The Child I Raised Has Been Reborn - Chapter 2

Qin Tangxi had been tricked into entering Jade Spring Tower by her so-called friend, Jiang Zhiyi, who, despite her restless and unrestrained nature, had set her sights on the young woman.

Wu An was infamous for his philandering ways, yet his sharp mind had allowed him to outmaneuver the Duke of Xinguo’s Residence, earning the Emperor’s favor and securing the position of Vice Minister of Revenue.

Within Jade Spring Tower, he acted with arrogant impunity, only to find himself unexpectedly stumbling in the gutter today.

After watching the spectacle unfold, Prefect Jiang Zhiyi of Jingzhao leaned against the railing and slowly departed from Jade Spring Tower, leaving the establishment in utter disarray.

Mizhen stared in awe at the goddess-like woman, watching her bend slightly to help Mingshu to her feet. Her gaze, cold as an iceberg, never once glanced at Wu An as she led her retinue out of the tower.

Dressed in disheveled clothes, Wu An scrambled to his feet and hurriedly chased after the Grand Princess, while the Manager swiftly escorted Mingshu into a private chamber.

Realizing the situation, Mizhen gritted her teeth and followed Wu An.

A carriage from the Grand Princess’s Residence had been waiting outside. Qin Tangxi stepped directly into it, while Wu An hesitated, too afraid to return to the tower for further pleasures. Instead, he spurred his horse back to the Marquis of Rongchang’s Residence.

The Marquis of Rongchang was enjoying himself with one of his concubines when the door to his chamber burst open. He flew into a rage and was about to curse the intruder, but when he saw his son standing in the doorway, he swallowed his anger and strode out of the room, pulling on his robe.

Wu An’s expression was dark. “I ran into the Grand Princess at Jade Spring Tower today.”

“The Grand Princess?” The Marquis of Rongchang paused. “What was she doing at a pleasure house?”

“How should I know?” Wu An gritted his teeth, a flicker of hatred burning in his eyes. “The Duke of Xinguo affair already displeased her. I fear she might use this incident as leverage.”

While the dynasty’s laws didn’t explicitly prohibit court officials from visiting pleasure houses, Qin Tangxi was no ordinary person. She clung to power, refusing to relinquish her authority, and had always been ruthless in her methods. A misstep now could have catastrophic consequences.

“What are you afraid of?” the Marquis of Rongchang said dismissively. “The Emperor has come of age and will soon ascend the throne. She wouldn’t dare act rashly at this juncture. I am the Emperor’s maternal grandfather, after all.” The biting night wind chilled him to the bone, and he shivered violently. Unable to bear the cold any longer, he shoved his son aside and retreated into his chamber.

Wu An’s worries persisted. The next day, after court, he sought an audience with the Emperor to discuss the matter.

******

The street lanterns had thinned considerably, and some of the lanterns in Yongping Alley had been taken down. Yet as Ping’er walked through the alley, she still felt the lingering festive atmosphere.

Ping’er stepped into the Jade Spring Tower once more, muttering to herself, “What’s gotten into Your Highness? Why would he come here when everyone here is so improper?”

In a room in the rear courtyard, the Manager was applying medicine to Mingshu’s wounds. “The noble lady who saved you yesterday is here again,” he coaxed. “If you don’t want to serve the Young Marquis, at least go pay your respects to her.”

In the bronze mirror, a scar the size of a palm marred Mingshu’s forehead. Her small face, as pale as paper, framed lips pressed thin. The image that flashed through her mind wasn’t Wu An’s greasy face, but the Grand Princess’s cold, disdainful gaze.

Grand Princess Protector of the Nation, Qin Tangxi, was the most illustrious woman of the dynasty. Even the Emperor yielded to her. He had ascended the throne at the age of five, and for the past ten years, she had governed the realm in his stead. Such grace and talent were gifts from the heavens.

Mingshu endured the trembling of her entire body, gritting her teeth and refusing to speak. Having fallen into this filthy place, she was no longer the refined and noble daughter of the Duke of Xinguo’s Residence.

