What is it like to meet your boyfriend in a brothel?
Tang Feng was bored, and after walking for a while, he complained of being tired. Zhou Ziliang couldn't stop him and told him to sit in the shade while he went to buy some things. Tang Feng was indeed tired, so he found a good spot and plopped down. Sitting on the ground, Tang Feng squinted as he watched Zhou Ziliang go to the candy shop. He knew exactly what was going on; the thought of drinking a cool, sweet soup soon made his lips curl into an uncontrollable smile.
"Excuse me... young master, could you tell me how to get to the Temple of the Old Goddess?" Tang Feng looked up and saw a scholar in a light purple robe squatting in front of him, carrying a... basket on his back.
"Uh... see that entrance up ahead? Just walk straight up there," Tang Feng pointed ahead. He figured this scholar was on his way to the capital for the imperial examinations. Zhang Mobai had told him that Xiling was going to hold the examinations soon, and the sons of officials who graduated from Lishan Academy had already been assigned positions. The remaining vacant positions would need to be filled through the imperial examinations.
"Please...please wait a moment," the scholar said, placing his bamboo basket on the ground. He then took out a book as thick as an adult's forearm, opened it, and took out a pen, saying, "Young master, what did I just say?"
"Huh? I... I meant, do you see that opening up ahead? Just walk straight up." Tang Feng frowned, sensing something was off about this person, but he still suppressed his impatience and repeated himself.
"No, I meant... what I just said."
"You asked me, young master, how do I get to the Temple of the Old Goddess? I mean... see that entrance up ahead? Just walk straight ahead." Tang Feng shrank back, constantly glancing up at Zhou Ziliang in the distance. What was he thinking? Was he going crazy? They say madmen are terrifying when they go berserk.
The man was holding a pen and writing diligently in the book, muttering, "I asked... sir, I want to ask... how to get to the Old Lady Temple... sir said, see that entrance ahead...?"
However, the scholar ignored Tang Feng, simply writing and drawing for a while before standing up, bowing to Tang Feng, and saying, "Thank you."
"Thank you, no need to thank me..." Tang Feng couldn't sit still any longer and stood up, still unwilling to give up, he asked, "What was that just now...?"
"Oh, you mean this?" The man took out the book and handed it to Tang Feng. "I've always had a bad memory, so I need to use notes to help me remember things." Tang Feng took it and flipped through it. What the scholar said made sense; the first page was his home address, and it was very detailed, covering everything from major life events to giving money and asking for directions. But the more Tang Feng flipped through, the more something seemed off. "Iron... iron saw..." Next to it was a very humane illustration of someone being sawed in half. Holy crap, what was this? Tang Feng flipped through several pages. "Dismemberment by chariot... water torture..." Tang Feng closed the book, trembling, and was about to return it to the scholar when Zhou Ziliang returned.
"Xiao Feng, look, I bought you... Lord Ji?"
"You are..." The scholar bowed to Zhou Ziliang, then took the notebook from Tang Feng and began to flip through it. "Please wait a moment, I need to check the table of contents... Oh! Young Marquis, it's an honor to meet you. I have other matters to attend to, so I cannot keep you company today. Eh... what was I supposed to do? Oh, I was asking... Young Master, I wanted to ask you something..."
Watching the man leave, Tang Feng asked, "Who was he? He was acting all mysterious."
"Him? He's Minister Ji, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. He just doesn't have a very good memory," Zhou Ziliang chuckled. "I sometimes accompany my father to court, and we've met at least a dozen times, big and small, but he still doesn't remember me."
"There really are people like that?" Tang Feng said, glancing at Zhou Ziliang and stretching out his hand. "Give it to me!"
"What?"
"It's food! Let me see it." Tang Feng snatched the bag from Zhou Ziliang's hand. "You also bought some sweet buns." Tang Feng picked one up and took a bite. Although it couldn't compare to the century-old craftsmanship of Liufuji, it still tasted pretty good.
