Chapter 1

"This place has fine mountains and waters, fine winds and moons, and is graced with fine people and events, adding to the thousand autumns of fine words;

The world is full of infatuated men and women, infatuated hearts and dreams, and even more infatuated emotions and intentions, making them a generation of infatuated people."

The beautiful couplet still hangs at the entrance of the Fule Hall; but Zhu Yuanzhang, who wrote this couplet, has been dead for almost a year. The wise and valiant Taizu also had a graceful and elegant side. Looking at it, one truly feels the passage of time and the change of people, evoking many reflections.

The window-side seat, overlooking the Qinhuai River, is always the most expensive. A young man of sixteen or seventeen sits by the tea table, dressed in gray cloth, but one who can afford this seat must be a wealthy and well-bred young man.

Outside the window, red flowers brush against the green water, willows sway gracefully, and boats drift on the river, presenting a scene of alluring spring beauty. The young man gazes out the window, his face calm, as if deep in thought or composing a poem... but his skin is copper-colored and his body is tall and strong, not at all like a refined scholar.

His demeanor and appearance are mismatched, making him seem odd.

He has been sitting there for quite a while, neither drinking tea nor showing impatience. At this moment, a fragrant breeze carries the scent of flowers, and a flash of green appears in his peripheral vision. The young man turns his head and sees a young woman coming around the screen.

The young woman has a full chest and a graceful waist, exuding a delicate and weak charm; she is not tall, but has a slender and well-proportioned figure. Moreover, she has bright eyes and red lips, and her beauty is quite remarkable.

"Apologies for keeping Master Hong waiting, I offer my humblest apologies." The young woman clasps her hands in front of her abdomen and bows.

The young man, called Master Hong, waves his hand. "No matter, please rise, Miss Du."

At this moment, a maid with a two-ring hairstyle brings tea over the screen. Miss Du turns around, picks up the teacup with one hand, and gently supports the bottom of the cup with the other, and walks forward, saying, "The tea might be cold, I will change it for Master Hong."

"Good, good."

As Miss Du performs her task with grace, she softly adds, "Master Hong's friend did not come today."

Master Hong nods. "Oh, I know."

He turns his body, looking at Miss Du with interest, and says, "Miss Du is skilled in the lute, why not play a small lute tune today?"

Miss Du remains silent for a moment before saying, "I do not wish to spoil Master Hong's refined mood, but my fingers are injured, I fear..."

Upon hearing this, Master Hong grabs her soft hand, seeing that her white fingers are bruised and swollen! His face changes. "Who tortured you?"

Miss Du shakes her head, her face showing sorrow. "It was my own carelessness."

Master Hong's anger rises. "What kind of carelessness could cause such injuries?"

Miss Du hesitates, finally speaking in a low voice, "He is an official from the Ministry of Rites, in charge of us. It's my own fault."

Master Hong sneers. "What is his name?"

Miss Du shakes her head and sighs. "Forget it."

At this moment, a loud commotion comes from outside, accompanied by a woman's cautious whispers, disrupting the Qinhuai River's beauty and the warm spring atmosphere. A particularly loud voice calls out, "Where is Du Qianrui?"

Soon, someone bursts in. The most imposing figure is an official wearing a green robe and a bull horn belt, followed by an old madam, a pimp, and some attendants.

The official points at Master Hong. "All irrelevant people, step aside!"

Master Hong calmly picks up his teacup, as if he hasn't heard anything.

"Hey!" The official sneers, taking two steps forward. "You are asking for trouble!"

Master Hong remains calm, not moving an inch, and doesn't even glance at the official.

The official doesn't dare to touch him, circling around Master Hong a few times, looking him up and down, and then pulling at his mustache. He raises his fist and says, "In the capital, there is a nobleman hosting a banquet. I need to select performers to entertain the guests."

He then looks at Du Qianrui hiding in the corner. "Play a tune now, let me hear your talent."

Du Qianrui pleads, "Lord Xu, you know my fingers are injured."

"Play!" The official shouts fiercely.

The atmosphere suddenly becomes tense, and everyone holds their breath, waiting to see what will happen. Master Hong's voice breaks the silence. "Was it you who hurt Miss Du's hands?"

Several pairs of eyes immediately turn to him. Master Hong's voice is not loud or angry, but his sudden speech after being silent draws attention.

"So what if it was?" The official sneers, and continues, "Do you know who I am..."

