The jade tree stands tall, with ten thousand strands of green silk hanging down.
Who cut out the fine leaves, not knowing, the February spring wind like scissors.
On the Xianghuai River, willows hang upside down, the water reflecting green sky, travelers bustling back and forth, truly lively.
Carriages slowly stopped by a tall building, from which erged wealthy heirs of noble lineage, so in groups, so with attendant students and guards, or so coming and going alone, all heading into the building.
The rippling water mirrored the graceful shadows of won, their hands weaving with fluttering ribbons, attracting passing visitors.
Today was the day Tianxiang Pavilion selected the Oiran, early in the morning, it was already crowded, with hardly any space to park the carriages, so even parked elsewhere.
"Oh, Brother Liang, you are here too? Co on, let’s go together!"
"Haha, Brother Lin Xu, you are here? Sure, let’s pick a good one later, hahaha..."
At the entrance of Tianxiang Pavilion, two young gentlen bumped into each other, exchanged greetings, and went inside arm in arm.
They were regulars here, and once Madam saw them, her eyes lit up green, and she hurriedly approached with quick steps to welco them.
"Oh, Young Master Liang, Mr. Lin, you are here? Co this way, we’ve reserved spots for you on the second floor!"
Madam smiled diligently, for these two gentlen’s backgrounds were far from ordinary.
Young Master Liang’s father was the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Justice, Liang Wenyuan, a second rank official, while Mr. Lin was even more impressive, his father was the Minister of Revenue, in charge of Dazhou’s gold warehouse, with profits aplenty, even just a bit from his fingers was enough to feed nurous people.
Such esteed gentlen visiting her Tianxiang Pavilion truly graced her establishnt!
Of course, besides these two, many offspring of various officials were present too, and she was busy to the point of confusion.
"What about ? Mrs. Wen, giving them spots but not , is it that I’m not welco?"
A discontent voice suddenly ca from behind. Mrs. Wen turned without a word, smiling at the man behind, "Oh, isn’t this Mr. Chen? It’s not that at all; we have a spot prepared for you too. Co, girls, welco the gentlen upstairs!"
Suddenly, a group of young ladies erged, escorting the gentlen upstairs.
These were offspring of the court’s second rank officials, not to be trifled with. Even though Tianxiang Pavilion had its backing, it wouldn’t dare provoke these people.
However, as Mr. Chen passed by Mr. Lin’s side, he snorted fiercely.
"This year’s Oiran, I’m determined to get!"
"Tch, becoming the Oiran depends on skill, Chen Du, do you have more money than ? Can you spend like ? Hahaha..."
Mr. Lin mocked him with a few words, laughing heartily as he went upstairs.
"You! Lin Xu, we’ll see about that, hmph!"
Chen Du maliciously glared at Lin Xu’s departing figure, contemplating retaliating against the Minister of Revenue, with such blatant flaunting of wealth, surely his father wasn’t clean-handed!
"That Lin Xu is the second son of the Minister of Revenue, very wealthy, often flaunting it here, while Chen Du is the only son of Chen Fang’en, Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice and cherished, using the best from a young age, fostering a competitive nature. Last year’s Oiran was taken by Lin Xu, and Chen Du even fought him over it."
On the third floor, Long Yue leaned against the railing, with the dancer An Xiang beside her.
The interior of Tianxiang Pavilion was shaped like a square, with the middle being open, allowing for a clear view of the scene below, Long Yue disguised as a gentleman, her folded fan in hand, watching the gentlen below teasing each other, finding it amusing.
"No one’s been killed then?"
Long Yue murmured softly, An Xiang shook her head, "No, guards are stationed here, and they know the limits, at most throwing punches and kicks, but not serious injuries. After all, we have business to run here."
Once a murder case occurs, there’s no business to be done.
"Really? Yet I have a feeling sothing will happen today."
"Mr. Long, what do you an?"
An Xiang was startled, hastily looking at Long Yue, seeing her expression calm and unwavering, feeling a bit apprehensive, "Don’t do anything rash..."
"How could I act rashly? What are you thinking? I simply... just saw a glint of cold light, soone brought a weapon."
Long Yue shook her head, it was truly a wrongful accusation, she had no reason to kill anyone, but if soone had the intent to take out a few wealthy heirs, she wouldn’t stop them, she’d be pleased.
"Cold light?" An Xiang hesitated, her gaze scanning the crowd below, noticing so carried swords, but those were used rely for ornant by scholars and literati.
Among them, one gentleman brazenly displayed an exquisite sword for admiration, drawing gasps from countless girls nearby.
"What you saw wouldn’t be that gentleman, right? His sword is a fine Ice Spring Sword, purchased heavily from a sword casting master, he often wears it and flaunts it to others, it’s nothing significant."
"Oh, is it? Well, hopefully, I’ve overthought it."
Long Yue didn’t argue further, if A Mu were present, he’d surely agree with her instincts, after all, they both erged from the battlefield, sensitive to the Qi Elent.
"Mr. Long, the selection is about to start, I need to prepare, I can’t accompany you. Apologies!"
"Alright, go, perform well, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself."
"Okay!"
Long Yue stood by the railing outside An Xiang’s room, and after An Xiang went in to dress up, she, to avoid suspicion, went downstairs to a private room on the second floor.
The second floor had many private rooms and compartnts, don’t assu compartnts were less than private rooms, so compartnts were decorated more lavishly than private rooms. As Long Yue passed by a compartnt, she noticed the two gentlen who ca up earlier.
Mr. Lin Xu, and Young Master Liang Chengye.
This compartnt had winding waters of the ornantal stream, spring water tinkling, beautiful won serving beside, with fragrant wines, truly a feast in the land of tenderness.
These two, according to the information, each had families, yet indulged in such a decadent place, truly shaless.
If Li Qingmu dared step into this place, Long Yue would probably cripple him imdiately.
"It’s starting, it’s starting, stop now, hurry and watch the stage!"
Suddenly below ca a commotion, looking closely, the Oiran competition had begun.
By now, outside the sunset was gradually sinking, the perfect mont for music and dance.
"Good, wonderful, that song truly moves!"
"That pipa was well-played too! And earlier the ancient zither, played brilliantly!"
"... "
To beco the Oiran, it’s not enough to be beautiful, one must be skilled in piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, song, dance, and performance.
The won of Tianxiang Pavilion were eagerly showcasing their singing and dancing, very diligently, drawing applause and praise from countless talents and gentlen.
Long Yue sipped lightly at her sake, watching the applauding crowd below, suddenly, her gaze slightly focused!
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