Chapter 9: The Literary Gathering

The next evening.

Luo Zijun left the pharmacy and headed toward West Lake in the western part of the city.

Today was the day of the literary gathering that Su Bie had mentioned.

Xu Xian might attend.

So, along the way, he pondered how to strike up a conversation if he met Xu Xian, how to gain his trust.

Then, how to find a way to make him marry quickly.

Indeed, he planned to get Xu Xian to marry a lovely young woman as soon as possible so that when Bai Niangzi appeared, Xu Xian would have no chance.

Surely Xu Xian wouldn’t divorce just because Bai Niangzi was beautiful?

If that happened, how would Bai Niangzi view him?

With Bai Niangzi’s temperament and Xiao Qing’s character, Bai Niangzi would never become a concubine for Xu Xian.

Therefore, as long as Xu Xian married first, the mission stood a chance of success.

Of course, the mission wasn’t just to disrupt the two’s relationship, but also to make Bai Niangzi give up completely, leave forever, or find another match.

If marriage couldn’t be arranged, Bai Niangzi would naturally lose hope and leave.

Thinking this, he quickly arrived at West Lake.

The lake shore was enchanting with spring breezes, willows hanging low over the banks.

Street vendors called out, the path bustling with visitors, lively and festive.

By the Broken Bridge, a beautifully decorated flower boat hung with fresh flowers and lanterns was moored prominently.

Several young men and women dressed in elegant scholar’s robes were boarding one after another.

At the railing of the flower boat, men chatted idly while women laughed—an atmosphere of harmony.

This must be the venue for tonight’s literary gathering.

He wondered if Xu Xian had arrived.

Luo Zijun observed carefully, then approached.

Suddenly, he paused, noticing the crowd along the lakeside and on the Broken Bridge.

It couldn’t be such a coincidence, could it?

If Bai Niangzi also appeared today, the mission would become difficult.

After all, he didn’t know either of them yet, so there was no way to disrupt their union.

“Brother Luo!”

Just then, a voice came from beside him.

Luo Zijun turned to see Su Bie, dressed quite flamboyantly today in a brand-new embroidered scholar’s robe, a jade pendant hanging from his waist, his hair slicked and shining, his face seemingly painted whiter than usual.

Beside him stood two other men, both around twenty years old.

One was slightly plump, with a rich and prosperous look, adorned in gold and jade.

The other was tall and lean, with darker skin; his robe hung loosely, ill-fitting.

“Come, let me introduce you. Zijun, this is Brother Wang Dafu and Brother Zhang Yitian. Brothers Wang and Zhang, this is Brother Luo Zijun, whom I have mentioned to you.”

Su Bie waved a folding fan, his face beaming with a charming smile, attracting several passing women’s glances.

The two men greeted Luo Zijun warmly, cupping their hands in respect. “Brother Luo, we’ve long heard your name from Brother Su.”

Among the four, Luo Zijun was the youngest, so being called “Brother Luo” was appropriate.

He returned their greeting politely and exchanged some pleasantries.

Yet, he felt somewhat disappointed.

He had hoped Xu Xian might be among them.

After some conversation, Luo Zijun roughly understood their personalities.

The wealthy-looking Wang Dafu was loud and boisterous, his gestures and laughter exaggerated—a flamboyant character even more boastful than Su Bie.

The darker-skinned Zhang Yitian seemed more reserved, spoke less but was worldly-wise, occasionally supporting Wang’s boasting with a smile.

“Tonight’s gathering is hosted by the Fairy Pavilion. I heard they want to use this opportunity to select this year’s Flower Singers anew. Besides inviting people like us, they also invited some venerable elders…”

The courtesans all had titles and ranks.

The first rank was the Empress Flower, one chosen each year.

Second was the Flower Singer, two chosen annually.

Third was the Flower Lotus, five chosen each year.

Then came eight Flower Beauties, followed by numerous Flower Girls.

Flower Girls were the most common; other girls in the brothel were called Flower Girls.

Ordinary visitors usually chose Flower Girls because they were the cheapest.

Above them, prices rose with rank.

The Empress Flower was rarely seen and could not be accessed simply by wealth; the courtesan’s consent was required.

These women, who won the top honor through beauty and talent, were the brothel’s greatest attraction and revered by many as goddesses; neither merchants nor officials dared to coerce them.

Next were the Flower Singers, ranked just below Empress Flower but still the brothel’s cash cow.

Wealthy men and officials had to pay dearly or rely on charm and connections—and the courtesan’s willingness—to see them.

If rejected, there was nothing to do.

The brothels standing firm in Lin’an City naturally had strong backing.

Moreover, behind these women stood numerous literati whose words were like blades.

Both merchants and officials treasured their reputations and would not risk public outrage or angering scholars over a woman.

“I heard last year’s two Flower Singers from the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion were bought out, so they need to select new ones this year.”

“I see.”

The group chatted as they approached the flower boat by the lake.

A plank of wood bridged the boat to the shore, allowing guests to board.

Guards stood watch nearby.

At the plank stood Liu Ju, the brothel’s madam, heavily made up and smiling broadly, welcoming guests.

Behind her were several maidservants ready to guide visitors.

As Su Bie and the others stepped onto the plank, the guards prepared to question them, but Liu Ju spoke first.

“Oh, aren’t you Young Master Su and Young Master Wang? Please come aboard quickly!”

It seemed Su Bie and Wang Dafu were regulars at the Fairy Pavilion.

