It was March, the season when peach blossoms were in full bloom. The spring rain had just ceased, leaving a faint dampness. From the delicate pavilions nestled among the misty willows came the sound of string and bamboo instruments intertwined with the soft singing of courtesans. Set against the rain-battered fallen petals beneath the flowering trees lining the streets, the scene appeared all the more decadent.
A slender white hand gracefully lifted the curtain, allowing the sunset to illuminate the already dimly lit room. On the couch, a figure stirred from their feigned sleep, eyelashes fluttering slightly before opening to reveal dark pupils gazing at a golden-edged cloud where the sky met earth. Stretching lazily, the figure murmured, “Couldn’t you let me lie here a bit longer…”
In the main hall, a scene of extravagant revelry unfolded. Dancers in sheer veils moved enticingly, captivating the audience. Feng Ziyuan, the City Lord of Pingling, sat with a forced smile, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he stole glances at the man flirting with a beautiful courtesan. Seeing no signs of displeasure, Feng relaxed slightly. With the Jin Xiu Dynasty’s military expansion, Pingling had been placed under the jurisdiction of the Southern Garrison Prince. This man Ning Fei was one of the Southern Garrison Prince’s most capable subordinates, sent to Pingling for recruitment. Feng had gone to great lengths to please this envoy, and he feared that the mood might be spoiled over a mere entertainer.
As the song and dance ended, the delicate sound of beaded curtains announced the entrance of a beautiful maid. She bowed gracefully, head lowered, and said, “My lady is discussing music with a friend and cannot leave her quarters. If the gentleman wishes to see her, please proceed to Qingyuan Residence.”
Feng Ziyuan exhaled in relief and stood up with a smile. “Lord Ning, shall we?”
“I’ve lost interest,” Ning Fei replied carelessly, focused on the beauty in his arms.
Feng panicked. “My lord, are you displeased? Actually…”
“No matter how aloof she acts, it’s just a facade. In the end, she’s nothing but a prostitute,” Ning Fei said with an enigmatic smile. “If she were truly so proud, how could she have fallen into this life of selling her flesh?”
The maid who had been standing quietly suddenly spoke up. “If it weren’t for the patronage of noble gentlemen like yourself, how could Miss Qingyue have become famous throughout Pingling?”
The hall suddenly fell silent, with all the guests sneaking glances at Ning Fei’s expression.
Before Feng Ziyuan could reprimand her, Ning Fei unexpectedly smiled. “Well said. A mere servant girl already has such—lead the way!”
Stepping through the small gate, they entered an elegant courtyard where warm lantern light intermingled with flowering trees, creating a pleasing sight. As they rounded a corridor, a refreshing fragrance wafted over them. Ning Fei couldn’t help but take a deep breath. From a room to the side of the courtyard came the sound of laughter and conversation. One low, pleasant voice stood out: “Xueying seems to be in a good mood today. You should quickly ask her to help you revise that score from last time. Otherwise, at the next gathering…”
Though the voice was soft, it struck Ning Fei like thunder. He pushed past the maid leading the way and burst into the room, startling the women inside.
When Ning Fei saw who was in the room, he froze. One of the women had been lounging lazily on a chaise longue, chatting with the others. Seeing someone suddenly intrude, a sharp glint flashed in her eyes. Upon recognizing Ning Fei, she showed only a moment’s surprise before resuming her normal demeanor. With a smile, she asked, “Has the gentleman come to listen to music as well?”
Before Ning Fei could answer, a woman who had been playing the qin stood up angrily, hands on hips. “Did a dog eat your manners? Bursting in like that!”
Ning Fei ignored her, staring fixedly at the woman on the chaise longue. Her long hair cascaded down a faint smile on her lips. A loose robe concealed her figure, and she wore not a single piece of jewelry—her usual style. But why was she here?
“You…”
Meeting his appraising gaze, she stood and walked towards him, stopping just in front of him. “This humble one is Qingyan. Does the gentleman wish to hear a song, play chess…” Seeing Ning Fei’s dumbfounded expression, she smiled, revealing her teeth, and pointed towards an embroidered door leading to the inner chamber. “Or perhaps retire early?”
The air seemed to freeze. Catching her meaningful glance, the woman who had been playing the qin angrily packed up her instrument. She left with the other courtesans, and even the maid who had followed them in was shut outside.
“Yi Xiao, how can you be here? We all thought you were dead, yet you’re here,” Ning Fei said, clenching his fists tightly, afraid he might strangle her in a moment of impulse.
She blinked mischievously and wrapped her arms around his neck, sweetly whispering in his ear, “I am alive. What of it? Do you plan to tie me up and take me back for punishment?”
Ning Fei shuddered and unexpectedly pushed her away. She stumbled back onto the chaise longue, settling into a reclining position and gazing at him through half-lidded eyes. “After all these years, you’re still so rough,” she said.
