Chapter 46

After Yuwen Qiyue and Shen Yanxin had cleared things up, Shen Yanxin didn’t rush into any major actions, nor did she forbid Si Yunqin and the others from leaving the palace.

However, since there wasn’t anything particularly important to do, Si Yunqin and Xi Fengyu cut back on their trips outside the palace as well.

Mainly because going out meant waking up early, and they couldn’t be bothered to drag themselves out of bed.

Why not stay in the palace, chat and crack melon seeds with the sisters, play a round of mahjong when they had time, and discuss new hairstyles and nail designs? Wasn’t that just as enjoyable?

Still, they did want to get out occasionally. For instance, when Xi Fengyu lost her inspiration, she felt like dropping by the Fragrant Pavilion.

Sometimes they would take Yuwen Qiyue out shopping. The princess, raised deep in the palace, had little worldly experience and was endlessly curious about civilian life.

That day, the three of them came to the Fragrant Pavilion together. It was the first time Si Yunqin and Xi Fengyu had brought Yuwen Qiyue here. In the past, they had been afraid to bring her, worried that Her Highness the Grand Princess wouldn’t be able to handle it, so they never did.

But today, Yuwen Qiyue herself was curious and wanted to take a look.

They arrived in the afternoon, just as the Fragrant Pavilion had opened for business. Yiyi was dressed in a sheer light gauze, looking like she wasn’t quite awake yet.

Her gaze lazy, she watched the three ascend the stairs. Leaning over the railing of the second floor, she said in an ambiguous tone to Si Yunqin and Xi Fengyu, “What brings you two little rascals to come see me today?”

“Sister Yi, maybe they came to see us instead?” teased the young girl who was leading them up.

Xi Fengyu, whose nerve was on par with Si Yunqin’s, raised the corner of her mouth and smiled. “We’ll see all of you.”

“We went to Drunk Rouge Shop earlier and bought some preserved snacks. Your gluttonous little sister bought some pastries too. They should be delivered soon; we’ll share them around.”

When Xi Fengyu finished, the young girl thanked her happily. Si Yunqin told her she didn’t need to accompany them anymore—the two of them knew this place well, and besides, Yiyi was already waiting upstairs.

Today, Yuwen Qiyue wasn’t dressed in men’s clothing; she was in women’s attire, though her features were slightly altered.

After the young girl left, Yuwen Qiyue asked in a low voice, “Are Yunqin and Fengyu very familiar with them?”

Si Yunqin spun the folding fan in her hand and leaned slightly closer to Yuwen Qiyue. “Elder Sister, don’t overthink it. Most of the girls here are poor souls; there’s no harm in buying them a little something now and then.”

Yuwen Qiyue nodded, but the passing girls were all rather scantily clad, and the dignified Grand Princess found her ears turning red.

They went upstairs, and Yiyi came over, draping one hand on Si Yunqin’s shoulder. “Little rascal, it’s been a while. What have you been busy with?”

Si Yunqin gently brushed Yiyi’s hand away, putting on an innocent smile. “Sister Yi, you know it’s not easy for me to get out. The family keeps a tight leash on me.”

Yiyi didn’t tease her further and led them into a room. “What brings you here today?”

“The person you had me keep an eye on last time—I watched him,” Yiyi said, leaning close to Si Yunqin’s ear, her breath fragrant like an orchid.

“Sister Yi, no need to be cautious. They’re all friends.”

“Nothing much, really. We just came out for some air. Fengyu needs someone to pose for her, but the sisters at home are too reserved. We need you girls.” Si Yunqin smiled.

Yiyi understood. Many of Xi Fengyu’s books had circulated from within the palace to the outside world, and quite a few sisters at the Fragrant Pavilion had read them. Knowing she was the author, they were all willing to cooperate with Xi Fengyu.

They would tell her stories of travelers from north and south, and they were also happy to serve as models.

Si Yunqin sometimes teased Xi Fengyu, saying that the romantic scholars in her storybooks were just like her.

“A talented man is romantic and fickle, but I’m not,” Xi Fengyu flatly rejected that evaluation.

