Chapter 31

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Luring the snake from its den

Rong Duanyu did not expect to see such a scene when she sat near the window, borrowing the sunlight to thread the needle. She observed quietly for a moment before feeling it was inappropriate and closed the window. She sat back on the bed and continued with her work unhindered. She cut a piece of cloth, clamped it into the embroidery hoop, and nimbly started her needlework. However, her heart was a little disordered.

What are two grown men doing holding hands?

Firmly and with such seriousness, with the five fingers interlocked, inseparable.

Her didi had always worn clothing with broad sleeves, hiding away his hands, so he rarely held other people’s hands. Did his temperament change? She glanced at the swallow-shaped kite on the wall and its red flame-like wings with traces of green at its tips. When she looked closer, she discovered they were two du zhong * leaves.

* reminder that du zhong is a type of tree native to China (called eucommia in English)

Rong Duanyu recalled Rong Luoyun’s words. From saving his life to healing his wound to all sorts of favors, including wiping his mouth…… What kind of disciple would be this intimate? Was her brother really taking all of this with peace of mind?

At this moment, light footsteps came. Rong Luoyun entered with the dried pears and sat down with a clutter. “Sis, do you want?” He held out a piece like a peddler selling melons, “This is what they eat in Du Zhong’s hometown, very sweet and refreshing.”

Rong Duanyu asked: “Du Zhong left?”

Rong Luoyun hummed: “He went to the city to check on the shelter and familiarize himself with the layout of Dusk-till-Dawn, as to make better arrangements.” They will spread the news today and then give the ball tossing event a try tomorrow.

Rong Duanyu said: “I can see that he’s capable. Do you rely on him the most?”

A moment of silence followed. Rong Luoyun didn’t reply immediately and thought seriously about his answer. He undoubtedly relies on Huo Linfeng a lot, not only for his capabilities but also for various other reasons.

He replied after a good while: “Du Zhong is not the same as other people.” He dares to provoke Rong Luoyun but can coax him into happiness; he dares to order him around, yet he is also willing to do maid work for him. He would treat him as a palace lord at times and other times as a friend. Since meeting him, they’ve only gotten closer.

And there were much more that couldn’t be said out loud and could only be thought of, causing Rong Luoyun’s cheeks and ears to flush red.

He had appreciated Huo Linfeng ever since the time he rolled the drums for the other party at the competition. He also trusts Huo Linfeng. The other party had comforted him when he fell into the water and rode three hundred li to save his life, leaving him a strong sense of security. Appreciation, trust, and admiration were not odd feelings for a palace lord to feel towards a disciple. As for what was odd, he couldn’t pinpoint.

Rong Duanyu merely touched upon this matter and did not dig deeper, absorbing herself in her needlework. What she was embroidering was neither a flower nor a plant, but a fierce tiger. This way, if her didi decides to give it away again, he would not seem girlish.

The next day, the shelters were more or less complete and were to be guarded by the government’s people, so the Extraordinary Palace’s disciples all withdrew. At the Manes Pagoda, the two murdered girls were having their funeral in the afternoon. The monks lined up along the road, chanting mantras for them.

The funeral procession passed by the banks of the Long River, where the funeral music was veiled by the sounds of laughter. Pleasure boats decorated with colorful lanterns and banners floated along the river. The girls were wearing light and vibrant clothing now that summer was around the corner. Dusk-till-Dawn was all the more radiant and had its doors and windows wide open, attracting a crowd of stinky men.

The pedestrians were puzzled: “Why are they already receiving guests in the middle of the day?”

Someone spoke: “The girls from good families ran into misfortune so this group of prostitutes can’t sit still anymore!”

Chatter rippled through the crowd. All sorts of comments mixed into a cacophony: some critical, some not, some insulting, some with concern. Once the crowd was absolutely brimming, the gold-ladened proprietress appeared: “Thank you for coming, honored guests. As you know, Dusk-till-Dawn has one day every month for everyone to enjoy themselves to their heart’s content, but that can get boring. “ She paused and lightly cleared her throat to add suspense, “Today, let’s spice things up a little and play Embroidered Ball Tossing [1].”

