The King of Beijing in the Red Mansion

Liu Xianglian explained: "My lord, you don't know that Miss Du Yuejiao is extremely talented, especially in fine stone, and her string manipulation is superb, known as the best in the capital."

When he was speaking excitedly, Liu Xianglian's expression suddenly darkened, and he picked up the wine cup on the table and drank it all in one gulp.

Shui Rong frowned. He was so excited when he suddenly started sighing. Keep going! ! ! !

Feng Ziying explained attentively, "Sir, Miss Yuejiao was indeed famous in the capital back then, but a few years ago, Miss Yuejiao was deceived by a scholar and used her own money to redeem herself to accompany him. Who would have thought that the scholar was a heartless person. Not only did he cheat all her money, but he also wanted to sell her to the rich and powerful for his economic career. Miss Yuejiao refused to obey and was humiliated and sold to Fengming Courtyard, where she has been serving wine and making smiles ever since."

Shui Rong suddenly realized what was happening. It was no wonder that the talented girl from the brothel fell in love with the down-and-out scholar and was cruelly abandoned. It turned out that she was hurt too deeply and "degraded herself".

Since ancient times, talented men and beautiful women have been widely circulated. Most of the women in brothels have miserable life stories and can only rely on selling their smiles to make a living. However, they are all quick-witted, beautiful and talented. In such places, what they see and hear are different from ordinary people. Logically, they should not be so easily deceived by them.

However, in feudal society, women who fell into the secular world had a low status. As long as they had a family background, even those from small families were absolutely not allowed to marry prostitutes. Naturally, down-and-out scholars became the first choice. Therefore, many women in brothels sponsored down-and-out scholars in the hope that they could become good people and live a normal life.

But people's hearts are no longer the same as they used to be. Most of the unfaithful people are scholars. They meet many unkind people and end up with a tragic ending. Cases like Du Yuejiao are even more miserable, so she falls into the world of mortals again. As time passes, the new generation is better than the old one. The charm is gone and she can only accompany drinks and sell smiles.

Shui Rong picked up the wine cup and took a sip, without saying much.

In a short while, Du Yuejiao returned with her maid and a zither. She bowed gracefully and said, "I wonder what song you want to hear, young master."

Du Yuejiao knew clearly that the person in charge in the room was Shui Rong, so she would naturally ask him. If it was Feng Ziying and the others, there was no need to ask further questions.

Shui Rong groaned for a moment, then said casually, "Miss Du, please do as you please."

It didn't matter what song he listened to, he just wanted to see what was so special about this former "number one in Beijing".

Du Yuejiao smiled when she heard this, and immediately ordered her maid to burn incense and set up the zither. When everything was ready, Du Yuejiao sat in front of the zither, and gently stroked the strings with her slender jade fingers. With a "ding" sound, the clear and melodious sound of the zither rang out, and the lingering sound was refreshing.

After the song was over, Du Yuejiao stood up, looked at Shui Rong with her bright eyes, and said in a clear voice: "My skills are not good enough, I am sorry to make you laugh."

Shui Rong raised his eyes and glanced at Du Yuejiao. Although he was not very familiar with tunes, he could still tell the good from the bad. The sound of Du Yuejiao's piano playing was melodious and refreshing, which was enough to show her skill.

"Miss Du, you are too modest. I would like to offer you a glass to express my gratitude for letting me listen to the sounds of nature." Shui Rong praised politely and drank the whole glass in one gulp. After all, it was really rare to hear Du Yuejiao playing the piano. She lowered her brows and continued to play casually. The sound of the piano was melodious and clear.

Du Yuejiao smiled and said teasingly: "Since young master doesn't mind, then I will give this song to you as a gift."

"Gift?" Shui Rong was confused when he heard this and didn't understand what Du Yuejiao meant.

Du Yuejiao understood what was happening, and smiled without further explanation.

Feng Ziying knew this, so he whispered, "Young Master, you don't know that in a brothel, the girls are charged per song, and asking Miss Yuejiao to play a song with you would cost at least twenty taels of silver."

Shui Rong raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard this. Although the daily expenses of the royal palace were more than this amount, playing a piece of music cost twenty taels, which was a bit expensive.

"Young master, my price is fair. If you invite a red-haired girl, even just meeting her once would cost hundreds of taels of silver. There are many people who spend huge sums of money on this, not to mention playing a game of chess. Look at your clothes and the jade pendant on your waist that is worth thousands of taels of silver. Do you still care about these things?" Du Yuejiao joked and covered her mouth with her hands while laughing.

