Looking at the thatched hut and vegetable patch that had accompanied him for three years, Chu Canyuan felt a mix of emotions.
The place he once dreamed of leaving now brought a sense of reluctance upon their parting.
Chu Canyuan changed into the brand-new white clothes Mu Zuo had prepared for him, strapped the wooden sword to his back, picked up his bundle, and walked onto the small path.
Chu Canyuan did not look back along the way; he dared not.
……
After about half an hour, Chu Canyuan finally emerged.
Looking at the unfamiliar, majestic city gate before him, Chu Canyuan opened the map Mu Zuoshi had left him.
“Jade City, the direction is correct.”
Chu Canyuan walked into the city. On both sides of the street were teahouses, taverns, pawnshops, and workshops.
In the open spaces along the streets, there were many shouting vendors, and the street was filled with continuous pedestrians, bustling and noisy.
“It’s much larger than the city at the foot of the mountain.”
Chu Canyuan looked around, intending to fill his stomach first.
In front of a pavilion, traffic was heavy, with officials, nobles, scholars, and poets coming and going incessantly, all wearing expressions of anticipation and excitement.
Weighing the silver taels Mu Zuoshi left him in his bundle, Chu Canyuan also walked toward the pavilion.
“Drunken Dream Pavilion. So many people; the food inside must surely be delicious.”
As soon as he stepped into the pavilion, Chu Canyuan’s exquisite, picture-perfect appearance attracted the attention of many women.
“Younger brother, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time at the Drunken Dream Pavilion?”
“Younger brother is so handsome; it truly makes us feel ashamed.”
“What would younger brother like to do? Our Drunken Dream Pavilion can satisfy anything.”
The women’s delicate faces were lightly painted with rouge, beautiful as morning clouds reflecting snow.
Surrounded tightly, Chu Canyuan blushed and lowered his head.
“Just… just to eat a meal.”
The women giggled upon hearing this, “Younger brother wants to eat a meal? Hahahaha, it seems younger brother mistook our Drunken Dream Pavilion for a small inn.”
Chu Canyuan immediately realized this place was not meant for dining; it was a brothel.
Just as Chu Canyuan was feeling awkward, a middle-aged woman walked over.
“What are you all gathered here for? Not entertaining guests anymore? Scatter, scatter.”
The women who had been crowding Chu Canyuan retreated when they saw her.
“The Madam is here, hurry up and go, or your wages will be docked.”
“Hurry, hurry. It’s such a pity for such a handsome young man.”
Chu Canyuan stood there at a loss, but the middle-aged woman spoke first.
“Young Master, I am the Madam of this Drunken Dream Pavilion. Tell me if you have any requests.”
After hesitating for a moment, Chu Canyuan tentatively asked, “Can I eat here?”
“And preferably quietly.”
The middle-aged woman smiled upon hearing this, “Yes, yes. Young Master, please follow me.”
Chu Canyuan was then led to the second floor and arranged in a private room alone.
“Looking at this Young Master’s appearance, he must be rich or noble. You all must serve him well and ensure he is satisfied.”
The middle-aged woman closed the door and whispered to the women beside her.
The women echoed in agreement, “Madam, don’t worry, we guarantee the Young Master will be satisfied.”
Not long after, the table before Chu Canyuan was filled with dishes.
The lavish spread made Chu Canyuan’s mouth water; every dish was meticulously prepared, colorful, and rich in flavor.
Several women followed him into the private room, sitting not far across from Chu Canyuan, separated from him by a white silk curtain.
Then, the sound of musical instruments drifted from the other side of the curtain, gliding past the ear like silk, melodious and enchanting, intoxicating the listener.
Just as Chu Canyuan was immersed in the delicate flavors, a commotion suddenly erupted downstairs.
“I said, let Miss Zhi Yu come out to see me!”
A man shouted in the first-floor hall. Apart from the person accompanying him, no one nearby dared to step forward to stop the two of them.
