In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 664 A Geisha, Bao Cui Xuan

The Mi family of Yiren Street, at 3:45 PM
After the meal, Mi Bin planned to stretch his muscles and help with digestion.

They then went to the back room and found Yueyao, the newly arrived courtesan.

Yueyao was over twenty years old, with a gentle and beautiful appearance and a delicate air about her.
He is currently hunched over his desk, holding a calligraphy brush in his hand, clumsily writing characters.

Seeing this, Mi Bin raised an eyebrow. He really liked the diligent and studious look on this young girl's face!
In particular, her clumsy and silly nature made him very hungry.

He tiptoed up behind Yueyao.

He hugged her without any restraint, chuckling wickedly.

"what are you doing?"

"what"

Yueyao shuddered, and her originally rosy face turned deathly pale.

But when she saw the large hands surrounding her and her magnificent clothes, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief and patted them lightly with a hint of reproach:
"Second Master, you're scaring Yueyao."

Her voice was soft and charming, with a touch of melodiousness, but her enunciation was very clear, which made Mi Bin laugh out loud:

"Come, sit on Second Master's lap and see if little Yueyao has been frightened?"

He pulled Yueyao to sit on the bench behind him, and Yueyao naturally sat in his lap as well.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly, like two palm-leaf fans gently swaying.

"Second Master, you haven't come for the past few days. How did Yueyao get frightened?"

Mi Bin was taken aback, but then he immediately realized what was happening.

Loud laughter could not be stopped:
"You little vixen, all you ever think about is this little thing that belongs to Second Master."

Yueyao frowned slightly, her rosy, thin lips curving into a captivating smile.

"Second Master, you are so young and full of energy."

As the saying goes, "One who buries himself in work is worth two," which is why Yueyao thought about him all the time.

As she spoke, Yueyao rested her head against Mi Bin's chest, her eyes sparkling:

"Aren't you giving them a handle to use against you by coming here today?"

Mi Bin was stunned again, staring blankly at the numerous documents on the table, unmoved by the fact that his weakness had been exposed.

He raised his hand and gently touched Yueyao's brow. The smooth skin flowed between his fingers, making his heart race.
"What are you thinking about all day, you little rascal?"

"Ever since Second Master's health improved, he has become somewhat neglectful of Yueyao."

I spend all my time in this house, constantly thinking about how Second Master might come and keep Yueyao company.

Yueyao blinked, and large tears began to fall in a steady stream.

She had a pitiful and sorrowful look on her face.

Mi Bin's heart was broken when he saw this.
He quickly patted her head and comforted her:

"Don't cry, don't cry. Second Master has been busy these past few days."
Once this busy period is over, I'll spend all my time with you.

We could even go to Beiping (Beijing) for some fun.

"Really?"

Yueyao's eyes lit up, and she stopped crying and started laughing.

The sorrowful look vanished in an instant, filling Mi Bin with a sudden sense of satisfaction.

"Of course it's true, once this deal is done..."

"How about I buy you a big house in Beiping then?"

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Yueyao's eyes.
But she pouted and gently shook her head:
"Second Master, all Yueyao wants is for you to spend more time with me. What difference would it make if we bought a big house in Beiping?"
With Second Master not around, Yueyao will still be left alone in her empty room.

Mi Bin froze on the spot, his grip on Yueyao tightening slightly.
"Okay, you're so thoughtful."

Yueyao didn't speak, but instead pulled her hand out from under her body and wrapped it around Mi Bin's neck.
He winked at the large mahogany bed beside him:
"Second Master, come and help your digestion."

Fifteen minutes later, Mi Bin withdrew.

The tightly closed room gained a touch of allure, as soft sunlight filtered through the curtains.

It hit Yueyao's fair and smooth skin.

Mi Bin, slightly out of breath, stared quietly, his eyes fixed on what seemed like a piece of fine jade.
"Tomorrow is the New Year, and the household will give you some silver and other necessities."
If you need more, just tell me and I'll have them add more for you.

