Chapter 43: Rumors

Chapter 43: Rumors

In the afternoon garden of the Xie estate, maidservants and matrons gathered to gossip.

"One's heard that Jing Si Courtyard is now inhabited."

"Is it true? That was where Eldest Master used to study. Second Miss tried to move in several times but never succeeded."

"Who is so influential?"

"I bet you wouldn't have guessed. It's the one who held Eldest Master hostage that night."

"How could it be her?"

"Aren't people like her supposed to be locked up for their audacity?"

"Yes, why is she living in Jing Si Courtyard then?"

"Jing Si Courtyard aside, Physician Pei even attended to her illness!"

Not a single soul dared to utter a sound.

Dr. Pei was no ordinary man; he only treated the main family of the Xie residence. Even Lady Liu, who had given birth to a son and a daughter for Master Xie, did not have such privilege.

"I've heard that Eldest Young Master visits Jingsi Courtyard every other day now."

"..."

A girl who dared to hold Eldest Young Master captive and could even summon Dr. Pei could only be one thing:

She was Eldest Young Master's mistress outside of the family, who, through some means, had caused such a commotion that Eldest Young Master had no choice but to bring her home and elevate her status to a noble concubine.

It was over – there would be no peace in Eldest Young Master's courtyard from now on.

...

"Have you heard? Someone has taken up residence in Jingsi Courtyard."

"Is that true? That was where Eldest Young Master used to study. Second Miss tried several times to move in there, but she never succeeded."

"Who could it be, with such influence?"

"Well, if you recall, it was the lady that Third Master carried in his arms that very night."

"What sort of relationship do you think she has with Third Master?"

"There's no need to speculate; she's living in the Tranquil Contemplation Pavilion. Most likely, she's a concubine he keeps outside the household."

"Is Third Master planning to marry her?"

"How could he possibly marry an outsider? She'll only be a concubine, with Miss Du retaining her rightful place."

"But with Miss Du's temperament, there's a high chance she won't tolerate it."

"That's why the woman is clever. She's establishing her footing in the Xie family before Miss Du's marriage, and perhaps even bears him a child. If Miss Du can't accept her then, she'll have to."

"Why did Third Master suddenly change his ways? Didn't he say he wouldn't entangle himself..."

"He might not seek trouble, but there's no stopping women from throwing themselves at him. Our Third Master is quite the looker, one of the most sought-after in the capital."

"Catastrophe awaits; there will be no tranquility in Third Master's residence from now on."

...

At this moment, the lady of the Tranquil Contemplation Pavilion stood before a writing desk, penning her thoughts.

"It has been five days since I moved into the Xie household. The bed is too soft, unlike the firm one at home, leaving me with a sore back and aching waist after sleep. In Li Buyan's words, it's a 'disappointment.'

"The food is excellent, with at least five dishes and one soup for each main meal, not to mention the bird's nest delicacy. In just five days, I've regained the weight I lost in two months. That's a 'thumbs up' from me."

The plump Xie is so vexing, always calling me 'Miss' this and 'Miss' that. I told him to be quiet, but he wouldn't listen; he's asking for a beating. I'm contemplating whether to give him a sound thrashing just to keep him in line for a few days.

{Tangyuan} still doesn't dare to dine at the same table with me, sitting only half on his seat and barely touching the dishes. Does my face intimidate strangers that much?

Xie Erli has visited twice without saying much, simply saying he came to take a look.

Is he that idle?

Wouldn't it be more enjoyable to spend his time listening to songs at a teahouse?

...

A few more days passed.

In the Serenity Contemplation Chamber, the lady of the house stood by the writing desk, dipping her quill and continuing to write.

"It has been twelve days since I moved into the Xie residence. I've grown accustomed to the soft bed, but the quilt is so silky that it often slips off the bed during the night.

"The food remains of high quality, complemented with seasonal fruits and desserts. However, the fruits in the Four Nine City lack sweetness,

Yesterday, I made a comment: "Where I come from, this kind of melon is only fit for feeding pigs," and once again, Fat Xie knelt down in submission.

For twelve days, Fatso Xie has been kneeling twenty-eight times. Should I just go ahead and break his legs outright? Better yet, let's not even bother letting him rise again.

These past few days, Tangyuan has mustered the courage to serve herself food, but she just can't seem to shake off the title "servant maid." It's a term that grates on her ears.

