Chapter 26: Leaving the Palace to Visit the Brothel

The scene in Kunning Palace perfectly illustrated how the rise and fall, honor and disgrace in the harem could be overturned in the blink of an eye! Later, I discreetly inquired with Lan Yan about the matters concerning Lady Meng and Lady Qian. Lady Meng, whose given name was Liu Yunmeng, was the eldest daughter of Grand Tutor Liu Zhishu. She had borne a daughter, the emperor’s twelfth child, named Xihe. Liu Yunmeng, coming from a scholarly family, was a cultivated and virtuous woman. Lan Yan praised her, saying she cared only for Princess Xihe and did not vie for favor. Because of her upright conduct, few in the palace sought to harm her, and her days were peaceful. Occasionally, she would visit the Buddhist hall to see the Virtuous Consort.

Lady Qian, originally named Jiang Ziqian, was somewhat older, once a maid who accompanied the Empress into marriage and later caught the Emperor’s eye. She had in fact given birth to a prince, but he died within days of birth. The tragedy nearly drove Jiang Ziqian mad, though she eventually recovered. The Emperor, sympathizing with her suffering, granted her the rank of Lady Qian, which remained unchanged over the years. Had the prince survived, he would have been the fifth prince. Since then, Jiang Ziqian followed the Empress’s lead, often assisting her. Some said she did so to protect her own rank, though Lan Yan believed she hoped to regain the Emperor’s favor through the Empress and bear another child. Unfortunately, the Empress, having visited her a few times, could not help but recall the deceased prince whenever she saw Jiang, feeling pity and never favoring her. Thus, all these years, Jiang Ziqian had not borne another child.

I understood, judging from what happened in Kunning Palace, that Jiang Ziqian indeed followed the Empress’s wishes.

These days, with Zhang Bitong confined, Cuiwei Palace was unusually tranquil. A few days prior, Zhang Bitong had frequent fits of temper, but Yunqing often soothed her with comforting words. Soon after, Zhang Bitong quieted, ceased her antics, and fortunately the fifteenth day passed in a flash.

That day, snow fell in the night and stopped by morning. The weather was excellent, the sun warm and gentle. Little Luzi was serving in the front courtyard, while Lan Yan, Hongxiu, and I basked in the sun outside the small kitchen in the back courtyard.

Lan Yan spoke of palace news, Hongxiu stayed silent and merely listened. After the previous incident, Hongxiu seemed awkward around me, hardly exchanging a word.

I chatted idly with Lan Yan, mostly listening to her stories.

She told an odd tale from Cining Palace: many years ago, a palace maid there vanished without a trace, not even her body was found; no one knew where she went. Not long after, another maid became mad in Cining Palace. At the time, everyone found it strange, but no one could explain what had happened.

I was about to ask for more details when I noticed a young man in purple standing at the courtyard gate, tall and handsome, the sunlight gilding him in gold, his bearing noble.

As I looked, his gaze lingered on my face.

Lan Yan and Hongxiu hurried to bow, and I followed suit.

“Your servant greets the Ninth Prince!”

“Your servant greets the Ninth Prince!”

“Xiao Xiaozi, come with me!” Jiang Xuan spoke with cool indifference, then shifted his gaze away from me and strode ahead.

Still perplexed, Lan Yan nudged me urgently, “Xiao Xiaozi, the master calls you! Hurry up!”

“Ah? Ah!” I rushed out.

By the time I caught up, Jiang Xuan had reached the palace gate.

I could only follow him, and we ended up at the Crown Prince’s residence.

When I saw Jiang Yun, he was already dressed in smoky blue robes, looking particularly elegant and refined.

I then noticed that, though Jiang Xuan wore purple as usual, it was less ornate than before.

“Put it on!” Jiang Yun pointed to a set of gray clothes on the stool.

What did this mean?

I had no choice but to enter and change into them.

“These clothes seem too large.” Jiang Yun frowned slightly. “What do you think, Ninth Brother?”

“Mm.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. This one’s too thin. All right, let’s go.”

“Yes!”

At first, I was confused, but only later did I realize: we three were leaving the palace.

These two pampered princes were actually stepping outside the palace.

The city streets were packed with people, the air mild, a gentle breeze blowing—true peace and prosperity.

“Ninth Brother, I listened to you, said this Xiao Xiaozi was reliable. Whatever we do outside the palace, nothing must be reported back, especially to Father.” Jiang Yun said, turning to glance at me with a gentle smile.

I quickly replied, “Rest assured, Your Highness, I won’t say a word.”

“Good.” Jiang Yun nodded, then asked, “Ninth Brother, now that we’re out, where should we go first?”

“I don’t know.”

Jiang Yun said, “True, you and I have hardly ever left the palace, so naturally we wouldn’t know. Xiao Xiaozi, you came from outside—any suggestions?”

I thought for a moment; the steward at home had often spoken of the capital’s bustle. Now able to stroll about, I was genuinely excited. I replied, “The winehouse—there are always the most people there, the liveliest place, and the best food and wine.”

