16: Chapter 16 An Encounter in the Capital, Courtesan Liu Ruyan

The four of them stood shoulder to shoulder, the wind blowing against their robes as the clamor of the marketplace rushed toward them.

Chen Xuan stretched and grinned, "We finally made it. Let's find a place to eat first."

Zhao Hongling had long been unable to contain herself; she grabbed his sleeve and pulled him forward, "I want to eat soup dumplings! And candied haws, fried spring rolls, and spiced beef. You're treating, consider it a reward for your escorting service!"

"I escorted you, and you still want me to pay for food?" Chen Xuan stared, "Are you being reasonable?"

"You have to treat whether you want to or not." She lifted her chin, "Who told you to spend the whole journey just showing off instead of earning a single copper coin."

Leng Shuang walked behind them and said indifferently, "If he had any money, he would have changed his clothes long ago."

Everyone looked down, and the dark-colored martial attire on Chen Xuan was indeed dusty, with frayed edges at the cuffs. He rubbed his nose and chuckled, "This is called keeping a low profile. There are many important people in the capital; being too flashy invites trouble."

Dugu Xue swept her gaze across the grand houses on both sides of the street and said softly, "This place is indeed unlike anywhere else; every move could be watched by someone."

As they were speaking, a burst of gongs and drums suddenly came from afar, shaking the copper bells of the street vendors until they chimed. Immediately after, the sound of suona horns blared, and the crowd, as if attracted by something, swarmed toward the main street.

"What's happening?" Zhao Hongling stood on tiptoe to look.

"I heard it's this year's flower float parade." An old man selling sugar figurines by the roadside said with a smile, "The Jiangnan top courtesan Liu Ruyan has come to the capital to perform, and she's touring the streets today. It only happens once every ten years!"

"A courtesan?" Zhao Hongling curled her lip, "Just another woman who relies on her looks to make a living. What's so interesting about that?"

"You can't say that." Chen Xuan's eyes lit up, "To be called 'the most beautiful under heaven,' she must have some real talent. Besides, it's a waste not to watch a spectacle."

After saying this, he stepped into the crowd. Leng Shuang frowned and followed, while Zhao Hongling stomped her foot in anger, "You're certainly enthusiastic!" She pulled her hand and chased after him. Dugu Xue hesitated slightly before walking forward slowly as well.

The main street was already crowded, with colorful flags fluttering and red silk dancing in the wind. A beautifully carved flower float slowly approached, painted with gold Phoenix motifs, with tassels and bells hanging from its four corners, chiming crisply with every step it took. Standing on top of the float was a woman wearing a pink long dress, covered with a thin veil, her waist tied with a silk ribbon, her hair tied up high, adorned with a magnolia hairpin.

She wore no heavy makeup, yet her features were as beautiful as a painting, and her eyes seemed to carry the gentle breeze of spring as they moved. She gently raised her hand, smiling and greeting the crowd on both sides, her movements elegant, neither servile nor overbearing.

"Is that Liu Ruyan?" Chen Xuan looked up and couldn't help but mutter, "No wonder she can be a top courtesan. This temperament is much more pleasing than those Young Misses who act high and mighty all day."

"What do you know?" Zhao Hongling pinched his arm, "That's just practiced etiquette, specifically to please men."

"I didn't say it was bad." Chen Xuan rubbed his arm, "Appreciating beauty isn't against the law. Besides, her smile is quite sincere; it doesn't seem fake."

Leng Shuang snorted coldly, "You might as well have the words 'heart-struck' written on your face."

"Not at all." He waved his hand, "I just think that being able to stand so steadily in front of thousands of people shows remarkable courage. Look at how much the float is shaking beneath her feet; she hasn't even ruffled the hem of her skirt."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the white horse pulling the float suddenly got spooked, rearing its front hooves, and the float tilted violently. The onlookers exclaimed in alarm, some even closing their eyes, fearing the woman would fall off.

But Liu Ruyan only swayed slightly, then immediately steadied herself with one hand on the float's railing, while her other hand naturally swept back her long hair, her movements as natural as if she had been prepared. She still smiled, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, finally landing on Chen Xuan's face.

Chen Xuan almost instinctively took a step forward, his right hand raised in a gesture to catch her—of course, without touching her—but the movement was clean and agile, carrying a bit of that Jianghu flair.

Liu Ruyan saw it, the corners of her lips slightly raised, and she laughed softly, "Many thanks for your kindness, Young Master, but this humble one is not so incompetent."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached his ears. Chen Xuan was stunned, then responded loudly, "The lady sits steadily; it was my needless worry. However, if you truly were to fall, although my shoulders are narrow, I could still catch a bit of your elegance."

The surrounding crowd heard this and burst into laughter. Someone slapped their thigh and cheered, "This brother is interesting!"

Liu Ruyan covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes darting, "Young Master has a glib tongue; why not come up and chat with me? The road is still long, after all."

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole crowd was in an uproar. Who didn't know that the courtesan's parade never allowed outsiders on the float? Let alone a stranger.

