Chapter 53 Personally Arresting Her
Yunxi and Xiaobei were skilled in martial arts. Although they encountered many setbacks on their journey, the earth had begun to recover in February, and the mountain winds during the day were no longer steep, which made people feel refreshed.
The group arrived in Dali at the end of February, taking in the sights as they went.
Desiring to surprise her godmother, Yunxi did not write a letter beforehand.
She appeared at Hongxiuzhao at noon. Some girls who had stayed up all night got up to eat, and Hongxiu, as the proprietress of Hongxiuzhao, also got up at this time.
At this moment, she is washing up in her room.
Hongxiu was nearing forty, yet her beauty only grew stronger. Her hair was styled in a low bun, her eyebrows were lightly painted, and her lips were naturally red. She was truly a beautiful woman whose charm had not faded.
She had her eyes closed when the maid pricked her scalp while inserting a hairpin. She frowned and asked, "Chunhua, are you still half asleep? How can you be so clumsy?"
Chunhua did not answer, but silently pulled out the hairpin and carefully inserted it into her hair.
Hongxiu opened her eyes, glanced at the bronze mirror, and was about to speak when her gaze suddenly froze.
Her mouth dropped open as she stared at the slender figure standing behind her, and exclaimed incredulously, "Yunxi!"
Yunxi's ears hurt from the shock, and she pretended to be disgusted and took two steps back. "Godmother, you are truly as beautiful as an angel when you are not speaking."
"You've been gone for years and you're still no better than me!" Hongxiu chuckled.
As soon as she stood up, Yunxi couldn't wait to hug her. "Godmother, I've missed you so much!"
"Miss me? I don't think so. You probably miss me, Hongxiuzhao." Hongxiu laughed and scolded, then hugged Yunxi and frowned, stroking her back with one hand, "How come you've lost so much weight?"
"I haven't lost weight," Yunxi said incredulously.
Hongxiu grasped her shoulders and took a step back.
Upon seeing Yunxi's face, her brows furrowed even deeper. "Two years ago, when you left Hongxiuzhao, your chin was round and still had some flesh. Now, your chin has completely lost its flesh!"
"Is it because your husband treats you badly?" Hongxiu raised an eyebrow sharply. "Why didn't he come with you? Is he really a heartless man?"
"Godmother," Yunxi said with a grin, linking her arm with hers. "People always look better when they're a bit thinner as they grow up."
She coaxed herself as she briefly recounted Xu Yuansi's story.
Seeing her calm expression and knowing from her words that she truly didn't care, Hongxiu knew she wasn't lying. She laughed heartily and said, "This kind of man is like a tattered garment; we're better off without him. Hongxiu has no other options; you can pick any man you like."
"That's why I came to see you, my godmother," Yunxi said with a grin, seizing the opportunity.
Hongxiu poked her forehead. "That would be best. Stay in Dali this time and let your godmother give you some advice. Make sure you don't pick any more bad apples and waste your energy."
Yunxi smiled broadly and repeatedly agreed.
She's already picked two rotten ones.
She wasn't in a hurry to open a tavern. It was springtime, and the scenery everywhere was worth enjoying. In her spare time, she could brew some wine and then think about opening a tavern when the weather got warmer in May.
So, she settled down at Hongxiuzhao with Onion Head and Xiao Bei.
After lunch, the three of them, who had been traveling at a fast pace, took a bath and then took a nap.
By the time I got up, it was already dark.
Xiao Bei and Cong Tou are men, so they live in the backyard on the first floor of Hong Xiu Zhao, which is a place specifically for servants and guards to live.
Yunxi and the other courtesans lived on the third floor.
Xiao Bei and Cong Tou decided to go find Yun Xi together, but before they even reached the front yard, they heard a great commotion.
They exchanged a glance and immediately quickened their pace towards the front yard.
I thought something had happened, but I was surprised to see a scene of chaos, like boiling water being poured onto a pot of oil.
