Chapter Seventy-One: Lady Wen by the Lakeside

At that moment, Chu Youcai snapped back to his senses and noticed Ju Xue's unhappy expression. Somewhat puzzled, he asked, “Ju Xue, what’s the matter?”

“It’s nothing,” Ju Xue replied, a little downcast, turning her gaze aside.

Following her line of sight, Chu Youcai noticed she was looking at the silver hairpin in a young girl’s hair.

Thinking Ju Xue was envious of the hairpin, Chu Youcai smiled gently and said, “Ju Xue, come with me.” He then walked over to a nearby elegant shop and said to the proprietor, “Shopkeeper, I’d like a phoenix-shaped jade hairpin.”

Ju Xue was startled and waved her hands frantically. “Young master, I don’t need—”

But at that moment, as Chu Youcai reached into his robe, he suddenly realized he didn’t have a single coin on him.

He shrugged helplessly at Ju Xue, about to explain the situation, when the shopkeeper suddenly looked at him in surprise. “Could it be Young Master Chu the Third?”

“That’s me,” Chu Youcai replied, momentarily taken aback.

“Just a few days ago, you said those stirring words, ‘Though ten thousand stand in my way, I will go forth,’ and coupled with your ‘Standards for Being a Good Disciple and Child,’ your fame has spread throughout Yan Prefecture. Since you favor this phoenix hairpin, allow me to present it to you as a gift, hoping you will graciously accept it,” the shopkeeper said sincerely.

Chu Youcai was surprised. “Shopkeeper, this is too generous…”

“It is Yan Prefecture’s great fortune to have a talent such as yourself. We hope you’ll write more classic works and bring glory to our land,” the shopkeeper said, even more earnestly.

Seeing the shopkeeper’s unwavering insistence, Chu Youcai hesitated but finally accepted the silver hairpin, and gently placed it in Ju Xue’s hair.

Ju Xue never expected Chu Youcai to be treated with such deference. She was momentarily dazed as she followed him out of the shop, struggling to comprehend what had just happened. Before she could recover, people who had overheard their conversation began to gather, pressing fruits and jade trinkets into her hands.

At the same time, they addressed Chu Youcai, saying, “Young Master Chu the Third, please accept these small gifts. If not for the efforts of scholars like you, Yan Prefecture might have faced disaster.”

Moved by their sincere enthusiasm, Chu Youcai felt a deep warmth in his heart. Within him, the rising sun, which carried the essence of scholarly virtue, seemed to burn hotter than ever.

As for Ju Xue, she was utterly overwhelmed. Never before had she experienced such treatment. For a moment, as she gazed at Chu Youcai’s back, a surge of indescribable admiration and joy welled up inside her.

So it was that, in a short time, more than a dozen shops had given Chu Youcai gifts. Though none were precious, the heartfelt goodwill behind them warmed him deeply.

Just then, someone pushed through the crowd and hurried up to Chu Youcai—a maidservant, carrying an invitation in her hands. She approached respectfully and said, “Young Master Chu the Third, my mistress wishes to speak with you.”

Chu Youcai paused. “And your mistress is…?”

The maid glanced around and, seeing everyone straining to overhear, whispered, “Please just come with me, young master.”

With that, she led Chu Youcai toward the lakeshore. Ju Xue, her curiosity piqued, followed close behind.

As they reached the lakeside, the maid led Chu Youcai toward a pleasure barge—none other than the Jiaping Pavilion he had seen earlier.

“Your mistress?” Chu Youcai asked, his heart stirred by curiosity.

“Please, just come with me. My lady is dressing; it will only be a moment,” the maid replied respectfully, leading Chu Youcai to the second floor of the barge.

The Jiaping Pavilion was bustling with activity. On the upper level, many young gentlemen sat at tables, attended by women, laughing, flirting, drinking wine, and enjoying themselves in leisurely comfort.

