Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Past Meets Present

Five Years Later...

Li Yingshan was seated in the center ring. The pipa was resting on her left thigh as she curled her left hand around its neck. Her right hand rested against the strings, preparing to play.

“Did you hear? Young Lady Li is the best courtesan here at Dream House! To be able to hear her play tonight is a specialty!” one patron proclaimed.

A man dressed in a twilight blue and black Shuhemen’s Hanfu pattern from the Song dynasty with black vambraces watched the ethereal figure behind the curtain. His dark brown eyes never left her.

Music began to ring out from behind the curtain.

“It’s starting!”

Xia Qiuyue approached the man, who appeared to be in his late twenties. She noticed his silver guan and silver hairpin holding up the top layer of his thick black hair. He must have money. That guan and hairpin look expensive. 

A seductive smile spread across her lips. She sat down on the sofa beside him. Her rose perfume wafted over him, but he didn’t even bother to look at him.

“Sir, may I please you tonight?”

The pipa resonated throughout the room. So many patrons watched with lascivious gazes and were nearly drooling. The man finally turned his head to glance at her.

“Don’t pay me any mind. I’m just here for the music. You can go accompany someone else.”

Xia Qiuyue was shocked. Though she was nearing her thirties, she had never been turned down before! At a loss for words, she stood and hmphed before turning away. The man returned his gaze to the curtain.

Li Yingshan swayed with the music as her fingers danced over the strings. Her song was captivating and held the whole audience is awe. When the last note finally drew to a close, one man in particular stood and clapped.

"Well done as always!"

She bowed her head in acknowledgement before turning her wheelchair around. Qiu Ling came forward and steered her back to a side room. This was the usual procedure.

In the side room, Qiu Ling helped Li Yingshan onto the bed and straightened out her clothes before pouring some hot tea. She complained as she muttered, "My Lady, that Minister Ning is always here. Can't he go to one of the others?"

Li Yingshan chided her. "Minister Ning is a friend and ally of Seventh Prince. Be nice to him, Qiu Ling. He's also the one who pays the most, so Madam Meng lets him choose at will."

"But he always chooses you!"

"The patrons believe I'm the best courtesan here at Dream House, possibly in all of Luoyang. There's nothing I can do to help that."

"Why haven't we left? The headquarters for Moonlight Pagoda has already been built. Why don't we just move in there?"

Li Yingshan shook her head. "You don't understand. The country is in a political upheaval right now. The princes are fighting for the throne like vultures over prey. Ministers and officials are taking sides. To help the Seventh Prince, I must stay here. I cannot retreat to the countryside and live at the headquarters."

Qiu Ling sighed just as someone announced, "Minister Ning is here to see Young Lady Li."

The middle-aged man entered. He was dressed well, but his physique left much to be desired. His Buddha belly stuck out, and his beard was wild. As his gaze fell on Li Yingshan, lust filled his pupils. A grin spread across his lips.

"Young Lady Li, long time no see."

She smiled back politely. "Minister Ning, welcome back. You were gone for a few weeks."

Qiu Ling silently bowed and exited the room.

"Ahh, Seventh Prince gave me a job to do. Unfortunately, I had to leave you and the capital for a while."

"That is unfortunate. Tell me, Minister Ning, what would you like me to play for you?"

She reached over for her pipa, but he drew closer, blocking her path. Her eyes flashed up at him. "Or do you have something else in mind?"

He chuckled, "I've been without my fairya term used to describe a woman of otherworldly beauty for too long, too long! Aiya, come here."

Drawing her into his arms, he pressed his face into her neck. Without him seeing, her face cringed. He laid her back and began the arduous process of removing her Banbi Tanlinga Hanfu pattern from the Tang dynasty.

∇

Li Yingshan gazed up at the canopy silk hanging over the top of the bed. Minister Ning had just left a few minutes before, and she was still in a daze.

"My Lady," Qiu Ling called out as she entered.

Sadness flickered in her eyes as she saw her Lady's state. Li Yingshan slowly sat up with a dull expression.

"What happened, my Lady?"

"Minister Ning told me that the Seventh Prince's plan has been set in motion. In the coming weeks, we must be careful or else His Highness's enemies will come after us."

"Can't we just stop now before it's too late?"

Li Yingshan shook her head sadly. "I'm already in too deep. I've given Seventh Prince too much information. I've helped him do too many deeds. I'm drowning in this political struggle when I shouldn't be. Perhaps I've damned myself this time, Qiu Ling."

"My Lady, don't say that!" Qiu Ling cried. "You've already survived so much. Surely we can pull through on this as well."

