"The son-in-law and the lady are one. Isn't thanking the lady the same as thanking the son-in-law?"
"Hahahaha, sir, your words are indeed clever!"
...
After chatting in the room for more than an hour, and waiting until the zither music started playing outside, Han Mo slowly stood up and, seizing the opportunity when no one was paying attention, quietly walked out of the room.
Everyone was engrossed in listening to Li Shishi play the zither. Even the waiters in Fan Lou were captivated, the charm of the courtesan queen evident at this moment.
Only when the music ended did the thunderous applause resound again in Fan Lou. While everyone's attention was focused on Li Shishi, Yuan Xingchi, like a drop of water, silently melted back into the crowd, as if he had never been there at all...
While the courtesan queen was sought after by countless scholars, Han Mo, the foremost talent of the Great Song Dynasty, also immediately won over the entire hall with his appearance.
News of Han Mo's appearance in Fan Lou spread, and in less than the time it takes to brew two cups of tea, all ten top courtesans had made an appearance at Fan Lou.
"Master, isn't it a bit inappropriate for us to be here at this time..."
Looking at the crowded Fan Lou, the two young monks trailing behind Dao Jian felt a headache coming on.
While this was indeed the premier establishment among the seventy-two established inns, the problem was, it was still a brothel, after all!
Especially on an occasion like today, with all ten courtesan queens present, it was one thing for ordinary folk to come and join the excitement, but for them, with their shaven heads, to be in such a place, what would people think of them, disciples of Buddhism?
"The Buddha said, if I do not enter hell, who will? This old monk is not afraid, why are you two spouting so much nonsense?"
After glaring at them expressionlessly, Monk Dao Jian spoke with annoyance.
"But if those Daoists see us, they'll probably again..."
Dao Jian was not afraid, but the two young monks were now in a state of great distress!
They were Dao Jian's personal attendants. If anything went wrong, the elder monks would not trouble Dao Jian, but would instead hold them two accountable for everything!
With their current appearance, if they took a few more steps forward, if those Daoists didn't spread rumors throughout Bianliang City, it would truly be a ghost's work!
"Alright, either you two go back now, or you keep your mouths shut!"
After glaring at them fiercely, Dao Jian took a deep breath, put large bamboo hats on himself and the two young monks behind him, and headed straight for Fan Lou.
"Damn it, why are you pushing! Can't you see you stepped on my foot!"
With the appearance of the ten courtesan queens and the foremost talent of the Great Song Dynasty, Han Mo, at Fan Lou.
Half of the citizens of Bianliang City had gone mad. Countless people were rushing towards Fan Lou, and an old monk's frail body could naturally not gain any advantage in the crowd.
Before he could even get close, his bamboo hat, worn on his head, was slapped off by two ruffians.
"I was wondering who was so blind, turns out it's three baldies. How unlucky!"
Glancing at the tonsure marks on the old monk's head, the two ruffians, without a second thought, began to curse.
"Indeed, all baldies under heaven are no good. At such an age, they're still sneaking into brothels! Ptooey!"
"What do you know? This is called 'entering the flower bush in old age,' the old heart is not old!"
"Hahahaha!"
Listening to the increasingly unpleasant taunts, the two young monks behind Dao Jian felt a burning sensation on their faces.
As for Monk Dao Jian, the person in question, he acted as if nothing had happened, stubbornly pushing towards the entrance of Fan Lou.
"Eighteen years, I have fallen into the world, smelling flowers and chewing leaves, playing the ice strings. Where has my affection been placed?"
"The purple jade hairpin is tilted, the lamplight shadows behind; the red cotton and powder are cold, the pillowcase is askew. Our gazes meet, but no words are spoken."
"What a line, 'Eighteen years, I have fallen into the world, smelling flowers and chewing leaves, playing the ice strings!' I wonder if the great talent Han will still have such a poetic mood when retribution befalls him one day!"
Just as the great talent Han was filled with poetic inspiration and composing new lyrics, a desolate voice suddenly rang out from the first floor of Fan Lou.
"Who is it? So blind!"
As soon as the old monk's words fell, the scholars who were watching the excitement immediately erupted.
"I was wondering who it was, so it's the Master!"
Compared to the scholars who were exchanging bewildered glances, Han Mo was much calmer, as if he had known the old monk would appear.
"Lord Han has already cast his golden hook, how can this old monk not take it?"
Though his words were polite, the resentment in the old monk's eyes was palpable.
"I say, Great Monk, if you're going to fast and chant Buddha's name, shouldn't you be in the temple right now? It's quite novel for you to come to a brothel to stir up trouble!"
Although she didn't know what this fellow wanted with Han Mo, Wu Lian'er immediately stepped forward with a light laugh, blocking Han Mo's path.
If one were to speak of closeness, among the ten courtesan queens, it seemed only she had shared a night with Han Mo. At this moment, she instinctively stepped forward, acting as a shield for Han Mo.
"It doesn't matter! Since Master has come, he is naturally a fellow traveler. It's fine to have a drink together!"
Glancing at the old monk's face, which was as dark as the bottom of a pot, Han Mo smiled triumphantly.
"Let's forgo the drinking. I wonder if the great talent Han would deign to change locations for a chat!"
After glaring at Wu Lian'er, Monk Dao Jian said indignantly.
"I say, Great Monk, your words are quite unreasonable. There are so many people here today, all of whom have come to witness the talent of Lord Han. It's rather improper for you to ask everyone to wait while you take him away?"
"Exactly! We all came for Lord Han. How can you just take him away like this?"
Bianliang City was never short of busybodies. Seeing the old monk about to take Han Mo away, the onlookers naturally began to heckle.
"Master, it seems you can't leave. If Master insists on having a chat with this humble one today, I think it would be better to go to the private room next door."
Seeing the old monk trembling with anger, Han Mo poured himself a cup of wine, drank it down in one gulp, and then smiled.
"Please!"