Ning Fei looked at her, gritting his teeth. “I can’t believe it. How could you have fallen so low!”
She smiled, playing with a strand of her hair. “Life is short. If one doesn’t seize the moment for pleasure, there might not be a tomorrow… By the way, I have a question for you. Has he thought of me? If so, you should tell him to come see me. For old times’ sake, I won’t charge him for the night…”
After taking several deep breaths, Ning Fei finally calmed his chaotic emotions. He gave her one last, long look before turning to leave without a word. As he opened the door, she called out, “Ning Fei.” He paused, and she asked in a low, teasing voice, “Do you not want me?”
The door slammed shut as he stormed out, her unrestrained laughter echoing behind him.
Striding back to the main hall, he dismissed the singers and dancers and ordered Feng Ziyuan, “Go fetch the owner of Huajian Pavilion for me!” Seeing Ning Fei’s strange expression, Feng didn’t dare to ask questions and hurried off.
Soon, a middle-aged man came running after Feng Ziyuan towards the flower hall. Before he could steady himself, Ning Fei abruptly said, “I want to buy Qingyan’s freedom. Name your price!”
A collective gasp arose from those around, but no one dared to voice any objection. The man replied in bewilderment, “In response to Your Excellency, Qingyan entered the pavilion of her own will. She hasn’t signed any contract these seven years. If Your Excellency…”
Before he could finish, Ning Fei stamped his foot and exclaimed, “This is not good!” While everyone else was still confused, he had already darted out of the flower hall, only to return moments later and sit back down, filled with anger.
After a moment of silence, Ning Fei smiled and turned to the crowd. “Why are you all so quiet? How can a banquet be called a banquet if it’s not lively?”
After a brief pause, the gathering resumed its boisterous atmosphere. His sudden burst of anger followed by this abrupt composure left everyone puzzled, yet no one dared to inquire further.
Ning Fei called the beautiful courtesan he had been holding earlier back to his side, his demeanor suggesting nothing had happened, though occasionally a flicker of emotion crossed his eyes.
Just as suddenly as she had vanished years ago, she had appeared before him, only to disappear again in an instant. Only the lingering fragrance on his clothes from her touch reminded him that it wasn’t a dream.
He needed to inform His Highness quickly. Yet he couldn’t guess how His Highness would react to this news.
Fu Yi Xiao stood by the window, dressed in a loose silver-patterned snow-white robe, her black hair casually tied up with a light blue glass hairpin. She looked as ethereal as an immortal.
A woman pushed open the door and, upon seeing Yi Xiao standing by the window, was startled. Covering her chest, she chided, “Why haven’t you lit any lamps when you’re in the room? It’s so dark, I thought you’d gone out again.” As she spoke, she lit the candles one by one. In the flickering light, it became clear it was the woman who had been playing the qin earlier.
Yi Xiao returned to the table and sat down, resting her chin on her hand. Lazily, she said, “Xueying, the Zhongyuan Festival is coming soon. If you don’t go back, Uncle Ling might come here to fetch you.”
Xueying extinguished the taper and sat down beside her. “Why don’t you come back with me? If I return alone, Father might not let me out again.”
Yi Xiao snorted. “Don’t act so pitiful. As long as you hold those scissors to your neck, who in the Ling family would dare say no?”
Xueying immediately scowled, clenching her fist and hitting Yi Xiao. “You always bring up those old stories to embarrass me. One day I’ll get angry and never come out again after I go back!”
Yi Xiao pretended to be terrified, dodging and imitating the drawn-out tones of a stage actress. “My lord, how cruel you are!” Xueying finally burst out laughing. “You’re truly an unparalleled scoundrel!”
After laughing for a while, Yi Xiao’s expression gradually became serious. She said softly, “I know you’re worried. You should go back quickly. I’ll be fine.”
Xueying spat. “Don’t try to fool me. After hiding for so many years, now that they’ve suddenly discovered you’re here, they’re bound to try every means to capture you and take you back!”
Yi Xiao remained silent for a long time before saying, “I plan to go to Lu City.”
Xueying jumped up in shock. “Are you mad? Who would voluntarily walk into the tiger’s den? Do you want to jump off another cliff?”
Yi Xiao shook her head. “There are some things that need to be said face to face. Otherwise, the poison in my heart will never be removed. Hiding is not the solution in the end.”
Xueying looked at her for a long moment, then sighed and stood up. Yi Xiao tugged at her sleeve, looking up at her. “Where are you going?”
“Your silver bow must be rusty by now. I’m going to polish it for you,” Xueying said as she walked out without looking back.
Yi Xiao’s gaze shifted from Xueying’s figure disappearing into the darkness to the long bow hanging on the wall. She chuckled to herself, “It hasn’t been used for four years now. It must be rusty indeed. But the bow is here, where are you going to polish it…”
In the quiet room, only the occasional crackling of the candle flame could be heard.