The huge red-sleeved pavilion, which was quiet during the day, became extremely noisy!
There was a stage surrounded by railings on the south side, where a play was being performed.
The waiter on the north side, a towel draped over his shoulder, darted through the crowd like an eel carrying a red lacquered wooden tray, constantly shouting, "Freshly steamed crab roe soup dumplings, so delicious they'll make your eyebrows fall off!" Before he could finish speaking, his words were drowned out by the tinkling of the silver bells at the waist of the Persian merchant. The blue-eyed, bearded man untied a sheepskin pouch and poured out a shower of colorful glass beads, startling the young women around him so much that they covered their mouths with their fans, their handkerchiefs nearly falling into the wonton soup.
A loud clang rang out from the corner where a monkey show was taking place. The yellow-haired monkey somersaulted and leaped onto the top of a bamboo pole, startling Cui Gu, who sold rouge across the way, who stamped her foot in frustration: "You short-lived devil! You've ruined my whole box of jasmine powder!" Just then, two young boys, clutching candied winter melons, darted past her skirt, nearly knocking over the fortune teller's blue cloth banner. The banner, which read "Iron-Mouthed Predictions," swayed three times, startling a thrush tied to the railing, causing it to flutter and shed a few downy feathers. Suddenly, cheers erupted from the west. It turned out that the street performer from Guanzhong had swallowed fire and then spewed forth a three-zhang-long flame, prompting the young men in silk robes to rain silver coins at the gong.
"This...this is actually a brothel?" Xiao Bei's mouth dropped open.
"What a lively place!" Onion Head exclaimed, his face beaming.
Hongxiuzhao was a combination of brothels and entertainment venues, brightly lit all night long, with singing and dancing never stopping.
The second floor is a tranquil place for drinking tea and listening to music, where the girls are all courtesans who sell their art but not their bodies.
The two walked and looked around.
When Congtou saw the Hu woman swaying her slender waist, he blushed deeply and, not daring to look closely, hurriedly ran to the third floor to find Yunxi.
When Yunxi saw Congtou's surprised expression, she laughed so hard she almost couldn't stand up straight.
After falling off the cliff that year, all she wanted was to get as far away from the capital as possible, so she stayed at Hongxiuzhao for a long time.
She learned all her skills in impersonating Zi Shu from the Red Sleeve Pavilion.
Spending her days and nights with these beautiful women, and with her godmother's guidance, she was able to portray the delicate Zisu well. Her original intention was simply to experience a different kind of life, but she never expected to meet Xiao Shenjing on her wedding day.
That damned Xiao Shenjing!
The thought of him made her angry.
She actually encountered something so coincidental that it was unbelievable.
Not only did he disturb her wedding night, but he also tormented her for a long time on the road.
Fortunately, I've finally gotten rid of him.
Yunxi thought to herself that she would never let Xiao Shenjing, that jinx, meet again in this lifetime.
Having started a new chapter in her life, Yunxi was in a good mood. After spending two days in Hongxiu, she took Congtou and Abei to the biggest restaurant for drinks.
After a hearty meal, Yunxi wiped the wine from his mouth and declared, "In April, I'll take you to Guanyin City."
Onion's eyes lit up as soon as he heard that, "Is it fun, boss?"
Even the usually composed Xiao Bei couldn't help but look at her.
Yunxi said with a smirk, "Horse racing, archery, martial arts competitions, men and women singing folk songs, dancing the 'Overlord Whip Dance' and having a bonfire party, I guarantee you'll have so much fun you won't want to leave."
"Wow!" Onion exclaimed. "Boss, I love life like this. Can we stay here forever?"
"Stay, stay until you get tired of it." Yunxi laughed heartily.
The three of them had a great time for two days. On this day, when they took Congtou and Xiaobei out to town, they passed by the famous Ding Mansion.
