As spring gave way to summer and the weather continued to warm in April, the areas outside Jiangning City entered the busy farming season. If you were there, the whole world felt vibrant and alive. For people of that age, summer and autumn were likely the most pleasant seasons, free from the gentle humidity of spring and the biting cold of winter. With abundant sunshine and clouds like cotton, everything was bright and refreshing, uplifting the spirit.
The Su family was also busy. The first batch of spring silkworms had already yielded their cocoons, producing the most significant silk harvest of the year. The Su family's workshops, distributed across various locations, were operating at full tilt. Although ordinary folks weren't particular, tasks like bringing new goods to market and redirecting older stock still needed to be done. Su Tan'er continued her busy schedule from early spring, often working late into the night. Every few evenings, when she felt a little freer, she would quietly go to Ning Yi's room on the second floor opposite, to chat and share some fruits and snacks—things she usually didn't eat. Sometimes, when she wanted to talk but Ning Yi wasn't there, she would feel a subtle sense of disappointment.
After the New Year, she also started to notice a few things. Sometimes, when she was deep in thought about the next steps based on news from various regions, or organizing accounts, or addressing issues reported from different places, she would work very late. Xing'er would come in to refill her tea, while Chan'er and Juan'er played Gobang outside, occasionally dozing off. But even at very late hours, with the lights on in her bedroom and living room, a window in the small building opposite would also remain lit. Liheng would be there, reading or writing. Only when she finished her work and Xiao Chan went to bed would that light silently extinguish.
At first, she thought it was a coincidence. But later, she paid special attention to confirm it. For a few days, after finishing her work, she deliberately stayed up late before blowing out her lamp. Soon after, a silhouette would appear at the window opposite, putting out his own oil lamp.
She didn't mention this discovery, nor did she ponder why he did it. Some things simply don't need to be said or questioned. Thereafter, every time she prepared for bed, she would habitually glance across the courtyard. Only after seeing the light on the opposite side extinguish in the darkness would she lie down to rest. She felt a warmth from it.
For Ning Yi, it might have just been a casual habit. He no longer intended to get involved in numerous troublesome affairs, nor did he harbor grand ambitions—except, of course, for becoming the greatest martial arts master. Yet, given his nature, living in the same courtyard, he found it somewhat unavoidable to watch a girl who, to some extent, mirrored his past self, working late into the night, while he himself slept soundly. Waiting for the light opposite to turn off before he went to bed was merely a personal, spontaneous act. As for Su Tan'er's situation, that was her business; he had no intention of dissuading her from anything.
As summer arrived, Old Qin had already set up his chess stall, occasionally playing with various people, all older than Ning Yi, whose current body was twenty-one this year. There were several well-known figures, and of course, even more ordinary chess enthusiasts without fame. Ning Yi had already gotten to know several of them last year. This year, when people came to ask if he was the talented scholar who wrote 'Shui Diao Ge Tou' and 'Qing Yu An', Ning Yi simply smiled and nodded.
His relationship with Li Pin had grown considerably closer. After classes at noon, he would occasionally go to a restaurant with him for a meal. This was primarily because he still owed Li Pin a favor regarding the preserved eggs incident—even though Gu Yanzhen's involvement came later, it wasn't Li Pin's fault.
Li Pin was a man who understood propriety very well. Over the past few months, Ning Yi had largely come to understand his character and experiences. A few years prior, he had gone to the capital for the imperial examination and passed as a *jinshi*. However, his policy recommendations were too radical, offending a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Personnel, which prevented him from securing a practical appointment. So, he returned to Jiangning. Though outwardly humble, he would likely be considered an 'angry youth' if placed a thousand years later. He wouldn't express such views in casual conversation, but when discussing scholarly matters, some of his ideas were clearly radical and undisguised.
In simple terms, he came from a wealthy family, was proficient in Confucian studies and mathematics, and had some mastery of archery and charioteering. He was familiar with all Six Arts of the Gentleman, which was quite impressive for his era. He handled people and situations gracefully and appropriately. However, because he thought deeply, he generally disliked corrupt scholars and preferred practical people who adhered to fundamental principles. He aspired to 'establish the heart for Heaven and Earth, to secure life for the common people, to revive lost teachings for past sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations'. But for a time, his path was blocked. An ordinary scholar who offended a high official might spend their entire life in obscurity, and he too had been dejected for a period. Now, however, he had rallied, contemplating Confucianism, the Wu Dynasty, and his future path. He was someone capable of both ambition and letting go. After all, he was still young.
