Come On, I'll Take You Out for Some Fun

Bai Mo thought back over the past two days. Everyone had been talking about family standing.

She had nothing better to do anyway, so she could make a teeny bit of effort to improve herself...

Letting herself rot was one thing, but having people look down on her all the time was pretty uncomfortable.

It wouldn't hurt to learn a few things, get to know this era, and live a little more comfortably.

After pondering for a moment, she said, "Mother, I'm already seventeen. If I wanted to study, how would I go about it?"

Bai Peilan froze, looking at Bai Mo with some disbelief.

"Weren't you always avoiding your studies like the plague? You even beat the tutors Madam Chen hired for you until they fled."

Bai Mo: !!!

"Hehehe, was I just young and reckless back then?"

Bai Peilan's eyes shifted. She felt she had seen through the whole affair. Her daughter's sudden change of heart was truly remarkable. Why would she suddenly want to study?

She must have fallen desperately in love with that young master of the Shen family and felt she couldn't let herself sink any further. She had to strive to improve herself so she could stand at his side?

"Then I'll ask around tomorrow and see if I can find a tutor for you?"

"All right, I'll leave it to you to arrange, Mother."

The two of them were talking on completely different wavelengths, which was rather amusing.

Bai Yuanshuang was talking with Madam Chen in the Peach Blossom Courtyard, adding fuel and vinegar as she recounted what had just happened on the road. A cold light appeared in Madam Chen's eyes, but he then smiled knowingly.

He patted Bai Yuanshuang's hand, rose, and tended to the incense burner. The fragrance of peach blossoms in the room grew a little stronger.

"Why should Shuang'er bother getting angry with her? It happened in full view of everyone, and they all saw it. I'll have someone make more of today's incident, and that eldest girl's reputation will only grow worse. The worse it gets, the farther she'll be from the title."

"Do you understand what I'm saying, Shuang'er?" Madam Chen looked back at Bai Yuanshuang.

Bai Yuanshuang pondered briefly, then smiled.

"You're absolutely right, Father. I was looking at it the wrong way."

"It's a pity about that young master surnamed Xiao. He was truly extraordinary and elegant. I wonder whose son he is. It's such a pity I couldn't make his acquaintance."

"Oh? Has Shuang'er taken an interest in this young gentleman? You only met him once, yet you can't stop thinking about him."

Madam Chen wanted to sound out his daughter's thoughts further. "Shuang'er, you're old enough to be betrothed. I had my eye on the third young master of the vice minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Have you heard of him, my child?"

"Wang Wangjiang? His looks are passable, but he's fierce and hot-tempered. He can't compare to Young Master Qingya, and he's a thousand miles short of Young Master Xiao, whom I met today." Bai Yuanshuang felt her father was being a little too casual about her marriage. She pouted and gave it no further thought.

"Since you don't like him, we'll keep looking."

"I still have an elder sister above me. Her marriage hasn't been settled, so why should I be in a hurry?"

"True. I should devote more attention to Bai Mo's marriage."

Father and daughter exchanged a smile.

After Shen Qing returned to his residence, he sat alone by the window playing chess.

His thoughts still hadn't settled. He had always believed he had only a year left to live, but an unexpected turn had suddenly appeared!

It was like a drowning man being pulled from the water...

If she really could rid him of the poison, perhaps his original plans could be postponed? Those people could live a few more days...

Xiaojing entered the study carrying tea. Seeing that his young master hadn't made a single move for a long time, Xiaojing stepped forward and said, "Young Master, this tea was just brewed."

"Put it down. Have Father Jiang prepare some plain congee for supper. Go prepare hot water for my bath and add some flower essence to calm the nerves..."

"Yes."

Shen Qing was still thinking about what Bai Mo had said...

If she came, how would she get here? When would she come? Would she really dare barge into a man's private quarters?

His thoughts were in turmoil!!

Bai Mo lay on a chaise longue while Xiaohan pounded her legs and Xiaoman peeled grapes for her.

"Ah, do you think the Green Grass Pavilion is fun?"

Lixia stood by the incense burner, lighting incense. She glanced back with a soft laugh.

