In an instant, Yu Jin recalled what Jiang Si had told him: two people were seeking a woman resembling the Holy Maiden to approach him…
Could that woman be the courtesan from the Golden Water River?
“Which pleasure boat?” he asked.
Long Dan was startled by Yu Jin’s serious demeanor.
Huh, he thought his master would be pleased. Since it wasn’t convenient to meet Miss Jiang regularly, finding a courtesan for the occasional company wouldn’t be bad. And after the master married Miss Jiang, if he ever got upset, he could take it out on the courtesan…
Ahem, that line of thinking seemed a bit improper.
“It’s the Fufang Troupe, the one you planned to visit after touring the Yanchun Troupe. According to the madam, that courtesan is a new arrival and still a virgin entertainer.”
Yu Jin frowned as he glanced at Long Dan.
This fellow was becoming increasingly tactless. What did he mean by “touring” the Yanchun Troupe and planning to “visit” the Fufang Troupe? That was called investigating!
“What’s the courtesan’s name?”
“She’s called Qingqing. It seems the madam is treating her like a cash cow, intending to groom her into their top entertainer. I asked a few more questions when I saw her, but the madam seemed displeased.” Long Dan tugged at his clothes rather dejectedly, muttering, “We’re dressed quite decently, yet the madam still looked down on us…”
“Bring me a set of clothes for going out.”
Long Dan fetched a set of clothes that were about 80% new and helped Yu Jin change. Seeing him about to leave, he couldn’t help but ask, “Master, where are you going?”
“To the Fufang Troupe.”
“Huh?” Long Dan peeked at the sky, his face full of surprise. “At this hour? Those courtesans should all have customers by now…”
“Enough chatter.” Yu Jin gave Long Dan a sideways glance and strode out.
Long Dan hurriedly followed.
“You don’t need to come.”
Long Dan: ??
Abandoning a loyal steed, discarding a bow after all the birds are caught, killing the dog after cooking the hare… what else was there?
The banks of the Golden Water River were still as bright as day. The leaves of the weeping willows on both shores had already turned yellow, swaying slowly in the night breeze like elderly people waving their arms, their falling leaves swept into the thick fragrance of powder and rouge.
The faint sound of silk and bamboo instruments, and the flickering lights on the river, all took on an air of romance due to the omnipresent thick fragrance. In the deep autumn of the capital, this place always maintained a spring-like atmosphere.
Those pleasure boats of various sizes had already left the shore and were drifting on the river, exuding an air of freedom and ease.
Yu Jin casually hailed a small boat that was moored at the shore, waiting for passengers.
The boatman was an old man with a cheerful smile. “Young master, where would you like to go?”
“Fufang Troupe,” Yu Jin replied curtly, not wishing to say more.
The old man was quite proper and didn’t chatter on hearing this. He simply said, “Alright then,” and skillfully steered the small boat swiftly through numerous vessels.
The small boat weaved through countless boats and soon approached the pleasure boat adorned with “Fufang Troupe” lanterns.
“Fufang Troupe welcoming guests!” the old man called out, bringing the boat to a stop.
Someone from the pleasure boat immediately helped Yu Jin aboard.
Like the Yanchun Troupe, the Fufang Troupe was a medium-sized establishment. The madam who greeted guests took one look at Yu Jin’s attire and her smile grew warmer. She welcomed him in with great enthusiasm.
Yu Jin sat down in the main hall, idly playing with a teacup, showing little interest in singing and dancing on the central stage.
“Has any girl caught your eye, young master?” the madam approached and asked.
“It’s my first time here.”
“I see. As it happens, our top courtesan Feifei is free. Shall I call her to sing for you?”
Yu Jin nodded slightly.
“Then please go to the private room, young master. It’s too noisy here to properly enjoy the music.”
Yu Jin had barely settled in the private room when a woman draped in light gauze entered, carrying a pipa.
“Young master, this is Feifei.”