“Madam Liu, these are my friends, Zhang Yitian and Luo Zijun…”

Once on board, Su Bie introduced them.

Liu Ju smiled brightly, appraising the two men. “Such handsome and elegant gentlemen!”

Then she lowered her voice. “Are they all scholars?”

Su Bie smiled. “Of course, Madam Liu. Don’t worry, I know the rules. Otherwise, shall they show you their scholar’s badges?”

Liu Ju waved her hand, laughing. “No need, no need. Would I doubt Young Master Su? Please, come in, come in!”

She then instructed a maid behind her: “Xiao Hong, please escort these four gentlemen inside. Serve fine wine and dishes; don’t neglect them.”

The maid responded with a bow and led the four inside.

They found a window seat in the boat’s cabin.

Soon tea, wine, fruit plates, melon seeds, and more were brought out.

The first-floor cabin had many chairs; at the front was a platform covered with a red carpet, adorned with fresh flowers and colorful brocade, richly decorated and beautiful.

Behind the flower platform hung a screen embroidered with a beauty and peonies; behind the screen, a woman played the zither, her figure visible but indistinct.

By now, many people had gathered in the cabin, men and women mingling and chatting.

While the four talked, a voice called out nearby: “Brother Su, Brother Wang, Brother Zhang!”

Su Bie looked up and saw fellow academy students, rising to greet them.

“Zijun, we’ll go over first; we’ll be back soon.”

Wang Dafu and Zhang Yitian also stood.

Only then did Luo Zijun realize the three all belonged to the same academy.

After they left, Luo Zijun studied the people inside the cabin carefully, then gazed out through the window at the lakeside, thinking silently: Where is Xu Xian? Please don’t let him meet Bai Suzhen on the Broken Bridge.

Feeling uneasy, he rose and went outside to the railing to watch.

At the same time,

Not far to the right, around a corner of the railing, a few men and women admired the sunset while chatting.

Suddenly, a young girl dressed as a maid whispered into the ear of a young lady.

The young lady was startled, then turned to look toward the railing ahead.

“It really is him!”

Sun Yan’er’s smile vanished instantly upon seeing him; her face darkened with displeasure.

How could he be here?

She was puzzled.

Her little cousin had said she would help deal with him, but she didn’t know if that had happened.

Strangely, her cousin hadn’t come to see her recently.

The people nearby noticed her expression and followed her gaze, seeing a young man, prompting curiosity.

“Yan’er, what’s wrong? Do you know him?”

A friend in a yellow dress asked, a close childhood acquaintance from a family in the fabric business.

Others also asked.

Sun Yan’er looked at the figure and recalled the humiliation from that day.

Her face flushed red with shame and hatred.

She dared not tell the truth now, fearing if he saw her later and brought up that day’s incident, her reputation would be ruined.

So she steeled herself and decided to strike first.

Suppressing her feelings, she snorted coldly. “Of course I know him. His name is Luo Zijun, an apprentice at the pharmacy. His ancestors helped mine a little, so my father forced me to meet him…”

“Is that so?”

“Yan’er, you’re now a talented scholar at the academy. How could your father be so old-fashioned? Such a lifelong matter can’t be decided so lightly!”

Everyone was shocked.

Sun Yan’er sneered, looking at the youth not far away. “I naturally refused. I did meet him, but gave him no chance, rejecting him outright. He even tried to pester me, but I threatened him—no matter if I never marry, I will never marry him.”

“And then? Did he give up?”

She snorted. “He must have felt humiliated and got angry, insulting me. But I’m not one to stoop to such rude people; I left immediately.”

Her tone was calm, as if the incident didn’t bother her.

The yellow-dressed girl became angry: “How outrageous! To insult someone!”

“Yan’er, you said he’s an apprentice at the pharmacy? Isn’t he a scholar?”

Another girl in green asked.

Sun Yan’er showed a hint of mockery. “He never studied. When he came to see me, he had a medicine box on his shoulder and immediately said… humph, he wanted me to undress so he could examine me.”

“Outrageous!”

“Disgusting! Such a scoundrel dares to want to marry our Yan’er? A toad wanting to eat swan meat! He should look at himself!”

“Just a pharmacy apprentice, yet so rude!”

Everyone was indignant.

Then, a tall young man in a dark blue scholar’s robe scowled. “Miss Yan’er, I’ll teach him a lesson for you!”

His name was Liu Songjin, an admirer of Sun Yan’er; this was his moment to show himself.

“But even if he’s despicable, we can’t resort to violence.”

The green-dressed girl quickly said.

Liu Songjin sneered. “Don’t worry, I’m a scholar—I won’t use force. Yan’er said it herself: that boy is just a pharmacy apprentice, never studied. By the rules, he shouldn’t be allowed on the boat.”

Others immediately realized.

“Right! Tonight’s gathering is only for scholars and above. Let’s drive him off!”

“How did he get on, then?”

Someone nearby said, “I saw. Looks like Su Bie brought him on, and Madam Liu didn’t check his scholar’s badge.”

“Hmph, so he sneaked on! Even better; we’ll shame him thoroughly, then make him leave!”

“Yes! Let’s humiliate him well to vent for Yan’er! Just a filthy pharmacy apprentice dares come into our scholars’ place! Shameless! Ptooey!”

“Let’s go!”

The crowd surrounded Sun Yan’er, marching forward with fierce determination.