As Du Yuejiao said, Shui Rong's luggage was worth a lot of money, so twenty taels was nothing to worry about. However, Shui Rong was not a person who did not understand people's livelihood. The value of twenty taels of silver was enough for an ordinary family to spend in a year. However, in a brothel, one could only listen to a piece of music that lasted less than half a cup of tea, not to mention inviting the so-called "Yinianhong" girl, who would cost hundreds of taels just to meet her once. It was a huge expense. Brothels were indeed called dens of gilded wealth, and the ancients were right.

Facing Du Yuejiao's teasing, Shui Rong did not answer. He was from a wealthy family, but he was not stupid. He would use his best efforts on the blade, so he said, "Although I have never seen Miss Yi Nian Hong, in my opinion, Miss Du Yuejiao is both beautiful and talented, and not ordinary people can compare to her."

After all, Du Yuejiao was once a courtesan. Even though she is no longer as beautiful as before, it is just that the new generation is better than the old one. She herself is beautiful and gorgeous, which is beyond the reach of ordinary people.

"Hehe." Du Yuejiao smiled sweetly upon hearing this, and said in a clear voice: "My young master is so sweet. If it were a few years earlier, I would not be inferior to others, but..."

Du Yuejiao stroked her beautiful face and said sadly, "I am old and ugly now, and I am no longer as beautiful as I used to be."

Shui Rong's mouth twitched slightly when he heard this. Even Du Yuejiao's delicate face could be said to be old and ugly? Just like his cheap mother, who was obviously in her prime, but she liked to talk about being old and ugly, and her youth was gone.

"Miss Du is as beautiful as a flower, how come she is old and ugly? Excuse me, but may I ask how old you are?" Shui Rong asked impolitely. He wanted to see how old this "old and ugly" girl was.

Du Yuejiao spat softly upon hearing this, and looked at Shui Rong with resentment in her charming and romantic eyes, and said angrily: "Girls' age should not be taken lightly, don't you know that, young master?"

Shui Rong shook his head and said nothing as Du Yuejiao "rolled his eyes". It seemed that no matter when, a girl's age was always a taboo.

Du Yuejiao did not blame Shui Rong for being rude, and said with a smile: "Young Master, you have to drink a glass of wine as punishment."

After saying that, Du Yuejiao stretched out her hand to pick up the wine cup, suddenly frowned slightly, and shook it gently.

"If there is no wine, just give me another pot." Feng Ziying noticed Du Yuejiao's expression and said knowingly, "The main purpose of going out to play is to have fun."

Du Yuejiao did not respond. She looked at Shui Rong, smiled slyly, and said teasingly, "I don't mind, but I'm afraid that my young master will feel distressed again."

Shui Rong raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard this. Was Du Yuejiao hinting at him?

"It's just a pot of wine, what's the big deal? Today's expenses will be paid by me, so just enjoy yourself."

Shui Rong was just a little surprised about the expenses in the brothel before, but it was not that he could not afford it. When being teased by a beautiful woman, how could he not respond?

"Young Master, I am the host today, so you don't need to spend any money." Feng Ziying said hurriedly when he saw this. He was the one who invited the guests, so there was no reason for Shui Rong to spend money.

Shui Rong didn't take it seriously and said, "Ziying, there's no need for us to be polite. I'll take this opportunity to be the host today. We have a long way to go, so you can treat me next time."

Whether he was the host or not was secondary. The main thing was that this little girl's connotation made him unhappy.

Feng Ziying's expression brightened when he heard this. The Feng family was originally a member of the Beijing Prince's Palace. Since Shui Rong said this, it was obviously an attempt to show his closeness. Feng Ziying naturally would not say much about this.

Du Yuejiao looked at Shui Rong with a sly look on her face, and said with her red lips slightly opened: "Since you are so generous, why not have a pot of Yuquan wine? I would like to taste it, okay?"

"Yuquan wine"? What kind of wine is this? He doesn't like drinking, so he doesn't know. But as a talented girl in a brothel, how could she not know its taste? Why would she act like this? Moreover, looking at Du Yuejiao's cunning expression, Shui Rong suddenly felt something was wrong.

At this time, Feng Ziying coughed lightly and whispered, "Sir, this wine is clear but not pungent, and has a strong taste but is not harmful. It needs to be brewed by going to the Jade Spring Pool thousands of miles away in spring and autumn to collect the nectar from the stone pillars above the pool. It is very rare, so it is very valuable. One pot costs thirty taels."

A pot of wine cost thirty taels, Shui Rong was speechless. It was rare, but also too exaggerated. It was really like "a golden cup and a jade cup of wine cost ten thousand".

