Chapter 71 of 100

Chapter 71

15 min read3,651 words

At noon, in the elegant and quiet private room of Yi Xiang Ju, the woman had not forgotten to remove her veil this time. Seeing Xia Hongsheng enter and sit down, she bowed gracefully and filled his wine cup. Qiao'er and Pan'er, sitting on either side of Xia Hongsheng, each picked up a pair of bamboo chopsticks and placed a few dishes in front of him.

Xia Hongsheng was momentarily lost in thought but quickly regained his composure. He smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying, "Miss Yue Xian, you should still wear your veil. With it off, I can't concentrate at all. I won't even be able to write poetry, and I might even end up putting food in my nose."

The woman opposite Xia Hongsheng was somewhat surprised but showed a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. She smiled and put her veil back on, saying softly, "Sir... why are you so... amusing..."

Xia Hongsheng rolled his eyes, "Being crude is just being crude. What's amusing about it? If we don't call it a nose, what else would we call it? I just think people should live freely and casually. Don't always put on a facade; it tires you out and others as well. Why make life hard for both yourself and others? Being true to oneself is the best. When you live happily and easily, that happiness and ease will also infect those around you. Everyone will be happy and relaxed. Life is your own, not others'. We live our own lives, not in the eyes and mouths of others. Right? Like drinking water, only you know its warmth and cold. Joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness can only be experienced by oneself. No matter what others say or see, they can't bear those emotions for us. So why not choose to live joyfully? Walk your own path and let others talk!"

Indeed, he wanted to take this opportunity to educate her. Despite her young age, why did she always maintain such a cold and dignified demeanor? Look at Qiao'er and Pan'er; they are very genuine. Why do they seem to carry a constant worry despite being around the same age? Release the shackles, relax, and show your true self. That's how you live life. The same goes for the competition for the title of the most beautiful courtesan. People like authenticity, whether in beauty or emotion. Genuine emotions can resonate with others. Without genuine feelings, even the best performance is just a performance, superficial and unable to touch the heart.

After speaking, Xia Hongsheng picked up his chopsticks and started eating, his eyes fixed on Yue Xian. She stared at him for a while, and though her face was covered by the veil, it was clear that her eyes were gradually curving into a smile. Her smile became more relaxed and gentle. Surprisingly, she then pulled back her legs from the formal kneeling position and leaned back against the wooden wall, sitting with her legs bent and her arms hugging her knees.

Hmm? The atmosphere changed so quickly!

"Thank you, Sir Xia. I thought, given your renowned talent, you would be like those other literati and scholars, but you have made me laugh." Yue Xian smiled at Xia Hongsheng. "I didn't expect you to seem so young."

"I'm not that young," Xia Hongsheng smiled and shook his head, then asked, "Miss Yue Xian, I heard your performance of 'High Mountains and Flowing Water' yesterday and was deeply moved. Your musical skills are unparalleled, and I am truly impressed."

"Not just musical skills, sister is proficient in all kinds of instruments, Sir Xia just hasn't seen them yet!" Qiao'er interjected with a giggle.

Xia Hongsheng smiled and nodded, but then heard Yue Xian sigh and say, "Sir Xia saw yesterday that the competition for the title of the most beautiful courtesan is no longer just about beauty and talent. Everyone is almost the same, and to stand out, one must focus on the poetry chosen for the performance. I believe my beauty and talent are not inferior to others. Sir Xia is renowned in Luoyang for your literary talent. If you could grant me a poem, I could surely win the title. My family fell into ruin, and I have been in the courtesan house for six years. Fortunately, the madam, seeing that I can read and write and have a basic understanding of music, has always had someone teach me and has not assigned me to serve customers. Now, as I grow older, the madam has ordered me to start serving customers to repay her for my training. I managed to persuade her to let me come to Luoyang to try my luck. If I can win the title, I can gain fame and preserve my purity for a few more years. Before coming to Luoyang, I had some confidence, but after seeing the talented and beautiful courtesans from other places, I don't want to suffer the humiliation of being looked down upon by thousands. That's why I came to ask for your help, Sir Xia. Please don't reject me. Grant me a few poems to help me win the title and escape my suffering. I hope you will not hesitate to help me. If there are any conditions, please let me know. I will do my best to meet them, as long as they are within my capabilities!"

