Pear Blossom Wine
After saying goodbye to Gu Xi, Ping An returned to the street, but didn't know where to go.
Although she had lived in the capital for more than a decade, she had always stayed in the palace. The world outside the palace was terrifyingly unfamiliar to her, but she did not want to go back to the palace or see Cui Shenzhi.
She thought for a moment, then walked toward Tingfeng Tower, a place she had visited before.
Seeing the direction Ping An was heading, Qiu Yan knew at a glance that she was going to Tingfeng Tower. She was so anxious that she almost cried. Why did this happen again and again?! However, because of Ping An's previous lesson, she dared not tell Cui Shenzhi again. She could only follow behind Ping An step by step with tears in her eyes.
Qiao Siyu was stunned when she saw the Tingfenglou sign.
No, what on earth is Ping An thinking?! It's somewhat understandable that he believes Cui Shenzhi is a womanizer, but after meeting Gu Xi and hearing Gu Xi praise Cui Shenzhi, he came to a brothel. What does that mean? What was he thinking?
Qingcha was also stunned when she saw Ping An.
Everyone knew that Ping An was the emperor's man, so who in Tingfeng Tower would dare to receive him? They didn't dare to refuse either, so they could only whine and tell the people in the tower not to come out and cause trouble, and also informed the tower owner.
The owner of Tingfeng Tower was an elderly woman with a beautiful name, Mu Rou. Upon hearing the news of Ping An's arrival, she couldn't help but sigh, straightened her clothes, and went out to greet him.
"Madam's arrival is an honor to our humble establishment. However, it is unfortunate that everyone here has made reservations today. Although, given Madam's status, everyone should give way to her regardless of who made the reservation, this would make Madam's visit a big deal, which would not be appropriate. How about I accompany Madam?"
Ping An just wanted to find a place that was somewhat familiar to stay in. Whether or not someone accompanied her, it didn't matter who accompanied her; she was indifferent to the situation.
Mu Rou breathed a sigh of relief and led Ping An to the top room of Tingfeng Tower. She then gestured to Qing Cha to bring the mildest wine in the tower.
After entering the room, Mu Rou gently guided Ping An to sit on a soft couch. After lighting some calming incense, she sat down next to the guqin.
"I used to be one of the top leading ladies in Tingfeng Tower. While my zither skills may not be the most superb, they were certainly not bad. Although I must have regressed over the years, they shouldn't offend your ears, Madam. Would you like to listen?"
Ping An nodded.
"Is there any music you would like to hear, Madam?"
"Whatever."
Mu Rou could tell that Ping An wasn't in a good mood, so after thinking for a moment, she started playing "Yangguan Sandie".
The soothing melody gradually calmed Ping An's panicked heart.
A short while later, Qingcha brought over the wine. Mu Rou nodded in acknowledgment, and Qingcha placed the wine beside Ping An.
Ping An poured himself a glass of water and smelled it. He could only smell the fragrance of pear blossoms, so he assumed it was just water infused with pear blossoms and started drinking it one glass after another. Before long, he became drunk and confused.
Seeing this, Mu Rou stopped playing the zither. She walked up to Qiao Siyu and Qiu Yan, her face slightly embarrassed: "I saw that Madam was not in high spirits, so I had Qingcha bring some pear blossom wine, thinking that Madam would calm down. I didn't expect Madam to be so unable to hold her liquor... I wonder what you two plan to do? Should we stay here with Madam for a while and go back together when Madam wakes up, or should I go and call a carriage to take you back?"
Qiu Yan looked at Qiao Siyu, completely bewildered.
Qiao Siyu felt somewhat helpless, but she had no choice but to take on the role of manager.
"This is not a suitable place for Madam to stay for long, so please trouble the host to call a carriage for us. The driver must keep his mouth shut."
"I understand."
After saying that, Mu Rou gave the instructions.
However, something went wrong when the carriage arrived.
—Peaceful life refuses to end.
Even though she was so drunk she could barely sit up, she clung tightly to the soft couch, muttering incoherently. She refused to let go and ignored everyone. Qiao Siyu wanted to force Qiu Yan but was afraid of hurting Ping An, so she refused no matter what. Caught in this dilemma, she could only send someone to inform Cui Shenzhi.
Upon learning that Ping An had gone to Tingfeng Tower again, Cui Shenzhi didn't react much. After all, the owner of Tingfeng Tower already knew Ping An's identity and naturally knew how to treat him. However, Cui Shenzhi's face darkened when he heard that Ping An was drunk.
What kind of place is Tingfenglou? It's a brothel! A place teeming with all sorts of people and fraught with danger. A wise man doesn't stand under a crumbling wall. Even if you really want to drink, you shouldn't go there.
He could only deal with the matter at hand in a hurry before rushing onto the carriage, even changing his clothes in the carriage. After arriving at Tingfeng Tower, he went straight to the side room without saying a word, and then saw Ping An, who looked confused, his eyes were unfocused, and he was clinging to the soft couch with his hands and feet, clearly drunk and unconscious.
Upon seeing Cui Shenzhi's arrival, Mu Rou's face became even more embarrassed.
