newbobooks Chapter 124 Suqin Pavilion Azhi
Chapter 124 Suqin Pavilion Azhi
Picking up the list that Miao Cui had given her that morning, Shen Hanyu already had a plan in mind.
Liang Sihan is the easiest to deal with; we should start with her. As for Xu Ying and Liang Ruoyan, we'll just have to take it one step at a time.
Once she has dealt with Liang Sihan, she can leave the Marquis's residence, and then she will feel much lighter.
"Just do as I say, don't worry about anything else. If you can't handle it by yourself, ask Jin Chui for help."
Miao Cui agreed, saying that there was no need to trouble Jin Chui with these matters, as Jin Chui was already very busy taking care of the house and Shen Hanyu's shop.
Upon returning to the Marquis's residence, he happened to run into Liang Sihan.
Liang Sihan didn't drink today; she mainly went to confirm with Feng Xiao and the others whether her situation was truly secure.
Upon seeing Shen Hanyu, he rolled his eyes, but ultimately said nothing and went inside first.
Now they're being sensible.
Liang Sihan was probably also afraid that this engagement would bring her trouble.
Shen Hanyu lowered her eyes and walked back to her room.
She's been very busy lately, with the prefectural examination just around the corner. The atmosphere at the girls' school is quite tense, especially among the thirteen girls.
The same applies to the girls' schools established for the common people, where the teachers were training the next batch of students to participate in the imperial examinations.
Princess Yongning meant that it was best if the two sides were not too far apart.
Compared to daughters from wealthy and powerful families, ordinary people are less privileged, so they have no choice but to strive to catch up.
After reviewing several typical questions, Shen Hanyu rubbed her sore eyes.
Her mind is only at peace when she is reading or doing exercises.
Miao Cui quietly closed the door and lit incense for Shen Hanyu.
"Miss, everything is arranged."
Liang Sihan was a dishonest guy, and so were the others with him.
Shen Hanyu closed her eyes, hoping everything would go smoothly.
A few days later, a beautiful dancer appeared at the Suqin Pavilion in Chang'an. She had a willow-like waist, willow-leaf eyebrows, an oval face, red lips and white teeth, and a hint of exotic charm in her eyes. She was also a skilled pipa player.
The people at Suqin Pavilion went to great lengths to promote this dancer, and their efforts were not in vain; they did attract quite a few people.
Liang Sihan and her group of cronies were among them.
Upon hearing the news about the dancer, Liang Sihan dressed up smartly and secretly went from the Marquis's residence to Suqin Pavilion.
Feng Xiao and Jiang Yushan were waiting for him outside the mansion early on. When they saw him come out, they quickly called him to get into the carriage.
"Brother Liang, hurry! That dancer is going on stage today. Don't miss this opportunity!"
Liang Sihan naturally knew about this matter, and he also wanted to see her face and see if the young lady was as described in the rumors.
He brought a lot of money with him, and if he could get her to keep him company, he would drink until he dropped tonight.
The three shared the same goal and quickly headed towards Suqin Pavilion.
The Suqin Pavilion was bustling with activity tonight, attracting several times the usual number of customers. The madam was beaming from ear to ear.
"Is Azhi ready?"
The little girl next to her nodded: "Sister Azhi has already changed into her dance costume and is now getting her makeup done. She'll be on stage in a little while."
The madam squinted her eyes: "I'm planning to make a big score tonight, Ah Zhi can't let me down."
Seeing the madam's gleaming eyes, the young girl shrank back and turned to go to Ah Zhi's side.
Ah-zhi faced the bronze mirror and saw the person reflected in it.
"Xiao Tao, what brings you here?"
Ah Zhi is indeed beautiful; that's what Xiao Tao thought when she first met Ah Zhi.
"Sister Azhi, does your head still hurt?"
Xiao Tao squatted down and looked into A Zhi's eyes.
Azhi rubbed her temples; her headache was gone. She used to have headaches when she first came to Suqin Pavilion, but now it was much better.
Tonight is her first time on stage, and Ah-Zhi knows what that means.
Suqin Pavilion has always claimed to only sell its art, but if a lot of money is spent, who knows what might happen?
Ah Zhi lowered her eyes; she had calmly accepted her future.
"Sister Azhi, have you remembered anything?"
Xiao Tao opened her round eyes and asked, her eyes full of curiosity.
Ah Zhi chuckled: "I was picked up and rescued by my mother. I should repay her."
Xiao Tao sighed; she still felt that wasn't the case.
"You lazy little peach, where have you been slacking off? Hurry up and move all the petals over there."
Someone outside was calling Xiao Tao's name. Xiao Tao got up, told A Zhi, and quickly ran out to help.
Liang Sihan and her companions went into the private room. Through the gauze curtain, they looked around and saw many familiar faces.
Some people didn't come in person, but only sent their servants, while they themselves remained in the shadows.
Liang Sihan covered her face with a folding fan: "Tsk, quite a few people have come."
He wasn't even sure if the silver he brought would be enough to compete with these people.
"Brother Liang, it seems that tonight we can only admire your beauty, but not enjoy your company."
Feng Xiao's tone was rather dejected. In terms of status, he was naturally no match for the Anping Marquis's Mansion behind Liang Sihan.
Jiang Yushan didn't say anything, but he thought the same thing as Feng Xiao.
Liang Sihan scoffed, "Let's see. If I can win the heart of this beauty, I will never forget the two of you."
Hearing Liang Sihan's words, the two of them were overjoyed.
After everyone had arrived, the madam, dressed in a very glamorous manner, gracefully walked onto the stage.
"Thank you all for coming tonight. I know you all want to see our Ah Zhi, so here she is right away."
The madam clapped her hands and slowly walked off the stage.
Petals drifted down from all around, falling in a flurry, scattered by the other girls in the Suqin Pavilion from upstairs.
The air was filled with a captivating fragrance, and a bell rang, drawing Liang Sihan in.
Her face was veiled by a light gauze, and her graceful figure was faintly visible beneath the thin gauze skirt.
The golden bells on her feet jingled, and everyone's eyes fell on the person in the center of the stage.
Ah Zhi's fingers flew across the paper like fluttering butterflies as she danced her favorite dance.
As she moved, the veil covering her face fell, revealing her stunningly beautiful face.
Liang Sihan was breathing rapidly. He clutched his purse and turned to give some instructions to the servant beside him.
The servant quickly left, his destination unknown.
Liang Sihan gripped his folding fan, determined to have this girl, Azhi, tonight.
After the dance ended, applause came like a tidal wave. Ah Zhi stood on the stage, feeling a little uneasy.
The madam came over and put her hands on Ah Zhi's shoulders.
"It seems you are all quite satisfied with Azhi, so I won't hold back any longer. Tonight, who will marry our Miss Azhi depends on who bids the highest. The starting price is 50,000 taels."
"Fifty thousand taels!"
Someone exclaimed in surprise, and even Liang Sihan was somewhat taken aback; it was so tall.
The madam smiled and said, "That's right, fifty thousand taels. The highest bidder wins."
Seeing that the madam was not giving in at all, several men who didn't have enough money had already given up and were filled with regret.
Liang Sihan touched her purse; 50,000 taels was acceptable.
"Fifty-three thousand taels."
Someone else has already quoted a price.
The madam smiled and said that only three thousand taels of silver were offered, which was not enough.
Ah Zhi was a little worried. Fifty thousand taels was enough for Suqin Pavilion's expenses for several years. What if such a high price angered these noble people?