After speaking, Yue Xian got up and walked to Xia Hongsheng, prostrating herself deeply before him.

"Miss Yue Xian, please get up," Xia Hongsheng gently helped her to her feet. He suddenly turned and picked up a plate, eating all the food on it, then continued to eat from the table, leaving Yue Xian and the two girls at a loss.

In a short time, Xia Hongsheng had eaten half of the dishes on the table. The three women were at a loss, not understanding why Xia Hongsheng suddenly started eating without speaking. After a while, Qiao'er and Pan'er reacted and quickly started placing more dishes in front of Xia Hongsheng.

After a long while, Xia Hongsheng put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and smiled at the shocked Yue Xian, saying, "The last meal at Yi Xiang Ju was a thank you from Miss Yue Xian for helping Qiao'er and Pan'er. This meal is already eaten, and as the saying goes, 'no reward without merit.' I will do my best to help Miss Yue Xian to repay this meal. If you have any specific requirements for the poems, please let me know."

Hearing this, the three women were all excited. Yue Xian bowed deeply again, her voice trembling with emotion, "Whatever Sir Xia grants will be excellent. I have no specific requirements. I leave it entirely to your discretion."

Xia Hongsheng scratched his head and smiled, "This is a bit challenging, Miss Yue Xian. Writing poems is easy, but making them suitable for performance is another matter. First, they must be tailored to you. By 'tailored,' I mean the poems should highlight your unique qualities, such as your temperament and voice. For example, if a farmer were to recite these poems, or if you were to sing crude songs, it would be out of place. Your temperament is cold and refined, so singing sensual songs would not work. Conversely, if a sensual woman were to sing refined poems, it would also be out of place. I have promised to help you, and while I can't guarantee you will win the title, I will do my best to meet your expectations. So, please don't rush. I will think of a good plan for you."

Although she didn't fully understand what Xia Hongsheng was saying, Yue Xian saw his serious and sincere expression and knew he was genuinely helping her. She felt even more grateful. Famous scholars are very selective about giving their poems, and it's not easy to get one from someone as renowned as Xia Hongsheng. Yue Xian had already prepared to beg and plead, and even to pay a high price. She had pawned all her possessions to get a jade pendant to thank Xia Hongsheng. But she never expected him to give her the poems as a reward for a meal. This made her even more appreciative of Xia Hongsheng. Just as she was about to thank him again, she heard a commotion outside.

"If I hadn't come, it would be fine, but now that I'm here, I must sit in the best private room. Who cares if someone is already in there? Just kick them out!" a voice from outside said. Xia Hongsheng turned to look; the voice was familiar.

"This... Sir, your presence honors our humble establishment. We will certainly arrange the best private room for you. Please follow me, and I will lead you to the best room. This one is already occupied..." another cautious voice replied, which belonged to the manager of Yi Xiang Ju.

"Enough talk! I know this is the best room on the second floor. I am the son of the Luoyang Prefect. No one dares to compete with me for anything I want in this city! Bring me the people inside and clear the room!" the young man said impatiently.

The bamboo curtain of the private room was suddenly pulled back. Xia Hongsheng stood up and recognized the voice. No wonder it was familiar; it was the same person who had shouted at Yue Xian to remove her veil in Xun Fang Ge last night!

Xia Hongsheng saw him, and the young man naturally saw the people inside. His eyes lit up, and he pointed and laughed, "Hey! Little girl, it's you! Yesterday, I asked you to remove your veil, and you refused. Today, I've caught you. Ha, if you don't want to leave, just come and serve me! Who is this boy? Hehe, is he your secret lover? He's in the way. Bring him out!"

As he spoke, he stepped into the private room, pushing Xia Hongsheng and reaching for Yue Xian's face.

The three women were terrified and tried to dodge, looking to Xia Hongsheng for help. Xia Hongsheng frowned, thinking that if he let this happen, Yue Xian, Qiao'er, and Pan'er would be humiliated. He glanced behind the young man and saw that his strong guards from last night were not with him, only two servants. Xia Hongsheng weighed his options and picked up a wine jar nearby.

When you can act, don't waste time talking!

How many villains have been defeated because they talked too much at the last moment? Isn't this lesson enough?

---