The prince is more stable

Chapter 71 Goodbye Oiran
There are too many passers-by coming and going in life. Those who can be remembered are not necessarily important people, but they are definitely people with characteristics.

After just one meeting, Zhao Xiaoqian had already deeply remembered Zhang Xiaoyi.

He could see that Zhang Xiaoyi was a man who was trying his best to stay alive, and he was trying very hard to survive.

He was dressed in shabby clothes, some even patched, but he looked very neat. He spoke carefully but not rudely. He was serious about selling his business and never got into any offensive entanglements.

This is a poor man who tries hard to be decent.

Zhao Xiaoqian had a good impression of him. He didn't know whether all the idle men in Bianjing City looked like this. He could only say that Zhang Xiaoyi might be to his liking.

Not long after, Su Che's carriage arrived, and Zhao Xiaoqian went forward to greet him and saluted.

Watching Su Che slowly get off the carriage, Zhao Xiaoqian did not step forward to support him.

He did not forget that Su Che's lice had not been completely removed.

Although we are friends regardless of age, there is no need to share lice. There should be a sense of boundaries among friends regardless of age.

Su Zhe got off the carriage, looked up at the Zui Hua Yin sign with narrowed eyes, stroked his beard and smiled: "Boy, don't say that I'm cheating you. If you insist on treating me tonight, I won't be polite."

Zhao Xiaoqian said with difficulty: "...I'm not that determined. You're already old, you can't die in a woman's belly. It would be too embarrassing if it got out. How about we go to another place? I'll treat you to some soup dumplings."

Su Zhe said with a spit, "I insist on it!"

After saying this, Su Che walked proudly into the brothel.

In ancient times, visiting brothels was an elegant thing and there was no need to hide it.

No matter how old the intellectuals were, for them, going to a brothel was as easy and comfortable as finding a restaurant at mealtime, and no one would ever point fingers at them or call them pimps behind their backs.

At Su Che's age, he probably couldn't do anything substantial by going to a brothel. He could probably only listen to the girls sing songs, or write some lyrics himself if he felt like it.

What he enjoyed was this kind of spiritual satisfaction. Zhao Xiaoqian was not old enough to understand Su Che's state of mind where he wanted to kill the enemy but was powerless to do so.

Just as Zhao Xiaoqian didn't understand, why many middle-aged men do nothing while guarding their beautiful wives, but are keen on fishing and don't go home for days and nights. Do they really like it that much?

Given Su Zhe and Zhao Xiaoqian's status, they certainly wouldn't go looking for vulgar women in a brothel.

Entered Zuihuayin and went straight to the attic.

It was still the same elegant room where he met Su Che last time, and Zhao Xiaoqian met an acquaintance again.

Jiang Miaoxian, a woman as beautiful as a fairy, is said to be the most sought-after courtesan in this brothel.

You can't see the courtesan whenever you want. Ordinary people may not be able to see her even if they spend a fortune. For example, a nouveau riche prince named Zhao, who wishes to remain anonymous, spent a thousand coins but still failed to see her.

Su Che wanted to see her whenever he wanted.

It is no exaggeration to say that given Su Che's status in the literary world, it was an honor for the brothel to have him come.

Seeing the two of them enter, Jiang Miaoxian stood up and bowed gracefully: "Greetings to Mr. Ziyou, greetings to the Crown Prince."

After paying her respects, Jiang Miaoxian deliberately looked at Zhao Xiaoqian once more, then pursed her lips and smiled quietly.

Su Zhe and Jiang Miaoxian had obviously known each other for a long time and were very familiar with each other. Su Zhe sat down at the main seat with his horse and sword as soon as he entered the room. He pointed at Zhao Xiaoqian and said with a smile, "The Prince of Chu is hosting tonight. Madam Jiang, please don't be polite. Choose the expensive food and drinks. Cheap ones are disrespectful to the Prince."

Zhao Xiaoqian wiped the sweat from his forehead and whispered to Jiang Miaoxian, "Don't listen to his nonsense. I'm actually not very familiar with him... Giving him a free hand is the greatest respect for me. Thank you."

Jiang Miaoxian chuckled, her eyes curved.

Today was her second time meeting Zhao Xiaoqian. This person... was so interesting.

Su Che pointed at him and scolded him with a smile: "In the daytime, you talk about friendship regardless of age, but at night you offer me cheap things. You are not a good person!"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "It's not difficult to be respectful to a gentleman, but it's difficult to be polite. I treat Minister Su as a gentleman, so I just need to be polite and considerate. If I'm too extravagant, it would be disrespectful to Minister Su."

