Recalling my appearance just now, I couldn't help but feel proud.
I was grateful for all the ancient poetry I had memorized in school, which allowed me to shine at this critical moment.
It was truly wonderful, thinking about how I had remained calm under pressure.
The way I had fabricated things on the spot was simply brilliant.
Sister Wanyi led me downstairs to a room with a half-open door.
Then she had me sit in front of the dressing mirror, stroking my hair and saying enviously,
"I told you you could do it, I really didn't misjudge you."
I smiled slightly and replied to her,
"I must thank Sister Wanyi. If it weren't for you, I don't know how long I would have stayed in this Qingfang Tower before I could make a name for myself."
"This time, as long as you serve those distinguished guests well,
Sister Qing will basically entrust this task to you.
These noble guests like to boast to their friends about which girl is good.
When that happens, the more people you know,
you will naturally become the top girl in this Qingfang Tower."
Top girl? Did she mean the courtesan?
I nodded and said,
"Sister Wanyi knows best. I will always remember your kindness."
As she styled my hair, she said,
"What does it matter if you remember or not?
How many people who come here have lives that go as they wish?
We are all unfortunate souls. We help each other if we can."
"Sister is truly kind."
"Hehe, be careful what you say when you meet the guests later.
Only say pleasant things, don't spout random nonsense."
"Okay, I've noted it."
"Well, come and try on this dress."
Wanyi took down a wide-sleeved, snow-white long skirt from the pole.
In strong light, the inside of the skirt would appear faintly visible.
After drawing my eyebrows and applying a touch of red to my lips,
I picked up the peach-blossom fan placed by the dressing table.
Half-concealing my face, half-shrouded in mist, it was truly exquisite.
Wanyi gazed at her handiwork and couldn't help but exclaim,
"With this attire, you look like a celestial being."
I smiled a little shyly and complimented her,
"This is all thanks to you, Sister. My looks are slightly inferior to yours."
"You're so good with words."
My remark made her burst into laughter.
I suddenly realized how eloquent I had become.
I supposed it was learned from Liu Shinian.
Just then, someone outside the door, I didn't know when he arrived, asked anxiously,
"Miss, Sister Wanyi, are you ready?"
Wanyi replied to the person outside the door,
"Yes, yes."
Then she veiled my face and led me out.
Upon seeing me, the person couldn't help but praise,
"Sister Wanyi's skills are truly superb.
Anyone you style seems to be enchanted, becoming beautiful and attractive."
Wanyi was delighted by his praise and frankly stated,
"I've been a stylist at Qingfang Tower for so many years, I wouldn't be any good if I didn't have a few tricks up my sleeve."
"Indeed. Then I'll take her to them."
"Go ahead, go ahead."
She patted my shoulder and said,
"Perform well."
"Okay."
I nodded and followed the person.
The person led me to the building on the far right of the Qingfang Tower's courtyard.
From the first floor to the third, we arrived at a spacious room that was only one chamber.
Looking up, I saw three large pink characters hanging on the door.
"Shuiyue Room"
It seemed this was the most prestigious room in Qingfang Tower.
However, living in such a large room must be incredibly expensive.
Would Liu Shinian really be willing to spend so much for Ada?
With a hint of doubt, I stood by the door.
The person who led me knocked and said,
"Young Master, the person you requested has arrived."
At this moment, the door was opened from the side.
Two tall and imposing men walked out. My heart leaped, and I guessed,
"Are these... also friends of Liu Shinian?"
A subtle unease settled in my heart, but I wasn't entirely sure. I could only brace myself and go in to see.
One of the two men said,
"You can go back. If there are any instructions, we will call you again."
"Yes."
The person who led me bowed slightly and retreated.
Then, one of them gestured for me to follow, saying,
"Miss, please come with me."
I nodded slightly and followed the two of them inside.
The two men led me to the inner room, through a screen, and to a curtain.
Behind the curtain was a straw mat. They gestured for me to sit down.
So, I obediently sat on the straw mat, awaiting the next move.
Through the tiny holes in the curtain, I could vaguely see.
In what seemed to be the main hall, a person was seated.
Seeing that everything was ready, the two men walked out and closed the door.
I suddenly realized something was amiss. If it were Liu Shinian and his companions,
there should be three people. Why was there only one person in front?
Oh no, I must have fallen into a trap set by some influential figure.
It's all my fault for being too hasty and not thinking things through. What should I do now?
The thought of that person possibly being a ruffian,
or even more of a ruffian than Liu Shinian, filled me with fear.
No, I have to find an excuse to escape.
