Blackening starts from the golden years

"Brother Ouyang, Brother Ouyang?"

Seeing Ouyang Xu in a daze, Du Changfeng couldn't help but ask:

"Brother Ouyang, what are you thinking about?"

"Oh, nothing."

Coming back to his senses, Ouyang Xu looked at Du Changfeng and said in his usual gentle and elegant manner:

"Brother Du, I was just wondering who the young man who was close to Pan'er was, what his identity was, what his character was like, what his family background was like, and whether he would treat Pan'er well. Brother Du, I want to ask you to do me a favor, okay?"

"Of course, what do you want me to do for you?"

Du Changfeng agreed immediately. He really regarded Ouyang Xu as a classmate and friend. It was a pity that Ouyang Xu was just using him.

Looking at Du Changfeng, Ouyang Xu said with a firm face:

"Brother Du, I would like to ask you to help investigate the man's identity, his character, and whether his family background is prominent and can be compared with the Gao family. If he cannot protect Pan'er, even if it means giving up my official position, I will protect Pan'er. I, Ouyang Xu, swear here that I will ensure her a safe life in this life!"

"Brother Ouyang is righteous!"

Du Changfeng sighed loudly. In his eyes, Ouyang Xu was not only a man of quick wit and broad mind, but also gentle and refined with noble character. He was a humble gentleman who was worthy of his friendship. Zhao Pan'er was born in a humble family, but she was unwilling to be his concubine. She was simply ungrateful. She was able to be a concubine of a humble gentleman like Ouyang Xu, but not only was she ungrateful, she also said that she would never be a concubine. It was simply unreasonable and ignorant of the overall situation.

Of course, although Ouyang Xu was very good, he could not allow unmarried women from his Du family to be his concubines. His Du family was a family of scholars, and women were naturally virtuous, well-educated and well-mannered. Only by promising to be his principal wife could they be worthy of him.

In Du Changfeng's eyes, this is destiny. Some people are born noble, and some are born humble. Humble people should know their limits, accept their destiny, and not cross it. Just like Zhao Pan'er, as a humble person, she should be virtuous and prudent, and always reflect on herself, instead of saying that she would never be a concubine. If she can be a concubine of a noble person, she should be grateful and feel lucky.

"Brother Du, thank you for your help."

"No trouble, no trouble."

Looking at Ouyang Xu, Du Changfeng smiled and said:
"You and I hit it off right away and became close friends. What's the big deal about doing this little favor? Although my Du family is a small family in Tokyo, it's not a problem for me to help find out about someone. Just wait for my news at home."

"Okay, thank you, Brother Du."

"You're welcome."

……

into the night.

Soon after Du Changfeng left, an angel from the palace came to Ouyang Xu's house to announce the decree. A voice came from outside the courtyard gate, saying:
"The angel from the palace has arrived!"

Hearing that the eunuch from the palace had arrived, Ouyang Xu quickly stood up and went out to greet him. He led him into the house, and the eunuch in charge of announcing the edict said in a shrill voice:
"The emperor has ordered that the three top-ranking Jinshi candidates of this year's imperial examination should come to the palace to see the emperor tomorrow at 5 p.m. This is the emperor's decree!"

After the announcement, Ouyang Xu bowed to the eunuchs in the palace and said:

"Long live the emperor!"

"Congratulations, Mr. Tanhua!"

The eunuch who announced the decree congratulated with a smile on his face. Hearing this, Ouyang Xu smiled respectfully and said:
"Thank you for your late-night imperial decree. Please stay and have a cup of tea."

"Okay."

After looking at Ouyang Xu, the eunuch in charge of announcing the decree waved to his two eunuch followers and asked them to wait for him outside.

After the two young eunuchs bowed and left, Ouyang Xu immediately took two steps forward, presented a piece of high-quality mutton-fat jade with both hands, and said respectfully:

"Thank you for your hard work in delivering the decree late at night."

"You're too polite, Mr.

After taking the mutton-fat jade and touching it twice, the eunuch in charge of announcing the decree immediately smiled and sat down in front of Ouyang Xu's desk. Ouyang Xu offered the tea with both hands, stepped back two steps, and stood respectfully not far from him. Glancing at him, the eunuch in charge of announcing the decree felt very satisfied. While slowly sipping the tea, he looked at Ouyang Xu who was standing respectfully in front of him and smiled with satisfaction:

"Mr. Ouyang, now that you have passed the imperial examinations and are happily reunited, and later on you have been designated as the son-in-law by Madam Gao, your future is limitless. I'm afraid I'll have to rely on you a lot in the future."

"If the noble has any errands, just tell me."

