Dance

Mingyan, the courtesan, froze upon seeing the eight thousand taels of indenture she had sold herself to. A mix of emotions welled up within her, including relief, joy, and jealousy.

The courtesans shared similar complex feelings. Eight thousand taels of silver was enough to buy a luxurious mansion in a prime location within the inner city. The Imperial Academy of Music) was known as a den of iniquity, but instances of spending a full eight thousand taels to redeem a famous courtesan were truly rare.

Officials dared not, while wealthy merchants felt the pinch.

Xu Yinluo did it; he casually tossed down a full eight thousand taels of silver.

What touched the courtesans most deeply was that Lady Fuxiang was terminally ill and didn't have much time left. So, the eight thousand taels of silver were merely buying the wish of a courtesan.

What man in the world could go to such lengths for a woman like them?

Xu Yinluo was different from the other men; the hearts of all the courtesans were almost softened as they stared adoringly at the young man in the scholar's robe.

"Xu Lang."

Looking at the contract of indenture on the table, Fuxiang laughed, her face streaked with tears.

Xu Qi'an, who already owed you something, sat on the edge of the bed and sighed.

Fuxiang looked at him gently, her pretty face flushed, and choked out, "You didn't have to come. I... I don't look good right now."

Xu Qi'an reached out and touched her cheek, his expression somewhat complicated.

I have another wish.

Fuxiang turned her head and looked at the courtesans, saying, "I would like to offer Xu Lang a final dance, and I humbly request that you ladies accompany me."

The courtesans nodded.

Fuxiang smiled, then looked at Xu Qi'an: "Young Master Xu, please wait in the outer hall for a moment."

After the person left, Fuxiang changed into a layered, gorgeous red dress embroidered with bright red plum blossoms. Mei'er combed her hair, put it into a bun, and adorned her with luxurious hair ornaments.

Her eyebrows were drawn with a delicate curve, her lip gloss was applied to create a fiery red lip, and her blush brought color back to her pale face.

Fuxiang gazed at the stunningly beautiful woman in the mirror and smiled.

Six years ago, a stunningly beautiful young woman came to the Imperial Academy of Music. She was the daughter of a disgraced official and had fallen into prostitution, but she harbored a special purpose.

She diligently practiced her musical skills and studied poetry and literature, eventually becoming the most beautiful courtesan in the Imperial Academy of Music, her fame spreading far and wide.

Six years passed in the blink of an eye, and she should have ended this chapter of her life, but a young man entered her world like a ray of light, cleaving through the dark sky.

At the end of the journey, the young man was there, bringing her a perfect ending.

Fuxiang gracefully rose, lifted her skirt, and ran out of the room. From the master bedroom to the outer hall, she ran through the long corridor, as if running through six years of time, and at the end, she met him.

The hall was filled with the melodious sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments.

A solo dance in a red dress.

Graceful as a startled swan, elegant as a swimming dragon.

In the epilogue, she collapsed into Xu Qi'an's arms.

The beauty in his arms raised her head, her face already streaked with tears, her expression one of utter despair. "My love, I'm leaving now. From now on..."

All I hope for is to leave a mark on your heart; what I fear is that I am insignificant and will be forgotten in an instant.

Xu Qi'an held her close and whispered, "I won't come to the Imperial Academy of Music anymore."

It began with you, and it will end with you.

For Xu Qi'an, this also marks the end of a certain stage in his life's journey.

Fuxiang laughed, a smile more radiant and captivating than ever before, with a graceful charm like that of a plum blossom.

A wisp of a ghost drifted away, gracefully disappearing into the distance.

Inside the hall, the courtesans, including Mingyan and Xiaoya, wept softly, tears streaming down their faces.

The once-famous courtesan, Fuxiang, has passed away, her life ending abruptly. She has completely shed her former glamour and bid farewell to her career in the Imperial Academy of Music).

But her ending was not tragic. Xu Qi'an appeared at the Imperial Academy of Music today and spent eight thousand taels of silver to redeem her and free her from her lowly status. The news spread throughout the entire Imperial Academy of Music in an instant.

Spending eight thousand taels to redeem a terminally ill prostitute—even a traditional story couldn't depict such a plot.

Compared to Xu Qi'an's extravagant spending to fulfill the beauty's wish, the descriptions of talented scholars in folk tales readily dissecting their hearts seem both pale and powerless.

For a time, the women of the Imperial Academy of Music were all talking about Xu Qi'an, about this legendary silver gong of the Great Feng, the former silver gong.

