My Senior Sister Says She Will Marry No One But Me - Chapter 36

Although the Emei Sect Leader’s remark seemed rather abrupt and out of nowhere, Du Yunge managed, with some difficulty and within the bounds of normal comprehension, to grasp its meaning:

She’s telling me to keep a close eye on Senior Sister Xue, right?

Once she understood it this way, Du Yunge immediately grew flustered. In an instant, a hundred thoughts raced through her mind, each seeming perfectly reasonable:

Why would Senior Sister Xue want to leave? Has someone been trying to poach her from our Miaoyin Sect? That can’t be she even swore an oath to stay with Miaoyin Sect forever! Or maybe someone has discovered some secret of hers and is forcing her to leave?

Du Yunge still hadn’t grasped the essence of the Emei Sect, where everyone from top to bottom was a woman who loved gossip. Just a few days earlier, when she and Xue Shuyan had simply worn their hair in the same high ponytail style, many Emei disciples had looked at the top of her head with expressions ranging from ecstatic to deeply distressed, making her pat her head several times to confirm she hadn’t suddenly sprouted something strange.

She had lived on Mount Wangyou for so long that she had never experienced the one thing that struck fear into the hearts of young people the ultimate checkmate that could overwhelm even a peerless hero like Xue Shuyan:

Pressure to marry.

In truth, the Emei Sect Leader’s words, both overt and subtle, were urging them to get married. Even though Xue Shuyan kept her emotions and overflowing affection for Du Yunge tightly controlled so much so that outsiders could hardly detect anything given her nature of keeping everything locked in her heart, at most she might be praised as “deeply devoted.” But she couldn’t escape the discerning eyes of an elder like the Emei Sect Leader, who had only grown sharper with age.

The Sect Leader had been fond of these two from the start. Unfortunately, Xue Shuyan had long been known for her aloofness, and together with Du Yunge, they were called “the untouchable flowers of Mount Wangyou” Xue Shuyan being the untouchable peak, and Du Yunge the flower. On the surface, they seemed to have no relationship beyond that of sect leader and future deputy, or fellow disciples. So, no matter how much the Sect Leader had hoped for more, she couldn’t casually play matchmaker without reason.

But the moment Du Yunge sat before the Emei Sect Leader and Xue Shuyan “coincidentally” passed by the tea room no less than twenty times in one morning, everything became clear. All the unfounded rumors like “Xue Shuyan is cold-faced, cold-hearted, and incapable of loving anyone” crumbled to dust under the gaze she occasionally directed at Du Yunge, a gaze that very rarely betrayed a hint of irrepressible affection.

Watching the two figures gradually recede into the distance, the Emei Sect Leader sighed with concern, thinking, I wonder if these old bones will live long enough to toast at their wedding.

Unaware that someone behind her was worrying about her and Xue Shuyan’s future, Du Yunge grew increasingly puzzled after noticing the faint look of relief on Xue Shuyan’s face:

So, that girl from the dream. I was supposed to know her after all?

Unlike those who prefer to keep their thoughts hidden, Du Yunge was utterly open with her senior sister Xue. Apart from the bizarre incident of her resurrection which was far too strange to share there was nothing in the world she wouldn’t confide in Xue Shuyan. So, when she found herself puzzled by certain matters, it made perfect sense that she would pour out the dream she’d had the previous night to Xue Shuyan, holding nothing back:

“Senior Sister, I had a dream last night.”

No matter what Du Yunge said, Xue Shuyan had always been patient with her. Following Du Yunge’s lead, she asked, “What did you dream about?”

Du Yunge carefully recalled the dream and described it:

“I dreamed of you when you were still a little girl. Did you once live on Mount Wangyou for a while? And you brought along a Hu girl I didn’t know? Both of you came to play with me, but I think I’d still prefer to stay with you, Senior Sister.”

At first, Xue Shuyan had been subtly tense, but as soon as Du Yunge mentioned the “Hu girl I didn’t know,” her tension vanished entirely. By the time Du Yunge finished speaking, an almost imperceptible hint of joy had crept onto her face, which in turn made Du Yunge feel unconsciously happy as well:

“I did live there for a while, but it’s nothing important.”

Seeing that Du Yunge still seemed inclined to press further, Xue Shuyan added:

“Whatever others tell you is bound to be somewhat distorted. Everyone unintentionally adds their own understanding when retelling a story, and even if it’s not intentional, it doesn’t help much in recalling the past accurately.”

