At the same time that Gao Pangshi was meeting with Liu Xian, two people from the capital were also meeting at a rather elegant place called Bixiang Tower.
Anyone with a little knowledge of literature will understand that the name Bixiang Tower comes from Zhu Xi's "Recalling Qin'e·Snow, Plum Blossoms Embracing Zhang Jingfu": The clouds are hanging down, the wind is bleak, and the flowers are falling from the sky. The flowers are falling from the sky, and there are thousands of forests.
Qiongjiu, a sky full of orioles and cranes. Zhengchao wading through the thin Hua, lost in the road, Zenglisuo. Zenglisuo, Yanxi mountains and rivers, Bixiang pavilions.
Tonight, someone booked the Bixiang Tower and asked Zhou Xiangyun, a popular courtesan, to accompany one of Eunuch Feng's butlers, named Xu Mingjue. Eunuch Feng was none other than Feng Bao.
Each of the eunuchs who served as officials in the Ming Dynasty had their own work team, and were called "private ministers of each family." These private ministers each had a title and were in charge of their own affairs. For example, the head of a family was actually the head of a family.
Responsible for handling food, cashiering money, and managing the locks and keys of boxes and cabinets. The post of secretary is responsible for wholesale documents, transcribing documents and other matters that should be reported. These private ministers can be either eunuchs or normal people, such as Xu Jue
, is a man with a wife, children, and children. In Feng Mansion, he held the position of head of the family and won Feng Bao's trust.
The person who rented this building was Cao Daye, the newly appointed household minister.
At this time, the Fenggeluan Towers in the south were all extremely elaborate and gorgeous, with carved railings, painted sills, and silk-screened windows, making them look like a fairyland. The style of the capital side was originally different from that of the south, but after the middle period of Jiajing, due to the frequent use of buildings in the south,
After being attacked by Japanese pirates, many famous prostitutes from the south went north, bringing the style of the south to the north. Now the famous Ecstasy Cave in this area has gradually added many charming styles of the south.
Although there are more than a dozen Fenggeluan Towers near Rouge Hutong, in the past two years, the one with the loudest reputation is Bixiang Tower. This is because the owner of this building is from the south, and he is good at both sex and art.
, a popular courtesan whose skills surpassed all others. When the princes, princes, grandsons, and wealthy businessmen arrived in the capital, most of them wanted to visit her and have a kiss. Therefore, if they wanted to get her favor, they had to make an appointment in advance.
Let's just say that the owner of Bixiang Tower is named Zhou Xiangyun, and the date with her has been scheduled for more than a month. Fortunately, Cao Daye has a strong backer and great ability, and he has important things to do today, so he squeezed in temporarily.
It was already dark, and bright palace lanterns had been lit in Bixiang Tower. Cao Daye and Zhou Xiangyun were sitting in the hall upstairs, chatting about erotic and vegetarian things. After all, as officials of the science and education department, they still had to pay more or less attention.
In order to save face and cover up others' eyes and ears, Cao Daye took off his official robe and changed into casual clothes. However, from head to toe, he looked serious and official-like. Zhou Xiangyun was actually only seventeen or eighteen years old, with eyebrows like a crescent moon and skin like gelatin.
Wearing a white coat skirt made of Hu silk and Suzhou embroidery, there is a plum branch embroidered on the left chest, with several plum blossoms on it, which is particularly beautiful. Standing in front of the window, with the weak willows supporting the wind, every frown and smile is charming.
This was actually the first time that Cao Daye and Zhou Xiangyun met. When they started talking, they were still a little awkward, but after a cup of tea, the two of them talked freely.
"Mr. Cao, what is the surname of the man who is coming today?" Zhou Xiangyun asked delicately.
"Look at you, why did you forget what you just said?" Cao Daye deliberately pretended to be angry, "I'll say it again, please remember clearly, my surname is Xu, Mr. Xu."
"Mr. Cao, you are in the right place. He is a famous person. Mr. Xu is such a big official that he deserves to be fawned over by Mr. Cao."
Cao Daye frowned slightly: "How do you know that I fawn over him?"
"No need to ask," Zhou Xiangyun raised his slender eyebrows slightly and chuckled, "Everyone who comes to this little girl only cares about themselves, how can there be anyone like you? Baxin Bagan entered Bixiang Tower, but he helped Mr. Xu occupy a seat?"
Zhou Xiangyun spoke with sharp teeth and laughed at the same time. Perhaps it is the privilege of a beauty. After hearing this sarcasm, Cao Daye did not feel embarrassed at all and started laughing along with him.
"Yue'er, refill Mr. Cao's tea." Zhou Xiangyun called to the little maid standing by.
