Although the young man was dressed simply, he seemed to have stepped out of a painting, and immediately caught her eye.

Young Master Lan handed a painting and a silver ingot to the madam, bowing respectfully and saying, "Madam, this is a new painting of a maidservant. I hope you can pass it on to Mr. Zuo'an and ask for his guidance."

"Oh," the madam laughed, "We told you last time that Nian Nian is not worthy of being addressed as 'Sir' by you, young master. You're making us Nian Nian feel so ashamed." Despite her words, she stuffed the silver into her own pocket and ordered a maid to quickly take it to Chu Nian.

"Young Master Lan, please sit here and wait a moment. I think you'll get a reply soon." The madam treated this Young Master Lan very well because he never ate, drank, or called for girls when he came, but always gave him a lot of money.

"Alright," Young Master Lan replied gently, and sat down at an empty table.

The madam quickly ordered her maid to serve tea.

"Who is this Mr. Left Bank that this young master mentioned? Is he a guest here?" Zoya asked curiously.

Before the madam could answer, Young Master Lan said with some surprise, "The famous Left Bank Hermit, you've never heard of him?"

Zoya said, "I'm from out of town, and I haven't been in the capital for long."

Young Master Lan suddenly realized, "Oh, that explains it. Zuo An Shan Ren is a highly respected master of calligraphy and painting among us Confucian scholars. His name is Tong Nian. His paintings have a unique and lofty artistic conception, which can be described as unparalleled before!" As he said this, his face was full of admiration and longing.

Zoya's attendant said with some disdain, "Since you are a master of calligraphy and painting, why don't you stay in your mansion and practice your art properly? Why are you spending your time in brothels and taverns? What kind of behavior is this?"

Young Master Lan paused for a moment, then said, "Yes, I didn't make it clear. Miss Tong Nian is the top courtesan of this Cuihong Pavilion."

Zoya: "Top star?"

Attendant: "What?"

Several people exclaimed in surprise at the same time.

Upon hearing the princess speak, the attendants, though shocked that the Eastern Chu Kingdom would recognize a top courtesan as a master of calligraphy and painting, quickly shut their mouths.

Zoya asked Young Master Lan, "Are you talking about that Left Bank Hermit? Is she... a woman?"

Young Master Lan: "Exactly."

Zoya quickly turned to the madam and said, "I'll take this top courtesan. I want Tong Nian to serve me."

Young Master Lan's face immediately turned indignant, and he said, "Young Master, since you know that Mr. Zuo'an is a master of calligraphy and painting, why do you still dare to speak so rudely and ask her to entertain guests?"

The madam also said with difficulty, "Yes, young master, you don't know, ever since our Niannian's identity as the Left Bank Hermit was made public, all the Confucian scholars have been keeping an eye on our Cuihong Pavilion. Apart from Young Master Li, who has always been acquainted with her, I dare not let her entertain any other guests."

Young Master Lan nodded in agreement, saying, "It is only right that Granny treats Mr. Zuo'an with such courtesy."

Just then, the young maid who had just delivered the painting to a room on the second floor came out of the room. When Young Master Lan saw her in the hall, he craned his neck and looked on expectantly. After the young maid came downstairs, he quickly got up and asked, "Does Mr. Zuo An have any advice for me?"

The maid said, "Sister Tong said that her opinions are all written on this paper. In addition, she also drew another picture of a maid for you to refer to." As she spoke, she handed a piece of paper and two other drawings to Young Master Lan.

Young Master Lan couldn't wait to unfold the painting that the little maid had just brought and examine it closely.

Zoya curiously leaned over to look at the painting, and saw that with only a few strokes, a very vivid young maid was depicted, with lively eyebrows and eyes that seemed to leap off the paper.

Zoya exclaimed, "Wow, this painting is wonderful!"

Young Master Lan said with a mixture of surprise and delight, "The paintings by Zuo An Shan Ren are naturally excellent." He then began to put the painting away.

Seeing this, the madam quickly said, "Hey, Young Master Lan, Niannian's paintings are priceless. The Confucian Academy only has a few in its collection, and the other two are still in the Imperial Palace. You think you can just take Niannian's paintings away like this..."

"Granny!" the little maid interrupted her, "Sister Tong said that Young Master Lan has been sincerely seeking his guidance. She is not very talented and has nothing to teach him, so she only has this painting to offer. These days, Granny has already earned quite a bit of silver from Young Master Lan. This painting can only be considered a half-finished product, so please don't argue. I think Young Master Lan will still come often in the future and won't let Granny suffer any losses."

The madam was a little embarrassed by what she said.

Young Master Lan replied very politely, “Mr. Zuo’an is right. Madam, I know that the many sisters in Cuihong Tower need to make a living, so you will certainly need to give them money.” He then took out two silver ingots and handed them to the madam, “This is all I have with me today. I will make up for the debt when I come back another day.”

The madam accepted the money with delight, and her smile became more sincere as she said, "I'm sorry for making you laugh, Young Master Lan."

After bowing to everyone, Young Master Lan said, "Farewell!" and then turned and left gracefully.

Zoya stared at his straight back as he left, and said with a touch of amazement, "This young master Lan speaks so eloquently, and he is also handsome and acts so politely, he really is..." At this point, she turned to ask the madam, "Are all the scholars and Confucianists here like this?" If so, then there's nothing wrong with her coming here for a marriage alliance—she should find a scholar like him!

The madam said, "This young master Lan comes from the Lan family, the most prestigious Confucian family in the capital. He is the grandson of the great Confucian scholar and Grand Tutor Lan Bingliang. He has been favored by Lord Lan since childhood and has been personally raised and taught by him. His speech and demeanor are naturally extraordinary."

Zoya nodded knowingly, then asked, "Grandma, but how can I possibly meet that man from the Left Bank Mountain?"

The madam pondered for a moment and said, "If the young master wishes to see her, it's not impossible, as long as she herself is willing to see him. Let me send a maid to ask her." As she spoke, she whispered a few words in the ear of the young maid who had just taken the painting.

After listening, the little maid gave Zoya a deep look, then hurried to Chu Nian's room on the second floor. She knocked on the door and went in, but returned shortly after. She came downstairs, smiled, and bowed, saying, "Sister Tong said that since a guest sincerely wants to see us and has no ill intentions, there's nothing wrong with meeting him."

The madam had just whispered in her ear that the young master was a woman disguised as a man, and that she should tell Chu Nian. Then Chu Nian wouldn't refuse to see her. This way, the madam wouldn't publicly reveal that Zoya was a girl, but she could still make money off Zoya.

Zoya, however, couldn't figure out the reason. She thought it would be wonderful to meet the Left Bank Hermit, whom even Young Master Lan praised so highly. Overjoyed, she was about to go upstairs with the little maid when she was stopped by the madam.

The madam smiled obsequiously and said, "Young master, no matter who the girls in our Cuihong Pavilion are, we don't give them a free ride, let alone Niannian!" As she spoke, she reached out her hand again.