Purple Gold Tower had fame – great fame, extreme fame. So famous that rumor had it when His Majesty came to the Prince of Beiliang’s palace to escape summer heat, he’d made a private incognito visit to Purple Gold Tower, seeking only to glimpse that year’s undisputed chief courtesan of the four cold land provinces, Li Yuanyuan’s beauty that could topple cities.

Of course this was just unverifiable hearsay. After Li Yuanyuan vanished without trace, the four provinces never again produced an undisputed courtesan. Rather, it was like a hundred flowers blooming, with beauties from various brothels exhausting their cunning to compete in fragrance and beauty, until there appeared one who’d fallen into the wind and dust after her family’s decline – Yu Youwei.

No matter how much a woman debased herself, she presumably wouldn’t use her real name, so Yu Youwei’s original name was unknown. She probably truly surnamed Yu and took the homophone.

Purple Gold Tower’s greatest patron, the Crown Prince, had privately asked this most taboo question of the pleasure quarters. Yu Youwei smiled without answering, but didn’t disappoint Xu Fengnian too much, performing a never-before-seen brilliant sword dance that left Xu Fengnian dumbstruck – first amazed, then chilled to the bone. If not for a deaf and mute old monster raised by the Prince of Beiliang’s palace standing outside, Xu Fengnian, who feared death and moreover feared pain, would have fled in panic long ago.

After that, visits to Purple Gold Tower became fewer and fewer, doubts in his heart growing thicker and thicker.

Three young masters rode three fine horses, galloping wildly on Lingzhou city’s main thoroughfare, followed by a large group of guards.

Li Hanlin laughed wildly, releasing his pent-up frustration. These three years without Brother Feng, life just hadn’t been enjoyable.

Yan Chiji, dragged into the water countless times, had long accepted his fate, doing his utmost to avoid pedestrians.

The number one young master of the four cold land provinces, Xu Fengnian, led from the center. He’d removed his purple-gold [stolen content]crown, simply binding his hair with a jade hairpin, abandoning cumbersome accessories like sword, fan, and jade rings, appearing even more romantically distinguished and extraordinarily handsome.

Heading straight for that land of flowing gold and silver tenderness.

Purple Gold Tower’s madam had also been a courtesan with resounding beauty back in the day. These years as Purple Gold Tower rose with the tide, unless receiving distinguished guests, she couldn’t be bothered to show her face. Yet today she hurriedly dressed splendidly and personally went out to welcome three great young masters who could absolutely walk sideways through the cold lands.

The three dismounted together, handing reins to the head procurer who’d been waiting and didn’t mind lowering himself to do servant work. Without Xu Fengnian needing to say anything, the familiar Li Hanlin pulled out a five-hundred-tael banknote and stuffed it into the collar of the madam whose mature charm still surpassed singing girl courtesans, laughing strangely:

“Auntie Han, this young master hasn’t yet tasted a woman of your age. How about breaking precedent today? Auntie Han, do you have bedroom skills worth ten thousand taels taken from here? This young master heard that back in the day, your jade person flute-playing was unmatched.”

The madam extended one finger to gently poke the wickedly-faced Li Hanlin, laughing charmingly:

“Oh my, Young Master Li is so refined this time. As long as you don’t mind old cow eating tender grass, Auntie Han will use all eighteen martial arts. Not just jade person flute-playing – I’m quite skilled at Guanyin sitting reverse lotus too.”

Though bantering wantonly with Li Hanlin, the madam’s eyes kept rolling around Xu Fengnian.

Li Hanlin put his arm around Auntie Han’s still slender and elastic willow waist, entering Purple Gold Tower together with Brother Feng and Scholar Yan, chuckling wickedly:

“Auntie Han, you know my taste. This time I snuck out and didn’t have time to bring my servant boy. Do you have any well-trained, compliant young male companions? As for you, I suggest you seduce Young Master Yan. He’s still a virgin. If you can exhaust him until his back aches, legs cramp, [noodles]and he can’t get out of bed, not only will I give you all the silver on me, I’ll even run up a tab of five thousand taels. How’s that deal? Of course don’t forget to give Young Master Yan a little sixty-six tael red packet afterward.”