Xiaohan, however, fawningly stepped forward. "Miss, it's so much fun. How could it not be? You usually take Sister Lixia with you. Take me along for a little outing next time, won't you?"

Bai Mo turned her head and saw her starry eyes.

"Young Master Biluo's zither, Young Master Yunwu's dance, Young Master High Mountain's singing, Young Master Sparrow's Tongue's flute—which one isn't a marvel?"

Bai Mo's interest was piqued. This was an ancient brothel, hey, a place where blue sleeves added fragrance! How could the apocalypse have a place as wonderful as that?

"Let's go! It's so much fun, I'll take you all out for a look."

Bai Mo ate another grape, utterly content. This really was a life fit for an immortal.

She did rather want to be a good person, study hard, and make progress every day. But before that, it was only reasonable to enjoy herself a little, right?

At the hour of the rooster.

Lixia drove the carriage, and the four of them, mistress and servants, set off for the Green Grass Pavilion.

The carriage passed through an alley and reached the intersection at the end of South Market Street. The view suddenly opened up before them. Lanterns and decorations hung everywhere, and the place was exceptionally bustling, not looking the least bit like nighttime.

The South Market area was the Capital's most famous den for squandering gold. Its brothels, restaurants, and gambling houses stayed open all night, especially the Green Grass Pavilion and the Adding Fragrance House on opposite banks of the Dian River, which were famous throughout the seven kingdoms.

This was a small branch of the Dian River. The water was smooth and still, with little wooden boats floating on it. Some young men performed to attract customers, while others accompanied their patrons on boat rides.

It was a real eye-opener for Bai Mo. Could this rival the Qinhuai River in ancient China?

As soon as the carriage stopped outside the Green Grass Pavilion, the madam came up to greet them, swaying her barrel-like waist. "Oh, if it isn't Eldest Miss Bai! Come in, quickly. You haven't visited for a few days, and I've missed you terribly."

"Attendant, go prepare a private room facing the stage."

"Eldest Miss Bai, haven't you come at just the right time today? Our Young Master Yunwu is putting up his name today to receive his first bedchamber guest. Please, come in."

"When Yun Wu dances later, I'll arrange the best seat for you."

The madam laughed until her whole body shook like a flowering branch. The smell of her rouge was enough to give one a headache...

"Lead the way. Bring us your best food and wine."

"Certainly! Please, head up to the second floor, and mind your step."

There were many people around them, all chattering about Yun Wu putting up his name today.

"Hey, are you here for Young Master Yunwu too?"

"Are you? Sister Huang, you must go easy on me. I've been fond of Yun Wu for a long time."

"Yun Wu sold his art but not his body, and today he suddenly put up his name. I almost missed it."

"Isn't that so? I don't think I have any hope. So many people have come today, and my purse is tight. But now that he's put up his name, I'll have a chance to come sample him too."

"Sister, great minds think alike."

"I heard Young Master Yunwu's foster mother is gravely ill, and he needs money to buy a hundred-year-old ginseng root to keep her alive. That's why he had no choice but to put up his name..."

In a private room on the second floor.

The room was decorated with great refinement, with a small latticed window and gauze curtains, rosewood tables and chairs, and a railing carved with mandarin ducks.

The attendant served the food and wine. Bai Mo picked up the wine and tasted it. Leisurely Drunk was quite good...

Xiaohan and Xiaoman cupped their cheeks and gazed out the window, while Lixia stood properly at Bai Mo's side, pouring wine.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Eldest Miss Bai, I've brought Young Master Biluo."

The madam's voice sounded outside the door.

Xiaoman hurried over to open it.

"Eldest Miss Bai, I'll take my leave now. There are many guests today, so please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality."

A young man in green robes approached gracefully, a guqin in his arms. He lowered his head slightly and bowed.

"Biluo greets Eldest Miss Bai."

Bai Mo quickly waved a hand. "No need for formalities. Biluo, play something quiet and elegant. I happen to be a little tired."

"Yes."

Biluo looked at Bai Mo, his eyes full of affection. His voice was melodious and moving, as though it held a thousand strands of longing.

Only then did Bai Mo remember that Biluo was the original owner's old flame!!

Well... no wonder his gaze was so clingy.