Divine Capital, Beauty House.
While a bloody, cruel, and inhumane massacre was happening in the faraway Taiyang, the Divine Capital's Mystical Street was filled with songs and dances.
Tonight, two yellow lanterns were hung at the entrance of the Beauty House, and the doors were not opened.
In the Mystical Street, when the courtesans who had the qualifications to open their own restaurants were willing to open their doors, they would hang two red lanterns at the entrance every day. At this time, the manservants guarding the entrance would know that the courtesans would open their doors to welcome guests tonight. Then, they would happily report to their masters. At the hour of the third hour, their masters would arrive in splendid attire.
Two blue lanterns were hung on the gate tower, indicating that the Courtesan Belle had not returned from her trip. However, the brothel was still open. Other than not being able to see the Courtesan Belle, everything else was the same as before. There were still prostitutes who could accompany them in drinking and reciting poems.
This was also the reason why the courtesans would raise a batch of prostitutes after they became independent. It was to prevent their brothel from losing its popularity when they were unable to welcome guests. After all, the brothel was like the field of love. If the rich guests could fall in love with them at first sight, they could naturally fall in love with others at first sight as well.
This was what it meant for a courtesan to be in love. How many true feelings could there be in the brothel?
The yellow lanterns hanging at the entrance indicated that it was not convenient for the courtesans to welcome guests today. Either they were unwell, or the brothel was not open for guests. Usually, such a situation would not last for many days.
However, the yellow lanterns in the Beauty House had been hung for ten consecutive days. The servants at the entrance were all confused. 'Is the Beauty House not planning to open for business?
Or was it that the girls were all red at the same time?
But it's impossible for them to be so popular for ten consecutive days, right?
What the hell is the Beauty House doing? Is it still open for business? '
Among these servants, there were also some servants from other brothels. They saw that the Beauty House had closed its doors for such a long time, and there were faint sounds of zither music coming from the building. It was obvious that the Beauty House was practicing behind closed doors in preparation for the Spring Orchid Gathering.
"It seems that Mistress Yu wants to amaze the world with a single feat!"
A black-robed servant stroked his chin and looked thoughtfully at the two yellow lanterns hanging at the entrance of the Beauty House.
A young manservant next to him asked timidly, "May I ask what you mean by that?"
The black-robed manservant sized up the young manservant in front of him and said with a smile, "Which family are you from?"
The servant cupped his hands and said, "Qian Shan family."
The black-robed manservant was stunned, "Qian Shan family?
Which Qianshan family? "
This originally timid and timid manservant couldn't help but put on a proud expression. "Is there any other Qian Shan family in the world?"
The black-robed manservant was immediately filled with respect, and his expression became much warmer. "So it's the Qian Shan family of Grand Preceptor V Shi San!
Sorry for my rudeness!
Old Sir Qian Shan's return to the capital was just in time!
In another seven days, it would be the Spring Orchid Gathering!
At that time, our Da Qi's top courtesan will be able to show off her skills in the capital. That would be a blessing!
Right now, the brothels of all the major guilds are keeping an eye on each other, trying to find out what the other party is rehearsing for. "
The young manservant asked curiously, "What are you trying to find out about this for?"
The black-robed manservant said proudly, "You don't know about this!
In these brothels, there's a lot of scheming and deceit!
"These courtesans seem to have a close relationship with their sisters, but they're actually on guard against each other. Those top courtesans are also not easy to deal with. Which one of them doesn't want to amaze the world at the Spring Orchid Gathering and snatch the limelight from the other courtesans?
Since ancient times, brothels were like battlefields. Although the battles between women didn't see blood, the cruelty and heartlessness involved were not inferior to that of the men!
The young manservant cupped his hands and asked for guidance, "I've just arrived in the Divine Capital not long ago. Please give me some pointers, Big Brother."
The black-robed manservant smiled and said, "Back then, when the eight great courtesans fought, they seemed to be competing on the same stage. However, there were many cases of stealing music scores, stealing other people's hearts, and even poisoning and killing people!"
The young manservant couldn't help but turn pale with astonishment. "There were even cases of poisoning and killing people?"
The black-robed manservant smiled coldly and said, "Heh, don't think that these famous courtesans are all as beautiful as fairies. In reality, there are some people who are vicious and merciless, as venomous as snakes and scorpions!
"Back then, in order to ruin a courtesan's performance, a certain courtesan did not hesitate to poison the number one musician under her. This matter shook the Divine Capital back then. Don't you know?"
The young manservant smiled bitterly and said, "I've just arrived in the Divine Capital, so of course I don't know."
The black-robed manservant continued, "There are also some courtesans who secretly found out the content of the song and dance the other courtesans were going to perform and intentionally arranged for them to perform together. However, because they appeared first, they naturally had a great advantage!"
The young manservant looked as if his horizons had been broadened. He couldn't help but sigh and say, "I've been living with Old Lord in Taizhou and only know that Taizhou is barren and tough. The people there are tough and martial arts. Usually, I only see sabers and soldiers in the villages. Where have I heard of such secret matters in brothels? To think that there's such hidden killing intent!"
The black-robed manservant continued, "Heh, just wait and see. In the Spring Orchid Gathering this time around, there'll definitely be a bloodbath without any weapons!
Courtesan Yu must be holding back in the brothels and wanting to amaze the world with a brilliant feat!
