“Master Ji, Miss Su’e requests your presence.”
Ji Yu was busy enjoying some peach blossom cakes and fine wine when she heard the voice. She turned around to see Xiao Chun, Su’e’s maid, standing demurely by the screen.
She quickly stood up, brushing off the crumbs from her clothes and straightening the part of her robe that had accidentally been dampened by wine. Putting on her calmest expression, she walked over. “I’m supposed to be painting for Miss Meirui soon. What does Miss Su’e want?”
Xiao Chun looked up, her gaze fixing on Ji Yu’s mouth, and suddenly burst into giggles.
Ji Yu looked confused. “What are you laughing at?”
*Do I look ridiculous? Is something wrong with my outfit?* she wondered inwardly.
To avoid trouble, she had disguised herself as a man to work here. However, she was quite short, and even though she claimed to be sixteen, everyone treated her like a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy. They were kind and let her eat the snacks in the private rooms, but they strictly forbade her from drinking.
Of course, the more they forbade it, the more she wanted to try. She had just snuck a cup while Meirui was out, and now she’d been caught. Was Xiao Chun laughing at her guilty expression?
She had been acting so flustered, brushing her clothes and adjusting her robe—she must have looked exactly like someone caught red-handed.
Just as she was about to explain, Xiao Chun pointed at her mouth and teased, “Master Ji, have you been sneaking pastries again?”
Ji Yu touched her lips and felt the crumbs. Caught red-handed, she scratched her head awkwardly and grinned sheepishly.
“You still haven’t told me what Miss Su’e wants?”
“She wants you to come over to—”
“Tell her Master Ji is busy painting for me. If she needs him, she’ll have to wait until I’m done.”
Xiao Chun was cut off by a clear, crisp voice. They both turned to see Meirui, dressed in vibrant red, walking gracefully towards them.
Xiao Chun curtsied. “Miss Meirui, Miss Su’e says it’s very important.”
Meirui shot her a cold glance, then turned her smile towards Ji Yu. “Nothing is more important than Master Ji painting me.”
Xiao Chun looked worried. Technically, Ji Yu was assigned to Meirui today; without Meirui’s permission, she couldn’t just leave.
The rivalry between Meirui and Su’e was intense. With the Courtesan Competition coming up in a month, they were the top two candidates and constantly tried to outdo each other.
Xiao Chun looked desperately at Ji Yu, winked, and made a secret hand gesture—the sign for money that Ji Yu had taught her.
Ji Yu stared, then mouthed silently: *How much?*
When she saw the number, Ji Yu’s eyes lit up, her excitement barely contained.
*Three taels?!*
Usually, painting top-tier girls like Su’e and Meirui only paid one tael. Second-tier were half a tael. Three taels was a fortune!
Su’e was saving money to buy her freedom; why would she spend so much? Was it just to spite Meirui?
Well, regardless of the reason, money was money. She was supposed to paint Meirui first, but she could finish quickly and go over later. She’d just stay up late if she had to.
“Tell Miss Su’e I’ll come right after I finish with Miss Meirui,” Ji Yu said decisively.
“But…” Xiao Chun looked hesitant.
“Enough,” Meirui huffed, walking to the table and picking up her pipa. Her red-nailed fingers plucked the strings, producing a beautiful melody. Her voice was lazy and clear. “Master Ji, I am going to practice now.”
Translation: You are free to go.
Ji Yu beamed, quickly schooling her face into a calm expression. “In that case, practice well, Miss Meirui. I will return shortly.”
As soon as they left the room, Ji Yu grabbed Xiao Chun’s arm. “Is it really three taels?”
“Three? Try thirty!” Xiao Chun whispered into her ear, grinning.
“WHAT?!” Ji Yu almost shouted, then quickly clamped her mouth shut and looked around nervously to make sure no one heard.
“Is Miss Su’e rich now? Why is she paying so much?”
“You’ll see when you get there,” Xiao Chun said mysteriously.
Full of confusion and excitement, Ji Yu followed her to Su’e’s private room.
Entering the room, she saw not only Su’e but also two young men dressed in expensive silk robes. They looked distinguished and elegant.
However, when they saw Ji Yu—a short, boyish-looking youngster—their faces fell immediately.
Zhong Yiwen and Jiang Zhao exchanged glances and shook their heads.
Jiang Zhao couldn’t help but ask Su’e, “This… this isn’t the artist you were talking about, is it?”
Su’e smiled warmly, walked over to Ji Yu, and led her to the screens. She turned to Zhong Yiwen and said proudly, “Every single painting on these screens… was done by him.”