Yueyao's cheeks were rosy, her forehead was covered in a thin layer of sweat, and her eyes were somewhat vacant.

Upon hearing this, she parted her red lips, revealing a simple, honest smile:
"Thank you, Second Master."

"When I get back tomorrow afternoon, we'll have New Year's Eve dinner together."
"I'll tell my elder brother I'll marry you then."

"Yueyao knows"

The sound stopped abruptly, and the blank look on Yueyao's face vanished instantly, replaced by surprise and shock.

She propped herself up on her two fair arms, her snow-white skin swaying slightly, looking at him incredulously:
"Second Master, you mustn't!"

Mi Bin frowned, staring at her cheeks as the blush faded:

"What, you don't want to join the Mi family?"

No, no, no, no.

Yueyao quickly sat up, gently shaking her head, her face filled with anxiety:
"Second Master, Yueyao comes from a brothel; she is of lowly birth."

The Mi family is a prestigious and influential clan in Daning City. How could Yueyao be worthy of them?

Hearing her say that, Mi Bin's expression softened slightly, then he let out a sneer:
"What prestigious family? He's just a merchant."

You and I are the same in front of those adults.

Don't say things like "born into a brothel" or "of lowly birth" anymore.

Lord Liu, the military commander, married a brothel owner. Do you see any controversy about that in Daning City?

Although I, Mi Bin, am not as good as Lord Liu, I will not allow others to interfere with who I choose to marry. You can rest assured.

I'll talk to my older brother; he'll agree.

"This, this, this."

Yueyao stammered, unable to speak.
After hesitating for a long time, she suddenly threw herself into Mi Bin's arms, sobbing softly, her voice pitiful:
"Second Master, you are the kindest person Yueyao has ever met in her life."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Mi Bin patted her smooth back, his face beaming:
"Alright, alright, stop crying."
From now on, you will be Mrs. Mi's second wife. What kind of behavior is this, crying and wailing all day long?

"Um"

Yueyao sat up straight, her eyes and nose red from crying, which made Mi Bin laugh even more.

He patted Yueyao's little head:

"Lie down quickly and give Second Master a big, healthy son as soon as possible, so I can talk to my elder brother about it."

"Um"

Yueyao lay down, sobbing.

She propped her long, slender, white legs, as thin as chopsticks, against the wall.

"Second Master, you're so good to me."

Mi Bin smiled as he put on his clothes and walked to the bedside, instructing him:

"You rest here."

Second Master is going to see an old friend; he doesn't need to wait for me tonight.

"Yes, Second Master, please be careful in everything you do."

After saying that, Mi Bin quickly left the house.
A face full of satisfaction.

With a clear bang,
The door closed, and the footsteps gradually faded away.

Yueyao, who had been lying on the bed with an adorable expression, immediately put her legs down.

Without saying a word, he jumped out of bed.

He casually grabbed a piece of clothing from the side and draped it over himself.

Then he jumped forcefully, his expression becoming increasingly calm, with even a hint of disgust and coldness in his eyes.

Fifteen minutes later, she emerged from the bathtub in the corner of the house, dressed,

He sat down behind the desk, his expression serious.

Yueyao dipped her goose feather brush in vermilion ink, paused for a moment with her delicate hand, and then wrote neat small characters on the Xuan paper.
It was completely different from the crooked handwriting on the scrap paper next to it.

Mi Bin, the second son of the Mi family on Yiren Street, secretly met with someone in the back room at 3:45 noon today.

This person spoke without restraint, mentioning the matter of "Commander Liu marrying a brothel owner," seemingly implying collusion between merchants and the government.

He further claimed that after "a certain business deal" was completed, he would purchase a residence in Beiping (Beijing), which is suspected to involve the transfer of funds and goods.

Mi Bin claimed he was "seeing an old friend" before leaving, but did not disclose his whereabouts, which raised suspicions.
Given the recent unusual activity in the city, it is likely related to sugar smuggling.
After finishing writing,

With a solemn expression, Yueyao folded the paper back and forth until it was a small piece of paper the size of a fingernail.

