Chapter 11. The Music House

In less than the time it takes for a cup of tea to cool, Floating Cloud and Jasmine were standing gracefully before Old Li the Third. One was lush and radiant as jade, the other delicate as a blossom; after two months, these two flowers had grown ever more elegant and charming.

Especially the girl named Jasmine—slender and refined, her neck pure as jade, her features as if painted, suited for both joy and anger, like a celestial herb amidst a hundred flowers. What was most remarkable was that, in her subtle expressions, she bore a resemblance to Princess Mei. If the young master were to see her, it would most surely steal his very soul.

Floating Cloud was a different beauty—fine brows and small eyes, clever and endearing, her gaze alluring like ripples in a sapphire lake. Her lips were naturally tinted, her breath fragrant as orchids and musk, giving off an ethereal scent. For the young master, accustomed to voluptuous peonies, such a change might prove unexpectedly delightful.

In Jasmine’s furrowed brow, there was a trace of the princess’s grace; were the young master to behold it, it might well cost him his life.

Accompanying the two women was Mistress Hu, instructor of Spring Grace House—a woman of mature allure and poise. For reasons unknown, Old Li felt a stirring in his heart upon seeing her, an urge to experience what it would be like to press her onto the bed.

“I heard the Crimson-hearted Dyer was wiped out by the army,” Mistress Hu said, treating everyone as if they were lifelong friends. Without a word of greeting, she sat beside Old Li and leaned in to inquire.

A subtle fragrance wafted to his heart, intensifying Old Li’s desire.

“Indeed, thanks to the Emperor’s blessings above and the soldiers’ efforts below, the fearsome bandit of Shatuo has been executed. The northwest sees dawn, and the common folk will finally enjoy good days.” This was what Marshal Liu Zhen had told the imperial envoy; Old Li had simply copied it, omitting the beginning and end.

“Ah, that explains why my business suddenly improved these past days,” Mistress Hu replied, not reacting with the usual exclamations, but continuing as if in conversation with a friend.

Old Li’s heart grew ever more restless; this mature woman was truly enticing.

“They say among those who slew the bandit, there’s a General Li. That must be you, sir?”

“General, my foot! I’m just a Captain, and in the logistics battalion at that. I had no part in it.”

Though Crimson-hearted Dyer had been executed, his followers remained scattered throughout the northwest, and their numbers were not few. In places like brothels, where all sorts mingled, Old Li thought it wise to be cautious.

“Armies march on their stomachs; for such a decisive victory, the logistics have played no small part.”

“Haha, perhaps no merit, but plenty of toil.”

“Well, I won’t disturb you as you examine their progress. They truly have learned much these two months.” Mistress Hu rose as lightly as a butterfly, beckoned Jasmine and Floating Cloud, and departed like a gentle breeze. Watching her willow-like figure, Old Li’s heart fluttered again, and a bold thought flashed through his mind.

Jasmine and Floating Cloud stepped forward to pay their respects—one with reverence, the other with playful abandon. After the ceremony, Jasmine presented a pale pink score decorated with water motifs, speaking softly, “Please, Master Li, examine us.”

Standing barely a foot apart, Jasmine’s warm breath drifted to his nose. The girl seemed to be deliberately teasing him, arching her waist like a river shrimp, her hips perked, and the soft whiteness of her chest nearly pressed against Old Li’s face, leaving his heart in turmoil and his body responding with great intensity.

Yet he had to sit upright, pretending to be virtuous.

He hated that he could do nothing as his desires rose.

He hated that Jasmine watched his reaction with a sly glance, giggling foolishly.

For the first time in his life, Old Li blushed bright red before his own women.

By rights, this girl now belonged to him—he could do as he pleased, and neither she nor anyone else would object. Yet... he restrained himself.

The young master was known for his scruples; if he learned that the songmaid he was offered had been intimate with Old Li, he’d fly into a rage.

Men are strange creatures—when a woman isn’t theirs, anything goes; once she is, none may touch her.

“What have you learned from Music Master Li these days?”

Old Li asked in a hearty voice, sitting upright, the picture of stoic resolve. He knew that establishing a good impression before Floating Cloud and Jasmine was as good as doing so before the young master. Should the girls be favored, the master would surely inquire about Old Li’s conduct.

“Master, in these two months, I’ve learned twenty-three songs and two new dances,” Floating Cloud replied, holding her lute. She glanced at Jasmine and added, “Jasmine learned twenty-eight songs. Together, we know fifty songs.”

Old Li stroked his now bare chin, frowning, “I don’t understand. When I bought you two months ago, you each knew over a dozen songs. Now, one learned twenty-three, the other twenty-eight. That should total—let me see—at least seventy or eighty songs. How is it fifty?”

He barked, “Don’t try to fool me!”

Floating Cloud and Jasmine exchanged a smile, and Jasmine answered, “Did you never study arithmetic as a child, Master? You can’t just add them like that. Of the fifty songs, some she knows, some I know; those she knows, I don’t; those I know, she doesn’t. Some neither of us knew before, but now we do—so together, it’s fifty.”

Old Li covered his face, “You mischievous girl, begging for trouble! If I weren’t in a good mood, I’d have you beaten.”

Jasmine giggled, knowing Old Li wouldn’t punish her, so she dared to be bold.

Old Li kept urging them to learn songs, yet never listened seriously himself. It was clear he bought them for someone else, someone of high status, so he always acted the upright gentleman before them.

