109: Chapter 109 Nothing to do today, let's listen to music!

Yuexian Pavilion.

These three words were like an invisible needle, instantly piercing deep into Chen Fan's memories.

Yanzhou, that misty, rain-drenched night, and that woman named Ni Chang, whose every smile and frown was filled with charm.

And that piece of green jade pendant, carved with a crescent moon, which he had casually kept.

His hand reached behind him subconsciously.

That tattered black cloth bag belonging to Chen Jinzhong was now resting quietly on his back.

The jade pendant was inside.

He had achieved Possession of Luo Hengsheng, but he had also inherited everything of Chen Jinzhong, including this insignificant memento and that short-lived memory.

So, Yuexian Pavilion was actually a massive organization spread throughout the world?

And it had branches in Jiangzhou too?

"Master Luo, what kind of place is that? It's so beautiful!" Hong Shao's voice pulled him back from his thoughts; she shook his arm vigorously, her beautiful eyes filled with little stars.

Qing Luo also tilted her head, looking at the magnificent pavilion, her small mouth slightly agape, her eyes already bedazzled by its luxury.

"A place to listen to music."

Chen Fan replied indifferently and turned his horse around.

"Let's find a place to stay first."

...

The prosperity of Jiangcheng was reflected in every detail.

They found an inn called "Yingkeju"; the room rate for just one night was enough for an ordinary family in Shu Province to live comfortably for a year.

The inn's attendants welcomed and saw off guests with just the right amount of enthusiasm—neither fawning nor neglectful—evidently accustomed to seeing high-ranking officials and nobles.

The room was spacious and bright. Pushing open the window, one could see the bustling Vermilion Bird Street, the busiest in Jiangcheng, with its constant flow of traffic and clamor of voices, all within view.

Over the next few days, Chen Fan completely let go of the heaviness in his heart and, taking the two sisters with him, dove headfirst into this prosperous land of gentleness.

He bought them the most fashionable silk dresses, with delicate mandarin ducks embroidered on the hems that swayed gracefully as they walked, drawing frequent glances from passersby.

He bought them jewelry from "Baozhenzhai" in the west of the city; the warm, mutton-fat white jade hairpin, tucked into Qing Luo's cloud-like hair, made her pretty face look even more elegant and refined.

Hong Shao chose a pair of red-gold Phoenix earrings that swayed gently with her smiles and glances, adding a touch of allure and charm.

They also went to the snack street in the south of the city. For the first time, Qing Luo tasted a cloyingly sweet sugar painting, licking it cautiously, fearing she might ruin the lifelike butterfly.

Hong Shao, on the other hand, held a skewer of candied hawthorns in one hand and a bag of freshly baked chestnut cakes in the other, eating with great delight, completely unconcerned with her image.

Chen Fan followed behind them, wearing that ghastly white mask, completely out of place in this lively market.

He watched their genuine, joyful smiles as they reacted to a new dress, a hairpin, or a snack.

The cold ice in his heart, frozen by the tragic scenes in Shu Province, seemed to quietly melt a little in the face of this pure happiness.

Perhaps, this is what life is.

There is suffering like purgatory, but also this tangible warmth and beauty.

At night.

Back at the inn, the two sisters changed into their newly purchased thin silk nightgowns; one kneaded his shoulders, while the other massaged his legs.

Qing Luo remained shy; whenever her fingertips touched his skin, she would tremble uncontrollably, her pretty face blushing so deeply it seemed as if it could drip water.

Hong Shao, however, was much bolder, her breath fragrant like an orchid, the warm air intentionally or unintentionally brushing against his earlobe.

"Master Luo, are you tired today?"

Chen Fan closed his eyes and did not answer.

He simply reached out and pulled the two fragrant, soft bodies behind him into his embrace.

A night of romance.

Days like this went on for three or four days.

One morning, as Hong Shao was combing Chen Fan's long hair, she spoke as if casually.

"Master Luo, we have visited all the fun places in Jiangcheng, except for that... Yuexian Pavilion."

She observed Chen Fan's reaction cautiously through the bronze mirror.

"I heard that it is the most elegant place in Jiangzhou, where all the young ladies are exceptionally talented. Even many daughters of noble families often go there to listen to music and watch dances. Should we... go and see it too, okay?"

Qing Luo, who was nearby, stopped tidying the clothes upon hearing this, her sparkling eyes filled with curiosity and longing.

Chen Fan opened his eyes.

The man in the mirror had his face covered by a mask, making his emotions unreadable.

"Fine, nothing to do today, let's go listen to music!"

With that one sentence, the two sisters beamed with joy.

...

Night fell, and the festive lanterns were lit.

Jiangcheng shed the clamor of the day and donned the allure of the night.

In front of Yuexian Pavilion, there was an endless stream of carriages and horses, and crowds of guests.

The attendants at the entrance, dressed in uniform brocade gowns, politely welcomed the guests inside.

When the three of them walked up, the attendant just took an extra look at the mask on his face, then bowed, not stopping them in the slightest.

Clearly, as Mr. Know-It-All had said, this mask was now a well-known sign in the Jianghu.

Stepping through the doors of Yuexian Pavilion, an air of luxury far greater than the outside world rushed to meet them.

There was none of the usual scent of rouge and powder found in brothels, only a faint, refreshing sandalwood fragrance.

The entire first floor was a massive hall, with a high platform made of white jade in the center. Surrounded by murmuring water and adorned with strange rocks and artificial hills, it had created an elegant garden inside the building.

Guests sat in small groups on mats by the flowing water, talking in low voices, their manners refined.

Among them, there were indeed many elegantly dressed women.

Chen Fan, leading the two sisters, followed the attendant to find a secluded corner to sit.

Hong Shao and Qing Luo were completely dumbstruck.

They had never imagined that a place of pleasure could be decorated so lavishly yet elegantly.

"What would you like to order, guests?" The attendant handed them an exquisite menu.

Chen Fan casually ordered some tea and snacks.

Just then, the somewhat noisy chatter in the hall gradually subsided.

Everyone's gaze turned, without exception, toward the white jade platform.

A white figure had quietly appeared on the high platform, no one knew when.

It was a woman, dressed in a plain white gown, her long dark hair tied up with a simple wooden hairpin, her face covered by a thin white veil.

She knelt quietly behind a guqin, her figure slender, her temperament cold and aloof, like a snow lotus untouched by the world of mortals.

"It's the pure courtesan, Lady Yueji!"

"Lady Yueji has actually appeared today; we are truly lucky!"

A few whispers of suppressed excitement came from the neighboring table.

Chen Fan's gaze also fell upon the woman known as Lady Yueji.

Just then, the woman raised her slender hands, and her long fingertips landed lightly on the strings.

Ding.

A clear and resonant zither note suddenly rang out.

Like the sound of footsteps in an empty valley, or pearls falling onto a jade plate, it instantly captured everyone's heart and soul.