Joy of Life

On the east side of the third floor of Baoyue Brothel was the large Flower Hall. Half of the room hovered over the empty air and the large hall on the first floor could perfectly be seen. The large and wide carpet from the Hu people was covered with a fresh red color. It added another distinct style.

Since there were noble guests in the building, this half of the Flower Hall had also been emptied. As he entered the flower hall, the Second Prince’s eyes unconsciously glanced up at the door and saw there were two characters written there in gold paint. He couldn’t help but be curious as to what these two characters meant.

“Hongmen.”

As the host, Fan Xian smiled calmly as he welcomed the crowd into the hall. Flower Hall had been divided by screens and hanging woolen curtains. The hot air rose. As each figure entered the hall, he was stripped of his large capes and jackets by the girls beside him, leaving only the inner, unlined clothing.

It was enough. There were already all kinds of exquisite teas and desserts on the tables. The plates used were the best in Jiangnan, and the cups for alcohol were also the best glass ones. The alcohol served was the most expensive liquor in the world, Wu Liangye. The girls serving on the side were all gentle and quiet beauties.

Naturally, the Crown Prince sat in the most honorable position. He gazed at Fan Xian and laughingly scolded, “Only you could enjoy life like this. Look at all these things. They’re all from the three workshops. The Palace is counting on them to exchange for silver. They certainly don’t spend like you do.”

The customs of Qing Kingdom were simple and plain, so even the officials of the royal family had taken extra to be cautious. They were definitely not as extravagant as the Northern Qi court. For a feast like the one Fan Xian gave, it was indeed stepping over the boundaries a bit. Everyone knew that right now, the palace treasury was single-handedly controlled by Fan Xian. It wouldn’t be a problem to transfer some expenses over. However, they weren’t sure if the Crown Prince’s laughing remark was a silent jab.

Fan Xian’s expression didn’t change, and he smiled. “If one can enjoy, it’s best to grasp the opportunity to do so.”

Xue Qing sat on the first table on the left side. He was here by edict to watch the show, so he did not care about much. Besides, he had long lived in Jiangnan and was used to such luxuries. Seeing the sighs of admiration from these major figures in the capital, he couldn’t help the corners of his mouth twitching up and smiling. He thought to himself that although it was difficult to make a living in such a big city as Jingdou, their luxuries were still far from that of Jiangnan.

The feast began. The girls were quiet and speechless as they began to place dishes and pour wine for the guests at each table. Although they had gone through special training the past two days, the girls’ hearts couldn’t help but be nervous at suddenly seeing so many major figures of the Qing court at once. Their red lips were pressed tightly together.

The princes and officials present had all made their way through the romance scene before. However, suddenly having so many people gathered in one hall, they were truly at a loss for what to do.

Actually, there were not that many guests of honor. There were about 10 people, each with a girl sitting beside them and a personal attendant kneeling behind them, yet they still filled Flower Hall.

The person serving Fan Xian wasn’t just anybody. It was the shopkeeper of Baoyue Brothel, Sang Weng.

In a setting such as this, it would not do to open with too much yelling, endlessly drinking games, and inappropriate fondling, particularly with Xue Qing and the two Deputies of the Bureau present. The young nobility were all conscious of their status, so the room was somewhat quiet and stuffy for a moment. They only talked about some of the idle jokes from the court, such as Shu the Scholar falling drunk into the snowy street again last night and such.

In any case, Shu Wu’s personality was easy going and didn’t care about how juniors mocked.

No one dared use the princes and Fan Xian as the butt of jokes, particularly Fan Xian. Everyone was still guessing at the true purpose of this meal.

In the air of awkwardness, Xue Qing minded his own business drinking the alcohol and playing with the hands of the girl beside him. This man immediately removed his air of officialdom and felt a bit more like a middle-aged loafer. It looked like the scholar of the Cabinet of Official Papers has also battled his fair share with the skeletons of the red tower.

The Second Prince took a shallow sip and gazed with a slight smile at Fan Xian across from him. “An Zhi, I haven’t been to Baoyue Brothel in a year. I’ve discovered that the girls here are much prettier than before.”

Immediately, the atmosphere in the room relaxed. Between Fan Xian and the Second Prince, someone had to take the lead and speak first.

“What nonsense,” Fan Xian laughingly scolded. “For today’s set up, for just Baoyue Brothel to serve you all, that’s impossible...to be honest, the 13 girls in the building today are not only girls from here. I’ve invited all of the most famous women in the capital...regardless of whether it is the pleasure boats on Liujing River or at the teaching workshop, if you leave this building tonight and can find another famous girl, then I’ll have lost.”

Everyone was shocked, thinking it was a very grand scale, but not the issue of money. Rather, to make the romance industry in Jingdou obediently give up their most famous girls in just one day, Fan Xian’s might was indeed at a hair-raising level.

