Chapter 56: Truly a Laughing and Crying Matter

Chapter 56: Truly a Laughing and Crying Matter

Once the trio of master and servants left the inner chambers, the maids and older female servants, upon seeing them all dressed in men's clothes, were momentarily stunned. Then, without a word, they went back to their tasks. Affairs of the master’s household were not for them to meddle in.

After leaving Shi’an Garden, the three took a sedan chair to the main gate and then boarded a carriage. Few in the residence knew of their venture out in male attire.

The capital was divided into four areas: the east was noble, the south wealthy, the west average, and the north poor. Today’s objective was to scout locations for a market, looking for a suitable spot for a club. The primary clientele of the future club would be those not short on money, so Tang Shuyi instructed the coachman to head first to the bustling streets of the eastern city. After exploring the east, they would visit the south.

However, Tang Shuyi's preference lay with the eastern city. After all, it was the abode of the elite, and leisure activities there were subtly symbolic of one's status.

The carriage clattered its way to the most bustling street in the eastern city, De'an Street. Tang Shuyi and her companions alighted at the street corner and beheld the thriving ancient thoroughfare. The road was paved with blue stones, flanked by shops lined in close succession. There were taverns, teahouses, inns, and stores selling a myriad of goods.

The street was abuzz with pedestrians of all sorts. There were commoners in coarse linen, the wealthy in fine silks and satins, and nobles in lavish garments.

Of course, those nobles dressed in lavish attire rarely walked the streets. Most would have their carriages or sedan chairs stop at their destinations, where they would either shop, drink, or enjoy tea and listen to operas.

The prosperity and wealth of the Great Qian Dynasty could rival that of the Tang and Song Dynasties in Tang Shuyi's previous life.

Tang Shuyi's attire for the day was undoubtedly luxurious. Coupled with her exceptional beauty, as she walked down the street, she attracted many gazes. Numerous young ladies blushed after casting a few glances at her.

Tang Shuyi paid no mind to this. After strolling around the street, she entered the most elegantly renovated teahouse on the street, Yunlan Pavilion.

Upon entering, she found the main hall filled with guests, both young and old, all engaged in tea and conversation. On the stage at the front, an elderly man sat behind a desk, passionately storytelling:

"...Who is our Lord Xiao, you ask? In battle, with a sweep of his crescent blade, he reaps the heads of his enemies like wheat..."

The storyteller was recounting the tales of Lord Xiao Huai's great defeat of enemy forces, which Tang Shuyi found quite amusing and decided to listen for a while longer. But as she settled in, a comely waiter approached her with a bow and a smile, asking, "Would the gentleman prefer the main hall or a private room?"

Tang Shuyi came back to her senses and replied, "I want a top-notch private room."

Judging by her attire, the waiter knew she was no ordinary patron and promptly said with a smile, "Right this way to the Tian No. 3 private room, please."

As Tang Shuyi followed him upstairs, she casually asked, "Isn't Tian No. 1 the best room?"

The waiter chuckled, "You are correct, sir. But the Tian No. 1 private room is occupied today."

Tang Shuyi had asked merely in passing, without any intent to probe for information, but the waiter proudly shared, "In recent times, Minister Qi has been visiting our Yunlan Pavilion for tea every few days, always in the Tian No. 1 room."

Tang Shuyi hadn't expected to hear a familiar name and inquired, "Does Minister Qi always drink tea at your establishment?"

"Not really," replied the waiter. "Minister Qi used to frequent Yuxi Tower, but now he often comes to our Yunlan Pavilion."

The waiter's face beamed with pride, as if Minister Qi's patronage of their teahouse was a badge of honor. Upon reflection, it indeed seemed so.

Minister Qi Liangsheng was a high-ranking official of the second rank, influential and once a top imperial exam scholar. A person of his stature frequenting the teahouse was akin to providing it with free advertising!

Tang Shuyi pondered internally that if her club were to open, she would need to attract a few prominent figures like Minister Qi to make a splash.

For the younger generation who enjoyed literature and calligraphy, she could have her eldest brother lead them; for those who preferred entertainment, her second brother could be the host. Then, she could have the heir of the Tang ducal house, her eldest brother, bring along Minister Qi and other court officials...

The more she thought about it, the more feasible her club seemed.

Lost in thought, she reached the upstairs corridor. Following the waiter, they passed the Tian No. 2 room when suddenly, a few words drifted out and caught her ear: "Xiao Yuchen."

Tang Shuyi paused in her steps, and the waiter quickly moved closer, whispering, "Sir, please enter the No. 3 room quickly. The nobles here are not to be offended."

Tang Shuyi's expression subtly changed as she followed the attendant forward. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Cuiyun, who slowed her pace and stayed by the door of private room number two. Tang Shuyi and Cuizhu continued with the attendant into private room number three.

The room was indeed elegantly furnished, but Tang Shuyi was not in the mood to appreciate it. She glanced at Cuizhu again. Understanding her mistress's intent, Cuizhu discreetly placed a five-tael silver ingot into the attendant's hand. The attendant, quick on the uptake, bent over with a smile and said to Tang Shuyi, "My lord, what may I assist you with?"

Seated comfortably in the spacious armchair, Tang Shuyi casually fiddled with the jade pendant hanging at her waist, and asked with an air of nonchalance, "Who is in private room number two?"

The attendant, bowing and lifting his eyes, saw the lord seated before him. With brows and eyes more delicate than that of ordinary women, and a stature as tall and straight as bamboo in the mountains, he truly resembled a clear breeze under the bright moon. Especially noteworthy were his hands playing with the jade pendant, their fineness rivaling the white jade in his grasp.

"Eyes not needed, then?" Cuizhu rebuked him in a gruff voice as she noticed him staring at Tang Shuyi.

The attendant immediately knelt down, forehead touching the ground as he pleaded, "My lord, I was brash. Please spare me."

Having been an attendant for many years, he had developed a keen eye. The individual before him was certainly no ordinary person.

Tang Shuyi remained silent, and the attendant felt the air around him grow so thin that breathing became difficult. After what felt like an eternity, he heard a faint "rise," and he nearly collapsed in relief, almost falling to the ground.

"Who is in private room number two?" Tang Shuyi repeated her question.

This time, the attendant stood properly, head bowed, not daring to let his eyes wander, and replied softly, "Private room number two is occupied by... Princess Changping."

Tang Shuyi's brow furrowed. It was Princess Changping.

Observing the attendant's hesitant demeanor, Tang Shuyi said, "Speak your mind. If your words are satisfactory, you will be handsomely rewarded."

The attendant hesitated, then spoke, "I... I just wanted to advise my lord that it would be best not to let Princess Changping see you. I’ve heard that she now favors more mature and steady men. Recently, Minister Qi has been closely pursued by her."

Tang Shuyi hadn't expected to hear such words and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.