Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 90: Shocking and Unethical Acts (Part )

The so-called second place in the imperial examination is not the madam's nonsense.

During this era, there was also an election for the top courtesans, which was the previously mentioned "Lotus Terrace Fairy Meeting". Through public selection, famous courtesans were ranked, and imperial examination-style rankings such as "Female No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3" were set to form a "Flower Ranking". It was as lively as the later talent shows, and its cultural content far exceeded that of the competition, attracting widespread participation from scholars and wealthy businessmen.

Famous prostitutes increase their value by being on the list. If they can become the "female top scholar", their value can increase tenfold and they will become the object of invitation by dignitaries.

Yun Shao was able to become the runner-up, which meant he was second only to the emperor. It was rare for ordinary wealthy young men in the capital to meet him.

Haiyue and Yan Shifan looked at each other, but they were not surprised but happy.

Having fewer guests is a good thing, because with fewer guests, you can remember every distinguished guest you served clearly, especially their words and deeds.

After all, they came here to ask for information.

"Boom! Boom!"

After the madam Yunniang introduced them, she knocked on the door.

After knocking three or four times, a clear voice finally rang out: "Who is it? Don't you know the young lady is resting?"

At Yun Shao's level, it's really not about the flesh trade. What matters is both beauty and talent. At night, they even host literary gatherings, where they socialize more while drinking and chatting. That's much more tiring than simply lying down, so they often have to get up late in the morning to make up for their sleep and recharge their energy.

The voice of the person who spoke was childish, and it was obvious that she was a maid. However, the old madam Yunniang seemed to be hesitant to offend her: "Qingyi, tell your young lady that Master Yan's friend has come, and it seems that he has something important to tell her!"

"Who is Master Yan? Doesn't that sound impressive?"

The maid went off mumbling something, but soon returned with a much clearer tone: "The young lady said that she will be ready to receive the distinguished guests after she has dressed up!"

Yunniang laughed dryly and looked at Xiaochuan: "Is my business over?"

Xiaochuan said with a smile: "It's over! It's over! I'm hungry, Yunniang, please make some snacks!"

"You little boy, you were so small back then, but now you are so smart. Come with me!"

Yunniang took Xiaochuan away, leaving only Haiyue and Yan Shifan. After waiting for about half a quarter of an hour, they heard footsteps from inside. The carved wooden door slowly opened, and the maid Yingying saluted: "Please come in!"

An elegant fragrance wafts towards me, not the sweet scent of ordinary powder, but a cool plum scent with a hint of sandalwood.

When they walked in, they found that the furnishings in the house were not luxurious, but extremely elegant. There was a celadon incense burner on the rosewood table, with curls of green smoke rising from it. A string of glazed wind chimes hung in front of the window, making crisp sounds when the breeze blew past. There was a painting of plum blossoms in ink and wash style hanging on the wall, with the brushwork lively and elegant.

"I have met the two gentlemen."

A clear voice came from behind the screen.

A woman walked out slowly, wearing a moon-white skirt, a light gauze cover, and a lavender silk sash tied around her waist. Her outfit was not unusual, but her face was covered with a layer of gauze, and her delicate outline was vaguely visible, but her full appearance could not be seen clearly. However, the gauze was embroidered with plum blossom patterns with silver thread, and it was glowing, giving it an extremely beautiful hazy beauty.

Haiyue had to admit that this girl was able to dress like this in such a hurry, and she was indeed worthy of being the second female candidate.

Half a quarter of an hour is indeed too short, but wearing a layer of gauze is very clever, just like wearing a mask in later generations, the appearance will immediately rise several levels. If you already have a beautiful face, it will be even more amazing. No wonder she can attract two top playboys who are devoted to her and jealous of her.

Looking at Yan Shifan next to him, his eyes lit up again.

At the age of eighteen, I am too hungry.

"I wonder what brings you two gentlemen here?"

Yun Shao treated Yan Shifan as nothing but air, but he cared more about Hai Yue. He didn't often look at her purely with such scrutiny, and it was also with a bit of scrutiny.

It's not that Hai Yue is not tempted by women, but even if she is tempted, outsiders can't see it. This is the advantage of An Chan Zhi Long. He got straight to the point: "Young Master Zhao Chen is in trouble. I wonder if this young lady knows about it?"