So, I forced myself to remain calm and looked around.
I spotted a guqin placed in the corner to my left.
I remembered that I hadn't learned to play the guqin yet, and a wave of panic washed over me.
But at this point, I couldn't afford to worry about that.
So, I sat down with a forced smile, cleared my throat twice, and began to sing:
"An eighteen-year-old bride and an eighty-year-old groom, with white hair facing the ceremonial attire.
In a mandarin duck quilt, a night of togetherness, a pear blossom tree pressing down on the crabapple." kuAiδugg
The person behind the curtain seemed surprised and asked,
"Miss, have we met before?"
The voice sounded somewhat familiar, like someone I had met recently.
"Boss Jin!"
I blurted out instinctively.
I quickly covered my mouth, pulled up my skirt, and ran out.
Jin Yulan flicked aside the curtain and threw his fan, tripping me.
"Ouch!"
I cried out in pain and fell to the ground, quickly covering my face with my hands.
He then unhurriedly walked over and asked me,
"Miss, why are you covering your face with your hands?"
I smiled awkwardly, thinking that if Jin Yulan saw my face,
the embarrassment would be so profound that my feet would dig a three-bedroom apartment.
So, I pitched my voice higher and lied,
"When this humble one sees you, Young Master, it is like a pool of clear water meeting the moon.
Filled with shyness, I cover my face."
Jin Yulan laughed heartily, having already guessed most of it.
But he found it somewhat amusing, so he feigned doubt and asked,
"I heard you call me Boss Jin just now."
I seized the opportunity and replied,
"Yes, the renowned Jin Yulan of Nanhai City, Boss Jin.
Who doesn't know and admire Boss Jin's handsome demeanor and jade-like face?
Anyone who sees you would feel a sense of shyness. My appearance is truly regrettable.
After I leave, I will ask Sister Qing to send another sister."
Saying this, I got up to run, but he grabbed me and said,
"Your voice, Miss, sounds rather familiar to me."
I smiled awkwardly and said softly,
"Boss Jin, you must be mistaken. How could we possibly know each other?"
Jin Yulan, catching me off guard, snatched the veil from my face.
His brow immediately furrowed, and his eyes showed disbelief.
"Miss Liu, I never thought you would be the top courtesan of this Qingfang Tower!"
I was so embarrassed I wanted the ground to swallow me. I bit my lower lip and stammered a defense,
"I, I, I'm not, I'm really not."
He released my hand, looked me up and down, and then teased with a smile,
"If I had known you were here, I would have come to Qingfang Tower more often."
"It's really not what you think."
I was speechless.
Seeing my nervousness, he found it rather endearing and couldn't resist teasing further,
"Since I'm already here, how will you serve me?"
I smiled shyly and took two steps back,
"I, I, I don't know how to do anything, I don't know how to serve people."
As I spoke, I pulled my clothes tighter, afraid he might do something untoward.
Jin Yulan picked up the fan from the ground and slowly approached me, saying as he walked,
"You know, Miss Liu, you look truly beautiful in this outfit."
I was a little apprehensive and slowly retreated, stammering,
"R-really? I, I don't, don't think so."
Jin Yulan suddenly leaned his head closer, startling me. He then suddenly picked me up and said,
"Since Miss Liu is the top courtesan of Qingfang Tower, then serve me well.
It's rare for me to come here."
I struggled in terror,
"Boss Jin, it's really not what you think, it's not."
"Then what is it? Calling me Boss Jin sounds awkward. How about calling me Young Master Jin?"
I was so anxious that tears welled up in my eyes, and I hurriedly said,
"Young Master Jin, I'm really not the top courtesan of Qingfang Tower. I have a purpose for being here."
Jin Yulan placed me on the low couch against the wall, propped his head, and asked curiously,
"What purpose? Aren't you here for me?"
If I didn't explain now, the misunderstanding might deepen. So I said,
"I'm actually here to find Liu Shinian."
Jin Yulan looked puzzled and asked jokingly,
"What are you looking for him for? Am I not as good as him?"
I gazed at his handsome face, feeling a flutter of shyness.
I thought, I'm not a man. If I were a man,
and you were a woman, I could take three wives and four concubines.
But as a woman, three wives and four concubines are impossible.
So I explained to him again,
"It's not like that. It's that Liu Shinian,
he brought Ali and Ada to Qingfang Tower for drinks and entertainment.
I don't want him to lead them astray, so I followed him in."
Jin Yulan laughed heartily and teased,
"You're quite capable to persuade Sister Qing to make you the top courtesan."
