"Young Master has waited long," a brothel madam greeted with a smile, "Our A Lian, knowing that she is to entertain an exceptionally handsome young master, took a substantial amount of time to get ready. Here, A Lian, come and pay your respects to the young master."
A Lian moved forward, curtsying gracefully, a subtle smile on her lips, "A Lian greets the young master."
Xin He closed her fan with a chuckle, "Indeed, naturally beautiful. This trip of mine has not been in vain."
The madam’s laughter filled the room, "In that case, Young master can enjoy your chat with A Lian. I will excuse myself."
Before leaving, she didn’t forget to signal A Lian with her eyes.
It was only once the madam had turned around and closed the door did A Lian come over, laughing, her well-cared-for slender hand resting on Xin He’s shoulder, "Young Master, would you like A Lian to help you rest?
"No rush; there’s something I’d like to discuss with you first. It’s not every day that one gets to meet a naturally beautiful lady like A Lian. How could I rush into rest?" Xin He commented, her lips curling in a smile.
A Lian laughed lightly. She gracefully spun her waist and sat beside Xin He. As she poured tea for her, she asked, "Is the Young Master insistent on not resting, or do you have no intention of resting with me at all?"
Xin He raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean by that, Madam A Lian?" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
"Such a delicate and handsome young gentleman; as beautiful as a woman." A Lian paused before adding with a laugh, "I, A Lian, may not be privy to much else, but I have dealt with my fair share of men. The brutes, the naturally charming ones. I’m not someone who hasn’t been around. I can’t tell if you’re a man or a woman."
Xin He was slightly taken aback. A Lian was indeed astute, seeing through her disguise at once.
"We actually met yesterday, but Miss A Lian may have forgotten. On the main street; it was just a passing encounter." Xin He replied, unfazed by having her disguise uncovered. It was a small detail, not worth bothering about.
A Lian gave her a good look, kindling a memory, "So why have you come to find me?"
"There’s a small matter I wanted to discuss with you. For A Lian, it might not be a bad thing." Xin He said with a smile.
A Lian seemed a little surprised, "You just want me to discuss some matters with you? I thought you were here to settle some scores too."
"Settle scores?"
A Lian laughed, "You’re not the first woman to come to find me. Usually, when a woman comes here, it’s because her man ended up under my pomegranate skirt. I’ve been wondering since we met, which one of my clients is your man?"
Xin He muttered, "If my man has truly given his heart to Madam A Lian, I would settle scores with him first."
A glint appeared in A Lian’s eyes, "Then why has this gentleman... Or rather, this lady, come to find me?"
"I’ve come today to discuss a business deal with you, Miss A Lian." Xin He finally spoke earnestly.
"A business deal?"
"I deal in grape wine. I own the Qinghe shop in the capital," Xin He explained.
A sudden smile spread across A Lian’s face, "Owner of Qinghe? So, you’re Marquis Mu’s woman."
Xin He’s smile stiffened. Was this the label everyone in the capital slapped on her?
Wasn’t she Le Yuanhou’s legitimate eldest daughter?
Hadn’t she not married Mu Houchu?!
"Just call me Xin He," Xin He requested.
"What could someone like you, who deals in grape wine, possibly need my help with? Can there be mutual benefits between us?"
"Of course there is, I want to use Miss A Lian’s fame to advertise my wine and help build a conspicuous brand for me!"
A Lian didn’t quite understand but chose not to ask. She merely raised an eyebrow, "What do I get in return?".
"This is the exchange of business between businessmen. It usually involves advantages. Miss A Lian helps me advertises my grape wine, and what I can provide is money. This mutual benefit is the essence of doing business, isn’t it?" Xin He said with a smile.
A Lian didn’t seem very interested, "If I want money, all I have to do is say a word, and countless men will fawn over me to bring it to me. I wouldn’t have to make such an effort."
Xin He looked at her, a subtle smile on her lips, "If Miss A Lian doesn’t think money is enough to attract you, I can offer a greater sincerity."
"Oh." A Lian found the woman in front of her intriguing and listened with a bit more patience.
"A woman’s youth is fleeting especially for one in a brothel. Who amongst them hasn’t experienced a few brief years of fame before being trampled on and eventually forgotten, sinking into silence? Some ultimately leave to marry, others get by with the money they’ve saved up, and yet others, those who end miserably. In short, no one can have eternal glory in such a fleeting world," Xin He sighed softly.
A Lian’s face slightly changed. Her smile disappeared, "What are you trying to say?"
"Miss A Lian, there’s no need for such caution. I mentioned sincerity because I don’t intend to deride you. I know the predicament Miss A Lian has recently gotten into. At the age of twenty-five, compared to those naive sixteen-year-old girls, you’ve matured quite a bit. Men like freshness; they like naive and tender girls. You’ve spent nine years enjoying the splendors of the capital relying on your ability, which was not easy, and the future will likely be more challenging."
A Lian was, of course, aware of what Xin He was implying. The madam of Wanhua Tower is already grooming Han Xiao to replace her. Furthermore, the upcoming Oiran competition is specifically to launch Han Xiao into success. At the age of sixteen, full of youthful beauty, how could she, now a mature woman, ever compete against such naive tenderness and freshness?
"So, how do you want to show me sincerity?" A Lian asked solemnly.
"If Miss A Lian shows sincerity to me, I will naturally reciprocate. Twenty-five has its own charm, unique to a twenty-five-year-old, which a sixteen-year-old girl can’t even compare to. If Miss A Lian is willing, we can consider this deal closed. You would help me promote my Qinghe grape wine, and I would help you secure the first place in the upcoming Oiran competition!" Xin He replied decisively.
A Lian was taken aback, but her eyes noticeably brightened, "How do you propose to do it?"
"Miss A Lian, with your exceptional talents, there’s no shortage of methods. It all depends whether you are willing," Xin He laughed subtly.
"Alright!" A Lian agreed without hesitation, "As long as you can help me defeat Han Xiao in the upcoming Oiran competition, I am willing to discuss anything!"
"Deal!"
——
It had been a few days since Mu Houchu had last seen Xin He, since she ignited his desire only to leave him hanging.
Sometimes, after finishing court duties, he would intentionally make a detour to visit Xin He. However, the room was always empty. There was never anyone at the shop or the winery. According to the maids who served her, Xin He would leave early and return late every day, always being incredibly busy.
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