17: Chapter 17 The courtesan's Favor, She Takes the Initiative to Talk

Just as dawn broke, Zhao Hongling kicked open Chen Xuan's door.

"Stop pretending to be asleep. Were you trying to sneak out last night to listen to music? If I hadn't dozed off while guarding the door, you really would have slipped away unnoticed!"

Chen Xuan lay on the bed, one hand pillowed behind his head, squinting with a smile. "How would I dare? Your eyes are like a hawk watching a thief. Besides, the courtesan invited me; she didn't say I had to go alone."

Leng Shuang leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "So you plan to take the three of us to see her perform? Are you going to listen to the zither, or just to join the commotion?"

"It's called returning a favor. Yesterday, she invited me onto her carriage in front of ten thousand people, and I didn't even respond. What would that look like? Besides, she asked me up and I didn't go; visiting her boat today is just seeing things through."

Dugu Xue walked over from the end of the hallway, her tone calm. "You certainly know how to find an excuse for yourself."

"It's not an excuse; it's social etiquette."

Chen Xuan jumped off the bed, grabbed the outer robe draped over the back of the chair, and threw it on.

"For Liu Ruyan to notice me in that kind of setting and specifically speak up shows she knows what she's doing. Someone like her doesn't talk to just anyone."

Zhao Hongling rolled her eyes. "You might as well have 'I'm going to meet my soulmate' written all over your face."

"I'm a decent man. This trip is only for listening to the zither, chatting, and enjoying the river view. I won't do anything inappropriate. With the three of you there, would I even dare?"

Leng Shuang said coldly, "Your words are clean enough."

After the group had breakfast, they headed toward the East Market Pier. The morning streets had just been washed, the flagstones shimmering with a damp light, and steam rose from the roadside breakfast stalls.

Reaching the riverbank, they saw a painted pleasure boat anchored in the middle of the water from afar. The hull was carved and painted, draped with pale pink gauze curtains, and several lanterns swayed gently in the wind, bearing the character 'Liu'.

Many people were already standing on the shore watching, yet none dared to approach or board the vessel.

"I heard this pleasure boat doesn't allow outsiders on board normally?" Zhao Hongling asked.

"Those are the rules."

Chen Xuan smiled. "But rules are static, while people are dynamic. Since she dared to invite me in the middle of the street, she won't stop me from boarding."

With that, he stepped onto the wooden gangplank connecting the shore to the boat.

The wood creaked once, but Chen Xuan didn't stop, walking straight across. The three behind him exchanged glances and followed one after another.

Just as he stepped onto the deck, a slender figure came out to greet them.

Liu Ruyan wore no heavy makeup today, dressed only in a plain pink gown covered by translucent gauze. A single Magnolia Hairpin adorned her bun—simple, yet elegant.

"The Young Master is indeed a man of his word."

She smiled gently, her gaze sweeping over the three women behind him. Her eyes flickered for a moment before returning to Chen Xuan's face. "You've brought honored guests as well; my humble abode is truly graced by your presence."

"You flatter us."

Chen Xuan cupped his hands. "After your invitation yesterday, it would be rude of me not to come. Besides, my sisters here all wanted to see the grace of Jiangnan's number one courtesan."

Zhao Hongling immediately glared at him. "Who are your sisters!"

Leng Shuang snorted coldly and turned her head to look at the river.

Liu Ruyan covered her lips and chuckled. "Young Master's tongue is more agile than a zither string."

"That's the truth." Chen Xuan grinned. "If you don't believe me, ask them. Was I wrong?"

No one paid him any mind.

Liu Ruyan stepped aside to make way. "Please, everyone, enter the main cabin. I've prepared some tea and snacks, as well as freshly collected Lotus Heart Dew to cool the spirit and calm the mind."

Everyone entered the cabin in turn.

The interior was elegantly decorated. Celadon tea sets were arranged on the tables, and a guqin stood quietly in the corner. Outside the window, the river rippled slightly, reflecting the light of the sky and the shadows of the clouds.

"Allow me to play a piece for you all."

Liu Ruyan sat down, her fingertips lightly brushing the strings. "Consider it a thanks for the Young Master's words yesterday: 'Though my shoulders are narrow, they can still carry half a portion of elegance.'"

The cabin fell silent.

The music began, initially light and brisk like rain hitting banana leaves, reminiscent of a spring garden stroll or a young girl's outing.

As Zhao Hongling listened, the corners of her mouth unconsciously lifted. Leng Shuang closed her eyes to listen, her expression softening. Dugu Xue stared at the water, her fingers unconsciously tapping the rhythm on her knee.

But gradually, the melody deepened, like a night wind blowing through an empty courtyard or a solitary flickering lamp. When the last note fell, the lingering resonance was long, carrying an indescribable sense of loneliness.

"What a wonderful rendition of 'Mist and Rain Journey'."

Chen Xuan clapped. "The beginning was bright and beautiful, the latter part desolate, and there was even a hidden modulation in the middle—as if you wanted to say something but swallowed it back down."

