Chapter 105 Flavor "It should have flavor."...
"One mace is refunded at 62 fen, five li is reduced by 3 yi... In years of disaster, the reduction is 30%, and in years of plenty, the subsidy is 2 mace..."
Hearing the clear and innocent voice of a child behind him, Bai Yuan suddenly felt an urge to drink.
I happened to pass by a brick and wood building adorned with red and colorful decorations, elegant and eye-catching. I didn't get a good look at the romantic scenes carved on the lintel, but there were plaques with names of dance music and musical instruments hanging above it. All I could smell was the lingering aroma of wine mixed with a strong scent of perfume, wafting from the wide-open facade, rich and sweet.
The girls soliciting business at the entrance were also eye-catching; despite the lingering chill of early spring, they wore thin, off-the-shoulder gauze dresses without seeming to feel cold.
The woman swayed her hips and blocked Bai Yuan's path, lightly flicking a fragrant silk handkerchief at him. Every gesture exuded charm: "Oh, this lady has come to the wrong place, hasn't she?"
"You didn't go to the wrong place."
"Oh? What brings you here?"
"Buy alcohol."
"Hey, you should go to a tavern to buy wine. This place isn't just for selling wine." This place is for men to have fun. Nine times out of ten, women come here to cause trouble. She looked Bai Yuan up and down, thinking she knew a lot about people. This woman was definitely a tough nut to crack.
"If you're opening a business, what else are you selling besides alcohol?"
Did she even need to say it? The man gave her a look that said, "Are you really unaware, or are you just pretending not to know?"
Bai Yuan raised an eyebrow: "Not welcome?"
The woman stood blocking the doorway with a forced smile, her face conveying an unwelcoming attitude: "Take care, don't bother coming back."
But the wine served here is Fenqing from Xinghua Village, fermented in earthen vats, brewed in winter and aged in summer. Bai Yuan didn't pursue the matter further, but instead transformed into a "gentleman on the thief's roof" and leaped over the high wall, winding his way to the wine cellar.
Without any hesitation, she picked up a jar, broke the clay seal, and the clear, refreshing aroma of the wine wafted out, truly living up to the saying, "The earthen jar is sealed in snow for three years to mature, and opening the jar will startle the apricot blossoms in the sky."
Bai Yuan tilted his head back and took a sip. The Fenqing liquor was initially sweet and smooth, with a long-lasting aftertaste. It truly deserves its reputation as a highly favored tribute wine of Hedong Road.
As night fell, red candles were lit one by one in the pavilion, and music, singing, and laughter filled the air outside. This made the person drinking alone in the wine cellar seem particularly bored, so Bai Yuan took a jar of Fenqing wine and went to the front yard to join in the fun.
She crossed the courtyard and found a secluded spot on a roof beam to sit or lie down. With her eyes lowered, she could see the hustle and bustle of the main hall. Each of these women was incredibly alluring, their fair, smooth shoulders and soft breasts faintly visible beneath the thin gauze, swaying their hips and beckoning to their patrons who came to buy sex.
Below, directly opposite, is a platform where beautiful women can sing and dance, their figures graceful and alluring.
This place is truly a wonderful place to enjoy beautiful women, songs, and dances, and to drink and make merry.
After the song ended, the beautiful dancer received her "gift," gracefully stepped off the stage, and went to toast the patron who had given her a tip.
As they toasted and drank, Bai Yuan also savored some of the joy. Listening to the laughter and chatter filling the room, it seemed it was time for the top courtesan of this brothel to take the stage.
Bai Yuan's gaze wandered, and he almost thought he was seeing things.
Then Zhou Yaren entered carrying a zither, went up to the stage through the side corridor, and walked directly to the screen on the side of the stage painted with musicians playing the konghou (a type of Chinese harp), placed the zither and sat down.
What's this blind man doing here?
After seeing Bai Yuan enter this brothel in the afternoon and not come out for a long time, Zhou Yaren was worried that she was drunk inside, so she also climbed over the wall and entered. Just then, she met a musician tuning a zither that was out of tune under the wall.
