Chapter Twenty-Seven: Aishuo, Graceful and Unrestrained

Wandering leisurely along the bustling avenue, her hands laden with snacks, Aishuo took a bite from the left, then from the right, savoring each morsel with delight. From the alley ahead drifted a mingling aroma of wine and powder; she tossed away her food, eyes alight, and strode toward the scent, the rich bouquet stirring the craving for wine deep in her belly. It had been so long since she’d tasted any.

A group of women, draped in sheer fabrics and waving silk handkerchiefs, called out in sweet voices, “Sir, this way please!” “Sir, come inside!” “Sir, why are you only just arriving? I’ve missed you so!” Laughter from men, proud and boisterous, echoed after. “Sir, your timing is perfect! Tonight, Lady Hongshuang will entertain her first guest!” The madam fluttered her silk scarf, laughing behind her hand, as she ushered a young rake inside.

By now, Aishuo had already transformed herself, appearing as a handsome young heir. Hongshuang? She straightened her clothes and followed the crowd in. Watching the heavily made-up women with their swaying hips and revealing attire, Aishuo frowned, unsure whether she felt contempt or sympathy for them.

She waved a handful of silver notes with lavish abandon, reserved a private room on the second floor, and ordered several jars of fine wine. Leaning against the window, she quietly savored the flavors.

Below, on the stage, a troupe of women in bright, scanty costumes twisted and danced, casting flirtatious glances toward the audience and eliciting waves of excited cheers from the men. Aishuo shook her head, closed the window to shield her eyes from the scene, and immersed herself in her wine, isolated from the clamor outside. Likely hers was the only room with its window shut, while the shouts from outside surged ever higher. She focused solely on the wine: rich aroma, exquisite flavor, lingering aftertaste.

Suddenly, the noisy hall fell silent. Most patrons had come for Hongshuang—she was a courtesan famed for her artistry, never for her body, and tonight, for reasons unknown, the madam had persuaded her to entertain a guest for the first time. The crowd had gathered in anticipation.

Hongshuang appeared, and the hall became utterly still. She wore a pale green chiffon gown adorned with lotus leaves, a few pink blossoms swaying gracefully with her every move. A sheer green veil covered her face, revealing only a hint of her features, shrouding her in mystery.

Hongshuang greeted the crowd, then seated herself before a zither. Her slender hands moved with exquisite grace, plucking the strings and weaving a melody both delicate and enchanting. Her voice, sweet and gentle, flowed like a stream, intoxicating most who listened.

At the first note, Aishuo opened her window, leaning lazily on the sill to listen intently. Hongshuang observed the reactions of the men, yet noticed that one private room on the second floor had its window open, but no visible occupant. She wondered—was her allure lacking, that someone had not come for her?

When the song ended, Hongshuang rose to bow, and the hall, which had been so quiet that a pin drop could be heard, erupted in thunderous applause. The madam seized the moment. “Tonight marks Lady Hongshuang’s first time entertaining a guest. Every moment is precious—gentlemen, let the bidding begin!”

“One hundred taels!”
“Five hundred taels!”
“One thousand taels!”
...
The bidding rang out from below. Curious, Aishuo stood and looked toward the stage. The woman in green, her figure graceful and alluring, caught a breeze that lifted her veil just enough to reveal breathtaking beauty. Yet she remained unmoved by the rising bids, never revealing so much as a satisfied smile.

Hongshuang scanned the crowd and spotted the man who had made her question her own charm. Her heart stirred. She smiled at Aishuo, a gesture of courtesy. Aishuo, considering the situation and the silver notes she’d acquired by chance, decided to make a sacrifice.

“Ten thousand taels!”

All eyes turned toward the second floor, where a young gentleman stood—unfamiliar, but strikingly handsome, with an aura of mysterious allure. Aishuo couldn’t help but marvel at Second Master Jiang’s generosity; in the confusion, she had ended up with over ten thousand taels of silver notes.