At the clap of her hand, a girl appeared at a window on the second floor. She plucked the strings of her zither and sang the first half of Two Flying Swallows. Everyone cheered, as this was Dusk-till-Dawn’s best musician [2]. She was dainty like an orchid, with hands delicate like soft blades of grass and a voice like singing orioles.

The proprietress said: “If you manage to grab the embroidered ball she tosses, you will be able to listen to any song you’d like tonight.”

In the distance, two people sat hidden in the thick trees. Huo Linfeng leaned against the tree trunk with Diao Yulaing nestled beside him. One tall and one small, neither had seen this kind of spectacle, so they both stared through the dense leaves with interest.

The time for the tossing had arrived. At the sight of the elegant white satin ball decorated with pearls, the crowd under the building turned noisy and restless. The girl weighed the ball, gesturing like she was amusing dogs.

She lightly turned around and closed her eyes, throwing the ball out the window behind her.

The crowd surged towards the ball like wolves after a plump sheep, descending into a frenzy. They wrestled for the ball, causing it to tumble towards the riverbank, nearly falling into the water. In the trees, there was a light sigh. Diao Yuliang asked: “Du Zhong, why are they getting this crazy? Is it true that pleasure houses can let people ascend to heaven?”

Huo Linfeng didn’t know. When he thought of brothels, his mind would wander to the time he was sick, when he embraced Rong Luoyun, when they were rubbing against each other. It has been many days since then, but that flavor has yet to fade……

In the end, the ball ended up in a young man’s hand. He was full of scholarly air, presumably someone who enjoyed listening to sophisticated music.

Those who did not grab the ball were not resigned, shouting for another round. The proprietress smiled: “No need to fret, everyone. Please look up at the third floor.” Everyone lifted their heads to see the half-opened window up high. A white fan appeared at the window sill.

Someone excitedly guessed: “Dear lord, it’s Bao Luo!”

When Huo Linfeng heard the two words “Bao Luo”, he suddenly felt guilty. Contrarily, Diao Yuliang tugged at his elbow: “Look, Sister Bao Luo’s apricot eyes are so pretty! I like her!”

Huo Linfeng said half-heartedly: “Then you go join the crowd.”

Diao Yuliang heaved a sigh: “At the beginning of the year, Second Brother arranged a feast for me for my birthday at Dusk-till-Dawn. I asked Sister Bao Luo to accompany me.” He didn’t do anything but gnaw on melon seeds for half the night and ended up with a sore throat the next day.

Bao Luo had good looks, charming and delicate, and was one of Dusk-till-Dawn’s most popular girls. The crowd was in an uproar. The proprietress said: “Tomorrow, Bao Luo will be tossing an embroidery ball. For those who are interested, please return here tomorrow.”

Someone asked: “Who will it be on the third day?”

Bao Luo was already revealed, so which girl will be even more dazzling than she? The proprietress smiled and did not answer, merely lifting her hand to point at the fourth floor. Only one window remained closed on the entire floor. Everyone watched with bated breaths. As the window slowly opened, a white silk handkerchief fell out and drifted down.

Huo Linfeng’s lips were tightly pursed, brought back to that night he first met Rong Luoyun.

After coming here and searching for him in the rowdy crowd, he had left full of disappointment. In the end, he unexpectedly picked up the other party’s handkerchief on his way out.

Currently, that falling handkerchief seemed to be cast with a love spell. The crowd was already going crazy for it as it floated in midair, stepping over one another and causing bruises along the way. The little window opened halfway, revealing part of Rong Duanyu’s beautiful face gazing down at them.

Excitement was boiling through the rapidly growing crowd. Before they could see enough of the person, that window shut with a bang. Diao Yulaing snorted: “It was definitely Second Brother who closed it. He’s hiding right by the wall.”

