Chapter 21 Beauty Ruins: Yaohua Pavilion
You smell so good.
As night fell, the two stood in front of Yaohua Pavilion.
This is the most prosperous area of Zhongjing, and what lies before us is the most expensive and renowned den of iniquity. The three characters "Yaohua Pavilion" are written in gold lacquer on the plaque, and all those who enter and leave are dressed in luxurious clothes. Even before entering the pavilion, the melodious sounds of silk and bamboo instruments drift on the wind, stirring the mind and bringing great pleasure.
The two specially changed into the attire of noble young men. Tang Yu even imitated Xiao Fangliang, holding a fan and waving it lightly, with a smile on his lips, exuding a graceful demeanor.
Several women dressed in light clothing stood in front of the building. Although they were glamorous, they did not appear vulgar. On the contrary, they were polite, gentle, and their greetings and farewells were appropriate and measured.
Tang Yu straightened her clothes and walked towards the pavilion. Xie Xingzheng's heart skipped a beat, and although his expression was not good, he still followed closely behind.
As soon as the two entered, a beautiful woman with delicate features and eyes that seemed to hold water stepped forward and asked in her uniquely soft tone, "You two gentlemen look unfamiliar. Is this your first time visiting our Yaohua Pavilion?"
Tang Yu nodded and replied with a smile, "I am new to Zhongjing and have heard that Yaohua Pavilion is the largest music hall in the capital, so I brought my friend here to see it for myself."
Having said that, he turned the fan to point at Xie Xingzheng and politely asked, "I wonder if there are any private rooms upstairs?"
He then produced a silver ingot and placed it in the woman's hand; the meaning was self-evident.
Although there are many wealthy and powerful people in Zhongjing, and plenty of them are generous, it is truly rare to find two young masters like the ones before us who are so handsome, have such extraordinary bearing, and are so extravagant.
I'm afraid the girls in the building would all be vying to serve him.
The woman's eyes immediately became affectionate as she looked at Tang Yu, and her smile became as radiant as spring flowers as she warmly led the two to a private room upstairs.
"The location here is excellent; you can see the performance on the stage downstairs with just a short glance," the woman introduced softly.
Tang Yu nodded, a satisfied look on his face. Seeing this, the lady quickly asked solicitously, "Would the two gentlemen like to hear music or watch a dance?"
Tang Yu sat down, straightened his clothes, and smiled casually: "I heard there will be a performance on stage later. Just find two young ladies to serve you."
"Then I will go and find two of the most beautiful girls who are available." The woman smiled radiantly.
Tang Yu raised his hand and handed over another silver ingot. His generous manner delighted the woman, who readily agreed and immediately went to find the young lady.
After the man left, Xie Xingzheng spoke, lowering his voice: "Why didn't you let me send someone to ask that woman's husband directly? Would that have made you so certain that the spices came from Yaohua Pavilion?"
When she asked, I clearly gave her three answers—brothels, singing houses, and music halls. So why was she so sure that she only needed to come to this music hall?
Tang Yu casually picked up some dried fruit and pastries from the table, curiously leaned closer to sniff them, and said slowly and deliberately, "The gold hairpin on that beautiful woman's head yesterday, with its lotus petals embroidered with silk threads and pearl stamens, is something ordinary people couldn't afford. Also, someone who can grace the stage of the Floating Glory Ceremony can't possibly be a courtesan; she must be one of the best singers and dancers in the capital. What's so hard to guess?"
Xie Xingzheng could understand her reasoning, but what puzzled him was: "Then how can you be so sure it's not a karaoke bar?"
Tang Yu didn't answer immediately, but got up and walked to the corner of the room. There stood a bronze crane, and a wisp of daphne fragrance wafted from its beak.
She fanned herself lightly with her fingertips, her eyes half-closed.
No, not really...
When she opened her eyes again, she replied, "General Xie should know that what the courtesans in brothels value most is their voices. The perfume does have a unique and elegant scent, unlike the cosmetics of ordinary courtesans, but it does contain a fragrant ingredient."
Xie Xingzheng watched her sniff around elsewhere and asked curiously, "What is it?"