Chen Xuan was not flustered, shaking his head with a smile, "The float is your stage; I'm content being an audience member down here. Besides, it's easy to go up but hard to come down. If it causes any misunderstandings, I can't afford to bear that."

"Misunderstandings?" She raised an eyebrow, "Since I dared to invite you, I'm not afraid of what people say. It's you—are you afraid?"

"It's not a matter of daring or not." He scratched his head, "My sisters here are watching. If I really went up, I'd be nagged to death later."

Zhao Hongling indeed jumped out and shouted, "Exactly! Just try going up!"

Leng Shuang crossed her arms and sneered, "Behave yourself."

Dugu Xue watched quietly, then suddenly spoke, "She is testing you."

"I know," Chen Xuan said in a low voice, "The more glamorous a person is, the more they fear being seen through. That sway she had earlier might not have been a spooked horse; perhaps she just wanted to see who would step forward."

"Then you didn't step forward?" she asked.

"I already did," he smiled, "Our eyes met, and we spoke. Do you think she'll forget me?"

Sure enough, as the flower float continued on, Liu Ruyan suddenly turned her head before making a turn, nodding slightly at him with a gentle, meaningful smile.

Chen Xuan stood in place, the corners of his lips slightly raised.

"Why are you looking at her?" Zhao Hongling pulled his sleeve, "Your eyes are fixed on her!"

"No, no." He withdrew his gaze, acting serious, "I was studying her footwork."

"Footwork?" Leng Shuang didn't believe him.

"Yes." He nodded solemnly, "When she turned, her center of gravity was on her left foot, with her right foot lightly touching the ground; she has clearly trained. To be able to stand that steadily on a high platform, you can't do it without a few years of practice."

"So what did you figure out?" Dugu Xue asked.

"I reached a conclusion." He patted the dust off his pants, "This woman is not simple."

"Who is not simple?" Zhao Hongling put her hands on her hips, "Are you interested in her?"

"If I am, it's just appreciation." He spread his hands, "Beauties are like famous swords; looking at them a couple more times isn't greedy. Besides, she initiated the conversation; I can't just pretend to be blind, right?"

"You're certainly self-righteous about it." Leng Shuang turned her head away.

"The three of you are all great beauties, and I never get tired of looking at you every day." He said with a grin, "But she is different; she is the kind of person... who makes one want to find out her story."

"A story?" Zhao Hongling rolled her eyes, "Do you think everyone is as complicated as you? She's just a singer; what kind of story could she have?"

"Even a singer can have a Jianghu of their own." He gazed in the direction the float had gone, "Anyone who can stand straight among ten thousand people and still look at the world with a smile likely hides something in their heart."

Dugu Xue listened quietly and suddenly asked, "Do you want to see her?"

"I do want to see her." He rubbed his chin, "But I have to wait for the right opportunity. She wouldn't invite me onto the float for no reason, nor would she remember just anyone's face. Since she looked at me, it means—we will meet again."

"You're really confident." Zhao Hongling huffed.

"It's not confidence." He grinned, "It's experience. Back when I watched TV dramas in modern times, in scenes like this, whenever the protagonist and the heroine lock eyes for the first time, there's bound to be a story later."

"What are you saying?" the three of them asked in unison.

"Nothing." He waved his hand, "I meant that this kind of person won't appear just once."

The crowd gradually dispersed, and the street became clear again. The four of them stood there, no one speaking for a moment.

Leng Shuang looked at the sky, "It's time to find a place to stay."

"Let's go to my father's villa in the capital." Zhao Hongling held her head high, "It's very spacious, and we can bathe and change clothes."

"Then you lead the way." Chen Xuan rested his hands behind his head, "But before that—can anyone tell me which direction that float went?"

"East Market Pier." A child by the roadside answered quickly, "The big sister is going to perform on a painted boat tomorrow!"

Chen Xuan's eyes lit up.

"You're still thinking about it?" Zhao Hongling glared at him.

"It's not thinking about it." He chuckled, "I just suddenly remembered that I haven't heard Jiangnan folk tunes in a long time. It'll just help me unwind."

Leng Shuang said coldly, "If you dare to sneak off to listen to music, don't blame me for not telling you where dinner is."

"It won't come to that, it won't come to that." He waved his hands repeatedly, "I'm a decent person, after all."

Dugu Xue watched his back and asked in a low voice, "Do you really intend to go?"

"She said she wanted me to come up and talk." He didn't stop walking, his tone relaxed, "If I don't go, wouldn't I be letting down her good intentions?"

"Then when do you plan to go?" she asked.

He stopped, turned back, and smiled, "When they are all fast asleep, I'll sneak out for a walk—ouch!"

Before he could finish, Zhao Hongling kicked him in the calf.

"In your dreams! I'm guarding your door tonight!"

The flower float had gone far away, and the street returned to its bustle. The sunset spilled over the bluestone road, casting long shadows. Chen Xuan walked in front, rubbing his leg, humming an unfamiliar folk tune, the melody light and brisk, carrying a hint of the gentle, winding style of the Jiangnan water towns.

He didn't look back, but a smile remained on his lips.