The Manager tried to persuade her, but when she remained stubbornly unyielding, his expression turned cold and his tone menacing. “I spent ten thousand taels of silver to buy you, and I have plenty of ways to recoup that investment. You’d best be more cooperative. Last night’s Young Marquis from the Marquis of Rongchang’s Residence is notoriously ruthless. Let me remind you, there are many consequences for disobedience.”

Mingshu slowly closed her eyes, allowing twin streams of tears to roll down her cheeks.

Outside, Qin Tangxi sat in the same seat as yesterday. But in the private room next door, new occupants had arrived, and the occasional soft, feminine whispers drifted through the walls. Ping’er flushed and her heart raced, even covering her ears.

Mizhen, who had been lurking in the shadows, watching for some time, saw no one approaching Mingshu. She slowly approached, carrying a cup of wine.

Qin Tangxi’s gaze fell upon the woman on the raised platform. Yesterday, she had danced with seductive grace; today, she played the guqin, but the music was too rigid, lacking spirit.

Seeing someone approach, Ping’er shielded Mingshu like a hawk protecting its chick. “Get lost! You’re so ugly. You’re not worthy of drinking with my Mistress!”

“Ping’er,” Qin Tangxi chided softly.

Ping’er made a funny face and retreated.

Mizhen secretly delighted in the Grand Princess’s presence but, intimidated by her dignity, didn’t dare approach too closely. She continued to pour wine for her, smiling brightly. “Your Highness, do you like it here?”

The courtesan at Jade Spring Tower changed frequently, new faces replacing old ones, their beauty renowned far and wide. Even Wu An had been entranced by this place, so she believed the Grand Princess would enjoy it too.

Qin Tangxi gazed from afar at the raised platform, the harsh, grating sound of the guqin piercing her ears.

Mizhen talked until her mouth was dry, but received no response from the Grand Princess. Disheartened, the Grand Princess leaned back in her chair, her gaze fixed on the gauzy curtain draped over the platform.

The crimson curtain billowed rhythmically. When the guqin’s melody abruptly shifted, she whipped around. The player had changed.

The familiar tune of “High Mountains and Flowing Streams” now carried an ethereal quality.

Qin Tangxi narrowed her eyes, unable to clearly see the figure behind the curtain. This guqin playing was far superior to the usual fare in pleasure houses. Yet she sensed something unusual, as if the player were right behind the curtain. She called out softly, “Ping’er.”

Ping’er pursed her lips, withdrew some silver from her sleeve, and strode purposefully toward the platform.

Mizhen couldn’t discern any difference in the music, puzzled by the Grand Princess’s sudden praise. She studied the princess’s expression, but it remained calm and unchanged from before.

Soon, Ping’er returned and whispered something in Qin Tangxi’s ear. Qin Tangxi’s brow furrowed slightly before smoothing out.

When the music stopped, she left.

Yu Niang, the manager, personally escorted her out. Turning around, she gleefully sought out Mingshu.

Mizhen intercepted her halfway. “Yu Niang, do you know who was playing the guqin just now?”

Yu Niang, now past thirty, still retained traces of her former charm, her movements now steady and composed. “It was Mingshu. That noblewoman even gave her some silver.”

Mingshu again. Mizhen sighed silently, while Yu Niang beamed with delight. “I always knew she was extraordinary, but I never imagined she’d play the guqin so well.”

In ordinary poor families, daughters sold to brothels were typically taught the four scholarly arts—guqin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, to enhance their appeal. But Mingshu was different. Not only could she play the guqin, but she played it exceptionally well.

In no time, Mingshu became the most sought-after courtesan at Jade Spring Tower.

For several days in a row, Qin Tangxi visited Jade Spring Tower for half an hour each time, listening to a single piece before leaving.

Even the Emperor caught wind of it. After the court session, he detained Wu An. “We’ve heard the Grand Princess has been visiting the pleasure houses to listen to music these past few days?”

