Zuiyue Tower was also built on the shore of Fuxiang Pond, facing Jinyu Tower across the lake, one to the east and one to the west.
Similar to Jin Yu Lou, Zui Yue Lou is also located on a very famous street in Shuojing City.
The difference is that Le Bao Street, where Jin Yu Lou is located, is a famous commercial street in Shuojing City, always bustling with activity. On the other hand, Tong Hua Lane, where Zui Yue Lou is located, is a famous brothel lane in Shuojing City.
During the day, Tonghua Lane was deserted, showing no signs of being the most notorious den of iniquity in Shuojing.
When Xie Xiang stopped in front of Zuiyuelou, it wasn't mealtime yet, but the restaurant was already packed with guests. Zuiyuelou is located at the entrance of Tonghua Lane, and with a constant stream of customers, it seems to be isolated from Tonghua Lane, forming its own separate entity.
Qiaoniang got off the carriage first, followed by Yaoniang, and finally Bitao. Bitao accidentally stepped on the hem of her skirt as she got off, and in a panic, jumped down from the carriage. Yaoniang instinctively reached out to catch her, but Bitao stuck out her tongue and held her hand. The two walked a few steps hand in hand before Yaoniang finally felt relieved and withdrew her hand.
Qiaoniang looked at the two of them with surprise. She had always felt that the little girl's position by Yaoniang's side was very strange. She had heard that Yaoniang used to live a poor life in the Gu family, but she always had a personal maid with her.
Although she could be called a maid, the two were indeed quite close, seemingly unable to distinguish between their superiors and inferiors.
She tentatively began, "Bitao and you seem to have a very good relationship."
Upon hearing this, Yao Niang casually replied, "Bi Tao and I grew up together; we're practically sisters."
Qiao Niang was even more surprised to hear this. Gu Yao Niang also realized what was going on. She figured that Qiao Niang must have been curious because she had seen how close she and Bi Tao were to each other, unlike the usual master and servant relationship.
A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. Women's senses are always so sharp, and though they are curious, they are too polite to ask directly, so they can only probe indirectly. Qiaoniang was like this, and so was she about the relationship between Qiaoniang and her second uncle.
Yao Niang pretended not to know how curious Qiao Niang was. Just as she thought, although she was very curious and itchy, she did not ask any questions.
The group entered Zuiyue Tower.
It's not uncommon for women to go out these days, so the three of them didn't attract much attention from the other people in the building.
The decorative style of Zuiyuelou is quite different from that of Jinyulou. Jinyulou is decorated with gilded and jade-like decorations, showing the owner's wealth, while Zuiyuelou is known for its ingenious structure.
Upon entering, one is greeted by a bright moon standing in the central courtyard. The moon appears to be carved from some kind of white stone, neither jade nor stone, its translucency yet also imbued with a hazy, dreamlike beauty.
The waiter led the group to a private room. As they passed through the lobby, Yao Niang noticed something different.
Nowadays, all restaurants have tables and chairs in their main halls, and Zuiyuelou is no exception. However, unlike ordinary restaurants, Zuiyuelou's main hall is not open and unobstructed between tables and chairs. Instead, it uses gauze curtains to separate the spaces into individual rooms. While not as quiet and private as a private room, it does offer some degree of privacy.
The wind stirred the gauze curtains, creating a sense of ethereal beauty, as if one were in a fairyland.
Upon entering the private room, the interior decoration was also simple, with no excessive gold or jade artifacts. The walls, however, were adorned with calligraphy and paintings, just like those at the Jin Yu Lou restaurant. The paintings were flowing and elegant, but the signatories were unfamiliar.
Yao Niang and Bi Tao didn't know much about Zui Yue Lou, so Qiao Niang ordered the dishes as usual, and the two of them didn't say a word.
While waiting, Yao Niang approached Qiao Niang with a mischievous smile: "Sister Qiao Niang, do you want to know why Bi Tao and I are so close?"
Qiaoniang had no idea what she was up to and became wary, saying she didn't want to know and wasn't interested.
Yao Niang, however, was not discouraged: "You really don't want to know? I saw everything at the door! The words have already rolled around in your mouth twice, you're just too embarrassed to ask!"
While gesturing for Bitao to remain silent, she said, "Don't be shy! Sister Qiaoniang, gossiping is human nature. I also have some gossip I'd like to ask you to tell me. How about we exchange it?"
Gu Yaoniang's eyes gleamed with shrewdness. Her deep affection for Bitao was obvious to anyone with eyes to see, and the reasons behind it were hardly surprising. But she truly couldn't understand the relationship between Qiaoniang and her second uncle. This exchange was a sure-fire way for her to profit.
She was as smug and cunning as a cat, unaware that she had already written her intentions all over her face. How could she possibly seduce Qiao Niang, a seasoned businesswoman? Although she didn't know what Yao Niang wanted to know, Qiao Niang had a feeling that it was going to be a losing proposition.
Qiaoniang calmly picked up the teacup on the table, gently blew on it to cool the tea, took a leisurely sip, and then replied unhurriedly, "I don't want to know."
She reached out and gently removed the hand that Yao Niang had extended, returning the same "sincere" smile.
Yao Niang's smile froze on her face. How could anyone not want to know gossip delivered to their door by someone else! She was momentarily at a loss for what to do.
She had just prepared her speech, ready to elaborate on the profound bond between herself and Bitao, a bond that was so different from that between other masters and servants, and to present it in a sublime way. But now she suddenly lost her audience.
Yao Niang felt a hundred claws scratching at her heart. She felt as if the speech she had prepared was rolling around in her mouth and was already at the tip of her tongue. If she didn't say it out loud soon, she would be in agony!
She said urgently, "How could you not want to know!"
She was practically scratching her head in frustration.
Qiao Niang found it amusing, but feigned surprise: "What's going on? I really don't want to know."
Bitao, watching from the side, couldn't help but chuckle: "Good wife, please listen! If you don't listen, Miss might be so impatient that she'll pry open your ears to let you hear!"
Qiao Niang then said, "Oh dear! I never expected our Yao Niang to be so unable to keep a secret! Then tell me."
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