Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 631: Intelligence and Fortune [Thank you! Thanks again! 36k more to go]

"It looks familiar to me."

Liang Han continued to look down without turning his head and said, "Look familiar? Haha! Jing'er, when I see a beautiful woman, I often feel that she looks familiar!"

Gu Tingye nodded repeatedly, as if to say "Me too"

Qi Heng did not interrupt, but just looked at Mother Ruan and others downstairs.

Because I had heard about Xu Zaijing and others before I came here,

So, when Mother Ruan downstairs looked up, she did not glance around, but looked directly at the third floor.

Several of the veiled girls behind Mother Ruan also raised their heads.

This action allowed Xu Zaijing to see clearly the appearance of the girl "Shishi" mentioned by Liang Han and others.

Although the candlelight was not very bright in Mother Ruan's courtyard that day, Xu Zaijing could still clearly see the appearance of the maid standing next to Mother Ruan.

After all, this girl's color is very outstanding.

Even though she was wearing a veil today, Xu Zaijing recognized her at the first sight when he looked up.

Seeing this, Xu Zaijing shook his head slightly with a little confusion.

"Second Uncle, why did Mother Ruan bring people to Panlou today? Didn't we say before that Mother Ruan's small courtyard was so small that you couldn't even squeeze in?" Qi Heng followed the Miss Shishi with his eyes and asked without turning his head.

Gu Tingye smiled and looked at Liang Han, and said with a rather proud tone: "Why? Of course it's because of us!"

Liang Han continued, "Young Master, Madam Ruan wants to support Miss Shishi, and she is afraid that something unexpected will happen because of our reward money, just like before!"

"Mother Ruan went to Huixian Restaurant in the southeast of the inner city yesterday. Today she is going to Panlou, tomorrow night she will go to Yanglou, and the day after tomorrow she will go to Fanlou."

“Not many people can enjoy the music and dance of the girls under Madam Ruan in the private rooms of these official restaurants!”

Xu Zaijing nodded: "It seems to be a little different from before."

Liang Han said: "That's right. After all, the competition among the brothels in Bianjing is still very fierce!"

When Liang Han was speaking,
Mother Ruan had already led people up to the second floor. Looking at a few people peeking out from the third floor, Mother Ruan smiled and waved her handkerchief.

Just as he was about to continue walking up, a young man in silver-white brocade clothes on the first floor quickly caught up with him, bowed and shouted, "Madam, please stay!"

From the moment Mother Ruan and the others entered Pan Building, the noise on the first floor began to change from high to low.

When Mother Ruan and the others went upstairs, some people had already stood up from the table, following the figures of Mother Ruan and the girls with their eyes. Some people didn't even care that the rabbit meat in the pot was overcooked.

Seeing someone catching up and calling for help, the guests on the first and second floors all quieted down.

"I wonder what's the name of the girl behind you? Which building is she the leader of?" While speaking, the young man in brocade clothes never took his eyes off Miss Shishi's pretty face.

It seemed that because they were closer, the young man in brocade clothes had a hint of joy in his eyes in addition to inquiry.

After the young man in brocade clothes asked this question,

Someone on the first floor shouted, "Oh my God! You don't even know Mother Ruan, and you have the guts to come up and ask?!"

Someone else shouted, "Seeing him chasing after me, I thought he was some powerful guy! I didn't expect him to be a clueless young man!"

"Hahaha, I advise you to come down! With your level of knowledge, it's useless to ask!"

"This brother is right!"

"Hahaha!"

Hearing the sound from the building behind him, the young man in brocade clothes who caught up with him suddenly felt a little embarrassed, and there was a look of fear in his eyes.

Mother Ruan stopped and turned around, smiling and said, "Sir, my surname is Ruan!"

The young man in brocade clothes nodded repeatedly.

"Shishi." Mother Ruan raised her chin with a smile.

The Shishi girl glanced at the brocade-dressed young man who caught up with her and said with a smile, "Hello, sir. My surname is Li, and my nickname is Shishi."

When Miss Shishi spoke, her beautiful eyes like autumn water looked into the eyes of the young man in brocade clothes.

After saying this, Miss Shishi lowered her eyebrows shyly again.

The young man in brocade clothes seemed to be possessed by a spirit. He swallowed his saliva, nodded absentmindedly, and muttered, "Oh oh."

Mother Ruan reached into her sleeves and walked over, handing a piece of flowered paper to the young man in brocade clothes, and said with a smile: "Sir, my daughters will perform on stage in May next year, and we hope you will come and support us then."

"Okay! Go, I will definitely go!" The young man in brocade clothes took the flowery letter and said in a firm tone.

"I have an appointment with someone else, so I'll take my leave now!"

Having said that, Mother Ruan led the others to bow slightly and then walked upstairs.

"Sir, please come downstairs." Min Ge'er, a servant from Pan Tower, stretched out his hand to invite.

"Oh!"

The young man in brocade clothes nodded, took the flowery paper and walked down the stairs, looking back every few steps.