The Current Emperor was a young woman who had just come of age, having ascended the throne ten years prior. Under the tutelage of Qin Tangxi, she had learned much about governance, and now, draped in the bright yellow robes of the imperial court, she exuded a radiant feminine grace.

Wu An, six years the Emperor’s senior, still harbored resentment over Mingshu’s affair. When asked about the Grand Princess’s recent behavior, he replied, “I’ve heard the same. Her actions have grown peculiar. I cannot fathom her intentions.”

The Emperor rested his chin in his hand, deep in thought. “Do all the songs A-Jie listens to come from the same source?”

This was precisely the matter that rankled Wu An. The previous day, when he had gone to Jade Spring Tower to see Mingshu, Manager Yu Niang had refused him in Qin Tangxi’s name.

“I believe so. Her name is Mingshu.”

“And what of her background?” the Emperor pressed.

“Her history is unblemished. Her family was impoverished, and her parents sold her to raise funds for her brother’s marriage. They reportedly received a substantial sum.”

“That’s quite ordinary,” the Emperor said, visibly relieved.

Seizing the opportunity, Wu An added, “As a woman of the imperial family, the Grand Princess’s frequent visits to brothels may invite malicious gossip.”

“This dynasty has no laws to restrain her, and I cannot tolerate such interference,” the Emperor said helplessly. Even after the execution of her chief supporter, the Duke of Xinguo, the Grand Princess remained unruffled.

Wu An stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Your Majesty, I have a plan.”

The Emperor’s eyes lit up. “Speak quickly. Tell me!”

*****

On this early February day, a torrential rain poured down, but the patrons of the Jade Spring Tower didn’t diminish in number; instead, they crowded thickly into the hall.

Mingshu had changed into an elaborate costume, her apricot-yellow skirt embroidered with large peonies in silk thread. Yu Niang sighed, “If she were from an official family, they’d replace this ordinary silk thread with golden thread. It would truly shine brilliantly.”

Mingshu lowered her head to look at her skirt. Golden thread?

She had once used such things herself. In her past life, as Zhao Lan, the only daughter of the Duke of Xinguo, she had never used mere golden thread. She had even used bird feathers regularly.

Yu Niang gazed at Mingshu’s divine beauty reflected in the bronze mirror, her eyes sparkling. She nodded toward a servant, then personally painted Mingshu’s eyebrows and applied her makeup, smiling as she said, “Women adorn themselves for those who please them. As long as you obey, I’ll ensure you never lack for food or clothing.”

Mingshu heard the words numbly. This body’s parents had sold their daughter for ten thousand taels of silver, using the money to buy land and build houses. Blood ties meant less than material wealth.

A servant brought over a bowl of hot soup. Yu Niang took it and handed it to Mingshu. “Drink this to warm yourself.”

Mingshu hadn’t had anything to drink all day, and she didn’t know when she’d return from the stage. Without hesitation, she took the bowl and drank it all.

The warmth of the soup spread through her body, easing her stiff limbs. She bowed to Yu Niang and walked toward the raised stage.

Yu Niang silently counted to three. As predicted, Mingshu’s body collapsed. She quickly ordered a wooden chest prepared.

The unconscious Mingshu was placed in the wooden chest, then carefully loaded onto a carriage.

******

The rain pattered down from the eaves as Ping’er entered the room with ginseng tea, only to see Commandery Princess Qin Jianhan walk in.

Many years ago, Qin Tangxi’s close friend had died tragically, leaving behind a daughter. Qin Tangxi had taken the girl into her manor and treated her with the respect due to a commandery princess.

Qin Jianhan stepped carefully inside and bowed to the person seated behind the desk. “Aunt, His Majesty has sent a gift.”

Qin Tangxi looked up. “What kind of gift?”

“I don’t know. I only saw a wooden chest, about half a person tall, delivered to the manor. Should I have it brought in?” Qin Jianhan shook her head, indicating her ignorance.

Qin Tangxi gazed at the memorial on her desk for a long time without speaking.

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