Chapter 18-Part 1

Teng Yuyi was filled with questions. She picked up a talisman and tried again, but this time, no matter how she fiddled with it, the talisman remained unresponsive.

Just as she was about to stand up and investigate, E Ji entered, leading two young girls.

“The young master is like a celestial being; I dare not have ordinary girls serve you. These two are the best musicians in Caifeng Tower; one is named Juan Erli and the other Bao Zhu. Juan Erli excels at playing the bili, and Bao Zhu at the qin. They have always been known for selling their skills, not their bodies. I have called them here to warm the wine for the young master and to perform a tune.”

(T/N : Bì lì, also known as guanzi, is a traditional Chinese double-reed wind instrument. It is mostly used in military and folk music. It is popular in various parts of China and is loved by many ethnic groups, including the Han and Uyghur)

Juan Erli and Bao Zhu shyly bowed, “Greetings, young master.”

Teng Yuyi observed them.

E Ji had chosen well; the two girls were around fourteen or fifteen years old, both beautiful and delicate. The one on the left, named Juan Erli, seemed to have some Hu blood.

E Ji smiled, “If they are to the young master’s liking, I will have them stay and serve you.”

Teng Yuyi said, “I saw a man outside just now, wearing a moon-white robe, about thirty years old, with a peony flower pinned in his hair. Has this man ever been here before? Do you know who he is?”

E Ji went outside to check and returned, saying, “Young master, you must be mistaken. There was no one in the corridor. However, our Caifeng tower is always bustling with guests each night. Young masters like the one you described are common here.”

“I saw him walking with two young ladies towards the end of the corridor. Are there many private rooms in that direction?”

E Ji blinked in confusion, “There are only two rooms further in, both reserved by distinguished guests for the night.”

Teng Yuyi pointed to the two girls, “Leave them here and go find out about that man.”

E Ji’s face lit up. She was one of the madams in the establishment, and Juan Erli and Bao Zhu were musicians she had personally trained. Because they were still virgins, they were highly sought after. Even just to warm the wine and play music for guests costs a considerable amount. Often, guests paid a high price just to have them accompany them, but they could only look and not touch, which sometimes caused trouble with impatient or drunken patrons. If these two could stay here to serve this disguised Hu woman, it would be a relief for her. She quickly smiled and said, “I will inquire right away.”

Before leaving, she whispered to Juan Erli and Bao Zhu, “This young master is distinguished and refined. Serve him well.”

Juan Erli and Bao Zhu quickly agreed.

Teng Yuyi waited for a while but did not see Huo Qiu return. She then instructed the two girls to pour wine.

“How long have you been here?” she asked kindly.

Juan Erli was very quiet, hardly speaking since entering the room. Bao Zhu, on the other hand, was lively: “I was bought by madam when I was seven. I have been learning music under her guidance ever since. Half a year ago, when Caifeng Tower opened, she brought me here to perform.”

“Oh?” Teng Yuyi sipped her wine, “Caifeng Tower only opened half a year ago?”

“Yes,” Bao Zhu continued, “the young master might not come to Pingkang ward often, so you might not know. This place used to be a silk shop. The owner and his wife died suddenly of illness two years ago. The shop was vacant for half a year before a wealthy merchant from Luoyang bought it, refurbished it for a few months, and renamed it Caifeng Tower.”

Teng Yuyi looked around, “This place is quite secluded despite being in a busy area. It’s hard to believe it remained vacant for half a year before being bought. Why did it take so long?”

Bao Zhu and Juan Erli exchanged glances and shook their heads, “I suppose the price was too high, and only that wealthy merchant from Luoyang could afford it.”

Teng Yuyi smiled faintly. They probably didn’t even believe their own words. Chang’an had many wealthy merchants and Hu traders. A prime location like this remaining empty for half a year without anyone interested seemed unlikely. There must be another reason.

“Even if you don’t say, I know this place isn’t ‘clean’, right?”

The two girls forced a smile, “We don’t understand what the young master means. Caifeng Tower is lively every day, and we clean thoroughly. How could it be unclean? How about we play ‘Spring Welcoming’s Song’ to lift your spirits? We are quite familiar with it.”

Teng Yuyi’s face darkened, “I don’t want to hear Qiuci music.”

(T/N: Qiuci, also known as Qu Xian, was an oasis country in the ancient Western Regions. )

“Then how about we play ‘Longing for Each Other’ instead?”

“Forget it; I don’t want to hear any music.”

Bao Zhu’s eyes sparkled with a hint of flirtation, “Is the young master difficult to please, or do you dislike our skills?”

Teng Yuyi beckoned Bao Zhu closer, “Come here, I’ll tell you.”

Bao Zhu was confused but stepped forward.

Suddenly, Teng Yuyi grabbed her arm and pulled up her sleeve.

The two girls were startled.

Teng Yuyi frowned inwardly.

The lower part of the musician’s arm was smooth, but as she moved upward, it was covered with scars. The shoulder was particularly bruised.

Bao Zhu trembled, “What are you doing, young master?”

Teng Yuyi released her arm.

There was no need to check; Juan Er Li likely had similar marks.

“You must get beaten often, right?”

Despite their youth, the two girls’ faces showed sorrow instead of their usual flirtatiousness.

Bao Zhu said sadly, “Since you already know, please don’t make it harder for us. If we don’t serve well tonight, E Ji will punish us again.”

Teng Yuyi smiled, “How about we make a deal? You tell me everything you know, and I’ll make sure E Ji doesn’t trouble you for half a year.”

The two girls were stunned. They had seen many guests, but this was the first one who cared about their hidden injuries.

“You don’t believe me?”

“How could we not believe you,” Bao Zhu said pitifully, “But we dare not speak carelessly. If it affects Caifeng Tower’s reputation, we will be severely punished.”

Juan Erli added, “Please, young master, don’t force us. Our lives are already hard enough.”

Teng Yuyi sighed, “But what if someone already knows something is wrong with Caifeng Tower?”

The two girls were shocked.

“Look downstairs.”