Chapter 15: Xu Xian Is Injured

“Absolutely brilliant!”

In the hall, everyone was buzzing with excitement. Su Bie clapped the fan in his hand, his face full of disbelief. “This poem, paired with that Miss Chu Jian’s name, is truly perfect!”

“Who could it be, to write such exquisite lines?”

Mr. Xu, standing on the flower stage, had just finished reciting the poem and informed everyone that no name was written on it.

So the crowd engaged in lively debate, speculating furiously.

Wang Dafu, visibly jealous, said, “If no one claims it later, I’ll stand up and admit it myself! Such a grand reputation is too good to pass up!”

Beside him, Zhang Yitian chuckled, “Brother Wang, your name has already been read out loud; everyone knows you support Miss Mei’er.”

Wang Dafu rolled his eyes. “Brother is wealthy and talented, supporting two ladies at once—who dares object?”

At that moment, the results of the vote on the Flower Chant were announced.

The chosen were Miss Ziwei, renowned for her exquisite flute skills, and the elusive Miss Chu Jian, known only by name.

No one doubted that by the end of the night, Miss Chu Jian’s name would become famous throughout the literary circles of Lin’an City.

The other ladies who lost could only envy and resent.

Especially Miss Mei’er, who had been confident of victory, was particularly upset.

“What a pity for my Mei’er, just two votes short. Look at her little angry pout—it’s so cute how she’s twisting her hips…” Wang Dafu said regretfully.

Su Bie teased, “Is it the little look that’s cute, or the hip twist?”

Wang Dafu grinned, “Of course, the hips.”

Meanwhile, the elderly gentlemen and the ladies on stage, as well as the talented men and women in the audience, all wanted to know who had written that poem. But after long inquiries, no one would admit it.

Mr. Xu had to personally ask Madam Liu, but she didn’t know either.

Madam Liu then asked Miss Chu Jian, but both she and her maid, Bi’er, blushed and shook their heads, saying they had no idea.

How strange.

No one knew who wrote the poem?

Such a glorious event, yet no one claimed it?

Everyone was puzzled.

Outside, the night had grown deep.

Some, having eaten and drunk their fill and watched the performances, lost interest and prepared to leave.

The flower boat began to slowly dock, a wooden bridge was laid down.

Some stayed inside the hall to continue drinking and discussing, others started to depart.

Luo Zijun, growing anxious, shamelessly turned to Su Bie. “Brother Su, I think we should go check on Brother Xu Xian. Just in case something happened to him.”

So much time had passed, and he was truly worried!

Su Bie smiled wryly. “Zijun, I feel like you might have other motives regarding Brother Xu.”

Wang Dafu quickly covered his rear and exclaimed, “Brother Luo, absolutely not! There are thousands of lovely, fragrant women in this world—why go out of your way to be a troublemaker?”

Luo Zijun smiled faintly. “I merely admire him, nothing else.”

Su Bie finished his last drink and stood up. “Let’s go. We really should check on Brother Xu. Just in case.”

Luo Zijun nodded eagerly.

Wang Dafu glanced longingly behind the flower stage, muttering, “I wonder if Miss Mei’er remembers me.”

Su Bie laughed and patted his shoulder. “Next time, we’ll bring Zijun to the Celestial Fairy House. You can try to get her attention then.”

Wang Dafu grinned. “Tomorrow night?”

Su Bie thought for a moment. “We’ll see if there’s time tomorrow. If so, I’ll let you know. By the way, Zijun, Brother Zhang, do you both have plans for tomorrow?”

Zhang Yitian smiled. “I’m free tomorrow.”

Luo Zijun quickly said, “Then you two should go. As for me…”

“We can invite Brother Xu Xian along,” Su Bie added.

Luo Zijun was stunned, looking at him in disbelief. “Brother Xu visits the brothel too?”

Su Bie laughed heartily. “What scholar doesn’t visit brothels? Zijun, you don’t know, but Brother Xu is a regular.”

Wang Dafu sneered. “That guy’s a hypocrite. Always says he doesn’t go, but he’s more eager than anyone.”

Luo Zijun’s eyes flickered, incredulous.

Apparently, this world’s Xu Xian was quite different from the image he was familiar with.

But scholars visiting brothels aren’t always for women.

Maybe just to listen to music, or to make friends.

Yes, that must be it.

“Let’s go.”

The four disembarked.

Madam Liu stood by the wooden bridge, beaming as she saw them off, clearly in high spirits.

“Ah, Young Master Su, Young Master Wang, Young Master Zhang, Young Master Luo, take care. Come often to the Celestial Fairy House and look after the girls.”

Su Bie smiled. “Madam Liu, rest assured, we’ll visit in the next few days. Remember to give us a discount then.”

Madam Liu chuckled, “Certainly, certainly.”

Wang Dafu hurried, “Madam Liu, if we come tomorrow night, please keep Miss Mei’er for us.”

Madam Liu smiled broadly. “Young Master Wang, you know Miss Mei’er doesn’t take many clients. She’s upset about not winning the Flower Chant tonight and probably won’t recover for a few days.”

