The young man before her was strikingly handsome, with an upright posture. He wore a light cyan robe cinched at the waist with a white jade belt. A faint smile played at the corners of his eyes and lips, exuding charm even while standing still. Perhaps only the experienced madam, having seen countless people, could discern her true female identity at a glance.
The madam felt both regretful and angry: a woman dressed as a man looked better than most of the patrons who came to enjoy themselves at the pleasure boat. It was truly vexing.
Vexing as it was, after getting her answers, this person didn’t leave promptly but wanted to have tea with their top courtesan. If you don’t have the skills, why take on such a delicate task?
The madam secretly pursed her lips, then flicked her handkerchief: “What a shame, our Miss Yingying has an important guest today.”
Saying this, the madam proudly adjusted the silk flower in her hair.
Their Yan Chun Troupe was indeed small. Their pleasure boat couldn’t compare to the spacious and luxurious ones at the top of Jin Shui River, and their courtesans weren’t as beautiful as those elsewhere. Usually, the guests who came to Yan Chun Troupe for entertainment were of a lower status.
But today was unusual. Not only had this peculiar young lady come, but before her, a young gentleman had specifically asked to see their top courtesan, Yingying. He was not only handsome but also generous, clearly from a distinguished background. Yingying, who usually played hard to get, relying on her status as the troupe’s pillar, had come down to greet him after just a glance from upstairs tonight.
To be honest, when the madam first discovered Jiang Si’s female identity, her first suspicion was that she had come for this gentleman.
As for those pot-bellied old men or pretentious scholars who could recite a few lines of bad poetry, only their overfed wives would care so much.
Jiang Si frowned at the madam.
It was normal for a top courtesan on a pleasure boat to have clients. She couldn’t accuse the madam of brushing her off.
But having come all this way, it felt unsatisfying not to catch even a glimpse of this top courtesan.
Jiang Si wasn’t without suspicions about Yan Chun Troupe’s top courtesan.
Since the person who had harmed her elder sister had redeemed Yu’er, and Yu’er was a maid serving the top courtesan of Yan Chun Troupe, who knew if there wasn’t some connection between that person and the top courtesan?
Could it be that Zhu Ziyu had some relationship with Yan Chun Troupe’s top courtesan, and first redeemed the courtesan’s maid to send to her elder sister’s side, to frame her sister and make room for the courtesan?
Jiang Si shook her head inwardly.
If Zhu Ziyu had such intentions, he’d be even less intelligent than Er Niu.
Regardless, she still needed to see Yan Chun Troupe’s top courtesan.
“Young sir, you’d better head back early,” the madam advised with a forced smile.
Jiang Si’s furrowed brow slowly smoothed out, and she smiled slightly at the madam: “Since I can’t meet Miss Yingying today, I’ll come back tomorrow night.”
The madam’s face twitched, causing some of her thick makeup to fall off. She forced a smile and said, “Miss Yingying has an appointment tomorrow night as well…”
Jiang Si leaned casually against the railing and smiled faintly: “Then I’ll come the day after. I have plenty of free time.”
The madam secretly cursed, flicking her handkerchief: “Let me escort you off the boat, young sir.”
It was still early at this hour, and most pleasure boats were still docked by the shore waiting for customers to board. The boat swayed slightly, and the red lanterns on the colorful poles cast dancing reflections on the water’s surface. Countless fragments of golden light gathered and dispersed, making the calm water surface mysterious and alluring in a way unique to Jin Shui River.
Knowing she wouldn’t gain anything more by staying, Jiang Si nodded slightly and followed the madam towards the exit.
The madam secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally, she had managed to send this troublesome young lady away.
The two walked one after another, with Old Qin bringing up the rear. They were about to reach the wooden stairs closest to the exit when light footsteps were heard coming down the stairs.
Jiang Si instinctively looked up.
The lighting on the stairs was dimmer compared to the brightly lit hall, and half of the person’s face was hidden in shadows, barely revealing their outline.
But Jiang Si froze after just a glance.
The person steadily descending the stairs was Yu Qi!
How could he be here?
In just that moment of distraction, only a few steps separated them.
Jiang Si reflexively lowered her head and quickened her pace.
The madam’s voice rang out timely, enthusiastic, and cheerful: “Oh my, why are you leaving so soon, young sir? Did our Yingying not serve you well?”
Yingying?
Jiang Si stopped in her tracks and glanced up.
At the railing on the second floor, a woman in red was gazing wistfully at Yu Jin’s back, full of reluctance to part.
The woman appeared to be around twenty years old, with her hair loosely tied in a low bun. Her floor-length dress cut just above the chest, revealed a large expanse of snow-white skin that contrasted with her delicate bare feet.
Jiang Si’s keen eyes even noticed that the woman’s toenails were painted a bright red.
Compared to her attire and figure, her face was somewhat unremarkable. She was certainly beautiful, but it was a common sort of beauty.
At least in Jiang Si’s view, Yan Chun Troupe’s top courtesan Yingying was far less attractive than her elder sister.
Of course, regardless of their personalities, the Jiang sisters had never lost out in terms of looks.
However, Jiang Si wouldn’t assume Zhu Ziyu and Yingying’s relationship was innocent based solely on appearance. After all, she wasn’t ugly, yet Ji Chongyi still disdained her, his heart set on a simple beauty from a humble background.
In the blink of an eye, the young man on the stairs had come down. His bright black eyes looked past the madam with her heaving bosom towards Jiang Si.
Although Jiang Si was dressed as a man and had cleverly disguised her features and complexion, when that penetrating cold gaze fell upon her, she felt inexplicably guilty. As if possessed, she suddenly pulled the madam into her arms.
The madam was stunned, Yu Jin was stunned, and in fact, Jiang Si herself was stunned.
Fortunately, she had thick skin and quick reactions. Imitating the typical behavior of men visiting brothels, she put one arm around the madam’s shoulders and pinched her waist with the other hand. In a gruff voice, she said, “I prefer women like you, madam. Why don’t you keep me company and we can go to our usual spot?”
The corner of the madam’s mouth twitched.
Usual spot? What was this little girl up to?
“Let’s go,” Jiang Si said, secretly pushing the madam harder.
The madam sensed something was off but didn’t expose her, considering the stack of silver notes.
What harm could there be in going to the usual spot? It’s not like this weak girl could overpower her.
Jiang Si half-embraced, half-pushed the madam, walking past Yu Jin’s scrutinizing gaze. The madam looked back with a smile, “So sorry, young sir. I have a guest now, but next time you come, I’ll be sure to give you a proper welcome…”
“Wait,” Yu Jin called out in a deep voice, striding over.
The madam threw him a coquettish glance: “If you don’t have other plans, young sir, why not let Yingying keep you company? You see, I really can’t be in two places at once—”
Yu Jin reached out and pulled the madam from Jiang Si’s arms, placing a hand on Jiang Si’s shoulder.
“Oh my, what’s this about? It’s not worth two young gentlemen fighting over little old me,” the madam laughed, trying to smooth things over.
The young man’s gaze was dark and intense, carrying a hint of danger as he looked deeply at Jiang Si before turning to leave.
He had discovered A Si here, which was truly unexpected!
Don’t get angry, don’t get angry, he told himself. Wait until you understand the situation before saying anything.
The Seventh Prince Yu Qi silently calmed himself for quite a while before he recovered.