"Shall we go back to the mansion now?"
After some thought, Xin He replied, "Let’s go to Gui Lin Residence."
She wanted to make the name of Qinghe shop famous, but so far she hadn’t thought of a better way to quickly build its reputation.
So she thought about discussing with the owner of Gui Lin Residence, perhaps he might have some good proposals.
"Yes." The coachman responded, and swiftly drove away.
The location of Qinghe shop was in a bustling area of the capital city. Xin He had deliberately chosen such a prime location when she first set up the shop. Now, in the crowded street, the carriage carefully navigated through the sea of people. The road was wide enough to carefully maneuver.
Leaning against the soft cushions in the carriage, Ji Xinhe relaxed her eyes, absently fanning herself. The slow journey was rather comfortable.
But suddenly, there was a noise of commotion from ahead.
The carriage stopped as well.
Xin He opened her eyes and asked, "What’s happening outside?"
The coachman hastily said, "It seems a VIP has arrived. The crowd there got excited, and I did not get a clear view."
Xin He pulled apart the carriage curtain to see. Indeed, the crowd seemed to be stirring, and many people inside the tea houses on both sides of the street were stretching their necks trying to catch a glimpse of the scene.
"Hey, hey, I heard Miss Ah Lian’s sedan chair is up ahead, is that true?"
"Yes, I just came from there. It was a small sedan carried by four men, so many people were crowding around. I almost lost my shoe!"
Someone scoffed, "Just a promiscuous woman, what’s the big fuss?"
"Ah, but such a woman is stunningly beautiful!"
Remarks were coming from the crowd, and the street was becoming increasingly lively.
Listening to the talk, Xin He was puzzled and asked the coachman, "Who is this Ah Lian? The name sounds familiar."
The coachman quickly explained, "Doesn’t Miss know? Ah Lian is the top courtesan in Baihua Building, the number one beauty in the capital! She’s very famous. They say she is worth a thousand gold each night, even getting an audience with her is difficult. It’s surprising that she’s appearing on the streets today. Must be up ahead, or else there wouldn’t be such a commotion."
Curious, Xin He peered outside again. Without a moment’s delay, someone outside shouted, "Ah, here she comes!"
As the voice faded, sure enough, a four-man sedan chair slowly approached. Unlike the enclosed chair in which boudoir daughters usually travelled, this one had a small round roof and was curtained by veils on four sides. It offered a glimpse of the beauty inside. She covered her face thinly, her beautiful eyes were stunning, and her gentle smile was enticing.
No wonder she is known as the number one courtesan in the capital. With just one glance, she was extraordinarily striking.
As Ah Lian’s sedan chair got closer, people along the way stopped and pointed, discussing in whispers. Even brazen men yelled her name.
Ji Xinhe watched her with interest as she passed the carriage. Seeing Ji Xinhe’s gaze, Ah Lian turned to look and smiled seductively. Even Ji Xinhe felt her heart skip a beat. If it had been a man, he’d have been completely smitten.
As Ji Xinhe’s carriage and Ah Lian’s sedan chair passed by each other, the crowd’s discussion showed no sign of dying down.
Xin He’s gaze followed the sedan chair until it was out of sight. Her thoughts stirring, a glow appeared in her eyes.
Noticing Ji Xinhe’s delayed action, the coachman couldn’t help but ask, "Miss?"
Xin He turned her gaze away and lowered her curtain, "Let’s go back to the mansion."
"Yes!"
----
Inside the Glazed Tower, as soon as Xin He entered, Shulan brought over a cup of tea, "Miss, just came back? It’s hot outside, isn’t it? I had a servant prepare this iced tea for you."
After taking a sip from the cup, Xin He said, "Yes, and also, get something done for me."
"What is it?" Shulan asked hurriedly.
"Inquire for me about this Ah Lian."
Shulan widened her eyes: "Ah Lian?"
"So, you know her too?" Xin He smirked.
"She is the number one courtesan in the capital, how could I not? But why does Miss ask about her? She’s just a lady of loose morals..." Shulan didn’t finish, but Xin He understood.
Xin He curled her lips: "Even if she is a promiscuous woman, she is famous in the capital, right? The number one courtesan, a resounding reputation, who wouldn’t know?"
"But it’s a disgraceful fame nonetheless."
Xin He shook her head with a smile: "Disgraceful? I heard that she charges a fortune for a single night, always surrounded by onlookers whenever she goes out. They say that even getting a glimpse of her is difficult. People are craving to see her like she’s a rare treasure, she isn’t ’lowly’."
Listening to Xin He, Shulan nodded, "When Miss put it that way, it does make sense."
"Go and dig more information about her," Xin He smiled.
Seeing her Master in such a good mood, Shulan guessed it must be an important matter, but without asking further, she answered: "Yes!"
Then hesitated before adding, "Miss, there’s another invitation from the Princess’s Mansion."
Upon hearing "Princess’s Mansion", Xin He felt impatient: "Just decline it."
She was busy with the business at hand; where would she find the time to deal with Princess Chaoyang?
Shulan, however, stood her ground, "The Princess has been rather assertive. This time the invitation was delivered directly to the Marquis. She put pressure on him, so..."
Xin He snorted, "She really does spare no efforts, doesn’t she? I heard that the Dali Temple is currently investigating her over the black bear case. But she’s acting so lively now; trying to make up for her guilt?"
"I think so too. Oh, and the Marquis had specifically sent someone to say that if possible, Miss should attend this time. It’s said that even the Imperial Consort Shen will attend this banquet, and every single high-ranking lady invited from the capital has accepted. It would not look good if Miss openly defies this."
Xin He’s expression grew cold, and she softly said, "Imperial Concubine Shen will be there? Interesting, the suspects I have in mind are starting to group up, aren’t they?"
Shulan was slightly stunned and puzzled, "Huh?"
Xin He sneered, "Snakes don’t go without their holes. Since she is so determined to have me go, I need to uncover the trap that’s been set."
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