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墨書 Inktalez
Liu Shishi is an understanding woman. Even when the handsome Husband she had her eye on was intercepted by her Lady-in-Waiting, her expression remained unchanged.
However, seeing Qin Wenyuan actually enter the fragrant chamber of her Lady-in-Waiting with Qin Yaru, she couldn't help but feel both amused and exasperated, saying, "Don't bully our Yuexin; she's still here."
After giving Yuexin a few instructions, Liu Shishi turned and ran to the stage to grab the pipa, causing a chorus of howls throughout the room. As the star performer of the Brothel Management Office, she was not someone just anyone could see.
Qin Yaru sighed. Regardless of how others envied or despised the renowned Courtesans, she increasingly felt that most of the Courtesans in the Brothel Management Office were both pitiful and lovable. Those who were truly sharp-tongued and bitter would hardly remain there.
Her own sister was cute enough; being pitiful was unnecessary.
Qin Xiu buried her head in her sister's lap. Before long, large tears soaked her robe. The thirteen-year-old girl had spent five years in the Brothel Management Office, dreaming countless times at midnight about seeing her father and siblings, only to find it was forever just a dream.
Even now, Qin Xiu still felt it wasn't real.
Qin Wenyuan sat silently beside them, drinking cup after cup. After a long while, he finally said in a rough voice, "Let the general think of a way to get Xiu out of here; we can go home."
Yes, home—together as a family, never to be separated again.
Getting out of the Brothel Management Office was naturally difficult. According to regulations, once one entered the Brothel Management Office, even thinking about leaving should not be allowed, especially since Qin Xiu was still a criminal's daughter.
But it depended on who was involved. With someone as influential as Gao Feng around, informing the Official would likely mean that the Official wouldn't refuse to give face to their own important minister over a Lady-in-Waiting from the Brothel Management Office.
However, unexpectedly, there was a complication with Qin Xiu. Ouyang Yue disagreed. Ouyang Yue was an absolute authority in the Brothel Management Office; even the Official wouldn't intervene in this matter.
"You've raised this girl for five years, with several esteemed families teaching her hand in hand. It's not easy to nurture her into such a delicate flower; you think you can just take her away now?"
Ouyang Yue glanced at Qin Xiu and noticed her eyes filled with sadness and despair. She frowned and sighed—these girls from esteemed families had good foundations; they didn't require much training once they arrived at the Brothel Management Office. Generally speaking, leaders often came from such families, but it was troublesome as they were always lamenting their fate.
Everyone has their struggles. Ouyang Yue thought for a moment and felt a bit reluctant. She frowned and said, "It's not impossible to leave, as long as Yuexin can leave behind a few songs and dances that are worthy of being passed down through generations for the Brothel Management Office, enough to earn her a lifetime's worth of silver, then I will let her go."
In fact, it wasn't that she was unwilling to let anyone go. Working as a Courtesan in the Brothel Management Office wasn't just about being good-looking; beauty was merely the basic requirement. They received strict training and were all skilled in performing arts, excelling in singing. Moreover, each of them had to be literate and knowledgeable in calligraphy and painting. You might not be able to paint, but you must know how to appreciate art. When guests arrived, if you couldn't produce something impressive on the spot, wouldn't that bring shame to the Brothel Management Office?
Women from official families like Qin Xiu were well-educated and were groomed to become future head courtesans upon entering the Brothel Management Office. The resources spent on them were immense. Now that they hadn't fully matured yet, wanting to leave was simply unrealistic!
Furthermore, without rules, there would be no order. If family members came looking for them and the girls they painstakingly raised wanted to leave, how could the Brothel Management Office retain anyone?
If it had been twenty years later, Ouyang Yue would have happily sent them off with a dowry. She wasn't heartless; otherwise, she wouldn't hold such prestige in the Brothel Management Office.
The Qin siblings looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
Ouyang Yue was not someone they could offend, but where could they find a program that would be worthy of being passed down? Although everyone now complained that the Brothel Management Office was lacking, with only a few performers and programs each year, it was undoubtedly a trendsetter. The instructors inside constantly sought new dances every year; each one was exceptionally talented—far beyond what the Qin family could compare.
"Xiu, don't be afraid. Just live well. Once our Qin family is vindicated, you can proudly become a proper young lady."
Yes, only if the Qin family was vindicated; otherwise, what difference would it make if Xiu managed to escape?
Regardless, the Qin family still had many good things happening: Xiu had been found, Qin Wenyuan was out of prison, and Da Lang was healthy and clever—just like his grandfather—a promising student. His teacher, Mr. Zhao, was particularly pleased with him; their relationship was more like playmates than teacher and student. They spent all day together having fun. If Da Lang hadn't kept up with his studies, Qin Wenyuan might have exploded and kicked Mr. Zhao out.
Qin Yaru stayed at home, turning over in her mind what kind of program could be worthy of being passed down. She recalled every song and dance she had ever seen but couldn't find anything that would impress the Brothel Management Office. Although there were many famous performances in later generations, she didn't particularly enjoy watching them and couldn't remember them well. Even if she did remember them, they might not catch Ouyang Yue's eye or be worthy of passing down.
It wasn't that Qin Yaru was anxious; she felt somewhat scared.