Wang Dafu knew it was just polite talk and smiled without pressing further.

The talented and beautiful girls at the Celestial Fairy House were clever; most of the time they kept a distance, maintaining an air of mystery. Occasional glimpses made them all the more desirable.

If customers saw them every day, they’d quickly grow bored, and their value would plummet.

Of course, if you paid enough or had the right status, that was another matter.

“Bah! ‘Doesn’t take many clients’ my foot! If I throw down a hundred taels, I guarantee she’ll come running with Miss Mei’er!” Wang Dafu scoffed as they reached shore.

Su Bie laughed. “Thankfully, Miss Mei’er didn’t win tonight. If she had, your hundred taels wouldn’t be enough.”

Zhang Yitian nodded, “That madam is all about the money.”

The group joked as they left West Lake, heading toward the western streets of the city.

Luo Zijun followed quietly, memorizing the route.

Meanwhile, near the small door of the flower boat, two figures hid, watching the fading silhouettes onshore.

“Bi’er, later you should ask Madam what that man’s name is.”

“Miss, if you do that, won’t it give us away?”

“True, we can’t ask... so what should we do?”

“Miss, that fellow disgraced himself; perhaps it’s best to forget it.”

“I... I mean no harm, just want to know... his name.”

“Just call him ‘Frequent Urination Young Master,’ then.”

“...I deserve a beating!”

“Hehe...”

A full moon rose into the night sky.

Su Bie and the others entered a small alley.

Suddenly, Wang Dafu asked, “Do you think Brother Xu stayed overnight with those two women and hasn’t returned?”

At these words, Luo Zijun’s expression changed.

Su Bie replied, “It’s just ahead. Let’s check. Even if he’s not back, his servant should be home. We can ask him.”

The four soon stopped before an old house.

Su Bie stepped forward and knocked on the iron ring.

After a moment, footsteps sounded inside, followed by a clear, youthful voice: “Who?”

Su Bie said, “Little sister Ziyin, it’s me, Su Bie.”

The door creaked open.

A slender young girl in a red outfit appeared. She was pretty, with lively black eyes and a somewhat cold expression despite her youth.

Wang Dafu and Zhang Yitian’s eyes brightened.

Luo Zijun thought silently, This must be Xu Xian’s sister.

Su Bie smiled. “Little sister Ziyin, has Brother Xu returned? We had planned to attend the literary gathering together, but Brother Xu was delayed. We were worried something might have happened, so we came to check.”

Xu Ziyin glanced at the other three, her expression indifferent. “He’s already back.”

Relief washed over Luo Zijun. He exhaled quietly. He’s back... he’s back...

Xu Ziyin continued, “But he’s injured and resting in bed, so he can’t receive visitors and won’t be able to go to the academy tomorrow.”

“Injured?”

Su Bie’s face changed. “What happened?”

Xu Ziyin’s eyes showed contempt as she looked at them coldly. “He escorted two women home, dallied with them in their house, and their men caught him inside. He got beaten up, paid twenty taels in compensation, and was only then let go.”

Everyone was speechless.

Luo Zijun was stunned.

Su Bie opened his mouth to ask more, but Xu Ziyin slammed the door shut and muttered coldly inside, “I told him long ago not to run around with those scoundrels, but he wouldn’t listen. Serves him right!”

Outside, the so-called scoundrels were silent.

“Let’s go.”

Su Bie didn’t dare knock again, awkwardly turning away.

The others hurried after him.

“Brother Xu was clearly the victim of a honey trap,” Wang Dafu said calmly, drawing on his experience. “I was caught five times before I realized what was going on.”

Luo Zijun was speechless.

Wang Dafu lowered his voice. “I never thought Brother Xu’s sister was so charming. She’s probably not his real sibling.”

Su Bie shot him a warning glance. “Don’t even think about her. She’s trained in martial arts and could kick your head off.”

Wang Dafu was startled. “That fierce?”

Su Bie snorted. “I saw it myself. She once kicked a tree in half with a single blow.”

They chatted as the group parted ways at a street corner.

“Zijun, if I have time tomorrow, I’ll come find you at the pharmacy. Then the boys will take you to the brothel for some fun.”

“Alright.”

Luo Zijun did not refuse.

He finally felt at ease.

Tonight, Xu Xian didn’t encounter the White Lady but a honey trap.

Xu Xian frequented brothels.

Good. He decided to get familiar with them first, then bring Xu Xian along daily until the fellow was hopelessly addicted.

Would the White Lady like a man who spent his time in brothels?

Of course not.

Even if the White Lady was hot-headed, Xiao Qing wouldn’t agree.

If this plan failed, he had others to ensure Xu Xian married soon!

With these thoughts, he soon returned home.

The house was still lit; his sister and brother-in-law were still awake.

Curiously, there was an extra person.

A timid, small girl in coarse cloth stood there.

His sister, Luo Jiaorong, beamed. “Zijun, this is a little maid I bought for you, named Xiaohuan. She will sleep in your room tonight.”

Luo Zijun was speechless.