I can bless thousands of magical powers.

The moon rises above the willow branches, and the city lights illuminate the night.

The nights in Heyuan are even more bustling and lively than the days.

Many people who have worked hard all day rush to the streets at this time. Even if they are short of money and can't buy anything, they can still enjoy the bustling crowds, feel the prosperity of the city, and experience a rare moment of happiness.

A carriage slowly drove through the crowded street. When people saw the lantern with the character "Wu" on it, they all made way for it, some even showing awe.

Because in Heyuan City, only one company is qualified to display such a name.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the carriage crossed the main street and then turned onto another road.

Finally, it stopped in front of a mansion.

On both sides of the mansion, there were already many luxurious carriages parked.

"Zhang Daojiang".

Wu Ziyu said to Zhang Yuan with a smile, "This is Baihuayuan, the most famous den of iniquity in Heyuan City. My father usually doesn't allow me to come here, but tonight I'm here thanks to you!"

Zhang Yuan, who had just gotten off the carriage, couldn't help but chuckle.

Since the Wu family was to feed the monster python of the Raging Waves River four days later, Wu Mingrui arranged for Zhang Yuan to stay in a separate courtyard of the Wu family mansion and instructed Wu Ziyu to do his best to entertain the distinguished guest.

Having received his father's order, Wu Ziyu took the opportunity to sneak a peek and brought Zhang Yuan to the renowned Hundred Flowers Garden.

Baihuayuan is a landscaped residence with a distinct Jiangnan (southern China) charm. It features pavilions, terraces, rockeries, and waterside pavilions, with a scenic view every ten steps and a courtyard every hundred steps. Not only is it very large, but its man-made landscapes are also exceptionally outstanding and elegant.

One glass lamp after another illuminated the winding corridor, and the maids coming and going were all pretty and gentle.

It's clearly a top-tier consumer venue.

According to Wu Ziyu, there are a total of one hundred flower maidens in this Hundred Flowers Garden. Not just anyone can invite one or several flower maidens to accompany them; it all depends on the guest's status and ability.

In addition to the hundred flower maidens, there is a queen flower, who is selected every three years and sells her art but not her body.

Listening to a single song costs a hundred taels of silver!

In the Magnolia Courtyard Hall of Baihuayuan, Wu Ziyu drank wine while chatting with Zhang Yuan about interesting anecdotes and elegant stories of the place.

Judging from his familiarity with the place, he didn't seem like someone who had never been here before.

Zhang Yuan saw through it but didn't say anything, and smiled as he savored the most famous Baihua aged wine in Baihua Garden.

The faint fragrance of magnolia blossoms made me feel slightly tipsy.

clank!

Just then, the sound of a zither suddenly wafted from the music room, which was draped with gauze curtains. The sound was like silver pearls falling onto a jade plate, which made people's hearts tremble and even dissipate some of the drunkenness.

Wu Ziyu immediately put down his wine glass and said with delight, "Master Shang is here! That's such an honor!"

He had previously sent someone to reserve this courtyard and prepaid for the fee to invite Shang Jinyu, the most beautiful courtesan of Baihuayuan, to play music.

Even with Wu Ziyu's status as the eldest son of the Wu family, Shang Jinyu might not come to perform.

That requires a bit of luck.

Wu Ziyu spoke of this with great relish, while Zhang Yuan listened with utter speechlessness.

He had seen too many of these self-aggrandizing marketing tactics in his previous life, and he didn't think they were anything special.

But the fact that even the eldest son of the prestigious Wu family might not be given face shows that the Hundred Flowers Garden has quite a background; otherwise, Wu Ziyu wouldn't have uttered such sycophantic words.

This young man from the Wu family is no spoiled brat!
The bright moon shines through the window lattice. Inside the music room, a beautiful woman in a white dress sits gracefully before the zither, her fair fingertips resting on the ancient zither with its scorched tail.

A cool night breeze drifted through the gauze curtains, and the melodious sound of a zither rose up, its long, clear notes like a crane soaring through the air, penetrating the curtains and reaching the ears of Zhang Yuan and his companion.

Wu Ziyu revealed a look of infatuation. Zhang Yuan, holding his wine glass, seemed lost in thought, completely engrossed in the conversation.

Before long, the music became more and more flowing and smooth, and the fingers swiftly flipped across the strings, like fine rain falling densely on the green eaves and tiles outside the window.

The rapid, dense strings resembled interwoven raindrops, then suddenly surged like a gushing spring cascading down a cliff, gradually revealing the power of a raging torrent, churning and crashing towards the heavens.

The next moment, the music flowed like water through a narrow valley, becoming increasingly rapid and turbulent, clanging like metal striking stone!
In a daze, one can almost see the vastness of the rivers and seas, the surging waves, and a deep sense of sorrow and parting that seeps into the depths of the listener's heart.

Until the last note faded away!

"it is good!"

Suddenly, Wu Ziyu's applause and cheers rang out in the silent hall. The eldest son of the Wu family couldn't help but praise, "Master Shang, your zither skills have improved again!"

A soft laugh came from the music room: "Young Master Wu is too kind. Jin Yu's little skill is really nothing to brag about."

Wu Ziyu shook his head vigorously: "You're too modest!"

He finally remembered that he had come with Zhang Yuan, and quickly introduced, "Master Shang, let me introduce you. This is my distinguished guest, Zhang Yuan, the General of the Western Plains City!"

"This humble servant is Shang Jinyu, and greets General Zhang Dao."

As soon as Wu Ziyu finished speaking, the gauze curtain at the entrance to the music room was lifted.

The beautiful woman in the white dress who was playing the zither came out and bowed gracefully to Zhang Yuan.

Her beauty was truly worthy of the title of courtesan; she was as beautiful as a flower, her skin as smooth as snow, her figure graceful and slender, and even her voice was as melodious and pleasant as a lark's.

"No need to be polite."

Zhang Yuan smiled and raised his hand in greeting, saying, "You played very well."

Shang Jinyu's smile froze.

She had played music for many guests and heard countless praises, but this was the first time she had ever heard such a simple and straightforward compliment.

The most beautiful courtesan in the Hundred Flowers Garden secretly glanced at Zhang Yuan.

Judging solely from Zhang Yuan's appearance, he is nothing special. He lacks the domineering and fierce aura of a master, as well as the noble arrogance of a scion of a powerful family.

But in Shang Jinyu's eyes, Zhang Yuan, sitting behind the desk, was like a lurking ferocious beast.

It could unleash terrifying power at any moment!

That glance sent a chill down her spine.

"Thank you for the compliment, sir."

The courtesan's eyes flickered, and she pursed her red lips, asking softly, "I wonder if this humble woman has the honor of serving you wine and tea?"

Before Zhang Yuan could answer, Wu Ziyu, who was standing to the side, was stunned.

Although Wu Mingrui forbade his son from indulging in debauchery at Baihuayuan, the eldest son of the Wu family was actually a regular there—the former knew this but didn't take it seriously.

But one thing Wu Ziyu remembered very clearly was that Baihuayuan had a very strong backing, so strong that even his own father was quite wary of it.

So the saying that the courtesan here sells her art but not her body is not just a figure of speech.

Someone once tried to show off in the Hundred Flowers Garden by relying on force, but was thrown out immediately.

Then they vanished without a trace.

As the newly crowned courtesan, Shang Jinyu has never been known to show any interest in any man during her time in the Hundred Flowers Garden.

Today, however, is an exception! (End of Chapter)