met free Chapter 276 Xiaoyao Tower
Chapter 276 Xiaoyao Tower
The carriage stopped in front of Xiaoyao Tower, and Liuli got out first to carefully look around. The exterior of the tower was not particularly eye-catching, and the vermilion door was slightly mottled, but the two glass lamps at the entrance were exceptionally exquisite, emitting a soft glow in the twilight.
"This is Xiaoyao Tower?" Xiao Cui nervously helped Murong Xuewei out of the carriage, her eyes scanning the surroundings uneasily. "It looks quite ordinary, compared to those famous towers in Jiangnan..."
"The more discreet the place," Murong Xuewei interrupted her calmly, her gaze as still as water, "the more careful you need to be. Liuli, what did you see?"
Liuli frowned slightly: "There are quite a few hidden agents at the entrance, and..." she lowered her voice, "the way these people stand doesn't seem like ordinary thugs."
Murong Xuewei nodded slightly and stepped into the hall. The three of them were stunned by the sight before them as soon as they entered the hall. The Xiaoyao Tower, which had a simple exterior, was incredibly luxurious inside. The carved beams and painted rafters were all exquisitely crafted, and the magnificent decorations showed extraordinary taste everywhere.
"This..." Xiao Cui exclaimed in surprise, then realized her rudeness and quickly lowered her head.
"Distinguished guests," a woman in elegant attire approached gracefully, a meticulously crafted smile on her face, her gaze sweeping over the three of them, "have you come to listen to some music?"
Murong Xuewei nodded slightly, letting the woman lead them to a private room on the second floor. Along the way, she silently noted the layout of each corner, already having a plan in mind.
“What a coincidence,” the woman said with a smile as she poured them tea, her eyes crinkling into a wide, fan-like smile. “Our most famous young master, Frost, is going to perform, and you’ve come at just the right time.”
Liuli and Xiaocui exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. A male courtesan? This was unheard of in Jiangnan. Liuli subconsciously looked at Murong Xuewei, only to see her mistress's expression calm, as if she had expected it.
“Then let’s hear it,” Murong Xuewei took a sip of tea, her gaze thoughtfully drifting downstairs. “I wonder if this Young Master Shuang has anything special about him?”
"Speaking of this..." the woman's voice suddenly lowered, tinged with mystery, "Young Master Shuang is no ordinary courtesan. Not only is he proficient in all the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—but also..."
Before he could finish speaking, the sound of string and wind instruments suddenly drifted from downstairs. Everyone's attention was drawn to the white-clad figure on the stage. The man was handsome, with exquisite features, and his every move exuded elegance, yet also carried an indescribable aloofness. He placed the zither on his lap, his slender fingers gently plucking the strings.
The melody of "Three Variations on Plum Blossom" flowed from his fingers, the clear and melodious sound of the zither like a mountain stream or a plum blossom in a secluded valley, carrying a transcendent and otherworldly charm.
"Your Highness," Xiao Cui exclaimed softly, captivated by the music, "this young master's musical skill..."
Murong Xuewei gently shook her head, signaling her not to speak. Her gaze remained fixed on the man in white, especially noticing the slight furrow in his brow as he played the zither, and the fleeting calluses on his fingers.
"Interesting," she thought to herself, "This young master Shuang certainly doesn't seem like someone from a brothel."
As the music ended, cheers erupted from downstairs. A drunken man stumbled to his feet, his face flushed, and tossed out a silver ingot: "This official demands this young master accompany me for drinks!"
The man in white frowned slightly, his expression showing difficulty; Murong Xuewei caught this fleeting change in expression perfectly. The proprietress quickly stepped forward to smooth things over: "My lord, our young master Shuang is unwell..."
"One thousand taels!" The man tossed out another silver ingot, laughing loudly, his breath reeking of alcohol. "Is this price enough to buy Young Master Shuang's time for one night?"
Xiao Cui glanced at the awkward scene downstairs, then at the silent Murong Xue Wei, and finally couldn't help but lean closer and say, "Your Highness, that Young Master Shuang seems to be in a difficult position..."
Murong Xuewei's eyes flickered slightly, her tone carrying a hint of inquiry: "Do you think I should intervene?"
“Xiao Cui dares not speak presumptuously,” Xiao Cui said, her head bowed, her voice barely audible. “It’s just that Young Master Shuang’s musical skills don’t seem to belong to someone from a brothel. And…” She secretly glanced at Murong Xuewei’s expression, “His eyes don’t seem like those of someone who wants to stay here.”
Liuli leaned closer and lowered her voice, "Your Highness, Xiaocui is right. His zither playing is indeed extraordinary, and..." She paused meaningfully, "...his hand gestures while playing the zither seem to suggest he's practiced swordsmanship."
Murong Xuewei's lips curled slightly as she picked up her teacup and took a small sip. "Since you all say so, then I'd like to see what's so special about this Young Master Shuang."
She slowly rose, her clear, cold voice like a sharp sword slicing through the noisy atmosphere: "Two thousand taels."
A hush fell over the entire room, all eyes fixed on the private space. Even the man in white raised his head and gave Murong Xuewei a deep look. His eyes were as deep as wells, yet a barely perceptible ripple flickered the instant they met Murong Xuewei's gaze.
The woman's smile grew even more obsequious: "This young lady is quite generous. But..."
"But what?" Murong Xuewei asked calmly, her tone carrying a subtle but palpable air of authority. "Does Xiaoyao Tower perhaps distinguish between male and female guests?"
“Of course we won’t split the price,” the woman said with a forced smile, her face crinkling into a wide grin. “Since Miss has offered the highest price, then Young Master Shuang will serve Miss tonight.”
Murong Xuewei's gaze swept over the drunkard's furious face, then she looked thoughtfully at Young Master Shuang: "I wonder if Young Master Shuang would be willing?"
Young Master Shuang bowed deeply, his white robes fluttering like snow: "To have gained the favor of Miss is Shuang'er's blessing."
The air in the private room was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. Young Master Shuang gracefully poured tea for the guests. His movements were fluid and graceful, yet his every gesture carried a subtle air of frivolity, a stark contrast to his aloof and arrogant demeanor on stage just moments before.
"Does Miss enjoy listening to music?" Young Master Shuang handed a teacup to Murong Xuewei, his voice gentle and refined, yet his eyes held a hint of frivolity. "If you like it, Shuang'er can perform another piece for you. That piece, 'Three Variations on Plum Blossom,' still had much to say..."
Murong Xuewei took the teacup and glanced at him calmly. She noticed the distinct knuckles of his fingers as he handed her the tea, the calluses on them faintly visible in the candlelight.
"Young Master Shuang's musical skills are indeed quite good," she said calmly, taking a sip of tea, "but this piece was played a little too deliberately."
A flicker of surprise crossed Young Master Shuang's eyes, but he quickly regained his obsequious expression: "Shuang'er is flattered, Miss, you have such insight..." As he spoke, he turned around, his gaze inadvertently falling on Liuli, "This young lady also seems to be knowledgeable in music, may I ask for your guidance?"
Liuli was taken aback, instinctively taking a half-step back, a blush rising on her cheeks: "I...I don't understand..."
“You’re too modest, young lady,” said Young Master Shuang, stepping forward almost touching the glass, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “While listening to the music just now, I noticed your focused expression and the charm in your eyes and brows were remarkably similar to the beauty described by a famous scholar from Jiangnan.”
Liuli's cheeks grew increasingly hot. She wanted to dodge but dared not act rashly, so she could only look to Murong Xuewei for help. Upon hearing the words "famous scholar from Jiangnan," her heart trembled, and the image of a certain person flashed through her mind.