Chapter 030: The Unlucky Yuan Zhen

If one were to ask, what is the most famous place of pleasure in Luoyang city.

Then the vast majority would say in unison... Swallow Tower!

And the reason Swallow Tower is so famous is that within it resides a courtesan of Luoyang, Yin Ruiji.

But in fact, before Swallow Tower had Yin Ruiji, there were already several pleasure quarters in Luoyang that were no less distinguished than Swallow Tower, among them Jade Rinse Pavilion.

It's just that Yin Ruiji was far too famous, her renown surpassing all in Luoyang. Even Swallow Tower became widely known by association, completely overshadowing the other pleasure quarters.

But this is not to say that there are no good women elsewhere.

Shuyu Pavilion had four beautiful girls who sold their art but not their bodies. They were once strong contenders for the title of Luoyang's top courtesan, each renowned throughout the city. These four were Siqi, Yushu, Wanqin, and Yuhua!

Even Hanyue had to rank below the four of them.

All four had once vied for the title of Luoyang's top courtesan, but regrettably, Yin Ruiji's single dance captivated the city, outshone all others, and knocked these women down completely.

This is not to say that these four women were inferior to Yin Ruiji in appearance, but rather that they lost to Yin Ruiji in talent and artistry.

Who could blame them, when Yin Ruiji's dancing was so captivating that it drew countless nobles and officials, allowing her to seize the title of Luoyang's foremost courtesan in one fell swoop.

So it is Miss Yushu.

After Wang Bo recovered from the stunning beauty of her face, he cupped his hands slightly and asked, “May I know what matter Miss Yushu has for me?”

Yushu wore a crimson dress, applied rouge and lipstick, adorning herself with breathtaking beauty that quickened the heart. Her voice, languid yet meltingly soft, seemed to speak straight to one's soul.

"Master Wang, I have taken the liberty of visiting this time because I wish to ask you about a person."

"Who?"

"The young master of Qingxin Tea House, Master Yuan Zhen."

Wang Bo suddenly understood. "So you came for Yuan Zhen. That means, Miss Yushu, you have feelings for Yuan Zhen."

A blush flew across Yushu's face. "Young Master Yuan is witty and humorous, his talent renowned throughout Luoyang. This humble girl indeed admires Young Master Yuan Zhen beyond measure."

Wang Bo said, “If that is the case, why don’t I call Yuanzhen over, and we can all drink and compose poetry together at my house—what do you think?”

Yushu was both surprised and delighted, and asked, "Master Wang knows the whereabouts of Master Yuanzhen."

Wang Bo said, "Is he not at the Qingxin Tea House?"

Hanyue explained from the side: “Sister Yushu and I went to the Qingxin Tea House yesterday, but the staff there told us that Master Yuanzhen had gone away on business. I then remembered that you and Master Yuanzhen are good friends, so Sister Yushu and I came to ask you, hoping to find out where exactly Master Yuanzhen has gone.”

Wang Bo listened, and it suddenly dawned on him.

That unlucky fellow Yuanzhen still couldn't escape the clutches of the Eastern Islanders; he was captured by them, and right now he's probably roasting tea for them.

When Yuan Zhen escaped from the East Islanders' hands half a year later, he had already become a monster covered in scales, transformed from a scholar too weak to truss a chicken into someone capable of fighting martial arts masters.

Wang Bo thought for a moment and said, "I'm sorry, Miss Yushu, Yuanzhen didn't say goodbye to me before he left, so I'm not quite sure where he went. But since he left in such a hurry, there must have been some urgent matter."

Yushu listened, and visible disappointment surfaced on her face.

Wang Bo couldn't help but see Yuan Zhen in a new light—this man really knew how to charm the ladies.

He had lost a Yin Ruiji, but now a Yushu had come to him of her own accord.

Is being able to compose poetry and couplets really so extraordinary?

Wang Bo added, "Miss Yushu, you need not be disheartened. I think, since Yuanzhen encountered an urgent matter, perhaps once he has dealt with it, he will return from outside."

Hanyue also consoled her from the side: “Yes, Sister Yushu, I think what Young Master Wang said is right. Although he left in a hurry due to an urgent matter, perhaps he will return just as quickly. Maybe in ten days or half a month, you will be able to see Young Master Yuanzhen again.”

Yushu nodded, rallying her spirits a little. "Younger sister, you are absolutely right. To have made you worry this time, I truly feel apologetic."

“Elder sister, what kind of talk is that? You and I are family; why speak as if we’re from two different households?”

Wang Bo watched the two of them, one calling the other “elder sister” and the other replying “younger sister,” chatting with great delight and soon beaming like flowers. He couldn't help but wonder: in these ancient pleasure quarters, could there truly be friendship?

Could it be what they call a sisterhood of convenience?

But judging by the way the two of them looked, it didn't seem quite like that either.

"Young Master Wang, Young Master Wang..."

Just as Wang Bo was letting his thoughts wander, he suddenly heard someone calling his name. Focusing his eyes, he found Hanyue standing gracefully before him, waving at him.

“Sorry, I just blanked out for a moment,” Wang Bo hurriedly explained.

Hanyue snorted and said, "I don't think you were spacing out; you were stunned by the sight of a beauty like Sister Yushu, weren't you?"

Yushu couldn't help but blush, and she gently spat at Hanyue.

Wang Bo said frankly, "Miss Yushu is indeed very beautiful. I think in present-day Luoyang, those who are more beautiful than Miss Yushu would number no more than the fingers on one hand."

Yushu's face grew even redder, and she said in a low voice, "Thank you for your praise, Master Wang."

Hanyue saw Wang Bo praising Yushu incessantly, felt a bit angry in her heart, and said pointedly, "It's true that Sister Yushu is beautiful, but unfortunately, Sister Yushu already has someone she loves."

Yushu fell silent and did not refute; she indeed had some fondness for Yuanzhen, and after several encounters, she believed that Young Master Yuanzhen was truly someone worthy of entrusting her life to.

Wang Bo chuckled inwardly. He had actually deliberately praised Yushu in front of Hanyue, precisely to let Hanyue know that besides her, there were many others Wang Bo could choose from.

lest the other party play some game of feigned indifference with him.

Now it seemed Hanyue had indeed taken the bait, saying Yushu had someone she fancied—wasn't that just a roundabout way of telling Wang Bo, "Don't set your sights on her, set them on me"?

Wang Bo snapped his fingers and said, "Right, I've recently learned a few tricks. Would you two like to appraise them and broaden your horizons with my profound tricks?"

Hanyue said with a look of surprise, “Sleight of hand? I heard from Yu’er that you haven’t been out these past few days, Young Master Wang. I wonder where you could have learned it?”

Wang Bo said calmly, "Self-taught, of course."

This time, even Yushu was somewhat astonished, and a hint of doubt involuntarily surfaced in her eyes. However, she was ultimately a person of intelligence and grace, and did not point anything out to his face.

Han Yue cheerfully pulled Yushu over and said, "All right, then let us broaden our horizons and see just what kind of trick Young Master Wang has learned."

Wang Bo smiled confidently and said, "Then watch closely. I'll do it right now."

He slipped his hand into his pocket, gave a light tug, and pulled out a tablecloth, shaking it gently before Hanyue and Yushu.

“How about that?”

Hanyue feigned disdain and said, "I merely pulled a tablecloth from my pocket. What's so special about that?"