Haven't you noticed that they haven't even let a single person out recently? "
The young manservant immediately asked again, "What do you mean by not letting a single person out?"
The black-robed manservant said, "There are spies in each of the brothels. However, some of them are spies in the open, while others are spies in the dark. They're used to send out information at crucial moments.
"Everyone is well aware of this. Therefore, in order to prevent information from leaking out, they've completely sealed off the brothels. During these days, they've concentrated their management, preventing these spies from sending out information. Through this, they've achieved their goal of sealing off all information!"
The young manservant sighed emotionally and said, "The brothels are like battlefields. Impressive, impressive!" He said, "Looks like Courtesan Yu is going to take first place this time around?"
The black-robed manservant curled his lips and said, "That's not necessarily the case. The eight courtesan leaders each have their own strengths. Moreover, there's also the two courtesan leaders who are good at singing and dancing, Nalan Xuan and Miao Keren. Both of them have vowed to turn the eight courtesan leaders into the ten courtesan leaders!"
As he spoke, he couldn't help but shake his head and said, "This time, it'll be the spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums. Each of them has their own strengths. A hundred flowers will gather and compete in beauty!"
As he spoke, he clicked his tongue and sighed, his face filled with anticipation.
Just as the two manservants were whispering to each other outside, in a small courtyard in the backyard of the Beauty Brothel, Beauty Yu, Chuchu, and a few other pipa musicians were watching Ming Zhu play an instrument that was both familiar and unfamiliar to them. It was the five-stringed pipa!
The shape of the pipa was exactly the same as the four-stringed pipa, but the only difference was that it had an extra string, a bass string. But it was this extra string that made the music they were so familiar with have a huge change in its aura and flavor when it was played.
Beauty Yu, Chuchu, and the other pipa musicians were all experts, so they could naturally hear the change. They also understood that even though it was just an extra string, it brought about a tremendous change in the performance of the music!
Ming Zhu was currently playing a section of Shanxue's new song "The General's Banquet", "Enemies on the Front and Back". It was still a description of the world-shaking Battle of the Nine Plains. Ming Zhu was currently playing the five-stringed pipa. Although the performance of the normal sections had their own merits, and the four-stringed pipa was even more mellow and melodious, the moment the song entered the description of the battlefield, the resonance of the low strings perfectly increased the performance of the entire song by several levels.
As Ming Zhu continued to play, the five strings continued to sound at the same time. The resonance and momentum created a shocking effect that could topple mountains and overturn seas. Beauty Yu, Chuchu, and the other pipa musicians all prostrated themselves on the ground and looked at Ming Zhu with shining eyes, as if they were looking at a celestial being!
When Ming Zhu finished playing the last note, Chuchu was so excited that she couldn't hold back and clapped hard. Even the reserved Beauty Yu couldn't help but step forward and grab Ming Zhu's hand, saying, "Sister, you're really an immortal descending to the mortal world!
Sister, you're undoubtedly the best pipa player in the world! "
Chuchu quickly nodded, "That's right, that's right!
Lady Gongsun is far inferior to Sister Ming Zhu!
Moreover, how did my sister think of adding this string?
It's simply a stroke of genius!
With such a change, all the pipa players in the world will have to respect you as the grandmaster of the five-stringed pipa! "
Beauty Yu continued, "In my opinion, sister's song is really good. It's majestic and passionate. Although I've only heard a section, I already feel that it's the best of all songs!
It's just that I've never heard of it before. Is it new? "
Ming Zhu felt proud and sad at the same time. She hugged the pipa and bowed to Beauty Yu and Chuchu, then smiled bitterly, "I didn't write this song …"
Beauty Yu's eyes lit up, she grabbed Ming Zhu's hand tightly and said, "Which master wrote it?
Sister, can you introduce me to him? "
Ming Zhu fell silent, her heart was in turmoil, this person's talent in music and dance was unparalleled in the world, but he was also guilty of many crimes, his hands were stained with blood and lives!
It could be said that his death was not to be regretted!
But … Could it be that she had to watch his earth-shattering talent be buried just like that?
Am I going to watch the 《General's Banquet》 that he put so much effort into composing and rehearsing be buried just like that?
Ming Zhu's heart was in turmoil for a while, she took a deep breath and said, "Let me go back and ask, then I can answer sister …"
Chuchu said straightforwardly, "Aiya, that won't do, our Beauty Brothel is sealed now!
No one is allowed … "
Before she could finish, Beauty Yu stopped her and said, "It's fine, sister can go, but this is a critical time, sister must go back quickly and pay attention to your safety."
Ming Zhu was touched, she hugged the five-stringed pipa and bowed to Beauty Yu.
Chuchu watched Ming Zhu leave, she whispered to Beauty Yu, "Sister, aren't you afraid that she …"
Beauty Yu shook her head and said, "Don't use a suspicious person, don't suspect the person you use!
With her earth-shattering talent, she is more than qualified to be the head of the courtesan, how can she be a lowly person?
Don't look down on her, and don't look down on me! "
Chuchu smiled embarrassedly, "It's me who is too narrow-minded."
Just as the two of them were chatting and laughing, Ming Zhu quietly left through the small door under the protection of the strong guards sent by the Beauty Brothel, heading toward the southwest of the Divine Capital. When Ming Zhu arrived at the entrance of the slums, she jumped off the carriage and quickened her pace. She couldn't wait to share this news with Shanxue.
To her, this was the best way for Shanxue to atone for his sins!