Chapter 62

Chapter 61: The Legend of the Courtesan Who Sells Art but Not Her Body

Xiao Ming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly held the secret letter given to him by his mother.

"Brother, the man I have sworn as my brother is now the most trusted person of the Qing Emperor Kangxi," Song Qingshu said, pulling Wei Xiaobao. "The Qing is the only country that can stand up to the Mongols. Now, Emperor Kangxi is widely recruiting martial arts experts. Why doesn't Ming Wang come back to Yanjing with us? With Xiaobao's recommendation, the Emperor will surely treat you as a distinguished guest. With the Qing as a strong ally, why should Ming Wang worry about the other three sects?"

Jiumozhi's heart stirred. He thought that if he could really form an alliance with the Qing, it would increase his chances of resisting the Mongols. After the trip to Yanjing, he could also discuss with the Song Emperor. At that time, the three countries could unite...

"Since that's the case, this poor monk will rely on the two of you to speak well of me to the Emperor." Jiumozhi clasped his hands together and bowed respectfully.

"Great monk, since you are busy with your national affairs, why are you still holding onto me and Miss Wang?" Duan Yu, who had been trying to break through his acupoints, finally gave up. Unfortunately, his shallow foundation meant that he could not utilize his powerful internal strength, and in the end, he only made his body sore and numb.

"I heard that this young man, who is somewhat broken, knows the Six Pulse Sword Technique, the best sword technique in the world, and Miss Wang is also well-versed in martial arts. I believe the Emperor will welcome you both very much." Wei Xiaobao was unwilling to let Wang Yuyan leave. He secretly thought: No matter what, I will deal with you, the prince of Dali, once we return to the capital, where my grandfather has the upper hand.

Jiumozhi had no intention of letting them go, and Wei Xiaobao's words aligned with his thoughts. "What does Brother Song think?"

"I have no objections," Song Qingshu turned to look at Wang Yuyan. "Miss Wang, you can rest assured. You once did me a great favor, and I will protect you."

Wang Yuyan managed a weak smile, knowing that Jiumozhi and Wei Xiaobao were companions and that her martial arts were not as good as Jiumozhi's. She could only do her best.

"Brother, I heard that you have already negotiated an alliance with the Song Emperor. Calculating the time, you should be on your way back to Yanjing. Why are you here in Suzhou?" Jiumozhi asked.

Wei Xiaobao looked embarrassed, and Song Qingshu explained the encounter with the Blood Blade Ancestor and the threat from Yuan Chengzhi in Shandong.

Jiumozhi smiled confidently after listening. "With this poor monk and Brother Song by your side, we can go anywhere, even the dragon's lair. Brother Wei, you can rest assured."

Song Qingshu agreed, thinking that unless a master of the level of the Nameless Holy Monk personally attacked, with Jiumozhi's strong support and his own, they had nothing to fear.

Wei Xiaobao's spirits immediately lifted, feeling secretly pleased: I, Xiaobao, may not know any martial arts, but I have many powerful friends. Hahahaha...

Mu Wanqing had long noticed the beautiful woman standing behind Song Qingshu and couldn't help but ask, "Brother... Song, who is this?"

Wang Yuyan, who had just heard her introduce herself as Song Qingshu's wife, had an idea. She timidly took Song Qingshu's arm and said in a sweet, cloying voice, "Brother Song, who is this lady?"

Wang Yuyan thought that since they were husband and wife, in this situation, the woman opposite would definitely not let Song Qingshu off. The best way to clear his name would be to drive her away.

Sure enough, Mu Wanqing's face turned ashen, and she stood up abruptly, ignoring everyone's attempts to stop her, and turned to leave.

Duan Yu watched her slender back as she left, feeling an indescribable pain. "Wan Sister seems to have changed a bit..."

Everyone turned to look at Song Qingshu, wondering why he didn't chase after her. Song Qingshu shook his head and raised his wine glass. "Sheng'er, pour the master a drink."

Wang Yuyan and the others exchanged puzzled looks, completely surprised that he didn't seem angry at all. It seemed... he was even a bit happy.

Song Qingshu was indeed very happy. Thanks to Wang Yuyan's accidental actions, he had discovered that Mu Wanqing actually had feelings for him, even if she herself might not have realized it.

