The contract is worth eight thousand taels of silver… The expression of Qiubo, the top courtesan of Mingyan, froze. A mix of emotions – gratitude, joy, and envy – welled up inside her.
The other courtesans felt equally conflicted. Eight thousand taels! It was enough to buy a luxurious mansion in the prime area of the inner city. The Jiaofang Bureau was known as a money pit, but examples of spending a full eight thousand taels to redeem a famous courtesan were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.
Officials wouldn’t dare, and wealthy merchants would balk at the cost.
Yet Xu Qi An had done it. He had casually placed down a full eight thousand taels of silver.
What touched the courtesans most deeply was that Madam Fuxiang was terminally ill, with little time left. So these eight thousand taels of silver were buying merely the wish of a woman from the pleasure quarters.
In this world, what man could do this for women like them?
Xu Qi An was different from other men… The courtesans’ hearts were melting as they gazed at the young man in his scholar’s robe.
“Young Master Xu…”
Looking at the contract on the table, Fuxiang smiled, her face streaked with tears.
“It was already owed to you…” Xu Qi An sat by the bed, sighing.
Fuxiang gazed at him softly, her face flushed, and choked out: “You didn’t have to come. I… I don’t look good now.”
Xu Qi An reached out to touch her cheek, his expression complex.
“I have one more wish,” Fuxiang said.
She turned her head to look at the other courtesans and said, “I want to perform one last dance for Young Master Xu. I humbly request my sisters to accompany me with music.”
The courtesans nodded.
Fuxiang smiled, then looked at Xu Qi An: “Young Master Xu, please wait in the outer hall for a moment…”
After he left, Fuxiang changed into a layered, magnificent red dress embroidered with vibrant plum blossoms. Mei’er helped her arrange her hair, pinning it up and adorning it with luxurious accessories.
The eyebrow pencil traced out delicate arches, lip rouge painted her lips a fiery red, and rouge restored color to her pale cheeks.
Fuxiang gazed at the stunning beauty in the mirror and smiled brightly.
Six years ago, a breathtakingly beautiful young woman had arrived at the Jiaofang Bureau. She had fallen into the pleasure quarters as the daughter of a disgraced official, but she harbored a special purpose.
She had practiced the zither diligently, studied poetry and literature, and became the top courtesan of the Jiaofang Bureau, her fame spread far and wide.
Six years had passed in the blink of an eye, and it was time for her to end this chapter of her life. But a young man had entered her world like a beam of light splitting the gloomy sky.
At the end of this journey, that young man hadn’t been absent. He was here to give her story a perfect ending.
Fuxiang rose gracefully, lifting her skirts, and ran out of the room. From the main bedroom to the outer hall, she ran through the long corridor, as if running through six years, to meet him at the finish line.
In the great hall, the sound of silk and bamboo instruments floated melodiously.
A solitary dance in a red dress.
As graceful as a startled swan, as elegant as a swimming dragon.
In the end, she collapsed into Xu Qi An’s arms.
The beauty in his arms lifted her head, tears streaming down her face, her expression one of utter despair: “Young Master Xu, I have to go. From now on…”
All I hoped for was to leave a mark in your heart; what I feared was being insignificant, forgotten in an instant.
Xu Qi An held her and said softly, “From now on, I won’t come to the Jiaofang Bureau anymore.”
It begins with you, and it ends with you.
For Xu Qi An, this was also the end of a certain journey in his life.
Fuxiang smiled, more radiantly beautiful than ever before, with the gentle charm of a plum blossom.
A wisp of a soul drifted away, swaying gracefully into the distance.
In the hall, Mingyan, Xiaoya, and the other courtesans wept softly, tears flowing.
…
The famous courtesan Fuxiang had passed away, finally washing away the powder and rouge, bidding farewell to her life in the Jiaofang Bureau.
But her ending wasn’t tragic. Xu Qi An had appeared at the Jiaofang Bureau today, spending eight thousand taels of silver to redeem her, helping her shed her lowly status. The news spread throughout the entire Jiaofang Bureau in an instant.
Spending eight thousand taels to redeem a terminally ill woman from the pleasure quarters – even storytellers couldn’t come up with such a plot.
Compared to Xu Qi An’s lavish spending just to fulfill a beauty’s wish, the descriptions in storybooks of talented scholars and students readily cutting out their hearts seemed pale and powerless.
For a time, all the women in the Jiaofang Bureau were discussing Xu Qi An, talking about this legendary constable of Great Feng, the former constable.