The Imperial Academy of Music) has always been a hub for rumors, and within just two days, almost every customer who was eligible to patronize the Imperial Academy of Music knew about this incident.

In this era, the love stories of impoverished scholars and wealthy heiresses, and talented men and famous courtesans, are two enduringly popular themes.

Everyone who heard about this couldn't help but praise Xu Qi'an for his loyalty and righteousness, and they talked about it with great relish, spreading the word far and wide.

The story spread like wildfire, becoming a topic of conversation among ordinary people, merchants, and officials alike.

This morning, while having lunch, the Prime Minister heard his second son talking incessantly about these rumors circulating in the streets.

"Eight thousand taels of silver. If I were to manage it, I could double it in less than a year. Brother, do you think Xu Qi'an is foolish? If it's just to win the heart of a beauty, then so be it."

"But he's terminally ill; those eight thousand taels will just be wasted."

Upon noticing his father enter, the second young master of the Wang family immediately stopped talking and lowered his head to drink his porridge.

The Wang family had strict rules, advocating that one should not speak while eating or sleeping.

The Grand Secretary sat down at the table, took a sip of porridge, looked at his second son, and asked, "What did you just say?"

Wang Erge stammered, "No, it's nothing."

Chief Minister Wang waved his hand. "Just say it, um, it's related to Xu Qi'an?"

Seeing that his father showed no displeasure, Wang Erge said, "The Fuxiang from the Imperial Academy of Music is terminally ill and beyond medical help. Xu Qi'an spent eight thousand taels to redeem her, just to fulfill the beauty's long-cherished wish. It's truly laughable."

After giving his comments, he cautiously asked, "Father, what do you think?"

The Grand Secretary ignored him and silently finished his porridge.

Wang Erge was somewhat disappointed that he did not receive his father's approval.

Yes, my father never talks about people behind their backs, but he must think the same way I do.

After finishing his porridge, Prime Minister Wang took the handkerchief handed to him by a maid to wipe his mouth, then his hands, and said calmly, "If you can spend eight thousand taels to redeem a dying woman, I will respect you as a hero."

Wang Erge was stunned, dumbfounded.

Haoqi Tower.

"I didn't realize he was such a romantic."

Nangong Qianrou held her teacup and smiled, the expression unreadable—whether it was mockery or approval.

"He may not be infatuated, but he is certainly passionate."

Wei Yuan stood on the observation deck, his wide sleeves fluttering, and casually made a comment.

A few seconds later, he suddenly turned around, slightly annoyed, and said, "I withheld three months' salary from him earlier, where do you think he got so much money?"

Why are you deducting his salary for no reason? Nangong Qianrou scrutinized her godfather.

Wei Yuan remarked with emotion, "In this life, all one seeks is peace of mind."

Hanlin Academy.

The junior scholars sat in the classroom, while the Grand Secretaries of the Hanlin Academy had not yet arrived. The junior scholars sat in their respective seats and chatted idly.

"Xu Yinluo is truly a man of great loyalty and righteousness; he actually spent eight thousand taels to redeem Fuxiang from her servitude."

"Fuxiang was already terminally ill, beyond the reach of medicine, yet Xu Yinluo was still willing to spend money, just so that she could escape her lowly status before she died."

Although Xu Qi'an has resigned from his official post, he is still commonly referred to as Xu Yinluo.

What eight thousand taels? What redemption? Listening to his colleagues whispering, Xu Cijiu bewildered, wondering what earth-shattering thing his elder brother had done this time.

Why is it that my older brother did something so extraordinary, yet I, as his younger brother, was completely unaware?

Because his relationship with Wang Simu developed very quickly, and they went on dates whenever they had free time, Xu Erlang had long since stopped going to the Imperial Academy of Music. As a result, he was behind on the news and did not know about the 8,000 taels of silver for redemption.

"But I've heard that many people are laughing at him, saying, 'How can a dying man be worth eight thousand taels? Xu Yinluo acted impulsively, and now he probably regrets it.'"

"I've also heard that Xu Yinluo is trying to gain prestige."

Others hold a different view.

Fortunately, Xu Erlang was still in a daze, otherwise these junior scholars would have been berated to the point of questioning their existence.

Just then, a coughing sound came from outside the door, and the stern and serious Hanlin Academy scholar, holding a book, entered the classroom.

The junior scholars immediately fell silent.

This Hanlin Academy Grand Secretary Ma Xiuwen was known for his rigidity and seriousness. He did not form factions or engage in scheming. If we were to say that his skills in officialdom were superb, he certainly secured a place for himself in the fiercely contested court.

