Chapter 117, Welcome Banquet

Translator: StarReader

 

Mist Terrace, bathed in the soft glow of lanterns, bustled with life. The lounge on the third floor was packed to capacity with mysterious guests from various backgrounds, guarded by first-rate experts at every turn. The outside world was oblivious to who occupied the third floor.

 

The second and first floors were filled to bursting point with prominent martial families from the Wu Region, wealthy merchants from far and wide, local dignitaries, and young masters of influential clans. They mingled, chatting about tonight’s Crowning Flower Contest’s outcome, creating a lively atmosphere.

 

Vice Leader Wu of the Caravan Guards was personally present on the second floor with his expert disciples, ensuring order. The Crowning Flower Contest held significant importance for Caravan Guards. Following the battle against Whale Gang pirates at Vastest Lake, they had lost nearly three hundred elite disciples and injured many more. The compensation alone was a substantial burden.

 

Tonight’s Crowning Flower Contest promised to ease some financial pressure as several young talents were set to debut, with their first-night rights up for auction. Vice Leader Wu himself was present to ensure the event’s success.

 

Finally, the Wu Region’s Crowning Flower Contest began. In the center of the grand hall stood a massive stage for performances. Clever talents from over forty brothels in the Wu Region took turns showcasing their skills on zithers and other instruments in a dazzling display. The audience cheered enthusiastically.

 

“One more!”

 

In the wee hours of a sleepless night, after several timeless hours, it was finally time for the finale. As they say, a night like this is worth its weight in gold, and no martial artist would leave a brothel before dawn.

 

The grand finale was always saved for last, and the crowd of martial artists was buzzing with anticipation. Matron Li stepped onto the stage, her voice booming with enthusiasm, “Ladies and gentlemen, presenting tonight’s crowning performance—Mist Terrace’s Young Miss Ah Nu!” She will captivate you with The Song of the Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Robe!”

 

The central stage of Mist Terrace was shrouded in layers of gauzy, pale pink silk. It was like an ethereal, fantastical moon palace, the silks swaying softly and dancing lightly in the breeze.

 

At the heart of it all stood Ah Nu, a graceful and slender figure, holding a delicate lute halfway to her face. She began to play, her fingers dancing over the strings with practiced ease. The notes flowed like pearls, crisp and clear as they fell onto the jade tray. It was as if silver bowls were being shattered, water splashing everywhere, and iron cavalry charging forth.

 

As she played The Song of the Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Robe, Ah Nu danced, her movements as dreamlike and fantastical as the music itself. The crowd at Mist Terrace grew enchanted, their eyes glazed over with admiration. Cries of delight filled the hall.

 

Ah Nu danced in the spotlight, but she couldn’t find the familiar face she was looking for amidst the sea of guests. Her heart swelled with a bittersweet sadness that she couldn’t quite put into words. Unconsciously, her music began to echo this sentiment, each note dripping with melancholy.

 

Clang~!

 

Mist Terrace fell silent as the last string of Ah Nu’s lute snapped. Tears streamed down her cheeks, marring her once-beautiful face as she crumpled to the stage.

 

The grand hall was filled with stunned silence. A single phrase echoed through the room: “A dance that tears at one’s soul.”

 

…

 

Upstairs, in a luxurious private box:

 

Bai Juyi, the governor of Jiang Province, and Wang Shoucheng, the imperial envoy from the capital, sat at the head table with Zhao Juzhen, the governor of the Wu Region.

 

The magistrates of Wu Region filled the secondary seats, while other officials stood attentively nearby.

 

Wang Shoucheng spoke, his voice filled with admiration. “I’ve heard Ho Xiaoyu in Chang’an and witnessed Guanzhong’s sword dance. I’ve even appreciated Du Qiuming’s Gold Thread Dress. But this Wu Region has its own gem, Ah Nu. Her performance of The Song of the Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Robe was extraordinary.”

 

Lord Bai, still lost in thought, asked, “What is her name?”

 

Magistrate Wang replied hurriedly, “I’m not sure; I only know she’s from the Fei family. But our county constable has records of all registered musicians; shall I have him look it up?”

 

“Please do,” Zhao Juzhen instructed.

 

“Yes!”

 

Magistrate Wang hurriedly nods, leading several constables in a sprint to the county jail. Not long after, Magistrate Wang returns hastily, his face pale as if he saw a ghost. He leans in towards the three officials and whispers, “The three of you, I’ve found out. Fei Xingnu, a courtesan from Gusu’s Mist Terrace, is only seventeen. An orphan, she sold herself at nine, then was sold to Mist Terrace a month later. She has one younger brother named Xingchou, but beyond that, the records are unclear.”

 

Wang Shoucheng, the imperial envoy, can’t help but praise, “What a name! It’s as good as Ho Xiaoyu and Du Qiumeng. Fei means abundant, Xingnu means lowly… She rose from humble beginnings to flourish brilliantly, a promising omen!”

 

Lord Bai nods in agreement. Magistrate Wang, now pale-faced, interrupts anxiously, “But gentlemen, it’s not about her name! Fei Xingnu is Xingchou’s sister. And Xingchou is none other than Ah Chou, the hero of the Heaven Falcon Group! It’s said he and Immortal Su are old friends, but their relationship isn’t widely known. If Immortal Su finds out… it could cause a major incident.” He quickly hands over the courtesan registry.

 

Zhao Juzhen’s expression darkens as he glances at the registry. “You did well,” he says gravely. “One slip-up could have caused a disaster.”

 

The other two officials notice this detail and are taken aback. Magistrate Wang suggests cautiously, “Should we hurry and have the guards hand over Fei Xingnu’s contract and remove her from the registry to avoid Immortal Su’s wrath?”