“Alright, I get it.” Yiyi poured tea for the three, then paused in front of Yuwen Qiyue. “And who is this young lady?”

“Sister Yi, that’s not convenient to say,” Si Yunqin said with a smile.

Yuwen Qiyue, however, looked politely at Yiyi. “Just call me Qiyue.”

The Grand Princess’s birth name was not widely known among common folk, so even if Yuwen Qiyue gave her real name, Yiyi wouldn’t recognize it. She only assumed Miss Yuwen was the daughter of some official, just as she had assumed about Xi Fengyu.

“Miss Qiyue.” Yiyi curtsied politely, making no rash moves.

The people Si Yunqin brought were her friends, not her clients.

It was rare to find such kindred spirits in a place like the Pleasure Quarters, and Yiyi treasured Si Yunqin’s friendship.

“What would you like to watch today? A dance or some music? I’m not receiving guests today; I’ll keep you company,” Yiyi offered.

Si Yunqin took a sip of tea. “Let’s just sit and chat. As for Fengyu, she can find one of the other sisters to do whatever she needs.”

Meeting Si Yunqin’s teasing gaze, Xi Fengyu unceremoniously raised her hand and tapped her on the forehead. “The way you say that makes me sound like some kind of playboy.”

“Wouldn’t dare,” Si Yunqin said with a mischievous wink.

Hearing this, Yuwen Qiyue relaxed a bit.

The group chatted casually, watching the people come and go outside the window. It was quite pleasant.

For Yiyi, sold into the Fragrant Pavilion as a child, days as carefree as this were few and far between. Back then, the madam had forced her to learn all sorts of things. Now, while she wasn’t compelled to receive guests like the other sisters, she was still being held for the highest bidder.

Si Yunqin had frequented this place since she was young and knew well that brothels in the real world weren’t as rosy as the novels of her past life had depicted. The truth was that most girls here were pitiful souls with no other choice.

Still, the girls who had patrons looking after them fared a little better than those without anyone to care for them.

They drank tea and chatted about other things, and before they knew it, the topic had shifted back to that eldest son of the Wen Clan.

The eldest son of the Wen Clan had come to the Fragrant Pavilion a few times with other fashionable young men of Heavenly Light City.

“When he first came, he said he wanted to call on me, but the madam brushed it off. She’s planning to auction me off for a sky-high price this autumn, so she won’t let anyone have me cheaply.” There was a hint of mockery in her words, but Si Yunqin only felt a pang of sadness.

Yuwen Qiyue’s hand trembled slightly as she held her teacup. She opened her mouth as if to say something but stopped herself in the end.

“Still, after a few encounters, I got to know him. He’s entertained some people here a couple of times, but he didn’t bring those profligate sons. I think those people looked like court officials,” Yiyi said softly.

Si Yunqin frowned slightly at this and exchanged a glance with Xi Fengyu. Xi Fengyu asked quietly, “Did you manage to find out who they were?”

“I’m still looking into it. You know, being in a place like this, the less trouble the better. If you hadn’t asked me to keep an eye on him, I wouldn’t have wanted to pry.”

“Thank you for the trouble, Sister Yi. If it becomes too risky, that’s fine too,” Si Yunqin said, knowing Yiyi was taking a certain risk.

“It’s no problem. I should have an answer for you in a few days. But there is another thing—that Young Master Wen got drunk here once.” At this, Yiyi unconsciously lowered her voice.

“From what he said in his cups, he has someone he loves and doesn’t want to marry Her Highness the Grand Princess. He also said…”

“What comes next is rather treasonous. After you hear it, don’t say I told you. I may hate this place, but I don’t want to die yet.”

Si Yunqin nodded seriously. “Sister Yi, rest assured.”

“He said marrying the Grand Princess was just to stabilize the Empress Dowager. Once His Majesty takes over the court, he’ll make sure the Empress Dowager understands that a woman can never ascend the court.” After saying this, Yiyi laughed. “Sister never told you anything today.”