Tang Yu smiled and uttered two words: "Sichuan peppercorns."
Xie Xingzheng was taken aback. "Isn't Sichuan peppercorn a spice?"
"This ingredient was introduced to Great Xia from the Western Regions. Ordinary households often use it as a seasoning, and occasionally it's also used in medicine." She said, casually grabbing a few melon seeds and placing them in front of him. "Smells good, doesn't it?"
These sunflower seeds are roasted with five kinds of spices, including Sichuan peppercorns. Even from a distance, Xie Xingzheng could smell the spicy and sweet aroma, which was extremely appetizing.
Tang Yu tossed the melon seeds back into the plate. "In the Western Regions, Sichuan pepper is often used as an incense, and its aroma is fresh and sweet, but it still has a pungent smell. Ordinary courtesans strictly control these incense materials to protect their voices, let alone in Zhongjing. So... this perfume balm definitely did not come from a brothel."
Xie Xingzheng's gaze shifted slightly as he looked at Tang Yu, noticing that she was looking towards the stage through the carved window lattice.
As the music began, the dancers finally made their graceful entrance, like kingfishers spreading their wings in a cage. They were beautiful, but ultimately lacked something special.
Just then, someone gently knocked on the door.
Tang Yu quickly sat back down in her original spot and smiled as she invited people inside.
The lady led in two beautiful concubines; one was dressed in a green dress, her eyes sparkling with spring; the other wore a light blue Confucian skirt, her demeanor cool and elegant.
It must be said that in this largest music hall in Zhongjing, the girls have an elegant demeanor and graceful manner. Before taking their seats, they give a gentle bow, which is like a breath of fresh air.
Tang Yu turned to the side and beckoned, her smile gentle: "Miss, please sit closer."
The beautiful concubine in green robes sat down as instructed, her body almost touching Tang Yu's, and a fragrant breeze wafted over her.
Tang Yu feigned infatuation and leaned closer to sniff: "You smell so good."
Xie Xingzheng's nose twitched slightly, but he did not smell any special fragrance similar to perfume.
My heart sank slightly: What was she saying, "It smells so good"?
The beautiful woman in blue had already moved closer to him, her body soft and boneless, as if she wanted to throw herself into his arms. Xie Xingzheng, however, frowned slightly, turned his shoulder to the side, and coldly avoided her, deliberately sitting back half an inch, as if avoiding a snake or scorpion.
Tang Yu saw this and smiled, as if she had expected him to do so. Although she was happy to 'make things difficult' for him, she still had to consider the important matter first.
So she pointed to the fruit plate on the table, her tone gentle yet firm: "Come here and have some with me."
The beautiful woman in blue was taken aback and hesitated for a moment, but Tang Yu took out a silver ingot and casually placed it on the table, her eyes indifferent: "Sit."
The silver light dazzled her eyes, and Meiji quickly bowed her head to thank her, obediently sat down to pour tea, and dared not say another word.
Xie Xingzheng remained sitting upright, glancing sideways at Tang Yu, who was slowly and calmly eating candied fruit, occasionally feeding it to the beauty's lips.
His forehead twitched slightly, his face grew even colder, and he forced his gaze to the stage outside the window. But the sounds of Tang Yu and the two beauties flirting kept echoing in his ears, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.
As the dance ended, the music gradually changed, and a new group of dancers took the stage. A new melody began, carrying a touch of the southern border region.
The dancers moved to the music, while a red curtain was set up below the stage, behind which a graceful figure was vaguely visible. They sang along to the melody, their voices melodious and captivating. Beneath the thin veil, their alluring figures appeared and disappeared, adding to the allure of their figures.
The beautiful waitress held up a bronze cup to Tang Yu's lips, coquettishly saying, "Young master, you've already captivated my heart before you've even seen her. If you do, will you still have room for me in your eyes?"
Tang Yu smiled gently, took a sip from his wine glass, wrapped his left arm around her slender waist, and gave her a light pinch.
The beauty cried out softly, her legs went weak, and she stumbled towards her. Tang Yu caught her with her wrist, and she fell into her arms.
