In the afternoon, the two of us shared the study. I flipped through account books while she read, occasionally sipping tea and chatting. In winter, the sky darkens early, and the daylight slipped away just like that. The snow had long since stopped. We had just agreed to visit Luming Garden tomorrow to enjoy the snowy scenery when Honglu brought in a letter.
Because I had mentioned wanting to hear her play the zither, Wei Qingming had just taken the instrument down from the wall and was wiping it with a damp, soft cloth. Upon hearing the news, she took the letter from Honglu’s hand, glanced at it, and then flipped her hand to hide it in her palm. Seeing her displeased expression, I knew something had come up. I smiled and held her shoulder. "If there is business, then go. Just remember it is cold in the snow; don't go out underdressed. Yesterday, you wore nothing but a thin, flimsy robe under your fur coat, as if it were still autumn. How could that keep you warm? Today, you must honestly wrap yourself in a padded jacket before leaving."
This woman, completely disregarding Honglu’s presence, smiled and replied, "Whether my body is warm or not, does Azhi not know best?"
My face flushed, and I spat a playful curse at her. Honglu very tactfully acted as if he hadn't heard her nonsense, smiling and chiming in with me. "Exactly, exactly! Listen to the Mistress! The Master simply hates wearing layers. I tell her every year, and every year she argues that since she cultivates solar power, the colder it gets, the more it stimulates her potential to actively circulate her internal energy to resist it. I can't control her at all."
I huffed. "Fine. Today, I’ll take charge for Brother Honglu. Go get her clothes—whichever is thickest, put it on her."
Honglu happily chirped a "Right away!" and in a flash, he brought out a full set of gear. We piled it onto Lord Wei, even capping her with a leopard-skin hat. Standing back to look, her palm-sized face was buried amidst a mountain of fur and clothing. Sitting there, she truly looked like the Monkey King pinned under the Five Elements Mountain. The two of us clutched our stomachs, laughing hysterically.
Wei Qingming remained unfazed. She lifted an arm and suddenly let out a standard Northern horse-gang whistle. Then, squinting one eye, she mimicked a fierce bandit from the State of Shiying drawing a bow and nocking an arrow. Her expression and posture were vivid and intimately familiar, so dashing that my face heated up and my heart skipped a beat.
After joking for a while, a True Fire ignited in Wei Qingming’s palm, incinerating the encrypted note she had just received. The firelight reflected on her face. she tilted her head slightly, letting the ashes fall into the charcoal brazier as if she had made a decision. Looking at me, she smiled. "There is indeed business. Is Azhi willing to come with me?"
I immediately answered with a beaming smile, "Of course I am! As long as I don't cause trouble for you. But is it alright for me to know the secrets of your Temple?"
"How could it not be? It is fine." She wiped her hands with a handkerchief and pulled me into the layers of her massive leopard-skin cloak. I stood while she sat, so she looked up at me.
Holding my hand, she spoke slowly. "I myself have been unwilling to be trapped in a courtyard since childhood, which is why I am who I am today. Naturally, I do not wish to selfishly imprison Azhi at home in the name of safety, as if I were keeping a concubine. Azhi has many talents and has long ceased to be a weak woman who can only rely on my protection. Even riding out alone, you are more than capable. If there is a suitable matter, we shall do it together. Or, if you are unwilling to participate in this dirty work, feel free to establish your own career; I will support you with all my strength. Just take good care of yourself and do not let my heart ache with worry."
These words showed a level of respect and consideration that far transcended ordinary petty romance. I was inexplicably moved and smiled. "Lord Wei’s estate is vast, and managing it is already enough work. 'Into the Dream' also needs my help; I don't want to start any more trouble for myself. I only want to be with you, and if I can help along the way, that is best. Martial arts are a 'use it or lose it' skill; I’ve been idle for half a month and have grown a bit lazy. I should thank you for taking me out to stretch my bones!"
Lord Wei smiled slightly and spoke no more of sentiment, turning to the business at hand. "This afternoon, Prince Xuan suddenly returned to the capital without a decree. He is currently plotting with someone in Pingkang Ward. According to the Temple's rules, matters involving a Prince's violations require an Envoy to be present in person to command. It would be simpler if the two of us handled it."