However, he remained in the position of Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy for decades without ever being removed from the post.

The officials and probationary scholars of the Hanlin Academy were most impressed by him for his indifference to fame and fortune and his composure.

Just like the plaque hanging in his hall. "I only seek peace of mind."

After finishing the lecture, Ma Xiuwen, a Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy, looked around at everyone, his face unusually amiable, and said with a smile:

"Scholars don't just read books; they read the principles within them. But principles aren't only found in books; they also exist outside of them. I've overheard you discussing how Xu Yinluo spent eight thousand taels to redeem the courtesan of the Imperial Academy of Music. After all this discussion, what principles have you come to?"

What logic is there in that?

"Loyal and righteous?"

"Regarding money as dirt?"

The junior scholars speculated.

Ma Xiuwen, a Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy, smiled and shook his head, his gaze falling on Xu Xinnian. He said, "Cijiu, what do you think?"

Xu Xinnian frowned, inexplicably recalling the time when his elder brother had executed his superior. When he visited his brother in prison, his brother had said, "I wasn't acting impulsively; I just wanted peace of mind."

Looking back, everything he did afterward was just to ease his conscience.

Xu Xinnian said in a deep voice, "I only ask for peace of mind."

Grand Secretary Ma Xiuwen of the Hanlin Academy surveyed the crowd. "Remember this: no matter how high you rise in the future, I hope you will keep this in mind, so that you may have peace of mind."

After finishing his duties, Xu Xinnian returned home, his mind preoccupied with what he had heard during the day.

Upon entering the inner hall, he saw his mother sitting blankly at the table and asked, "Mother, where is my eldest brother?"

His aunt ignored him.

I'm here.

From the courtyard beside him, Xu Qi'an waved.

After his younger brother arrived, he whispered, "Don't mention Fuxiang at home."

Xu Xinnian scrutinized his elder brother. "What's wrong with Ti Fuxiang?"

"The point isn't the Fuxiang, the point is the eight thousand taels. My aunt has been muttering like a broken record all day, 'eight thousand taels, eight thousand taels.'"

As he spoke, Xu Qi'an rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache.

"Who is Sister Xiangling?" Xu Xinnian wondered to himself. Then, he raised his chin and said casually, "I just wanted to tell my elder brother."

"What?" Xu Qi'an asked.

"Life and death are predestined, there's no need to be too sad," Xu Erlang comforted him.

"If you don't know how to comfort people, then don't try," Xu Qi'an nodded and hummed in agreement.

He had already buried Fuxiang's remains. He specially brought Zhong Li back, and then, together with Chu Caiwei, found a burial site with good feng shui outside the capital.

I overheard Chu Caiwei mention something: ever since returning from Jianzhou, Yang Qianhuan has taken to telling stories, and she tells everyone she meets about what she did in Jianzhou.

The junior disciples from the Bureau of Astronomy cheered loudly, praising Senior Brother Yang as unparalleled in the world.

Yang Qianhuan was very happy.

But as news of Xu Qi'an's redemption from the Imperial Academy of Music for eight thousand taels of silver reached the Bureau of Astronomy, Yang Qianhuan lost interest in telling stories. In the past few days, the people of the Imperial Academy of Music had been seeing a white figure appear from time to time.

After dinner, Xu Qi'an knocked on his younger brother's door and said, "Write down the records of the late emperor's daily life that you've been keeping these past few days and show them to me."

Xu Xinnian, having drunk the calming soup, was about to rest when he pushed the cart away, saying, "Let me memorize more."

"No, if you memorize too much, you'll filter out details you deem unimportant. I noticed this problem when I looked at Yuan Jing's daily records last time," Xu Qi'an said displeasedly.

"What's wrong with that?" Xu Erlang didn't think he had done anything wrong.

"Whether it's important or not is up to me, not you." Xu Qi'an walked to the table, spread out the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and urged:

"Come here quickly, your older brother will grind the ink for you himself."

Helpless, Xu Xinnian walked to his desk, sat down, and began to write. He had been reading through many of the late emperor's daily records over the past few days and had memorized them.

If he waits a few days to write it, he will indeed cut out some dialogues that he considers meaningless, otherwise the workload would be too great.

But if he writes it down now, he can reproduce the original content he wrote down verbatim.

Half an hour later, Xu Erlang put down his brush, lightly shook his hand, and pushed a dozen or so sheets of Xuan paper to his elder brother. "All done."

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