Ouyang Xu smiled flatteringly. In front of Du Changfeng, he was a modest gentleman with noble character. In front of Gao Hui, he was a good husband who was loyal to her. Now in front of the eunuch who came to the palace to announce the decree, he was a fawning and sycophantic villain. The essence of Ouyang Xu was a flatterer who did what others liked. He said one thing to one person and another thing to another.

Looking at the smiling father-in-law, Ouyang Xu took the opportunity to inquire about the official's news. He wanted to please the emperor and act like a flatterer, hoping that the emperor would be pleased and grant him a good official position.

Because he was not satisfied with the career path arranged for him by Gao Guancha, according to Gao Guancha's arrangement, he had to go to other places to gain experience, or to be gilded, and then after three to five years, he would be transferred back to Tokyo to serve. But Ouyang Xu had seen the prosperity of Tokyo, and now he only wanted to stay in Tokyo and work, and didn't want to suffer in the local area. He didn't dare to refute Gao Guancha, so he decided to be a little smart, and when he met the emperor, he would cater to his wishes. As long as the emperor was pleased and rewarded him with a good official position, then even Gao Guancha would not be able to say anything more.

It can only be said that the Ouyang family fell into poverty, and Ouyang Xu had been dependent on Uncle De, an old servant in the family, since he was a child. Uncle De only knew to let him study, but due to the limitations of his own class, he could not teach Ouyang Xu what was the way to be an official. This resulted in Ouyang Xu being a little clever, but often making fatal mistakes.

His first big mistake was to break off the engagement and lie to the Gao family that he had no engagement. Now he didn't want to listen to Gao Guancha's arrangement to go to another place to gain experience, but instead planned to flatter the emperor and curry favor with him to ask for a good official position. This was another fatal mistake.

He sought the path of advancement as a jester, but the problem was that the Gao family leaned towards the Qingliu faction. By doing this, he not only slapped Gao Guancha in the face, but also made his own position very awkward. He had a good hand of cards, but he played it badly. In the officialdom, changing allegiance at will is a taboo. Unfortunately, no one taught Ouyang Xu that, he did not understand the situation in the court at all. He took it for granted that the emperor was the first and that he would have no problem pleasing the emperor.

Moreover, although the jester party headed by Xiao Qinyan is now in the limelight, most of the literati in the world are still clean and honest. No one would join the party unless they have no other choice. Even Xiao Qinyan was forced to join the party because he came from a poor family and, like Ouyang Xu, he also married the daughter of the Gu family, a famous family of the clean and honest faction.

However, those people of the Qingliu faction looked down on him. No matter what achievements he made, outsiders considered it to be the help of the Gu family. Even the children of the Gu family looked down on him as a son-in-law. So, in a fit of anger, he divorced his wife directly. Since those people of the Qingliu faction looked down on him, he turned to the jesters and used flattery to get promoted.

When those people of the Qingliu faction criticized the queen, he sided with the queen. In addition, the current emperor deliberately favored the queen and allowed her to interfere in government affairs, which led to the growing strength of the queen's party. However, the vast majority of the gentry in this world were Qingliu, and the queen's party was just an outlier. It was all supported by Xiao Qinyan and the queen. If it weren't for the emperor's love for his queen and deliberate favoritism, the queen's party would have been destroyed by the Qingliu faction long ago. After all, all the gentry in the world were Qingliu. The aristocratic families are permanent, but the emperors are changing. Although it is a bit exaggerated, it also shows the political resources of these aristocratic families.

Back to the topic, Ouyang Xu still doesn’t know what tragic ending his decision will bring him.

Looking at his father-in-law, he asked:
"Mr. Zhong, I heard that the case involving prophecy has been quite a big deal recently."

Hearing this, the father-in-law's face changed slightly and he smiled:
"The third place winner is well-informed."

Seeing that the other party looked unhappy, Ouyang Xu hurriedly explained:
"Because I am from Qiantang, and this is my first time to see the emperor, I am a little worried whether the emperor will..."

Before Ouyang Xu finished speaking, his father-in-law waved his hand and said with a smile:
"Don't worry too much, Mr. Tanhua. The emperor will never vent his anger on you. But this time, the emperor was really angry. He didn't eat any imperial meals the whole day. Fortunately, the immortal master of Yuqing Palace repeatedly advised him on how to keep healthy."

"How to maintain good health?"

Having heard that the government advocated the way of keeping healthy, Ouyang Xu immediately asked:

"Mr. Zhong, I wonder which Taoist scriptures the emperor likes?"

"The third place winner is very smart."

Glancing at Ouyang Xu, the eunuch naturally knew what he was planning and smiled slightly, saying:

"The emperor likes to seek immortals and ask questions. He likes any Taoist scriptures that can prolong life. The old immortal master of Yuqing Palace said that there are three immortal mountains overseas, namely Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou. Immortals live on the mountains. The pavilions and palaces are all built with gold and silver. There are also elixirs that can make people immortal if they take them."