"Alright." I understood immediately. It was just an eavesdropping mission; the two of us, as illusionists, were perfect for it. "Pingkang Ward... that is Secret Envoy Silver Lantern’s territory. Is she available?"
"She has another mission," she said. "Finding one more woman to assist will be enough."
With the plan settled, I quickly changed into outdoor clothes, transforming into an ordinary-looking man. Wei Qingming, however, took out the stack of drawings Lu Lingfeng had given her. She chose one at random, activated it with illusionary power, and pressed it onto her face. I truly couldn't help but laugh. In a flash, the refined Lord Wei had turned into a dark-faced, stout man. Combined with the leopard skins and the fact that we were going to Pingkang Ward, she looked exactly like a wealthy provincial bumpkin from Hanzhou looking for fun in the capital...
"Xiong San of Qingzhou. May I ask your name, little brother?" She cupped her fists and asked with perfect poise. At the first two words, she seemed slightly startled by the accompanying illusionary technique Lu Lingfeng had used to change her voice, but she soon regained her composure. Her voice was coarse and loud, truly sounding like the rumbling of a bear.
I laughed until tears squeezed out, wiping them as I said, "Then I shall be called Nie Zhen, the fifth brother of Nie Xueqing."
"Fifth Brother Nie," she said solemnly. "Let us set off!"
Luocheng, the groom, was quite clever. Knowing we were going out in disguise today, he had hired a carriage and driver rather than using the family's own. Along the way, I stared at 'Lord Bear' without blinking, trying my best to get used to her current image so I wouldn't accidentally burst out laughing in public and blow our cover...
As soon as we entered Pingkang Ward, Lord Bear was the first to leap off the carriage. With a grand wave of her hand, she impatiently gave a tip, and the driver scurried away with the carriage. Well, we were still half a street away from our destination, and she was already fully in character.
I barely managed to keep a straight face as I grabbed the arm of Lord Bear, who was striding inward. I said politely, "Brother Xiong San, do not be in such a hurry. The pavilions and houses have only just opened; the beauties won't run away from you."
"Oh," she said. "I see the Qingshang Pavilion up ahead. These past few days in the capital, I keep hearing people talk about 'The melodies of Qingshang, the dances of Wangxiang.' Is it true the music here is good? Let's go there!"
I knew her meaning was that our target was in Qingshang Pavilion tonight, but I couldn't resist teasing her. "Brother, have you not heard the next two lines? 'Under the Southern Willows, in the Western Rue Alley, the Eighteen Courtyards hold the most radiant faces.' If we are talking about male or female beauty, the Liuxia Tower and the eighteen houses of Rue Alley are the best."
"I don't want those!" Xiong San chuckled, grabbing my hand. "Beauty leads men astray and would hinder our brothers' chat. A tune to liven things up is enough."
As she spoke, she used her large leopard-skin sleeves to hide her hand as she playfully squeezed and rubbed mine. If I hadn't been so familiar with the mischievous glint in this dark-faced man's eyes, I, Su Zhenzhen, would have been frightened half to death by Lord Wei's realistic acting...
Qingshang Pavilion was indeed one of the top establishments in Pingkang Ward. Countless Zither Queens had emerged from its doors. In the past three hundred years, sixty percent of the top ten courtesans in the Zither Department had come from here. Xue Yishan had also been trained in Qingshang Pavilion since childhood; it was only after gaining fame that they would choose to redeem themselves and establish their own houses, moving west to Rue Alley. Therefore, the most talented courtesans weren't necessarily found in the brothels of Pingkang Ward. Silver Lantern actually had enough fame and wealth to squeeze into the rankings of the eighteen houses of Rue Alley, but she stayed at Wangxiang Pavilion solely for the Temple's missions. Although Wangxiang Pavilion was ranked alongside Qingshang Pavilion, its operations were very balanced. Besides excellent dancing, it had no weaknesses. Behind it was the Huaying Chamber of Commerce, which specialized in the entertainment districts of the capital region. Calling it the number one establishment in Pingkang Ward was not an exaggeration.
Brother Xiong San strode in recklessly, his boots tracking slushy snow onto the imported Western woven carpets. With a wave of his large palm, he shouted for the madam, before Fifth Brother Nie could even stop him. Seeing a wealthy bumpkin who didn't know how to spend his money, the madam’s eyes flickered with a hint of disdain, but she still responded with a beaming, affectionate face. Giggling, she pressed her half-exposed, ample bosom against Xiong San’s arm and hugged her. "Oh, what a heroic gentleman! Which lady would you like to accompany you today?"