On the way to his table, the young man in brocade clothes said to Min Ge'er, "Where is Mother Ruan going today?"

"Sir, there are several dukes and marquises in the yamen on the third floor. The Pipa Wei Xingtou, who was famous in the capital before, was selected by those people."

"Oh!"

When it was almost time for him to sit down, a guest from Pan Lou came over and said, "Sir, can I have the flowery paper in your hand?"

The young man in brocade clothes shook his head like a rattle and said, "Not for sale!"

On the third floor, Liang Han looked at the guests who were talking about the situation downstairs, especially the absent-minded young man in brocade clothes. He pursed his lips and said, "It seems that he is the second Jiu Lang."

After saying that, Liang Han turned around, a smile appeared on his face, and walked towards Mother Ruan and others who were going up to the third floor.

After Madam Ruan and several other girls entered the private room,

Xu Zaijing grabbed Gu Tingye who wanted to go in directly and said, "Erlang, what is the difference between what Mother Ruan did and the performance in the nearby courtyard before? Why bother walking all over the capital city?"

Gu Tingye smiled and said, "Brother Jing, you don't understand! Last time, the girls under Mother Ruan were equally strong, but now this Miss Shishi is far ahead! Let's spread the word, she will be a cornucopia of money making money every day in the future."

Xu Zaijing nodded: "No wonder!"

"Let's go! Let's go in!" Gu Tingye pulled Xu Zaijing's arm and walked towards the private room.

In the private room,
Xu Zaijing sat behind the table, watching Miss Shishi performing in the open space of the private room.

Xu Zaijing had seen outstanding dance performances more than once, both inside and outside the palace. After all, the emperor's birthday hall was held and his seat was not bad, so he had seen court dances up close.

But I have to say that Miss Shishi, who is highly praised by Mother Ruan, is indeed very outstanding.

The other girls brought by Mother Ruan had now all become Miss Shishi's foils.

And unlike Wei Fangzhi before, this Miss Shishi is extremely good at poetry and prose. Even Xu Zaijing and others who have studied for many years will be impressed by her literary talent.

The performance is over.
Miss Shishi took the lead and began to pour wine for Gu Tingye and others with a gust of fragrant wind.

This Miss Shishi had a graceful figure and a beautiful appearance. When she was pouring wine, her fingers holding the wine jug had long, white and tender nails.

"Next May, please come and show me your favor."

The voice of speaking makes people feel like a spring breeze.

"Of course, of course!" Liang Han, who was talking about others just now, was now staring at the girl opposite him.

When pouring wine for Qi Heng, Qi Heng's smile never dropped.

When Miss Shishi came up to him, Gu Tingye looked at the prostitute in front of him and said with a smile: "Miss, do you still remember me?"

"Second Master Gu is a man of outstanding talent, both in literature and martial arts. It is futile for me to forget him." Miss Shishi said softly.

"Ha, haha! I'm not that good either." Gu Tingye laughed.

Miss Shishi smiled and nodded, then stood up and walked towards Xu Zaijing who was standing beside her. "Thank you, Miss." Xu Zaijing looked at the girl in front of him and said with a faint smile.

Miss Shishi raised her head and looked at Xu Zaijing. She was very smart and could tell from just one glance that Xu Zaijing had recognized her.

"Shishi acted rashly that day, please forgive me, Master Xu Wu."

"It's a small matter, girl, don't worry about it."

Looking at the courtesan opposite him, who looked affectionate even though she was not paying attention, Xu Zaijing asked, "Miss, is there anything else?"

"Well, I heard that my favorite poem, 'The Rain on the Street is as Soft as Butter', was written by you. Today, we have the chance to meet, so I shamelessly want to ask you for a copy of his calligraphy." Miss Shishi said softly.

Hearing this,

Xu Zaijing smiled slightly and looked at Gu Tingye beside him.

Gu Tingye smiled and said, "Miss Shishi, I think you don't know that my good friend Xu Wulang went to watch the performance of selecting the oiran, but he was too stingy to spend any money!"

"It's no use trying to please him like this!"

Miss Shishi turned her head and looked at Gu Tingye, smiling, "Ah? I have already said it, and you just reminded me! I can't take it back now."

Gu Tingye looked at the beautiful woman opposite him with a coquettish and angry look, and said apologetically, "I didn't know you were going to say that! Brother Jing, why don't you write a calligraphy for Miss Shishi?"

Xu Zaijing looked at Gu Tingye with some disdain, then turned around and said with a smile: "It's just a small matter."

"Thank you, Master Xu Wu!"

3:30 pm (before 8:00 pm)
Xu Zaijing and others had already left Panlou and returned home.

In an alley not far from Panlou,
In a small courtyard with a lantern with the Chinese character "Ruan" hanging on it,
Inside the house,
Mother Ruan looked at the girl in front of her with a serious face and said, "Shishi, what were you thinking tonight? Why did you go to Xu Wulang to ask for calligraphy?"

"Mom, my daughter just likes his poems"

"Hmm. Really?"

Before Li Shishi could finish her words, Mother Ruan snorted coldly.

