Bonus chapter to conclude Qing Feng Lou’s part. Happy Sunday!
This chapter was translated by Sian for only and edited by Din2.
By Qian Lu
Chapter 40
Qing Feng Lou (Part 2)
A woman who was about 30 years old, came up to them, her figure and appearance were taken good care of properly, with her flowery and tender looks, and a light frowned smile was shown with her flirtatious expression. She was wearing a dark purple embroidery thin skirt, meanderingly came up, she not only made people to feel amorous, but she also looked very attractive, with her outstanding personalities.
Looking at the person who came up, the young boy felt relax, he took the silver ingots and bank notes that were on his hand to the front of the woman, respectfully called out: "Feng Momo (elderly lady)."
Sweeping one glance at the thing that was on the young boy"s hand, Feng Xi Wu slightly saluted Murong Shu Qing, she said in no hurry nor slow tone: "Since this gentleman is sincere, if you do not mind it, there are still a few private rooms at the corners on the second floor."
She still did not pay any attention to that money, when Qing Feng Lou"s bodyguard had not informed her yet, she had already paid attentions to these group of people, with the staggering carriage, icily and unruly bodyguard, but the Master was actually a quiet and neat youngster. His speech manner was straight forward and polite, just like a random scholar. He was flowing with indistinct respect, he did not attack people, but he did not let you to neglect him either. She unexpectedly was not aware that there was this kind of person within the Capital? Then, it could be explained that if this person was not an extremely prominent person, then he was actually a mysterious person.
Fortunately, when she handled a job, she would always leave some s.p.a.ces, there were three best quality side rooms, one already had an owner, then she would just keep the second room for this cultured and mysterious youngster! She believed that he would bring about a different and pleasant surprise.
When Feng Xi Wu was sizing up Murong Shu Qing up and down, Murong Shu Qing was also secretly judging this person who could also be regarded as a top character within the Capital. If one wanted to maintain this kind of Qing Feng Lou"s brothel, her relationship with other people would be complicated, and difficult to execute. There was no need to say, if there was no one who supported the brothel secretly, this brothel would not be the "first brothel in the Capital".
This person who managed it, was someone who could understand and observe other people"s expressions, her manner was outstanding, and she was an exquisite person. No wonder that Qing Feng Lou could stand out as the only brothel from all around, and having a unique style!
Murong Shu Qing nodded her head and smilingly said: "Then, just take that room!"
"These two people, please follow me." Sending a meaningful glance to make the young boy go to prepare the room first, Feng Xi Wu walked ahead and guided the way for them.
Entering Qing Feng Lou, the inside structure was even more unique, the feeling of the empty s.p.a.ce was very strong, it made used of the light and simple muslin bamboo curtains that were broken up, so that the customers felt that they had their own private rooms, the room did not seem to be constrained and narrowed. Comparing to the main gate, the interior decoration was slightly more gorgeous and exquisite, the things that they used, were chosen tastefully. But the arrangements were just right, and it made people to feel that they had high qualities, and they were not just piles and piles of luxury goods.
Perhaps, since tonight was prepared for Hai Yue"s special performance, so there were many bamboo curtains within the hall that already rolled up, one could clearly see the front of the center stage from every table. The time was still early, but the inside of the hall was almost at capacity (full). Around the first floor was the best quality private rooms that were properly separated by compartments, it was slightly higher than the hall three steps stage, so that the people inside the rooms could look beyond the crowds and see the stage. Normally, they used one bamboo leaf curtain to separate the doors, but for this Miss Hai Yue, the bamboo curtain could also be removed.
The whole hall had no less than 100 lanterns, upstairs and downstairs, it looked like it was just a day time.
Feng Xi Wu took Murong Shu Qing"s party to enter the main hall, bypa.s.sing the hall that was already full of people, and going to the side of the mahogany stairs to arrive on the second floor. The second floor decoration was even slightly more elegant than the first floor, but it was less meticulous, and it actually expressed more qualities. The veranda was wide, one could see that there were only three rooms on the second floor. Feng Xi Wu took them to the furthest left room. The young boy who was already waiting and standing by the door, he opened the door and welcome them to come in.
The wing was very big, but the lighting was not as good as the lightning at the hall, it was some gentle candle lights, that gave people some warm and cozy feelings. Leaning on the furthest area, there was a light purple thin silk muslin curtain that was hanging to the ground, one could vaguely see the lighting of the hall. Murong Shu Qing praised and lightly smiled, people could see the stage and any situation inside the hall with this kind of design, and the people below, but they were unable to see the inside of the wing. The upper floor had three wings side by side, each of the room could not see the opposite side.
There were three young women who were already sitting inside the wing, they looked very remarkable, one person was holding a pipa (a four-stringed Chinese instrument), softly playing a musical composition. Murong Shu Qing sat down in front of the round table, she gently tasted the good tea that was on her hand, while she was listening to the relaxing musical composition, this was really enjoyable.
Putting aside that this was a brothel, the service and quality of this place made people to admire it, maybe coming here occasionally to sit, was not a bad idea.
Giving instructions to the women to take care of them nicely, Feng Xi Wu retreated to the side of the door, gave a polite gesture and smilingly said: "These two gentlemen can sit first, this servant asks to be excused first." Since she just saw this type of Master, she had to report it to her Miss (Hai Yue).