The proprietress continued: “Did everyone see that? On the third day, our Dusk-till-Dawn’s oiran will be tossing the embroidered ball. The person who catches it would be able to spend a night with her.”

The entire crowd was ecstatic. Huo Linfeng picked up the kid and jumped down the tree, entering Dusk-till-Dawn through the back gates. Rong Luoyun and Duan Huaike were both on the fourth floor with Rong Duanyu, who was embroidering in front of her makeup mirror.

Huo Linfeng and Diao Yuliang took a seat and discussed the plans for the coming days with the others. Duan Huaike and Rong Luoyun will each take a room next to Rong Duanyu’s while Huo Linfeng patrolls through the building. Diao Yulaing will lie in waiting at the river bank.

Rong Duanyu will wear a necklace of glass beads for her to break as a signal once the time comes.

They spent the following two days on this arrangement and were practically buried in this pile of beautiful girls.

At dawn of the third day, the little servant was waiting upon his young master as he bathed. “Young Master, the smell of girls on your body isn’t washing off the slightest.” Du Zheng said, “In that Dusk-till-Dawn…… is there someone you’ve taken a liking to?”

This kind of small talk had surfaced many times, even when they were still in Saibei. Huo Linfeng deliberately said: “That’s right, and not just one.”

Du Zheng was silent. His young master didn’t like Bao Yue from home, but at least she’s a proper lady from a good family. He said uncomfortably: “Don’t just look at their exterior and get bewitched by them.”

Huo Linfeng said: “Their exterior is naturally pleasing to the eyes. They can read, write, and even understand Qimen Dunjia. When they’re shy, they like to act arrogant. When they’re angry, they’re can be fierce and powerful. Moreover, their heart goes out for the people and for this general.”

Overlooking everything else, this girl can also be fierce and powerful? Du Zheng scratched his head and still could not grasp this as he sent Huo Linfeng out the door. The morning mist had yet to cede. Huo Linfeng left the Thousand Opportunity Hall to meet with Rong Luoyun. He couldn’t help but smile, attracting the other party’s look of askance.

Rong Luoyun was eating a bag of candied fruit. Having found a use for the fruit pits, he spat them in his palm. When his palm couldn’t hold anymore, a big hand swooped in, catching it for him. The pit was covered in tooth marks, moist and warm to the touch. Huo Linfeng said: “My palm’s covered in Palace Lord’s saliva now. Even being licked by a cat isn’t like this.”

Rong Luoyun was irritated by the word “lick”. It sounded like he stuck out his tongue and licked the other party. “That time when you fell sick……” He wanted to retaliate, “I haven’t complained when your saliva rubbed all over my neck.”

The two chatted along the way and were out of the Extraordinary Palace before they knew it. As they passed by the barracks, they saw a satin carriage parked at its entrance. Huo Linfeng turned back to look when they were a distance away and saw a familiar figure stepping down from the carriage.

“Sir, careful.” A servant placed down a stool.

This “sir” stood quietly at the entrance, looking around, and spoke up after a moment: “The person in charge has yet to arrive. Rather, let’s go visit the city.”

The city has been in full swing for the past two days. Numerous young men camped below Dusk-till-Dawn at twilight, losing a night of sleep just to secure a good spot. The dense crowd was all staring at the small window on the fourth floor.

The proprietress truly knew how to mock people, delaying the event from morning to noon, then from noon to late noon, causing the clamor to reach its highest point. When the sun was shining its brightest, that window finally opened slowly. A hand stretched out. The wind carried out a vermillion sleeve embroidered with a phoenix, sending it floating in the air like heavenly flames.

Rong Duanyu appeared, dressed in gold and red like a newlywed bride.

The crowd plunged into silence. Everyone was stunned silly. She laughed lowly and cast down a fresh plum still dripping with water. The crowd’s stupidfied looks morphed into crazed desperation. She said considerately: “For the hero who catches it, quench your thirst first.”

