Leng Shuangyue nodded, clearly overcome with emotion. “Correct! Our trade never lacks pretty girls, but it’s no mean feat to become the queen of courtesans! Especially for someone like young miss Qiu.”
Zu An gave her a strange look. “Seems like you’re quite close with this Qiu Honglei.”
“We aren’t that close,” Leng Shuangyue hurried explained, “but all of us are in the same brothel, after all. With all of us so close to each other, there’s always the chance to overhear some things.”
“Oh.” Zu An let the matter lie. “By the way, since all of you are from the same place, you should know quite a few things about her, right? Can you tell me some?”
“I don’t actually know that much… What does young master want to know?” Leng Shuangyue sighed inwardly with relief. He didn’t seem to want to continue badgering her about her physiology.
However, she was afraid that he might remember again, so she decided to attempt to distract him by answering any questions he had. As for the questions she couldn’t answer, she would just claim not to know.
“The things I want to know, you definitely know.” Zu An said with a chuckle. “Has she ever had a boyfriend before?”
“Boyfriend?” Leng Shuangyue blinked but did not immediately reply.
“You know, like a partner.” Zu An explained.
Leng Shuangyue gave a startled cry. “Of course not! Everyone knows that Lady Qiu is perfectly pure. How could she have had a partner?” She waved her hands adamantly to punctuate her point.
Zu An still wasn’t convinced. “Don’t be scared, it’s just the two of us here. There’s no need to worry that you’ll somehow harm her reputation.”
Leng Shuangyue hurriedly said, “She really hasn’t had one before! I can guarantee this with my life! Lady Qiu has never had any partners, and she has always remained a virgin…”
“Is that so?” Zu An’s gaze drifted automatically to the beautiful figure on the second floor. This really was quite strange.
From her second-floor room, Pei Mianman observed the scene below her with undisguised contempt. Those fawning men were really putting up a shameful display.
Men were good for nothing but being the playthings of women.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she cast her gaze around for another figure.
She finally caught sight of Zu An, who was sitting leisurely, and not embarrassing himself like the others. She nodded in satisfaction.
You didn’t end up disgracing Chuyan. You’re not like all of these rotten and uncultured men.
However, just as she started to smile, she noticed Leng Shuangyue at his side, peeling grapes and feeding them to him one by one.
Zu An ate until his entire mouth was dripping with juices, yet he never forgot to tease the girl, messing with her until she squirmed in obvious discomfort.
Pei Mianman’s smile immediately turned cold. “Men aren’t good for anything after all!” she declared with a dismissive snort.
After enduring the mindless display, Qiu Honglei finally parted her red lips to speak. “Thank you everyone for all your love. However, I feel like my skill at the zither has reached a plateau recently, and I would love it if everyone could give me some pointers. Please help me see if there are any areas that can be improved.”
As soon as she had begun speaking, the rowdy hall instantly became quiet. No one wanted to make her unhappy.
When they heard what she said, they began to get all jittery.
It’s happening!
The consensus had been that Qiu Honglei would use her song as the means to choose the one she most admired. Sure enough, it was now starting!
“Lady Qiu must be joking! The song you played just now was truly sonorous and resonant, the notes lingering in the air perfectly. Your skill at the zither is clearly at its peak. How could there be anything beyond that?” one of the men, Zhao Dezu, piped up immediately. His introduction had been cut short earlier, and he was looking for a chance to redeem himself.
Idiot!
Everyone else immediately gave him the same damning assessment. Qiu Honglei was clearly trying to test everyone. What is your stupid bootlicking going to accomplish?
As expected, Qiu Honglei smiled faintly. “Young master is too generous with his praise. Unfortunately, I wish to hear some more concrete opinions to address my inadequacies.”
After saying this, she turned to the others, her eyes filled with encouragement and expectation.
As her gaze moved to sweep across the private rooms above the main hall, she sneered inwardly.
1. Lu Xun (1881-1936), is one of the most well-known modern Chinese writers.