In a few more decades, he might well become another Qin Siyuan. Ning Yi appreciated intelligent people and disliked associating with aimless groups of literati and scholars, but he could still have meaningful conversations with Li Pin. Of course, in friendship, it's crucial not to speak too intimately with mere acquaintances, and Li Pin also understood this. Currently, they were relatively good colleagues at the academy. To call them close friends or confidants would still be premature.
Incidentally, they were actually the only relatively young teachers at Yushan Academy. And perhaps because Li Pin had come here, though there wasn't much publicity, the academy had unexpectedly admitted over a dozen additional students in the first half of this year... but that's beside the point.
Time gradually passed, and it had now been a full year since Ning Yi arrived in Jiangning. Thinking back, he hadn't experienced too much during this year. He had casually copied two *ci* poems, gained some fame, met some people, and became somewhat acquainted with the era. His days remained leisurely. Occasionally, he would hear discussions about friction between the Jin and Liao states in the north. Sometimes, he would also hear merchants and escorts speak of unrest on roads in other regions, with bandits establishing themselves in various places, and news of the court currently suppressing some larger groups. Such talk of rebellion wasn't widespread, and in prosperous Jiangning, it felt somewhat unreal.
By the end of April, with the rice seedlings all planted, a festive atmosphere quietly rose both inside and outside Jiangning. This wasn't like New Year's; it was primarily because the Dragon Boat Festival was approaching. Besides the Qinhuai Dragon Boat Race on the fifth day of the fifth month, a grand six-day event would also be held during the festival. The brothels in the Jiangning area would use this time to hold a competition, vying for supremacy and selecting a courtesan queen.
If Jiangning's annual festival poetry gatherings—Mid-Autumn and Lantern Festivals—were primarily carnivals for talented scholars, then the courtesan queen selection in early May was a grand event for beautiful women. Of course, most noble young ladies, or 'truly beautiful women' who were already married, were often not very happy during these days, which might be something worth pondering. However, there was no need for criticism; this was simply the custom of the era. Stories involving courtesans were often considered refined and elegant, rather than vulgar or dirty.
As one of the most elegant events each year, similar to the Mid-Autumn and Lantern Festival carnivals, it always had the backing of the government. Poetic talent had no strict hierarchy, and the competitive atmosphere among scholars wasn't intense; it was more about individual interpretation, as 'there is no first in literature'. Therefore, the government only needed to maintain basic order. However, this competition had a true contest aspect: determining the top four courtesans, and then selecting the ultimate courtesan queen from among them. This required a judge with as impartial a stance as possible. This relatively fair judgment was actually undertaken by the government to prevent cheating and numerous disputes.
The rules of the entire competition were actually quite simple: a courtesan queen, after all, was also there to earn money, so attracting people to spend money and support her was key. However, there was also a complex side. For six days, Jiangning's brothels almost completely opened their doors to guests, waiving many drink charges. They would also have their girls perform on prepared outdoor stages. If a patron liked a performance, they would buy flowers and send them over; these flowers were proof of popularity. During this period, there were also various promotional tactics: how to stir the emotions of the audience, how to highlight the fervent atmosphere of the courtesan queen selection, how to add elements of elegance to raise the girls' value—for instance, having their favored scholars write poems praising them... In short, it all depended on the methods of each brothel.
Along the ten-mile stretch of the Qinhuai River in Jiangning, there were roughly sixty to seventy brothels of varying sizes within the city. The first three days were essentially just the beginning, designed to heat up the atmosphere. During this time, all the brothels would subtly engage in continuous promotion, but the most dedicated performers on stage were actually the girls who were not usually well-known. Some of them only performed arts, while others performed arts and offered their bodies. Regardless of their prior standing, they could always gain considerable popularity through their performances during these few days. The girls would also remember the patrons who supported them during these days. Patrons who felt they lacked great literary talent or wealth, and thus couldn't win the favor of the famous courtesans, would naturally choose these lesser-known girls. For example, the Su family's cousins, who constantly fancied themselves literary and romantic, often spoke of women like Lu Caicai and Yuan Jin'er. Yet, their actual paramours in the brothels were naturally the less renowned women. These past few days, they had been more diligent in extorting money from Su Tan'er, likely to ensure they could attend and show support for their favored girls.