Things were fine before; although she knew the Brothel Management Office wasn't a good place, it didn't concern her directly, and she didn't care much about it. But ever since she learned that her sister was inside, she couldn't help but seek out various news about the Brothel Management Office.
Recently she heard someone say that a wealthy young man brought a group of sycophants into the second floor of the Brothel Management Office and bullied a Lady-in-Waiting. In anger, that Lady-in-Waiting stabbed her own face with scissors and cut her neck; unfortunately, it was too late for rescue, and she died on the spot.
Even if she died, it would be in vain; only the Brothel Management Office, along with her Courtesan, would pity her and gather money to buy a simple coffin, sending her off for burial.
After that, the Brothel Management Office continued its nightly revelries; who would care about the life or death of a Lady-in-Waiting?
After pondering for ten days, Qin Yaru rushed to the Brothel Management Office to seek help from Yan Xixi, whom she had met by chance. She gathered a group of performers who were not particularly renowned but were skilled in acrobatics, preparing to stage a series of grand performances to help her precious younger sister escape smoothly.
The people Qin Yaru found were not famous figures; they were just young kids who loved to play and have fun, both boys and girls. Usually, there wasn’t much for them to do at the Brothel Management Office except during festivals. They agreed to take on Qin Yaru's task without really thinking they would learn anything, treating it as a way to earn some money.
Of course, if it weren't for General Gao Feng being around, they wouldn’t have accompanied Young Lady Qin in her antics.
In the blink of an eye, spring was in full bloom, with flowers blooming everywhere.
Ouyang Yue, dressed in an exquisitely crafted robe, leaned on a soft couch, gazing at the graceful peach blossoms outside. A group of children chattered and giggled mysteriously in the backyard. Since it was daytime and the Brothel Management Office wasn't too busy, their mothers didn’t restrain them, allowing them to jump around freely.
The usually quiet Brothel Management Office found some interest in the laughter of the flower-like children.
Yan Xixi and Liu Shishi sat together, helping each other with makeup. They spent more than half an hour on it—first applying peach blossom makeup, then plum blossom makeup—painting and washing it off repeatedly. Their synchronized movements were elegant, each possessing their own charm, leaving the waiting Lady-in-Waiting beside them in a daze.
Ouyang Yue smiled and glanced over: “Xixi, I heard that thing made by Qin Langjun is quite interesting; it scared Wushi so much he cried.”
Yan Xixi felt awkward; she knew Qin Yaru's identity. However, since Qin Yaru was a woman closely tied to the Brothel Management Office, it wasn't good for her reputation. She felt embarrassed to say much. In truth, she suspected Ouyang Yue knew as well.
“I heard that those kids were startled; at first, they didn’t pay attention, but later they ran off to General Gao’s garden in the suburbs. Some even refused to come back until midnight.”
Ouyang Yue shook her head in silence. Liu Shishi's face turned red as she expressed both envy and admiration: “Yuexin is truly fortunate; Qin Langjun looks like a good person—so delicate and gentle, caring enough to work hard for Yuexin. If I had a husband willing to do this for me—even if he were ugly or lacked talent—I would gladly serve him.”
Yan Xixi recalled her first meeting with Qin Yaru when that girl kicked away a ruffian who was teasing her on the street without even messing up her clothes or hair. She smiled gracefully. Looking at Liu Shishi, she thought that one shouldn’t judge by appearances; it was better not to casually disrupt Qin Yaru’s image in Shishi’s mind.
When the rehearsal for the show was ready, in order to keep it a secret, Qin Yaru did not let anyone go to the Brothel Management Office to perform. Instead, she specifically asked Gao Feng to send a message to Ouyang Yue and several prominent courtesans, inviting the signature courtesans from the Brothel Management Office to come and enjoy the performance together.
If it weren't for Gao Feng sending the message, it would have been difficult to gather so many courtesans at once.
Ouyang Yue was gracious and did not decline too much, bringing Yan Xixi and Liu Shishi along by carriage.
Gao Feng's garden in the outskirts of the capital was naturally exquisite, showcasing the beauty of Jiangnan's landscapes. A group of people settled at Moonshadow Pavilion, with the stage right in front of them.
In front of the pavilion was a stream of clear water, home to patches of water lilies and koi fish with golden spots. The environment was elegant, making it a truly relaxing place.
Unlike most performances at the Brothel Management Office, the first to take the stage was a man around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, dressed in wide sleeves and wearing a tall crown. Behind him were two girls about eleven or twelve years old, dressed similarly with double buns and pink dresses, full of youthful energy.
As he extended his hand, a silk handkerchief appeared in his palm, which he gently spread open. In an instant, two red-beaked black mynas emerged from beneath the handkerchief. They flapped their wings and circled around the stage while mimicking a child's voice, loudly calling out: "Good evening, beautiful ladies! If anyone gives me two golden melon seeds, I will offer a fragrant kiss!"
This made Ouyang Yue smile with her lips pressed together, while the younger courtesans laughed uncontrollably.
Qin Yaru had heard this before but still couldn't help but grit her teeth—these two mynas were a gift from Gao Feng. Back then, that guy praised his mynas as if they were flowers, claiming they were clever and could talk. Now looking at them, they indeed could talk, but it made her want to rush up and pluck all their feathers! (To be continued.)
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