As for why he didn't chase after her, he had his own reasons. His past experience taught him that if he coddled a woman's tantrums, it would only fuel her arrogance. The strategy of playing hard to get was something Song Qingshu had mastered perfectly. He knew that once Mu Wanqing calmed down, she would feel even more conflicted.

The group set out on their journey north. When they entered the Qing territory, the head of the imperial guards, Duo Long, was already waiting.

"Brother Duo, why are you here?" Wei Xiaobao asked his old friend in surprise.

"Brother Wei, not long after you left, the Emperor was worried about your safety and specially sent me with three thousand elite cavalry to escort you," Duo Long bowed towards the north. "If it weren't for the large number of troops, making it difficult to enter the Song territory, I would have met you earlier."

"Lord Wei..." At that moment, two familiar voices were heard. It was Zhang Kangnian and Zhao Qixian.

"You two?" Wei Xiaobao looked at them in surprise. Although they had no real skills, they were good at flattery, and Wei Xiaobao genuinely considered them friends. He had been worried about the safety of the embassy they were part of.

"We followed your orders and headed north. We just crossed the river when we met Head Guard Duo. After learning about the assassination attempt on you, he specifically instructed us to keep it quiet and pretend you were still in the embassy to mislead the assassins and protect you," Zhang Kangnian and Zhao Qixian exchanged glances, both feeling relieved to have survived.

"Thanks to Brother Song and Master Jiumozhi of Tubo for escorting us all the way," Wei Xiaobao introduced them to Duo Long. "They are top-notch martial arts experts, and the Emperor will surely be very pleased to see them."

"This foreign monk is fine, but is this young man also a martial arts expert?" Duo Long muttered to himself, deciding to test him.

"Thank you, Brother Song, for taking care of Brother Wei all the way." Duo Long smiled insincerely and extended his hand to Song Qingshu.

Song Qingshu, though puzzled, still shook his hand. Duo Long's face immediately changed. No matter how much force he applied, the other party just smiled. Duo Long finally realized he had met his match and awkwardly withdrew his hand. "Brother Song is indeed a martial arts master."

"Ah, seeing you all makes me feel like I'm finally home," Wei Xiaobao, oblivious to the undercurrents, held Duo Long's arm and sighed in relief. "Is there anything fun around here? I've been living in the open for so long, and I'm bored to death." Although Wei Xiaobao had been protected by Song Qingshu and others, the short time they had spent together made him somewhat anxious. Now, seeing his old friends, his heart finally relaxed.

"Brother Wei, you remind me of something," Duo Long raised his eyebrows and chuckled. "There's a beautiful courtesan at the Lichun Courtyard in Yangzhou. She claims to sell art but not her body, making all the men in Yangzhou infatuated with her. However, no one has managed to be her guest yet. Brother Wei, you will surely succeed."

"A courtesan who sells art but not her body?" Wei Xiaobao muttered, secretly scoffing. "My grandfather came from the Lichun Courtyard; I know all about it. It's just that she thinks the previous clients didn't pay enough, so she's raising her price. Which prostitute doesn't love money... Hmph, I'll just tell Mother Yang to give her a few cups of love potion. I don't believe she can remain chaste."

Wei Xiaobao regretted that he had already brought his mother to the capital. Otherwise, he could have had her do it without anyone knowing.

"But this courtesan seems different from ordinary courtesans," Duo Long explained, seeing Wei Xiaobao's disbelief. "She has set three riddles, and only those who answer all of them correctly can be invited upstairs. Otherwise, even if you are rich, she won't give you a second glance."

"Brother Duo, what are the riddles?" Wei Xiaobao, though inwardly cursing, asked. He hated solving riddles and was sure he couldn't do it.

"Well," Duo Long looked embarrassed. "I can't remember them."

"Alright, let's go and see." Wei Xiaobao pulled everyone towards the Lichun Courtyard.

"How can a pure young lady like Miss Wang go to such a den of iniquity?" Duan Yu immediately objected, and Wang Yuyan blushed, clearly unwilling.

Sheng'er also gave Song Qingshu a pitiful look, but Song Qingshu laughed and deliberately turned away.