The crowd scrambled endlessly for it, blocking up the road.

Vehicles had much difficulty passing through, so the satin carriage stopped in the distance. The sir inside looked out, past the sea of people, evading the flying red sleeves, and locked his gaze on the outline of the beautiful woman.

He questioned: “Who’s that young miss in the building?”

The servant answered: “Your Excellency doesn’t know, but this is Dusk-till-Dawn’s oiran, Rong Duanyu, a famous beauty in our city.”

Just as he spoke, an ear-splitting cheer rippled through the crowd. Rong Duanyu was now holding the embroidered ball in her hands. The embroidered ball was covered in golden threads and inlaid with pearls and jades, making people covet it even more. Some people lost their rationality, calling out to Rong Duanyu for marriage.

After creating enough suspense, Rong Duanyu gently tossed the ball and swept a glance over the trees.

It was still the same tree, but the person next to Huo Linfeng changed to Rong Luoyun.

The moment the embroidered ball descended, the crowd surged forward to grab it, fighting to gain the upper hand. A large burly man shoved aside a ring of people, locking the ball tightly in his embrace. Rong Luoyun shot out a fruit pit to hit the large man’s arm.

He sighed: “Like a barbarian, just like the Huo Linfeng type of person.”

Huo Linfeng nearly fell out of the tree: “…… Palace Lord has met Huo Linfeng before?”

Rong Luoyun answered: “I was guessing.” Leading soldiers in Saibei and being exposed to the elements, this was person who could resist an army of thousands with the strength to move mountains and rivers. He reckons this person must not look like a human. Rong Luoyun turned to look at the person next to him and said embarrassedly: “He’s definitely far less handsome than you.”

Huo Linfeng flushed red as he choked, leaving his heart in a mess.

The fighting has yet to stop. The ball had fallen into the water at this point. Rong Luoyun shot out pit after pit, picking out the big barbaric men. If the flower picker didn’t show themselves and his sister was humiliated by these lustful bastards first, what was he to do?

After nearly a shichen, the ball was broken, wet, and dirty. The crowd surrounded what seemed to be a person hugging the ball on the ground. The servant beat the drum, calling out for them to halt. In the last moment of chaos, the ball was sent flying, landing in who knows which person’s hand.

After the dust settled, they saw a youth hugging the ball. His face was young and inexperienced and full of nervousness.

The proprietress took hold of the person: “What’s your name? Have you come of age yet?”

The youth answered in a small voice: “Zha, Zha Xiaotang, just turned seventeen.”

The proprietress exclaimed in surprise, teasing this younster who had yet to mature. When she looked again, she realized that the youth was also holding a jar of wine. Zha Xiaotang said: “I was buying wine for my father, and, and got pulled into the crowd, and this ball randomly landed in my arms.”

He trembled, wanting to cry: “I don’t have money to go to Dusk-till-Dawn……”

The proprietress coaxed: “Oh, my dear, you don’t need to spend any money. Tonight, Oiran-jiejie will show you the world.” She held back lewder words and teased the youth, “If you really can’t, there’s no problem for you to chat and drink tea.”

Zha Xiaotang was pulled into the building, and not long after, the first lights of the evening were lit up. The Extraordinary Palace’s disciples blended into the crowd to keep guard. Laughter drifted from the building, full of teasing and touching. The spring radiance [3] collided with the cool early summer breeze.

Rong Duanyu lifted the hems of her long dress as she came downstairs to dance, taking the limelight. Afterwards, under the watchful stars of many, she led Zha Xiaotang upstairs. The moment they entered the room, Zha Xiaotang retreated two steps. His face was burning red, his mouth slightly agape, and his forehead beaded with sweat from nervousness.

Rong Duanyu couldn’t help but laugh, appearing like a leisurely girl who liked to tease people. “Sit.” She warmly asked, “Would you like tea?”

