Chapter 31: Young Master Ma, Please Come In

“You really found her?!” Gu Yi’s cheeks were flushed from the wine, though he was not drunk—only excited.

Ma Yuan nodded vigorously, grinning with delight. “I found her! Master, you said Xie Yiyi would go to a place like Changning Street, and you were right! I asked around over there, and quickly heard there really was such a person!”

That’s wonderful!

As long as little Yiyi was found.

To hell with the Xu-Li war, to hell with the Biyang Sect’s cold and heat maladies, to hell with being the Head of the Immortal Academy or Third Princess, Fourth Princess—none of that matters!

With my artifact for showing off in hand, protagonist mode can be switched on at will!

“Hurry, take me there!” Gu Yi tossed aside his wine cup. “You two brothers, eat and drink well here. I have something urgent to do, I’ll be back soon!”

Chen Mingguang was nearly drunk, manners forgotten, grabbing at him. “Hey! What could be more important than us brothers drinking together right now?”

“Oh, come on!” Bald Ma was anxious. “Chen Mingguang, stop messing around. My master has put in so much effort to find Xie Yiyi. We can drink and eat when we get back—there’s plenty of time for that…”

Ma Yuan fixed his gaze on the table, his mouth dropping open in disbelief. “I went to find someone for you, and you guys sneaked behind my back to eat the embroidered perch!”

Gu Yi kicked him. “What’s with the drama? You glutton! Hurry up and take me to her—if you spook her and she runs, I’ll make sure Yuzhen Pavilion never sells you embroidered perch again!”

Ma Yuan shivered. This bastard of a master was ruthless.

“All right, let’s go, let’s go.”

“Wait!” Wu Gang, slightly tipsy, swayed as he stood up and shouted, “You’re going to Changning Street to find Xie Yiyi?”

“That’s right.”

Wu Gang patted his chest and raised a finger. “Me!”

Gu Yi urged, “Oh, come on, you’re usually so decisive. Why are you dawdling now? What is it? Spit it out!”

“I want to go too!”

If it were the old days, Gu Yi would have punched him for that attitude.

Wu Gang downed another bowl of wine with a slap. “I’m about to head to war, and I’m not even married yet! What about you, Mingguang?”

The fair-faced Chen Mingguang suddenly looked embarrassed. “Well… I…”

Gu Yi decided for him. “Enough, you’re not going. This is driving me mad!”

“Who said that! If you’re all going, I’m going too!”

Ma Yuan didn’t care how many went. The more the merrier—as long as they found her, his fun would begin!

So they all pushed aside their cups and, with great fanfare, left Yuzhen Pavilion.

Little Yue’er hurried to report, “Something’s wrong, madam! The young master has really gone to Changning Street, and he’s brought Chen and Wu with him!”

Madam Ye was stunned. “It’s broad daylight—why the rush?”

Little Yue’er muttered, “Madam said the adults from the Immortal Academy should take the young master out to learn more about the world, but instead the young master led them all to Changning Street. The Immortal Academy forbids going there—what if they’re punished?”

“Their legs are their own. If their hearts are upright, no one can lead them astray. If not, they’ll sneak off on their own anyway. What does it have to do with my brother?”

…

Gu Yi had been excited upon hearing Ma Yuan’s news, but calmed down as they made their way there.

If that person had insisted on running away back then, it would be foolish to barge in like a drunken fool and alert everyone—if she ran again, it would be even more troublesome.

But the three of them had drunk plenty in the heat of the afternoon. None were fully sober now. Chen Mingguang, restless as a child with attention deficit, kept fiddling with his clothes and hair inside the carriage.

Shameless man.

Wu Gang, meanwhile, was rubbing his face furiously, trying to expel the smell of liquor with each exhale.

Gu Yi himself took several deep breaths to steady himself. Calm! Calm!

“Ma Yuan, did you see her? What does she look like now? Is she still wrapping her waist with tree bark?”

“I didn’t see her, only heard the name. But she’s a woman—master, is the person you’re looking for a woman?”

“Most likely.”

Ma Yuan: ???

Most likely?

“You’re not sure?”

“It’s not that I’m not sure, it’s that he’s not sure.”

“Why do I not understand anything you’re saying?” Ma Yuan’s head was full of question marks.

“Just tell me—where is she?”

Ma Yuan nodded. “At the Inviting Moon Pavilion. Changning Street is the liveliest place in Luyang at night, and the Inviting Moon Pavilion is right at its center. When I arrived this morning, I asked my way in from the street entrance and heard she was at the Inviting Moon Pavilion. To be sure, I went myself to confirm. Turns out, Xie Yiyi is indeed a new girl who just arrived.”

“Just arrived?” Gu Yi’s eyes lit up. “The timing fits.”

Ma Yuan was even more encouraged—there was hope!

“It’s my fault for being away from the capital so long. I don’t know the new girls, and they don’t know me, or I’d have found her for you already, master.”

The Inviting Moon Pavilion appeared quickly. Gu Yi lifted the curtain, catching the confirming look in Ma Yuan’s eyes: You can do this.