Jiumozhi also looked awkward. As a monk, going to a brothel was not appropriate.

Wei Xiaobao laughed and glanced at Duan Yu. "If we leave you outside, you might run away. As for Miss Wang, we can have her dress as a man. Who would notice?"

"Wouldn't it be inconvenient for Ming Wang?" Song Qingshu noticed Jiumozhi's hesitation.

"No problem. Abstinence is a matter of the heart, and this poor monk can see through it." In fact, Jiumozhi was eager to use Wei Xiaobao's connection to Emperor Kangxi and feared that not going would create a rift.

"Come, prepare clean clothes for the two ladies." Duo Long, seeing the situation, quickly called the soldiers.

Wang Yuyan bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and then followed the soldiers, giving Duan Yu a deep look that made his heart tremble with regret: "If only I had learned martial arts when Uncle and Father asked me to, Miss Wang wouldn't have to suffer this humiliation."

Sheng'er, seeing Song Qingshu's lack of reaction, was so angry she wanted to kick him. Pouting, she ran into the tent.

After a while, the two women emerged from the tent, making the men swallow their saliva. Song Qingshu, seeing the two women dressed as scholars, found them charming and thought, "Now I understand why so many people in the past were into yaoi."

The group set off for the Lichun Courtyard. Duo Long originally planned to book the entire place, but Wei Xiaobao stopped him. "Men go to brothels for the lively atmosphere. If it's just us, it would be too quiet and no fun."

"Brother Wei, you're right!" Duo Long was surprised but quickly smiled in understanding.

As they walked, Wei Xiaobao's eyes darted around, and he turned to Song Qingshu. "Brother Song, why don't we switch identities and outfits?"

Song Qingshu looked at him in confusion. "Why?"

"Many assassins are after me. If we switch, they won't expect the target to be the martial arts expert Brother Song. They will surely be caught off guard." Wei Xiaobao explained logically, but he had another plan: Wearing this official uniform would make it difficult to move, and his plan to sneak into the storeroom and drug the courtesan would be ruined.

"Lord Wei is truly wise, I admire you." Zhang Kangnian and Zhao Qixian, never missing a chance to flatter, praised him.

"Lord Wei has a point," Jiumozhi nodded at Song Qingshu. "Among us, only Brother Song and Wei Xiaobao are of similar age..."

"Isn't Duan Yu a person? It would be better if he were killed by an assassin," Song Qingshu thought, and Duan Yu instinctively shrank back.

But reason told him he was the best choice. Duan Yu, as the prince of Dali, would cause Emperor Kangxi to blame Wei Xiaobao if anything happened. Fortunately, his martial arts were now good enough to protect himself...

Song Qingshu nodded. "Alright!"

If you ask where the most luxurious and indulgent place in the world is, ten men out of ten would excitedly answer: Yangzhou!

If you ask where the most filthy and dirty place in the world is, ten women out of ten would disdainfully answer: Yangzhou!

With ten thousand strings of cash, ride a crane to Yangzhou. This is the greatest pleasure in life.

As the lanterns lit up, the various brothels in Yangzhou came to life, and the most bustling of them all was the Lichun Courtyard.

"Hmph, it's only because of the recent arrival of Miss Youyou. Once someone wins her favor, we'll see how much charm she has left." A madam watched a group of well-dressed gentlemen head straight for the Lichun Courtyard, spat on the ground, and said resentfully.

This group of well-dressed gentlemen was none other than Wei Xiaobao and Song Qingshu's party. As they stepped into the Lichun Courtyard, the madam's eyes lit up, and she quickly welcomed them warmly.

Wei Xiaobao threw a silver ingot and pointed to Song Qingshu. "This is a gift from our Master Wei. Find us the best spot."

The madam glanced at Song Qingshu and nodded quickly. "Certainly, gentlemen, please follow me." She led them to a quiet and elegant spot, had the servants set up fruits and wine, and smiled obsequiously. "Gentlemen, please enjoy a cup of wine. Miss Youyou will be out soon. Whether you can win her favor depends on your skills."

"Go away," Wei Xiaobao waved her off impatiently. A while later, he whispered to Song Qingshu, "Brother Song, I need to use the restroom."

"Courtesan

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