I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 166 Immortal Jump

October 22nd, the day before the Empress Dowager's birthday.

The entire city of Luoyang was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Every household hung festive red lanterns in front of their doors. People got up early to clean their homes and surrounding areas, as well as the streets in front of their doors. Then they put on their new clothes, which they only wore during festivals, and gathered in twos and threes to eat melon seeds and chat.

The newlywed woman pointed to the quiet courtyard across the street and asked curiously, "The family with the apricot tree hasn't gotten up yet. What time is it? Why aren't they up and cleaning?" She added that she would definitely scold them when the official arrived.

“They’re not like us, born to be busy,” the middle-aged woman said, spitting out a sunflower seed shell. “Didn’t you see all those women loitering around the doorway across the street? They’re all waiting for Madam You to hire them to clean the yard and earn money.”

"Lady You?"

"What? You haven't even heard of Madam You?" the middle-aged woman exclaimed in shock. "She's a famous courtesan in our Xinghua Lane."

The young wife was shocked, "Flower Maiden?!"

"What are those who make a living by serving men if not prostitutes?" The middle-aged woman spat at the woman opposite her. "They're just a little cleaner than those on brothels or boats, and they only have sex with one man at a time."

"Where is Lady You's husband?"

“They said he went out to do business on a ship,” another woman said in a low voice, “but I bet he was killed by Lady You and her lover.”

The young woman was terrified, but she couldn't resist her gossipy instincts and continued listening to the women chattering about crickets.

Suddenly, the gate to the opposite courtyard opened, and a woman dressed in a long silk dress and wearing a gold hairpin yawned languidly, saying, "Come on, a few people, and clean the courtyard."

The women who had been loitering at the entrance swarmed forward.

Lady You blinked her fox-like eyes with satisfaction as she watched the women vying for the chance to clean the yard for her. She raised her smooth, white hand and casually pointed at a few people, saying, "You're the ones. If you don't clean it properly, I won't pay you."

Yes, yes, yes, the woman who was called was very grateful and went into the yard to work diligently.

Madam You hired someone to buy breakfast from a nearby restaurant. While eating in the cleaned room, she directed the women to clean, picking and choosing until they were barely satisfied. She then mercifully paid them their wages.

After shooing the people away like flies, Madam You, disgusted by the smell of poverty in the air, took a bath, changed her clothes, styled her hair beautifully, and walked unsteadily toward the Imperial Academy.

Inside the Imperial College, young men dressed in uniform student attire were gathered together, enthusiastically discussing the most popular actress in the Peking Opera world.

"Tsk, even though it's the same person playing both roles, I always feel that Mei Niang is more charming and beautiful than Bai Niangniang. She truly lives up to her name."

"Caiyin is also nice; she looks like a cute little white rabbit."

“To discuss a woman’s appearance and figure in broad daylight is truly an insult to literature,” An Shangbin snorted coldly, picked up his book box, and strode away.

“Hey! We’re talking about our own business, what’s it to you?” Zhang Hengzhi slammed his hand on the table and stood up. “What kind of arrogance is this son of a mere Assistant Minister of Rites putting on in front of me?”

“Let’s not stoop to his level,” a follower stopped him and whispered, “An Shangbin is a good student and is favored by the teacher. Brother Zhang, please don’t openly clash with him.”

“Who does he think he is?” Zhang Hengzhi said angrily. “Go and keep an eye on him.”

The servant obeyed and left.

"An Shangbin, you'd better not give me any leverage over you," Zhang Hengzhi cursed inwardly before continuing to talk about Li Niang with his cronies.

An Shangbin returned to his bedroom, where a servant who had been waiting there took the book box from him and whispered, "Young Master, Madam You has arrived. She's waiting for you at a restaurant not far from the Imperial Academy."

An Shangbin took off his student robes and lay on the bed in only his undergarments. "I won't see her." The servant, thinking of the ten taels of silver that Madam You had promised, gritted his teeth and advised, "Young master, didn't you say a few days ago that seeing Madam You only once every ten days was too little, and that you had to leave before you had enjoyed it enough?"

"Now that Lady You has come to your door, wouldn't it be a waste of this beauty's favor if you didn't go?"

An Shangbin was moved by what the servant said, and recalling the attentive service of Madam You the day before, he felt his mouth go dry.

"The gentlemen are off to the Ministry of Rites, and since the young master has no classes, why don't you go and see him?" The servant had a lewd smile. "Madam You has booked a private room and is just waiting for the young master to come."

An Shangbin's restless heart was instantly conquered. He got up, changed into casual clothes, and left the Imperial College under the pretext of buying writing materials.

The Zhang family's servant secretly followed behind the master and servant.

The restaurant that Lady You had booked was not far from the Imperial College. An Shangbin found it troublesome to hire a carriage, so he simply walked. When he arrived at the restaurant, he went straight to the private room on the second floor.

An Shangbin walked to the end of the second floor, and just as he raised his hand, the door to the private room opened from the inside, revealing You Niangzi's still charming face.

"Brother Bin," she said in a charming and lingering tone, her foxy eyes blinking incessantly, truly captivating.

"You Niang," An Shangbin was aroused and pounced on You Niangzi, kissing her eagerly.

Lady You feigned anger, "You impatient monkey! You didn't even close the door. What a joke it would be if someone saw us!"

An Shangbin arrogantly said, "Anyone who dares to look, I'll gouge out their dog eyes."

With a fawning smile, the servant of the An family bowed and closed the door, then stood guard outside.

Inside, Madam You had no reason to refuse and let An Shangbin touch her inappropriately.

"Brother Bin, be gentle."

"You little devil, who was it that kept pestering me the other day, wanting me to use my strength?"

"We're outside, so people are too embarrassed to shout," said Madam You, her clothes half-undone, panting.

An Shangbin had a sudden thought. Madam You had always been bold and daring in bed, daring to try any position. An Shangbin felt so comfortable that he was in ecstasy and became more and more addicted to it.

But that's human nature; after eating too much rich food, one always wants a change. An Shangbin couldn't wait to see You Niangzi's shy and blushing appearance on the bed.

An Shangbin kissed You Niangzi's neck and mumbled, "You Niangzi, if you call me softly, no one will hear you."

Madam You spat, "Bastard!"

An Shangbin picked up Lady You and threw her onto the chaise longue, and the two quickly rolled around in a ball.

An's servant pricked up his ears to listen to the sounds inside the door, chuckling lewdly as he listened. Just as he was about to lose control and go downstairs to get some herbal tea to relieve his pent-up desire, he suddenly caught sight of Zhang's servant out of the corner of his eye.

An's servant's expression tightened, but he pretended nothing was wrong and continued to guard the door. After Zhang's servant left the restaurant, he pushed the door open and entered, shouting loudly from behind the screen, "Young master, I just saw Zhang's servant in the restaurant."

As if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, An Shangbin tumbled and scrambled off You Niangzi, exclaiming, "The Zhang family?"

"Yes, he is Young Master Zhang Hengzhi's personal servant."

"Zhang Hengzhi!" An Shangbin gritted his teeth as he picked up his clothes from the ground and put them on. "You dare to send someone to keep an eye on me? Just wait and see how I deal with you!"