The main event would then take place over the final three days. While the daytime activities would be similar to the first three, large gatherings would be held near Egret Islet in the evenings. The Prefect and many social dignitaries would also attend to participate in this elegant event. Based on the results of the first three days, each brothel would generally have one to two spots. On the evening of the third day, over a hundred girls would perform there, from whom sixteen would be chosen. On the evening of the fourth day, four 'courtesan leaders' would be selected from the sixteen. The evening of the fifth day would be when the courtesan queen was crowned. The attendees for these three evenings were largely wealthy individuals, and naturally, the courtesan queen would be chosen with their support.
“...The courtesan queen selection is organized annually by the Jiangning government. The flower bouquets are also prepared by the government; 'sending flowers' is merely a way to drum up excitement. A few years ago, someone even claimed to send ten thousand flowers, haha, as if there were ten thousand bouquets for him to send... But these arrangements are well-executed. Brothels alone couldn't manage such a grand affair; it's through government involvement that it becomes so lively. Of the money spent on flowers, the government collects two-tenths, while monthly profits and taxes are calculated as usual. This two-tenths is pure profit, and it amounts to a considerable sum each year…”
By the Qinhuai River, at midday, Ning Yi and Li Pin were descending from a restaurant. Li Pin was smiling as he chatted with Ning Yi about the much-discussed courtesan queen selection that had been generating a buzz recently. Today was the thirtieth of April, and the first day of the courtesan queen competition had already begun. Many brothels in Jiangning City were making grand preparations. From a distance, the sounds of strings and flutes drifted over. A painted boat glided slowly on the river, adorned with colorful silks. A small boat was being punted along the Qinhuai Riverbank, and surprisingly, apart from the boatman, there was a beautifully dressed woman who suddenly waved and called out, “Young Master Li, Young Master Li…” She had recognized Li Pin.
“It’s hot at noon, Young Masters. If you have no pressing engagements, would you care to join us on the boat for some tea and a rest?”
Ning Yi looked at Li Pin somewhat curiously. Noticing his expression, Li Pin simply smiled and politely declined the offer from the girl on the small boat. After a few more words, the girl finally stopped pressing. Once they had walked a little further, Ning Yi chuckled, “Haha, Brother Li certainly has a wide circle of acquaintances.”
“I’d visited before, and she remembered me,” Li Pin replied with a hint of pride in his smile. “If Liheng had been interested just now, we could have gone up and sat down, and they would have welcomed us respectfully without us needing to spend any money. If we could write a poem praising a certain girl, they’d even offer payment for the writing. For more famous scholars, they would even willingly offer themselves…”
“Given Brother Li’s reputation as a scholar, I imagine many would offer themselves, wouldn’t they?”
“Indeed, there have been. But if Liheng were willing to reveal his name and step inside, I imagine it would be quite simple, hehe. I doubt many women could resist him. Since the Lantern Festival, I’ve met Miss Qilan a few times, and she speaks of Liheng with great fondness. I think if Liheng were willing to compose a poem for her, it’s not impossible that he might even enjoy her close company, haha.”
Previously, Li Pin and Ning Yi hadn't often discussed such topics, but now that the conversation had started, they continued to chat and laugh. A scholar's poetry gained fame through beautiful women, and beautiful women, in turn, benefited from scholars' embellishment. The annual courtesan queen competition naturally involved many poems to enhance the atmosphere. For someone of Li Pin's status, writing a poem of praise for a woman could immediately raise her standing. Last year's top four courtesans were Qilan, Lu Caicai, Yuan Jin'er, and Feng Xiaojing, who became the courtesan queen. It was said that Li Pin was among the scholars who championed Feng Xiaojing, cheering her on.
“Actually, it’s also a matter of pride,” Li Pin said, shaking his head with a smile. “The poetry gatherings during the Lantern Festival the year before last and last year, the Zhi River Poetry Society and the Li River Poetry Society, were neck and neck, and some animosity arose between the two sides. At that time, Cao Guan made a big splash, becoming the leader of the Zhi River scholars. He wrote two *ci* poems for Yuan Jin’er, and the rest of the Zhi River group also supported Yuan Jin’er. So… hehe, the Li River group chose Feng Xiaojing. Miss Qilan, who was supported by the Wu family, was actually the most capable, but the Wu family were merchants and preferred to keep a low profile, so they didn’t throw money around recklessly. In the end, Xiaojing actually gained the upper hand, which was truly strange… This year won’t be like that, mainly because Liheng has emerged out of nowhere. Everyone feels a bit empty-hearted now, so there probably won’t be much of a contest of pride. But it’s hard to say; if Liheng also has someone he fancies, haha, perhaps everyone will gang up on him…”
Ning Yi typically didn't frequent brothels and rarely attended social functions; Li Pin was well aware of this. After saying that, he smiled and asked, “Liheng, do you have any plans for these next few days?”