Then she took the hairpin off her head.

A large piece of indigo jade was placed on top of it.
She pried hard, and a slight opening appeared on the jade.
She put the paper inside and then fastened it tightly.
With a crisp click, the hairpin returned to its original shape.

After doing all this, Yueyao slowly walked to the center of the house.
He picked up a teacup from the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and softly called out:

"Xiaoyun, come here."

The door opened, and a maid, no more than eighteen or nineteen years old with a charming and innocent appearance, quickly walked in.

Her face flushed slightly as she smelled the enchanting scent in the air.

"Miss, did you call me?"

Yueyao took a small sip of tea.
She gently removed the hairpin from her hair and handed it to him.

"This hairpin is a bit dirty. Take it to Bao Cui Xuan and have them clean it. Return it to me tomorrow."

The maid Xiaoyun stepped forward and took the hairpin with a respectful expression:

"Yes, ma'am."

"This hairpin is extremely precious; you should deliver it personally."
If it gets lost or broken, I'll break your legs!

"Yes, this servant will go and deliver it right away."

"Go ahead, and bring back some snacks from Guangmingfang when you come back."

"Yes"

Qixian Street in the South of the City

This area mainly consists of numerous shops opened by merchants from within the Great Wall in Daning City, and the goods they sell are mostly for women.
Jewelry, fine silks, and satins are all available, and the prices are more than double those in the interior.

Bao Cui Xuan was a leading example, and its jewelry was very popular in Daning City and other cities under the Beiping Commandery.
This is because the jewelry from Bao Cui Xuan is very difficult to find even in Beiping.

Rumors circulated that Tao Xuan, the manager of Bao Cui Xuan, had connections in Zhili and the Jiangnan region.

As the rumors spread, Bao Cui Xuan's business flourished.

During festivals or holidays, many women from the city would come here to stroll around.

The maid Xiaoyun rushed over with the jade hairpin. She clasped her hands together, tightly holding the wooden box in her arms, and kept looking down at it, afraid that something might go wrong.

Entering Bao Cui Xuan,
She soon spotted the elegant shopkeeper, Tao Xuan, among a pile of headdresses.

He appeared to be in his early thirties, dressed in a white robe, with a handsome and dashing appearance. His hair was casually draped over his back, giving him an elegant and unrestrained air.

Upon seeing her, Xiaoyun blushed slightly, as if something had occurred to her, and timidly called out:
Shopkeeper Tao

Hearing the sound, Tao Xuan, who was fiddling with her headdress, turned around.
Upon seeing her, his previously serious face softened instantly.

"Oh, it's Xiaoyun. What's up?"

His voice was very soft.

The clinking of numerous ornaments echoed softly.

Hearing Manager Tao call her by name, Xiaoyun blushed, thinking to herself, "As expected..."
This Manager Tao is indeed a man of great manners.

I can't forget anyone's name.

Xiaoyun blushed and took two steps forward.
He handed over the wooden box he was carrying:

"Manager Tao, my young lady instructed me to give this hairpin to you and trouble you to clean it."

Upon seeing the wooden box, a glint of shrewdness flashed in Tao Xuan's eyes, and he immediately smiled:
"Is this the hairpin that Miss Yueyao bought a few days ago?"

"Yes"

Tao Xuan stepped forward, gently took the wooden box from Xiao Yun's hands, smiled brightly at her, and said:
"Miss Xiaoyun, please wait here for a moment. I need to check if this hairpin is damaged."

"Please come in, Manager Tao."

Tao Xuan brought the wooden box to the counter and sat down.

He smiled and spoke to Xiaoyun, who was standing there respectfully:
"Miss Xiaoyun can browse around the shop."
You can choose a small piece of jewelry that you like.

Consider this a gift from me to Miss Xiaoyun.

Of course, it shouldn't be too expensive, otherwise I won't be able to explain it to my employer.