As soon as these words were spoken, Su Zhe and Jiang Miaoxian's eyes lit up, they looked at each other quickly, and then shook their heads.

Both of them were certain that they had never heard of Zhao Xiaoqian's words, and that they did not come from any ancient books.

"'It is not difficult to be respectful to a gentleman, but it is difficult to be polite', good, good! I was wrong, the prince is actually a man of great talent. Just based on this sentence, it is worth it for me to make it clear!" Su Che laughed heroically.

Zhao Xiaoqian's face was expressionless. He didn't take any of the compliments to heart. He just knew that the old man was finding all sorts of excuses to get free drinks. "Miss Jiang, please get the cheapest wine. Thank you," Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly instructed.

Zhao Xiaoqian is not afraid of being embarrassed. His consumption concept is very simple. If he spends money but cannot sleep with a girl, then it is equivalent to wasting money. All expenses other than sleeping with girls should be saved as much as possible.

The courtesan in front of me does have a stunning appearance and figure, but it is obviously not easy to sleep with her. In that case, there is no need to pretend to be a rich man.

Jiang Miaoxian covered her mouth with her hands and laughed so hard that she couldn't stop. She nodded while laughing, "Yes, I will serve you the cheapest wine."

Su Che glared at him unhappily, despising Zhao Xiaoqian's stingy behavior.

Zhao Xiaoqian grinned: "The guest follows the host's wishes, the guest follows the host's wishes."

From the moment the two of them entered the door until this moment, Jiang Miaoxian felt very happy.

I don’t know why I’m happy, but I’m happy. I haven’t laughed like this in a long time.

Just as he was about to pick up the pipa and play a song for the two of them, he heard a respectful voice coming from outside the pavilion.

"I deserve to die for disturbing your pleasure. I've bought some soup dumplings on the first floor. Could you please let me in?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled: "Come in."

Zhang Xiaoyi walked in with his head lowered, holding an oil-paper package in his hand. After entering the elegant room, Zhang Xiaoyi did not look around, but just lowered his head to stare at his feet, and respectfully handed over the oil-paper with both hands.

"I'm so grateful for your trust. The soup dumplings on the first floor are still hot. Would you like to try some?"

Zhao Xiaoqian peeled off the oil paper and found steaming hot soup dumplings inside, which looked like they had just come out of the oven.

He silently calculated the distance from Zuihuayin to the first floor, and then looked at Zhang Xiaoyi's face, which was sweating profusely but still calm.

Zhao Xiaoqian's heart moved, and he took out another ingot of silver from his pocket and handed it to him.

Zhang Xiaoyi was startled and said hurriedly, "Your Excellency has already paid. I have received a large reward and dare not take more."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Here, I'm in a good mood today, so I'll give it to you as a reward."

Zhang Xiaoyi took a step back and shook his head, saying, "Wealth and honor are limited. Taking more will bring disaster. I am very grateful for your kindness, but I cannot accept any more reward."

"My name is Zhang Xiaoyi. If you need any errands or other trivial matters next time, I am happy to serve you."

After saying this, Zhang Xiaoyi bowed deeply to Zhao Xiaoqian.

These words made the three people in the room open their eyes wide.

Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly called out to him, "Say your name again, what's your name?"

"My name is Zhang Xiaoyi. I usually hang out in the area around Panlou East Street and Zhouqiao. If you have any instructions, I can send someone to ask around."

Zhao Xiaoqian repeated it silently and looked at him deeply: "Okay, I remember your name, Zhang Xiaoyi."

"Thank you, sir."

Zhang Xiaoyi bowed again and turned to leave.

Su Zhe stared at Zhang Xiaoyi's figure disappearing into the corridor and asked slowly, "Is this man an idler?"

"Exactly. I just met him outside Zuihuayin Tower."

Su Zhe nodded: "This kid is quite capable, not bad!"

The pipa strings moved melodiously, Jiang Miaoxian plucked them with her slender fingers, glancing at Zhao Xiaoqian at the same time, and Jiang Miaoxian's heavenly singing lyrics came from the elegant pavilion.

"The great river flows eastward, its waves wash away all. The heroes of the ages..."

"Nian Nu Jiao" by Su Shi.

Last time, in the room next to this elegant pavilion, Zhao Xiaoqian asked another girl to sing this song, and thus got to know Su Che and Jiang Miaoxian.

I didn’t expect Jiang Miaoxian to remember it.

(End of this chapter)