Before he can finish, Master Hong grabs a brush from the table, stabs it into the board, breaking it into two sharp pieces, and then jumps up, grabs the official's right hand, and forcefully stabs the broken brush into it!

The action is so swift that the official's "head" turns into a scream of pain.

Everyone is shocked, and a moment later, a woman's scream, louder than a pig being slaughtered, drowns out the official's cries. The pimp and madam retreat in fear.

The official's hand is released, and he clutches his trembling right hand, his face pale with fear and anger. Two attendants in black uniforms finally come to their senses, exchange glances, and rush forward.

One is fat, the other thin. The fat one charges straight ahead, while the thin one pretends to look for a weapon and lags behind.

The fat attendant lunges at Master Hong, hands outstretched, already off-balance. Master Hong smirks, kicks him in the legs, and sidesteps. The fat man crashes face-first into the table, and Master Hong follows up with a palm strike to his back. "Boom!" The table collapses, and the fat man falls to the ground, screaming in pain.

The scene is chaotic, but Master Hong stands there calmly. The thin attendant finds a stool and, seeing the commotion, hesitates, not fully committing.

"Bang!" Master Hong kicks the thin attendant, leaving a shoe print on his chest, and the thin man flies into the screen, tearing a large hole in the silk, separating the embroidered ducks.

"Ouch!" The thin man cries out.

The fat attendant, now on the ground, crawls away, too afraid to come back. The green-robed official, Lord Xu, stands several steps away, cursing and staring at Master Hong, ready to run at any moment.

"You coward!" Master Hong points at the official and shouts, making a move to chase him. Lord Xu immediately turns and runs.

"Wait for me! Wait for me!" Lord Xu shouts as he runs.

The commotion spreads chaos upstairs. The madam stomps her feet, wipes her tears, and waves her handkerchief in distress. Looking at Du Qianrui, who has remained silent, she sees no fear, but a hint of satisfaction, clearly harboring deep resentment towards Lord Xu.

Master Hong takes out a piece of silver and throws it on the table. "I will pay for the damages."

"It's not about money!" The madam is anxious. "Master Hong is in big trouble! I don't know how to get out of this..."

"Oh?" Master Hong looks at her.

The madam says, "Lord Xu, though just a minor official in the Music Bureau, has connections with the Minister of the Imperial College, Lord Huang! Lord Huang's wife is surnamed Xu. Master Hong, you are young and don't understand these things."

"Huang Zicheng?" Master Hong asks.

The madam says, "Anyone who knows the court knows that Lord Huang is a favorite of the emperor. Who can afford to offend him?" She continues to stomp her feet. "What are we to do..."

Unexpectedly, Master Hong only says, "Haha."

The madam is startled and then lowers her voice. "I advise Master Hong, don't waste time, leave quickly!"

Master Hong shows no intention of leaving immediately and turns to Du Qianrui. "That dog official has been bullying you. If I leave, he will take out his anger on you. Come with me."

Du Qianrui's expression is complex. "I am registered with the Music Bureau, how can I just leave?" She pauses and adds, "The madam is right. Master Hong should leave first. You are young, generous, and not afraid of trouble. You must have some family influence. Go home and seek help from your elders. If you delay, Lord Xu will have time to plan, and you will be at a disadvantage."

"Fear nothing, come with me!" Master Hong grabs Du Qianrui and pulls her away.

Du Qianrui struggles, frowning. "Master Hong, leave me alone, go! Go!"

The madam also blocks his path, urgently saying, "What good will it do to take her? Go home and tell your father you brought a courtesan? Take care of yourself first."

Master Hong stares at the madam. "Do you dare to stop me?"

He pushes the madam aside and leaves. The madam doesn't stop him, shouting to Du Qianrui, "Come back if you can't handle it!"

The two leave the Fule Hall, and a man sitting at a roadside tea stall stands up and silently follows them. Du Qianrui looks back and sees a middle-aged man, tall and strong, with a square face and neatly trimmed mustache.

Master Hong says, "In the city, I can't hold you, but now I will let go of your hand. Follow me, Miss Du. Don't worry, I have a plan. How about that?"

Du Qianrui looks back at the Fule Hall, her face showing doubt, but she nods. Master Hong lets go of her hand.

Walking down the long street, Du Qianrui can't help but whisper, "Hong... Red, red means Zhu. Master Hong, could you be..."