Xiaoyun froze on the spot, staring at Tao Xuan in astonishment, her face instantly turning red.
My mind was racing, generating one idea after another.

Why did he do this to me?
Could it be... if it were him?

Gradually, a blush spread like the sunset to Xiaoyun's ears, making them turn bright red.

"Can I?"

Tao Xuan opened the ink cartridge.

He gestured with his hand, indicating "please."
"Miss Xiaoyun, go and take a look."

"it is good"

For some reason, after seeing Tao Xuan's handsome face and warm smile,

Xiaoyun seemed to have lost her senses, nodding blankly before walking in the direction he pointed.

Behind the counter, Tao Xuan calmly unfastened the hairpin.

Take out the small note inside.
Just open it like you would any ordinary thing.

After seeing the above text
Tao Xuan's expression tightened, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he pondered in his heart.
After a while, a decisive look flashed in Tao Xuan's eyes.
He set the note aside, picked up the hairpin and fiddled with it from side to side, then spoke loudly to Xiaoyun, who was still strolling around:
"Miss Xiaoyun, please come here for a moment."

Xiaoyun quickly came over, looking somewhat nervous:
"Manager Tao, is there anything damaged?"

"No, no, no, Miss Xiaoyun, don't be in a hurry."
I learned a new skill in Beiping that allows me to add more decorations to this hairpin, making it look even better.
Therefore, I would like to ask you to return to your residence and invite Miss Yueyao to come and see for yourself.

Xiaoyun finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This hairpin costs nearly fifty taels of silver.

She herself only had an ounce or two.
If there's any bump or bruise, she'll be beaten to death.

"Good shopkeeper Tao,"
I'll go and fetch Miss right away."

Xiaoyun was about to turn and leave, but Tao Xuan called out to her:
"Miss Xiaoyun, wait a moment. Keep these two earrings as a gift from me, Tao."

Xiaoyun stared intently at his palm.

Two delicate earrings lay on top.

The process is intricate and complex, resembling a small pink flower.

"Miss Xiaoyun is so beautiful, it would be a waste to have such beauty without adornment."

Before she could refuse,
Tao Xuan stepped forward, grabbed Xiaoyun's hand, and placed the earring in her palm.
And he held it tightly, leaned closer, and whispered in Xiaoyun's ear:

"I won't tell anyone; it's our secret."

A faint fragrance wafts by, and a gentle breeze, almost imperceptible, encircles the ears.

Xiaoyun got goosebumps all over her body, her eyes darted around, and her legs felt increasingly weak.

half an hour later

A luxurious carriage slowly came to a stop in front of Bao Cui Xuan.
Dressed neatly and appropriately, Yueyao slowly stepped down from the carriage.

Looking at the gilded plaque of Bao Cui Xuan in front of him, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

She looked at Xiao Hong beside her and said softly:
"You wait here."

These words left Xiao Hongdan, who was about to follow, frozen in place, a deep sense of disappointment flashing through her mind.

But a servant is a servant, and she cannot resist.

"Yes, ma'am."

After Yueyao entered Baocui Pavilion

He spotted Tao Xuan sitting behind the counter fiddling with jewelry at a glance, and a look of delight flashed in his eyes.

But his expression remained unchanged as he walked straight up to the second floor.

After she disappeared around the corner of the stairs,
Tao Xuan took a deep breath, picked up the jewelry on the table, and followed.

Before long, Tao Xuan arrived at the door on the second floor. Just as he opened the door and went inside...
A hot body pounced on him and nestled into his arms:
"My lord, why haven't you come to see me for so long?"

Tao Xuan frowned slightly as he smelled the faint fragrance wafting towards him.

"You took a shower?"

Yueyao pouted, and lowered her arms as if somewhat deflated:
"That old man came to see me again at noon."

Tao Xuan immediately lost interest.

His expression also became much colder:

"Okay, let's get down to business first. Tell me your thoughts."

(End of this chapter)