Jiang Yun glanced at me and laughed, “Xiao Xiaozi, are you hungry? Fine, we’ll do as you say. Let’s go to the winehouse! Ninth Brother, what do you think?”

“Fine, let’s go.”

Jiang Yun and Jiang Xuan were as unfamiliar with the capital as I was. We wandered for a bit, unsure which winehouse to choose.

After a few steps, Jiang Yun stopped. I looked up and saw him gazing at an upper window, where a beautiful woman stood, her eyes bright and alluring.

Jiang Yun, at his age, was not immune to romance; seeing her, he couldn’t move forward.

“Your Highness, why not try this one?” I looked up—the sign read ‘Yihong Courtyard’. “I think Taihong Courtyard is quite nice!”

“Yi.”

“Hm?” Jiang Xuan corrected beside me, leaving me momentarily confused.

“That character is ‘Yi’, ignorant!”

I dared not retort, seeing Jiang Yun already approaching Yihong Courtyard.

Jiang Xuan stepped up ahead of him.

“Do you have fine wine and dishes here?” Jiang Yun asked.

The girls at the door, seeing their attire, knew they were wealthy or noble, and their handsome looks made them even more popular.

“Yes, yes! Not only do we have fine food and wine, but even better things! Please come in, gentlemen!”

One girl tried to pull Jiang Xuan, but he instantly recoiled, withdrawing his hand in disgust.

The girl looked awkward; Jiang Yun also withdrew his hand and said, “Your service needn’t be so enthusiastic. We’ll walk in ourselves! Xiao Xiaozi, hurry up.”

I meant to say ‘yes’, but remembering we were outside, replied, “All right, young master!”

We entered, finding the place lively with men and women alike.

A mature lady approached, her smile radiant. “Oh, gentlemen, is it your first time at our Yihong Courtyard? Tell me, what sort do you prefer?”

Jiang Yun couldn’t answer, so he pulled me forward, “Xiao Xiaozi, you say.”

I thought and said, “I want braised fish, soy pig’s feet, roast duck, and…”

The lady chuckled, covering her mouth. “You’re joking, aren’t you? Are the gentlemen shy? I’m asking what kind of ladies you like.”

“Ladies?” Jiang Yun was startled. “Do we have to choose ladies, to serve us?”

“Yes, to serve you, give you the most comfortable service.”

Jiang Yun brightened, “Then, the lady upstairs—can we have her?”

The lady glanced upstairs and smiled, “So you’re after Miss Xueyi? Unfortunately, she’s already reserved by another guest today. Why not choose someone else?”

“But I want her. Let her come to me, if only for a moment.”

“Such devotion! But…” The lady scratched her head, glancing from Jiang Yun to Jiang Xuan.

Jiang Yun finally realized, “Do you need silver? Xiao Xiaozi, give the silver.”

“Yes.” I took a silver ingot from my pocket. The lady’s face lit up as she took it. “Even though she’s reserved, seeing such devotion, I’ll let you meet her. Please follow me!”

“Good. Ninth Brother, Xiao Xiaozi, come along.”

The lady hesitated, “All three of you together?”

Jiang Yun replied, “Yes!”

Her mouth hung open, “It depends on Miss Xueyi’s wishes. If she agrees, you’ll need to pay extra!”

Jiang Yun readily said, “Let’s leave it to Miss Xueyi.”

“Very well!”

We went upstairs, the lady stopped at a door and knocked. “Xueyi, you have distinguished guests! Open the door and let them in!”

The door opened, a wave of fragrance greeted us. The woman inside was strikingly beautiful, though her attire was somewhat revealing—a pink gauze robe draped over snow-white skin, hardly the look of a winehouse attendant.

“Madam, why are there three?”

Jiang Yun hurried forward, “Miss Xueyi, we only wanted to see you, nothing more. We won’t trouble you.”

Xueyi smiled behind her handkerchief, “Such humor! Please, come in for some tea.”

“Thank you, miss!”

“Chat as you like; I’ll leave you now.” The lady winked at Xueyi.

We entered. Jiang Xuan and Jiang Yun sat; I remained standing.

Xueyi poured them tea and asked, “You two look unfamiliar—is this your first time at Yihong Courtyard?”

Jiang Yun nodded, “To be honest, I haven’t wandered these streets in ages. The capital has changed so much.”

“You’re not from the capital?”

“I—”

Jiang Xuan interrupted, “We just arrived in the capital.”

Jiang Yun nodded and asked, “This winehouse is truly unique. I had no idea such beautiful women served guests now.”

Xueyi paused, then laughed softly, “Gentleman, you must be mistaken. This isn’t just a winehouse; it’s a place for men and women. Truly, you’re young.”

“A place for men and women?” I wondered behind them what kind of place this was. Jiang Yun suddenly understood, “You mean this is, this is—”

Just then, the door was thrust open.