I replied awkwardly,
"I, I was just in a hurry to find them and didn't think that much."
"Alright, since you're not the top courtesan, I won't make things difficult for you."
I curiously asked him,
"Young Master Jin, why are you here? Aren't you here to do something bad?"
Could Jin Yulan be that kind of person? I doubted it.
Jin Yulan smiled again and explained,
"I have a special connection with Qingjie, the owner of Qingfang Tower, so I came to visit.
Who knew they misunderstood and insisted on sending a top courtesan to me?
Hahaha, if the top courtesan were someone else, I would have sent her away.
But I didn't expect it to be Miss Liu."
I smiled awkwardly and exclaimed what good karma it was.
He then said,
"Liu Shinian and Qingjie are old acquaintances. He used to frequent Qingfang Tower.
It's no different now, but given his personality,
it's quite possible he might corrupt Ada and Ali.
How about I help you play a trick on them?"
"How?"
I asked with some confusion.
"Let's do it your way. I think you're better at this than I am.
I'll cooperate with you."
"That's a good idea."
"However."
Seeing his hesitation, I asked,
"What is it?"
"However, Miss Liu, you still have to pretend to be the top courtesan.
Liu Shinian is full of tricks and is very meticulous.
If he spots a flaw, I think before we can prank him, he'll end up pranking us."
"Hmm, that makes sense. Then what should I do?"
"Be a bit more charming, a bit more flirtatious."
"Charming? Flirtatious?"
I really don't know how.
He taught me,
"Do it like this."
Saying this, he made a graceful, delicate flower gesture with his hands in front of me.
I imitated him and did it as well.
He was satisfied and said,
"That's the feeling. Just do it like this, and it'll be fine. Come with me."
I followed him to a red wooden low table about half a meter long.
He sat on the straw mat and gestured for me,
"Miss Liu, just lean on my shoulder."
I felt a bit shy and didn't know how to proceed.
He smiled and reassured me,
"Don't be afraid, just be bold."
I took a breath and boldly leaned on him.
I smelled the faint floral scent lingering on his clothes.
He then said,
"When we meet Liu Shinian and the others later, you must keep your composure.
We're going to teach him a good lesson."
"Okay."
At this moment, I felt both shy and nervous.
Seeing that everything was in order, he called out to the outside,
"Go and bring Liu Shinian here."
"Yes."
The person outside responded, and then I heard footsteps gradually receding.
I assumed they were going to find someone.
At this time, Liu Shinian, Ali, and Ada,
were drinking and eating in the Qingfang Tower courtyard, on the first floor of the building on the right.
Ada looked out the window at the noisy revelry outside and suddenly said,
"Big Brother, I think I saw Miss Muye."
Liu Shinian, nonchalantly eating and drinking, replied,
"Why would she be here? Stop joking."
"I think I saw her leaning against that pillar over there earlier."
Liu Shinian followed the direction of his finger, but saw nothing. He said dismissively,
"There's no one there. Stop imagining things.
We're here to eat and drink to our heart's content today. Don't think about her."
Ali said with some concern,
"Are we not being a bit too much to leave Muye alone at the inn?"
Liu Shinian smiled and patted his shoulder, saying,
"Don't worry, Muye looks like a strong woman.
She's not that delicate. Besides, we'll be back soon."
Ali nodded slowly.
Just then, there was a knock on the door from outside.
Liu Shinian said without looking up,
"We didn't order any girls."
The person outside the door said,
"Inside, is that Young Master Liu Shinian?"
Liu Shinian, hearing the unfamiliar voice, asked doubtfully,
"It's me, what is it?"
"Young Master Liu, my master invites you."
"And who is your master?"
"You'll know when you go."
Liu Shinian was very puzzled, unable to think of any wealthy young master he knew.
However, he had brought Ali and Ada with him today, so how could he abandon them?
Thus, he refused,
"I have brought friends with me today, so it's not convenient.
Please go back and inform him that we'll meet another time."
The person replied,
"My master already knew that Young Master Liu brought friends,
so he specifically instructed me to ask you to go together."
Ada also asked curiously,
"Who is so mysterious?"
Ali thought for a moment and said,
"Could it be someone we know?"
Liu Shinian also felt it must be someone he knew, so he said,
"Since he's inviting us to go together, let's go and see."
Ali and Ada also agreed, nodding in agreement.
So Liu Shinian called out to the outside,
"Since your master sincerely invites us, we'll go and join him."
Saying this, the three of them got up, opened the door, and went out.
Led by the two people, they arrived at the "Shuiyue Room" where Jin Yulan was.