Chapter 200: Li Shishi

In the second lunar month, as spring deepened, willow catkins drifted by the Qinhuai River, mingling with the flutes and songs from both banks, dancing in the vibrant spring air.

Sitting in a restaurant on a bustling street in the early morning, one could often see people coming and going at the nearby Jixiang Street intersection. This street was a famous area in Jiangning, known for its many brothels. At this time of day, many men who had stayed overnight could be seen emerging from there. Some were still tidying their clothes on the street, while others looked quite flustered, perhaps in a hurry, dashing off with their clothes draped over them. Of course, such instances were not numerous.

In those days, visiting brothels was, after all, quite common. Some scholars and students, looking refreshed, greeted friends they knew on the street, then, arm in arm, discussed which lady's chamber they had visited the previous night. Others wore dignified expressions, appearing like upright gentlemen, refined and elegant, revealing no hint of their activities.

"Oh, Xiao Chan, look at that fellow. He even bought some congee and is carrying it. He must be taking it back for his wife and children... quite family-oriented."

"That young master? He doesn't look like it. Young Master, you can't just say that about someone because they came from that direction."

"You don't understand. Although on the surface they look similar, there's a certain difference in the expression and complexion of men who sleep at home and those who sleep elsewhere," Ning Yi said, sitting by the second-floor window and popping a silver thread roll into his mouth.

"So, Young Master can tell? Would you teach Xiao Chan too?"

"What do you want to do with that knowledge?"

"Then, if Young Master ever stays at a brothel and doesn't come home, Xiao Chan will be able to tell."

"Heh."

The reason Ning Yi had rather idly visited this restaurant for the past two days to observe who stayed out overnight was mainly that he'd discovered its breakfast was quite good. Xiao Chan had nothing to do today, so she came along. As they sat by the second-floor window, pointing things out, they occasionally made surprising discoveries.

"Young Master, Young Master, look, even that old man came out of the brothel!"

"How can you tell?"

"Because the girl in the window of that small building next door is still waving at him..."

"Still strong in old age, that's truly... admirable... no, enviable..."

"Young Master isn't envious at all; he never goes to places like that."

The master and servant joked like this for a while. By then, the restaurant had filled up considerably. Several men dressed as scholars—whom Ning Yi recognized as having stayed out overnight—sat at a table to their left. Their clothes were tidy, their spirits good, and they used poetry to describe the previous night's events, occasionally bursting into hearty laughter. When Xiao Chan heard their poems, she would often glance back cautiously, her face flushing, before turning away again.

At this point, these scholars and gentlemen, talking about their romantic escapades, often displayed a frivolous attitude. A moment later, someone leaned in and lowered his voice, saying, "Hey, do you think any of us will have a chance to meet Miss Shishi now that she's here?"

"I heard Li Shishi is just visiting friends and isn't receiving guests. It'll probably be hard to see her."

"That's what they say."

"I'm afraid only important people will get to see her."

"That's true, but I imagine people like Cao Guan and Liu Qingdi will surely have a chance."

"Brother Jichang, with his family's scholarly background and his uncle serving in the prefecture office, will probably get to see her too."

"Haha, just kidding, just kidding. Last year, Gu Yanzhen came back and said he'd seen Li Shishi when he was in Tokyo. I certainly don't have that kind of luck."

"I wonder how Li Shishi, hailed as the top courtesan in the capital, compares to our Jiangning's Qi Lan, Luo Miaomiao, and others..."

"Qi Lan and the others probably can't compare. Moreover, I think Li Shishi chose the perfect time for her visit. Just think, the courtesan Qi Lan is currently being deliberately promoted by the Puyang family. Although her artistry is astonishing, there's too much commercialism about her. Luo Miaomiao is splendid, but lacks grandeur. Previously, Feng Xiaojing was known as the 'Orchid of the Empty Valley,' but... alas, she was forced to jump from a building by that brute Chen Yong and has since faded into obscurity. And the lively and pure Yuan Jin'er has reportedly retired from the profession. Two of the four top courtesans are gone. If Qi Lan and Luo Miaomiao were to face a master like Li Shishi, they wouldn't be able to hold their ground. What do you think? Did Li Shishi deliberately choose this time to come, ostensibly to visit friends, but actually to challenge them?"

"...If that's truly the case, we scholars and gentlemen of Jiangning must unite and not let her succeed."

"Perhaps you're overthinking it..."

The conversation from that group, though spoken with an air of discussing highly confidential matters, was not actually hushed. Ning Yi, hearing the names Li Shishi and Gu Yanzhen, became a little interested. Xiao Chan noticed his expression and listened for a moment before asking, "Young Master, Young Master, now that Li Shishi is here, if you wanted to see her, you could, couldn't you?"

Ning Yi paused, then said, "I don't know her, um... Have you heard about her coming?"

"Yes, I heard a few days ago," Xiao Chan nodded. "They say Miss Li Shishi came to visit friends and relax. It was supposed to be a secret, but somehow it became widely known. Madam also knows about it; yesterday, when she was chatting with the mistress of the Xingqing Lane shop, she mentioned it. Madam said, 'If my husband wanted to see her, he probably could. But as you know, my husband's temperament is different from others. He has little interest in approaching courtesans just for fame. He often says that these "romantic talents" are just "hyped up"—oh, "hyped up" means they're just making a fuss.'"