"Zhao Qilang?"

Yun Shao's tone was a little surprised: "He hasn't been to Jade Hall for a long time. I wonder what happened?"

Haiyue didn't answer, but asked, "How long is a long time?"

Yun Shao thought for a moment and replied, "Forty-three days."

Haiyue raised her eyebrows, a little surprised: "So precise?"

Yun Shao spoke calmly, yet with a strong sense of confidence: "I have had a photographic memory since I was young. I can remember everything that happened more than a month ago, and I will not make a single mistake."

Hai Yue nodded slightly: "Then please accept my condolences, young lady. Zhao Qilang has unfortunately passed away!"

Yun Shao was silent for a while. After a while, he put his hands together and silently recited a scripture, as if he was praying for Zhao Chen's reincarnation.

Hai Yue waited until she finished before speaking again: "Young lady, do you believe in Buddhism?"

"letter."

Yun Shao said in a deep voice, "Young Master, please don't be surprised. Even a person of the dusty world knows the principles of karma and reincarnation. In the Jiaofang Bureau, I am not the only one who worships Buddha day and night and recites the Diamond Sutra... Although I am trapped in the mud in this life, I always have good thoughts. I only hope to escape the sea of ​​suffering in the next life and return to peace!"

Hai Yue sighed, "I'm not surprised. Seeking spiritual liberation in difficult situations is understandable. Since the young lady is willing to chant sutras for Zhao Qilang, it seems she's hoping he'll be reborn in paradise and find liberation."

Yun Shao seemed to sense his genuine compassion, his eyes flashing with surprise as he nodded gently, "Indeed."

"it is good!"

Hai Yue got to the point: "There are still many doubts about Zhao Qilang's murder. We are here to look for clues. I hope you can tell us."

Yun Shao said, "I will tell you everything I know."

"When did Zhao Qilang first come to Jade Hall to see the young lady?"

"After the Lotus Terrace Immortal Meeting last year, on September 17th."

"Only him?"

"There are several other gentlemen, but I am not in a position to reveal their identities..."

"Is Master Gui Zaigui among them? He was also implicated in Zhao Qilang's murder and was even once accused of being the murderer. Fortunately, the suspicion has been cleared."

"No, Master Gui first met me on November 15th of last year."

"Was Zhao Qilang there at the time?"

"That night was the Jiushao Festival, and we enjoyed music and Zhao Qilang was there too."

"And they started to become jealous of each other because of you?" "That's not the case."

"Young lady, do you mean that they have never had any conflicts in Jade Hall?"

"When we first met last year, the two gentlemen had no conflicts. If there were any misunderstandings, it was during a hundred days ago when we did have some arguments, and I also tried to persuade them..."

"Do you know the reason?"

"I don't know."

"Then from what I have seen, is it Zhao Qilang who is making things difficult for Master Gui, or is it Master Gui who is making things difficult for Zhao Qilang?"

"It's not that he's in a difficult situation, but Zhao Qilang seems to be even more anxious, his words are often sharp, and he often clashes with Master Gui."

"Is this something that worries you?"

"That's how it should be."

"Do you know what he is worried about, young lady?"

"..."

When Hai Yue asked questions, Yan Shifan restrained his lust and looked at the other person carefully.

Although most of his expression was obscured by the veil, he could still vaguely see that when he asked the last question, the other person's expression changed slightly, and he was immediately delighted.

Intelligence is most easily obtained in brothels.

Because that is often the time when men are most relaxed. Things that they usually suppress in their hearts and will not tell people around them may be easily revealed in such an environment, not to mention the special time when they are drunk or after having sex.

This was also the reason why Yan Song forbade him to go to brothels before he came of age. Yan Shifan always followed Gui Zai at other times, but he did not follow him when visiting brothels. He was even ridiculed by Gui Zai, otherwise there would be no need to inquire like this.

From what we can see now, this well-connected courtesan must know a lot of secrets, especially the ability to guess the moods of distinguished guests. After all, this is the basic skill of a courtesan.

Haiyue also had similar thoughts, but he knew better that expecting a prostitute to reveal key information with just a few words was nothing but a pipe dream.