"Is this where Ding Xian lives?" Xiao Bei asked when she saw Yun Xi stop.
Yunxi stroked her chin and nodded with a smile.
Five hundred taels is no small sum.
She thinks Japan is just talking.
But Ding Xian is such a fun person, how could Yun Xi let him go?
The day after he returned, he specially sent an invitation to the Ding residence.
Last year, Ding Xian rushed home on New Year's Eve. The first thing he did was to instruct the steward to tell him to immediately notify him if a young master Wu came looking for him.
Every few days, he would even personally ask the gatekeeper if there was a young master surnamed Wu.
Every time he asked, he was disappointed, which made everyone in the mansion know that the young master was waiting for a close friend surnamed Wu.
Disappointment after disappointment, until this day, the gatekeeper received a letter from Young Master Wu.
At that moment, Ding Xian was lying on a rocking chair in the inner courtyard, yawning listlessly.
"Young Master, Young Master Wu is looking for you!" The gatekeeper was so excited that he rushed towards the inner courtyard, almost falling down on the way.
Upon hearing the servant's words, Ding Xian immediately sat up from his chair and asked eagerly, "Is it Wu Yun, Young Master Wu?"
"Yes, it is indeed Young Master Wu."
Ding Xian was extremely excited that day.
She had her maids bring out almost every style of spring dress, trying them on one by one, dressing herself from head to toe, afraid that there might be something wrong.
His imposing manner even alarmed Madam Ding.
Ding Xian only learned that Yun Xi had arranged to meet at Hongxiuzhao when he was about to leave.
Hongxiuzhao is quite famous in Dali, but Ding Xian has only been there once, and that was only because his cronies Qi Wenxuan dragged him there.
"Brother Wu." When Ding Xian arrived, Yun Xi was already sitting in the room.
She wore a round-necked long robe, slowly waving a folding fan in her hand. Her face was porcelain white and her features were delicate. She was quite dashing.
Upon seeing Ding Xian enter, she stood up, clasped her hands in greeting, and said, "Brother Ding, it's been a long time, I've missed you dearly."
One sentence made Ding Xian's ears turn red instantly. He was at a loss for words but tried to remain calm as he said, "I...I also miss Brother Wu very much."
"Then it seems that you and I are truly kindred spirits." Yunxi said happily. "Come, come, Brother Wu, what are you still standing for? Please sit down."
Amidst the clinking of glasses, Yunxi even had her sisters perform songs and dances to add to the merriment.
Amidst the elegant music, Ding Xian hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't help asking, "Brother Wu, do you intend to stay in Dali for an extended period?"
"Of course." Yun Xi nodded, deliberately smiling as he said, "After all, Brother Ding, you're here."
One sentence made Ding Xian blush.
"Come on, Brother Ding, let's drink to our friendship!" Yunxi raised his glass heartily.
"Okay." Ding Xian picked up his wine glass without saying a word.
"Brother Wu, since you're new to Dali, I must let me, your host, treat you well." Ding Xian's alcohol tolerance was naturally not as good as Yun Xi's, and he started to feel drunk after a few cups.
“Okay.” Yunxi nodded.
She really liked Ding Xian.
He is simple-minded and straightforward, like a crystal-clear river that sparkles and shimmers in the sunlight.
She felt happy and even at ease being with him.
“Then tomorrow we’ll go to Ximatan to climb high and see Erhai Lake.” Ding Xian put one hand on the table, looking at Yun Xi with a slightly dreamy yet intense gaze. “You must go and see the camellias in Gantong Temple that are as big as bowls. You’ll definitely love them.”
“Okay.” Yunxi smiled.
Encouraged, Ding Xian's enthusiasm grew even higher. "I want to take you to Jinshuo Island to see the Bai ethnic fishing villages burning pine torches at night, which look like stars falling on a jade plate from afar. We'll also try their unique spicy and sour snail sauce. In a few days, we'll go boating at Longshou Pass and hire a Bai fishing boat to grill seafood."
