Chapter 477: 0292 What Is Seen and Heard (Two-in-One)
"So, tell me about you and Qiancheng."
Zhu Pingniang lightly tapped the letter in her hand on the table.
’...?’
Xu Chang’an was stunned. He completely hadn’t expected that the first thing to be discussed upon meeting Senior Zhu would be... this?
With whom?
Gu Qiancheng?
What’s there to say between him and Gu Qiancheng?
"... What, you have moments when you can’t speak?" Zhu Pingniang crossed her legs, staring at Xu Chang’an with a mix of cunning and amusement in her eyes.
"Xiaochang’an, after all, I’m Miss Gu’s aunt. If you don’t say anything... if I don’t ask a couple of questions, how can I explain it to Ah Zi later?"
Explain?
Explain what.
Xu Chang’an was quite puzzled, not knowing what exactly was written in the letter Zhu Pingniang took out. However, after pondering for a moment, he still explained.
Well, Xu Chang’an carefully and thoroughly explained to Zhu Pingniang about how the senior sisters at Muyu Peak had asked him to "care for" Gu Qiancheng.
"..."
Zhu Pingniang looked at the young man’s earnest explaining manner and couldn’t help but find it a little dull.
This kid was good in every way, just too serious, completely not grasping what she was hinting at... but she also understood. Even if Xu Chang’an racked his brain, he couldn’t guess that the letter mentioned Gu Qiancheng possibly liking him.
Well.
From the moment she saw the letter, she knew there must have been some misunderstanding. Her accusatory stance was just...
A joke.
"They’re being clever, too." After hearing Xu Chang’an’s words, Zhu Pingniang twisted her fingers together and remarked, "They all think Miss Gu is a bother, so they throw her at you... Let’s see how I sort them out when I get back."
"Se... ahem, Ms. Zhu." Xu Chang’an sensed the dangerous look in Zhu Pingniang’s eyes and quickly corrected himself, asking, "So, what’s the matter with Miss Gu?"
"Nothing major, just as long as you don’t mind her being a bother, I was just teasing you."
Zhu Pingniang waved her hand and curled her lips, saying, "Actually, I understand. With Qiancheng’s temperament, not to mention the girls, even I find it annoying.
She stood up and patted Xu Chang’an’s shoulder. "Xiaochang’an, Qiancheng is your responsibility from now on. Hmm, since you call me ’sister,’ it makes me her elder. If she bullies you... tell me, and I’ll get even for you and give her a good spanking."
Zhu Pingniang playfully waved her exquisite fingers.
Xu Chang’an: "..."
No words to say.
"By the way, how did you find the piece I just played?" Zhu Pingniang asked.
"Very pleasant." Xu Chang’an answered truthfully.
"..."
"..."
The fine rain fell on the window sash. Zhu Pingniang just stared at Xu Chang’an. Seeing that Xu Chang’an had nothing more to say, she twitched her eyes.
Though she didn’t expect him to fathom the "As Firm as Gold and Stone" sentiment from the tune, at least he could have given a few more compliments. After all, she’s a woman who likes to hear nice words.
"That’s it?" Zhu Pingniang leaned forward.
"Yes, that’s it." Xu Chang’an remained unmoved.
In his eyes, no compliment could surpass the simplicity of "pleasant."
Ultimately, he still couldn’t bring himself to sweet-talk a respected elder.
"Chang’an, you’re an interesting child... but sometimes also rather uninteresting." Zhu Pingniang clicked her tongue, put on a cloak, and puckered her lips with rouge paper.
As her lips turned even brighter, she looked at the little white flowers in her hair through the mirror. Turning to see the handsome youth’s face, she nodded contentedly. "Alright, no more idle chatter here. Come accompany me for a walk... Hmm, if I’m pleased, I’ll agree to anything."
"Alright." Xu Chang’an’s eyes brightened slightly.
He wasn’t in a rush because he knew it wasn’t yet time to discuss serious matters.
Just think about it.
Zhu Pingniang had given him so many "black and white" hints, yet upon meeting, she hadn’t mentioned a word about it and instead pretended to chat about Gu Qiancheng...
Zhu Pingniang hadn’t yet spoken of what she wanted to discuss with him, so how could Xu Chang’an be the first to raise his request?
He was a smart person.
Zhu Pingniang was also a smart person, and she appreciated smart people.
——
The so-called walk wasn’t actually leaving the Flower Moon Building’s territory. They arrived at the private garden behind the Flower Moon Building.
It was called a garden, but it actually covered a large area.
Zhu Pingniang walked in front, with Xu Chang’an not far behind. Before them was a clean cobblestone path. A stone bridge divided the path into two parts, with the north side bustling with activity. One could vaguely see the crowds and towering buildings of Flower Street, a place where men sought entertainment, filled with earthly desires and noise.
Xu Chang’an and Zhu Pingniang had just come from that Flower Street.
South of the stone bridge was completely different. After the rain, the wind cleared the clouds, and the sky was a bright wash of blue.
The place was empty and quiet, with few pedestrians and low houses.
They were walking south now, moving away from the hustle and bustle.
Zhu Pingniang glanced back, noticing Xu Chang’an looking south, and explained, "That’s where the girls work, the brothel centered around Flower Moon Building, while this side is where the girls live."
Though the girls at Flower Moon Building had signed contracts of indenture with her, they didn’t live in the brothel; instead, they were arranged individual living quarters in this garden.
Xu Chang’an nodded.
In other words, he had just come from the brothel to the place where the courtesans lived.