The madam, not young yet not faded, said coquettishly, “That won’t do. The Governor wouldn’t tear down my Purple Gold Tower?

As for young male companions, I happen to have several lovely ones about to debut, more tender than girls. That skin – guaranteed to feel just like Shu brocade and Su satin, ensuring one hundred percent satisfaction.”

Li Hanlin chuckled, “Then the usual arrangement – Crown Prince goes to Courtesan Yu’s place, I’ll find my own amusement. Auntie Han, find Young Master Yan two refined courtesans who know board games and dance.”

She pretended to be resentful, “Young Master Li doesn’t want to taste Auntie Han’s beauty’s tongue rolling spear?”

Li Hanlin slapped her plump rear, “Next time, next time. After resting and recuperating, I’ll battle Auntie Han for eight hundred rounds and properly experience your eighteen martial arts.”

Xu Fengnian found this unremarkable. He went straight to the back courtyard, finding a walled courtyard planted uniformly with banana trees, pushing the door open.

Unlike the madam Auntie Han who mobilized troops, the woman sitting in the courtyard staring blankly at a withered banana tree wore no makeup. She only wore blue clothing, today no exception. Clearly hearing the sound of Xu Fengnian’s soft laughter, she still didn’t move. Unlike those courtesans who emphasized ostentation, she had no personal attendant maids, even tidying rooms and sweeping courtyards herself. Standing alone and independent – looking across the powdered gates and pleasure quarters, she truly stood out like a crane among chickens.

On the stone table crouched a white cat, neither bloated nor gaunt. Like its master’s enchanting figure – increasing or decreasing even a fraction would be wrong. The spiritual white cat had a pair of brilliant ruby-like eyes. When it stared at people, it made them feel absurd and eerie.

Most clever was this snow-furred pet’s nickname: Wu Meiniang.

Xu Fengnian sat beside her, saying softly, “Just returned to Lingzhou, slept my fill in one breath, then immediately came out to see you.”

Courtesan Yu extended her delicate hand to stroke Wu Meiniang’s head. The young lady said softly as if sulking:

“Youwei is merely a wind and dust woman, how dare I hope for more. The first time, I merely boldly joked about asking that Crown Prince for a concubine’s status, and he made successive blunders in our board game, letting me slaughter a great dragon. The second time, merely dancing with a sword, that person didn’t dare stay in this courtyard much longer. Just don’t know what excuse this time will make him never come again.”

The hardest thing to bear is a beauty’s favor.

Xu Fengnian used an indignant tone to rage, “That fellow is truly not a thing – cowardly as a mouse, small-minded as an insect. Miss, you needn’t get angry over such a person. Next time you see him, just club him on the head!”

Yu Youwei’s lips curved slightly, but she deliberately kept a stern face, “Oh? Then may I ask what distinguished personage you are, sir? What’s your surname and given name?”

Xu Fengnian said shamelessly, “Inconveniently, surnamed Xu, given name Fengnian – same name as that bastard, but ten thousand eight thousand times better than him. Even if you said you wanted to be a concubine, without another word, immediately with gongs and drums, eight-carrier sedan chair, I’d carry you home.”

Yu Youwei finally turned to face Xu Fengnian directly, but this beauty with eyes like autumn waters showed no great joy or excitement in her eyes. She continued gazing at the banana tree, “Too late. Tomorrow I’m going to Chuzhou. That’s my homeland. Once I go, I won’t return.”

Xu Fengnian cried out in shock.

Yu Youwei withdrew her gaze, staring at Wu Meiniang whom she depended on for life, saying bitterly, “Regret it? But where in the world is there regret medicine for us to take?”

Xu Fengnian remained silent, brow deeply furrowed.

Yu Youwei lay on the stone table, murmuring, “Crown Prince, look – Wu Meiniang is watching the wall.”