This kind of place is most concerned with a transaction.

He didn't have much money, and Yan Shifan was even poorer.

However, the two of them can provide some.

At least for a brothel girl, even a famous prostitute, it is enough.

So the question hit the nail on the head. Hai Yue paused for a moment and then said, "Young lady, you've fallen into the dust of life. Does he have any thoughts about you?"

There's no need to beat around the bush, just ask directly if you're willing to become a good person?

Yun Shao lowered his eyes and said, "Thank you for your pity, sir. If I could live a clean life, who would want to suffer here? But in this world, if I want to survive, I can't be picky..."

Hai Yue asked, "Young lady, are you worried about the notice of expulsion?"

Yun Shao said slowly: "Mammy won't let us leave..."

The redemption price of a top-notch prostitute could reach a thousand taels. The key was that if an official prostitute wanted to become a good woman, she needed a "letter of excommunication" from the Jiaofangsi, while a private prostitute needed a "certificate of destruction of the indenture" signed by a guarantor. The Biyutang was under the Jiaofangsi, and it was not something that could be done through ordinary means to expel a female second place in the imperial examination from the imperial examination.

Fortunately, the Jiaofangsi was under the Ministry of Rites, and Yan Song was the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Haiyue looked at Yan Shifan.

This little thing doesn't require Yan Song's involvement; Yan Shifan can do it.

His eyes lit up, and although he appeared to be forcing himself to be serious, he was actually quite eager to make a move. His eyes began to wander, "This young master still has some influence in the Ministry of Rites. As long as the young lady has this intention, she will be able to escape from her cage and see the light of day!"

"Thank you for your mercy, sir!"

After Yan Shifan finished speaking, he was still thinking about how to prove his identity. Yun Shao had already stood up and bowed. Without saying anything more, he turned behind the screen, opened the cabinet, and took out a stack of scrolls.

"It seems Yan Xiu has a lot of face! The old procuress was also quite frightened just now. This man is indeed not an ordinary person in the market! After the case of Yinwu Village, he immediately returned to the capital. What is he going to do?"

While Hai Yue was lost in thought, Yun Shao had already handed her something. "These are the poems Zhao Qilang wrote for me during that time of frustration. Please have a look, gentlemen!"

"The carved saddle crushes the spring of my hometown, and when I meet relatives on a strange road, we turn aside..."

“…Even if we meet, I should avoid looking at you, lest my tears stain your brocade clothes.”

Haiyue and Yan Shifan passed the book around and read it carefully. The former's eyes flickered, while the latter became more and more fascinated the more he read.

Regardless of whether these poems are good or bad, they don’t match the environment of Biyu Hall, right?

Although a brothel does not necessarily require the recitation of obscene poems and songs, it does not have to be so sad. It should also express the author's feelings of missing his parents?

Yan Shifan frowned and thought hard, not wanting to lose face in front of the beauty.

Hai Yue asked directly, "Young lady, why do you think Zhao Qilang wrote such a poem?"

Yun Shao was silent.

Hai Yue said: "It's just a guess. It comes out of your mouth and enters my ears, but it won't be known to others."

Yun Shao said slowly, "In my humble opinion, Zhao Qilang is not only missing his relatives, but his closest relatives are right beside him, yet he cannot recognize them. That's why he is so depressed and uneasy..."

"What's the logic behind this? Wait a minute!"

Yan Shifan's eyes widened.

He originally had some guesses, but thinking further, he thought that the brother and sister might have had some illicit affairs. After all, there were too many dirty things in the noble mansions. Not to mention brothers and sisters, even mothers and sons had caused quite a few troubles, which was simply challenging people's tolerance limit.

Guo Xun was not a traditional nobleman. His father's generation was in poverty. He later reluctantly inherited the title and won the emperor's favor in political gambles. That's why he is so arrogant today. The inner houses of such families are also the most restless, so it is not surprising if such a scandal is reported.

But now, Yan Shifan's body trembled violently, and an extremely bold idea emerged:

"Zhao Chen, Zhao Qilang, could it be that he is not the brother of Marquis Wuding's wife, but her biological son?"

(End of this chapter)