After learning that Duan Hua had arrived at the Eight Great Alley, Li Qing asked Wen Xiang to send someone to contact Duan Hua and agreed to meet at Yanmiao Pavilion tonight.
When night fell, Li Qing and Wen Xiang stopped at the east entrance of Guan Yin Temple Street. It wasn't that Li Qing and the others didn't want to drive in directly, but there was a crowd inside, so Li Qing and Wen Xiang had to get off the carriage and walk southwest.
In less than ten steps, there was another world.
Compared to the orthodox sects outside, the red lights were hung high inside, and it was unusually lively. Looking for the soft or crisp laughter of the women, the two's eyes suddenly lit up. This was Li Qing's first time seeing the bustling capital. The upstairs and downstairs were fragrant and charming. Men and women hugged each other. Look at the red pink and green silk, slow singing and dancing, thin and fat, short lapels and long dresses. Wisps of fragrance accompanied the melodious sound and spread. Fang Jun thought to himself,"What a place for fireworks." No wonder so many scholars liked to stay here. He recited poems and matched them.
Fragrant curtains, wind blowing flowers into the building, high-key zither blowing to ease the night sorrow.
Heartbroken mountains do not explain, Yiyi waning moon under the curtain hook.
The Eight Great Alley was famous in the late Qing Dynasty and was most popular during the Republic of China. The Little Phoenix Goddess that people often heard about was from the Eight Great Alley. Including Stone Alley, Shaanxi Alley, Hanjiatan, Baishun Alley, Rouge Alley, Wang Guangfu Xie Street, etc.
In the Qing Dynasty, officials were strictly forbidden to stay in brothels. However, during the Xianfeng period, the court was overwhelmed by internal and external troubles, so it relaxed the control of officials.
The two of them strolled all the way to the north entrance of Stone Alley and saw a small building with the words Yanmiao Pavilion. Li Qing stopped and said,"Bochuan, this king has really invested a lot this time. A year's salary of ten thousand silver is gone just like that. He then looked at Wen Xiang and said with a smile,""Brother Bochuan only has an old wife in his family, and she's lonely and arrogant. Why don't you accompany Duanhua to soar into the sky later?”
"Forget it, forget it!" Wen Xiang laughed self-mockingly," My family is poor, how can I be so lustful? Since we're already here, I'll take my leave!”
"But Bochuan, didn't you say that you would reserve the entire venue for ten thousand taels? If I don't go, wouldn't it be a waste?" Li Qing patted Wen Xiang's shoulder and said. "If you really let Madam down, you can just look at the flowers. It doesn't matter.”
Just as the two of them were teasing each other, someone suddenly shouted at the door," Girls, your benefactor tonight has arrived. Hurry up and come out to welcome him!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the girls in the pavilion came down one by one coquettishly. They walked past Li Qing and Wen Xiang and lined up in a row, waiting for their benefactor to choose.
Unfortunately, Li Qing was not in the mood to enjoy it now. He said to Wen Xiang,""I say, Bochuan, didn't you say that Duanhua would be here on time?”
"Your Highness, don't be impatient. Duan Hua will definitely arrive. This Misty Pavilion is the most elite group in the eight alleys.”Speaking of the devil, before Wen Xiang could finish his sentence, there was a commotion outside.
A fat man in casual clothes walked in under the protection of his servants.
"Gong Prince, I haven't seen you for more than a month, and you look even more energetic today. Unfortunately, the Emperor was cold and lonely in Rehe, suffering all kinds of hardships.”When Duan Hua said this, he lifted his sleeves and covered his face as he sobbed.
Li Qing looked at Duan Hua's exaggerated acting and thought," Why are you pretending to be a wolf with a big tail? If you have the ability to shed a tear, consider it my loss.
However, he was an imperial envoy after all, so he still had to give him some face. Hence, Li Qing walked forward and said," Prince Zheng is indeed the pillar of the Qing Dynasty. He didn't forget to share the Emperor's worries even at this late hour. However, it's rare for us to be in the mood today. Why don't we pick a few girls and have a drink together?!"”