She imitated Su Tan'er's tone, and her pride was evident in her words—it wasn't that her Young Master couldn't go, but that he simply didn't care. Ning Yi smiled. Xiao Chan thought for a moment, then added, "Actually, Young Master, if you wanted to go, Xiao Chan thinks it's sometimes good to participate in these things. Madam has said so too."

Ning Yi chuckled, "Are you saying that sincerely? If I agreed, I'd probably be in big trouble."

"No, really!" Xiao Chan shook her head vigorously. "Young Master never cares about those women anyway. After Young Master becomes famous, Madam and Xiao Chan will also be very happy. Even though Young Master says these gatherings are just people making a fuss and flattering each other, everyone is happy when they flatter each other. If Young Master goes and writes a poem or two to astound those people, and then enjoys himself for a bit, it would be quite interesting. Actually, it's the same for Xiao Chan; if someone praises Xiao Chan for being amazing, Xiao Chan will also be very happy."

Xiao Chan's words were not disingenuous. While a wife would certainly not be happy to see her husband flirting around outside, given the times, it was also a matter of degree. These gatherings of talented scholars and beautiful courtesans were considered a socially condoned form of entertainment. As Xiao Chan said, everyone would flatter each other, and those involved would feel happy.

If one participated too much in such affairs and genuinely became infatuated with famous courtesans, Su Tan'er, Xiao Chan, and others would naturally be displeased. But if Ning Yi didn't participate at all, by this point, someone like Su Tan'er might feel she was somehow hindering Ning Yi's sources of happiness. They might even think that Ning Yi occasionally participating once or twice, showcasing his poetic talent to impress others and charm courtesans, was actually a healthy way of life. In short, it was fine as long as they knew Ning Yi wasn't genuinely involved with those courtesans. If Ning Yi gained fame, his family members were actually quite proud and vain.

Ning Yi thought for a while and chuckled for a good moment. Then he said, "Xiao Chan is truly amazing." He reached out and patted her head, and Xiao Chan giggled.

"In that case, Young Master, do you really not want to meet Miss Li Shishi?"

"Your Young Master's charm is too great. What if she sees me and falls in love, then cries and insists on not leaving Jiangning...?"

"Then..." Xiao Chan lowered her head, her face flushed crimson, "Then, then, only after Young Master takes Chan'er as his concubine will she be allowed to enter..." Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz. If anyone else heard Ning Yi's boast, they would undoubtedly laugh and mock him for his self-conceit. Xiao Chan's reaction, however, was unexpected. Ning Yi was startled, then could only shake his head and smile. In his heart, he couldn't help but wonder who was superior: Li Shishi, or Yun Zhu and Jin'er.

His comparison was not due to their status as famous courtesans, but rather because Li Shishi's reputation was simply too great. She must have deep skills in singing, dancing, and musical composition. Ning Yi had originally not been very interested in ancient song, dance, and music, but after hearing Yun Zhu perform, his opinion changed greatly; he realized truly talented people were indeed formidable. Of course, this was also because Yun Zhu had adapted her singing style after he taught her, accommodating his preferences.

Yuan Jin'er was unwilling to perform dances in front of him. After all, she had reformed, and she felt there weren't many worthy audience members; such an act might feel like she was trying to please him, that "stinky man." However, from the few times he had seen her sing and dance, it was still ultimately delightful. It was said that when Ning Yi wasn't present, she would amuse herself by bouncing and dancing in front of Yun Zhu. Due to her cheerful mood and bursts of inspiration, she would often choreograph new dances to show Yun Zhu. Sometimes, after Jin'er left, Yun Zhu would laugh as she recounted them, even imitating some moves.

The two women's skills were actually comparable. Yun Zhu was exceptionally talented at playing instruments and singing, and her dancing was not far behind Yuan Jin'er's. The only thing was that when she danced, there was no one to play music, so Ning Yi could only appreciate the grace of her physical rhythm. If she performed a bit more, Yuan Jin'er would often run back and loudly interrupt, protesting that Yun Zhu was using her dances to please her lover—a shameful act of valuing romance over friendship. In truth, Yun Zhu was gentle and serene, while Jin'er was lively and active; even the same dance performed by them would have subtle differences.

The scholars at their table were still discussing Li Shishi. On the other side, three men came up from the stairwell and were led by a waiter to a nearby table. All three were dressed in short robes, each carrying weapons, and one even had wounds on his body. They seemed to be martial artists. After sitting down, they ordered their food.

"Damn it! Dozens of us ambushed them yesterday, and those few Liao people still escaped. What bad luck!"

"They won't escape. Old Master Cheng of the Hundred Blades Alliance has personally led people to pursue them, setting up an inescapable net, and the authorities are cooperating. These Liao dogs came deep into our central plains to kill and assassinate. If they can get away scot-free, it would truly mean we have no one left in the Central Plains!"

"But the leader of those Liao people was truly formidable; he managed to break through the encirclement of so many experts..."

Hearing their conversation, Ning Yi frowned, his interest piqued...