Looking at Feng Xi Wu who wanted to go out, Huo Zhi Qing could not be like Murong Shu Qing who was enjoying the tea and appreciating the music properly. She emotionally stood up and said: "Slow down, you ask these orioles and swallows to go out, I want to see Hai Yue." She came not because of these people who were playing and singing the instrument.
Facing Huo Zhi Qing"s rude shouting like this, Feng Xi Wu did not get angry either, she only walked to the side of the thin silk muslin curtain, softly raised the edge, and people could only hear the brouhaha voices coming from the outside, it was very lively. Feng Xi Wu pointed downstairs, she softly and smilingly said: "The people who come, they all want to see Miss Hai Yue, when the time comes, Miss will naturally come out, this young gentleman does not need to be anxious."
She had already seen all type of people, how could she care about this young girl who was hooting out her anger! Murong Shu Qing pulled Huo Zhi Qing to sit down with a headache, appeasingly patted her hand, this girl"s anger tonight was not small, she could not be calmed even for a moment. Shu Qing slightly cupped her hands, and with a faint smile, she said: "Many thanks to Feng Momo!"
Murong Shu Qing"s well-mannered and modesty, made Feng Xi Wu had even a better impression about her, she gave a polite gesture to greet for one more time, disregarded Huo Zhi Qing"s undisciplined manner, Feng Xi Wu answered with a soft voice: "Gongzi, please wait for a little while! Miss is a little bit behind the schedule and will come out soon." Finished speaking, she slowly withdrew out of the room.
Huo Zhi Qing who was sitting on a chair, pouted her mouth, she did not even see Hai Yue, and she was bullied by a female brothel keeper. She was furious to death, it was all eldest brother"s fault. She was getting angrier and angrier, the original mellow sound of the traditional music that was pleasant to listen to, it became an annoying noise inside her ears. So she could not endure it anymore and said: "Do not play anymore, it is so noisy. Get out!!"
She suddenly asked to stop the music with a stern voice, it made the three women who were inside, looking at each other in dismay. They were looking at Huo Zhi Qing, then looking at Murong Shu Qing, they could not go or stay either, and just staying there rigidly! Murong Shu Qing laughed and shook her head, she had a knowledge today about this girl"s temperament, and she waved her hand to the three women to let them go out.
After the three people went out, Huo Zhi Qing felt that it was too quiet, and she kept going back and forwards inside the room. Murong Shu Qing simply tasted the tea on her hand, and paid no attention to her. The tea at this Qing Feng Lou was really not bad, the result of mixing and using the three kinds of the same season tea, it completely turned into a different flavor tea, the flavor was very fresh.
Huo Zhi Qing has already walked 17-18 backs and forths, it was really boring, she walked to the front of the window, slightly lifted the seam open. She looked at the situation downstairs, suddenly, Huo Zhi Qing shouted: "Really, them, eldest brother! And Yan gege!"
Hearing Huo Zhi Qing"s crying out in surprise, Murong Shu Qing got up to walk behind her, she put her hand on her shoulder, she could already feel that she was trembling but she did not know if it was because of anger or sorrow. Strongly embracing her, Murong Shu Qing softly said in her ear: "Be calmed and do not get excited."
For a good while, Huo Zhi Qing slowly calmed down, slightly pouted her mouth, and she was staring at Yan Hao Yu, and saying curse words in her mouth.
Knowing that they would come here and actually looking at them here, were two different feelings, Murong Shu Qing could understand her mood. But looking that she was quickly calmed down, and was able to find away to get rid of her gloominess, she felt relieved, but she hoped that Yan Hao Yu"s ears would not become red (since HZQ was cursing at him), and that would be good.
Standing behind Huo Zhi Qing, Murong Shu Qing also slightly lifted open the curtain, she could see clearly at the situation downstairs. She had no choice but to feel like sighing again, this design was very delicate.
They were just right underneath the right-hand side of the private room, there was Huo Zi Qi, sitting with Yan Hao Yu and a handsome, out of ordinary man, the man was sitting in between them. Even though his clothing was ordinary, but his every gesture was shown in a grandeur and an expensive look, it showed this man"s out of ordinary ident.i.ty. One could hear the sound of their clear voices and laughs, they should be very familiar with each other. Was he the reason that the Huo"s family went to the Capital this time? Murong Shu Qing carefully looked one glance at the man, then she withdrew her sight.
Looking around at the other private rooms, there was no lack of a few Princes (Jun w.a.n.g), Emperor"s relatives, children of the cabinet ministers, the Capital"s millionaires. It seemed that this Miss Hai Yue"s supporters were really big ah! When she was looking at the most left side private room, Murong Shu Qing raised her smile and slightly opened her eyes big. She stared blankly, and after that, she laughed involuntarily again. How could he be here!
—————-Xuanyuan Yi, after they were separated for several months, who would have thought that she would see him for the first time at the Capital at this Qing Feng Lou.
Sian"s notes:
That Jun w.a.n.g is translated as Prince but they"re not related in blood to the Imperial family. The brothers of the Emperor will be called w.a.n.g Ye. Jun w.a.n.g can be bestowed by an Imperial decree.
Ai.. Xuanyuan Yi finally showed up again.