Xu Fengnian followed the white cat’s line of sight, turned to glance at the not-high wall. No scenery. He rubbed his cheeks, “Passersby outside the wall hearing the beauty on the swing inside the wall laughing – that’s called helplessness. But I’ve already walked inside the wall, yet you secretly go out. Isn’t that even more helpless?”

Yu Youwei smiled sweetly, making an impish face, “Serves you right.”

Xu Fengnian was stunned. Since knowing her, he’d never seen her lively and playful. Previously she’d always been tranquil as water, ancient well without ripples, making Xu Fengnian mistakenly think Mount Tai could collapse before her eyes without her showing emotion. He’d never thought she’d truly become some wealthy family’s beautiful concubine.

She was most moving as a drifting duckweed. If she became a fat banana tree in some courtyard, perhaps she’d lose her vitality.

Xu Fengnian cursed himself inwardly for this damned affected refinement, learning all the bad habits from that big military ruffian old man. That old fellow specially placed a self-written Half-Life Military Record in Tide-Listening Pavilion alongside famous military strategists’ handed-down masterpieces – moaning without illness, utterly shameless.

She held Wu Meiniang in both hands, [stolen content]head bowed asking, “Fengnian, one last sword dance for you – do you dare watch?”

Xu Fengnian felt an inexplicable surge of heroic spirit, “Why wouldn’t I dare?”

Yu Youwei said softly, “There truly is no regret medicine in this world.”

Xu Fengnian laughed, “Worth dying for.”

After one cup of tea, Yu Youwei emerged, absolutely beautiful. Her sword dance took the ultimate extreme path – red silk wrapped around hands, blade tied to the end.

In an instant, the entire courtyard filled with sword light.

Last time dancing she’d invited a zither musician to play Riding Horses Out from Liangzhou. This time she personally sang a piece called Gazing at the City Wall. This poem had circulated from Shangyin Academy after Western Chu’s fall – not seeking rhyme, every word tragic and indignant, evaluated as first on the contemporary “lament poetry” list.

The words spoke of a woman of Western Chu whose sword dance moved all directions, of a fallen dynasty, of a beauty standing alone on city walls while one hundred eighty thousand surrendered, asking if any were truly men.

Just now Wu Meiniang had been watching the wall.

Back then, who was watching that beauty standing on the fallen nation’s city wall?

The song ended.

The long sword carried a chilling killing intent, flying rapidly out, stabbing straight at Xu Fengnian’s head.

She seemed to hear the dying person’s “final words”: Ten fingers peeling spring onions – if only you could not raise the sword, but only play board games with me, how good that would be.

In that instant, the death warrior Yu Youwei’s delicate hand trembled slightly, but the sword had already thrust out.

In this world, there is no regret medicine.

This Gazing at the City Wall was written by Yu Youwei’s father for her mother. Back then father and daughter were swept up in the refugee tide, looking back at the city wall where only one slender figure stood.

Father returned to Shangyin Academy and soon after died of depression. She, whose true name was Yu Xuanji, then traveled the long distance to Lingzhou, first learning the most authentic Fengzhou accent, then became a prostitute – lowest of the three religions and nine streams. Fortunately beautiful in appearance, from the start she was intentionally cultivated as a courtesan, not needing to do the flesh trade that made her nauseous to think about.

Then, naturally encountered the Crown Prince seeking flowers and willows. Most of the time just playing board games, this son of the butcher truly wasn’t like his father – knew no martial arts, lustful but not desperately so, even didn’t mind telling her much of his poetry was bought with money from scholars to save face.

Yu Xuanji had only learned superficial skills of the famous Lady Gongsun sword dance, but was confident it was enough to kill Xu Fengnian – provided the Prince of Beiliang’s palace hounds weren’t standing outside. noodles For a full five years, she’d never been able to wait for an opportunity.

Then Xu Fengnian disappeared for three years. In half a week would be her mother’s death anniversary. Yu Xuanji was preparing to ignore everything and guard the grave for life. But he returned. And without personal guards watching hungrily near the courtyard gate. Was there truly heavenly will in the unseen?

