Chapter 51

Muron Feiyan said, "If you can really come up with something that will be remembered for ages, I'll be willing to hold the umbrella for you. But with you..." She was convinced that Hu Xiaotian didn't have such great talent and shook her head in disdain.

Hu Xiaotian indeed didn't have such great talent, but Han Yu did. Hu Xiaotian had always been a top student, reciting Tang poems, Song lyrics, and Yuan tunes with ease. Even if Li Bai were to come back to life, it would be hard for him to match Hu Xiaotian's talent. This was called drawing on the strengths of many, and the world's literature was a great compilation. All Hu Xiaotian had to do was fit the right poems into the right scenarios, which was the entire process of creation.

He walked slowly on the newly washed stone path and recited softly, "The light rain on the imperial street is as smooth as butter..."

Muron Feiyan couldn't help but laugh. No matter how good the poem was, it couldn't withstand his repetition. This girl laughed in a very artificial way, showing her bright white teeth, which, combined with her bright eyes, was quite charming. In this era, it was considered proper not to show one's teeth when laughing, and it was rare to see someone as unrestrained as Muron Feiyan. Hu Xiaotian was momentarily stunned by her beautiful and radiant appearance.

Muron Feiyan, seeing his lecherous gaze, blushed and lowered her long black lashes, saying softly, "Still that one line, if you can't think of anything else, just forget it. Don't force it..." She couldn't help but laugh again as she said this.

Hu Xiaotian said, "My belly is full of talent, almost to the point of overflowing. Listen: The light rain on the imperial street is as smooth as butter, the grass looks green from afar but disappears up close. This is the best time of the year, far better than the smoky willows in the capital."

Muron Feiyan had been preparing to mock him, but when she heard Hu Xiaotian recite the entire poem, she was completely stunned. This poem was actually Han Yu's original work, "Early Spring Presented to Zhang Shiba of the Water Department." Hu Xiaotian recited it on such a day, in the imperial street, which was incredibly fitting. The poem's style was fresh and natural, seemingly simple but not at all plain. It used simple words to depict the unique scenery of spring, with meticulous details, beautiful sentences, and a novel conception. In Muron Feiyan's eyes, this man had suddenly transformed from a frivolous playboy into a talented scholar, a true genius! If this poem were really Hu Xiaotian's work, his talent would truly be earth-shattering. Muron Feiyan searched her memory, but she couldn't recall such a poem. She asked doubtfully, "Did you really write this poem?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said with a thick face, "This 'Spring Rain' is a farewell gift for Inspector Muron." He thought to himself that next time he would give her "Spring Night's Joyful Rain." He might not be good at writing poems, but he was excellent at reciting them.

Muron Feiyan said nothing, but with a *teng* she opened the red umbrella. She admired talented scholars the most and was willing to lose the bet. Holding an umbrella for a talented scholar was an honor, not a disgrace. However, she still couldn't understand when this man had become so talented.

After passing the imperial street, they arrived at the Dongsi Archway. To the south was Bensi Alley, where the Yunshao Mansion was located. The Yunshao Mansion was actually the Music Bureau, under the Ministry of Rites, responsible for managing the training and performances of court music. To the north was Fenzi Alley, the largest red-light district in Kangdu, filled with brothels and famous courtesans. However, these were all official brothels under the Music Bureau, serving the nobility and royalty. Every night, when the lamps were lit, this area would become bustling, a paradise for men. But now it was daytime, the quietest time of the day.

Hu Xiaotian had heard of Fenzi Alley but had never been there. As he passed by, he couldn't help but take a few more looks. Muron Feiyan frowned and put away the umbrella. This man was not a good person, even if he had a bit of talent, he lacked virtue. She couldn't hold the umbrella for him, it would be embarrassing.

Muron Feiyan said, "Do you really want to go there?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "I've heard of it, but I've never been."

Muron Feiyan snorted in disdain. She didn't believe him. Someone like Hu Xiaotian must be a regular at Fenzi Alley. How could he have never been there?

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "Don't look at me like I'm a VIP member; in fact, I've never been to Fenzi Alley." Muron Feiyan's words reminded him that before leaving the capital, he might want to visit and see what it was like. He didn't know when he would return to the capital from Qingyun County, and missing it would be a huge regret.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I just look a bit restless, but my heart is very clean and upright..."

A clear voice called out, "Master Hu!"

Hu Xiaotian turned around in surprise. He didn't have many acquaintances in Kangdu, let alone in this area. When he turned around, he recognized the lively maid behind him as Wan'er, the personal maid of the talented lady, Huo Xiaoru.

Muron Feiyan now truly despised Hu Xiaotian. How could he say he had never been to Fenzi Alley? If he hadn't been there, how could he have met her?

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "It's you, Wan'er!"

Wan'er was holding a pot of begonia flowers, her red shirt and green pants complementing the flowers. The little girl was lively and charming, and even such a gaudy outfit looked good on her. She smiled, revealing two small white teeth, "Master Hu, you remember me!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "How could I forget? Do you live here?"

Wan'er nodded and said, "At Yunshao Mansion. My lady has been teaching dance and music at Yunshao Mansion recently. She often mentions you and praises your talent!"

Thinking of the extraordinary Huo Xiaoru, Hu Xiaotian felt a warmth in his heart. Being remembered by a beautiful woman was a satisfying ego boost. Huo Xiaoru could be considered a kindred spirit. Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Is Miss Huo doing well?"

Wan'er said, "She's doing well, Master Hu. My lady is at Yunshao Mansion. Why don't I take you to see her? She would be very happy to know you're here." The little girl was not only sweet and likable but also very articulate.

Muron Feiyan, not knowing Wan'er's identity, assumed the lady she mentioned was Hu Xiaotian's lover and inwardly despised him even more.

Hu Xiaotian turned to Muron Feiyan and said, "Do you want to come along?" He hadn't brought any servants, just left them waiting outside.

Muron Feiyan thought, "Didn't you invite me to eat at Tianranju? Why the sudden change of heart?" However, she was curious about Hu Xiaotian's lover and wanted to see what she looked like, so she nodded.

Wan'er led the way, turning south into Bensi Alley. They soon saw the gate of Yunshao Mansion, with its red door and black plaque, on which were written in red lacquer, "Yunshao Mansion."

Two blue-robed warriors stood under the eaves of the gate. Perhaps due to the weather, their faces were gloomy, and they looked listless, occasionally yawning.

With Wan'er's guidance, the two warriors didn't question them and let Hu Xiaotian and his group pass smoothly.

After entering the second gate of Yunshao Mansion, they saw a square courtyard where over a hundred young dancers were practicing. These girls were all beautiful and charming, and the four middle-aged women training them had once been famous dancers in Dakan. However, as they aged and their beauty faded, they could no longer perform and became trainers.

As they walked along the corridor on the right side of the courtyard, Hu Xiaotian watched the dancers practice. Wan'er said, "They practice every day, rain or shine."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Nothing is easy."

Muron Feiyan looked at the hardworking dancers with sympathy in her beautiful eyes and said softly, "Most of them are from poor families, and some are the daughters of disgraced officials. If they had any other choice, they wouldn't do this." Dancers had a very low social status and were merely playthings for the nobility. The best outcome was to be taken as a concubine by a patron, but most ended up as official courtesans. When they aged and their beauty faded, they were cast out to fend for themselves. For the four trainers to remain in the Music Bureau was already a good outcome.

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Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. Octopus wishes everyone a happy family reunion, a harmonious and happy life, and a prosperous and happy future. I'll also take some mooncakes and a bit of osmanthus wine to satisfy my craving. :）

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