Everyone turned to take a glance only to see the girls beside them all had their heads lowered shyly. After a closer look, everyone couldn’t help but laugh. They recognized someone from Liujing River and someone else as from the teaching workshop. They were all familiar people.

Only the Second Prince’s gaze was a bit dark. It was absurd to speak of it, of the dozen girls in the building tonight, there four that belonged to Liujing He, arrangements that the heir Hongcheng used to be responsible for. However, Yuan Meng died in Jiangnan and Shi Qing’er defected to Fan Xian while Li Chenghong was put under house arrests by King Jing.

He raised his head and took a distant glance at Fan Xian only to see that Fan Xian’s expression was calm, except, his eyes held a not-quite-there smile. For the moment, he wasn’t sure whether he was demonstrating his might through this small matter or had other plans.

The Second Prince smiled slightly and said, “Baoyue Brothel’s smooth running must all be due to Sang Wen’s cleverness and acumen. I drink to you.”

After saying this, he raised the cup in his hand and moved it to drink to Sang Wen beside Fan Xian.

To put himself lower, despite his princely status, aligned with his usual warm and gentle way of doing things. Furthermore, they were in a romantic setting. If notions of seniority were constantly upheld, it wouldn’t be fun. Thus, no one really cared. They only cared that...Why did he drink this first cup to Sang Wen? Where was he putting tonight’s host, Fan Xian?

Sang Wen was right beside Fan Xian bringing a sliver of lichen toward his lips. Suddenly hearing these words, she couldn’t help but feel startled and turned her head to glance at Fan Xian.

Fan Xian smiled slightly and nodded. Sang Wen stood, bowed slightly toward the Second Prince and then emptied the cup. Without waiting for the Second Prince to say more, she poured herself another cup and raised it to the Crown Prince, sitting at the head, and the Great Prince.

The Crown Prince was acting a bit strange, but he was only having fun with the beautiful woman in his arms. The beauty’s body had long turned soft under the attentions of the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince looked very pleased and was not paying much attention to the undercurrents on the feast between the Second Prince and Fan Xian.

However, the Great Prince drank with Sang Wen and then sighed.

The Second Prince’s expression didn’t change. He smiled slightly and said, “Today, it is rare that everyone is present. There needs to be some performance to add to the fun. Sang Wen, ever since you became the shopkeeper of the Baoyue Brothel, the ears of the people of Jingdou have no longer been blessed. I wonder whether I could ask Sang Wen to sing a song for us.”

Sang Wen smiled slightly. Her warm expression was calm. As she rose to get her qin, her hand was unexpectedly pulled on by Fan Xian.

Fan Xian looked calmly at the Second Prince. “Sang Wen doesn’t sing now.”

Sang Wen was startled, thinking, Why upset the feast because of something so small? Ever since she was young, she was a singer. She had long gotten used to performing at feasts. For a moment, she had forgotten that Fan Xian was a master who hated having his people serve others.

The Second Prince furrowed his brows as a look of confusion flashed across his handsome face. He seemed to not have expected for Fan Xian to be so unyielding. After the feast started, both sides were testing the waters. He also wanted to know just what Fan Xian wanted to do during his return to the capital, thus, he had spoken consecutively.

Unexpectedly, Fan Xian’s reply was such a spoilsport.

Fan Xian glanced at the Second Prince. He thought to himself that he had provided the fun today, but the purpose was to spoil it. Sitting below him, the vice minister of Taichang Temple, Ren Shao’an, pulled on his sleeve to remind him to be careful. He only smiled.

The Deputy of the Bureau of Military Affairs narrowed his eyes and said, “Sir Fan junior, look at what you’re saying...given these princes’ statues, so what if they ask this girl to perform a song?”

Fan Xian’s confrontation in front of the Bureau of Military Affairs had already created a split between himself and the military. With the attack in the valley not yet cleared up, there would not be a day of peace between the two sides.

The soldiers of Qing Kingdom had always been simple, direct, and rough. This deputy, Qu Xiangdong, he was the vanguard of the last Northern expedition. He had a substantial military merit to his name, so he was not afraid of Fan Xian’s power. At this moment, hearing Fan Xian’s cold tone, he spoke out to prick him.

However, Fan Xian did not become angry. He only smiled and said, “Lady Sang now only sings in Chen Garden. If Deputy Qu wishes to hear, you may go out of the capital to ask Director Chen. There is no point in asking me.”

The black shining words Director Chen were tossed out. The Second Prince smiled but didn’t say anything while Deputy Qu’s expression changed and forcefully swallowed the following vicious words back into his stomach.

“Drink!”

In the awkwardness, it was a like a thunderbolt in the silence. The long silent Great Prince suddenly raised his cup and roared in a loud voice. He was born into the military, and his personality was open-minded. He had originally thought to repair the relationship between Fan Xian and the military, and, at the same time, he wanted the gap between the brothers to become smaller. However, seeing the strange situation in the feast, a mysterious anger rose in his chest, so he roared loudly.