“If you truly want to know the full picture of this matter, you’ll have to rely on your own careful recollection.”

Du Yunge thought to herself that this made sense. Besides, since everyone said it wasn’t anything important and she had never been particularly clever since childhood, so what major event could possibly be connected to such a silly little girl she decided not to press further. The two of them hurried on horseback and arrived at Qinhuai in Jinling just as night fell.

Everyone says that Qinhuai in the daytime isn’t much to look at. This river, long celebrated in poetry and song for its extravagant beauty, is actually quite tranquil during the day, with only the occasional fishing boat drifting on its surface. After all, this is a place of refined elegance, where even the breeze carries an inexplicable charm and allure. Naturally, the business conducted here isn’t about food fishing on the Qinhuai River? Whoever came up with that idea must have been out of their mind.

Ironically, the main source of income for the Miaoyin Sect in Qinhuai is indeed from food, making them quite unique among the many brothels and pleasure houses.

But as soon as night falls, the scenery here transforms completely. Before the night has even fully descended, some taverns along the riverbank and the flower boats on the water eagerly light their rouge-red lanterns. Oars gently part the ripples, carrying the flower boats laden with soft songs, graceful dances, and sweet, flirtatious laughter, either toward the shore or into the heart of the river, ready to receive their guests.

Along these ten li of the Qinhuai River, there were all sorts of places for pleasure, but the most common were undoubtedly those of romantic and frivolous pursuits. However, the world of such establishments was intricate: there were hidden brothels that stripped away the last shred of decency to trade solely in flesh; there were young courtesans waiting for the highest bidder; there were “pure entertainers” who, on the surface, sold their talents but not their bodies, though in reality, they would do anything for enough money; and there were genuine singers who truly sold only their art, making a meager living by performing tunes without feeling lonely. Yet, if one were to ask which establishment along the Qinhuai River had the most exclusive entry, which housed the most talented women who genuinely sold only their skills, and which had the highest refinement so refined that even serving officials could enter without fear of being targeted by critics nine out of ten people would give the same answer. The tenth would surely not be a local of Qinhuai:

Heaven in Water.

The name of this establishment was “Heaven in Water,” derived from the line, “Drunk, I know not the sky is in the water; a boatful of clear dreams presses down the Milky Way.” From its name alone, it distinguished itself from the common and vulgar establishments like “Drunken Moon Tower” or “Sweet Dream Pavilion.” If that weren’t enough to signify its stature, the fact that it operated under the Miaoyin Sect spoke volumes.

In such a place where money was hard to spend and entry was difficult, ordinary people dared not cause trouble, and those who did were no ordinary folk. Since they were no ordinary folk, they were naturally well-informed. It was widely known among such circles that since its founding, the Miaoyin Sect had maintained intricate and inextricable ties with the imperial court. Since ancient times, commoners did not challenge officials, and naturally, they would not dare to oppose a prestigious sect like this, which was both connected to the court and highly respected in the martial world.

Moreover, even if someone were drunk out of their mind and reckless enough to risk their life to cause trouble, the establishment had branch leaders personally trained by Qiu Yueman stationed there. Who would dare make a scene? Were they not afraid of being grabbed by the collar and thrown out headfirst by these seemingly delicate women, utterly humiliated?

Yet today, Heaven in Water truly welcomed two young women who looked every bit like they had come to cause trouble.

It wasn’t that women couldn’t visit such places. Ever since the only empress in history promoted marriage laws allowing men and women to freely marry regardless of gender or family background, couples who once had to hide their relationships finally had the chance to live normal lives. Over time, it became commonplace for men to visit male brothels and women to visit pleasure houses. Besides, Heaven in Water could hardly be called a brothel at most, it was a place to enjoy wine, tea, and songs. Moreover, in these times, after the chaos of the Five Barbarians, even ethical norms had nearly been destroyed. Who had the leisure to care about where others sought their amusement?

