Chapter Twenty: Surge of Blood and Qi

The next day, after Aunt Su saw Xie Zhao off to the carriage, Qiu Ye returned and reported that Shen Qingnian had come to the courtyard to look for her.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Su quickly turned back.

Upon seeing Shen Qingnian, Aunt Su looked at her and said, "Nian'er, come inside and sit down with me."

After entering the house, Shen Qingnian looked at Aunt Su and spoke first: "Aunt, I came today to talk about my marriage."

Aunt Su paused for a moment, then sat up slightly and looked at Shen Qingnian: "Oh, Nian'er has someone she likes?"

Shen Qingnian shook her head: "No, I want my aunt to find me a simple marriage, an ordinary man from a poor family would be fine."

Hearing that it wasn't Xie Zhao, Aunt Su breathed a sigh of relief, then frowned: "A poor scholar? Wouldn't that be too unfair to Nian'er?"

Shen Qingnian shook her head again: "I'm not wronged. I'm just the daughter of a merchant. No family with any social standing would want me as their principal wife."

"Students from humble backgrounds, who understand poetry, literature, and etiquette, are more likely to understand my thoughts."

"Later, when I've saved enough money, I can open a small shop and live a good life."

Most importantly, even if a poor family member passed the imperial examination and achieved official rank, without family protection, most would be sent to serve as an official in other places.

Then she would take her mother over and make sure no one could find them again.

Aunt Su asked with slight worry, "Does Nian'er really think that way?"

Shen Qingnian nodded: "Yes, I don't want betrothal gifts or dowry. As long as the man is of good character, Nian'er can marry him."

"But Nian'er can't find anyone else in the capital who can help me except my aunt, so I want to ask my aunt to help me find a marriage."

Aunt Su looked at Shen Qingnian with some pity and sighed, "Nian'er has thought things through so clearly. Then I will send someone to look for her today, and I will let someone tell you when there is any news."

Shen Qingnian nodded obediently: "Yes, thank you, Auntie."

The two chatted for a while longer before Shen Qingnian returned to Qianyue Residence. After Shen Qingnian left, Aunt Su summoned Qiuye: "Qiuye, go and do something for me."

Qiuye nodded, put on her veil, and went out the door.

On the evening of the third day, Aunt Su took Shen Qingnian to a teahouse.

Aunt Su handed Shen Qingnian a cup of tea: "Nian'er, this young master Li is from Wuling. He has been taking the imperial examination for the lowest degree for three years. However, due to his poor family background and the presence of a sick old mother, he has not yet been able to find a wife."

"But the matchmaker who was looking for him said that the young master Li was quite handsome and humble." Shen Qingnian thought it sounded good, even though his family background was worse than she had imagined.

Shen Qingnian then asked, "So what is he doing in the capital now?"

Aunt Su smiled and said, "He's currently helping someone run a study while preparing for the imperial examinations in March. But if he passes the examinations, you'll be the wife of a successful candidate."

“The study is closed now, he’s on his way,” Aunt Su added.

Shen Qingnian nodded: "Mm."

She thought she should meet him first. She didn't know what kind of person this young master Li was, what his education was like, or whether he had feelings for her.

Aunt Su looked out the window, as if searching for the figure of Young Master Li.

Across from the teahouse is Zuifenglou, one of the three major brothels in the capital.

The Drunken Wind Pavilion was grandly decorated, with silk robes fluttering in the breeze, and fragrant winds caressing the face. It was a scene of vibrant flowers and lush greenery, a place of decadent luxury and intoxication.

Xie Yanzhi sat among a group of people, exchanging toasts with them.

Several girls with their faces veiled were playing the pipa nearby to entertain the guests.

He received a tip two months ago that the top courtesan at Zuifeng Tower seemed to be somewhat unusual, having close private dealings with people from the Guangde Marquis's residence.

But the top courtesan was very wary and didn't accept unfamiliar customers. So Xie Yanzhi brought his subordinates and disguised themselves as ordinary customers, coming here several times to relax and find an opportunity to see what secrets the top courtesan had.

After drinking for a while, one of his subordinates pretended to be bored and called over the madam: "Hong Gu, why don't we find a few girls to keep us company? Drinking alone is no fun."

