Nine Yin Manual

"Is this young master Xu?"

Xu Qi'an heard someone call his name from behind.

"Damn it, I got recognized by someone I know while visiting a brothel?" He cursed inwardly as he turned around, then breathed a sigh of relief.

Behind him stood a handsome young man, dressed in a light blue robe, matching the attire of the young man standing at the entrance of Yingmei Pavilion.

"Young Master Xu, my daughter Mingyan would like to invite you for tea." The handsome young man bowed, his smile ingratiating.

After searching his memory for a moment, Mingyan Xu Qi'an realized who this Mingyan girl was. She was also a courtesan, a top courtesan famous for her dancing, on par with Fuxiang from before.

Of course, Fuxiang's current successful hype is a far cry from what it used to be, and she now surpasses all the Imperial Academy of Music.

As everyone knows, dance and yoga have the same benefits! Xu Qi'an's eyes lit up slightly, and he said with a smile, "Lead the way."

A smile instantly bloomed on the handsome young man's face, and he bowed repeatedly, "Young Master Xu, please come with me, this way, this way."

If we can get Xu Qi'an to come, Madam Mingyan will be overjoyed and will certainly reward him handsomely. But if we return empty-handed, we'll be sure to get a scolding.

At the entrance of Yingmei Pavilion, the gatekeeper, who was about to come out to greet Xu Qi'an, saw this scene and his expression changed slightly. He opened his mouth, intending to persuade Young Master Xu to stay and rebuke his colleague who was poaching him.

On second thought, he realized that his status and position were not high enough to get involved in this matter, and he might even incur Young Master Xu's dislike.

He gritted his teeth, closed the door, and rushed into the yard.

"Sisters, something terrible has happened!" He entered the tavern, stood at the doorway, and loudly warned the maids who were wiping the tables and arranging cold dishes.

A tall, pretty maid frowned and looked over, her voice soft and gentle. "Why are you in such a panic? What happened?"

The gatekeeper, looking anxious and indignant, said, "Young Master Xu was snatched away! He was right outside the courtyard gate when a servant from Mingyan's courtyard grabbed him halfway there."

"What?"

"That little slut, how dare she steal my wife's man!"

The maids were shocked. The tall maid suddenly threw off the wet cloth, lifted her skirt, and rushed towards the master bedroom as if reporting military intelligence.

In the master bedroom, Fuxiang, dressed in a plum blossom-patterned long dress, sat languidly on the couch, holding a book in her hands, sipping purple grapes while intently reading a clichéd romance novel about talented scholars and beautiful women.

The fruit platter was filled with seasonal fruits, including grapes, sugarcane, bananas, and jujubes.

The maidservant serving her squatted by the bed, holding Fuxiang's fair and delicate little feet in her hands, massaging the acupoints on the soles of her feet.

"My lady has seemed absent-minded and unhappy lately. Is she thinking about Young Master Xu?"

"Why would I want to think about a stinky man?" Fuxiang shook her head.

"Then why do you always make me go outside to ask, 'Has Young Master Xu arrived yet,' when you prepare tea every night?" the maid chuckled.

Fuxiang frowned, pointed to the fruit plate, and said, "All men in the world are the Virtue, just like sugarcane."

"Sugar cane?"

"At first it's sweet, so sweet it melts your heart, but as you eat, you realize that in the end it's just a mouthful of crumbs." Fuxiang pouted.

Having shed her dignified and gentle demeanor, her eyes and expressions became more vibrant and lively.

The maid smiled to herself, thinking, "Even if he's a jerk, he can be really sweet when he's being affectionate. Every night when you're with him, the sounds you make are so satisfying."

Fuxiang was perfectly fine until the maid started talking, and now she couldn't calm down. She pursed her lips.

What do you think of Xu Lang?

The maid chuckled and said, "Extremely skilled."

Fuxiang blushed, lightly kicked the maid, and glared at her with captivating charm, saying, "Don't you think he's different from other men?"

The maidservant, as if recalling something, agreed, "He is gentler than other men, and doesn't have that arrogant attitude that looks down on us. However, when he stares at the mistress's chest, he's not much cleaner than those men outside."

"Men are all lustful," Fuxiang, unconcerned, and popped a grape into her mouth.

"Recently, a half-line poem in seven-character verse has been circulating in the Imperial Academy of Music, and its beauty is quite remarkable: 'Sparse shadows slant across the clear, shallow water; a faint fragrance drifts in the twilight.' It is said to have originated from the palace."

The maid nodded. "I heard from the guests who came for tea that it was composed by the princes and princesses during a drinking game. I just don't know which prince had such poetic talent."

At this moment, a tall, slender maid rushed in, slightly out of breath, her eyes filled with urgency, and said, "Madam, Young Master Xu just came to the Imperial Academy of Music."