Yu Jin gave Feifei a lazy glance.
Feifei’s eyes brightened, and she giggled as she drew near. “What song would the young master like to hear?”
A silver ingot arced through the air and landed in Feifei’s lap. The young man’s languid voice sounded, “Whatever you like.”
Feifei giggled, simply put her pipa on the table, and began to sing acapella.
“…Reaching out to touch the silk by sister’s face, dark clouds have flown halfway across the sky; reaching out to touch sister’s forehead, the celestial court is full and enticing…”
It turned out to be an erotic song.
Yu Jin, having spent many years in southern military camps, had heard all sorts of ribald jokes. Listening to a bawdy tune naturally didn’t faze him.
When Feifei finished singing and tried to snuggle her half-limp body against him, he pushed her away with one hand and said flatly, “Not very interesting. I’d rather go back to the main hall to enjoy the singing and dancing.”
Feifei didn’t dare show her displeasure to a customer and looked at the madam pitifully.
The madam laughed. “It seems the young master prefers something fresh. As luck would have it, we’ve just received a new girl at our Fufang Troupe. She’s as fresh as spring water and quite a beauty. Better yet, she’s still a virgin entertainer. Would the young master like to meet her?”
Yu Jin nodded slightly.
Soon, the pearl curtain rustled, and a slender woman entered.
The madam sent Feifei away and pulled the woman forward, pushing her in front of Yu Jin. “Qingqing, raise your head and let the young master have a look.”
The woman seemed somewhat reluctant, keeping her head lowered and not moving.
The madam pinched the woman. “I told you to raise your head.”
Then she smiled at Yu Jin. “Please forgive her, young master. Qingqing is new here and doesn’t know how to behave yet.”
Yu Jin frowned. “Indeed, she doesn’t know how to behave.”
A courtesan putting on airs of reluctance with him was purely a waste of time.
Both Qingqing and the madam were stunned for a moment.
This young master wasn’t following the usual script.
The madam quickly recovered and pushed Qingqing. “Didn’t you hear? Are you mute?”
Qingqing finally raised her head slowly, looking wronged with tears in her eyes, and timidly called out, “Young master.”
Yu Jin narrowed his eyes slightly.
If one were to say she resembled the Holy Maiden Asang, there was indeed some similarity. But for them to think this alone could make him lose his mind, he didn’t know if those people were ignorant or fearless.
“Indeed quite fresh,” Yu Jin smiled, curving his lips. He asked, “Can you sing? For example, that erotic song from earlier?”
Qingqing’s face stiffened, and she lowered her gaze. “No, I can’t.”
“Can you dance?”
Qingqing shook her head.
“Then do you know how to please a man?”
Qingqing blushed and lowered her head without answering.
Yu Jin looked disgusted. “You can’t do anything. Do you expect me to sing and dance for you? Madam, take this courtesan away. I’m not interested.”
The madam was dumbfounded.
This wasn’t how she had imagined it would go!
“Young master, Qingqing is still a virgin entertainer. It’s natural for her to be shy. Please be understanding…”
Yu Jin sneered, “I’ve seen shy ladies from good families. If I wanted to see shy women, why would I come here?”
With that, he ignored the madam and strode out.
The madam gave Qingqing a meaningful look and hurriedly chased after Yu Jin. “Young master, Qingqing’s inexperience has ruined your mood. Let her apologize to you. Qingqing, come here now!”
Qingqing walked over with her head half-lowered and bumped into a stumbling man.
The man appeared to have drunk quite a bit. He cursed at first, but upon seeing Qingqing’s face, his eyes lit up. He pushed away the courtesan in his arms and grabbed Qingqing’s hand. “Madam Liu, when did this sister arrive? How come I’ve never seen her before?”
Qingqing looked anxiously towards the madam, her gaze also encompassing Yu Jin, who wasn’t far from the madam.
Yu Jin tugged at the corner of his mouth.
How tedious, no wonder those theatrical scripts never have anything new.