Hearing this, Ouyang Xu asked:

"Is there really a drug for immortality in this world?"

"Who knows?"

Looking at Ouyang Xu, the nobleman stroked and played with the white jade he had given her, and smiled softly:
"If the government says yes, then of course it is. If the government says no, then of course it is not. This time the case of the prophecy has become a big deal. There is even a cat demon in Tokyo. It is said that the demon has appeared. The country is in chaos and the government is furious. I am afraid that this time, several senior officials in the court will be demoted."

"Cat demon?"

Ouyang Xu was slightly stunned. He had also heard about the cat demon. Some people saw the cat demon appearing, killing people indiscriminately, and digging out people's hearts and livers, causing panic in the city. They said that the queen was interfering in government affairs and the demon was appearing. This was a bad sign.

Ouyang Xu didn't believe that there was any cat demon. Even if there was, it was a cat demon disguised as a human, using the demon to confuse people's minds and achieve some ulterior motives. The reality was that the cat demon case appeared together with the case of the prophecy. Someone wanted to use the name of the demon to discredit the current queen. No wonder the emperor was furious.

Looking at Ouyang Xu who seemed to be thinking about something, the father-in-law stood up and said with a smile:

"Mr. Ouyang, I have to go back now. You should prepare yourself and go to the palace to see His Majesty at 5 p.m. tomorrow."

"Okay, Mr. Zhong, take care."

"Well, Tanhualang, see you tomorrow."

"Okay, thank you for your hard work, see you tomorrow."

After sending off the angel who announced the decree from the palace, Ouyang Xu carefully tidied up his clothes and went out. He was going to keep Gao Hui's appointment and accompany her to see the lantern festival. Ouyang Xu felt a little irritated. He was in no mood to accompany her to visit the lantern festival. He just wanted to prepare his homework and read some books on the Taoist Canon so that he could meet the emperor tomorrow and please him and get a good official position.

……

On the other side, in the backyard of the palace, in Yuan Xudong’s bedroom.

After the lovemaking, Yuan Xudong hugged Zhao Pan'er and Song Yinzhang, who were both soft and blushing, and lay on the bed. Looking at the two sisters nestled in his arms with blushing faces, Yuan Xudong smiled and said:
"Pan'er, Yinzhang, from now on you two sisters are both your husband's beloved wives. You must get along well with each other and not be jealous of each other. Do you understand?"

"Hmm~"

"Okay~~"

After they responded, Zhao Paner looked up at Yuan Xudong and said shyly with a blushing face:

"Yuan Lang, I want to go out and look for Ouyang Xu tomorrow."

"Hmm? What are you still looking for him for?"

Looking at Zhao Pan'er in his arms, Yuan Xudong exerted a little force on his hands and said jealously in a slightly rude tone:
"You still can't forget him?"

"Yeah, it hurts~~"

With a cry, Zhao Pan'er looked up at Yuan Xudong pitifully and said in a sad voice:
"Now, Pan'er's body and soul belong to Yuan Lang. Yuan Lang, don't you still believe me?"

"No, I'm just jealous."

"Jealous?"

"Yeah, jealous."

Looking at Zhao Pan'er, Yuan Xudong smiled and said:
"I care about you, that's why I'm jealous, Pan'er, you are mine, everything about you is mine, do you understand?"

"Hmm~"

With a slight hum, Zhao Paner looked up at Yuan Xudong and said with a sweet smile:
"Yuan Lang, thank you. You are so kind to Pan Er."

After saying that, under Yuan Xudong's surprised gaze, Zhao Pan'er blushed and took the initiative to stand up and ride on him. She actually...

"Hmm~"

Zhao Pan'er's sweet moan was so beautiful, and the feeling was indescribable.

Soon, Song Yinzhang followed suit. She stood up and looked at Yuan Xudong, blushing and whispering shyly:
"Yuan Lang, please have mercy on me."

"Hmm~"

The moon was bright in the sky, but there was no Chang'e. In the room, Yuan Xudong saw two beautiful Chang'e sisters, who looked like Ehuang and Nvying, which made Yuan Xudong feel pity and criticize them.

"Yuan Lang, Yuan Lang~~"

"Hmm, Hmm~~"

……

After a long time, the room became quiet again. Yuan Xudong hugged Zhao Pan'er and Song Yinzhang and lay on the bed, listening to Zhao Pan'er's soft voice:

"I plan to go find Ouyang Xu, first to return the Tongxin Pei to him, and second to get my painting "Night Banquet" back."

"Okay, tomorrow I'll let A'da and the others accompany you to find Ouyang Xu."

Yuan Xudong hugged Zhao Paner and smiled.