Liu Ruyan looked up at him. "The Young Master listens very closely."

"It would be strange if I didn't." He picked up his teacup and blew on it. "Most people play the zither to make others happy, but this piece of yours was played for yourself."

Zhao Hongling interjected, "You're being too direct!"

"I'm just telling the truth." Chen Xuan set down his cup. "When you reached the third section just now, your right pinky trembled slightly. That was because you couldn't suppress your emotions. A master wouldn't make such a mistake unless they were intentionally leaving a flaw."

Liu Ruyan looked down at her hands. After a long silence, she whispered, "Since the Young Master sees through it, why point it out?"

"If I didn't point it out, you'd feel even more stifled."

Chen Xuan smiled. "Yesterday, you stood so high on that flower carriage, smiling so sweetly while thousands cheered below, yet there was no light in your eyes. Today's song, however, felt a bit more real."

Silence filled the cabin for a moment.

Leng Shuang opened her eyes and glanced at Liu Ruyan without saying a word.

Zhao Hongling bit her lip. "It... hasn't been easy for you, has it?"

Liu Ruyan looked up and smiled. "I am but a mere songstress; what could be hard for me? With the city's lights and guests like clouds, what could I possibly lack?"

"But not a single lamp is lit for you," Chen Xuan picked up. "Thousands envy you, yet no one asks if you're tired. Am I right?"

Her fingertips paused, and her smile faltered slightly.

"Young Master's words... are a bit too heavy."

"Not heavy. I, too, have been looked down upon."

"The day I first arrived in the capital, dressed in rags and walking the streets, even the bun vendor wouldn't give me a second glance."

"Back then I understood that the world judges a person first by their appearance, then by their status. But a person's life is not defined by their birth, but by where their heart is set."

Liu Ruyan was stunned.

"You are the top courtesan now, looked up to by thousands, but you know in your heart that these people don't like you. They like your appearance, your voice, and the 'Liu Ruyan' you perform as."

Chen Xuan's tone was calm. "But when you looked back at me last night, that smile was real. So I know you haven't lost yourself yet."

The cabin was so quiet that the sound of the river water lapping against the boat could be heard.

After a long while, Liu Ruyan whispered, "The Young Master... is truly a strange person."

"I think so too. When others see a courtesan, they either try to curry favor or act aloof. Me? I don't want to marry you, nor do I want to disparage you. I just want to figure out what kind of person you actually are."

Zhao Hongling couldn't help but laugh. "You really dare to say anything!"

Leng Shuang glanced at him, her lips twitching. In the end, she couldn't help but let out a soft snort.

Dugu Xue gazed out the window and suddenly said, "His judgment has always been accurate."

Liu Ruyan looked at Chen Xuan, her eyes becoming more serious. "Is the Young Master not afraid of knowing too much? Knowing some things is not necessarily a blessing."

"I didn't ask about your past, nor did I inquire about your backers."

He waved his hand. "I just wanted to know what someone who can stand smiling before ten thousand people is actually thinking. Now I know—you want freedom, but you can't leave."

She didn't deny it.

She simply nodded gently.

"You're right." Her voice was very soft. "In this city full of lights, not one shines for me; though thousands envy me, no one knows my true wishes."

Chen Xuan didn't reply, but simply picked up the teapot and refilled her cup.

"Then in the future, play once for yourself. Not to entertain others, but just to pass the time."

Liu Ruyan looked at him and suddenly smiled. This time, the smile wasn't posed like before, nor was it suppressed like in the music; it was a moment of true relaxation.

"Alright. Next time, I will play a piece for myself."

Outside the cabin, the river breeze brushed through the gauze curtains, and the shouts of fishing boats drifted from afar. Sunlight spilled onto the water, shattering into fragments of golden light.

Chen Xuan leaned back and stretched. "That's more like it. By the way, is lunch provided? I walked several miles to get here."

Zhao Hongling immediately kicked him. "Can you have some class!"

"Class comes with food." He rubbed his leg. "Otherwise, talking about life on an empty stomach makes it easy to collapse from exhaustion."

Leng Shuang finally spoke up, "If you keep talking nonsense, we're leaving first."

"Don't." He quickly waved his hands. "I promise to be serious for five minutes."

Liu Ruyan laughed so hard she couldn't stand straight.

Dugu Xue shook her head. "You don't understand the meaning of the word 'serious' at all."

The painted boat floated quietly on the river, the waves gently rippling and the hull swaying slightly.

Laughter continued inside the cabin, the aroma of tea curled in the air, and though the music had ceased, the resonance had not yet faded.

Chen Xuan sat there, munching on snacks while watching Liu Ruyan smile.

He knew this woman had things on her mind.

But he also knew that some things shouldn't be asked in a hurry.

When it was time to speak, she would naturally do so.

And for now, it was only their first meeting.

He took a sip of tea and thought to himself: This trip was worth it.