The maid seated Chu Youcai and asked quietly, “Would you like something to eat, young master?”

Chu Youcai frowned slightly. Since entering the Jiaping Pavilion, he noticed the willow branch he carried showed no reaction whatsoever.

He felt a wave of disappointment. The pavilion was grand—the finest pleasure barge in Yan Prefecture, its hull spanning thirty feet. But the willow branch could sense evil from a hundred feet away. How could such a place possibly conceal the locust demon?

It seemed he would leave empty-handed today.

He waved his hand, preparing to depart. “I suddenly remembered an urgent matter. Please excuse me.”

At that moment, a nearby gentleman gave a soft laugh, thinking to himself, Is this man’s first visit? Has he lost his nerve upon entering?

The maid, alarmed to see Chu Youcai about to leave, hurried after him. “Please wait, young master! My mistress, Lady Wen Ji, instructed me to tell you that you may enjoy any dishes here free of charge. Lady Wen Ji also said that if you wished to offer a gratuity, she would not dare to accept it. My mistress will be down shortly, as soon as she finishes dressing.”

Upon hearing this, everyone nearby was astonished. Who would have thought someone would come to a brothel and forget to bring money? The gentleman beside Chu Youcai burst out laughing. “Unbelievable! Such a rare event deserves a toast! Does this barge look like a charity house, where anyone can come and go without paying?” His face was full of mockery.

Ignoring those around her, the maid pressed forward and spoke anxiously to Chu Youcai, “Please, young master, wait! Lady Wen Ji insists you are to be our honored guest and that no charge will be taken, no matter what.”

At that moment, everyone around was stunned.

Wen Ji was the most celebrated courtesan here. Countless men had spent fortunes without ever earning her favor, yet she was bestowing such privilege upon this young man? No one had ever heard of Wen Ji treating anyone else this way.

Could they all have misheard?

Just then, the gentleman who had laughed earlier murmured, “Young Master Chu? Young Master Chu? Could it be…” His eyes lit up, and he stood, addressing Chu Youcai with great respect, “Are you the Third Son Chu, author of ‘Bamboo and Stone’ and ‘Standards for Being a Good Disciple and Child’?”

At these words, the entire room erupted. All eyes turned, many filled with awe.

Chu Youcai gave a gentle smile. “That is I. I happened upon those verses by chance, nothing more, and am far from matching the talents present here.”

Hearing him confirm his identity, the gentleman’s face flushed with shame. He bowed to Chu Youcai, smiling wryly and saying nothing further.

Most in the room stood and bowed in greeting, calling out, “We have admired you for so long, Young Master Chu. Your humility shames us all.”

Their gazes were filled with admiration. Some of the women even stood, studying Chu Youcai intently, their eyes full of ardor.

Ju Xue was utterly stunned. She had not realized Chu Youcai’s fame was so great.

Chu Youcai had no choice but to return their greetings, one by one.

At that moment, another maid hurried over to Chu Youcai and said, “Miss Wen has finished dressing. Please, young master, come to the Wenling Pavilion for a private audience.”

Upon hearing the words “Wenling Pavilion,” the others could not hide their envy. Everyone knew that was Wen Ji’s private chamber. As the premier courtesan, Wen Ji’s status was unparalleled. Even if others spent thousands in gold, without her invitation, none would be allowed inside.

Chu Youcai’s curiosity was piqued. Wen Ji was the foremost of Yan Prefecture’s famed beauties, celebrated for years, and known to favor men of poetic talent. Yet she was known for her dignity and reserve, and no one had ever heard of her treating another with such distinction.

From the start, she had spoken of important matters to discuss—what could they be?

With these thoughts, he followed the maid into the inner quarters of the pleasure barge. Ju Xue, meanwhile, stamped her foot in frustration but did not follow. Another maid brought a splendid array of fruits and vegetables and set them before her. Ju Xue, imagining they were Chu Youcai himself, bit into them with all her might.