The commotion wasn’t deceiving anyone. After walking just a few steps, they saw an elaborately dressed woman on the street.
The woman wore gorgeous makeup and had a voluptuous figure, standing out distinctly in the crowd. At this moment, she stood before a shop, examining her makeup in a bronze mirror held by a maid, gently dabbing at her lip rouge with her finger—this coquettish gesture provoked waves of excitement from the surroundings.
The crowd gathering around didn’t affect Wan Qing. The shop assistants had long since blocked the entrance to prevent the citizens from getting too close.
This was a gold and jewelry shop. The owner’s family name was Sheng, a large and wealthy family with extravagant sons.
“Which Young Master Sheng spent lavishly to invite Wan Qing to their home?” Some busybody citizens called out loudly.
“Isn’t he afraid of having his legs broken by Old Master Sheng?” Others laughed.
When the young masters caroused outside, the family elders would turn a blind eye, but if the trouble came to the family’s doorstep, family discipline would be enforced.
The shop manager stood to the side with a beaming smile, answering the citizens: “It wasn’t one of the young masters who invited her—it was the young ladies of the house.”
This statement caused even more uproar among the citizens.
Had the Sheng family’s women started visiting pleasure houses and keeping courtesans too?
“No, no.” The manager waved his hand with a smile. “Our young ladies invited Wan Qing to dance.”
Dance! The citizens became even more excited. Sure enough, they saw Wan Qing’s attendants setting up a small stage in front of the shop.
Catching a glimpse of Wan Qing was difficult; seeing Wan Qing dance was even more difficult.
This was like picking up a fortune for free on the street!
The area before the shop was packed tight, but though the stage was set up, Wan Qing didn’t immediately mount it.
“Why isn’t she dancing yet!” Countless voices urged impatiently.
The manager waved his hand with a smile again: “The time hasn’t come, the time hasn’t come.”
There was a specific time for dancing? The citizens were both anxious and expectant. Just as the commotion was building here, there was another uproar not far away.
“Come quickly and see! The Wang family pawnshop has brought the Four Beauties from Golden Phoenix Tower!”
This sentence was like setting off firecrackers on level ground, causing a group of people to scatter—though not far, just across the street to the right front. Under the Wang family pawnshop’s signboard, four women were alighting from a carriage.
The four wore identical clothing, identical adornments, each holding a pipa, and even their faces were identical.
The Four Beauties wasn’t one person’s name—they were quadruplets, pipa players raised by Golden Phoenix Tower. They had even entered the palace to perform at grand imperial banquets and received rewards from the late Emperor.
“What kind of day is today!” The citizens in the crowd couldn’t take it all in. “Did the Wang family pawnshop make some fortune?”
They were already quite wealthy, weren’t they? Taking in and paying out, they profited at both ends.
In front of the Sheng family shop, half the spectators instantly disappeared. The manager’s beaming smile turned into a cold sneer: “The Wang family truly has no shame. Couldn’t think of any other tricks? They’re copying what our young ladies do!”
The two families caused the citizens on the street to run about chaotically, torn between here and there, when suddenly another place erupted in shouts: “Treasured Ink Pavilion—”
The citizens were momentarily stunned. Many blurted out: “Which courtesan has Treasured Ink Pavilion invited?”
Could even an elegant hall that sold literary works also—
“No, no, not at all.”
Outside Treasured Ink Pavilion, the manager and assistants set out tables with writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and folding screens.
“Today, Treasured Ink Pavilion is holding an activity, inviting everyone—” The manager pointed to the writing materials. “To compose congratulatory verses for Empress Chu.”
Empress Chu? Compose congratulatory verses for Empress Chu? Seeing there were no courtesans to watch, and it was all about literature and calligraphy and such matters, quite a few citizens dispersed. However, scholars gathered around, discussing among themselves.
Why was Treasured Ink Pavilion composing congratulations for the Empress?
Treasured Ink Pavilion did indeed have connections with Empress Chu. Back when Empress Chu was still Miss Chu and held literary gatherings at Chu Garden, the literary volumes had been sold through Treasured Ink Pavilion.
That was so long ago now. For Treasured Ink Pavilion to curry favor with Empress Chu now—wasn’t it a bit late?
“Empress Chu stopped Prince Zhongshan’s heir from causing chaos,” the Treasured Ink Pavilion manager said. They weren’t currying favor with Empress Chu—they admired her. “Empress Chu also campaigned in the border commanderies. Thinking of the past and considering the present, Empress Chu has accomplished many things. We feel we should compose congratulatory verses for Empress Chu to express her achievements.”
I see. Empress Chu had indeed accomplished quite a lot. There was much to write about, and congratulations were warranted—
“Anyone who composes congratulations for Empress Chu will be evaluated based on their talent, and that evaluation can be used as credit. All books, scrolls, and artworks in the entire establishment can be purchased with that discount.”
The entire establishment!
Writing materials and books were expensive. Being able to buy them at a discount was a rare opportunity.
Immediately, four or five scholars stepped forward.
“I’ll give it a try!”
But the assistants guarded the tables and writing materials.
“Wait!” they said. “The time hasn’t come yet. Everyone can contemplate first.”
What auspicious day was today, and what auspicious time were they waiting for?