Perhaps he was truly a little tipsy, for he asked somewhat sheepishly, "Have I been talking too much? I just really have so many places I'd like to take you with me."
Yunxi shook her head and said, "Then let's go boating at Longshou Pass the day after tomorrow. I want to try the taste of sea fish."
"Okay." Ding Xian nodded happily.
When Ding Xian appeared at the city gate on the appointed day, he attracted frequent glances from passersby.
He was dressed in a moon-white cross-collar Taoist robe with the right side fastened, with Erhai stone blue earrings hanging by his ears. The hem of his robe was embroidered with silver thread patterns resembling the Erhai Lake, and as he walked, it looked as if snowflakes were rolling down the mountainside.
So handsome that one might wonder if he was some mountain god in human form.
Even Yunxi couldn't help but whistle.
When they arrived at Longshou Pass, the sun was just licking the snow-capped peaks of Cangshan Mountain, and a layer of crab-shell-green mist floated on the surface of Erhai Lake.
Ding Xian had sent someone to reserve a fishing boat the day before.
The Bai family's fishing boat was originally made of century-old elm wood from Longwei Pass. The bow was decorated with a red lacquered fish head carving, and the sides were speckled with silver flowers made of fish scales.
The boatwoman was called A-Yue, and her headscarf was embroidered with the words "wind, flowers, snow, and moon."
Halfway through the journey, a sudden "Hey!" pierced the morning mist, and A-Yue began to sing "Erhai Love Song," her timbre sharp and soaring straight into the clouds.
"The eighteen-year-old boy has gone fishing, while the girl's soul is tied to the mesh of the net."
Yunxi sat on the deck, happily clapping along.
As the sea breeze caressed her face and she brushed the strands of hair from her cheek, she noticed Ding Xian beside her hurriedly turning his face away.
It seemed as if his gaze was always on her.
As noon approached, the tin stove was already set up, the firebox stuffed with dried seaweed, and Ding Xian skillfully roasted a sea fish.
Under the shimmering light, looking at Yunxi, he said excitedly, "Brother Wu, you must try my cooking today."
The fish in his hand had been roasted until its skin was golden brown, emitting an enticing aroma.
Enjoying beautiful scenery, delicious food, drinking wine from large bowls and eating meat heartily, with loved ones by her side and endless conversations—this is the kind of life Yunxi loves.
In contrast to her relaxed and carefree state, the Forbidden City was shrouded in dark clouds.
"Your Majesty," Gu Wenqian knelt on one knee, "I have found traces of Miss Yunxi."
Behind the imperial desk.
Xiao Shenjing suddenly gripped the imperial brush tightly in his hand.
He remained silent, and Gu Wenqian continued his report, "I have ascertained that the woman from Loulan who bought Chan Yingxiao is named Hongxiu, and she runs a brothel called Hongxiuzhao in Dali, Yunnan. And Miss Yunxi is currently living there."
"Red Sleeve Pavilion?" Xiao Shenjing finally reacted, frowning as he asked.
The young emperor clearly knew what place it was from the name, yet he seemed unable to believe it at all.
Under immense pressure, Gu Wenqian had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "It's a brothel."
"Brothels and theaters?" Xiao Shenjing's hand, which was resting on the corner of the rosewood table, revealed clearly visible veins.
His voice was terrifyingly deep.
"A respectable young lady's shoes shouldn't even get dusty within three feet of the rooftops. And yet, she dares to let me live in such a filthy place?"
Not wanting to incur the emperor's wrath, Gu Wenqian lowered his head even further.
"Go and bring her back to me immediately!"
At this point, Xiao Shenjing seemed to have thought of something, his gloomy eyes sharpening. "No, I will personally go and bring her back."
She's incredibly audacious.
"Since she loves to burrow into the mire, I will capture her and personally cleanse her soul."
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