She’d asked him – did he dare watch the sword dance? He said, worth dying for.

Assassinating the Crown Prince, Great Pillar of State Xu Xiao’s most cherished son – she would certainly die. Under heaven, no one who did such a thing could survive. That was fine. On the Yellow Spring road there’d be company. When the time came, if he wanted to beat or scold her, she’d let him.

Yu Xuanji couldn’t bear to watch anymore.

A resounding clang.

The long sword, only an inch from Xu Fengnian’s forehead, broke in two. Yu Xuanji opened her eyes, confused and dazed. She didn’t know when a white-robed woman had appeared in the courtyard – even she had to praise her beauty.

The assassination failed?

Yu Xuanji didn’t know if she felt sorrow or relief. She still had another blade in hand, originally meant for slitting her own throat to escape humiliation. She raised her hand preparing to cut across her neck – death would be clean. Poor Wu Meiniang would become a stray cat. That man had also said when heavy snow covered the ground, standing in the palace’s Tide-Listening Pavilion, you could see the most beautiful scenery. How beautiful was the most beautiful?

Without Xu Fengnian speaking out, Yu Xuanji who was determined to be a death warrior found her cicada-wing blade pinched by the peach-blossom-like “woman” with one hand. With a twist it was seized, then casually thrown, diagonally cutting down a large patch of banana trees. This wasn’t enough – one knee struck Courtesan Yu’s abdomen, making this pitiable beauty bend like a shrimp.

Xu Fengnian wanted to mutter “why must beauty make things difficult for beauty,” but seeing White Fox Face’s ruthless methods, he wisely shut his mouth. Then seeing the dispirited Yu Youwei, though certain he wouldn’t die here, Xu Fengnian wanted to curse “stinking whore” and rush up to deliver seventeen or eighteen clean slaps.

But silently reciting “small impatience ruins great plans,” he exhaled a turbid breath. Outside the four cold land provinces, Xu Fengnian found dying easier than living. But within the cold lands, dying was much harder than living. You swarms of would-be assassins thick as crossing carps, did you truly take his old man who held both Great Pillar of State and Prince of Beiliang titles as an embroidered pillow?

Moreover, these three years Xu Fengnian had fully tasted common people’s hardships. His mind had matured considerably. Back then he’d only been puzzled by Courtesan Yu’s inexplicably murderous sword dance. He who daily mingled with his old man and Yuan Zuozong’s group of first-rate martial men and killing gods from the battlefield – true, the Crown Prince had no martial arts, but even if he’d never eaten pork, he’d surely seen pigs run.

Returning to Lingzhou, he’d simply resolved to use himself as bait, confirming what medicine Yu Youwei’s gourd was selling. If spring medicine, best of all – carry her home for fish-and-water joy. If selling poison, sorry about that – also carry her over, but as for the outcome… what else could a man who’d held back three years of wicked fire do to a beautiful darling he’d dreamed of pouncing on?

The only surprise was probably that White Fox Face acted, rather than the palace’s highest-level, most domineering, most awesome expert among experts he’d arranged with his old man beforehand. Of course, judging by the situation, though White Fox Face wasn’t that high, he was pretty high.

Xu Fengnian said thick-skinned, “White Fox Face, do you have methods to make her lose resistance? Like pressure points or something?”

White Fox Face nodded, “There’s something simpler.”

Directly delivered a hand-chop to Courtesan Yu’s pale neck, knocking her unconscious.

Xu Fengnian’s face stiffened. He ran over to check her breathing. After confirming she hadn’t expired fragrantly, he sneered [visit our site]triumphantly. Looking up, White Fox Face had already vanished without trace – truly master-level bearing. Xu Fengnian hoisted the delicate body onto his shoulder, just carrying her out of Purple Gold Tower like that.

That day, Lingzhou city began madly spreading the news: “The Crown Prince has forcibly taken Courtesan Yu!”