Moreover, Shui Rong looked at the teasing Du Yuejiao. Why did this routine seem so familiar? You little bitch, you definitely did it on purpose! ! ! !

Chapter 17 Flowers have different types, people are different

In the Ning'an Hall of Prince Beijing's Palace, the Dowager Concubine Beijing was wearing a pomegranate red palace dress, half leaning on a soft couch, her delicate body graceful and exquisite, her exquisite face showing no signs of aging, bright and beautiful, perhaps because she was tired, she yawned from time to time.

"Keqing, what are you knitting?" Concubine Beijing was quite bored. She looked at the beautiful Qin Keqing in a rose-red dress, sewing seriously on her lower left hand, and couldn't help asking.

Qin Keqing was startled when she heard this. Her cheeks gradually turned red. Her charming eyes flickered. She pursed her lips and said softly, "The prince said he was short of a hand towel and asked me to help him make one."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Beijing frowned and said, "You have homework every day. You've been busy all day, and I still want you to help with the sweat towel. This monkey doesn't know how to feel sorry for others."

Girls basically stay idle at home, so Qin Keqing has a fixed amount of needlework, reading, spinning and weaving every day. Qin Keqing has just finished her homework, but who would have thought that she would have to help Shui Rong to make a sweat towel. If you think about it carefully, it really is a bit heartless. Even if it is her own well-behaved and sensible daughter, she has to say a few words to her. She always has to do superficial work.

Qin Keqing explained, "The prince told me to play when I'm free. There's no set time. It doesn't matter if it's later."

The Queen Mother of Beijing suddenly understood and smiled knowingly. Such a huge palace still lacks a sweat towel? Perhaps the real purpose is not to drink wine. Her "son" has come to his senses and knows how to appease his daughter. This is a great relief for her!!!

Thinking of this, the corners of the Beijing Concubine's mouth rose, and she teased: "One of you is willing to fight, and the other is willing to be beaten, I can't control it!!!"

Qin Keqing heard the teasing words of Concubine Beijing, and her cheeks were hot. What did she mean by willing to endure? This was not the order of the prince, so how could she not obey? Moreover, the prince loved her and always helped her warm her hands!!!

The Concubine Beijing raised her eyes and looked at Qin Keqing, who was lowering her eyebrows and eyes. She had an almond face and peach cheeks, eyes like shooting stars, and was naturally charming and elegant. Her graceful demeanor made people's hearts flutter. Which man would not be moved when seeing her? No wonder her daughter cared so much about her.

Having said that, with such a lovely person, you won’t forget your mother, right? ! ! !

As soon as she had this worry in her mind, Concubine Beijing quickly denied it, saying that "my daughter" has always been respectful and polite, and would never be so conscienceless. Moreover, Keqing has been in the mansion for some time, and Shui Rong has not done anything out of line. It is obvious that he respects her. If she is like a greedy cat, then she will have to think about it.

At this time, Rong Mama came in and bowed, "My Lady, the Lady from the Zhen family is here."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Beijing frowned slightly. The lady from the Zhen family came to visit again, probably for the purpose of marriage, but the emperor had already planned to grant the marriage, and the old concubine was in charge in the palace. The Zhen family should have received the news long ago, so why did she come to visit?

"Please come up!!!" No matter why the Zhen family visited, since they came, there is no courtesy to refuse.

Rong Mama responded and stepped back to invite the guests, while Qin Keqing stood up and saluted, saying, "My Lady Concubine, I will go back to my room first."

Since there are guests visiting, Keqing should not stay for long. It is better to leave as soon as possible.

Concubine Beijing nodded slightly, looking at Qin Keqing's leaving figure, with a satisfied look on her face. Keqing was steady in her work, which made her satisfied, but her family background was a little poor.

"Sugar man, sugar man..."

"Take a look, take a look, these sweet and sour candied haws..."

The West City Market of Shenjing is located at the feet of the emperor. It is a peaceful time. Tea houses, taverns, pawnshops, and workshops are lined on both sides of the street. There are also many small vendors with oil-paper umbrellas on the open spaces on both sides. People come and go in an endless stream, making the place very lively.

"Master, why are we here instead of going back to the palace?" Seeing that it was getting late, he didn't go back to the palace, but brought him to the market. If he came back late, he might be scolded, so Xiao Fuzi carefully reminded him.

Shui Rong looked at the things and people of the capital with great interest, not caring about the time. Shui Rong was quite satisfied with this trip to the brothel. The only shortcoming was that Shui Rong was extravagant and spent several hundred taels of silver. Apart from the expenses for inviting the girls, the wine and fruits in the brothel were all extraordinary. The expenses were far beyond the affordability of ordinary people, and it lived up to the title of "gold-consuming den".