She paused for a few seconds to catch her breath.

Fuxiang hummed in agreement, seemingly unconcerned. "Let's serve him food and drinks; let him wait outside."

This man, whom she hadn't seen for almost ten days, used to call her "sweetie" when they were together under the moon and flowers, but once the mood wore off, he would ignore her.

There's only one man, so there's no need to worry about him.

The maid shook her head repeatedly, "Young Master Xu was abducted halfway by Madam Mingyan's people, and he's already in her courtyard."

"What?!"

Fuxiang jumped up, her eyebrows furrowed, and she gritted her teeth, saying, "Change your clothes and go to Qingchi Courtyard."

In the elegantly decorated brocade hall, Xu Qi'an admired the beauty of the dancing courtesan with a smile on his face.

She wore a pale yellow gauze dress, her attire neither conservative nor gaudy. She had bright eyes and a pointed chin. Due to her years of dance training, she possessed a spiritedness that other women in the Imperial Academy of Music lacked.

In addition, while her figure isn't considered voluptuous, her proportions are excellent.

"I've been watching Young Master Xu for a while now, but unfortunately, whenever he comes to the Imperial Academy of Music, he goes straight to Yingmei Pavilion." Mingyan's voice was gentle, seemingly both resentful and playful, with a smile playing on her lips.

"Today, I finally got my chance."

Xu Qi'an smiled and said, "I'm afraid of being too forward with the beauty." In his mind, he was calculating that this courtesan was on the same level as Fuxiang. Fuxiang's price was thirty taels of silver for a night of passion. This one should be about the same, not even counting the money for tea.

I didn't bring that much silver with me today, but I have quite a bit of gold, though it can't be used as currency.

The two exchanged a few words when a maid rushed in, head bowed, "Madam, Fuxiang is here! We... we couldn't stop her."

Mingyan raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "It seems that Fuxiang is deeply in love with you, young master, and considers you her own."

Xu Qi'an also raised an eyebrow. At first glance, this statement seemed like a compliment, but upon closer examination, it was actually an attempt to sow discord.

Being regarded as the exclusive property of a woman of the night is not something to be proud of in the eyes of men in this era.

Heh, so hypocritical Xu Qi'an took a sip of wine, not feeling unhappy or annoyed. Different groups of people have different attitudes. Isn't it normal for the women of the Imperial Academy of Music to be hypocritical?

You can't survive in a place like this without some skills.

If we're talking about the most blatantly manipulative places, the emperor's harem is undoubtedly the industry leader.

Just then, Fuxiang entered with her maid. The courtesan, her face grim and her beautiful eyes flashing with a sharp light, suddenly softened into a gentle expression the moment she entered the room, and said pitifully:

"I heard that Imperial Academy of Music, and I'd like to join in the fun and serve him alongside Miss Mingyan."

That's quite a way of speaking. They didn't come to Qingchi Courtyard to start a fight or demand answers, but rather to serve them together.

This not only asserted sovereignty and put Mingyan, the courtesan, in a low light, but also won Xu Qi'an's favor. Which man wouldn't want to be served by two courtesans at the same time?

Mingyan gave a warm smile, "How could I trouble you to come all this way, sister? I was just having a private conversation with Young Master Xu, and now that you're here, I feel a little embarrassed."

Fuxiang pretended not to hear, lifted her skirt, and naturally sat down next to Xu Qi'an, carefully pouring him wine, serving him food, and tidying his disheveled hair.

"Has Mr. Xu been busy with official duties lately?"

"Hmm." Xu Qi'an saw the courtesan snuggling closer and naturally put his arm around her slender waist.

"Then come to Yingmei Pavilion later, and I'll massage your shoulders and acupoints," Fuxiang said softly.

Ming Yan gritted her teeth, wishing she could grab a broom and kick this vile woman out the door. She had gotten a great deal, becoming a famous courtesan with a far-reaching reputation; she should be content.

There's no reason to keep a man tied to your side and not let the women in the Imperial Academy of Music have a share.

The footsteps came again, hurriedly. It was the same maid from before. Her expression was strange. She glanced at Xu Qi'an and whispered:

"My lady, the most beautiful courtesans have arrived."

"What?" Mingyan and Fuxiang exclaimed in surprise.

Xu Qi'an's ears twitched as he heard the sounds of women laughing and chatting. After a while, a group of beautiful women, dressed in flamboyant but not gaudy at all, filed in.

Some of them are charming and affectionate, some are alluring and passionate, some are reserved like ladies from noble families, and some are as delicate as Daiyu.

There were seven people in total, each with a different style.

But in terms of both figure and appearance, she can be described as an outstanding beauty.

"Greetings, Young Master Xu!" The courtesans stood in a row, bowed slightly, and greeted him with melodious voices.