As a blind musician, Zhou Yaren was most skilled at tuning instruments. He would get obsessive-compulsive disorder whenever he heard an instrument out of tune. After hearing that the musician had been tuning the instrument several times without success, Zhou Yaren had no choice but to go over and meddle.
With just a few words, he pointed out the off-key notes, and the musician immediately realized that the visitor was exceptionally skilled. He then presented his zither to the musician for further instruction.
As Zhou Yaren bent down to tune the strings, she suddenly heard a soft murmur coming from the bustling front hall. The carefree Bai Yuan commented, "The dancing is alright, but the playing is a bit lacking."
Zhou Yaren, her fingers pressing on the strings, couldn't help but smile upon hearing this, and then, as if possessed, she stepped into the hall in place of the musician.
Bai Yuan lowered his eyes and stared at Zhou Yaren under the red candle warm pavilion. This blind man, dressed in a plain robe and blue shirt, sat upright in front of the table on the side of the platform. Even though he did not make a sound, he frequently attracted attention.
"Huh?" A beautiful young woman in the audience whispered, covering her mouth with her fan, "A new musician?"
"I don't know, I've never seen it before. Maybe Sister Qiao found it somewhere."
"With such a handsome appearance, aren't you afraid of stealing the spotlight from her top courtesan?"
"Nonsense, this isn't the South Wind Pavilion."
Bai Yuan, who was lying drunk on the roof beam, listened to every word.
Zhou Yaren began to pluck the strings, his hand resting on the zither stand as cold as jade, and a long, clear sound flowed from between his long, well-defined fingers.
The top courtesan danced gracefully to the rhythm of the zither under the watchful eyes of the crowd, her eyes sparkling with admiration as she glanced at the musician playing for her.
Unfortunately, the musician was blind and focused solely on plucking the strings, paying her no attention whatsoever.
As the music began, it flowed into the mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, layer by layer washing over Zhou Yaren's nimble fingertips, as if the invisible hands of heaven and earth were pushing and amplifying the waves, lifting the dancer's silk ribbons and water sleeves, rippling in the rivers, lakes, and seas, transforming into undulating water ripples.
Then, Zhou Yaren's left hand swiftly glided across the five strings, and a sudden gust of wind swept across the zither platform. As the wind subsided, the red candles in the room flickered, casting the graceful figure of the courtesan onto the floating red silk. The image on the red silk was like a lotus emerging from the water, cleansed of worldly dust, instantly becoming pure and ethereal.
Even a layman can be amazed by the dramatic changes in the melody, realizing that such skill in playing the zither is extraordinary and far from ordinary.
However, the musician did not intend to overshadow the dancer; instead, he enhanced the beauty's dance in the warm pavilion, creating a harmonious and vivid performance that sent shivers down the spines of the audience.
The musician below the stage was stunned. Such a level of skill was like entering a sacred realm. He had never known that his ordinary zither could produce such celestial music. It was simply a sound that should only exist in heaven, rarely heard on earth.
As the music ended, the lingering notes still trembled on the strings.
After a long while, enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted from the audience, and the top performer on stage smiled radiantly.
Zhou Yaren stood up without stopping and left the stage directly from the side. He didn't hear Bai Yuan's brief comment and was about to go find her when someone hurried up behind him.
"Young master, please wait."
Zhou Yaren stopped, turned around, and asked, "What is it?"
The top courtesan, with light, quick steps, floated up to me with a smile: "Young master, oh no, sir, your musical skills are superb. Would you be willing to stay in this Hundred Flowers Pavilion and accompany me on my music?"
"I am honored by your kind words, young lady. I am merely passing through and have other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave now."
The top courtesan immediately stepped forward to block his path, unable to contain her emotions as she moved closer to Zhou Yaren: "If you agree, sir, I am willing..."
Zhou Yaren stepped aside: "Thank you, but that's not my concern."
"Sir, why don't you consider it? Money is not a problem." This man's musical skills are so exquisite that if she could have him accompany her in the future, she, Sister Qiao, would definitely become famous throughout the world.
Zhou Yaren declined, saying, "No need."
"I will never mistreat you, sir." The top courtesan persisted, and in the ensuing shove, Zhou Yaren was forced back into a private room. "What do you want, sir? Just tell me, and I will do my best to satisfy you, or something else..."
