Chapter 3: The Mysterious Courtesan, Li Yueqi

"How long are you staying out for tonight if you didn't come here for the courtesans, my lord?" Xiao asked him as she finished eating her plum, noticing that he had finished as well, and was now wiping his fingers on his sleeve—a small act of rebellion perhaps.

"I have a few hours," he replied.

So he had a curfew? She had to scoff at the absurdity.

"Since when do royal scholars have a curfew?"

Huaijin stiffened for a second when he realized he had messed up. He quickly managed to come up with an excuse as he kept his voice from trembling.

"The palace gates close at certain hours to prevent any potential threats."

"I see…" she replied as she looked toward the Whispering Fan House, not questioning the validity of his words. She didn't know how the palace operated.

So the gates close, much like the Yiji house.

Huaijin followed the young man's gaze, landing on the tall building, which was decorated beautifully from top to bottom. The lights of the many rooms were visible from where they stood, and they could hear the faint sounds of music and laughter coming from the town. Huaijin's curiosity gnawed at him.

"Do you ever visit that place by any chance?" he asked, the question already leaving his lips before thinking. He was quite the nosy person.

"You mean the Whispering Fan House?" Xiao asked before Huaijin nodded. A small smirk played on her lips. She couldn't resist the opportunity to play with him a bit further.

"Of course. I even have a favorite Courtesan."

How mischievous.

Huaijin's eyes narrowed slightly at the young man's words as he had a hunch that Xiao was only trying to rile him up again.

"A favorite one, huh?"

"Oh, yes, my lord. She's a beauty. Pale skin, plump lips, and amber eyes just like mine. She's quite unruly, too, and a bit clumsy. But she's got a good body, what can I say? A man's instincts do take over sometimes, no?" she said as he couldn't decipher whether it was meant to provoke him.

"Instincts don't excuse a lack of discipline," he replied firmly, holding onto this belief.

"A man should be able to control himself."

Xiao couldn't help it as she burst out laughing yet again, almost slipping off the small hill. Huaijin reflexively reached out to steady her, grabbing onto her arm.

"Careful… now what's so funny about me this time?"

"That's the first time I heard a man say that," she said, chuckling as she looked up at him. Her eyes caught the moon's rays, making them sparkle, which caught Huaijin slightly off guard. What pretty eyes this young man had…

"And it's true. A man who can't control himself isn't much of a man." He slowly let go of her arm, making sure she wasn't tumbling down again anytime soon.

"If you want to visit her, my lord… her name is Li Yueqi."

A name I thought I'd be able to forget. But how could I when it was still a part of me?

"Li Yueqi?" he repeated, the name rolling off his tongue like it was craving to be called.

How strange hearing it again after so many years. He was unknowingly calling for my past.

"Quite the beautiful name," he admitted softly.

Yet, even in serious moments, Xiao couldn't help but crack a joke.

"Yeah, just as beautiful as her face," Xiao spoke in a serious tone, which made Huaijin roll his eyes. He was already getting used to this young man's shameless attitude. He knew Xiao was pushing him on purpose, trying to get a reaction out of him.

"If you're done talking about a courtesan so casually, I think I should take my leave."

"Already? Don't tell me you're on your way to ask for her," Xiao replied as she watched him step back. But Huaijin stopped in his tracks, turning around just to glare at her as if he had had enough of her childish back and forth.

"And what if I am?"

"You won't find her there."

Huaijin raised a brow at her simple answer.

"How come? She would surely be at the Whispering Fan House, no?"

"You'd have to try your luck, my lord."

Huaijin's eyes studied her melancholic expression. Li Yueqi… could she be important to him? Perhaps he has a secret crush on her. Regardless, this boy speaks in riddles, either to conceal something or just for the sake of it. In any case, he can't deny the attraction he feels toward what he believes to be a young and naive man. This time, Huaijin's regular secret outing had left him with a strange aftertaste—a nagging curiosity.

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Huaijin walked through the quiet night with firm strides, his mind still racing about the young man he had just met. He had such a shameless mouth and the way he spoke in riddles. Funny enough, his appearance and unruly hair matched his personality well.

Yet his eyes…

He could still hear Xiao's mocking laughter ringing in his ears as he made his way back to his trusted aide, who was already waiting for Huaijin by the horses.

"Have you finished with today's outing, my lord?" the man inquired, using the term 'My Lord' just as practiced.

Yang Fangxu was an older man in his mid-forties—forty-four, to be exact. Having been by Huaijin's side since the day he was born, it was Fangxu's duty to look after him. Which also meant going along with these secret outings he wasn't too fond of. Their relationship was one of deep loyalty after all.

"I have," Huaijin replied as he mounted his horse, not as gracefully as he'd like to admit. He glanced back at the plum tree one last time before nudging his horse gently, urging it forward. Fangxu followed, riding beside him. With a thoughtful look, Huaijin rode through the dark forest, the moon being the only thing that lit up their pathway.

"And? Are you satisfied with the outcome?" Fangxu asked, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Mostly. I want to visit the town when I find the time. In the morning would be best," Huaijin replied, almost excited at the prospect of coming here again. The other man just sighed quietly, unable to say no.

"You're putting yourself and me in a tough spot. You know your father is adamant about you staying safe behind the palace walls. Think about your health."

"I am safe. But if I want to grow and learn, I need to see the world with my own two eyes. Being told stories about the outside isn't enough to understand what lies beyond the life I'm living. And besides, it's time for me to come out of the shell I was forced into for years. My father is only growing older." Huaijin answered with seriousness. He knew harder times awaited him in the future, so planning carefully now could save him both time and a headache.

"Very well, my lord."

Their conversation died down as the crickets filled the silence. Their chirping blended with the light rustling of the leaves and the horse's hooves. The calm atmosphere was a reminder that the forest was alive in its own special way. And yet, Huaijin couldn't stop his thoughts from wandering to the courtesan Xiao mentioned. Li Yueqi. How the young boy had described her, she seemed like a spirit that haunted the Whispering Fan House. How absurd. Xiao mentioned that they shared a close bond and that she was his favorite. Huaijin wasn't usually interested in such things; he was a busy man and had more important things to worry about. Yet…

"Fangxu," he called for the older man.

"Yes, my lord?"

"By any chance, are you familiar with the red-light district of Yanhua?"

The man furrowed his brows in confusion. That wasn't much like Huaijin to be curious about such a thing.

"Why are you inquiring about this, my lord? I thought you despised the purpose of such districts."

"I'm curious about the Whispering Fan House. I met a young man who I believe goes there frequently, and he spoke of a courtesan with somber eyes," Huaijin replied as he thought back to what Xiao said.

You won't find her there. You'd have to try your luck.

"Are there any special courtesans who don't work often?"

Fangxu had to think for a while before responding. He only knew that courtesans were split up based on a ranking system, judged by beauty and skill, much like societal hierarchies. But a rarity in courtesans…?

"Not that I know of. Courtesans are typically divided into three ranks: low, middle, and high. The Whispering Fan House in Yanhua is the most sought-after place and has a multitude of talented courtesans who prioritize entertainment over pleasure. Their nightly program generally includes singing, dancing, and engaging in games with the guests, such as Weiqi, also known as 'Go'," Fangxu replied, his tone both composed and measured.

"Wow… seems like you know your stuff," Huaijin said with a playful grin, unable to resist teasing the older man. And that only gained him a glare from said man before he sighed in defeat.

"I simply know enough to satisfy your curious mind, my lord."