At the back door of Zhao’s Inn, a young woman in a green gauze skirt stood gracefully, tall and slender, with a silk ribbon tied around her waist, accentuating her delicate figure.
Seeing Jin Feng emerge, she stepped forward, gave a slight curtsy, and said, “This humble girl, Lü Liu, greets Mr Jin.”
“Lü Liu?”
The name sounded familiar to Jin Feng. After a moment’s thought, he recalled, “Miss Lü Liu from the Music Office?”
“Indeed, it is I.”
Lü Liu covered her mouth with a soft laugh, “I’m truly honoured that you know of me.”
She didn’t know that Jin Feng not only knew her name but had used it a few days ago to bluff a pimp at Chunfeng House.
Of course, even as straightforward as he was, Jin Feng wouldn’t mention this. Instead, he asked with a hint of resignation, “Miss, is there something you need?”
“The Music Office received a batch of fine tea, and I’d like to invite you to share a cup. Would you do me the honour?”
Lü Liu batted her eyes flirtatiously, her intentions clear.
“Sorry, I have some business to attend to, so I won’t trouble you.”
On any other day, Jin Feng might have followed Lü Liu to experience the Music Office’s charm, but today he had important matters and could only decline.
“Then Lü Liu will await you anytime.”
A flash of disappointment crossed her eyes, but she didn’t press further. Seeing his refusal, she curtsied again and stepped aside.
Jin Feng nodded to her and left with Iron Hammer.
Lü Liu sighed helplessly as she watched his retreating figure, a trace of unwillingness in her eyes.
Having been the courtesan champion for three years, her audience had grown somewhat weary of her. This year’s competition was already uncertain, and Tang Xiaobei’s sudden rise made her wary.
Jin Feng’s poem, *Sheng Cha Zi*, had not only skyrocketed Tang Xiaobei’s worth but also garnered her immense popularity.
That’s why Lü Liu had been waiting at the back of Zhao’s Inn, hoping Jin Feng would write a poem for her too.
She was willing to pay any price and had hinted as much.
Yet Jin Feng had rejected her without hesitation.
As the Music Office’s champion, Lü Liu had bested countless rivals. After a brief moment of frustration, she began considering other solutions.
Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she beckoned behind her.
A carriage rolled up and stopped beside her.
Iron Hammer glanced back, seeing Lü Liu board the carriage, and said with a grin, “Sir, she came to ask you for a poem, didn’t she?”
“Probably.”
Jin Feng nodded.
“No wonder she’s from the Music Office, so refined. Especially that waist, thin enough to grasp with one hand. No wonder they call her Lü Liu,” Iron Hammer smacked his lips, “I don’t have your skill, sir, or I wouldn’t have refused such a lady.”
The Music Office was essentially a state-run brothel, its women often the wives or daughters of disgraced officials or confiscated wealthy households.
While not every woman was a stunning beauty, their overall quality far surpassed that of ordinary brothels.
Thus, the Music Office outshone other establishments, and the annual courtesan champion usually came from there, like Lü Liu, who had won Guangyuan County’s title for three years running.
“You’ve got the guts to repeat that to your wife?” Jin Feng teased with a glance.
“What’s wrong with telling her?” Iron Hammer puffed out his chest, “Isn’t it normal for a man to seek flowers outside? Would she dare control me?”
Jin Feng was about to tease him further when he heard hoofbeats behind them.
Turning, he saw a carriage slowly pull up beside them.
“Sir, are you heading to Chunfeng House?” Lü Liu leaned out the carriage window.
“Do I need to report my whereabouts to you, Miss Lü Liu?” Jin Feng’s tone carried a hint of displeasure.
“You misunderstand,” Lü Liu quickly explained, “Countless girls in the Pleasure Quarter are eager to meet you. If you go to the Pleasure Quarter like this, I fear you’ll be surrounded by girls from other houses before reaching Chunfeng House.”
“It’s not that exaggerated, is it?” Jin Feng was sceptical.
“Not at all,” Lü Liu said with a laugh, covering her mouth, “Your poem raised Miss Xiaobei’s worth several times overnight. You don’t know how popular you are in the Pleasure Quarter now, or I wouldn’t be waiting here.”
“I miscalculated,” Jin Feng scratched his head in frustration, “What now?”
“If you don’t mind, you can ride in my carriage,” Lü Liu offered, “The Music Office’s back door is only twenty-some zhang from Chunfeng House’s. You can go through there.”
“That’s not quite appropriate, is it?” Jin Feng instinctively wanted to refuse.
“My apologies, I forgot my lowly status. Sharing a carriage with you might indeed tarnish your reputation,” Lü Liu lowered her head, looking as if she might cry, and didn’t press further.
With her putting it like that, what could Jin Feng do?
Refusing further would truly seem like looking down on her.
“Then I’ll trouble you, miss.”
Jin Feng clasped his fists, lifted the curtain, and boarded the carriage.
Iron Hammer, carrying his long sword, followed behind.
“Let’s go,” Lü Liu called to the maid driving the carriage, inwardly relieved.
One Tang Xiaobei was enough; she couldn’t let Jin Feng write poems for other competitors.
That’s why she urged him to board.
Besides blocking other rivals from approaching, she also wanted to try again.
The carriage was small but cosy, filled with a faint fragrance similar to Lü Liu’s scent.
As expected of a courtesan, from the moment Jin Feng boarded, Lü Liu fixed her large eyes on him.
Jin Feng was certain that if he beckoned, she’d throw herself into his arms.
As a three-time courtesan champion, Lü Liu was not only stunning with her slender waist but also breathtakingly beautiful. Being stared at so closely by such a beauty, Jin Feng’s heart raced uncontrollably.
The carriage’s warmth didn’t help; soon, a fine sheen of sweat formed on his forehead.
“Sir, are you feeling hot?” Lü Liu smiled, pulling out a handkerchief. Before he could refuse, she leaned in, gently wiping the sweat from his brow.
Just then, the carriage hit a dip, jolting slightly.
Lü Liu tumbled into Jin Feng’s arms.
“Sorry, sir, I’ve mussed your clothes,” she said, not lingering in his arms. She stood up the next moment, fussing to straighten his clothes.
Whether intentional or not, her hands brushed his upper thighs several times.
Having been married for so long, Jin Feng was no naive boy, but Guan Xiaorou was very traditional, even when bold, still reserved.
In both lives, this was Jin Feng’s first encounter with such a situation, and his face reddened slightly.
“You’re blushing, sir?” Lü Liu giggled, covering her mouth, and reached toward his thigh again.