Only four words remained in Xu Qi'an's mind: clubhouse models.

Fuxiang and Ming Yan were furious, but they still had to feign enthusiasm and hospitality towards the courtesans.

The main hall couldn't accommodate so many people, so Mingyan, the courtesan, invited everyone to the outer hall and arranged for maids to serve fine wine and delicacies.

The nine courtesans chatted and laughed easily, as if they were really good sisters, but the glances they occasionally cast at Xu Qi'an revealed the fact that they were secretly competing with each other.

They were all shrewd and lustful towards Xu Qi'an, but they didn't show it, maintaining the dignity and composure of a courtesan.

However, Xu Qi'an sensed a faint smell of gunpowder, especially from Fuxiang, whose eyes and brows always revealed a hint of restlessness.

What, do you want to try your hand at the Nine Yin Manual? Too bad I don't have a phone, otherwise I could post it on WeChat Moments to show off. Xu Qi'an was exchanging glances with the courtesans while mentally complaining.

A courtesan with a talent for women suggested playing a drinking game.

After several rounds of drinks, Xu Qi'an's performance was unremarkable, and he did not compose any popular poems, which disappointed the courtesans who had come specifically for him.

The talented courtesan who suggested playing a drinking game smiled and said, "Do you know the half of the seven-character line, 'Drunk, unaware that the sky is reflected in the water; a boat full of sweet dreams presses down on the Milky Way'?"

The courtesans immediately perked up, chattering excitedly, "Of course we know, what beautiful lines!"

Fuxiang smiled and said, "It's said to have originated from the imperial palace."

The talented courtesan nodded slightly. "Then do you know who wrote it?"

The courtesans' eyes lit up, and they all looked at her. "Aya knows?"

Xu Qi'an lowered his head and drank.

The talented courtesan shook her head. "I don't know, but I know some other things that aren't in the Imperial Academy of Music."

She paused deliberately, drinking her wine slowly and deliberately.

"Speak quickly, speak quickly!" the courtesans urged anxiously.

Fuxiang's attention was also drawn to it; her eyes sparkled, and a smile unconsciously crept onto her lips.

Xu Qi'an had seen this expression before; in his past life, his girlfriend and best friend had almost the same expression when they talked about luxury handbags.

Aya was pleased with the women's attitude and said with a smile, "This poem was also born during a drinking game, and those who participated in the banquet were all princesses and royal daughters."

"Is it the eldest princess?" the courtesans guessed.

If any of the princes and princesses could write such a masterpiece of seven-character verse, it would undoubtedly be the renowned Princess Huaiqing.

"I wouldn't know about that." Aya shook her head, gave Xu Qi'an a flirtatious look, and laughed:

"Although it's only half a poem, its quality is no less than Young Master Xu's poem on plum blossoms. But I feel that Young Master Xu's poetic talent is unique; that half-poem must have been a flash of inspiration, unlike Young Master Xu's overflowing talent."

"Yes, yes, has Young Master Xu produced any masterpieces recently? I have long admired you." Another alluring and passionate courtesan cast a flirtatious glance.

The other courtesans remained silent, but smiled and gazed at him with deep affection.

They are both competitors and collaborators, attempting to join forces to extract something valuable from Xu Qi'an.

Xu Qi'an chuckled as he drank his wine, "Lately, my inspiration has dried up, and I haven't produced any new works. After all, even I can't compose a poem every three or four days."

Upon hearing his words, the women were initially disappointed and looked dejected, but then they realized that something was amiss with his words.

Three or four days later? Wasn't Xu Gongzi's latest work the poem "Ode to Fuxiang" presented to Fu Xiang, and before that, the poem "Who in the world does not know you?" presented to Layman Ziyang?

They were unaware of the poem encouraging study.

Both poems have been around for some time and were widely circulated, but their popularity has gradually declined. What does "three or four days apart" mean? It means that he wrote a new poem three or four days ago.

Aya recalled the half-seven-character poem that had come from the palace the day before. It was a poem from the palace, and it would naturally take some time for it to reach the Imperial Academy of Music. So, the timing was about right.

Her beautiful eyes widened, her slender fingers gripping the handkerchief tightly. At this moment, her delicate body trembled slightly with excitement as she stared intently at Xu Qi'an, her voice trembling slightly:

"What is Young Master Xu's new work?"

Fuxiang reacted the fastest, turning her head suddenly, her watery eyes reflecting Xu Qi'an's image.

It was a mixture of unspoken excitement and nervousness, like the joy and anticipation of suddenly discovering something you love and cherish right beside you.

The laughter and chatter abruptly stopped, and the hall fell silent. The clever and quick-witted courtesans realized something and turned to look at each other with complicated and inscrutable expressions.

They might be expectant, surprised, or bewildered.