"Mom, it's true!" Li Shishi vowed.

"Didn't you hear some old things and want to replicate Fangniang's experience?" asked Mother Ruan.

Hearing this, Li Shishi looked at Mother Ruan without any fluctuation in her eyes. She shook her head with doubt in her eyes and said, "Mom, why does your daughter want to replicate her experience?"

"To be frank, if Fang Niang and my daughter were to perform on stage together, it would definitely be Fang Niang who would be outshined, not my daughter!"

Seeing Li Shishi's proud look, Mother Ruan raised her eyebrows and said, "Alright! I'm just warning you that there are many hidden talents in the capital, so don't look down on other girls."

"Yes, Mom, your daughter will remember it." Li Shishi said with her eyebrows lowered.

Mother Ruan curled her lips slightly, then turned and left the house.

When the door closed, Li Shishi raised her head, but the pride in her eyes was gone.

Looking at the candles in the house, Li Shishi walked and muttered to herself in a mosquito-like voice: "Who doesn't want to replicate Fang Niang's experience?"

Before, Wei Fangzhi was sold to the Chai family right after his "debut". Now he plays the pipa and teaches children in a shop in Bianjing City, and occasionally participates in some grand ceremonies in the court.

Without having to put on a forced smile to greet guests, life feels incredibly comfortable.

With the protection of the Chai family, I think I will be able to get rid of my status as a slave and become a commoner in the future.

And Li Shishi wanted to live the life of Wei Fangzhi step by step. It was unknown how many years it would take, and when she grew old and ugly, it was unknown whether she would be able to escape from her status as a slave.

This is the most outstanding daughter of Mother Ruan. When Xu Zaijing tarnished his own reputation some time ago, she had already seen through many things.

Walking to the desk in the room, Master Li picked up a piece of rice paper with words written on it, looked at the words on it, nodded and said, "The poem is good, and the calligraphy is even better."

"Young Master, you are a very lucky person. Sister Wei is close to you, and your situation has become so good. I think if I get close to her a few more times, my luck will also change."

As she spoke, Li Shishi put the rice paper in her hand back on the table and moved her fingers in the air a few times, as if she was copying Xu Zaijing's handwriting.

After a while,
"Somebody come!"

A little maid pushed the door open and came in: "Miss Shishi?"

"Tomorrow I will find a skilled mounting master to carefully mount this calligraphy for me."

"Yes, girl."

After the Cold Clothes Festival,
Because Xu Zaijing and others have had a lot of rest days in recent days,

Therefore, until mid-October, Master Zhuang did not allow anyone to take a day off.

On this day,

The sky was gloomy early in the morning.

The sun hid behind dark clouds for most of the day, making the temperature even lower.

Finally, after a gust of north wind in the afternoon, snow began to fall from the sky.

When Xu Zaijing and others got out of school, a light layer of white had already fallen on the ground outside the school.

Walking out of the warm classroom with heating, Xu Zaijing sniffed the scent of snow in the air a few times and exhaled a breath of white air.

"call!"

A north wind blew by.
The snow particles were blown onto Xu Zaijing's face, and he felt cool.

Several people left the school together.

When I walked towards the north stable against the north wind, the snow particles hit my face and it felt cold but also a little painful.

To the stables,

Wearing the furry grass to protect his ears, he stepped on the horse stool and got into the carriage. He squinted his eyes to avoid the snow particles and turned back to say, "Sir, you will take the carriage today!"

Xu Zaijing, who was standing next to the little horse, waved his hand and said, "No need!"

"You really are just asking for trouble!" Qingcao muttered in a low voice.

"What?" Xu Zaijing turned his head and asked in confusion.

Qingcao quickly smiled and said, "Sir, you are really persistent in honing yourself."

"Of course!" Xu Zaijing said and jumped on the horse.

After leaving the Sheng family courtyard, the Xu family's carriage drove towards the marquis' mansion.

On the way,

Driven by the north wind and snow, there were not many pedestrians on the street.

At this time, smoke was emitting from the chimneys on the roofs of many houses, and the smell of coal smoke wafted through the air from time to time.

Qingyun stretched out his hand to brush off the snow on the mane of his mount, and said to Xu Zaijing, "Sir, why did the Ningyuan Marquisate choose this season to hold the wedding for the second young master Gu? The weather is getting colder and colder!"

Pulling the warm mask on his face to his nose, Xu Zaijing's muffled voice came: "Qingyun, look at this weather and think about why."

"rustle."

The snow particles hit the bamboo hats on Xu Zaijing and Qingyun's heads, making a dense sound.

After walking for a while,
Qingyun's eyes lit up, and he looked at Xu Zaijing: "Sir, it's so cold in the capital, it will be even colder in the north! If Northern Liao wants to mobilize troops, it will suffer a lot!"

Xu Zaijing smiled, and a white mist appeared from his mask for a moment before disappearing into the air.

"Yes, only in this way can Lord Gu come back from the north to attend the wedding."

Talking
The carriage and horses gradually went away in the wind and snow.

(End of this chapter)