However, these two individuals hardly seemed like they had come for pleasure. The woman in the dark blue robe clearly had Hu ancestry. The moment she stood at the entrance of Tian Zai Shui, she drew many unfriendly gazes from within. Moreover, her expression was as cold and forbidding as “a thousand mountains without a bird in flight, ten thousand paths with no trace of human footsteps.” A goose-feather saber hung at her waist, and it was obvious at a glance that someone like her would not casually visit a place of entertainment for amusement. The other woman wore a hat veiled with light gauze. Though her face was obscured, her graceful figure suggested she was a beauty. Moreover, the clothes she wore were made of first-grade Yun brocade, exquisite and luxurious, resplendent as clouds and mist. Just standing there, she exuded a dazzling and dignified aura of nobility that was almost too brilliant to behold.

Each year, the majority of first-grade Yun brocade produced was requisitioned for the imperial palace. What circulated in the Jinling market were mostly inferior leftovers. The tiny remainder of first-grade Yun brocade had long been monopolized by a few wealthy families, how could others hope to get a share?

Since Yun brocade required a large amount of gold thread in its weaving, the difference between first-grade and second-grade Yun brocade was quite apparent, primarily in the quantity of gold thread used. First-grade Yun brocade, intended for the palace, was made with abundant materials. Anyone who had seen ordinary Yun brocade could easily distinguish the difference in quality.

Yet today, this exceedingly rare first-grade Yun brocade had made an appearance at the entrance of Tian Zai Shui.

The women of Tian Zai Shui brightened at the sight of these two, not for any other reason but for the woman clad in the exquisite Yun brocade with her face veiled in white gauze. Even under the piercing gaze of her companion, who seemed to regard everyone as if they were already dead, they felt it was worth trying their luck. If they were fortunate enough to be chosen and redeemed by such a wealthy patron, even serving as a lowly maid fetching tea and water would be worthwhile!

In no time, the idle women began to stir, attempting to approach this lady and strike up a conversation. The woman who seemed like a lamb fallen into a pack of wolves was none other than Du Yunge, the sect leader of Miaoyin Sect, the true master of Tian Zai Shui.

Truly, it was like the flood dragon charging into the Dragon King’s temple, failing to recognize one of their own.

The women of Tian Zai Shui sold their talents, not their bodies. Thus, even when they approached to converse, they were subtle and reserved, wishing they could showcase their myriad skills in just a few words:

“We haven’t seen you here before, miss. Are you from the capital?”

“Have you come to listen to music? I excel at backgammon, guessing games, dice-throwing, arrow-pitching, and drinking games!”

“It would be a great honor to discuss poetry and literature with you, miss.”

Each of them wore a light fragrance, but with so many gathered together, the scents merged into a rich, almost overpowering, floral breeze. Du Yunge had never encountered such an overwhelming situation before. Terrified, she immediately wanted to hide behind Xue Shuyan, pleading:

“Senior Sister!”

But unexpectedly, Xue Shuyan, who had always been exceedingly accommodating to her, acted out of character this time and did not let Du Yunge hide behind her. However, upon reflection, it made sense, they were about to audit the accounts. If Du Yunge showed timidity here, she would naturally be looked down upon, and it would be difficult to reestablish the authority of the sect leader and compel the branch leaders here to obediently present the account books for inspection. Thus, not only did Xue Shuyan not allow Du Yunge to retreat behind her as usual, she even grasped her shoulders and said in a deep voice:

“You are the esteemed leader of the Miaoyin Sect. Don’t show fear, Yunge.”

“Take out your waist token. This entire building is yours. Their lives and fates rest entirely in your hands. Why would you shy away from what is rightfully yours?”

Du Yunge thought it over and realized it was indeed true. Taking a deep breath, she imitated Xue Shuyan’s demeanor and cast a cold, indifferent glance to the side.

She was naturally beautiful; even if all the girls of Tian Zaishui were combined, they could not match half of her captivating charm. Her eyes were especially mesmerizing. When she looked around with such coldness, it was like a sharp yet graceful blade gently grazing one’s throat beautiful, yes, but even more chilling. It successfully stopped the girls who were still trying to approach her.

As silence fell at the entrance of Tian Zaishui, someone peeked out to see what was happening. But this silence seemed contagious, spreading from one person to the next, from one layer to another. In no time, the entire first floor of Tian Zaishui, which had been lively and filled with the sounds of music and singing, grew quiet, making Du Yunge’s faint voice echo all the more clearly:

“Du Yunge, leader of the Miaoyin Sect, is here.”

“Lead the way. I wish to see your branch leader.”

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