The two Deputies of the Bureau were also born of the military and were open-minded and impertinent. They furrowed their brows and emptied the three liang [JW2] wine cup in one go and turned their wrists to show Fan Xian.

Fan Xian smiled slightly. He raised the cup to his lips and slowly tilted it. Although his speed was slow, he did not stop at all. Like spring flowing into a lake, the cup tilted and the alcohol emptied.

Sitting at the head, the Crown Prince helplessly held out his cup to the Great Prince and said, “Brother, I was just drinking when you shouted. You almost scared the wine out of my cup.”

Everyone laughed.

The Crown Prince then smiled toward the two Deputies of the Bureau. “Don’t you think to bring the military model into Baoyue Brothel. I know there is resentment between you and An Zhi, but before this matter is cleared up, why should there be anger between officials? Even if there is anger, don’t compete with alcohol.”

He pointed at Fan Xian and gazed smilingly at the two Deputies. “Did you forget? The year before last, Sir Fan junior drank 3,000 cups in front of the palace in one night. He drank that Northern Qi Marquis under the table. To speak of tolerance, An Zhi would not be afraid of you old military men.”

As one of the Eastern Palace, Xin Qiwu knew what his master wanted to do. He quickly followed suit and said, “Generals, I think that it would do no harm to compete with Sir Fan junior in drinking. After that night, Sir Fan junior has not written any more poems. If you can make him drink enough to write another 300 poems so that the Banxianzhai Poetry Anthology received a sequel, then the Bureau of Military Affairs would have done a great service for the world. Even the Emperor would probably be overjoyed.”

After these words were spoken, everyone announced their approval. Even Xue Qing became interested and invited Fan Xian to drink a few cups. Then, he forced the two Deputies to compete with Fan Xian.

After a vat of alcohol, the atmosphere immediately became livelier. Fan Xian’s heroic drinking also made the two officials of the Bureau much happier.

The Second Prince suddenly smiled and said, “Speaking of the fact that An Zhi has never written another poem after that night, it is indeed a great loss for the world. However, I heard that while An Zhi was in Northern Qi he had written a small poem for that Northern Qi sage girl. I wonder if that is true?”

This was the biggest scandal in the world last year. The Northern Qi people were very unhappy, but the Qing Kingdom people were incomparably joyful. Hearing these words, the helplessly intoxicated officials all began to make a clamor, insisting on hearing Fan Xian tell of the specifics of this story.

Fan Xian laughingly scolded and would not go into details. He casually fooled around. However, he slanted a glance toward the Crown Prince with some astonishment in his heart. This Crown Prince had indeed grown up a lot compared to the last two years. However, the Crown Prince’s power was gradually decreasing. Was he watching him and the Second Prince fight like this because he wanted to gain the fisherman’s benefit? But, where did his confidence come from? He wasn’t his father.

...

...

The feast gradually fell apart as people’s intentions dispersed. The Crown Prince stood up and grabbed people, forcing them to drink. Fan Xian secretly smiled as he saw this sight. He thought to himself that it was probably because the Northern Qi Great Princess kept too close an eye on him in the manor. Now, he finally had a chance to let loose, so he wouldn’t pass up this opportunity.

Fan Xian also saw that the Crown Prince seemed a little drunk while the Second Prince still maintained his clear-minded state. He couldn’t help but smile a little and opened his mouth to say, “It’s been a year since I’ve returned to Jingdou. I’ve rather missed everyone in the capital.”

His manner suddenly changed and he quietly sighed. “It’s unfortunate that before I entered the capital, I was ambushed by traitorous people. A dozen of my subordinates died. These were all officials of the Overwatch Council, talents of the court. They had worked hard for the court in Jiangnan and was finally about to return to Jingdou to reunite with their families, however, they died tragically dozens of li from the Jingdou city walls. Those wives and children at home anticipating their return are probably living through sorrowful times right now.

He raised his cup of liquor and emptied his cup. In a heavy voice, he said, “Thinking of this, I...actually can’t drink this cup.”

The originally endlessly clamoring on the third floor of Baoyue Brothel immediately quieted down. They knew the key point of tonight had finally arrived.

...

...

In a quiet alley about five li away from Baoyue Brothel, at the head and tail of this alley, a group of black-clothed people suddenly appeared and tightly sealed the little alley.

The leader, Mu Tie, wore a heavy expression. He looked at the three people in the middle of the alley and pointed at the leader. “Is your name Yang Gongcheng?”

The right hand of the leader slowly pressed down on a bulge at his waist. Coldly, he said, “I am, what comments do you have?”

Mu Tie bared his teeth in a smile and a strange expression flashed across his black face. “Just confirming your identity as one of the eight generals so I don’t kill the wrong person.

Then he flashed and left. The two groups of black-clothed men at the head and tail of the alley charged forward.

[JW1] This has historical roots: “banquet set up with the aim of murdering a guest.”

[JW2] It’s the same character as the measurement for silver, but here it’s measuring liquid.