her. While other courtesans, even after gaining their freedom, often maintained ties with patrons and attended literary gatherings with scholars, Sister Yunzhu was different. She almost completely severed connections with everyone from her past. Life in a pleasure house was defined by welcoming and bidding farewell to guests; having been absent for two years, she had faded from that world, though she continued to teach zither music to earn a modest living.

However, teaching zither and music offered meager earnings; even without her, there were plenty of capable individuals within the establishment. When she had bought her freedom two years ago, she still possessed some savings, but by now, rumors suggested their financial situation had deteriorated. Both mistress and maidservant had lived a life accustomed to the pleasure house; while Hutao knew how to attend to others, she was perhaps less adept at managing household affairs. After two years, their savings were likely depleted, forcing them to take on work from the pleasure house once more. Recent news of Hutao’s illness further indicated their struggles. Yuan Jin’er, grateful for Yunzhu’s past kindness, had wanted to offer financial assistance. Though her offering was modest, Yunzhu, to her surprise, ultimately declined it.

Ah, women! What true freedom exists for them in this world? Though pleasure houses may appear glamorous, with young noblemen vying for attention and countless silken rewards bestowed for a single song, ultimately, it remains the destiny of a concubine or a servant. Who, after all, would ever treat a courtesan as a legitimate wife? Sister Yunzhu possessed a resilient spirit. If I, too, were to buy my freedom, a vulnerable woman with no one to rely on in this world, how long could she truly endure? In the end, I fear she might have no choice but to return to this very pleasure house.

She sighed softly and turned to walk back inside.

As Nie Yunzhu left the pharmacy, she counted the remaining coins in her possession and tucked them into her innermost pocket. Including the money from pawning her hairpin, it would last them for a few more days. What brought her the greatest relief, however, was the certainty that Hutao's illness was finally nearing full recovery—a truly welcome development.

When they left the pleasure house two years prior, neither had much experience with independent living. Though Hutao had endured hardship in her childhood, her many years in the pleasure house meant those memories were distant; simply being able to cook was considered a significant accomplishment. The mistress and maid, without a clear plan, spent a considerable period living quite haphazardly. While Yunzhu took on some work, such as teaching zither at Jinfeng Tower, their income consistently fell short of their expenses. Now, however, despite their limited remaining funds, as long as Hutao recovered, the two of them could manage to balance their budget by undertaking various tasks.

Clutching a small cloth pouch filled with trinkets in one hand and the neatly wrapped medicine in the other, she walked homeward, head bowed. Half her attention was focused on the small pocket sewn into her clothes. Since she and Hutao had begun living independently, their money purses had been stolen twice in crowded areas, a memory she now recalled with regret. As she left Zhuque Street, the crowds thinned, allowing her to finally lower her guard. Shops still lined the street. Just as she was about to turn the corner, a figure suddenly caught her eye.

Huh... She lifted her head, looking confused. The figure had already vanished around a nearby corner. With a surge of curiosity, she quickened her pace. Upon reaching the intersection, she finally got a clear view of the person there. It was indeed him...

Standing near several shops down the street was a slender, scholarly-looking man. He held a large wooden board, idly swinging it as he surveyed the goods displayed in the various establishments. After a moment, he nodded and entered one of the shop doors.

It appeared he was going to buy charcoal. Nie Yunzhu pondered for a moment, then followed him.