Chapter 57: The Courtesan 2

Constantly Sang sighed and said, "I wonder if I can win the beauty when you come back after three years. If not, I will be dwarfed in front of you for no reason."
Yao Jinniang returned to the house in a huff, gestured twice towards the back of Master Sansang, took a sip from the teacup, and said, "You've been mingling in the backyard of Huai Shao Tower for so many years, with discerning eyes, how could you not find a girl you like?"
Chang Sansang turned around and looked at her, the young master had a somewhat delicate appearance under the candlelight, and looked a bit aggrieved.
He said, "I used to love Cen Yue, but she married into a commoner's family. I also loved Queque, but her boating trip caught the eye of the Shangshu Mansion's son. And there's also Gu Jin, Xing Yan, and you, you all don't want me. It's not that the girls don't like me, it's just that I can't find a girl that I like."
Yao Jin Niang rolled her eyes at him and said, "If you have the intention, then try your luck with this girl. Take advantage of the fact that she still doesn't know your true nature. Based solely on appearances, let's see if she will fall for you."
Shengyan looked at the two of them, shyly lowered her eyes, but felt strange in her heart. These two people can be regarded as talented and beautiful, but the strangest thing is the familiarity in their conversation, as if they have known each other for many years, but it is not the kind of familiarity that can be accumulated in this brothel.
They both, certainly, do not have the relationship on the surface.
However, now there is no connection with her.
Chang Sansang seemed to be seriously considering Yao Jinniang's proposal. He looked at Sheng Yan for a long time, and finally smiled apologetically, saying, "You are very beautiful. Among the many beauties I have seen beside the Mingyue River, there are few girls more outstanding than you. But I think my brother will like you. He has a strange quirk of looking into people's eyes, and he particularly likes those with teardrop moles."
Yao Jinniang seemed to have heard a joke, turned around and sat on the bed, burying her face in the quilt to suppress her laughter. If she couldn't tell that it was a mocking statement, Shen Yan thought, she would have lived in vain for over ten years.
Constant San Sang, impatiently, took a mirror and looked at Shengyan to see her current appearance. At the same time, he pulled Yao Jinniang and walked to the outer room, beckoning the waiting servants outside to come in, and finally changed Shengyan into the stage costume.
He pulled Yao Jinniang along, walking and complaining at the same time, saying: "Chang Er made a big fuss over a girl back then, almost getting kicked out by my dad. You are well aware of that too."
"You know, you know, and you even know it was you, Chang Sanzi, who kneeled at the door pleading for mercy. Otherwise, your second brother would never have been able to come back home." Yao Jinniang continued to laugh, her laughter ringing like a gentle bell. She said, "But do you regret staying with Changju? Now that the eldest of the Chang family has left, and you are useless yourself, that adopted child can actually manage your family's wealth. Even Old Master Chang has announced that he won't interfere and has gone back to his hometown to rest. What are you going to do? Do you still have the time to consider your lifelong matter for someone else?"
Inside and outside the conversation, there is a deep hatred for Chang San's incompetence.
Upon hearing these words, everyone lowered their heads in silence. It was only when they went outside the courtyard to talk that they breathed a sigh of relief.
The Chang family is a mess of debts, and few people in Mingdu have not heard of it.
这常家有三个公子，大公子早年称看破红尘，转身做了云游的道士，看朝露叹生死，从没见着他回过家；三公子常居混迹槐韶楼，俨然是红尘里的贵公子，也是不爱着家的主；唯独这二公子仕途尚可，近年也开始管着常家的家当，如果他不是义子，一切当称的上完美。
Alas, the world is ever-changing, and the most promising Second Young Master Chang is not the biological son. It is said that there are many conflicts between him and his own brothers.
Yao Jinniang stopped smiling and said, "My husband heard that Chang Ermu has recently fallen out of favor, with his position being subtly demoted. You must be careful, he may find an excuse to make you uncomfortable. When I am gone, who in this Huai Shao Building will be familiar with you? The young girl has never seen your demeanor when you are wronged. She might shout and call you a charlatan, even giving you a blow in the face."
Constantly rubbing his lips, Chang San looked pitiful and attracted attention. He remained silent for a long time, not mentioning Chang Er Nuan. His voice became much softer, as if it were the sound of the wind. "Compared to your soon-to-be-husband in the bridal chamber, I, a friend from afar, am not worthy. It's better if you leave. Leave me alone to live freely in this mortal world, coming and going, without any girl who can capture my heart."
As Yao Jinniang's eyes flickered, it seemed as if one could see the starry night in that instant. However, she lowered her gaze and smiled, saying,"Enough, if you really liked me, there would be no need for others. I am now the Third Lady of the Chang Mansion."
When Senyan changed her clothes and went out, she happened to see Chang Sansang drawing eyebrows for Yao Jinniang. As he had said before, Yao Jinniang was naturally beautiful, with a little bit of powder making her look vulgar and a little less color making her look delicate. Drawing eyebrows was just right, and every frown and smile was beautiful.
The three young masters mentioned above described the eyebrows of their former flower girl, saying, "Upon careful consideration, Chang Ernuan has been acting strangely these days. If I were to comply with him, why should I please him? Let him suffer on his own while I escape and disappear as best I can."
姚金娘嗔怪道：“你倒真是去庙里待了太久，脑子都坏了。”
常三桑倒顺着她，道：“去清修数月，脑子不坏，心就要坏了，不过常尔暖总归不能眼见着他弟弟坏了。”
Yao Jinniang didn't pay attention to his words this time. Leading Shengyan, she walked towards the front courtyard. The newly appointed oiran glanced back at the young man, who smiled back and hummed a tune, walking towards the depths of the courtyard. However, his steps seemed difficult, as if there was some discomfort in his legs.
There are doubts, but I can guess some things without asking, just by listening to the usual family affairs.
As for Yao Jinniang, she still has that slightly smiling appearance, but upon closer inspection, she seems a bit aloof.
When the group of women walked to the front yard, they saw the steward, who was sweating profusely from anxiety, walking towards them with big strides, too busy to flatter anyone, and was determined to bring Yao Jinniang up on stage.
Yao Jinniang said a few words to him, then returned to Shengyan's side and put on a veil for her, saying meaningfully, "In this land of tenderness, whether you are the speaker or the listener, if you take these words seriously, you will inevitably suffer harm. If you want to stay here for a long time, remember not to trust others too easily."
As the murmuring voices from outside became audible, the luxuriousness of the room came through the veiled curtains. The scent of incense mingled with the haze, creating a dreamlike atmosphere akin to pearls concealed by the mist on a river. Her pair of bright and clear eyes locked onto the gaze of this senior, as she asked, "What does Sister want to advise me?"
Yao Jinniang remained silent and only said, "Clever people always have their own thoughts. I have made myself very clear in what I said, but there is a hidden meaning behind it. If you want to hear it, then it's just that one layer."
Before she stepped on stage, Shengyan stood in the shadows and asked with a somewhat indifferent voice. Yao Jinniang heard it but didn't turn around. She replied calmly, "If you could meet a familiar face in a foreign land, it would be a kind of support."