97 The Sleepless Nigh (2/2)
A student from Gushan commandery shook his head and declared, ”It isn't easy to witness the best song-and-dance troupe in the world. This journey to study in Chang'an is indeed worth it!”
A student from the Capital of Great River Kingdom said seriously, ”Not bad at all, I must see the favorite dance group of the Tang Emperor.”
A former captain from the Hangu said, ”of course, everyone must write some good phrases to commemorate this event.”
All the students nodded in agreement. They all looked like artistic young men and women, but everyone knows that these students were not really interested in the songs and dance, but the famed scarlet women. They were not thinking about writing poetry, but wanted to tangle in the sheets of the brothel. While they cannot let themselves go, what with Situ Yilan and other ladies from prominent households tagging along, hanging around the seducing scent of perfume and powder was nothing to scoff at.
Ning Que clutched at Chu Youxian and exclaimed, ”Can women… enter brothels?”
”There is nowhere that these women cannot visit in Chang'an. The House of Red-Sleeves is a dance troupe accredited by the palace. Nobody can say anything if they want to watch the songs and dance. ” Che Youxian explained.
A hand darted out through the hollows of the shelf. A slender student clambered out slowly. It was the acclaimed genius, Wang Ying. He looked at the crowd and asked timidly, ”Can I go with you?”
Everyone looked at the young boy of 14 before looking at each other. Situ Yilan chewed on her lips and her eyes darted around before saying, ”Wang Ying, you can't go. You're from classroom four.”
…
…
The great Tang has always wavered between simplicity and strength and liberality and romance. To be more accurate, the people lived on the lines between the two. Those who have grown up in Chang'an talked about their country affairs with simple strength and were liberal and romantic in talking about literature. There were never any conflicts between the two. The most serious official of the imperial court can visit a bar to play a song for a blind girl after court. The women talking in the alleys can wipe their tears away after talking about the war on the frontiers.
That was why the brothels in Chang'an was different compared to any other brothel out there. It was not promiscuous, for there are times where people could indulge in politics, war, dance, and music all at the same time. Other than officials who thumb their noses and live their life criticising others, it was a perfectly appropriate place to hang out for any government official or rich businessman.
Speaking of brothels, one must, of course, talk about the House of Red-Sleeves. The bamboo courtyard had never had a signboard, but everyone from Chang'an and the Tang empire knew that the place was a signboard by itself. It would always be known for the secret love affair between the previous emperor and his wife. Its glorious past shining through the silent facade of the building. The House of Red-Sleeves was as resplendent as always. Tonight, it was romantic, the songs and dance were fanciful. Tonight, no one will sleep, seduced by the atmosphere of the place. Tonight… the place became a slightly messy.
When the twenty over students of both genders from the academy filtered into the brothel, some shyly, some with pride, the expressions of the patrons made up of rich businessmen and court officials froze slightly. They left hurriedly after recognizing some of the female students who had cross-dressed.
It was not uncommon for girls to cross-dress in the liberal city of Chang'an. Neither was it uncommon for father and son to patronize the same women. But to have the two generations gathered in the same place was awkward. However, what was interesting was, even in the awkwardness, the elder generation will always make way for the younger generation. Like right now.
Situ Yilan gathered everyone around a seat. She watched the figure hurrying out of the door who closely resembled her fourth uncle and had to bite her lips to stop the laughter from welling out. She gathered her skirts and sat down, calling for the manager. ”I know we cannot reserve the place, but it should be alright if we all sat in the front hall to watch the songs and dance, right?”
The manager had long recognized her for who she was and dared not offend her. He smiled bitterly, ”Miss Situ… or would you like me to call you young master? It will be done as you say.”
”You're an interesting fellow.” Situ Yilan's eyes rolled over him and tossed him a gold leaf, all the while saying, ”Bring the wine, fruits and food. A wealthy man will foot the bill today. Also, get Miss Lu Xue to come accompany me. You said she'd entered the palace when I visited last year. She can't be here today as well, no?”
The manager could not hide the look of inconvenience on his face and smiled with great difficulty, ”She is not in the palace today, but His Majesty had planned a great feast to celebrate the princess's return. The ladies are tired from the practice. Miss Lu Xue is the lead dancer and have been given a one month break. It's really up to her if she wants to come down or not.”
Dewdrop was one of the best ladies of The House of Red-Sleeves. But Lu Xue's status was very much different. She was the lead dancer in the song-and-dance troupe and it was rumoured that the Empress had once praised her. Nobody can make her drink with the patrons downstairs if she didn't want to.
Situ Yilan was but just a young girl. She was simply curious about drinking and making merry in brothels and did not want the company of girls who were indiscriminate about the company some of the girls kept. Lu Xue was different, so she was slightly upset upon hearing that she was on a break.
Ning Que lowered his head and entered The House of Red-Sleeves with everyone else. He and Che Youxian maneuvered themselves into the most obscure spot and eavesdropped on Situ Yilan and the manager while ruminating over who was going to settle the bill that night. He looked at Che Youxian compassionately after a while and said, ”She said a wealthy man will foot the bill today. It seems like you're going to have to pay today. It's your job as the wealthiest man and landlord of Chang'an.”
Che Youxian flicked his fan open and said sarcastically, ” It's obvious, the wealthy man paying tonight bears the surname Ning.”
He stood up after saying that and yelled at the manager jokingly, ”Huashao, don't look down on us, look at who's sitting beside me. Why don't you hurry up and get Lu Xue and Dewdrop here.”
…