Outside the Yanfeng Tower, the wealthy guests entered in groups of two or three. In a corner of the street, there were two young men, dressed plainly yet neatly.

 

"Wang Er, are you really going in? Just sitting down for a cup of tea costs one or two silver coins, and we have to toil for two months just to earn one or two silver coins!" The two young men looked at the Yanfeng Tower from a distance, gazing at the faintly visible captivating figures within.

 

"I can feed my whole family even if I'm full myself. As long as I can hear the 'Qingqiu Fairy' play a tune, it's worth it. Are you coming or not? If you're not going in, I will." Urged by the man with thick eyebrows and big eyes.

 

"I... I still have a family to support. No, I won't go. Yingzi will scold me if she finds out." The short and sturdy man hesitated and shook his head.

 

"Just because of your nagging wife? She scolded you all night yesterday, and besides, you found that wealthy person's money pouch. The person rewarded you with a silver coin. Your nagging wife doesn't know about it! Let's go, let's go."

 

"It's too expensive for me."

 

"Don't regret it." The man with thick eyebrows immediately strode away and soon entered the Yanfeng Tower.

 

The short and sturdy man watched from a distance, feeling a tingling in his heart, but in the end, he gritted his teeth and turned away. "One or two silver coins can buy more meat, making life a little better. Yingzi will be happy to see one or two silver coins." With that thought, a smile appeared on the face of the short and sturdy man.

 

Meanwhile, Muyun Qin and Tian Bo rode their horses and arrived outside the Yanfeng Tower.

 

"Tian Gongzi, it's been a while since you last came. Please, come in quickly," a rather attractive old madam called out loudly. This madam must have been a beauty in her youth, and a servant immediately approached to lead the horse warmly.

 

"Let's go in." Tian Bo dismounted and led Muyun Qin inside.

 

"Come and greet the guests quickly," the old madam warmly guided them.

 

Immediately, a petite and young maid came forward to welcome them. "Tian Gongzi, please come in. Is this the first time for the young master to visit our Yanfeng Tower?"

 

"This is Qin Gongzi. Arrange a seat closer to us," Tian Bo instructed.

 

"Don't worry, we wouldn't dare to neglect your instructions, Tian Gongzi," the maid smiled.

 

Yanfeng Tower consisted of five buildings: the main building, East Tower, South Tower, West Tower, and North Tower. The main building usually received guests from all directions, while the other four towers were off-limits to ordinary customers.

 

At this moment, Muyun Qin and Tian Bo entered the main building and were led to a seat near the railing.

 

The railing surrounded a central stage, where musicians played and two dancing girls gracefully danced.

 

"Yun Ge, these are ordinary girls for now. Later, famous courtesans will come out. We are closest to them," Tian Bo said. They sat down, and there was a small tea table in front of them. Tian Bo skillfully said, "Bring fruits and snacks, and brew another pot of tea."

 

"Right away."

 

The young maid stood by, helping to brew tea and instructing other maids to bring fruits and snacks. She naturally massaged Tian Bo's shoulders and said, "Tian Gongzi, would you like a sister to accompany you?"

 

"No need." Muyun Qin interjected. Having traveled the world for six years, he understood the rules of the brothels. In establishments like Yanfeng Tower, the maids only provided services like massaging shoulders and pouring tea; they did not sell themselves.

 

"Xiao Shuang will come out tonight, right?" Muyun Qin asked.

 

"Shuang has entered the brothel and changed her name. Now she is called 'Ling Shuang.' She came here to pay off debts, and Yanfeng Tower often lets her entertain guests," Tian Bo said.

 

"Ling Shuang?" Muyun Qin whispered softly, feeling a pang in his heart. The girl he once knew was now forced into the brothel.

 

Inside Yanfeng Tower, seating arrangements were also significant.

 

Wealthy guests either sat in private rooms, which were more secluded but away from the stage, or they sat closer to the stage, where beautiful maids would massage their legs and feed them fruit. The seats at the back were smaller and usually only came with the most basic service of a pot of tea. That was the minimum expense of "one or two silver coins!"

 

Time passes.

On stage, one after another takes the spotlight.

Accompanied by the sound of the flute, the renowned "Clear Autumn Lady" of Yanfeng Tower, dressed in green, sits quietly, playing the flute. The melodies are deep and melodious, tranquil and gentle, evoking a sense of weeping and storytelling. Unknowingly, it captivates people and transports them into a dreamlike state. The hustle and bustle of the mundane world seem to fade away, and even Muyun Qin couldn't help but be drawn to listen attentively.

 

When the flute ceases, the Clear Autumn Lady rises and departs, holding the flute in her delicate hands.

 

"Where is the Clear Autumn Fairy?"

"Like a dream, once the dream is over, the Clear Autumn Fairy is no longer here."

Many people around feel lost and sigh in admiration. A young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes in the corner is particularly excited. "Being able to listen to the Clear Autumn Fairy's music is worth it, worth it."

 

Muyun Qin nods slightly upon hearing it. Indeed, her flute skills are extraordinary.

 

"The flute music of the Clear Autumn Fairy becomes more exceptional. I believe this time she will be able to win the title of Flower Blossom," someone speculates.