Just as those white, lotus-root-like arms were about to wrap around her, Zhou Yaren finally couldn't help but push them away with a bit of force, her tone turning cold and stern: "Please have some self-respect!"
The top courtesan slammed onto the table like a boneless rag doll, about to erupt in anger, when the madam's voice rang out from outside: "Sister Qiao, Sister Qiao, hurry up, Mr. He is looking for you!"
Upon hearing this, the top courtesan straightened up, adjusted her hair ornaments and dress, and said, "I hope you will wait here for a moment, sir. I will be right back."
After saying that, he turned and left.
After watching their back-and-forth banter, Bai Yuan, who was on the beam, tilted his head back and chugged a whole jar of Fenqing liquor. He casually placed the empty jar on the beam, then flipped it over and it drifted into the side room like falling snow.
As soon as Zhou Yaren turned around, he was suddenly attacked by a white shadow, causing him to stagger back several steps before he could regain his balance by leaning against the wall.
Bai Yuan's opening remark was: "Planning to perform here from now on?"
"I have no such plans."
"I think this is a good place."
"Where is it good?"
Bai Yuan stared at him: "Beauties and fine wine, you can have it all."
Zhou Yaren nodded: "Indeed, it's quite good."
Bai Yuanyan made a pointed remark: "That woman just now was the top courtesan here."
As a blind person, Zhou Yaren truthfully replied, "I can't see."
Yes, a blind man can't see any top courtesan or not, so he won't be swayed by beauty. Bai Yuan approached and said, "Compared to you, I'm still not good enough."
Varied……?
Zhou Yaren paused for a moment, then laughed: "Don't make fun of me like that."
It's absurd to compare the beauty of men and women.
Bai Yuan didn't laugh: "Have you ever looked in a mirror?"
Everyone has looked in a mirror, and he wasn't born blind, so of course he knows what he looks like: "It's just appearance, do you think you can be fooled by appearance?"
"Why not?" Aside from her background and origins, how is she any different from this worldly being?!
Zhou Yaren hadn't expected her to be so candid.
Bai Yuan said, "Having come here, I have witnessed the pleasures of men and women and their indulgence in sensual pleasures. Suddenly, I also want to experience it for myself."
After saying that, Bai Yuan grabbed the other person's chin and placed it on his head. Although it was hasty, it could be considered as giving prior notice.
Caught off guard, Zhou Yaren froze abruptly as the smell of alcohol assaulted her mouth and nose, as if she were being forced to drink two jars of Fenqing liquor. The liquor was sweet yet potent, and its powerful effects rushed straight to her brain.
About a breath or two breaths later.
Bai Yuan slowly pulled away half an inch, his eyes fixed on Zhou Yaren's reaction, but he didn't react.
Since that's the case, Bai Yuan simply released his chin and withdrew, saying, "Looks like it didn't taste like anything."
She doesn't like to force things, and even if she likes someone a lot, she doesn't intend to force it. Since it's about love between a man and a woman, it naturally requires mutual consent; what's the point of one-sided infatuation?
Zhou Yaren was stunned. It wasn't until Bai Yuan turned and left that he suddenly reacted, grabbed the other's wrist, and blurted out, "Bai Yuan."
The innocent have turned back; let's wait and see what he has to say.
Zhou Yaren racked her brains: "How much did you drink? Are you drunk?"
That's it? Bai Yuan merely gave him a look, then impatiently wanted to go outside for some fresh air.
Zhou Yaren, however, held onto his wrist tightly and wouldn't let go. Then he heard himself say, "It should have some flavor."
These words surprised Bai Yuan.
Zhou Yaren's Adam's apple bobbed, and then she asked, "Would you like to continue tasting?"
A smile gradually spread into his eyes, and Bai Yuan succinctly said, "Taste."
When the aroma of alcohol fills your mouth and nose again, it feels like sharing a cup of Fenqing liquor.
He wasn't very skilled, and Bai Yuan wasn't very experienced either. But after seeing what she had seen in the brothels, she had the idea of using him for pleasure.