The Jiaofang Bureau had always been a hub for spreading rumors. In just two days, almost all the clients who could afford to patronize the Jiaofang Bureau knew about this incident.
In this era, love stories between poor scholars and rich young ladies, and between talented men and famous courtesans, were two evergreen themes.
Anyone who heard about this couldn’t help but praise Xu Qi An for his affection and righteousness, eagerly discussing it and spreading the word.
One told ten, ten told a hundred, and soon the common folk, merchant class, and officials were all using this as a topic for idle chatter.
…
This morning, while having breakfast, Prime Minister Wang heard his second son chattering endlessly about this rumor circulating in the city.
“Eight thousand taels of silver, if I were to invest it, I could double it within a year. Elder brother, don’t you think this Xu Qi An is foolish? If it were to win a beauty’s heart, that would be one thing.”
“But she’s terminally ill, so these eight thousand taels have just gone down the drain.”
Noticing his father’s arrival, the second young master Wang immediately stopped talking and lowered his head to drink his porridge.
The Wang family had strict house rules, advocating silence during meals and rest.
Prime Minister Wang sat down at the table, took a sip of porridge, looked at his second son, and asked, “What were you just saying?”
The second young master Wang stammered, “No… nothing…”
Prime Minister Wang waved his hand: “Go ahead and speak. Hmm, it’s related to Xu Qi An?”
Seeing that his father wasn’t displeased, the second young master Wang said: “The top courtesan Fuxiang from the Jiaofang Bureau is terminally ill, beyond medical help. That Xu Qi An spent eight thousand taels to redeem her, just to fulfill a beauty’s last wish. It’s laughable.”
After commenting, he cautiously asked, “Father, what do you think?”
Prime Minister Wang didn’t respond, silently finishing his porridge.
Not getting his father’s approval, the second young master Wang felt a bit disappointed.
Well, Father never gossips about others behind their backs, but his thoughts must be the same as mine.
Prime Minister Wang finished his porridge, took the handkerchief handed by the maid to wipe his mouth, then his hands, and said calmly: “If you could spend eight thousand taels to redeem a dying woman, I would respect you as a true man.”
The second young master Wang was stunned, frozen in place.
…
At Haoqi Tower.
“I didn’t expect him to be such a romantic,” Nangong Qianrou said, holding a teacup and smiling, her tone unclear whether it was mockery or praise.
“Perhaps not romantic, but certainly passionate,” Wei Yuan stood on the observation deck, his wide sleeves fluttering, casually commenting.
A few seconds later, he suddenly turned around, looking slightly dejected: “I previously withheld three months of his salary. Where do you think he got so much money from?”
Why did you withhold his salary for no reason… Nangong Qianrou gave her adoptive father a scrutinizing look.
Wei Yuan sighed, “In this world, one should only seek peace of mind.”
…
At the Hanlin Academy.
The Hanlin scholars sat in the classroom. The Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy hadn’t arrived yet, so the scholars sat in their respective seats, chatting idly.
“Constable Xu is truly affectionate and righteous. He spent eight thousand taels to redeem Fuxiang.”
“Fuxiang was already terminally ill, beyond medical help, but Constable Xu was still willing to spend the money, just so she could be free of her lowly status before she died.”
Although Xu Qi An had already resigned from his official post, people still habitually referred to him as Constable Xu.
What eight thousand taels? What redemption? Listening to his colleagues whispering to each other, Xu Xingnian was completely bewildered, thinking to himself, what earth-shattering thing has my elder brother done now?
Why is it that when my elder brother does something earth-shattering, I, as his younger brother, know nothing about it?
Because his relationship with Wang Simu had progressed rapidly, and he spent all his free time dating her, the second young master Xu hadn’t been to the Jiaofang Bureau in a long time. Therefore, his information was outdated, and he didn’t know about the eight thousand tael redemption incident.
“But I heard that many people are laughing at him. How can a dying person be worth eight thousand taels? Constable Xu acted on impulse, and now he probably regrets it.”
“I also heard that Constable Xu is doing this to gain a reputation.”
Some held different views.
Fortunately, the second young master Xu was still in a state of confusion, otherwise, these Hanlin scholars would have been scolded to the point of doubting their existence.
At this moment, a cough sounded from outside the door, and the stern and serious Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy entered the classroom, holding a scroll.
The Hanlin scholars immediately fell silent.
This Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy, Ma Xiuwen, was known for his rigidity and seriousness. He didn’t form cliques or engage in scheming. To say his official career skills were refined to perfection would be accurate, as he had indeed maintained a stable position in the court despite fierce factional struggles.
But he had also remained in the position of Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy for decades without moving an inch.