 

"Is the Flower Blossom title so easily obtained? Since the Clear Autumn Fairy came to our Yingtian County, she has participated in the selection twice, but she has only made it to the top three and has not won the Flower Blossom title," another voice argues.

 

"Last year, Xiangyi Lady surpassed the Clear Autumn Fairy and won the title. And the year before that, the 'Dream Pavilion Master' also managed to win the Flower Blossom title. It's just too unfair," the discussions continue.

 

The surroundings buzz with discussions.

 

"Selecting the Flower Blossom?" Muyun Qin understands. Yingtian County is a city with hundreds of thousands of people, and the selection of Flower Blossom is a grand event! Prominent courtesans from various prestigious brothels would compete fiercely. Even entering the "top ten" among numerous renowned courtesans would greatly increase their reputation. In the world of brothels, reputation equals money!

 

"Yanfeng Tower will spare no effort to help the Clear Autumn Fairy win the Flower Blossom title, but unfortunately, they haven't succeeded in the past two years," Tian Bo shakes his head.

 

"What about Xiao Shuang? Is she participating in the Flower Blossom selection?" Muyun Qin asks.

 

"Xie Shuang just joined Yanfeng Tower not long ago, and her reputation is not significant enough to enter the selection. She entered the competition last year, but she didn't make it to the top ten," Tian Bo explains. "This year, we don't have high expectations either. After all, she's only ranked fifth in Yanfeng Tower."

 

Muyun Qin nods and remains silent.

 

Although there are plates of dim sum and neatly cut fruits on the table in front of him, Muyun Qin doesn't touch them. He only sips his tea and finally finishes two cups.

 

"Ah."

 

A graceful figure in a red dress flies out from behind, a sword cutting through the air, before gracefully landing on the stage.

 

Ling Shuang, the young lady from Yanfeng Tower, performs a sword dance!

 

"Xiao Shuang." Muyun Qin's grip tightens around the teacup. The girl he bid farewell to when she was only thirteen years old has grown up to be a nineteen-year-old young woman.

 

Muyun Qin whispers, "She has grown up, become a young woman."

 

With her arched eyebrows and a strong aura, Ling Shuang exudes a sharpness when wielding her sword, yet her demeanor still carries a hint of delicateness.

 

Strength and fragility, combined in one.

 

"I taught her swordsmanship, but it has changed like this," Muyun Qin shakes his head lightly, feeling complicated.

 

Accompanied by the music, as Ling Shuang turns to thrust her sword, she catches sight of the table in this direction. Ling Shuang freezes.

 

That figure... the man sitting with Tian Bo...

 

Memories flash through her mind.

 

"Xiao Shuang, this sword technique should be executed like this." Thirteen-year-old Muyun Qin taught her.

 

"Brother Muyun, I got it, I got it! Let me show you again." Excited, eleven-year-old Xie Shuang wanted to try again.

 

"You must practice diligently. Your Brother Muyun has already reached the realm of unity between man and sword, surpassing even your eldest brother in skill." Xie Lei, who was only fourteen but already quite robust, laughed heartily.

 

...

 

Tears welled up in Ling Shuang's eyes, and she couldn't help but shed a tear.

 

Muyun Qin also gazes at her.

 

Their eyes meet, and for a moment, time seems to stand still. Recognition flickers in Ling Shuang's eyes, and she takes a step forward, her sword still in hand.

 

"Brother Muyun," she whispers, her voice barely audible amidst the surrounding noise.

 

Muyun Qin rises from his seat, his heart pounding with a mix of emotions. Ling Shuang, the girl he once knew, has now become a skilled courtesan and a formidable swordswoman. The connection they shared in the past is rekindled in this unexpected encounter.

 

The audience around them starts to notice the commotion and quiets down, curious to witness this reunion.

 

Ling Shuang takes a few hesitant steps closer, her grip on the sword tightening. She looks into Muyun Qin's eyes, searching for confirmation of what her heart already believes.

 

"Xiao Shuang," Muyun Qin says softly, his voice filled with tenderness and nostalgia. "It's really you."

 

A smile tugs at the corners of Ling Shuang's lips, and tears flow freely down her cheeks. She clutches the sword tightly, her emotions overwhelming her. The memories of her childhood spent with Muyun Qin flood back, and she can no longer contain her feelings.

 

The crowd watches in hushed anticipation, witnessing a rare and heartfelt moment in the midst of the entertainment.

 

Muyun Qin takes a step forward and opens his arms, inviting Ling Shuang into an embrace. Ling Shuang drops her sword and rushes into his arms, holding him tightly. The weight of the years melts away as they find solace in each other's presence.

 

They stand there, locked in an embrace, oblivious to the world around them. The audience, touched by the sincerity of their reunion, erupts into applause and cheers, celebrating the magic of fate and the power of love.

 

In that moment, the Yanfeng Tower, with its enchanting entertainment and captivating performances, fades into the background. The true spectacle lies in the reunion of two souls long separated, finding each other once again in the midst of a bustling world.

 

And as their embrace lingers, Muyun Qin and Ling Shuang know that this reunion is just the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, filled with shared memories, love, and the promise of a future together.