Yang Jie said, "So, the painter added the snow on the paulownia tree while the painting was being created. This person dares to plot against the Empress Dowager. I request that you immediately lead men to Cuihong Tower to arrest him."
The Empress Dowager frowned and said, "You don't need to be so nervous. Otherwise, the censors might use it against you again."
To reiterate, if that hermit from the Left Bank truly intended to harm me, he could have easily placed a poison in the painting that would kill upon inhalation; he wouldn't have used any spices. Besides, the imperial physician mentioned that these spices, introduced from the Western Kingdom a few years ago, have become popular among young women among the common people due to their affordability and pleasant scent.
The Emperor said solemnly, “Mother, this matter is absolutely not to be taken lightly. At the very least, we must find out whether the addition of the Wutong Snow to the paint was intentional or unintentional.”
The Empress Dowager thought it made sense. If someone truly had such a scheme, they would have anticipated that the painting would enter the palace long ago, and this matter needed to be investigated thoroughly. Therefore, Yang Jie received an imperial edict from the Empress Dowager to thoroughly investigate the matter.
The emperor didn't quite trust Yang Jie, but with the Empress Dowager present, he couldn't refuse her request, so he remained silent. However, the following evening, upon learning that Yang Jie would be making a move that night, he also took a group of trusted confidants and traveled incognito to the Cuihong Tower for the second time.
However, most of his close associates pretended to be strangers to him, acting as ordinary customers visiting brothels, while a few others planned to appear later in their official capacity...
Although they came in in batches, Chu Nian, who was looking at the entrance from the window, could tell that they were actually from the same group.
The madam scanned the many guests in the hall with her eyes. As soon as she saw the emperor arrive, she immediately recognized him as the "distinguished guest" who had given her so much silver that day. She quickly greeted him with a bright smile.
"Oh, young master, why are you only arriving today? Our Miss Nian has been waiting for you with bated breath." The madam's words almost made Zhao Feiyan, who was passing by and about to go find Chu Nian, stumble.
Sima Xiu managed to suppress his laughter when he saw this.
Zhao Feiyan could only pretend nothing was wrong and continue upstairs. She quickly slipped into Chu Nian's room, closed the door, and whispered, "Sister, a bunch of strange people have come outside." Before she finished speaking, the madam's knocking sounded at the door.
Chu Nian said with a smile, "I already know, and I can guarantee that Granny also noticed that the atmosphere today is a bit off."
The biggest lesson Chu Nian learned during her time living here was that no matter what, you should never underestimate these ordinary people.
"Niannian, come out and greet our guests! We have a distinguished guest!" The madam's cloyingly sweet voice and tone sent shivers down your spine.
After calling out into the house, she turned to Sima Xiu and smiled, "It's fortunate that you arrived early today, young master. Young Master Li hasn't arrived yet, otherwise our top courtesan would have been chosen by Young Master Li again!"
Sima Xiu said, "Oh? Who is this Young Master Li you're talking about?"
The madam said, "It's Li Wenzhuang, the eldest son of the Li family. I heard he has an extraordinary relationship with Zuoan Shanren, the most famous calligrapher and painter in the capital." She lowered her voice as she spoke, as if reporting gossip.
Sima Xiu raised an eyebrow: "I've heard that the Left Bank Hermit is a regular here."
The madam said with a regretful expression, "That's true, but it's very strange that this master of calligraphy and painting is only on good terms with Young Master Li, and only Young Master Li knows who he is."
With a bang, the door opened, and Zhao Feiyan casually gave a woman's curtsy, saying, "Granny, Sister Niannian said she is waiting for Young Master Li. May I temporarily receive this distinguished guest?"
The madam said, "Although Young Master Li is a straightforward person, this distinguished guest..."
Before she could finish speaking, Chu Nian interrupted her from inside the room, "Granny, are you sure that if I entertain other guests, Young Master Li won't cause trouble when he arrives later?"
The madam's eyelids twitched. Last time, she had indeed forced Niannian to entertain a high-ranking official, and Li Wenzhuang's arrival had caused a huge commotion. The official knew that the Li family was now under the Prime Minister's protection, so he quickly slipped away through the back door, not daring to openly confront Li Wenzhuang.
So, while she didn't want to offend Young Master Li because he was rich, now that he has connections—both rich and powerful—she neither wants to nor should offend him.
She looked at Sima Xiu with some embarrassment.
Zhao Feiyan also looked at Sima Xiu questioningly.
Sima Xiu raised an eyebrow and smiled, "There's always a first-come, first-served order. Since that young master Li arrived after me, he'll have to wait until Nian Nian has finished receiving me before he can see her. What do you say, Granny?"
Zhao Feiyan gave him a deep look. In her opinion, this Sima Xiu shouldn't be the kind of person who would be seduced by beauty. It was already a bit strange that he came to a brothel, but now that he insisted on seeing Chu Nian, it was even stranger.
She recalled that day outside the city gate, when this man saw them and came that very evening, as if he had come to probe their intentions.
Therefore, Zhao Feiyan didn't want Sima Xiu to have too much contact with Chu Nian.
As a modern person, Zhao Feiyan didn't really take anyone seriously when she first transmigrated, after all, these ancient people had limited experience and knowledge.
But after spending more time with Chu Nian, she, a modern person, actually admired and liked Chu Nian from the bottom of her heart.
She felt that although Tong Nian was a prostitute, she was forthright and acted freely. Even if she could not be considered a true literary talent, her calligraphy and painting skills amazed her. Most importantly, Tong Nian's thoughts and knowledge were extraordinary, and she knew a lot of knowledge that even she, a modern person, did not know.
In this ancient world, Tong Nianke was arguably the only person who gave her a "world-opening" feeling.
Deep down, she admired and felt close to Tong Nian, and she wanted to protect this woman well, absolutely not letting anyone hurt her.
Now that she could tell that Sima Xiu wanted to probe Chu Nian's background, she guessed that Sima Xiu might not be a good person. In addition, she had already realized that Sima Xiu was not an ordinary person, so she became a little wary of him.
She said coolly, "Young master, although you are a guest, Nian Nian is still our top courtesan. Not just anyone can see her."
Sima Xiu said, "Oh? Does that mean anyone can just see Miss Yan Yan whenever they want?"
Zhao Feiyan: "If you don't mind, young master, I wouldn't mind greeting you for my sister."
Sima Xiu: "It seems that Miss Yanyan and Miss Niannian are very close!"
Zhao Feiyan: "Young master, please speak frankly."
Sima Xiu: "It's nothing. I'm just curious how someone like Young Master Li befriended the Hermit of the Left Bank. A hermit like the Hermit of the Left Bank should only associate with refined and elegant scholars, but Young Master Li..." He doesn't look like a refined scholar at all, he's fat and has big ears!
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