"I heard from Liu Liu that you like Liu Fu Ji's sweet buns. We can skip Liu Fu Ji here, but I saw there was quite a long line at this place, so I bought two. Just treat it as a treat for your craving!"
Temple fairs are mainly for offering incense and there's not much to do. Before it even got dark, Tang Feng was already yawning. "Let's go back! I'm so sleepy! I woke up before the roosters even woke up, and now my eyelids are practically drooping." Seeing Tang Feng like this, Qin Jiujiu chuckled, "Only you're like this. Look at everyone else, nobody's tired. Alright! Let's go back then. How about you guys go to the Tang residence for a meal? I'll cook."
Those people quickly refused, all claiming they had important matters to attend to later. Qin Jiujiu had no choice but to nod and give up.
Back at the manor, Tang Feng, who had gone so early to sleep, found himself unable to fall asleep. Just as he was about to get up, he heard Liu Yiwan call out, "Young Master, Miss Jiu is calling you for dinner."
"Okay, I'll go right now." Tang Feng put on his shoes and went to the backyard. Seeing only Qin Liuliu sitting there, he asked Liu Yiwan, "Where's Sister Jiu? Isn't she eating?"
"Miss Jiu has gone out. A young lady from Wanchun Lane just came to the manor. She was on good terms with Miss Jiu before. A few days ago, she was redeemed by a wealthy family and was going back to be a concubine. Fearing that they might not see each other again, she came to visit her."
Wanchun Lane? After all these years, the name sounded a little unfamiliar. Tang Feng smiled. Speaking of Wanchun Lane, Tang Feng suddenly remembered Han Jiuhua from Qinghui Lane. He hadn't seen her since their last meeting. Last time they exchanged letters, he hadn't yet thanked her for her words, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, lest you pluck bare branches." Tang Feng tapped his fingernails on the stone table, thinking that since he had nothing else to do, instead of lying at home and fattening himself up, he might as well go to Qinghui Lane. But... wouldn't he be letting Ziliang down? Surely not! He was going to express his gratitude, not to molest him. What was there to be angry about?
Tang Feng put down his chopsticks and said, "I don't have much of an appetite. I'll go out for a walk first. You guys eat first!"
"Oh? You're going out too? Shall I prepare a sedan chair for you?" Upon hearing this, Liu Yiwan put down her chopsticks and was about to get up.
"No need, I was just taking a stroll. Maybe I ate too much at lunch and didn't exercise, so I have some indigestion," Tang Feng quickly told Liu Yiwan to stop. He couldn't let Liu Yiwan know about his trip to Qinghui Fang; otherwise, things might backfire and he'd get a beating. Tang Feng went back inside to prepare before heading out.
Zhou Ziliang had originally returned home intending to rest, but as soon as he arrived, his servant came to report, "Young Master, Deputy General Chen is looking for you outside." Zhou Ziliang frowned. What did Chen Ke want with him so late at night? Could something have happened to the garrison outside the city? He bumped into Chen Ke as soon as he stepped outside. "Young Marquis!"
"Get up, get up. What are you rushing to see me for?" Zhou Ziliang helped Chen Ke up. Chen Ke's father was a former subordinate of his own father. Later, when he led troops to the border, Chen Ke went with him and was now his deputy general, practically the top commander in the army. "Young Marquis, don't mention it. Old Hu... Old Hu took a few greenhorns to Wanchun Lane..."
Zhou Ziliang frowned, his expression unfriendly. "Then arrest him and deal with him according to military law. Why did you come to me for this?"
"This..." Chen Ke scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed. "Young Marquis, you know I've only been married a short time, and my wife is a real shrew. If I go to Wanchun Lane alone and word gets out, our military camp will be in an uproar. If I go with you, at least I'll have a reason to explain myself."