After saying that, Li Qing pointed at the two girls." You two, hurry up and serve Prince Zheng. If His Excellency is satisfied, this silver is yours."”After saying that, Li Qing threw two silver ingots worth fifty taels over.
Duan Hua looked at the Gong Prince's practiced movements and thought, Could it be that the rumors were wrong? Why did the more he looked at the Gong Prince, the more he looked like a flower expert?
Li Qing looked at the puzzled Duan Hua and couldn't help but laugh in his heart. You dare to compete with me in acting? In my previous life, this kind of routine had been played out in television dramas. No matter how bad I am, I am still ten times better than you.
Just like that, the two of them went upstairs with their own thoughts.
The three of them drank and talked to each other while playing drums and dancing.
After three rounds of wine, Li Qing was a little drunk.
At this moment, a woman carrying a zither entered. From the looks of it, she was probably a young lady from a wealthy family.
She bowed slightly and sat down. She smiled gently, her braids fluttering in the wind. She slowly raised her head and smiled faintly. She raised her right hand and turned her head slightly, throwing out her sleeve. The sleeve covered her face, giving off the feeling of holding a pipa and half covering her face. With a wave of her slender hand, it was like a slow flowing stream, clear and quiet. The stream was murmuring, the birds were singing, and the fragrance of flowers was fragrant. The green grass and wild flowers were blooming, like the wind and clouds, and the waves were crashing against the shore...
After the song ended, Li Qing was intoxicated and sighed,""Beauty Qu is even more beautiful!"
Prince Zheng looked at Li Qing's expression of being captivated. If there were other expressions that could be faked, this expression of being attracted by a beauty would definitely not be faked. This expression was completely produced by the heart.
Duan Hua couldn't help but laugh." Everyone says that the Gong Prince doesn't eat the mortal world. However, this king feels regret for being late in meeting you today. Come, Gong Prince, let's drink a cup for you and me!"!”
Li Qing didn't know what to do after hearing Duan Hua's words. However, seeing Wen Xiang gesture at him, he raised his glass and drank the wine in one gulp.
"What a pity! Such a beauty, but with such a background, it would be difficult to bring her into the Imperial Residence!”
Duan Hua looked at Li Qing and sighed. He smiled and said,""What's so difficult about that? The Gong Prince has heard of the Outer Residence?”
"Outside the residence?"
Duan Hua looked at the confused Li Qing. He whispered,"The outer residence is to buy a house outside and use it as a golden house to hide a mistress. This is the outer residence!"”
"Haha, King Zheng, you really know a lot. This king has learned a lot!”
" No, as the saying goes, a long illness makes a good doctor. To tell you the truth, I have a fierce woman in my family who has never allowed me to take in concubines, but she has yet to give birth to a son or daughter. I am unwilling to accept this. Fortunately, my ancestors have blessed me. Last year, I fell in love with a woman and got pregnant after two months. However, I was afraid that the Fujin would find out that it was not good for the child, so I had no choice but to do this. It's just that I pity my child. Although I can guarantee his wealth, he can't enter the jade plate.”Duan Hua's eyes were filled with regret.
After Li Qing heard this, he poured wine into Duan Hua's cup. "Let's not talk about it. If we talk about it, these troublesome things will never end. As the saying goes, if we have wine today, we will get drunk today! Come, Prince Zheng, let this king give you a toast. Tonight, let us drink to our hearts 'content and not return until we are drunk!”
......
After the song ended, Duan Hua left the Misty Ether Pavilion with the help of his servants.
"Your Highness! He had thought that he was destined to return empty-handed today, but in the end, it was still his highness who was one foot higher! We have easily found Duan Hua's weakness. As long as we…"
Li Qing shook his head and sighed,""One should leave a sliver of hope for the future. Although Duan Hua is like a parasite, unable to accomplish anything but capable of spoiling things, the child is innocent. Even if there is any delay in the future, one must leave Prince Zheng's bloodline.”
"Your Highness is so kind, it is truly the blessing of the people!”
"Alright, order the men to find Prince Zheng's mistress!”
"This official understands, please rest assured, Your Highness!”
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]