Chapter Twenty-One: The Moonlit Night at the Twenty-Four Bridges

Page (1/3)

In the past, Ning’er had been quite lazy, relying on her beauty and always indifferent to effort. As a result, her skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were merely average. Instead, she chose to gently tap jade cups with bamboo chopsticks and sing clear melodies, which carried a unique charm.

“Singing through Yangguan, tears not yet dry,
Fame and fortune set aside for now, a feast to enjoy.
Endless trees float on water to the sky,
Rain clouds bury half the mountain high.

Ancient and modern sorrows, countless kinds,
Perhaps separation and reunion are but joy and grief combined?
The river’s head has yet no fierce storm to bear,
Yet elsewhere in the world, the road is hard to fare.”

When the song ended, though there was no accompaniment from strings or flutes, the maiden’s tender and lingering voice was extraordinarily pleasing to the ear.

Everyone listening nodded and clapped in admiration, and others in the garden shouted their applause loudly.

Cai Jing and the others felt a different emotion in their hearts. The treacherous nature of officialdom, the ups and downs over the years, the youthful vigor turned to scheming ambition—all the sweet and bitter flavors surged within them, leaving them momentarily speechless.

“Miss Ning’er’s singing is excellent, and the lyrics are well written. May I ask, who composed this ‘Partridge Sky’?”

Ning’er felt somewhat uneasy and quietly glanced at Yang Lin sitting below. He smiled in encouragement, giving her the courage to reply, “Minister Gong is an imperial scholar entrusted with important duties; this humble girl was moved and composed it in the moment. I hope Minister Gong’s journey to Bianliang fulfills his lifelong aspirations for the nation and its people.”

Cai Jing, a seasoned official familiar with the ups and downs of bureaucracy, had long noticed the subtle exchange of glances between Ning’er and Yang Lin right under his nose.

So it was Yang Wenyuan’s handiwork. The poem was quite outstanding, enough to enhance my reputation. This young man has ambition. No wonder the words ring with strength, hardly something a delicate girl could have penned.

Cai Jing smiled lightly at Yang Lin and nodded, their eyes meeting in mutual understanding. Ning’er’s youthful face resembled a child’s innocence, yet her figure was alluring and graceful. Her dignified bearing combined with her charm was a potent poison for any man. The beauty’s gaze frequently stole glances at the young man below, her gentle affection clearly focused on him.

Page (2/3)

How could Cai Jing not understand? He chuckled inwardly, this young man is not very old but quite a charmer—I’ll give your golden bird a favorable wind.

“Miss Ning’er is both talented and beautiful. I never thought Yangzhou would have such a remarkable lady. It is my good fortune to meet her before my departure—this calls for a toast.”

Beside him, Xu Fangheng stood and praised, “Indeed, let us drink with Miss Ning’er.” Without hesitation, he pushed his already used cup toward her.

This old lecher’s piggish expression frightened Ning’er, caught between drinking or refusing. Cai Jing quickly intervened, “A beauty shouldn’t drink strong liquor. Someone, replace Miss Ning’er’s cup with grape wine, and use a jade rhinoceros horn cup.”

Yang Lin below watched in growing anger. First, Xu Fangheng had offended him twice; second, Ning’er’s response was too weak.

This old lecher will pay dearly one day.

Jin’er nearby was excited, having not seen Ning’er earlier today. She whispered, “Young Master, Ning’er has really made us proud now.”

These matters had all been anticipated, and despite a slight flaw, Yang Lin’s excitement was tempered. Calmly he said, “Yangzhou is but a small place; this is merely a small test of skill.”

This episode only served to dramatize Cai Jing’s promotion more vividly. It was foreseeable that for a long time, this event and the poem would spread far and wide.

Along the Yangtze River, the most dazzling star became Miss Ning’er—the courtesan’s leader bought by a guest on her very first outing, yet her reputation had not yet fully blossomed.

This farewell poem quickly circulated among scholars and poets, leading to endless invitations to banquets, boat outings, and poetry gatherings—all of which were promptly discarded in the Yang family’s scrap basket.

At this time, Yangzhou was a small town. The wars of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, with northern and southern powers divided by the river, had reduced this once-flourishing city of the Tang dynasty to a frontline of conflict.

Page (3/3)

The flames of war had destroyed its former splendor, and it had yet to fully recover. Aside from gatherings of Cai Jing’s scale, Yang Lin was unwilling to let Ning’er appear publicly at smaller events.

Late at night, only the study in the Yang residence remained lit. Seven days had passed since Cai Jing’s departure. The new prefect, Xu Caimao, was a graduate official with no need for social interaction. With nothing left to do in Yangzhou, preparations for the upcoming capital examination were complete, awaiting spring.

Since being scolded, Ning’er had been troubled, tossing and turning at night, unable to sleep.

Though she could rely on her benefactor and had been redeemed from her former life, she disliked being surrounded as the courtesan leader. At heart, she was merely a somewhat indolent young girl.

Yet Yang Dalang had no intention of letting her serve as a mere attendant; instead, he continuously trained her in grace and poetry, leaving Ning’er confused. The scholars of today only saw beauty exchanged as concubines—was Dalang planning to give her away?

This thought made Ning’er’s heart race. She resolved to clarify matters tonight. Dressing in a light silk skirt and a small short jacket, she stepped outside, only to find Yun Niang missing from the bed.

Reaching out, she felt the bed still warm, guessing Yun Niang had gone to relieve herself. Ning’er lit a candle and opened the door, heading toward Yang Lin’s courtyard.

Inside the study, shadows flickered by candlelight. Yang Lin was still reading by lamp. Ning’er exhaled deeply as she approached the half-open door. Curiously, she peeked inside...

The unspeakable scene before her eyes left no doubt as to what was happening. After all, Ning’er had grown up in the brothel, where many older courtesans spoke freely, sharing all kinds of gossip.

With a loud crash, the candle fell to the floor. Startled, Yun Niang quickly rose and stood behind Yang Lin. Yang Lin’s voice was firm: “Who’s there?”