“I’ll go watch the performances at Egret Islet on the evening of the third day.”
“Your wife is letting you go? Well, then you’ll have to plan it well…” Li Pin said slyly. In truth, teaching at Yushan Academy made him almost a guest scholar of the Su family in a sense. The Su family had invited him for meals several times, and he had met both Old Master Su and Su Tan’er. Su Tan’er also occasionally visited the academy, so he knew she wasn't a shrew. However, sometimes, a woman is still a woman. The 'planning' he spoke of now was about which beautiful woman's banquet to attend after the performances. Typically, if you supported a particular woman, there would naturally be a celebratory feast that night, where she would appear to express gratitude and perform extra, and various scholars, pleased with the outcome, would compose poems, bringing fame to her and to themselves.
After hearing Li Pin, Ning Yi merely shook his head with a smile. “I’m going with Tan’er.”
Li Pin paused, then realized, “Ah, of course. The performances during those days truly bring out everyone's best. Even just watching is quite enjoyable.”
This could be considered Jiangning's highest-caliber performance appreciation. A few days prior, when Ning Yi and Su Tan'er were chatting by the second-floor railing, Su Tan'er had already mentioned setting aside time to go see it with him. She actually knew that Ning Yi also enjoyed such lively events. Li Pin, however, felt a bit regretful. He had wives and concubines at home, but he didn't plan to bring them. His main purpose for the later banquets wasn't just to get close to beautiful women, but to network, expand his social circle, and enhance his reputation.
The two walked for a while, then parted ways at an intersection. Ning Yi had nothing particular to do, so he headed home. Su Tan'er and her maids had already returned. Chan'er and Juan'er were chirping excitedly about the performances they had seen on the road that day and the things they had heard, eagerly anticipating the grand performances on the third, fourth, and fifth days. However, in the evening, a letter was delivered, and then two shopkeepers rushed into the manor, consulting with Su Tan'er in the adjacent courtyard for a long time. By dinnertime, Su Tan'er apologetically announced that she wouldn't be able to go to the performances.
“Something urgent has come up suddenly, so I'm afraid I can't accompany you, husband. Please go with Xiao Chan instead.” A short while later, she chuckled softly, as if still upstairs: “Even Wendin and Wenfeng have dozens or even a hundred taels. I’ll give some of my private money to Xiao Chan. If you see any girl performing well, husband, feel free to buy and send her flowers. Send enough, and there will even be a thank-you banquet to attend in the evening… After you win the favor of a young lady, you mustn’t call your concubine stingy, okay…”
“A sly businesswoman…” Recognizing some of her subtle calculations, Ning Yi sighed and chuckled.
Su Tan’er smiled and scrunched up her nose. “Hmph!”
She presented a confident facade to Ning Yi, yet there were some matters she couldn't help but ponder. On this final evening of April, upon returning to her room, Su Tan'er felt a hint of melancholy. She gazed at the lighted room opposite and quietly thought for a while. With her youthful figure and face, she usually displayed a unique maturity when thinking, often conveying an air of presence and composure developed over several years whenever she slightly furrowed her brows. But this time was different. Although she was still thinking and pondering, her expression held little of that usual gravity. Instead, she was like a young girl, contemplating a young girl's concerns, sometimes sitting at her desk, propping up her chin, and idly flipping through book pages. In the glow of the oil lamp, these were merely a maiden's worries.
She then called Xiao Chan in and, smiling as usual, told her about going to watch the performances on the third day. She also took out some silver notes and placed them aside. Xiao Chan seemed a little dejected that Juan'er and Xing'er wouldn't be able to go, but she was also happy that she herself could. After a long hesitation, she finally said, “Miss, let me… let Juan’er accompany Young Master instead. Sister Xing’er and I will stay with you to handle the workshop matters… Juan’er has wanted to see it for a very long time…”
“We can finish things on the fourth, and then we can all go together on the fifth,” Su Tan’er said with a smile. She then gently touched Chan’er’s cheek, looked at the young maid's pretty face, and then turned her head back to gaze at the window across the courtyard. After another moment of thought, she took a deep breath and made a decision.
“Xiao Chan, do you… actually like Young Master?”
There was no reply. Xiao Chan’s body suddenly froze. Then, her eyes darted around in a flustered yet adorable way, and her entire face flushed crimson. For a moment, her whole body seemed to shrink a bit…
A major plot development is about to unfold. Please vote!
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