Cao Daye took a sip of tea and said sarcastically: "The female history of Xiangyun, you think I'm a subordinate... Oh no, you think I don't have the heart to cherish the beauty? Then you are wrong. Once I enter your door, I feel so lost."
Zhou Xiangyun pursed his lips and smiled: "Then why did you give it to others, Mr. Cao?"
"Since I am the master today, I should behave like a gentleman, right?"
"What a gentleman," Zhou Xiangyun said with a teasing smile, "You are always a jobber. Although your rank is not high, you are a scientific officer... You can't say you are young, but today you use a little girl to curry favor with others. , is this considered a gentleman’s style?”
"You!" Cao Daye couldn't help but said angrily, "I have important matters to discuss with Mr. Xu today. How can I allow you to talk nonsense like this?"
"Hey, look, 'I'm not happy,'" Zhou Xiangyun said in Cao Daye's tone, but he stood up, walked to Cao Daye, bent down and gave a salute, and said: "The slaves' words are often offensive. I’m sorry.”
Seeing Zhou Xiangyun's shy expression, Cao Daye turned from anger to joy, and turned around and said: "You are a little devil, no matter how capable a man is, when he comes to you, his bones will not weigh his weight."
Zhou Xiangyun pursed his lips and said, "Mr. Cao, I can't understand what you are saying. Do you think you are praising my family or derogating me?"
"Of course it's a compliment." Cao Daye said, turning to Yue'er maid and said: "Go downstairs and call my housekeeper up."
Not long after the moon had gone, a half-aged man came up with a gift box in his hand.
Cao Daye took the gift box, put it in front of Zhou Xiangyun with both hands, and said: "These are some pieces of jewelry. They are considered as a meeting gift. Please accept them."
Zhou Xiangyun took the gift box and opened it. He saw a pair of jade bracelets, a pair of earrings, and a breastplate. They were all made of high-quality jadeite with a green glow and a warm glow. Seeing such a precious gift, even he was used to big scenes. Zhou Xiangyun was also a little surprised.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Master Cao, how can the slave family afford such an expensive gift?"
"I thought that the name of the female history building is Bixiang Tower, which is green, so I chose a few kinds of jade. It's a joke. There are also two hundred taels of treasure notes here, which are considered as cosmetic money for you."
Zhou Xiangyun was really touched that Cao Daye was so generous. She murmured: "Master Cao, you have spent so much, how can the slave family repay you."
Cao Daye waved his hand and the steward retreated.
"As long as you keep Uncle Xu company tonight and let him go back happily, you will repay me."
"Who is this Mr. Xu?" Zhou Xiangyun asked again. This time, she was no longer flirting, but inquiring seriously.
Cao Daye pondered for a moment and asked, "Do you know Eunuch Feng?"
"Eunuch Feng, who is Eunuch Feng?" Zhou Xiangyun shook his head in confusion.
"That is Feng Bao, the current Eunuch Bingbi, the Superintendent of Ceremonies, and the Headmaster of the East Factory."
"The Nu family has only been in the capital for a short time, but they don't know about this big shot." Zhou Xiangyun still shook his head.
Cao Dazhi felt a little angry, but then he thought about it. She was originally from a brothel in Nanjing. She had just come to the capital not long ago. It was normal for her not to know the important figures in Beijing's officialdom. So she raised her voice and asked: "Who is the current emperor? You should know, right?"
"This is not a problem for the slave family. The current emperor is Emperor Longqing." Zhou Xiangyun answered seriously.
"What about this Eunuch Feng? He is the eunuch Bingbi beside Emperor Longqing. He is a famous person."
"Ah, the people around the emperor!" Zhou Xiangyun's expression immediately became solemn: "Mr. Cao, you said he is the one who will come tonight?"
"It's not him, I'm talking about Eunuch Feng. The one who comes up tonight is Mr. Xu."
"What is the relationship between Mr. Xu and Eunuch Feng?"
"Master Xu is Eunuch Feng's butler."
After hearing that Cao Daye had gone through a long round of detours to figure out this relationship, Zhou Xiangyun said in her heart: "In the final analysis, it's just a shrimp hanging on the dragon's tail." But on the surface, she complimented: " I asked why Mr. Cao is so cautious, it turns out he is a man who can shake the imperial city."
"It's good that you understand." Cao Daye let out a long breath and said, "At this moment, Mr. Xu should also be here."
Zhou Xiangyun returned to her relaxed and lively demeanor, and she said: "Please don't worry, Mr. Cao. I want Mr. Xu to have fun at the slave's house tonight, but..."
At this time, I heard a shout from downstairs: "Master Xu is here!"