She took in the admiring, challenging, and inquisitive gazes without concern, then glanced at the madam below. This was the moment; Hongshuang nodded to her, confirming their private agreement: the first guest would be chosen by Hongshuang herself. “Excellent! Lady Hongshuang belongs to the gentleman upstairs tonight—hurry and collect the payment!” The madam was utterly satisfied. Hongshuang, under the scrutiny of all, walked upstairs to the private room.

She opened the door; the scent of wine filled the air, and the gentleman by the window seemed already tipsy. “Thank you, sir.” Hongshuang poured wine for Aishuo, then drank a toast herself.

“So, Lady Hongshuang, how do you plan to thank me?” Aishuo’s smile was playful, a hint of mischief lingering at the corner of her lips.

“This—” Hongshuang hesitated, convinced “he” was not that sort of man.

“How about giving yourself to me?” Aishuo teased, lifting Hongshuang’s chin and leaning close, startling her into stillness. Aishuo breathed slowly by her ear: “I love men.”

Hongshuang’s eyes widened, staring at this enigmatic and charming “man.” Aishuo burst into laughter, already anticipating her reaction—just a jest. Turning away, she lay down and soon fell asleep.

Hongshuang, gathering herself, touched her flushed face, glanced at the sleeping Aishuo, laughed awkwardly, and went to cover “him” with a quilt. With a nervous heart, she lay down beside Aishuo.

When Hongshuang’s breathing became steady, Aishuo opened her eyes, looked at her, rose, and quietly departed.

The next morning, Hongshuang awoke, warm beneath the quilt, but found the pillow beside her empty. She got up for a drink, and spotted a letter on the table.

Aishuo had left the tavern early. Counting the days, she realized it had been seven since her departure; it was time to return and see what had transpired—was the three-day deadline past, had any miracle occurred?

Disguised as a man, Aishuo rested briefly at a small inn at the mountain’s foot. During her stay, she heard many stories of Yinyao and Xuanyu: Yinyao had single-handedly rescued several senior masters of the martial world, fought a mysterious woman, suffered serious wounds, and disappeared. Now the martial world was searching for her, but there was no news. The new Alliance Leader had only recently taken office, but had vanished for days, leaving the martial community restless and uneasy.

Aishuo felt a pang of regret—perhaps she ought to have helped Yinyao.

She mounted her horse in haste, eager to return as quickly as possible. At the foot of the mountain, she noticed a group of black-clad figures behaving suspiciously in the woods, prompting her to quicken her pace.

In the towns and cities, Muye and Gu Xinyu had searched in vain for five days. Assuming Aishuo might have returned to Hanling Valley, they decided to head back. On the road, they spotted a band of suspicious black-clad men, avoided them, and used their lightness skills to take a shortcut home.

The next morning, Hongshuang awoke warm beneath the quilt, but found the pillow beside her empty. She got up for a drink, and spotted a letter on the table.

Aishuo had left the tavern early. Counting the days, she realized it had been seven since her departure; it was time to return and see what had transpired—was the three-day deadline past, had any miracle occurred?

Disguised as a man, Aishuo rested briefly at a small inn at the mountain’s foot. During her stay, she heard many stories of Yinyao and Xuanyu: Yinyao had single-handedly rescued several senior masters of the martial world, fought a mysterious woman, suffered serious wounds, and disappeared. Now the martial world was searching for her, but there was no news. The new Alliance Leader had only recently taken office, but had vanished for days, leaving the martial community restless and uneasy.

Aishuo felt a pang of regret—perhaps she ought to have helped Yinyao.

She mounted her horse in haste, eager to return as quickly as possible. At the foot of the mountain, she noticed a group of black-clad figures behaving suspiciously in the woods, prompting her to quicken her pace.

In the towns and cities, Muye and Gu Xinyu had searched in vain for five days. Assuming Aishuo might have returned to Hanling Valley, they decided to head back. On the road, they spotted a band of suspicious black-clad men, avoided them, and used their lightness skills to take a shortcut home.

——Endnote——
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