But Zhou Yaren didn't have time to worry about that. He didn't know how much Bai Yuan had drunk, as his lips and teeth were filled with the intoxicating smell of alcohol.
Although he didn't drink it directly, he did get a taste of it indirectly. The wine was indeed excellent, but one sip wasn't enough to satisfy his craving. No wonder Bai Yuan had been drinking there for half a day without leaving. When it was his turn, he also wanted to drink it again and again.
Perhaps not satisfied with this superficial approach to appreciation, Bai Yuan grabbed his collar and pressed Zhou Yaren down onto the soft couch, prying open his lips... like the relief caused by taking the wrong medicine, it wasn't entirely without experience.
Zhou Yaren opened her mouth to resist the slightly wet and cool tongue, and gently sucked on it.
The rich aroma of wine mingling with the saliva on one's lips and teeth is perhaps the most destructive thing in the world. No wonder my master once taught him that a Taoist must distance himself from desires. A person who studies the Tao should not be misled by passions or swayed by evil influences.
Now, in this very room, he is being seduced by lustful desires.
The bronze tripod censer beside the couch emitted wisps of smoke, filled with musk to enhance the pleasure. With each breath, the smoke filled the lungs, making one's muscles and bones feel weak and relaxed.
Bai Yuan perhaps found it amusing or even tasted the flavor, so he went further and tried to pull Zhou Yaren's belt.
Zhou Yaren, who was engrossed in the passionate exchange of words, suddenly paused. Could it be that Bai Yuan was really here to "seek pleasure"?
He grabbed the hand that had overstepped its bounds: "A false accusation..."
"Um?"
"Doing it again would be too much."
Bai Yuan smiled subtly, gazing into Zhou Yaren's pale, blind eyes: "Can't pass?"
This stumped Zhou Yaren. In the brief moment of surprise, Bai Yuan kissed her again, and Zhou Yaren naturally raised her chin to meet her kiss. Bai Yuan's whisper escaped from between their pressed lips: "I said I want to experience the pleasure of love between a man and a woman." It's not something that can be easily dismissed with just a touch of the lips.
Zhou Yaren's mind suddenly went blank, because he seemed to have misunderstood something.
His heart suddenly pounded wildly, each beat like a heavy hammer against his chest: "How much did you drink?"
I can't remember exactly how many jars of white wine were opened: "It's not important."
“Innocent…” His belt was ripped open, and the situation was developing in a direction he could no longer control.
"Do you think I can be controlled by a few jars of sake?" Bai Yuan suddenly stopped. She hadn't originally planned to do anything to him, but after watching Zhou Yaren play the zither, Bai Yuan lowered her eyes and thought about it. It was probably similar to those merchants outside watching the top dancers perform. When faced with beauty, all they could do was lust and evil thoughts.
But she knew perfectly well that it wasn't just lust at first sight; it was the entanglement she had gone through with him that had caused her so much suffering, and she deserved to get some of what she had gained back.
However……
If we can't make it, then we can't make it," Bai Yuan said, propping himself up. "Never mind."
Zhou Yaren opened her mouth, but then realized that it wouldn't be appropriate to say anything at this time. She couldn't just mess around with Bai Yuan like that, so she silently gathered her clothes and lowered her head to fasten her loosened belt.
Bai Yuan glanced sideways and caught sight of the still-blushing back of his neck.
Just then, an anxious voice came from outside the door, rushing past: "Oh no, a thief! I just went to the cellar to get some wine and found that six jars of Fenqing are missing!"
She actually drank six jars! No wonder she can be so indulgent.
Zhou Yaren looked up and met Bai Yuan's gaze. The next moment, he stared in horror.
All that could be seen was that Bai Yuan was surrounded by black mist, like surging thick smoke, which turned into several long shackles, "clinging" to her like snakes.
Bai Yuan clearly realized something as well. The moment she moved, she immediately pulled on the iron locks around her, making a clanging sound.
Zhou Yaren exclaimed in disbelief, "Innocent!"
Bai Yuan was almost in a daze for a moment before she realized what had happened. The sudden application of the cangue without warning was no ordinary case. She raised her head and said, "Someone fabricated a wrongful conviction."
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