Si Yunqin poured her a cup of tea in thanks. “Today, we only talked about some storybooks. Fengyu came to find someone for painting, right?”

Xi Fengyu nodded in tacit agreement, then looked at the sky outside. “I should go find Miss Bai Lu now. You two keep chatting.”

Yuwen Qiyue listened to the words but said nothing. Still, beneath the tea table, her hand unconsciously grasped her skirt.

Si Yunqin’s hand landed on hers. She smiled and said, “Sister Yi’s dancing is unmatched in the Fragrant Pavilion. It seems she’s performing tonight. Why don’t we watch together, Qiyue?”

Hearing this, Yuwen Qiyue raised her eyes to meet Si Yunqin’s gaze. Those eyes were full of smiles, showing no sign that their owner possessed such depth of calculation.

But something about Si Yunqin’s smile made Yuwen Qiyue unconsciously relax.

“There’s still plenty of time. How about the two of you play a piece together, and I’ll perform a sword dance to entertain you,” Si Yunqin said, her eyes curving. Her peach blossom eyes were quite enchanting.

“Fine. Here, I’m always the one dancing for others. This is a rare treat.” Yiyi agreed readily. Yuwen Qiyue relaxed as well and nodded.

After the sword dance, Si Yunqin raised her wine cup as if it were a gesture of gallantry. Her sword dance was naturally different from that of the dancing girls.

By nightfall, the Fragrant Pavilion had grown lively. Most of the patrons were young masters or rich merchants. Ordinary folk couldn’t afford it.

Yiyi had to perform that night, so Si Yunqin and Yuwen Qiyue reserved another private room to watch the show.

They also called in two young girls to attend them. “Attending” was just a polite term—they actually invited them over to sit together. Whenever Si Yunqin came, she tried to help whenever she could, even if it meant just letting them skip entertaining clients for one night.

After all, she still had to pay. The madam of the Fragrant Pavilion didn’t care who paid, as long as they paid.

Dances in the Pleasure Quarters naturally tended to be rather explicit. Yuwen Qiyue watched for a while before her face flushed bright red.

A young girl named Chi Lan teased her about it. Yuwen Qiyue didn’t get angry. Si Yunqin said she ought to get out more often, and Yuwen Qiyue had to agree.

“The world is vast, not just that little patch of red walls and green tiles.” She poured herself a glass of wine and toasted Si Yunqin. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Si Yunqin rested her chin on her hand, watching the dance below and the guests.

Some faces were familiar, some weren’t. A few even had good reputations among the noble ladies of Heavenly Light City, but in this place, everyone showed their true colors, whether man or beast.

Good thing she didn’t like men, so she wouldn’t have to become unlucky.

After the opening performance ended, Yiyi returned. Xi Fengyu was also done.

The three said their goodbyes to Yiyi, paid, and took advantage of the night to return to the palace. Inside the carriage, Si Yunqin even removed her makeup and changed her hairstyle.

Yuwen Qiyue asked her why. Xi Fengyu, who knew her well, answered with a smile, “This way she doesn’t have to go back to Eternal Peace Palace first; she can head straight to Respectful Peace Palace. We have to inform the Empress Dowager about what happened today, after all—it concerns His Majesty and Her Highness.”

Yuwen Qiyue finally understood and said to Si Yunqin, “Thank you for the trouble, Yunqin.”

Si Yunqin shook her head. “No trouble. I’ve already been compensated.”

Once back at the palace, Si Yunqin didn’t go straight to Eternal Peace Palace. Instead, she headed to Respectful Peace Palace.

She felt it was necessary to tell Shen Yanxin about Wen Kai.

Shen Yanxin had finished reviewing the memorials and was reading some light books when Lan Xi reported that the Empress was requesting an audience.

A moment later, Si Yunqin entered the study and stepped forward to bow to Shen Yanxin.

As soon as she came close, Shen Yanxin caught a whiff of rouge—not the kind Si Yunqin usually wore; it was much stronger. Shen Yanxin immediately guessed that this one had probably gone to the Fragrant Pavilion again.