 

Zhao Juzhen shakes his head firmly. “No, on no account must you do that.”

 

Magistrate Wang stares dumbfounded. “This Ah Nu is Ah Chou’s sister, and Ah Chou and Immortal Su have been close since childhood. If you snatch the chance to save Ah Nu first, you’ll be doing Immortal Su a favor—he’ll owe you one! But tell me, who’d willingly collect such a debt? Do you want Immortal Su indebted to you, constantly reminding him of his obligation?”

 

Zhao Juzhen speaks sternly. Magistrate Wang suddenly realized this and looked pale. “I, an insignificant official, could never presume to put Immortal Su in my debt!”

 

“This matter requires careful consideration,” the officials murmur, pondering the complexities of the situation. They knew Immortal Su could easily command Ah Nu’s release with a single word, but who dared intervene and risk incurring his gratitude?

 

Emotions were fickle, debts even more so. No one wanted to owe someone else, least of all Immortal Su. But if a higher power owed a lower one, it was like having a knife at their throat. Even the Caravan Guards’ upper echelon would be left torn between a rock and a hard place, uncertain how to release Ah Nu without putting Immortal Su in their debt.

 

Gusu County bore too heavy a burden; so did the Caravan Guards.

 

Immortal Su owing them a favor would likely keep everyone in the gang up all night worrying. “Immortal Su hasn’t shown up yet… We can’t do anything until he arrives to personally take her away.”

 

“But does Immortal Su know that Fei Xingnu is Ah Chou’s sister? He’s been unreachable these past couple of days. What if Immortal Su doesn’t realize their connection and doesn’t show up… That wouldn’t be good either.” Everyone’s hearts felt heavy with worry.

 

Zhao Juzhen, after deep thought, said, “No matter. I have one last plan. Immoral Su still has that unclaimed bounty of ten thousand taels from his bandit hunt. If the Meeting of Flowers ends and Immortal Su hasn’t shown up, we’ll use his name to claim the reward and buy her freedom… That way, it’s still Immortal Su who saved her, not some stranger.”

 

Envoy Wang agreed, “That’s our only option now. Let’s wait and see if Immortal Su shows up tonight.”

 

They could only wait. Bai Juyi, lost in thought, called out, “Someone, bring me ink and paper!” His assistant quickly set them out on the table. After a moment of reflection, Bai Juyi picked up his brush and wrote:

 

“The lute player

 

With eager calls she finally appears.

 

Her face was still half-concealed behind her lute.

 

She plays with gentle touches, slow and deliberate.

 

First comes the silken robe, then six strings’ rhythm.

 

A cascade of notes falls like pearls upon a jade platter.

 

And young men vie for her affections; countless times she sings.”

 

“I, like everyone else in this world, wish to leave a mark that lasts beyond our brief hundred years. I too dream of having my name inscribed in history,” Zhao Juzhen admitted enviously, looking at Lord Bai. “Would you consider penning something for me? A simple verse will do. That way, whenever people recall your poetry, they’ll also think of me.”

 

Zhao Juzhen was no stranger to writing verses himself, yet his skills were lackluster. His poems rarely gained much traction among society. Only Bai Juyi’s works, the renowned first-rate talent of the Great Tang era, captured widespread admiration.

 

Bai Juyi raised an eyebrow at Zhao Juzhen’s request. “Write about you? What should I write about?”

 

“About my role governing this region, and how I put down the Whale Gang!” Zhao Juzhen replied eagerly.

 

Bai Juyi chuckled, saying nothing more.

 

Zhao Juzhen couldn’t help but ask, “Is defeating the Whale Gang and securing the Wu Region not worthy of a mention?”

 

Envoy Wang laughed heartily, slapping Zhao Juzhen on the shoulder. “Lord Zhao, don’t delude yourself. The Emperor has tried numerous times to persuade him for a praising poem, with no success. It left His Majesty quite frustrated. We mere mortals could never dream of such fortune.”

 

He gestured around at the crowded Mist Terrace, filled with esteemed officials and heroes. “Look around you. Each one here seems influential now, but give it a few decades, and they’ll all be forgotten, like ripples fading in a vast ocean.

 

“Among this thousand-strong crowd tonight, only Lord Bai and his Lute Player poem will truly echo through the ages.”

 

Zhao Juzhen nodded understandingly, his face etched with resignation. “Indeed, we mere mortals can only strive for temporary glory and disgrace in this world.”

 

Bai Juyi set down his pen abruptly, sighing deeply. “Fei Xingnu, it seems fate has dealt her a difficult hand this life.”

 

Envoy Wang chuckled, “Lord Bai, why the sentimentality? Throughout history, every renowned courtesan who made it big—didn’t they suffer their whole lives? Even if she escapes this small brothel, this small Wu Region, can she escape her fate of being a beauty with a tragic end? Take Empress Wu Zetian; wasn’t she loved by Emperor Xuanzong yet met her doom?”

 

The officials fell silent. The fate of Concubine Yang was still fresh in their minds.

 

“Who could protect her better than an emperor?” Wang continued. “Yet even he couldn’t change her destiny. Being registered as a slave girl—that’s just paperwork; changing it won’t alter fate. Not even imperial favor can change destiny… Only cultivators like Immortal Su could change one’s fate.”

 

Bai Juyi sighed pensively before standing up and leaving his seat. “I’m off to Jiang Province for my posting. Stopping by Gusu on the way, meeting Fei Xingnu, and getting a copy of Lute Player was more than I hoped for. Her future is in her own hands now. I’ll leave her care to you both.”

 

Wang and Zhao quickly stood up to see him off, assigning an escort of official guards to accompany Lord Bai out of the Wu Region.