"I saw that Madam was in a bad mood, so I thought I'd give her some wine to cheer her up. But I didn't expect Madam to have such a low alcohol tolerance. Just one pot of sweet pear blossom wine and she's already so drunk. I'm so ashamed to admit this mistake..."
Cui Shenzhi glanced at Mu Rou, said nothing, and walked to Ping An's side, intending to carry Ping An away.
Ping An, however, clung tightly to the soft couch, refusing to let go no matter what.
Seeing Ping An's shameless act, Cui Shenzhi felt both annoyed and amused. He pinched Ping An's cheek slightly and said, "Ping An, what's so great about Tingfeng Tower? You like coming here so much? It's fine if you come, but you get drunk and act crazy here. Do you know how dangerous it is here?!"
Qiao Siyu and Qiu Yan were just about to tell Cui Shenzhi that Ping An was ignoring them when they were surprised to hear Ping An's voice.
"You're talking nonsense! It's safe here!" Ping An said drunkenly. "I'm the most powerful person here. Everyone is afraid of me and has to listen to me. No one can bully me or harm me. I'm not leaving. I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to stay here."
Upon hearing this, Choi Shin-ji frowned.
He glanced around, his eyes flashing with a sharp edge as he looked at the only unfamiliar face: "Who are you? What are you doing with Ping An?"
Qiao Siyu felt a chill run down her spine under Cui Shenzhi's gaze. Forgetting all her own calculations, she hurriedly explained, "Replying to your question, young master, my daughter Qiao Siyu was sent to serve Madam by Lord Lin Yimo. He said that Madam found the people around her boring and wanted to find someone to amuse her, so he arranged for my daughter to be here."
Choi Shin-ji didn't say whether he believed it or not, but instead looked at Qiu Yan.
Qiu Yan nodded tremblingly, tears welling in her eyes.
Seeing Qiu Yan's useless state, Cui Shenzhi sighed inwardly and decided to arrange for a few more shrewd people to take care of Ping An before continuing, "What happened to Ping An? Why do you think someone is trying to harm her?"
Qiu Yan trembled all over, but she knew nothing and naturally couldn't say anything. Qiao Siyu had no choice but to step forward with a forced smile.
"In response to your question, young master, Madam took us to see Madam Gu, whom you brought back from Nanzhou, and asked her about your affairs there. Then we came here. As for why Madam felt that someone wanted to harm her... I don't know."
Choi Shin-ji's brows furrowed even more.
He turned his head, gently patted Ping An's head, and coaxed softly, "Ping An, I am Shen Zhi. Tell me why you feel that someone wants to harm you, and who wants to harm you, okay?"
Upon hearing Cui Shenzhi's name, Ping An dazedly raised his head, while the others lowered their heads and retreated. Qiao Siyu even wisely closed the door behind her.
"Shenzhi? Cui Shenzhi?"
"It's me, so don't be afraid. With me here, no one can bully or hurt you. Tell me who wants to harm you, okay?"
Before Cui Shenzhi could finish speaking, Ping An started shouting.
"It was Cui Shenzhi who bullied me! It was Cui Shenzhi who wanted to harm me!"
Choi Shin-ji was stunned.
"Ping An, how did I... Cui Shenzhi bully you? How could I harm you?"
As if sensing someone familiar, Ping An loosened her grip on the soft couch and instead grabbed Cui Shenzhi's collar to pour out her grievances.
"Cui Shenzhi is bullying me! He promised to clear Fu Yunjin's name, but instead he inexplicably came and took liberties with me. He kissed my lips until they were swollen, and he even cried, as if I forced him. But he was the one who forced me!"
Choi Shin-ji's face flushed.
"Yes, yes, it was my fault. Even when I was drunk, I shouldn't have..."
“And another thing!” Ping An interrupted Cui Shenzhi and continued, “He clearly knew everything, but he pretended to be drunk and came to deceive me. He saw that I was clueless and foolishly seduced him, and even took my body.”
Choi Shin-ji's face burned even more.
He glanced at the doorway and raised his voice slightly, saying, "Let's talk about this when we get back, okay? This isn't the place to do that."
"No! I don't want to go back! If I go back, he'll do whatever he wants to me in bed again, and I'll get pregnant soon. Then I'll be killed by him just like Fu Yunjin was killed by Cui Sugong. I don't want that!"
Upon hearing this, Cui Shenzhi thought to himself, "As expected, Ping An was indeed frightened by Fu Xiuzhu."
Just as he was about to say a few words to comfort Ping An, Ping An seemed to realize something and moved a little closer.
She cupped Cui Shenzhi's face in her hands, looked at him with a bewildered yet earnest gaze for a while, then pushed him away, saying with a mix of grievance and anger, "You're Cui Shenzhi? How could you be so mean! How could you be nice to everyone but not to me! But it's okay, I found Qiao Siyu. She's very capable; even one look from her can confuse me. You'll definitely like her, and then you won't be mean to me anymore."
Outside the door, Qiao Siyu felt a chill run down her spine upon hearing this, and wished she could grab Mu Rou and beat her up.
But what's even more critical now is that she needs to quickly distance herself from the situation.
She cautiously peeked out from the crack in the door, her voice tinged with ingratiation, "Young master, could you please hear my explanation before deciding how to deal with me?"
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