Understanding this, the playful Jasmine often teased him. Floating Cloud, steady and mature, advised her not to go too far, reminding her that their very lives were in his hands.

Jasmine always claimed she understood, but whenever she saw Old Li, she couldn’t help but provoke him until he blushed. This time, seeing his face red and swollen like a pig’s head, she only became more emboldened.

“All fifty songs are listed here. Please, Master Li, select one to hear.” Floating Cloud changed the subject in time, saving Old Li further embarrassment, and he gave her a grateful look.

On the score, the song titles were written in tidy script:

“Legend”
“Phoenix Legend”
“Toasting Song”
“Little Fang”
…
Fifty songs in all.

Old Li cleared his throat and began to select, one after another. Sometimes Floating Cloud sang, sometimes Jasmine, sometimes both together. Old Li listened, entranced, swaying his head.

After the fifteenth song, Jasmine coyly said, “My throat is dry as dust. Will Master Li grant me a bowl of water?”

Old Li shivered, cold sweat on his back, and quickly waved his hand, “Rest, rest.” He stood, stretching as if to loosen his limbs, and wandered toward the door.

His stated purpose for visiting Spring Grace House was to examine Jasmine and Floating Cloud’s progress, but in truth, he had another goal: to abduct Li Xu.

He realized that buying Li Xu from Mistress Hu was hopeless; his only option was to take him by force. Stealing a musician from a brothel was not difficult—the trick was to do it without anyone knowing.

To achieve secrecy, he needed to plan carefully.

Liu Jia, the eldest son of the Duke of Qi, was famous in Chang’an for his romantic escapades—Old Li had assisted him many times. How to slip in and out of noble mansions undetected, to enjoy a night with a favored lady without leaving a trace—Liu was a master of the art.

By association, Old Li had become expert as well.

Spring Grace House had three main courtyards, small wings on each side, and a garden in back. The garden was lush, with a pool at its center nearly an acre wide.

This scale was impressive for Linzhou or even the northwest, though nothing compared to the palaces of Chang’an.

Old Li circled the courtyard once and felt entirely confident. The abduction would be easy, and he hummed a tune—such is the loneliness of a master.

As he turned to head back, he suddenly met Floating Cloud’s cold gaze. For some reason, Old Li, so full of confidence, shivered; he realized the girl had seen through his intentions.

A night of fire nearly consumed half of Linzhou. At dawn, the city was shrouded in thick black smoke.

The fire began in Flowery Lane; the brothels and music houses near the mule and horse market were reduced to ashes in a single night. As the flames rose, soldiers and citizens rushed to help, and the army camps outside sent over a thousand troops to fight the blaze.

After a night’s battle, the fire was extinguished. Six charred bodies were dug out of the ruins, faces unrecognizable, and six more were trampled to death in the chaos.

Of the twelve dead, two were somewhat known—both from Spring Grace House: Mistress Hu, the instructor, and Li Xu, the recently famed chief musician.

The identities of the others could not be confirmed; many prostitutes and servants in the brothels and music houses were never registered. After the fire, proprietors denied any connection to the dead, wishing to avoid trouble.

Given that thousands of merchants frequented the market that night, it was impossible to know who lived or died—the accounts were hopelessly muddled.

Who died and how many, for the local officials, was not important; unless someone pressed for justice, all would be well.

After sleepless nights of investigation, the cause was quickly found: a merchant from the Khitan, selling horses, felt cold and lit a fire in the square at midnight. The flames frightened the horses, who broke free, trampling people and causing panic. Someone knocked over a lantern, and the blaze spread.

A few days later, the local authorities announced a shocking discovery: the merchant was not Khitan but a Shatuo in disguise. He had started the fire deliberately, to avenge the Crimson-hearted Dyer!

With the help of local troops, officials traced the culprit, destroyed the hidden Shatuo bandit lair in the desert, and killed thirteen outlaws.

Thus, the Linzhou fire case was perfectly resolved. The local government had allocated funds and grain to aid victims, and the garrison provided tents; relief work was proceeding smoothly.

The officials petitioned the court for disaster relief funds to help rebuild homes.

In just ten days, the Yellow-robed Angel arrived with the imperial funds. The city’s people lined the streets in welcome, their cries of “Long live!” echoing to the skies.

Liu Motong breathed a long sigh of relief.

He dismissed the official who brought the news, and strode into his private tent. Shi Xiong, Old Li, and Cui Yudong were all present. Liu Motong punched Old Li in the chest and scolded, “Look at the mess you lot made.”

Old Li’s eyelids twitched, and he asked nervously, “What did the court say?”

Liu Motong rolled his eyes wearily, “What else? Cleaning up after you, of course.”

Shi Xiong patted his chest, “My goodness, in all my years, this was the most nerve-racking.”

Old Li grinned, “I said it’d be fine.”

He was met with another round of eye rolls.

Liu Motong asked Shi Xiong, “How is Brother Yang Zan?”

“He’s out of danger, can walk around these days, even practiced with sword and spear this morning.” Shi Xiong grinned and winked, “Brother, let me remind you: from now on, you can’t say ‘Brother Yang Zan’—just ‘Fourth Brother.’ He’s your sworn brother now; calling him Fourth Brother is more fitting.”

The group smiled at each other.

Liu Motong smiled awkwardly, waved his hand, “Come, let’s go see Fourth Brother.”

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