A sad smile tugged at the corners of Li Yingshan's lips. "I hope you're right. Soon, China will have a Crown Prince. And if everything goes according to the plan, it will be the Seventh Prince."

Qiu Ling bowed her head. In the middle of this moment of silence, a knock sounded at the door. Li Yingshan's eyebrows furrowed.

"Who is it?" she called out.

"Young Lady Li, has Minister Ning left already?" Madam Meng asked.

"Yes, why?"

"I apologize, but another man has asked for you for the night."

Qiu Ling choked. Li Yingshan was dumbfounded.

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I've only ever served men who have connections with the Seventh Prince. If Madam Meng doesn't know who this man is, why is she pushing it?

"Madam, you know my conditions. I will not entertain every man."

"I'm aware, Young lady Li. Again, I apologize, but he's insisted."

Qiu Ling was ready to barge out of the room. Li Yingshan caught her wrist and shook her head when Qiu Ling turned back to look at her.

"But-"

"No buts, Qiu Ling. I am still a lady of Dream House. If a man's paid, I cannot complain."

"What if he-"

"I know what you're worried about, but I can take care of myself. Go on."

Unable to argue further, Qiu Ling nodded and walked towards the door. She exited and looked at Madam Meng and the man next to her.

"Please forgive my Lady if she's just offended you at all."

The man waved it off. His baritone voice hummed as he replied, "It's no matter. I understand that Dream House's best is exclusive."

Qiu Ling bit her lip before departing once more. Madam Meng extended her arm.

"Whenever you're ready, Young Lady Li will see you."

He nodded and entered the room. Turning, he slid the doors shut. As he spun around again, his gaze took in the sight of the room. Red silk hung from the ceiling and walls. There was a square table with pillows around it. A partition on the other side of the table blocked his view to the bed where Li Yingshan was waiting.

Taking a deep breath, he walked forward. Coming around the partition, his eyes met hers. He noticed her yellow and white Banbi Tanling and her slightly messy hair. She noticed his twilight blue and black Shuhe, silver guan, and silver hairpin.

Li Yingshan spoke first. "I've never seen you in Dream House before. Are you new to the capital?"

"I'm just here for personal reasons."

"Oh."

"You don't even ask?" he wondered.

"I'm a courtesan, sir. It's my job to listen. If you're in Luoyang for personal reasons, then I won't pry."

He took a calculated step forward. She watched him approach. When he was right in front of her, he twisted and sat down on the bed beside her. Curiosity filled her gaze.

"Sir, Madam Meng said you asked for my whole night. Isn't that asking a lot?"

His eyes almost never left hers. But within his gaze was not lust or desire, but rather a determination. When Li Yingshan realized this, she swallowed nervously.

Could Qiu Ling have been right in her fears?

She scooted herself back a bit, expecting him to lean closer. On the contrary, he cleared his throat and finally tore his gaze away from her.

"I've scared you, I apologize."

Shock splashed all over her face. She couldn't figure this man out, and it was beginning to bother her.

"Who are you?" she suddenly asked. "Why did you want me for the night?"

He sighed before revealing, "I've already spoken to Madam Meng about this, but after today you will no longer be a courtesan here at Dream House."

What?!

"Just who do you think you are," Li Yingshan growled. "To think you can just buy me at will?"

"I'm not exactly buying you. I paid Madam Meng the bride pricemoney, property, or other form of wealth paid by a groom or his family to the woman or the family of the woman he will be married to or is just about to marry for you."

Her jaw dropped as her pupils grew to the size of small saucers. She gaped at him in disbelief.

"You what?!"

He repeated himself, "I paid the bride price."

Li Yingshan sputtered. "B- but I- I'm just a courtesan. Surely you can do better than a woman such as myself!"

"Are you sure?"

Her eyebrows scrunched. "What do you mean?"

"Are you sure you're just a courtesan?"

Alarms went off in her head. Does he know I'm the Goddess of Moonlight Pagoda?

Then, he added, "Third Young Lady Li?"

She choked before admitting, "I haven't been called that in a long time. I sensed your internal force back out in the main room and knew a martial artist was in the audience. I didn't expect it to be you. Did my father send you to fetch me back?"

"Your father doesn't know I'm here."

"Then why do you care to marry me? Surely you've heard the rumors in the Jianghu? I'm the Disgraced Third Lady of the Li family who lost her martial arts and became invalided. Didn't you see the wheelchair as you came in? I'm not a worthy wife for you, since you must be a Hero or an Elite by now. The strength of your internal force is proof of that."

"If you're not a worthy wife, then why did your parents betroth us when we were children?" 

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