Chapter 314 Shen Chu doesn't care about him, Tianxiang Tower

Luo Heng clapped his hands, and a woman walked in from outside.

The woman had a graceful figure, her eyes and brows were full of charming allure, and even her voice had a captivating quality.

"Greetings, Lord Shen."

Shen Chu was somewhat surprised.

"Aren't you Wanqiu from the Crown Prince's palace?"

Wanqiu covered her mouth and smiled, her eyes full of charm.

"I never expected that after only one meeting, Lord Shen would still remember me."

Shen Chu's lips curled up slightly. "Of course, beautiful women are always memorable. How come Miss Wanqiu is with Brother Luo?"

Wanqiu sighed, "Before the Crown Prince had his accident, he had already driven me out of the Eastern Palace."

Having nowhere to go, the servant girl decided to return to her hometown of Yangzhou to make a living, but she encountered bandits on the way.

Fortunately, Lord Luo arrived at the critical moment and saved my life; otherwise, I would probably be lying dead in the wilderness by now.

"I see." Shen Chu nodded, her teasing gaze shifting between Luo Heng and Wan Qiu.

"Brother Luo rescued the beauty and escorted her all the way to Yangzhou, creating a legendary tale."

Luo Heng's face stiffened, and he quickly explained, "A-Chu, don't misunderstand. I just saw injustice and decided to help."

As for escorting her to Yangzhou, that's out of the question. I came to find you, and I was just giving her a ride along the way.

A hint of sadness flashed in Wanqiu's eyes.

Shen Chu caught that hint of sadness, and the smile on her face faded.

"I spoke inappropriately. My elder brother is still young. Even if something really happened, I can only be happy for him."

Young ladies are easily embarrassed, and the older brother's hasty explanation made Wanqiu feel quite awkward.

Wanqiu was taken aback, her gaze towards Chen Chu becoming somewhat lost in thought.

Luo Heng frowned and clenched his fists at his sides.

Ah Chu didn't care at all about his entanglements with other women, which made him feel very uncomfortable.

But he always concealed his emotions; despite the turmoil within, he always wore a warm smile on his face.

“What Ah Chu said makes sense. I was too hasty in speaking, brother. Let’s not talk about this anymore. I arrived two days earlier than you and have a general understanding of the background of the missing girl case.”

"I brought Miss Wanqiu along today because she also studied in the Mingde Class, so I'll see if she can be of any help."

Shen Chu was somewhat surprised.

"Did Miss Wanqiu study in the Mingde Class? Could you give me a detailed introduction to the Mingde Class?"

Wanqiu nodded, "The Mingde Class mainly teaches six subjects: reading and writing, etiquette and manners, women's speech and virtue, needlework, arithmetic, and tea ceremony."

These are things that children from poor families will never have the opportunity to learn in their entire lives. Mr. Fang said that every girl should be exposed to these things, even if it's just the basics, as it will broaden her horizons.

Each subject costs 2 taels of silver and lasts for six months. Students can choose to study all of them or only a part of them.

The dormitories inside were also divided according to the subjects studied, and girls who studied all six subjects would live in a separate courtyard.

Although Mr. Fang looks stern, he is kind-hearted. Children who study there are not charged extra for their three meals a day and accommodation.

The food provided for the girls is usually very good, and the teachers there are very dedicated to their instruction.

Wanqiu paused here, then suddenly changed the subject.

"These are all things that can be found out from the outside, but what outsiders don't know is that Mingde Class, which appears to have three courtyards, actually has a fourth courtyard."

Shen Chu was very surprised, "Four courtyards? What's the fourth courtyard for?"

She had visited the Mingde Classroom; the house there appeared to be a three-courtyard complex from the outside.

Wanqiu nodded, "The fourth courtyard is called Tianxiang Tower. There is a very hidden door behind the third courtyard that leads there."

From the outside, Tianxianglou and Mingde Class appear to be two separate courtyards; an uninformed person would never guess that they are connected.

