Today, this girl I'm meeting for the first time danced a song for her and her mother-in-law—one of the few gifts a courtesan could offer.
Grandma Zhang was also laughing happily in the back, clapping along with the crowd.
If she weren't so old, she would definitely be the one to speak up; it wouldn't be her daughter-in-law's turn.
She looks absolutely stunning; no wonder she's a courtesan.
"This dance is dedicated to the two ladies of the Moonlit Pavilion. May they enjoy peace and prosperity year after year, and may their future be as unstoppable as a whirlwind of success."
After bowing to everyone, Chunying returned to Wangyuejian.
"The future will be unstoppable! My dear sister, I appreciate your kind words," Madam Zhang said, raising her cup.
"Thank you for your support, Sister. It is my honor to know you, Chunying."
"Good child, your good fortune is yet to come," the old lady said, raising a glass of wine. The three of them drank it all in one gulp.
After Chunying finished her dance, Madam Zhang lit sixty-six lamps for her, wishing her all the best. Such a generous gesture was naturally something the waiter had to spread the word.
"On the second floor, in the Moon-Viewing Room, Madam Zhang lit sixty-six lamps for Miss Chunying—wishing Miss Chunying all the best—"
"On the second floor, in the Moon-Viewing Room, Madam Zhang lit sixty-six lamps for Miss Chunying—wishing Miss Chunying all the best—"
All the waiters at the brothel repeated it, making sure everyone in the brothel heard it.
Everyone in the building was amazed by Chunying's sword dance and the wealthy man gazing at the moon. Chunying's dance skills were superb, and Madam Zhang's gestures were generous.
More than six hundred taels of silver were thrown away in an instant.
This is no small number in the border town. Normally, twenty lamps would be enough for them to see, but sixty-six lamps at once would probably make the girls and madams of Fanghua Tower's teeth ache for days.
In this joyful atmosphere, everyone was beaming with happiness, except for one person who was not very happy.
That's Master Zhang, who was sitting in the scattered seats on the first floor.
What did he see?
He saw his mother and wife visiting a brothel!
Private room reserved!
The cherry blossom queen even performed a dance for the two of them!
His wife lit sixty-six lamps for Chunying.
Although he knew that Chunying's dance wasn't about money, a dance costing 660 taels...
If you give him money, he'll jump...
Master Zhang got up, intending to go upstairs to the private room to find his mother and wife, but was stopped by the waiter as soon as he reached the top of the stairs.
"Master Zhang, these are all private rooms upstairs, what do you think?"
What the waiter didn't say was, "If you didn't pay for the private room, where are you going? A high-ranking official like you, sitting in the open seating area drinking and listening to music every day, is quite stingy."
"I know Mochizuki, go and inform him."
The waiter dared not delay and quickly went upstairs to inform the servant.
After the waiter finished speaking to the two ladies in the Moon Gazing Room, the two female guests simultaneously peeked out to see which acquaintance was coming to freeload a meal.
Oh, it's my son/husband.
"Let him come up," said Madam Zhang.
"yes"
In just a few breaths, a man dressed in black with auspicious cloud patterns pushed open the door.
"Mother, Fuyun, what are you two doing here?"
"What? You're allowed to enjoy yourself outside, but my daughter and I can't?" the old lady retorted.
"If my mother and I hadn't come today, we wouldn't have known that Fengyue Tower had so many fun places to visit," Madam Zhang chimed in, not wanting to be outdone.
"Hey, what are you saying? That's not what I meant!"
Madam Zhang held Chunying's hand and said
"That's enough for today. I'll find my sister to come over another day, and then we'll drink until we drop."
Chunying rose and bowed, saying
"Okay, Chunying will wait for her older sister."
The beautiful woman left the room, leaving the mother and her two children staring at each other in bewilderment.
Grandma Zhang was also a little unhappy. Before her son came, she, her daughter-in-law, Chunying, and Ping'er were almost talking about playing dominoes.
The atmosphere became a little awkward when her son arrived.
The main issue is that young Chunying might not be willing to accompany him.
How annoying!
The old lady slammed the bracelet on the table.
"go home!"
Mr. Zhang didn't know what was wrong with his mother, but he didn't dare to ask her. He could only follow his mother and daughter-in-law downstairs.
Before leaving, he said to the servant
Tell the waiter to pack up the rest of the food from Fengyuelou, and that they don't need the pots.
This high-ranking official is living a really miserable life. He has to be stingy when he goes to brothels, and when he goes back, he still has to eat what his mother and wife leave behind.
Madam Zhang had already boarded the carriage and was about to let the driver leave when she heard a young girl's voice.
"Madam Zhang, you've left your cloak behind. It's chilly at night, please take care of yourself."
Chunying was dressed in white, with a white cloak and a hood on the cloak. Ping'er held an umbrella for her to shield her from the snow, making her look like a snow maiden from heaven.
"Thank you for your concern, sister. I didn't bring a maid with me when I went out. You've gone to so much trouble. I'll come to see you again in a few days."
Chunying nodded and waved her hand, signaling her to go home early.
Watching this scene unfold, Master Zhang suddenly felt uneasy.
He felt like a woman who was reluctant to leave her husband, who was staying at a brothel, while her husband was at the door gazing tenderly at the courtesan, unwilling to part.
"Old Wang! Let's go home."
Let's hurry home and settle this, the atmosphere is just too weird... I can't take it.
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