Wei Qingming raised a hand and pointed at the red-lacquered flower rankings hanging in the center of the hall, smoothly pulling her arm out of the madam's embrace. She deliberately chose the highest-ranking courtesan currently in the building. The madam, expecting this, explained with a smile that we were too late; the Courtesan Lady had already left for a banquet. Xiong San cursed impatiently. The surrounding prostitutes and servants all laughed at this boorish man's haste. I quickly suppressed my laughter to smooth things over. "Brother, you don't know. Those on the rankings must be booked at least a month in advance, and one must offer poetry and books, or share zither and chess, before they can enter the lady's chambers. It's useless to be in a hurry. The music of Qingshang is famous throughout the world; let's just choose a charming and lovely girl. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
Xiong San also seemed to realize he had made a fool of himself. Hearing this, he let out a compliant "Oh" and said, "Then I'll leave it to the Madam to decide. If Fifth Brother has any acquaintances, it would be even better to call them."
Recalling the first time I went to Fengle Pavilion, how I had only looked at the beautiful dancers a few times more and praised Silver Lantern once, only to provoke Lord Wei’s resentment, I didn't dare have any "acquaintances." I gave a dry laugh and said I had none. The madam straightened her waist and grinned. "I wonder what the gentleman's preferences are?"
"Looks don't matter, but she must sing well," Xiong San said, adding with a mix of honesty and cunning, "I'm in the strong liquor business. Just tell the girl that there will be plenty of wine in the future." She then said to the madam with a grin, "Madam, do you like to drink? Old Xiong will gift you several large crates."
These rustic words were so ridiculous that even I couldn't hold it in anymore, joining the crowd in loud laughter. The madam laughed while twisting her handkerchief, waving her hand repeatedly. "Thank you for your kindness, sir! If I have time, this old woman would truly like to have a few drinks with Lord Xiong! Let me attend to your business first and pick a good one to serve you!"
A servant, suppressing his laughter, led the two of us up to a second-floor booth. Brother Xiong shouted and made a fuss again, nitpicking everything. He claimed that as a businessman, he was very particular about Feng Shui, and even a misplaced vase wouldn't do. He insisted on looking through over a dozen rooms until they reached a corner by the railing on the third floor, where he was finally satisfied. The servant bowed his back and ran off quickly; I could hear him laughing loudly as he sprinted down the stairs...
As soon as the door closed, Brother Xiong immediately became agile. With a lightness and grace completely at odds with his physique, he quickly set up a barrier before shedding his cumbersome clothes and sitting down calmly to drink tea. I slumped over the table and laughed for a while, wiping my tears. I took the tea Brother Xiong handed me, took a sip, and started laughing again, nearly choking. Though Brother Bear was ugly, she was very gentle as she patted my back and handed me a handkerchief to wipe my mouth.
After that performance, I wanted to laugh every time I looked at her. I had to bury my face in the table, wondering if it was because Lord Wei had been beautiful and noble since childhood, accustomed to being looked upon with favor, that she wanted to play an ugly role to experience the coldness of the world... But before things could even get cold, she had already made even the most cynical of madams beam with joy. Everyone on the first floor was practically falling in love with her...
"You... you're too good at acting..." I still didn't dare look up at her, clutching my chest as I finally managed to catch my breath. "If Lord Wei were to debut, what would be left for Xu Xingze!"
She reverted to her original voice then, smiling faintly. "Would Azhi be willing to let the whole world see me?"
I stuck out my tongue and pouted. "In this current appearance? Yes. In your original one? No way!"
She let out a mock-solemn sigh. "I knew Azhi was a lover of beauty, but I didn't expect that the aspect of me that requires the least personal effort would be the most useful."
"You're just showing off your good looks!" I didn't know whether to laugh or cry as I poked her with a finger, then said seriously, "Every part of Ayun is the most lovely. How could loving you just be about beauty..." At this point, I couldn't help but joke again with a grin, "It's clearly about admiring the strong!"
Wei Qingming chuckled, shook her head, and changed back to her disguised voice because a woman was tapping gently on the door, asking softly. Brother Xiong spoke with a booming, authoritative voice: "Enter!"