Although the expenses were not small, Shui Rong did not care about the money. As far as the palace was concerned, they did not need these few hundred taels. He just felt that he was tricked by the little girl and felt a little uncomfortable. However, he did not care. Isn't accompanying people to drink and smile just part of the business?

But the girl is really good at dancing, and she is voluptuous and graceful, just like a rose swaying in the wind, so gorgeous. Facing such a charming girl, as long as Shui Rong does not cross the red line, Shui Rong will not blame her. This is her privilege. I believe she herself understands that when walking among the powerful and wealthy, one must strike a proper tone and not make people annoyed.

"Just take a stroll and buy some rouge and powder."

When a man buys rouge and powder, it is naturally to please girls.

Xiao Fuzi was stunned when she heard this, and thought Shui Rong had some other plan, which turned out to be to buy rouge and powder.

"We can just send someone to do this. There's no need for me to go buy it myself. Let's go back to the palace first, or the Concubine will be waiting anxiously!!!"

He had been away for quite some time, so it was better for him to return home as soon as possible. If the Concubine Dowager blamed him, the first one to suffer would be Xiao Fuzi. Moreover, because Shui Rong had visited brothels and drunk wine, Xiao Fuzi was even more frightened.

Shui Rong raised his eyebrows when he heard this and said, "Why are you in such a hurry? I will return to the palace after I finish shopping."

To please a girl, it is better to do it yourself. A rootless person like Xiao Fuzi knows nothing and it is useless to explain to him. Of course, if you are sincere, you can also learn from Jia Baoyu and make it yourself, but it is quite troublesome and far less convenient than buying it.

Xiao Fuzi looked miserable when he heard this, but since his master had spoken, he could only obey.

After a while, Shui Rong arrived at the entrance of Ruyifang. The rouge and powder here are very famous in the capital.

He walked into Ruyifang. There were still a few girls in the shop at that time. When they noticed Shui Rong entering the shop, they all looked sideways. When they saw that it was a handsome young man, their eyes lit up and they started whispering to the people accompanying him.

Shui Rong was used to this. With good looks, he naturally attracted attention, just like when a beautiful woman passed by on the street, he would take a look at her.

"Sir, what do you want?" The woman in front of the counter came over in a coquettish manner and asked with a smile.

"Just take a look." Shui Rong turned a blind eye. It's not like he had never seen the world.

The woman would naturally not feel embarrassed about welcoming and seeing off guests. The man came to the rouge shop to buy rouge for the girls. She was curious about which girl was lucky enough to have such a handsome young man.

Shui Rong naturally ignored the woman and looked around the shop. Ruyifang was a rouge shop that sold rouge, lipstick, blush and the like. Not only that, it also had a good selection of girls' jewellery such as hairpins and hair accessories.

Walking into the inner room, Shui Rong stood in front of a red lacquered counter, looking at the rouge and powder sorted into categories, and picked up a box of finely crafted lip balm.

Seeing this, the woman came forward and introduced it attentively: "Sir, this is rose fragrance. It is made by collecting the best rose petals, slowly pounding them into a thick paste with a clean stone mortar, and then filtering the juice with fine yarn. Then, cut the newly spun silk of that year into the size of the mouth of the rouge jar, soak it in the flower juice, and after it is completely soaked, take it out and dry it. It will become the best lip balm."

As a businessman, he would naturally brag about himself. Shui Rong did not care about the flattery of women. However, in ancient times, lip balm was mostly made from flower petals, which was harmless to girls' skin and had the fragrance of flower petals.

Shui Rong brought the lip balm box to her nose, and a faint sweet fragrance entered her nose, so sweet and pleasant. No wonder Jia Baoyu liked it. He wanted to taste this sweet fragrance.

"Wrap it up!!!" Shui Rong thought it smelled very good, so he didn't ask the price and just wrapped it up. The rose scent was just right for Concubine Beijing. After all, Shui Rong planned to give gifts to Keqing and Yingluo. If he only left out Concubine Beijing as a mother, she would inevitably feel unbalanced. A widowed mother is sensitive and needs to be coaxed a lot.

The woman took it with a smile on her face. As for businessmen, they like this kind of generous customers the most.

Shui Rong then carefully selected them. There are different types of flowers and different people. The charming Concubine Beijing, the charming and beautiful Qin Keqing, and the lovely Ying Luo were naturally treated differently and selected carefully.

After a cup of tea, Shui Rong packed up the selected rouge and powder and did not stay any longer. Instead, he led the grinning Xiao Fuzi towards the palace.

Chapter 18 The Second Daughter of the Zhen Family is Here