Chapter 29: Token

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3614052
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.

New name:

风青曼 - Feng Qingman 

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As the lanterns lit up, there was music and dance.

This hour was always the liveliest in Yanhua Alley. Tonight, with both Fenghua Pavilion and Xueyue Pavilion's leading courtesans welcoming their guests at the same time, the alley was even more crowded than usual.

When Meng Chang'an and her group arrived at Fenghua Pavilion, a long line had already formed before the gate.

While lingering outside Fenghua Pavilion, Young Master Meng couldn't help but glance again at the Xueyue Pavilion across the street. Considering her main purpose for tonight, Young Master Meng quickly reached out to tug at the Princess’ sleeve when she was handing over the entrance fee to Yuechu, struggling once more, “There are too many people here, shall we go to Xueyue Pavilion across the street instead?”

Upon hearing this, the Princess remained unmoved, merely swaying the folding fan in her hand and smiling faintly, "There are plenty of people over there too. Besides, I prefer the atmosphere of Fenghua Pavilion. Let's check out the leading courtesans here first."

Fenghua Pavilion, Xueyue Pavilion. The former was renowned for its martial prowess, from the madams inside the pavilion to the top courtesans and even the errand boys; hardly anyone here lacked martial skills. Such ladies, when compared to the usual brothels, were indeed quite exceptional, attracting the nobles of the capital city who were accustomed to the usual luxuries like moths to a flame. As for the latter, it was renowned for its elegance, with its courtesans all possessing remarkable talents and reputations, drawing numerous talented people and scholars to vie for their attention.

"But..."

Before Young Master Meng could come up with another excuse, the Princess had already closed the folding fan in her hand, tilting Young Master Meng's chin with a smile, and said, "What is this? You agreed to listen to me in broad daylight, but now you are changing your mind?"

To onlookers, this scene appeared to be an unusual flirtation, attracting the attention of many.

Fortunately, the Princess had not bound her chest; she simply changed into men's clothing casually. Compared to Young Master Meng's deliberate attempt to disguise her gender, the Princess appeared much more feminine. Upon closer inspection, it was not difficult to tell that the Princess was just a woman dressed as a man.

However, even so, many people still mistook the scene as two young gentlemen arguing in public and could not help but look at them with surprise.

The frequent glances from the surrounding crowd made Young Master Meng feel uncomfortable all over. Unable to bear it, she reluctantly pulled down the folding fan in the Princess’ hand and conceded, "Fine, fine, fine. I have not changed my mind. I will listen to you."

In this way, the Princess nodded in satisfaction.

Before the Princess could speak again, Young Master Meng had already taken out a jade pendant from her bosom. She lowered her head and tied it onto the Princess' waistband, then instructed, "The people's temperament here are not great. Take this gourd-shaped jade pendant for self-defense. Be careful when you go in, and do not let anyone bully you!"

Watching quietly from the sidelines for a while, Young General Lin could not resist approaching after seeing Young Master Meng handing over even her own token. He whispered, "Sister, I am scared too. I want a jade gourd for self-defense too!"

Unfortunately, what Little General Lin got was a look from Young Master Meng, "Just stay there!"

Thus, Lin Xingyang reluctantly distanced himself from this woman who valued romantic pursuits over friendship and ran to Yuechu's side to queue up and hand over the entrance fee together.

The small jade gourd fit snugly in her hand.

Li Qiubai gently caressed the white jade gourd in her hand, feeling the inscription "Chang'an" carved on the bottom. The smile in her eyes deepened.

"What if I do not want to return it to you after borrowing it?"

Meng Chang'an furrowed her brow, feeling somewhat uneasy.

But when she thought of the Princess' generosity when she gave away the golden silk armor yesterday, no matter how reluctant she was, Young Master Meng could only grit her teeth and reluctantly say, "Then just keep it for yourself to play with."

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3614052
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.

As Young Master Meng uttered these words, she had already figured out how to explain to her master when she returned to the sect that she had given away this item. However, to her surprise, the Princess suddenly changed her mind and said, "Forget it, I've never liked imposing on others.”

The Princess' expression remained unchanged, still wearing that faint smile.

Nevertheless, Young Master Meng couldn't help but sense a hint of strangeness.

This woman is too fickle sometimes.

