Chapter Thirty-Eight: Beauty's Fleeting Fate (1)

Yang Residence.

Yang Kuan hurried into the main hall and bowed deeply to report, “Master, Zhou An from the Zhou clan of Yixing requests an audience!”

Yang Qi was chatting idly with his wife, Lady Zheng, and their daughter, Yang Xueruo. Upon hearing this, he looked up and replied directly, “Tell him that I am busy with official affairs and cannot spare the time to see him today. Ask him to come another day.”

Yang Kuan was momentarily stunned; he had not expected his master to refuse to see Zhou An. After all, Zhou An represented the influential Zhou clan of Yixing, and had just presented the Yang residence with an extravagant gift worth tens of thousands of coins.

But Yang Kuan dared not question Yang Qi’s decision; he bowed in assent and promptly went to deliver the reply to Zhou An.

Lady Zheng’s slender brows arched like a crescent moon as she spoke softly, “Husband, what are you thinking? Zhou Chang is talented and handsome, and his family is the distinguished Zhou clan of Yixing. I think it would be best if…”

Yang Xueruo glanced helplessly at her mother. Zheng’s aversion to Kong Sheng was unshakable, and she truly had no way to change it. Instead, her father’s respectful attitude toward Kong Sheng gave her hope.

Yang Qi smiled calmly. “Wife, speaking of individuals alone, Zhou Chang’s character and learning are not as good as Kong Sheng’s. Besides, you should know what our daughter truly wants.”

Lady Zheng frowned. “Marriage is the parents’ decision, is it not? Daughter, don’t let yourself be swayed by that Kong boy. I always feel that child has ulterior motives and is not a good person.”

Yang Xueruo lowered her head, unwilling to argue with her mother, for it would be futile. Zheng looked down on Kong Sheng from the bottom of her heart; no matter how eloquently Xueruo spoke, it would be useless.

Yang Qi rose slowly, his expression tranquil, and did not continue the topic. Whether Zhou Chang or Kong Sheng would become his son-in-law—he had not yet made a final decision, still weighing his options.

Only two things were certain: first, the talented and outstanding Kong Sheng must be taken under his wing, to become the vanguard in accomplishing great deeds; second, the financial resources of the Zhou clan of Yixing must be made use of.

At the gate of the Yang residence, Zhou An received the polite refusal. Though furious inside, he dared not show it outwardly. He bowed and said, “Thank you, Chief Steward. Since the master is busy, I’ll return another day.”

Zhou An climbed into his carriage, his face dark as water. The charming servant girl knelt at his feet, trembling, not daring to breathe.

“Go, back to the inn!” Zhou An waved his hand, and the driver hurried to set off. But before they left the street where the Yang residence stood, Zhou An changed his mind, his voice low, “Change direction, go to Rose Pavilion!”

The driver was startled, surprised. His master had always prided himself on his integrity and never visited such places of pleasure. Though consorting with courtesans was a fashionable pastime, Zhou An truly had no taste for it.

Within the Yang residence, Yang Xueruo returned to her private courtyard, wandering among the bamboo groves. After a long contemplation, she suddenly remembered she had yet to reply to Kong Sheng’s confession letter. She considered sending Hongmian, but decided she would go herself instead.

For her future happiness, the girl possessed a persistence and resolve uncommon in others. Even if she would be forced to marry Zhou Chang someday, at least for now, she would fight for this sliver of hope.

“Hongmian, prepare the carriage. I want to see Kong Sheng!”

Hongmian was startled, hesitating, “Miss, a private meeting is improper. If Master and Lady find out, they’ll surely be angry.”

Yang Xueruo’s lips curled slightly. “Even if there is no marriage contract, the Yang and Kong families have always been close. Is it wrong for me to see him? Don’t argue—go prepare the carriage!”

Hongmian pouted but obeyed, arranging for the servants to ready the carriage. The two departed through the back gate, heading straight for the Shunsheng Inn.

Upon arrival, Yang Xueruo remained in the carriage, signaling Hongmian to inform Kong Sheng of her visit—essentially to give him notice that the Lady of the Yang family wished to see him, so he should be prepared.

But Hongmian returned within minutes, her voice lowered in annoyance, “Miss, that Kong boy is truly vile. So much for turning over a new leaf—he hasn’t changed at all! The inn staff said he just left for Rose Pavilion, apparently invited by the songstress Liu Xinru for a banquet.”

It was rare for a songstress to invite someone personally.

Yang Xueruo’s brows furrowed. “Hongmian, are you certain?”

“Miss, that good-for-nothing used to be obsessed with that Liu woman at Rose Pavilion! He went there every day just to see her. The whole city knows what a lecher he is!” In her anger, Hongmian’s words grew harsh, calling Kong Sheng a “good-for-nothing” once again.

“Miss, he’s hopeless! Kong Sheng is a shameless scoundrel—we should stay far away from him!” Hongmian, indignant, could not help but curse, even as a young lady’s maid.

In Hongmian’s eyes, her noble and beautiful mistress favored him, yet he ran off to seek a courtesan—utterly unworthy, filthy to the core!

Yang Xueruo didn’t notice Hongmian’s crude words. Instead, she frowned, pondering, “Does he really like the songstress at Rose Pavilion? He always avoids me—could it be because of Liu Xinru? If so… I…”

Yang Xueruo was torn with uncertainty. She recalled the two lines of poetry Kong Sheng had sent days ago: “Having seen the vast seas, water elsewhere holds no allure; save for Mount Wu, all clouds are mundane.” Her expression dimmed.

To call Kong Sheng a simple “lecher”—she no longer believed it. But if he had fallen for a songstress, it would explain his behavior.

Previously, Liu Xinru had spurned Kong Sheng’s advances, indifferent and dismissive. But now, things had changed; Kong Sheng had become the most celebrated scholar in Jiangnan. Beauty loves talent—an age-old tale. Otherwise, Liu Xinru would not have invited Kong Sheng to Rose Pavilion.

At this thought, Yang Xueruo’s face changed.

She bit her lip and whispered, “Hongmian, find a quiet place for me to wait. Go to Rose Pavilion, tell Kong Sheng I wish to see him, ask him to come at once!”

Hongmian was unwilling, but dared not defy her mistress. She instructed the driver to find a nearby tavern, rented a secluded private room for Yang Xueruo to wait, then hurried off to the smoky quarters of Rose Pavilion.

Were it not for her mistress’s order, Hongmian would never have set foot in that infamous den of vice, where men roamed with lustful eyes. She may have been a servant in a wealthy household, and in these times consorting with courtesans was seen as a scholar’s elegance, but she despised and looked down on such behavior.

On the way, Hongmian prepared herself mentally and even rehearsed what she would say. She was determined to confront Kong Sheng directly: How could he not appreciate the favor of the Lady of Yang residence, and instead entangle himself with a courtesan? Was he mad?