Red Mansion Beijingwang

Chapter 24 The young man is here

Shenjing, Rouge Alley.

At the beginning of the lanterns, various horse-drawn carriages parked outside the alley. Red lanterns were hung everywhere on both sides of the alley, like neon lights, full of extravagance. The girls in the lofts on both sides were recharging their energy, dressed up and waving red silk in their hands. The guests were greeted and sent off, and the music of silk, bamboo and orchestra was endless and lively.

Shui Rong, who was dressed in brocade clothes, held an exquisite landscape fan in his hand and looked at the lively scene with interest. The nightlife has existed since ancient times.

Xiao Fuzi behind him had a grimace on his face. His master had just been away for a few days and came to have flower wine again. What a big deal it would be if the concubine knew about this.

"Master, it's too noisy here, let's go back home!!!" Xiao Fuzi bravely stepped forward and suggested in a low voice.

Shui Rong glanced sideways at Xiao Fuzi, who was crying with a sad face. He was also aware of his worries, so he explained: "I am here to do business. I am not looking for flowers. I just follow you and don't say anything."

Xiao Fuzi's expression is still no better. What business can Yanhualiuxiang do now?It was still evening, and his little lucky boy was rootless, but not brainless. It was just his master who had spoken. As a slave, he could not say much. He just hoped that his master would not spend the night and at least leave half of his life.

Shui Rong ignored Xiao Fuzi. He really came to the brothel to do business. As for coming in the evening, he did have selfish motives. He wanted to see the lively scene of the brothel at night. Now it seems that it is indeed prosperous and the trip is worthwhile.

After saying hello, Shui Rong walked towards the alley. Seeing this, Xiao Fuzi could only follow.

People come and go in the alley, mostly here to enjoy themselves and enjoy themselves. There are also small merchants and hawkers carrying burdens to sell, which is very lively.

"Oh, what a handsome young man. Do you want to come to my sister's place for some fun?"

Before taking two steps, the girls who were welcoming Shui Rong saw Shui Rong, their eyes suddenly lit up, they waved their silk handkerchiefs and started shouting. What's more, some people stepped forward to pull Shui Rong in. At this time, the loyal little Fuzi came into full play. In response, he hurriedly stepped forward and stood in front of Shui Rong, yelling and scolding him.

Shui Rong was troubled by this. It was really a sheep among wolves. How could he be alone? It was natural for him to be targeted.

Quickly leave the Shura field and walk to "Fengmingyuan". Fengmingyuan is a high-end brothel. There is no so-called "noisy", but it is much cleaner. Only the sound of silk and bamboo in the courtyard can highlight the night market. of prosperity.

Entering the "Fengming Courtyard", Yi Nongji came forward to pay her respects. Shui Rong didn't say much and said bluntly: "Girl, I'm here to visit Miss Du Yuejiao. Please let me know."

Behind him, Xiao Fuzi said something in his heart, and he knew that his master was here to find that foxy child.

Noji looked at Shui Rong with blank eyes. She was greeted at "Fengmingyuan". She had never seen any young master before, but there was no one as handsome as the young master in front of her. She couldn't help but shake her heart. But she She also understood that the young master in front of her was dressed in brocade clothes and was not someone she could covet, so she went about business and saw him take out a piece of rice paper from the table and said in a clear voice: "Sir, please."

Upon seeing this, Shui Rong understood clearly that he was being asked to write a poem. Last time, he heard Feng Ziying and others talk about a lot of the rules of the brothel. Whenever a guest wants to see a famous lady, he must first write a poem after entering, and the maid will bring it in for the lady to see. , if the lady doesn't like the writing style of the poem, she will directly refuse the guest to enter. This is called flag tower poetry competition.

After passing the flaghouse poem competition, it is time to compete in tea, which means you have to know and taste tea, and speak and behave appropriately. During the tea competition stage, the lady will not show up, but will only observe her words and deeds from behind the curtain. Even if you like it, you may not necessarily become a guest.

Shuirong didn't need to abide by these rules last time. That was because he was eating flower wine. The so-called eating flower wine is also called "setting up a meal". Feng Ziying had already made arrangements, so he went in directly. But this time, he had to rely on his real skills. Brothels are not accessible to ordinary people, and famous girls have a certain right to choose.

After pondering, Shui Rong picked up a pen and wrote a poem, handed it to the maid, and reminded: "Troublesome girl, tell Miss Du that I am a good friend of Feng Ziying and Mr. Feng, and I drank with Miss Du last time."

Last time we had flower wine, Du Yuejiao once joked: "If the young man comes, tell his name, and the servants will sweep the couch to welcome you." It was getting late, and he couldn't stay too long. He had to finish his business as soon as possible and return home. valid reason.

The maid didn't say anything when she heard this. It was like Shuirong's friendship, and there were many people who used the back door. She couldn't care about this. Everything was left to the young lady's decision, so she responded and turned around to retreat.

In the flower hall of Du Yue's petite courtyard, the incense burner was lit with fine sandalwood, and a dozen people were sitting around the square table drinking and laughing.