Miss Xie, the wayward noble, made two visits without much comment, simply saying she came to take a look as well.

Is he also idle?

Aren't wastrels supposed to spend their days in brothels listening to music?

I haven't even left the Tranquil Contemplation Pavilion up till now. In the next half a month, I must take care of my health and replenish what I've lost.

That's because I can sense the next Heart Demon drawing ever closer!

...

Yan Sanhe couldn't have predicted that at this very moment, Xie Wastrel was hurriedly making his way to the brothel.

In the capital, brothels were divided into three classes.

The top tier were the musical academies, which catered exclusively to high-ranking officials and nobles.

The courtesans inside were mostly family members of convicted officials, with some even imported from neighboring countries. They were skilled in poetry and skilled in serving, without the air of the common courtesan, earning them the adjective 'elegant.'

The second class were the pavilions and mansions.

Most of the girls in the building and courtyard came from humble backgrounds. Though their looks and education might not match those in the official music and dance academy, they knew how to entertain.

Their sweet melodies could melt a man's bones, earning them the descriptor 'alluring.'

The lowest rank were the streetwalkers.

As these girls grew older and their beauty faded, they resorted to the flesh trade just to survive, embodying the word 'vulgar.'

Those from noble families generally avoided the music and dance academy.

Why was that?

Because the political arena was a slaughterhouse, and an unfortunate turn of events could easily send one's female relatives to such a place.

The Beautiful Spring House was their preferred destination.

But Xie Wanku wasn't there to listen to some young maiden sing a ditty.

He pushed aside the approaching attendant, strode up the stairs with a swordsman's pace, and headed straight for the innermost private room on the second floor. Then, he raised his foot.

The door was kicked open with a bang.

Laughter and clapping abruptly ceased.

Three or four bald monks turned their heads in unison. Xie Zhifei immediately spotted Pei Xiao, his head still adorned with black hair, surrounded by others.

"Anyone who doesn't want to be impeached by the censor tomorrow had better get lost!"

Not daring to utter a single protest, the monks hastily pushed away the women in their arms and scurried off in disgrace.

Upon seeing Third Master Xie, who usually wore a warm smile, now resembling a malevolent spirit, the ladies also dared not linger and swiftly left.

Xie Zhifei entered with a dark expression, his gaze fixed on Pei Xiao.

"As the Right Shànshì of the Monastery Registrar, a sixth-rank official, you actually bring your subordinates to visit a brothel. Do you still want your position?"

"I do. Why wouldn't I?"

Pei Xiao replied earnestly, "Amitabha, my soul may belong to Buddha, but my body is entitled to the secular world."

Xie Zhifei found his audacious behavior rather amusing.

"You're the only one who's secular, that's fine. Everyone in the capital knows you, Pei Mingting, are just passing time at the Monastery of Records. Yet, you've even dragged a bunch of monks into your secular ways. I suppose you're courting death."

"Which damned snitch reported me to you?"

Pei Xiao slammed his hand on the table and cursed, "The high officials turn a blind eye to brothels and courtesans, but they can't stand me listening to a little song? Is there any justice in this world? Are there laws or not?"

The 'damn snitch' that Lord Pei referred to was an Inspector from the Board of Censors, a group of officials with modest ranks but considerable power.

Crucially, due to their low rank, officials of fifth rank or above didn't dare provoke them, whereas those below sixth rank were relentlessly targeted – they behaved like mad dogs, attacking anyone they encountered.

Xie Zhifei gestured at him with a nod.

"Ancestor, can't you be a bit more cautious at this crucial moment?"

"It's precisely at this crucial moment that I feel the need to catch my breath."

Pei Xiao scoffed. "So what? Now that my uncle has lost his position, do those mongrels plan to sink their teeth into me again?"

Xie Zhifei: "From the tone of your voice, you're planning to retaliate?"

"The act of biting back is not for gentlemen."

Pei Xiao rolled his eyes. "Gentlemen have dog-chasing sticks, to break the legs of those mongrels."

"Enough with the bragging."

Recalling some rumors he had just heard, Xie Zhifei leaned in and lowered his voice.

"Did your maternal grandmother, Madam Ji's grave, get disturbed by anyone?"

Pei Xiao's halfway-rolled eyes froze in place.