"Hmm~"

Zhao Pan'er hummed softly and shrank back into Yuan Xudong's arms. At this time, Ah Da reported from outside the door:

"My Lord, I have something to report."

"Okay, wait a moment."

"Yes."

After comforting Zhao Pan'er and Song Yinzhang who were still in the afterglow, Yuan Xudong put on his gorgeous clothes with the gentle help of the two sisters. Then he kissed each of them on the cheek and touched the bellybands on their breasts. Then he walked out of the room with a laugh.

Zhao Pan'er and Song Yinzhang stayed in the room and looked at each other, both of them blushing and looking beautiful.

……

Outside the house, Yuan Xudong looked at Ah Da who was kneeling on one knee in front of him and asked:
"Ada, what do you want to report to me?"

"My Lord, the courtesan from Shuangxi Tower is in some trouble. I would like to ask how we should deal with it."

Ah Da said respectfully.

"How is Zhang?"

Yuan Xudong murmured to himself, then he looked at Ah Da and laughed:
"Let's go to Shuangxi Tower. This courtesan is famous throughout Tokyo. I want to see how she seduces everyone."

"Yes."

Ah Da accepted the order respectfully, and then took a dozen good fighters with him to escort Yuan Xudong to Shuangxi Tower standing on the Imperial River in both light and dark.

……

On the other hand, Shuangxilou is different from ordinary brothels. It is more upscale and elegant, and of course, more expensive.

Even the most ordinary cup of tea is worth one string of coins. If you want to sit in the private room upstairs to drink tea and listen to music, it will cost at least one hundred strings of coins. You also need to have a certain status. If you are an ordinary person, even if you have money, you cannot book the private room upstairs, because it is reserved for nobles. The so-called nobles are naturally those who have a connection with the word "official".

Shuangxi Tower stands on the Imperial River. Guests have to take a boat to get there. At night, Shuangxi Tower is the busiest. The lights are on all night long, and there are birds singing and dancing. It can be said to be a huge den of money in Tokyo.

Especially tonight, after receiving the imperial feather robe and the honor of riding the imperial horse to parade on the imperial street, Zhang Haohao's popularity skyrocketed. She has become the most famous courtesan in Tokyo City. Many dignitaries, literati and poets are flocking to her. Everyone wants to be her servant and guest, so that they can not only gain the favor of the beauty, but also prove that they are the most romantic figure in Tokyo City. It is precisely because of this that Zhang Haohao's troubles came, because there are always guests she cannot refuse. The person asked her to accompany him in the private room. Although she did not want to go, the other party was of noble status, and she was just an official prostitute in Tokyo's music house. Can she refuse?

……

Shuangxi Building, upstairs, in Zhang Haohao's room. Seeing her young lady sitting in front of the dressing table, gently applying lipstick in front of the bronze mirror, the maid Xiaoyu burst into tears and said sadly:
"Miss, are you really going?"

"If I don't go, will he give up?"

Zhang Haohao sighed softly, put down the rouge in her hand, reached out and gently stroked her face, looked at herself in the bronze mirror and said with pity:

"After tonight, I'm afraid I'll become the canary in that adult's cage."

Hearing her mistress say this, the maid Xiaoyu cried even more sadly. She cried sadly:

"Miss, is there really no other way?"

"No, this is probably my fate."

Looking at Xiaoyu who was crying loudly, Zhang Haohao actually smiled and said:
"It's okay, don't cry. I just went to bed with him. What can he, an old man, do to me?"

"Miss, woo woo~~"

Seeing Xiaoyu crying more and more sadly, Zhang Haohao also felt sad. Was she, such a charming and beautiful girl, really going to give her most precious chastity to be ruined by that old man?

Feeling sad, Zhang Haohao couldn't help but look out the window. Who could come to save her tonight?
Just then, she saw a familiar figure.

It was him, the guard who dared to throw this year's successful candidate into the Imperial River for an hour.

Next to him was a handsome young man in gorgeous clothes. Zhang Haohao's eyes lit up. What a handsome young man.

"Miss? What are you looking at?"

The maid Xiaoyu asked in some surprise.

"Light rain."

Looking at her personal maid, Zhang Haohao gritted her teeth and said shyly:
"Look at the young man downstairs. The guard beside him is the man from the daytime. Go and ask him to come up and tell him that I favor him. If he doesn't mind, I am willing to serve him."

"what?"

Xiaoyu was startled. She quickly glanced downstairs and her eyes suddenly lit up. What a handsome young man! Compared with the old man with white hair and black spots on his face, it would be better to give her body to such a handsome young man. But she didn't know what his family background was like, and whether he was afraid of the old man's power and dared not accept the dedication of her own lady.

...(End of chapter)