The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 91 Such Service

Ying Bojue, Xie Xida, Chang Shijie, and their entourage took turns sitting sideways. Hua Zixu personally picked up a gold-plated lacquered wine pot, filled it to the brim, and offered it to Ximen Qing: "Brother, please drink this cup to the brim, as a small token of my respect!"

Hua Zixu tilted his head back and drank it all down, then called out to everyone, "Brothers, fill your glasses! Let's have a good time today!"

Everyone drank it all in one go.

At this moment, as expected, Mama Li led in two little maids dressed in red silk jackets and green silk skirts. They were about fourteen or fifteen years old, with timid and childish faces. They were Yin Jie'er and Yu Jie'er.

Ying Bojue, being the most lively, immediately shouted for a drinking game, with Xie Xida tapping a plate in response. The two young girls also picked up their pipa and moon lute, singing some popular tunes.

The atmosphere at the banquet immediately became lively. Hua Zixu frequently raised his cup, only mentioning "brotherly affection," never uttering a word about the three hundred taels of silver, as if it had never happened. Ximen Qing emptied his cup, chatting and laughing with everyone, playing drinking games. He neither mentioned himself nor his own situation.

Ying Bojue cracked jokes, using local slang and colloquialisms, which made everyone laugh. The new girls gradually gained confidence, wiping and serving wine and dishes to Ximen Qing. They took turns toasting him and saying flattering things, and the big master not only became a little drunk but also felt the urge to urinate.

Ximen Qing, quite drunk and with his stomach churning, got up to go to the washroom in the backyard to relieve himself. The moonlight was hazy, the shadows of the trees swaying. He stumbled into the washroom, his eyes glazed with intoxication. Suddenly, he felt a fragrant breeze waft from behind him, carrying a sweet, warm, and cloying scent of perfume, unlike that of an ordinary maid.

Before he could turn around, a delicate, limp body knelt down with a thud on the blue brick floor at his feet. Ximen Qing was startled and looked down to see a stunningly beautiful woman kneeling in the moonlight.

Her face, as fair and delicate as a lotus flower, was bathed in moonlight, appearing white and youthful, with a shy blush, like a green date dotted with a few ripe red spots.

Two slender, crescent-shaped eyebrows slanted towards her temples, exuding a natural, graceful charm. Her almond-shaped eyes, clear and bright, held a mixture of affection and shyness, their light shimmering with every glance. Her lips, small as cherries and bright red as if painted with cinnabar, were slightly parted, her breath sweet as orchids, carrying the unique fragrance of a young girl.

Her dark, cloud-like hair was loosely tied into a languid bun, adorned with a kingfisher feather plum blossom hairpin, and a few stray strands playfully draped down her fair neck. She wore a specially changed peach-colored brocade jacket with a floral pattern, the neckline lower than usual, revealing a section of her white neck and the budding magnolia blossoms.

Her jacket was cinched at the waist, making her look extremely slender, and she wore a bright green skirt with gold floral patterns. This outfit, red and green, far from being tacky in the moonlight, actually accentuated her jade-like skin and graceful figure, exuding a deliberate, youthful yet alluring charm. Master Ximen raised an eyebrow, but had not yet spoken.

The woman remained silent, placed the celadon tiger-shaped ornament aside, and stretched out her two small, white, tender hands, which trembled slightly with awkwardness, to grope and undo the man's crotch. Then, she picked up the celadon tiger-shaped ornament again with one hand and held it up high.

Looking at the stunningly beautiful woman kneeling respectfully in the moonlight, her figure graceful and her service impeccable, a surge of alcohol rose within him. A playful smile curled at the corner of his lips: "Quite the smooth talker! A rare find!" His gaze roamed over her without restraint. "Are you a new maid at the Lichun Courtyard? I've never seen anyone so skilled at serving others. Raise your head, let me see you!"

Upon hearing this, Li Guijie timidly raised her delicately made-up face, her almond-shaped eyes filled with a mixture of shyness and allure. She quickly glanced at Ximen Qing before hurriedly lowering her gaze, her voice soft and sweet, carrying the delicate tremor unique to young girls:
“Replying to your question, sir,” she said softly, “I…I am not a maid in this household. My surname is Li, my given name is Gui Jie, and I am…I am the daughter of Mama Li of the Lichun Courtyard. Currently…currently I am still an unmarried courtesan.” She deliberately pronounced the words “unmarried courtesan” softly, carrying a hint of coy reluctance.

The official noticed a resemblance between her and Li Jiao'er and asked, "Oh? Who is Li Jiao'er to you?"

“She is indeed my own aunt,” Li Guijie replied.

“Speak,” Ximen Da Guanren laughed, “you didn’t come here to wait for me for no reason. You followed me in as soon as I entered. It’s late at night and the dew is heavy, and you’re dressed like this. If you say you have no ulterior motives, I’ll leave.” With that, he turned to leave.

"My lord, please forgive me! I truly feel indignant on your behalf!" Li Guijie's voice carried just the right amount of grievance and indignation. "My lord has been so kind to my aunt, showering her with money every month, and making her the breadwinner of this brothel, but... but just now... just now in the backyard, I saw... I saw my aunt... she is currently in the west warm pavilion... with another guest!" As she spoke, her eyes reddened, as if she truly felt indignant on behalf of Ximen Qing.

"Although I am an ignorant courtesan, I am grateful and know the meaning of loyalty and righteousness!" Li Guijie said in a trembling voice, "I really can't stand seeing Madam and Aunt deceive the master like this!"

She knelt and took another small step forward, getting closer to Ximen Qing's legs, and raised her tear-streaked face.

(End of this chapter)