Chapter 22 Beauty Ruins: Yueying
Why can't you touch a girl, and you can't touch a man either?
Tang Yu's gaze flickered for a moment as she quickly recalled the girl she had seen after entering the building.
Apart from the dancers on stage, it seemed that no beauties from southern Xinjiang were seen.
She smiled lazily and asked in return, "Where exactly is this Beauty Market? How come even a beauty as stunning as you isn't worthy of enjoying such a place?"
“Young master, you may not know this.” The green-clad beauty’s expression turned somewhat forlorn as she softly said, “We courtesans may appear glamorous on the surface, but we are nothing more than servants who show their faces in public and smile at everyone. We are fortunate today to have the opportunity to serve such a handsome young master as you.”
After all, normally, as long as the customers who come in pay enough, no matter how bad or ugly they are, they still have to greet them with a smile. They don't have any other choice.
Thinking of this, she sighed silently again. She had completely let down her guard against Tang Yu and was now completely open and honest with him.
“This Zhongjing is both a place of great allure and a place of great fear. It has no shortage of beauties, nor of the wealthy and powerful. Although Yaohua Pavilion is the largest music hall in Zhongjing, there is a hidden paradise in the shadows, namely the Beauty Ruins.”
As she spoke, a hint of longing appeared in her eyes, "Only the chosen girls are qualified to be taken to the Beauty Market. I've heard that those who serve there are the most powerful and influential men in the capital. In less than half a year, they can save enough money to redeem themselves. Not to mention, if they gain favor, even as concubines or maids, they'll be more comfortable than we are here..."
Upon hearing this, Tang Yu chuckled softly, softening her voice to soothe him: "What is right in front of you may not be as good as what you can't see. But that unseen good might just be your imagination. What you see in front of you is always clear and transparent."
These words surprised Xie Xingzheng, who didn't expect her to advise a dancer.
Another beautiful woman in blue lowered her eyes for a moment, then suddenly smiled with relief: "Young master is right. Wealthy and powerful nobles wouldn't be so easy to serve. And those sisters who went to the ruins, they never returned. Who knows whether they're enjoying good fortune or suffering misfortune?"
The longing in the green-clad beauty's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by uncertain surprise. "Yes... Normally, if a generous patron were to appear, the women in the brothel would want the whole place to know. But those who went to the Beauty Market haven't sent back a single word. All we hear is Mama saying they've gone to enjoy themselves..."
Tang Yu smiled gently and harmlessly, patted her back lightly to comfort her, and asked, "Is it only girls from the Southern Frontier who can be selected to go to the Beauty Market?"
“Not entirely.” The beauty shook her head and nestled in Tang Yu’s arms. “But ordinary women in the Great Xia Dynasty are used to seeing high-ranking officials and nobles, so they don’t have much interest in them.”
"After all, who doesn't like something special? Beauties with exotic charm are most sought after, especially girls from the Western Regions and Southern Xinjiang."
After saying that, she poured Tang Yu another glass of wine, fed it to his lips, and her eyes were filled with tenderness.
Tang Yu nodded and took a small sip.
He suddenly leaned down, almost touching her cheek, his voice suddenly becoming low and sexy, as if whispering to a lover: "Promise me, don't share me with your sisters later. I only want to be special in your heart."
The beauty was taken aback, and a blush instantly crept onto her fair face. She responded in a soft voice.
Although the two lowered their voices, Xie Xingzheng could still hear them clearly. He looked at Tang Yu with a sullen face, unable to understand even after racking his brains.
How could a young woman portray a client of prostitutes so convincingly?
However, he knew she had her own plans, so he kept quiet and pondered the Beauty Market that the two girls had just mentioned.
There are quite a few shady, gray areas in Zhongjing, but many are still under the control of the imperial court, such as the Ghost Market. But this "Beauty Market" is a place he has never heard of before.
After a moment of contemplation, Xie Xingzheng suddenly spoke up: "The imperial court is strictly investigating the remnants of the Southern Frontier. According to the law, music halls cannot accept them without a valid reason. Those Southern Frontier dancers who were sent there... could it be that they all have identities?"
These words, spoken as if interrogating a criminal, sent a chill down the spines of the two beauties, leaving them momentarily speechless and embarrassed.
Fortunately, as the dance music ended, the guests rushed up and surrounded the alluring Yueying in her red dress. Eager to win a smile from the beauty, they shouted and threw coins onto the stage. The atmosphere in the building instantly became lively, breaking the awkward silence.
Tang Yu stood up and smiled as she unfolded her folding fan. "Since we've just arrived in Zhongjing, we should go down and take a look around, otherwise this trip would be in vain."
The two beauties were clearly disappointed, but Tang Yu took out two silver ingots and placed them in their hands.
True feelings are always hard to find, and they're all just illusions, but money is real and tangible. They understood this perfectly well, and immediately beamed with joy as they saw the two to the door.
Xie Xingzheng followed Tang Yu downstairs, but seeing her squeeze into the crowded throng, he ultimately didn't follow and instead waited a short distance behind.
After Yueying finished her dance, a light sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead, making her fragrance even more intense. As she walked to the front of the stage to take her bow, Tang Yu happened to squeeze to the front, and their eyes met.
Those eerie green eyes held a captivating allure, making them incredibly alluring. Tang Yu's face instantly lit up with a look of infatuation. Yue Ying gave her a charming smile, nodded slightly, and then looked away.