The man was dressed in dark robes, girded with a jade belt, his complexion somewhat pale, and his refined, scholarly face held a pair of melancholic eyes.
The companion was clad in moon-white brocade robes, tall and elegant, possessing an indescribable handsome and noble bearing.
“Little Young Master, Miss Zhi Yu has caught a cold and is resting in her room. She truly cannot accompany you today,” the middle-aged woman who claimed to be the Madam of the Drunken Dream Pavilion quickly explained.
“If the Little Young Master were to catch it, we could never bear that responsibility.”
Just as the man called the Little Young Master was about to speak, his companion put an arm around him and persuaded him.
“Brother Guan Yi! Since Miss Zhi Yu is unwell, don’t make things difficult for them.”
“Call out Hua Yin, Miss Xiang Xue, and Miss Yuan Ying from the Drunken Dream Pavilion for us instead.”
The middle-aged woman breathed a sigh of relief and smiled somewhat obsequiously.
“I’ll go now, I’ll go now. Little Young Master and Young Master Xu, please follow me.”
The three then headed toward the top floor. Chu Canyuan, who had been watching the excitement, had already opened his door and was leaning against the frame, watching the three with interest.
The man named Guan Yi also noticed Chu Canyuan and turned his head to look. That momentary eye contact would lead to a close connection between the two who seemed least likely to interact.
Guan Yi and the other two walked up, and Chu Canyuan closed his door and returned to his seat.
“Who were that Little Young Master and Young Master Xu just now?”
Hearing Chu Canyuan’s question, the musician on the other side of the silk curtain replied.
“Young Master, you must be from outside the city. This Little Young Master Guan Yi is the child of the City Lord Guan Lin and the Third Madam.”
“Young Master Xu is named Xu Pian; his father, Xu Miao, is sworn brothers with the City Lord Guan Lin.”
“The Little Young Master and the other often come to the Drunken Dream Pavilion to listen to the Courtesan Queen Zhi Yu Jie Jie’s music.”
After understanding the general situation, Chu Canyuan asked doubtfully.
“Is the Little Young Master’s health not good?”
Having studied medicinal herbs since childhood, Chu Canyuan immediately saw the problem with Guan Yi’s physical condition.
“Replying to the Young Master, what is rumored outside is that because the City Lord favors the Third Madam even more, he even intends to name the Little Young Master as the Young City Lord to inherit the position of City Lord.”
“The First Madam and Second Madam are unbalanced because of this and harbor resentment toward the Third Madam.”
“After the Third Madam’s accidental death, the Little Young Master has been subjected to retaliation and targeting by the First Madam and Second Madam.”
“The Little Young Master’s health deteriorates day by day, which is extremely similar to the Third Madam’s condition back then.”
The musician stopped playing the instrument and said quietly.
“Many people believe that the death of the Third Madam is inseparable from the First Madam and Second Madam.”
Then the sound of music resumed, and Chu Canyuan fell into deep thought.
He knew that this Little Young Master named Guan Yi only had two and a half years left to live.
“How old is the Little Young Master?”
“Replying to the Young Master, in a month, it will be the celebration for the Little Young Master’s eighteenth birthday.”
“Young Master Xu is one year younger than the Little Young Master.”
Chu Canyuan nodded with some pity, “I see.”
After finishing his meal, Chu Canyuan leaned back on the bed couch, and the musician also stopped playing and walked over slowly.
Seeing this, Chu Canyuan hurriedly got up, left some silver taels, and walked out of the Drunken Dream Pavilion toward the bustling street.
“It’s a good thing the Strange Old Man left me enough silver taels.”
Chu Canyuan took out the map and calculated the distance between himself and the Sacred Hall.
“I won’t make it to this year’s Sacred Hall Selection.”
“Having lived a secluded life with that Strange Old Man for three years, it’s just right to first adapt to the outside world here in Jade City.”
On the top floor of the Drunken Dream Pavilion, Guan Yi sat by the window, looking down at Chu Canyuan below.