The deepest impression the officials and scholars of the Hanlin Academy had of him was his indifference and calmness, content with his lot.
Just like the plaque hanging in his hall: Seek only peace of mind.
After finishing the lesson, the Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy, Ma Xiuwen, looked around at everyone, and with an unusually kind expression, smiled and said:
“As scholars, what you read is not just books, but the principles within them. However, principles are not only in books but also outside of them. I heard you discussing Constable Xu spending eight thousand taels to redeem a courtesan from the Jiaofang Bureau. You’ve been discussing it for half a day, but what principle have you derived from it?”
What principle could there be?
“Affectionate and righteous?”
“Viewing money as dirt?”
The Hanlin scholars guessed.
The Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy, Ma Xiuwen, smiled and shook his head. His gaze fell on Xu Xingnian, and he said, “Xingnian, what do you think?”
Xu Xingnian frowned slightly, inexplicably recalling when his elder brother had slashed his superior with a sword, and he had visited him in prison. His brother had said: “I’m not acting on impulse, I’m just seeking peace of mind.”
Thinking back, everything he had done since then was just seeking peace of mind.
Xu Xingnian said solemnly, “Seek only peace of mind.”
The Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy, Ma Xiuwen, swept his gaze over everyone: “Remember these words. No matter how high you rise in the future, I hope you all will remember: seek only peace of mind.”
…
After work, Xu Xingnian returned home, his mind preoccupied with what he had heard during the day.
Entering the inner hall, he saw his mother sitting blankly at the table and asked, “Mother, where’s my elder brother?”
His aunt ignored him.
“I’m here…”
From the side courtyard, Xu Qi An waved his hand.
After his little brother came over, he said in a low voice, “Don’t mention Fuxiang’s matter at home.”
Xu Xingnian scrutinized his elder brother: “What’s wrong with mentioning Fuxiang?”
“The point isn’t Fuxiang, it’s the eight thousand taels. Aunt has been like a broken record today, muttering ‘eight thousand taels, eight thousand taels’ all day long…”
As he spoke, Xu Qi An pinched the bridge of his nose, looking a bit headache.
Who’s Xianglin Sao… Xu Xingnian muttered in his heart. Then, he lifted his chin slightly and said calmly, “I just wanted to say something to my elder brother.”
“What?” Xu Qi An asked.
“Life and death are predetermined. There’s no need to be too sad,” the second young master Xu comforted.
If you’re not good at comforting people, don’t try. It sounds like you’re being sarcastic… Xu Qi An nodded and made a sound of acknowledgment.
He had already buried Fuxiang’s remains. He had specially brought Zhong Li back, then took Chu Caiwei to find a place with good feng shui outside the capital to bury her.
By chance, he heard Chu Caiwei mention that since returning from Sword Province, Yang Qianhuan had taken to storytelling, telling everyone he met about his deeds in Sword Province.
The junior disciples at the Celestial Inquiry Bureau would cooperate by cheering loudly, praising Senior Brother Yang as unparalleled in the world.
Yang Qianhuan was very happy about this.
But after the news of Xu Qi An spending eight thousand taels to redeem a courtesan at the Jiaofang Bureau reached the Celestial Inquiry Bureau, Yang Qianhuan stopped telling stories. These days, people at the Jiaofang Bureau would occasionally see a white figure appear.
…
After dinner, Xu Qi An knocked on his little brother’s door and said, “Let me see the daily records of the late emperor that you’ve written down these past few days.”
Xu Xingnian had just taken his sleeping draught and was about to rest. He pushed back, saying, “Wait until I’ve recorded more.”
“No, if you record too much, you’ll filter out some details you think are unimportant. Last time I looked at Yuanjing’s daily records, I noticed this habit of yours,” Xu Qi An said disapprovingly.
“What’s wrong with that?” The second young master Xu didn’t think his approach was incorrect.
“What’s important and what’s not is for me to decide, not you,” Xu Qi An walked to the table, spread out the writing materials, and urged:
“Come here quickly, elder brother will grind the ink for you himself.”
Xu Xingnian had no choice but to walk to the writing desk and sit down, picking up the brush to write. Over the past few days, he had read quite a few of the late emperor’s daily records, all memorized in his mind.
If he were to write after a few days, he would indeed delete some of the conversations he deemed meaningless, otherwise, the workload would be too large.
But writing now, he could faithfully reproduce the content he had memorized.
Half an hour later, the second young master Xu put down his brush, gently shook his hand, and pushed more than ten sheets of paper to his elder brother: “It’s done.”