Unable to figure out whether the Princess was pleased or angry at this moment, Young Master Meng dared not say anything more, fearing she might make things worse. So, she quickly changed the subject and grabbed the Princess' wrist, heading towards the entrance of Fenghua Pavilion. "Let's go take a look too."

Coincidentally, Yuechu and Lin Xingyang had already lined up for them to enter the pavilion.

Before long, Meng Chang'an and her group had successfully followed the crowd into Fenghua Pavilion.

Nowadays, not only were all the seats on the various balconies upstairs occupied, but even every table in the ground floor hall was filled with people sharing tables. Many of the guests who had just arrived at this time, if they hadn't reserved seats early with friends, would basically not be able to find a place to sit.

However, even if they could only stand in the hall, most people were unwilling to leave. The majority here were just hoping to try their luck and see if they could catch the eye of a leading courtesan, becoming her guest of honor.

No one knew why the two leading courtesans had chosen the same day and time to select their guests of honor. They were simply regarded as always at odds with each other, choosing the same day just to compete and assert dominance over each other.

The truth of the matter wasn't something many people were overly concerned about. Idlers always loved to join in the fun, and brothel owners found profit in the crowds. The more people who came out of curiosity, the happier the brothel owners were.

However, the more crowded a place was, the more likely it was for someone to take advantage of the chaos.

"Boss Feng! Someone stole my purse!"

With this shout, the bustling crowd suddenly became restless. Most people in the crowd were busy checking if they had lost anything, while one person took advantage of the distraction and quickly slipped away against the flow of people.

Meng Chang'an had no intention of attracting attention. As the person passed by them, she simply wrapped her arm around the Princess' waist and took a step back to avoid any collision with the Princess. She didn't say anything else and certainly didn't want to meddle in other people's business.

Unfortunately, she didn't want trouble, but trouble always seemed to find its way to her.

Before the person reached the door, a silver hairpin had already pierced his wrist. It wasn't until he fell to the ground in pain that Boss Feng, who presided over the high-rise establishment, appeared.

Though not young anymore, she still had a captivating charm.

"You dare to cause trouble in my Fenghua Pavilion. Do you think I am blind?" 

The newcomer walked calmly, descending step by step from the high-rise until she stopped in front of Meng Chang'an where the man had fallen.

At this moment, the attendants inside the pavilion had already rushed over and surrounded the thief.

"Tie him up, and chop off the hand he used for stealing."

"No, please! Spare me, Boss Feng, please..."

After saying this with a smile, Boss Feng didn't spare another glance at the man but shifted her gaze to Young Master Meng standing nearby.

For those who were witnessing Boss Feng's actions for the first time at Fenghua Pavilion, many could not help but gasp in shock. After all, judging solely by her smiling face, it was hard to imagine that this person could be so ruthless, casually turning a hairpin into a bloodied arrow.

After settling the matters of compensation and punishment, she swayed her hips over to Young Master Meng.

"Well, this Young Master looks quite familiar, does he not?"

Young Master Meng, who was trying to hide behind the Princess and pretend she didn't exist, felt uneasy upon hearing Boss Feng's voice.

Originally, most people's gazes were fixed on Boss Feng. However, with her call, their attention inevitably shifted to Young Master Meng.

Before Young Master Meng could speak, the Princess waved her fan with a smile. "Boss Feng must have mistaken him for someone else. It is my brother's first time here at Fenghua Pavilion tonight."

"Oh? Then perhaps I have made a mistake." 

Feng Qingman only glanced briefly at the Princess’ figure and didn't say much more. However, when her gaze fell upon the white jade gourd hanging from the Princess’ waist, her smile deepened even more.

"I like the look of these guests. Xiao Zhao, take them to the upper seats upstairs for a rest."

With this, more attention was drawn to this group of people.

Why were they the ones deemed worthy of sitting upstairs?

Unlike those who were disgruntled, a few people sitting behind the beaded curtains on the upper platform had already noticed this change.

With just a few glances, those familiar with them recognized their identities.

"The Princess and her Consort have made an appointment to visit a brothel? Fourth brother, tell me, what would it be like if this piece of information is presented to the Emperor tomorrow?"

Author's Note:

Forgive me for being so late and short today. To return to work, I sat in the car all day and then cleaned up. So I only finished writing until now.