The madam smiled knowingly and called over a few girls: "Girls, please take good care of these gentlemen for me."

"Green Pearl, serve this master well." The woman named Green Pearl walked towards Xie Yanzhi with a smile, but was frightened by a sharp look from Xie Yanzhi and dared not approach.

Immediately, Xie Yanzhi tossed a gold ingot to the madam: "Is that all?"

Seeing Xie Yanzhi's extraordinary demeanor and his generous spending, the madam smiled obsequiously and said, "I'm afraid only our top courtesan, Silver Frost, is worthy of you, young master."

Xie Yanzhi thought to himself: Today, things will finally get done.

"Oh?" Xie Yanzhi picked up his wine glass, swirled it, downed it in one gulp, and then said to the madam, "Lead the way!"

The madam led the way with a smile, saying, "Please, young master." She then led Xie Yanzhi to a room.

"This is Miss Silverfrost's room," the madam said, pointing to the room in front of her.

Then she called inside, "Yinshuang, serve the young master well!"

"Please come in, young master!" she said with a smile, closing the door for Xie Yanzhi.

A red candle was lit in the room. Xie Yanzhi walked in. On the carved bed in the middle, the gauze curtains were lightly hung, and a beautiful woman could be vaguely seen lying inside, her fragrant shoulders half exposed and covered with a brocade quilt.

He stepped inside and lifted the curtain, his heart filled with a turbulent storm!

Shen Qingnian!

At that moment, Yinshuang, wearing a cloak, met with Aunt Su outside. Yinshuang curtsied and said, "The matter has been settled. From today onwards, we owe each other nothing."

Aunt Su nodded at Yinshuang: "Take care, young lady."

Years ago, Yinshuang almost died of illness on the street. Aunt Su found a doctor to treat her and gave her money to return to her hometown. Who would have thought that a year later, Yinshuang would become the top courtesan of Zuifeng Tower.

Hearing someone call her name, Shen Qingnian felt dizzy and tried to open her eyes.

She remembered waiting for Mr. Li with her aunt at the teahouse, and then she seemed to fall asleep on the table.

Before her eyes closed, Shen Qingnian seemed to hear Aunt Su saying, "Nian'er, don't blame your aunt."

"What do you mean?" Shen Qingnian opened her eyes with difficulty and saw Xie Yanzhi standing at the head of the bed looking at her.

His face was expressionless, and his gaze sent chills down her spine.

She soon noticed something was wrong with herself. She seemed unable to move, and couldn't even make a sound.

Most importantly, she appeared to be wearing only a bellyband.

Xie Yanzhi narrowed his eyes: "Shen Qingnian, what do you mean by this?"

Shen Qingnian lay there, her cheeks flushed and her hair slightly disheveled, like a dewy crabapple blossom, captivating and enchanting.

Her moist eyes gazed at him, exuding a faint fragrance that made his heart flutter.

Looking at Shen Qingnian's flushed face, Xie Yanzhi's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily. He clenched his fists, veins bulging, and a mocking sneer appeared on his face: "Yesterday you were all lovey-dovey with Xie Zhao, and now you want to climb into my bed?"

As he spoke, he bent down, his warm breath brushing against Shen Qingnian's face.

Those eyes, however, were fixed unabashedly on Shen Qingnian's fair skin.

Shen Qingnian felt weak all over, knowing that she had been drugged, and didn't even have the strength to speak.

She kept her eyes tightly shut, her body trembling with discomfort.

Xie Yanzhi grabbed her chin, his tone dangerous: "Shen Qingnian, speak!"

Shen Qingnian squinted, her small red lips slightly parted, her black hair scattered, her vision blurred. She laboriously reached out her hand and then let it fall, only letting out a soft groan.

Her appearance was so beautiful and ethereal that even Xie Yanzhi, who was used to seeing beautiful women, felt a tightness in his body and couldn't help but lean down to get closer to her.

The person in front of him was wearing a light pink lotus-patterned bodice, her full breasts faintly visible, and her waist was as slender as in his dream...

His large hand, which was gripping her delicate chin, trembled, and his voice became hoarse: "You really want to seduce me that badly?"

As you wish.

He closed his eyes, unable to suppress his impulse for the first time in front of a woman, and leaned down to press himself against her...