Chapter 3, Section 3: "What if it were worth a thousand gold pieces in one night?"
Ling Zhenli changed into simple yet elegant clothes, took a few silver notes and jewelry, stepped out the door, and went to the room of the madam of Zuixianlou.
The madam had just been watching the wedding scene, and even saw Xiao Chongheng turn his head to look at Zuixianlou, his gaze lingering for a long time as if searching for someone. Even after the procession had passed, he kept turning back to look.
Good heavens! Who else could the Duke of Yan be looking at besides the woman he had been keeping in that building for so long? But before he left, he specifically instructed that no one should tell that woman his identity.
The madam was so shocked by the incident that she didn't notice Ling Zhenli pushing the door open and coming in.
"Mother."
Ling Zhenli waited a long time until she was watching the wedding outside before calling out to her with a smile.
Before the madam could speak, Ling Zhenli handed over three or four silver notes and a few hairpins and necklaces, and took the initiative to speak, with a sweet smile on her face: "The gentleman who booked me before will not be coming again, so I will have to trouble you, Madam, to give me another good opportunity to get close to a distinguished guest. It won't be a waste of my good looks."
The madam turned around and looked Ling Zhenli up and down. In the past, she was kept by Duke Xiao Chongheng of Yan and served by people sent by the Duke's mansion. Her clothes and belongings were comparable to those of nobles in the palace, and she was adorned with jewels. Now, however, she was dressed in a very ordinary way.
Although she was dressed plainly, her beauty was undeniable. Ling Zhenli's face was so beautiful that it made people tremble. They couldn't help but feel that her clothes were not worthy of her appearance, and that all the beauty in the world should be presented to her.
The madam had thought that once the Duke left, Ling Zhenli would act unruly and make a scene. She had even planned how to discipline her. She never expected her to be so obedient and to have so many silver notes.
"What a good child, it's no wonder your mother loves you so much." The madam went over and took Ling Zhenli's hand, smiling kindly, and said some nice things, "You are beautiful, even if you leave that gentleman, you won't have to worry about not having a noble person who likes you. Go back and rest today, in a few days our building will be hosting a banquet, there will definitely be distinguished guests, dress up nicely then, maybe some young master will take a liking to you."
Ling Zhenli smiled and took out another silver note: "Thank you, Mother. But I don't want my talents to go to waste. Please prepare a fine pipa for me. I will go back to my room and practice more so that I can perform with my sisters later."
“Since you’re so sensible, I’m happy to help you.” The madam put a few silver notes into her pocket. “Go back to your room. I’ll have someone bring you some in a little while.”
"Thank you, Mom."
After Ling Zhenli finished speaking, she left the madam's room.
With the "huge sum" Xiao Chongheng gave her, she could wait a while longer even if she didn't want to entertain guests. This money was enough for her to make ends meet for a few years. But she couldn't wait. If she waited any longer, she would only grow old and lose her beauty, eventually dying of illness in this man-eating Drunken Immortal Pavilion.
***
As dusk settles, the night market in Chang'an is ablaze with lights, just like daytime.
Several glass lanterns hang high in front of the vermilion gate of Zuixianlou. Inside, the sounds of string and wind instruments fill the air, and wine cups clink. The carved exterior walls are adorned with poems written by literati who came here in a drunken mood. Outside the building, many students stand with fans, pointing out and commenting on the riddles and poems under the eaves.
The area in front of the building was filled with carriages and horses of all kinds, among which the golden saddle and jade bridle of the Prime Minister's carriage were particularly eye-catching, making everyone envious.
Wearing a brocade robe, Xue Haoting, the prime minister's son, stepped into the building, climbed the steps, surrounded by three or five friends, exuding confidence and high spirits. The jade pendant at his waist swayed gently as he walked, revealing his status.
In the main hall on the second floor, a painting of men and women in ecstasy was displayed on the screen in the center. In front of the screen was a lion-shaped incense burner. As the smoke rose, the faces of all the guests were shrouded in a hazy mist, and an atmosphere of extravagance wafted over.
After Xue Haoting took his seat, everyone immediately surrounded him to flatter him. He had long heard that the Duke of Yan had secretly kept a beauty here. Before the marriage, he had been partying with her every night, which displeased the princess. After the marriage, when they lost contact, he missed her even more. If it weren't for Princess Wuyang's repeated reprimands, Xiao Xun would probably have divorced the princess and brought that courtesan back to the Duke's mansion to be the mistress of the house.
Xue Haoting came today to meet the woman who had Xiao Chongheng so infatuated with him.
Amidst the laughter and conversation, the beaded curtain on the third floor suddenly rustled, and beauties emerged from behind it, six in each row, standing on both sides, holding lotus palace lanterns, and gracefully descending the steps. The crowd below was captivated by this beautiful sight and immediately fell silent.
The lotus lanterns held by the beauties cast a soft glow. Just as everything was quiet, a clear sound of a pipa suddenly rang out, like a silver bottle breaking, attracting all the guests to look up and search for the source of the sound.
Ling Zhenli emerged from behind a screen, carrying a mother-of-pearl inlaid sandalwood pipa. Her purple and gold embroidered dress swayed under the lamplight. Her hair was styled in a slanted bun, with a begonia flower tucked behind her ear. The pearl hairpins on her head cast dappled light on her jade-like neck, trembling slightly with each step. Although her face was veiled, making her features appear and disappear, her stunning beauty was still undeniable.