"Ah...Young Master!" she exclaimed, but it was more of a coquettish tone as she gently patted his shoulder.
Although Tang Yu's actions were somewhat frivolous, they were perfectly timed to be flirtatious, given his handsome appearance. Not only was the beauty in his arms not annoyed at all, but her cheeks even flushed slightly, and her eyes were full of affection.
Xie Xingzheng frowned even deeper, his face becoming even more gloomy. This startled another beautiful woman beside him, who was holding a cup of wine. She nearly spilled it, her helpless smile frozen on her face, unsure of what to do next.
"He's just a pedantic scholar, don't be afraid, my beauty," Tang Yu comforted gently, a smile in her eyes.
His gaze then fixed on the figure behind the red veil, and he asked the beauty in his arms, "Is that girl as beautiful as you?"
The beauty said shyly, with a hint of grievance, "Young master, you flatter me. That is Miss Yueying, the most beautiful woman in our music hall who is skilled in singing and dancing."
"But you are also incredibly beautiful," Tang Yu chuckled, bringing the glass of wine to her lips.
Who wouldn't be delighted to be praised and treated with such coaxing? The beauty was instantly overjoyed, and took a small sip, her expression becoming even more alluring.
She said softly, "Young master, you may not know, but Miss Yueying is from the Southern Frontier. Her face is full of exotic charm. Don't be fooled by the fact that there are beauties everywhere in Zhongjing. They all have the same taste. Occasionally, a flower from the Southern Frontier or the Western Regions will appear, and she will always be more alluring."
As soon as she finished speaking, the drumming and music suddenly rose in intensity, reaching a climax. The beauty pointed and said, "Young master, look—"
Without needing any prompting, everyone's attention was drawn to the stage. The red veil slowly parted, revealing a graceful beauty to the guests.
Her chestnut-brown wavy hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall; her high brow bones and prominent nose and cheekbones gave her a striking profile typical of exotic women; beneath her curled eyelashes were a pair of turquoise eyes.
One glance is enough to make one forget to breathe.
Xie Xingzheng also looked down at the audience, but his brows furrowed slightly, and his peripheral vision unconsciously swept to his side, where Tang Yu was watching with rapt attention.
For some unknown reason, his gaze sharpened, and he silently withdrew his eyes, reverting to his previous expressionless, cold demeanor.
It's as if there's no beautiful woman in front of him; he's just a moving wooden stake.
Tang Yu has had an exceptionally keen sense of smell since childhood. Almost the instant the red veil was lifted, she caught a faint, elusive fragrance.
"It smells so good..." She squinted her eyes and smiled slightly.
This time it's for real.
Because this scent is exactly the fragrance they've been searching for.
"What fragrance is this? It's so special," Tang Yu asked with a smile.
"That's Yueying's secret recipe. In the brothel, she only gives it to fellow singers and dancers from the Southern Frontier." The beauty in his arms answered softly, and seeing Tang Yu's gaze fixed on Yueying, he couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness.
"Only for girls from southern Xinjiang?"
“Yes, Yueying presents this incense to almost every new sister from the Southern Frontier. It’s extremely precious; outsiders would beg for it if they wanted to.” The beauty’s words carried a hint of envy.
Tang Yu hugged her tighter. "Are there many beauties from southern Xinjiang in this building?"
His affectionate eyes returned to the person in his arms, his fingertips twirling a strand of hair by her temple, a half-smile playing on his lips, "How many others are as alluring as you?"
The beauty's ears flushed red, her earlier grievances instantly forgotten. Her wrist trembled slightly as she poured the wine, her silver bracelet jingling. "The sisters from the Southern Frontier... at least twenty of them have come. But..."
She paused, then suddenly lowered her voice and whispered in Tang Yu's ear, "But they've all gone to the Beauty Market to enjoy themselves..."
Tang Yu raised an eyebrow, her smile deepening. But more questions arose in her heart.
What kind of happiness can one enjoy?
And where is that "Beauty Ruins"?
[Author's Note]
Tang Yu: It smells so good!
Xie Xingzheng: (Snorts disdainfully and tries to take a bath with Sichuan peppercorns...)
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