Before getting off, Gu Yi curved his lips. “Ma Yuan, you’ve done well. No matter the result, I’ll teach you the Spirit-Sealing Charm, so you’ll know why being my apprentice is something to be envied. As for your two schoolmates…”

They still had some sense left while drinking, but out in the wind, the alcohol took full effect—eyes now glazed, they babbled excitedly, barely coherent.

“Master, go quickly—they’re in my care.”

Gu Yi straightened his attire before getting out, warning, “In the future, when coming to places like this, don’t say ‘go quickly and return quickly.’”

“Huh? Why?”

“It’s unlucky.”

The sign of the Inviting Moon Pavilion was hung high, as if on the third floor, making one look up to see it. The buildings here were unlike those in Tianmu Street; all the houses seemed connected in a row, giving it an imposing air.

But the lantern at the entrance was unlit, guests were few, and drunken men staggered out. The garishly dressed women seemed tired, barely fanning themselves, without spirit.

No one hawked at the door. Crossing the threshold, Gu Yi saw a vast open space. The interior was built in a hollowed-out square, so stepping in felt like looking up from the bottom of a well. Here, four floors could be seen, but all was quiet. At midday, only a few girls sat around a stone table, eating.

Noticing Gu Yi, they began to chatter. The eldest, seated at the head, set down her chopsticks and stood. Her hair was coiled and pinned with a jade hairpin, wisps falling naturally at the sides of her face, which was heavily made up, yet time’s traces could not be hidden.

She folded her hands at her abdomen, wearing a practiced smile. “Young master, you look unfamiliar—are you here for a sister you know?”

“Sorry to disturb your meal. I’m here for someone.”

The madam’s smile was ingratiating. “Everyone who comes here is looking for someone. But forgive my asking—are you looking for just one? Not several?”

Gu Yi was momentarily bewildered.

“This time, just one… If she’s here, I have plenty of silver to spare.” As he spoke, he drew out two pieces of silver, knowing that money talked more than reputation here.

“Thank you, young master, you’re generous.” Her face lit up at the silver. “A person, you say? That’s easily handled. Tell me the name, and I’ll have her wash and dress with care.”

“Xie Yiyi.”

At the stone table, the other girls gasped at the name.

“Xie Yiyi?”

“Someone’s already come looking for her?”

“Sister Yiyi just arrived…”

The madam’s smile stiffened for a moment, her hand clenching the silver, trying to be tactful. “Young master, you have good taste. Yiyi’s looks are indeed extraordinary. However, our Yiyi is new, and I’m afraid this silver…”

Gu Yi didn’t waste words. Casually, he produced a gold ingot from his robe. “Is this enough?”

“Young master, you truly are generous!” The madam’s delight shone as she twisted her waist. “Xie Yiyi is Inviting Moon Pavilion’s much-anticipated new girl—skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, versed in poetry and song. It’s not that I would slight you, but… many distinguished guests have already asked after her in advance…”

“I’ll add another gold ingot—is that enough?”

Everything is for sale; the price just wasn’t high enough.

Wow!

The four or five girls at the table were dazzled. Which family’s nobleman was this, so lavish with gold? Not silver, but gold, and of the finest quality.

They swarmed over, throwing flirtatious glances. “Young master, if Yiyi isn’t available, we’re all here for you.”

The madam was shrewd enough to see this handsome gentleman was a novice, perhaps never come before, and a little unused to the attention.

Indeed, Gu Yi’s bravado was all talk—he had no real experience.

Weighing the two gold ingots, greed flared in the madam’s eyes. She held the girls back, saying, “Young master, the leading girl at Inviting Moon Pavilion is always the toast of Luyang. Now, Yiyi is our new lead—her character and beauty are genuine…”

Gu Yi cut her off. “If money is the issue, that’s easily solved. I’ll add three more gold ingots—what say you?”

He knew well enough—once they started talking business, it’s only a matter of price.

This display of wealth stunned everyone around.

But the madam suddenly hesitated, cautiously asking, “May I ask your name, young master?”

He could not use his real surname—if little Yiyi heard “Gu,” she’d surely run. “My surname is Ma. I’m Ma Yuan.”

The madam’s sharp eyes flickered. There was no Ma Yuan among Luyang’s prominent families, but money talked. She made a show of resolve, slapping her thigh. “Very well! Add five more gold ingots, and I’ll have Yiyi meet you straight away!”

Gu Yi wasn’t a fool. He could tell from the looks around him that this greedy woman was asking a sky-high price.

But he handed over the gold all the same.

“Oh my!” The madam quickly stashed the gold, her smile now beaming from ear to ear. “Girls, serve him well. Young Master Ma, please take a seat—I’ll fetch Yiyi right away!”

Gu Yi couldn’t stand so many people, quickly gesturing. “No need to wait on me—please, carry on.”

“Well, aren’t you shy,” said a girl in red, twirling a lock of hair. “Young Master Ma, have you met Yiyi before? To offer ten gold ingots—is this love at first sight?”