Shen Chu asked, "What does Tianxiang Tower do?"

"Students who complete all subjects in the Mingde Class and achieve outstanding results in the assessment are qualified to study in Tianxiang Tower."

Tianxianglou mainly trains students in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, and flowers, as well as...

Wanqiu brushed a stray hair from her temple with her slender hand, revealing a charming smile.

"And how to please and win over men, which will be sold at a price once you've mastered it."

If the Ming Dynasty's Dalban (a type of brothel) cultivates dignified ladies, then the Tianxianglou (another type of brothel) cultivates shameless harlots.

Shen Chu gasped.

Isn't this the place where, in legend, Yangzhou's "slender horses" were trained?

Wanqiu pointed to herself, her face full of self-mockery: "I dare not deceive Lord Shen, I was trained at Tianxiang Tower, and later I was bought and sent to the East Palace."

Shen Chu paused for a moment, then looked at Wan Qiu with a smile.

"Being able to stand out at Tianxiang Tower and be selected to be sent to the capital is enough to show that you are intelligent and quick-witted, and are one of the best in Tianxiang Tower."

To be able to endure and survive in such a complex environment as the Eastern Palace, and to escape unscathed, demonstrates the girl's strong will and resilience; she is truly remarkable.

Wanqiu's lips trembled, and her gaze at Chen Chu was filled with bewilderment.

It's been three whole years.

Three years ago, her family was destroyed and she had nowhere else to turn but to study at Tianxiang Tower. Later, she was sold and was beaten half to death on her way to escape, but was rescued by Luo Heng who happened to be passing by.

Later, in order to help Luo Heng regain the family business, she willingly returned to the buyer's house and was obediently sent to the Eastern Palace.

Over the past three years, she has met many people. Men either look at her with lust or disdain, while women look at her with anger and curses.

This was the first time someone had praised her without any ulterior motives or self-interest.

Shen Chu looked at her with clear and pure eyes, without any contempt or mockery.

A complex and unfamiliar emotion suddenly welled up in my heart, making me feel sad and want to cry.

Wanqiu blinked, suppressing the sudden stinging in her eyes, and asked in a low voice:

"Is there anything else you'd like to ask, Lord Shen?"

Chen Chu thought for a moment, "How many of the outstanding students in the Mingde Class went on to study at Tianxiang Tower? Where did they all go afterward?"

Wanqiu shook her head. "Whether or not to go to Tianxiang Tower depends on personal wishes. Mr. Fang said that Tianxiang Tower is a place that provides a chance for girls who have nowhere else to turn to survive."

Whether or not to go in to study is a personal decision; she has never forced anyone.

Every year, five or six exceptionally talented girls would enter Tianxiang Tower to study, but I don't know where they ended up afterward.

"Can I just enter Tianxiang Tower freely?"

Wanqiu shook her head, "No, you need someone to introduce you before you can go in and take a look, but I've been away from Yangzhou for almost two years, so I don't know what the situation is now."

Luo Heng smiled and took out two invitations from his pocket and handed them over.

"I knew you would investigate after you arrived. Here, this is the invitation to enter Tianxiang Tower."

We can disguise ourselves as wealthy businessmen from out of town and visit Tianxiang Restaurant tomorrow.

Shen Chu raised an eyebrow. "Us? Brother Luo is going to come with me to investigate this case?"

Luo Heng nodded, "You're unfamiliar with Yangzhou, so of course I should accompany you."

What? You don't trust me? You used to always cooperate with the Sixth Prince, no, the Prince Rui, in investigating cases.

"Try working with you this time, I guarantee we'll have much better chemistry."

Upon hearing Pei Yuan mentioned, Chen Chu's heart trembled, and the smile on her lips faded slightly.

Luo Heng seemed oblivious and continued, "I heard that Prince Rui's wedding date with the Chen family girl has been set. Does Achu know about it?"