Chapter 35

"Yixiang Garden's top courtesan is Jin Ling'er, and she will also appear with the fairy today."

Entering the upper courtyard of Yixiang Garden, Ning Wuxue experienced what true ancient courtesan houses were like.

Plum blossoms dotted the landscape, the bamboo pavilion was simple and elegant, artificial hills and ponds were adorned with fish playing, a small lake was carved out, willow buds swayed gently in the breeze, ripples rippled, and a few small boats swayed with the wind. On the boats, beauties and gentlemen seemed to be a perfect match, while pavilions by the lake were hidden behind green willows and plum blossoms. Stone platforms and stone chairs under the trees, with ladies in red skirts and green clothes, were a scene of beauty and grace.

In the pavilion, the sound of the zither and the guzheng echoed, and soft, melancholic songs drifted through the air.

"… The north wind is fierce and cold. The Huqin stirs and the border horses neigh. The lone goose returns with a mournful cry. The musician rises and plays the zither and guzheng …"

The song was sorrowful, and in the gentle breeze, it added a touch of melancholy. Even Ning Wuxue felt a sense of sadness.

"Alas, what a fine 'Poem of Sorrow.' Only Cai Wenji, with her unparalleled talent, could have such a wandering life, with no place to call home. Only Mei could sing such a mournful 'Poem of Sorrow.'"

In the distance, a well-dressed young man sighed softly.

"This song is too sad and not suitable for today. Zhongyuan, come with me, I have a good place to show you." Li Gongtai smacked his lips and pulled Ning Wuxue around the pavilion, through a stone path, and arrived at the lakeside.

"Oh, Master Li has come, oh, and he brought a handsome young man today …"

Seeing Li Gongtai appear, a group of beauties chatting by the lake gathered around. Seven or eight beautiful women, with a fragrant scent, surrounded Li Gongtai and Ning Wuxue, in red skirts and green clothes, seemingly very familiar with Li Gongtai.

"Chunlan, you're even more beautiful … Xiaoruo, tsk tsk, your chest has grown even more … Xiaohuo, have you missed this young master …"

Li Gongtai chuckled and greeted the beauties, his hands roaming freely.

It seemed that Li Gongtai was a regular here. Ning Wuxue thought to himself, but his mind was elsewhere, and he frowned.

"Who could it be that has all these girls gathered here? It must be Master Li. If you dare to come here, do you have the answer? Don't try to cheat …"

A woman in a red dress holding a lute appeared nearby, looking at Li Gongtai. She was lightly made up, with a pair of eyes on her oval face that sparkled with cunning. From a distance, she looked like a bright flame, graceful and charming.

As the woman appeared, the beauties around Li Gongtai dispersed.

Hearing her voice, Li Gongtai's face showed a hint of embarrassment, but it quickly disappeared. He smiled and looked at the woman in red, pushing the women around him aside and walking toward her.

"Sister Ruolan, it's been a long time. Let's hug first …"

The woman in red dodged, looking at Li Gongtai with a smile, "Stop, Master Li, where's the answer? Since you're here, if you can't provide the answer, you'll have to …"

Li Gongtai stopped, smiling at the woman in red, and said proudly, "Answer? I have it, of course. Look, who did I bring? He knows the answer …"

Coming to Ning Wuxue's side, Li Gongtai spoke enthusiastically, leaning close to Ning Wuxue's ear, "Brother Zhongyuan, I'm sorry, this woman is too difficult to deal with. Help me out, and I'll cover all your expenses today …"

Before Ning Wuxue could respond, Li Gongtai smiled at the woman in red again, "Sister Ruolan, let's chat. Lüzhu is still waiting for me. If you want the answer, ask him!"

He pointed to Ning Wuxue and retreated, then disappeared down the lakeside.

Li Gongtai fled, and the woman in red did not chase after him. She took a few steps, holding her lute, and came to Ning Wuxue, bowing slightly, "What is your name, sir? Do you know the answer?"

"Answer? What answer?" Ning Wuxue looked at the woman in red, puzzled.

"Hmph, Li Gongtai, you're cheating again. Next time you want to enter the fragrant pavilion, dream on!"

The woman in red frowned, then saw Ning Wuxue's puzzled look and laughed, covering her mouth.

"Uh … hehe …" Ning Wuxue laughed awkwardly, standing there, unsure of what to do.

In his previous life, Ning Wuxue was a solitary and quiet person, rarely interacting with others. Apart from that girl, he had never spoken to any women. In this life, Ning Wuxue was even more of a bookworm, with little experience in the world. Despite the beautiful woman in front of him, he could only smile, unable to think of any other topics.

"Idiot, what are you smiling about? What is your name, sir? Why don't you listen to a song from me today?"

The woman in red, who frequented the courtesan house, could tell that Ning Wuxue was a first-time visitor. She thought that someone who could walk with Li Gongtai must be from a noble family. Moreover, Ning Wuxue had a fair face, clear eyes, and a scholarly air, with a clear gaze and no hint of frivolity, which made her feel a natural liking for him.

Ning Wuxue blushed slightly, composed himself, and bowed to the woman, "My name is Ning … I don't know what you're asking or what answer you need."

"Ah, so you are Master Ning. You can call me Ruolan." The woman in red returned the bow, her eyes sparkling with mischief, "Do you really want to answer for Master Li?"

"If I answer your question, I hope you will answer one of mine." Ning Wuxue smiled.

Ruolan was taken aback, looking Ning Wuxue up and down, a smile forming on her lips. He was truly an interesting person. She nodded, "If you answer my question, not only will I answer yours, but I will also let you into my fragrant pavilion tonight …"

Ning Wuxue was surprised. On the way, Li Gongtai had told him that the pavilions in the upper courtyard of Yixiang Garden were not easy to enter. One had to pass the test of the pavilion's owner. Even if one entered the fragrant pavilion, it was not guaranteed to have intimate moments. Despite this, countless noble guests still came and went, just to catch a glimpse of the beauties.

Only the most beautiful and talented courtesans, with their charm and skills, could have a fragrant pavilion in the upper courtyard of Yixiang Garden. In this era, famous courtesans were like pop stars.

"My question is simple. It doesn't test poetry, songs, or Confucian teachings. It only asks about ghosts and spirits!"

Only about ghosts and spirits?

Is there such a famous courtesan who only asks about ghosts and spirits? Ordinary people change their expressions when talking about ghosts, and Confucian teachings also state, "The Master did not talk about strange things, violence, or spirits." A courtesan asking about ghosts and spirits?

No wonder Li Gongtai fled. Ning Wuxue smiled, "Please ask."

Ruolan's eyes sparkled. Every time she mentioned ghosts and spirits, the scholars would change their expressions and recite, "The Master did not talk about strange things, violence, or spirits." Ning Wuxue was the first to remain so calm, and she felt a growing anticipation.

"When I was young, I saw a Taoist transform into a rainbow and fly into the sky like a bird. I have a question: Can the immortals, demons, ghosts, and spirits in this world be free?"