As her delicate hands plucked the strings, the jade bracelet on her wrist struck the strings, producing a clear and melodious sound.
Upon her appearance, everyone was captivated.
Ling Zhenli continued to play the pipa with her head lowered and hands nimbly, turning her steps, her fingertips lightly plucking and twisting the strings, and suddenly she plucked, and the melody poured out.
In the private room, Xue Haoting's wine cup trembled slightly.
It's so similar, so incredibly similar! Their eyebrows and eyes are practically sculpted from the same mold. For a moment, Xue Haoting even thought he was seeing his beloved younger sister!
This woman is so breathtakingly beautiful that she must be the beauty Xiao Xun keeps hidden away. What a coincidence! The eyes and brows of Xiao Xun's favorite courtesan are almost identical to those of his sister, whom he has long loved but could not express due to kinship.
The pipa player lowered her eyes and met his gaze. Their eyes conveyed a thousand words, and her deep gaze made one want to explore it.
Xue Haoting waved his hand to summon the madam, and asked with a frown, "Was that pipa player someone that Duke Xiao previously kept?"
The madam quickly replied, "It is indeed this woman."
Having received a satisfactory answer, Xue Haoting ordered, "Have her come to my room tonight."
The madam was overjoyed and readily agreed, then added nervously, "But the Duke said that no one is allowed to tell this woman his identity. We would be grateful if you could help us with this, since the Duke is backed by Her Highness the Princess."
"Okay, I got it."
Xue Haoting was impatient and waved her away.
The madam had already told Ling Zhenli that among the distinguished guests arriving tonight, Xue Haoting was the most distinguished, and that she must seize the opportunity. Now it seems that she had made the right choice in training him.
After the song ended, the two looked at each other again. Ling Zhenli quickly looked away. Her performance was over, and the servant in Zuixianlou put away the pipa.
When Ling Zhenli handed over the pipa, her gaze turned to Xue Haoting again, her eyes filled with temptation. Xue Haoting did not delay any longer and, ignoring the surprised looks from others, got up and came to her side.
"I'll buy you."
Xue Haoting stood very close, their breaths mingling, creating an indescribable ambiguous and tender atmosphere.
“What if it were worth a fortune for one night?” Ling Zhenli’s eyelashes trembled slightly as she looked up into his eyes.
After listening, Xue Haoting picked her up horizontally and carried her in his arms. Ling Zhenli was shocked and subconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck.
Xue Haoting couldn't wait to possess her, so he pulled her closer to his chest and whispered in her ear in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Ten thousand taels of gold is nothing compared to you."
"Since I am of great value to you, sir, you should cherish me."
Ling Zhenli knew she had climbed the social ladder, so she obediently rested her head on his shoulder. Xue Haoting also had a pleasant scent, unlike Xiao Chongheng's, this scent was more intoxicating.
Xue Haoting carried Ling Zhenli all the way back to her room.
Once inside, Xue Haoting immediately changed his demeanor, throwing Ling Zhenli onto the bed without any pity. He ripped off her veil, and after seeing her face clearly, he sneered, "You prostitute are really pretty, but apart from your eyes, you don't resemble my sister at all."
When the woman in front of him finally revealed herself, he was somewhat disappointed to find that she resembled his sister only in her eyebrows and eyes, and that they were otherwise quite different.
Hearing this teasing, Ling Zhenli couldn't help but feel a little scared. She wondered if the sister he was talking about was a blood relative. If she was, she was afraid that she would encounter a pervert on her very first day of business.
Although the man came to humiliate her, he was of noble status, so she had no choice but to comply.
Ling Zhenli gritted her teeth and forced a smile: "My lord, you are joking, I..."
Xue Haoting was too lazy to watch her act, so he told her directly, "You don't need to pretend with me anymore. I bought you because you look like my sister. I just want to experience what my sister is like."
After saying that, Xue Haoting pressed Ling Zhenli down onto the brocade quilt and roughly untied her clothes with his fingertips.
She kept her eyes closed, her eyelashes trembling, her lips bitten until they turned white, letting him take what he wanted without uttering a word.
"What, you're not thinking about another man, are you?" Xue Haoting sneered, his fingertips grinding heavily against her neck, pinching her hard without any mercy. "The one who owns you now is me, Xue Che. Remember my name."
Upon hearing this, Ling Zhenli's eyelashes trembled, but she did not open her eyes. She simply turned her head slightly, revealing her slender and delicate neck.
Xue Haoting's eyes darkened, and he abruptly ripped off her last piece of clothing covering her body.
With fair skin and a slender waist, she was not a virgin. Xue Haoting was furious. Looking at her body, he felt as if he could see her tender moments with other men in the past.
Xue Haoting suddenly felt a surge of anger, grabbed Ling Zhenli's chin and forced her to look at him: "Look at me! Now you are mine, you are beneath me!"
Under his coercion, Ling Zhenli finally opened her eyes. Her eyes, which were almost identical to her sister's, were shimmering with tears, yet as empty as stagnant water in a cold pool.
Xue Haoting, filled with jealousy and hatred, bent down and bit her collarbone, his hands roaming freely, but she only clenched the brocade quilt beneath her, trying her best to suppress even her breathing.
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