In the elegant room of the house, the long-sleeved Du Yuejiao, who was good at dancing, was sitting behind the beauty table. Her charming eyes looked through a thin silk curtain and occasionally glanced at the "talents" chatting in the flower hall.

The maid came forward to pour tea, but seeing Du Yuejiao's lack of interest, she asked curiously: "But is there a young man who doesn't like the young lady?"

Du Yuejiao took a sip of the tea and said casually: "It's not that it's not eye-catching, it's just that I feel a little unwell today and don't want to see guests."

As a brothel woman, she doesn't have to see guests, but she has to put up a tea table. After all, she opens the door to do business, so she can't act as she pleases.

The maid frowned and calculated: "I remember the girl's day is still early!!" Du Yuejiao rolled her eyes at the maid after hearing this and spat: "Lian'er, you are going to die, when did I say the day is coming? It’s just that I didn’t sleep well today, and I’m a little depressed.”

Lian'er knew that she had made a joke, so she spit out the incense, hoping to get away with being "cute".

Du Yuejiao pursed her lips and smiled when she saw this, but she didn't care.

After a while, another maid opened the curtain and came in. Du Yuejiao saw this clearly. She was afraid that another guest would come. With her reputation, the guests would only come in an endless stream.

Sure enough, the maid handed over the note in her hand and said in a clear voice: "Miss, there is a young master outside. He said he is Feng Ziying's friend of Mr. Feng. He had a drink with the young lady last time."

Du Yuejiao was opening the note and checking it. After hearing what the maid said, she suddenly had a guess in her heart, so she asked, "Is he a handsome young man?"

When the maid heard this, she nodded slightly and replied, "He is indeed a handsome young man."

Du Yuejiao understood immediately, pursed her lips and said with a smile: "It turns out that the young man is here, and it's quite interesting today."

Recalling the funny story about Xiao Langjun being laughed at last time, Du Yuejiao couldn't help but become interested. She opened the note and read it. She wanted to see Xiao Langjun's talent.

When the note was opened and the contents were clearly seen, Du Yuejiao's mouth twitched slightly and her expression became complicated.

"Miss, what's the matter, but that young man is not good at writing?"

As Du Yuejiao's maid, I met Shui Rong last time. Her appearance and speech are all top-notch. It shouldn't be a problem to get started in poetry. But looking at Du Yuejiao's expression, something seems to be wrong. Could it be that she is a wax head with a silver gun?

Du Yuejiao didn't answer, but handed over the note in her hand. Lian'er took it and looked at it. The handwriting was neat, so it wasn't a problem. She just looked at the content on the note.

"Bend your wrist to hide your caution, things change and stars change your mind."

"Miss, what do you mean?" Lian'er scolded her. She was influenced by it. Although she was not good at poetry, how could she not know the meaning of such a simple poem? The poem on the note was clearly a satire on her young lady's love of playing tricks. As a maid, how could she Bear this breath.

Du Yuejiao was not angry, but instead chuckled, which confused Lian'er. How could her young lady still laugh when being ridiculed? Could it be that she didn't understand the meaning, or was she just making a joke again?
"It seems that the young man is not only petty, but also has a petty mind. He is blaming me for coaxing him last time."

Last time I had flower wine, Du Yuejiao spent a lot of money on the water-soluble "connotation". This is probably what the "eyes of the mind" in poetry are all about.

Hearing this, Lian'er frowned and said angrily: "Look, he is also from a wealthy family, so how can he still be so fussy about it? In my opinion, it's up to the lady to refuse."

During the poetry contest at the Flag Tower, others were touting him in the hope of getting favored by the beauties, but this young gentleman was better off making sarcastic remarks. In this case, why invite him in?

Du Yuejiao ignored him. Although Xiao Langjun did not reveal his identity, from the attitude of Feng Ziying and others, we could know that his status must be high. How could he offend such a noble person.

Thinking of this, Du Yuejiao greeted: "Please go to the private room next door, young man."

When the maid heard the words, she nodded in agreement and stepped back to invite someone. Lian'er looked a little surprised. She even invited someone in after being ridiculed. Could it be that the young lady has fallen in love with the young gentleman?
Du Yuejiao ignored Lian'er, stood up and lifted the curtain and came out.

When all the gentlemen who were having tea in the flower hall saw Du Yuejiao coming out of the curtain, their eyes brightened, and they all sat with their chests straight, hoping that their performance just now would catch Du Yuejiao's eyes, and invite them to be the guests of honor, so red sleeves. Add fragrance.

Du Yue bowed tenderly and said softly: "My little lady is a little tired, please leave first while the young masters drink slowly."

These words also announced the end of the tea party. Next, if Du Yuejiao liked someone, she would ask her maid to keep him and bring him into the house. If he didn't like him, the maid would see him off.

As Du Yuejiao left, everyone waited expectantly and anxiously. The maid came over and said in a clear voice: "Miss, please go back, young masters!!!"

Everyone shook their heads regretfully and sighed after hearing this. It seemed that they didn't care about this. They spent money and time, but they couldn't even say a serious word, and they were bleeding.

(End of this chapter)