Zha Xiaotang asked: “…… You really don’t need me to pay?” He was frightened to the extreme, grasping the table ledge in panic, “You guys won’t force me to work here in exchange for money after I spend the night, right…….”

Rong Duanyu laughed, causing the seventeen year old to turn embarrassed. She thought of Rong Luoyun when he was seventeen, quiet but could kill someone with his sword without a change of face.

The two tacitly did not speak and started to play chess, in which Zha Xiaotang lost several times consecutively. “I can’t play well. My dad said I’ve been quite dull since young.” He lowered his head, not daring to meet Rong Duanyu’s beautiful eyes, “Orian-jiejie, if it does not require silver, can I have a bowl of rice to eat……”

Rong Duanyu ordered someone to prepare a table of delicacies. Now that the night was deepening, she changed her position and sat next to Zha Xiaotang so she would be facing the window. Zha Xiaotang had eyes for nothing but the delicious food in front of him, not paying much attention to the beauty right before him. He only stopped eating once he ate his fill, letting out a hiccup.

The hour of chou* had just arrived. This was the most lively time. Huo Linfeng clenched a cup of wine in his hand with a beauty leaning next to him. He was pretending to be a distinguished guest to look around.When he glanced at the entrance, he recieved a shock. An out-of-place figure walked in, refined and elegant in their jade crown and gray robes.

*hour of chou – 1-3 am

Why did he come? To seek pleasure?

Huo Linfeng secretly watched as that person gracefully declined the several beauties who rushed up to him and climbed the stairs alone. Huo Linfeng couldn’t just focus on one person, so after he looked away for a moment, that person’s figure was lost among the crowd of restless guests.

In the room upstairs, Zha Xiatang stopped being so cautious and gradually started chatting with Rong Duanyu. He asked: “Oiran-jiejie, why are you always looking at the window?”

Rong Duanyu answered: “It has carvings of the biyi bird [4]. I really like them, that’s all.”

Zha Xiaotang saw her sentimental mood and changed the subject: “Jiejie, have you heard of the Kunshan Sect?” He continued, “The Kunshan Sect was once a great evil sect, committing every imaginable crime, and had committed evil here in Xiqian Ridge before.”

Rong Luoyun naturally knew. Kunshan Sect saw the Extraordinary Palace as its mortal enemy, so the two were always in conflict. Three years ago, all of Kunshan Sect’s disciples came seeking blood and clashed with the Extraordinary Palace in a fierce battle that lasted three days and nights. In the end, the Kunshan Sect was wholly exterminated and the Extraordinary Palace lost more than half its disciples.

Zha Xiaotang said: “I was only fourteen that year. Afterward, the Extraordinary Palace became the great evil sect.”

Rong Duanyu did not want to talk about this. Suddenly, the window shook from the blowing wind, startling her. Zha Xiaotang chuckled lightly beside her and said heedlessly: “I’m afraid jiejie doesn’t actually like biyi birds?”

Rong Duanyu looked at him suspiciously. Zha Xiaotang continued: “You’re waiting for the flower picker, aren’t you?”

That beautiful face had turned pale. The youth raised a hand and knocked Rong Duanyu unconscious in his arms. His shy and childish look peeled away as he glanced at the room’s walls. He could barely suppress his delight as he thought of Rong Luoyun, who was still waiting on the other side in vain.

Zha Xiaotang picked up Rong Duanyu horizontally and made his way to the bed step by step.

The red candles flickered upon the soft canopy as he removed the accessories and pulled off the clothing. He reached his hand to touch that jade-like neck, searching to undo the knots of the inner robes. He lowered his head, wanting to get close, and reached his hand to caress that face.

Just then, a knock sounded. Zha Xiaotang held his breath and stayed silent. Two more sharp knocks followed. Huo Linfeng stared from the lower floor, and Rong Luoyun next door grew suspicious. The man outside this fourth floor room was persistent and kept knocking.

Rap, rap.

That person announced in a deep voice: “This one is Shen Zhou, requesting to see the oiran.”

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Notes

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