Zhou Ziliang nodded, "Let's go then." Halfway there, he realized what would happen if Tang Feng found him in Wanchun Lane. Tang Feng was easily suspicious. Oh well, with Chen Ke around, nothing serious should happen. After all, Tang Feng knew what was going on, and his sweet talk was easy to appease.
Tang Feng entered Qinghui Fang, and before he could even stand properly, the madam grabbed him. "Oh my! Isn't this the young master of the Tang family! You've grown so much already! Oh dear! Look at my mouth, how can I still call you young master Tang? I should call you Master Tang. Come, come, please come inside. Today, would you like to..."
"Is Jiuhua still there?" Tang Feng pulled out some silver from his pocket and tossed it to the madam. "Don't go around telling everyone I'm here. You'll get your money back."
The madam counted the money in her purse, her eyes sparkling. "Mr. Tang, what are you saying? I'm the most discreet person in the entire Wanchun Lane. You can go without worry. Amu, come quick, our regular client is here!"
Tang Feng walked through the familiar corridor and courtyard. Amu was still the same as before, taking down the sign and leaving. As soon as Tang Feng pushed open the door and entered, Han Jiuhua spoke up, "Tang Sicheng, long time no see! Back then, you would at least knock before entering, but today you came in without even knocking?"
Tang Feng smiled. "I was a little anxious. It's always a bit nerve-wracking to see an old friend after so many years. I came today to thank you."
"Looks like it was a success," Han Jiuhua smiled through the curtain.
Tang Feng scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly. "If it's alright today, could you play 'Guan Shan Yue' for me again?" Tang Feng vaguely remembered that years ago, when he took Zhang Mobai to the pleasure boat to listen to Han Jiuhua play the flute, Zhang Mobai mentioned that Zhou Ziliang liked this piece, but at the time he hadn't really appreciated it.
"Are you here to thank me, or am I thanking you?"
"Hehe, I didn't know what you liked, so I bought you something." Tang Feng took out a jade hairpin from his pocket and placed it on the table. "Remember to wear it after I leave."
Han Jiuhua didn't say anything, but simply picked up a bamboo flute and started playing it.
"Madam, have you ever seen a few grown men, one with a full beard and the other with delicate skin?" At this moment, Chen Ke and Zhou Ziliang were also standing at the entrance of Qinghui Fang.
"Oh, you mean a few gentlemen? Yes, yes!" The madam had barely finished speaking when Chen Ke tried to barge inside, so she quickly stopped him. "Sir... sir, please don't rush! Those who come here should... at least offer a token of appreciation!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Ke became furious and blurted out, "Do you know who this is...?"
"Ake, forget it, just pay up! It's better to avoid trouble." Zhou Ziliang gave the madam a tip and then said, "We're in a hurry, please take us there quickly!"
Tang Feng had just finished listening to one song and wanted to hear another, but he was terribly hungry and his stomach was upset, so he stood up and said, "I have important matters to attend to, so I won't keep you company any longer. I will never forget your kindness back then. Let's meet again another day."
"Another day? Young master, it's not appropriate for you to keep coming here since you have a lover!" Han Jiuhua smiled. "If you truly appreciate Jiuhua's music, wouldn't it be better to bring your lover another day?"
"Him..." Tang Feng thought of Zhou Ziliang's meticulous expression earlier and couldn't help but chuckle, "Forget about him. Even if we pushed him here, he might not have come. Goodbye."
Tang Feng walked out of the courtyard and saw a commotion in the corridor. Driven by a desire to join the fun, he plunged into the crowd. Upon closer inspection, Tang Feng's pupils dilated slightly. "Zi...Zi Liang?"
At this moment, Zhou Ziliang was focused on his subordinates, and his face was not very pleasant. When he heard the familiar voice of "Ziliang," Zhou Ziliang couldn't help but shudder. "Why does this voice sound like Xiaofeng? But Xiaofeng is so innocent, why would she come to a place like this?" But when he turned his head, Zhou Ziliang's heart sank instantly. "Xiaofeng?"
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