In the past few days, Zu'an has gradually calmed down the angry Bi Linglong, but he mainly stays at the Sang family home with Sang Qian and Zheng Dan.
Upon learning that he was leaving again, Sang Qian was quite reluctant to part with him, but she also knew that the imperial decree had been issued and there was no way to change the matter.
Sang Hong enjoyed a leisurely life while recuperating from his injury. His only frustration was that his daughter and daughter-in-law seemed to care more about Zu An than about him, sometimes making him feel like an outsider in the family.
Fortunately, he was very satisfied with Zuan. He was both his daughter's husband and his daughter-in-law's husband. They were already a very close family... Hmm, why does that sound a little strange?
However, the two had worked together seamlessly during this time and had been saved by each other on several occasions, so their relationship had long been comparable to that of father and son.
He now only hopes that his daughter will give birth to a good grandson who has some of his father's charm, and that will be enough to comfort him for the rest of his life.
Worried that he might run into trouble if he went to Zishan, Zu'an has been pulling him aside every now and then to tell him about the various aspects of the officialdom in Yi County, while also helping him analyze all the possible scenarios.
With such a seasoned politician as his mentor, Zu An felt he had gained a great deal, and his confidence for the trip to Zishan was further strengthened.
One day, Zu An was chatting and basking in the sun in the courtyard with Sang Qian and Zheng Dan when a servant suddenly brought over an exquisite and elegant invitation. It was personally sent by Nan Xun, the top courtesan of Hongxiuzhao.
Upon seeing this, the two women were immediately taken aback. Zheng Dan exclaimed, "You really do get along well with the most beautiful courtesans wherever you go!"
Sang Qian, standing to the side, added sourly, "Sister-in-law, you don't know this, but Hongxiuzhao is the most popular brothel in the capital. It's even more popular than the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment district). It's all because of their courtesan, Nanxun. Not only is she stunningly beautiful, but she's also proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and singing. Countless high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital flock to her. On ordinary days, a single ticket can cost thousands of taels of silver, and you can only catch a glimpse of her from afar. Even so, there's no market for her, let alone the invitations she personally issues."
Although she and Zuan had no official relationship, he was, after all, the father of her child, and his familiarity with the courtesan in the brothel made her feel extremely jealous.
Zheng Dan looked as if she had just realized something: "I remember now. Before Azu went to Yunzhong County last time, it seems that he won the heart of Miss Nanxun among many princes and noblemen. That very night, he was invited to stay as a guest of honor. I wonder how many men in the capital envied him."
Anger level from Zheng Dan: +177 +177 +177...
Anger from Sang Qian: +177 +177 +177...
Zuan was a little annoyed: "There was no such thing as a 'guest innkeeper'; we were just chatting that night."
Zheng Dan and Sang Qian rolled their eyes in unison. One was a renowned courtesan, and the other was a womanizer. A man and a woman alone in a room chatting all night? Did they think we were stupid?
Zuan was also helpless; why did no one believe him when he told the truth?
After finally calming the two women down, Zu An arrived at Hongxiuzhao. It wasn't that he was truly blinded by lust; rather, he suddenly remembered a promise he'd made to Peacock King. Recently, due to his reunion with Chu Chuyan and the constant potential for dramatic situations with several women, he'd almost forgotten about it. Now that they'd extended an invitation, how could he refuse?
When we arrived at Hongxiuzhao, it was still afternoon, not its opening time.
News spread quickly throughout the building. When they learned that the courtesan Nanxun had specially invited a man over, all the girls gathered around to see who this man was.
"Who is this young man? He's so handsome, no wonder Nanxun took the initiative to invite him."
"You don't even know him? He's a favorite in the Crown Prince's palace, the youngest marquis in the empire, and Lord Zu who has made numerous outstanding contributions."
"Ah, if a man like that could redeem me, I would be willing to become his concubine or maid."
"Dream on! He'll redeem you? If he were willing, I'd be redeeming myself and paying him to do it."
"I admire his talent more than his status. His poem 'Drunk, I pick up my sword and look at it by lamplight,' which he dedicated to Marshal Qin, always stirs my emotions every time I read it."
"I do like that poem, 'The Dream of a Lady in Her Boudoir,' which I heard was written specifically for Nanxun. If someone wrote such a poem for me, I would gladly die. Unfortunately, I know my own limitations; I don't have the beauty of a courtesan, so I don't have that kind of luck."
"Not necessarily. The recently popular novel 'A Chinese Ghost Story' is said to be written by him. Isn't that a novel written for all the girls in our industry? It perfectly expresses our helplessness and bitterness."
"Lord Zu, I love you!"
...
A group of beautiful women surrounded her. In their eyes, Xiaoqian and other fine women were forced by the old woman to seduce passing scholars and drain their yang energy. Their situation was so similar to their own. They were also kind and good girls, and for various reasons, they could only sell their smiles in brothels. They felt a sense of sympathy for each other.
In their view, Zu'an's "A Chinese Ghost Story" was written entirely out of sympathy and pity for them, which naturally gave rise to a sense of spiritual resonance with him.
Their enthusiasm quickly overwhelmed Zu'an, but fortunately Nanxun came out in time to reprimand the women, and managed to escort him back to his own courtyard.
As the top courtesan of Hongxiuzhao, Nanxun was naturally someone few dared to offend.
However, some courtesans of similar status were still dissatisfied: "This hussy only knows how to hog everything!"
After entering the courtyard, the beautiful Nanxun kept smiling, and at the same time took out a fragrant handkerchief to wipe the lipstick and rouge off Zu'an's face and clothes.
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