Chapter 22: Silang

Sher Tu: Sher Tu is 15 years old and is the errand boy for Kun Shang's family. He lived in Yu Chi Village in the East in the Kun Household. He was told by Physician Shu to come to the capital to buy herbs for Kun Shang's father because there is currently not enough medicine in the surrounding areas.

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The busy streets of Chang'an were always crowded with exotic food, merchandise, travelers, brothels and businessmen. In the corner, one could expect to see a noodle shop with a candy booth, or perhaps a lantern booth in front. In the middle of the city, there were numerous antique and jewelry shops, noodle shops, accessory booths and fresh vegetables. Dozens of stores adorn the street with their decorations to lure in customers.

At the end of the biggest street stood the renowned Apricot Reborn Brothel, whose Five Beauties were famous throughout the world.

Inside the brothel on this particular day, it was lavishly decorated. The ceiling was dangling with purple vine flowers and large red lanterns. A stage was set before the middle stairs that led down from the second floor. The middle stair was for the girls and performers to use. The stage was draped with red curtains and roses. Above, the balusters on the mezzanine had their signature apricot flowers. Underneath the mezzanine were smaller red lanterns that hung red and gold tassels from the bottom. New furniture from the best craftsman that arrived yesterday were used to furnish the room.

Five VIP tables with red table cloths were nearest to the stage. Seven orange ones were behind the red, and nine yellows on the farthest back near the entrance. Not only this, numerous squat tables were on the side, accompanied with cushion pillows as seats. The whole place in general was adorned with so much red it could've been a wedding.

There was a stair on the right and one on the left when entering the brothel. Both of them were loaded with heavy security for it leads to the girl's rooms and VIP rooms. The reason for these guards was that no one was allowed to rent a girl for tonight because tonight was strictly entertainment. That meant scholars, businessmen, teachers, Ministers and social elites could come and enjoy the performances by the brothel girls without disgracing their dignity.

Amongst the crowd was Silang, who had managed to bribe his way to sit on a red table. When the current performer was finished, the host madam called the next performer on stage. The crowd was completely struck with surprise when Lady Yangyi, the prettiest and most famous girl of all, came onto stage. An uproar of whispers started circling around the customers and staff as to why she might've changed her mind.

Word was that Lady Yangyi wouldn't be participating in the festive event tonight and she was a stubborn person to change her mind. Once a wealthy Minister came from far away just to hear her play the zither. He paid 15 crates of silver taels, but she wouldn't budge from her room. That amount of money took three wagons and seven days to travel, only to be refused by the famous Lady Yangyi. Ever since then everyone sort of knew that she would only play if she wanted to. No amount of money would ever make her play.

Lady Yangyi lifted up her robe, pushed it back and sat on the pillow before the stage. She put her white zither on the squat table in front of her and began playing the notes.

She had an egg shaped face, large brown eyes, a small petite nose and a small rosy mouth. She wore a pink outfit: a collar turtleneck dress that was open on the shoulders, exposing her pale creamy skin. On her arms were slip-on sleeves with pink and white drapes that fluffed at every stroke of her fingers. Her thin silky dress had a slit at her thigh revealing long smooth legs. She wore an elegant fan-like accessory on her hair with gold accents. In fact, her entire outfit had gold accents from her chest to her arms and her waist to her shoes.

Silang leaned his back on the chair where three brothel girls surrounded him at the table. He crossed his feet on top of the table and wrapped his left arm around the girl closest to him. With the other right arm, he extended it towards a table to the right where four men were sitting: the Four Evil Gates Heroes.

They were all wearing similar clothes that were too warm for the spring season: long sleeves, leather jackets, fur scarves, body straps and big boots. Three of the four had beards, one had a curly mustache.

"Pay up." Silang smirked at them.

The Elder Brother laughed. He was the one with the curly mustache. "Young Brother, how did you make her come out and play?".

Silang had made a bet with the Four Evil Gates Heroes that if he could get Lady Yangyi to come out and play for today, they would pay him with a silver nugget.

He put his feet down on the ground and looked at the beautiful girl on stage with soft eyes. "It was easy. Girls like that don't need money. They don't need relationships, status, jewelry or the prettiest outfit on earth. Even if the Emperor came to personally request her to play, she will still refuse. He can offer her money, clothes, or gold, her answer will still be the same. Girls like that," he paused and turned to the Four Evil Gates Heroes, "need to be saved. I just created a scenario where I saved her life and in return, I asked her to play a song."

Silang winked at them and clicked his tongue at the same time. Of course, this plan wouldn't have come through without him using a little of his good looks. He smiled just thinking about it.

"How did you save her?" They asked curiously.

There was a long pause as they listened to Lady Yangyi play. For those who knew Lady Yangyi or heard of her music in the past, they were astonished to hear a slight change in her notes today. She was in a different mood, her music had life whereas in the past it was sad and sorrowful.

"Music." He inhaled deeply with a twinkle in his eye. "I gave her real music." He extended his hand to them again. "Seriously now. Pay up, won't you?"

"You already won either way. It doesn't matter if we pay you right now or afterwards." The Elder Brother said, offering him a toast. "Let's just enjoy Lady Yangyi's playing before we miss out on a good opportunity like this?"

In the middle of the song, Silang felt a pat on his shoulder and turned around to see Kun Shang with a worried look on his face. He excused himself from the ladies at his table and followed Kun Shang to the front of the entrance, or the back of the audience.

"What is it?" Silang asked him, his mannerism showing he was in a hurry to return. "I spent all your money already, if that's what you're asking for?"

"No, I'm fine with that." Kun Shang quickly answered. "I just want to ask. Have you seen your sister?"