In an instant, Tang Yu's eyes regained their clarity, but then darkened.
As you get closer, the fragrance emanating from Yueying becomes even more pronounced, so strong it's as if it's there to mask any other scents on her body.
Xie Xingzheng thought she would try to strike up a conversation with Yueying or ask for more information, but to his surprise, Tang Yu squeezed out of the crowd and leisurely left the music hall to go back to the escort agency.
He couldn't hold back in the end and stood in front of Tang Yu.
"She clearly smells of that fragrance, why did you leave?"
Tang Yu glanced around discreetly, then pulled his wrist, intending to lead him to a quieter place.
Xie Xingzheng subconsciously used a clever move to break free, took a step back, and maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far from her.
Tang Yu turned to look at him, puzzled, and said helplessly, "Why can't you touch girls, and you can't touch men either?"
Xie Xingzheng opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but then hesitated to expose her pretense at this moment. He stood there for a long time, unable to utter a single word like a fool.
"Never mind, never mind." Tang Yu relaxed her brows and waved her hand helplessly. "General Xie doesn't want me to touch it, so how could I dare to be presumptuous? But there are too many people around here, so even if I want to ask something, I'll wait until we get back to the escort agency so I can explain it to you in person."
It was clearly mocking, yet it also seemed like she was coaxing him. Xie Xingzheng even felt as if he was being unreasonable, and for a moment his throat tightened.
Tang Yu gestured for him to proceed, and Xie Xingzheng did not hesitate any longer, complying with her request.
When the two returned to Wangyuan Escort Agency, it was already late at night. The lights in the hall were still on, and Xiao Fangliang had not gone home to rest. Instead, he sat side by side with Wang Shanyue, his expression solemn, their eyes fixed on the table.
Upon seeing the two enter, Xiao Fangliang immediately stood up, clearly having been waiting for some time.
"What happened?" Xie Xingzheng's heart sank, and his gaze fell on the table.
On the table was a bright yellow invitation card, clearly from the palace.
“Three days from now, the Southern Frontier delegation will depart for the capital.” Xiao Fangliang began, his tone low and slow, yet carrying a sense of pressure: “His Majesty intends to reopen the decorated pavilion the day after tomorrow and reenact the ‘Dragon Parade’ of the Floating Light Ceremony. Rumors of ghosts and gods should be dispelled with rumors to appease the people.”
He paused, then looked up at the group, "and plans to hold a farewell banquet in the palace, and has specially invited us to attend."
Tang Yu and Xie Xingzheng exchanged a glance, their expressions both turning somber.
This seemingly appreciative and rewarding gesture actually puts a noose around their necks. If the truth of the matter cannot be found before the banquet, at least an explanation sufficient to silence the public must be provided.
Xie Xingzheng lowered his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly whispered, "I'm sorry."
Tang Yu was slightly taken aback, tilted her head to look at him, her eyes full of confusion, wondering where this apology came from.
Xiao Fangliang chuckled and shook his head, reassuring him, "How can you blame General Xie? It was Brother Su who posted the imperial edict, and we insisted on investigating the case. Besides, there are still two days left; we haven't reached a dead end yet."
At this point, he looked at Tang Yu, clearly having great confidence in her, and asked, "I wonder if you've gained anything tonight?"
Tang Yu was puzzled by the inexplicable politeness between the two, but she didn't press the matter. She simply smiled and slowly said, "It's nothing much. However..."
Her tone shifted, and her eyes turned colder. "We smelled the same scent as that perfume on the Southern Frontier dancer, Huan Yueying. But to avoid alerting her, General Xie and I retreated first."
At this point, her eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint smile played on her lips: "Besides that, we also found out about another place."
After a moment, she slowly uttered those three words: "Beauty Ruins".
The room fell silent.
The two men were clearly unfamiliar with this place, and looked puzzled.
After listening to Tang Yu's account of what she had seen and heard that night, Xiao Fangliang's expression gradually darkened, and he lightly tapped his fingertips on the table: "Clearly, this Beauty Market is not open to the public. Ordinary people would have a hard time getting in if they didn't have connections."
“That’s right.” Tang Yu nodded, then her gaze shifted to Xie Xingzheng, a smile playing on her lips but concealing a hint of probing. “General Xie, you command the Imperial Guards of Zhongjing, and are considered a high-ranking official. Do you have any brilliant plans?”
The teasing was so obvious that Xiao Fangliang couldn't help but cover his face and chuckle.
Xie Xingzheng didn't take it to heart, nor did he respond immediately. Instead, he frowned slightly and fell into deep thought.
The Beauty Ruins, a secluded place exclusively for the pleasures of the powerful and wealthy, must be backed by deeply entrenched and powerful forces. If the Imperial Guards were to be used to investigate, causing a rash disturbance, they might be able to erase all traces within a day, making even the name "ruins" disappear.
His eyes darkened, and suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him.
The capital city is vast and teeming with all sorts of people. There are not only shady dens of iniquity hidden in the shadows, but also powerful and influential figures who move between the legitimate and criminal worlds.
"Time is running out," he uttered a name.
"This man is a compulsive gambler, yet he knows the secrets of both the official and clandestine factions in Zhongjing. Perhaps... he has a way to lead us into the Beauty Market."
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