Chapter 1141 - 625: Guests and Guests (Double-Length) (Part 2)

Although Ah Qing wouldn’t do this, the courtesan’s cautious nature is truly displayed fully at this moment.

Courtesans... these creatures are indeed peculiar.

They can "moonlight," spend silver extravagantly, without worrying about how they will manage next month if they run out of silver coins...

Clearly, it seems they have no plans for the future, yet they manage troublesome affairs down to the most detailed degree.

It appears contradictory, but upon careful thought, it seems quite reasonable.

Only by avoiding troubles can one live stably on the ice...

Ah Qing pondered thoughtfully.

In other words... if she wanted to learn the young girl’s carefree way of living, she would also need to avoid trouble as much as possible, and the simplest way to do that is to diminish her sense of presence.

Does this mean, if she truly becomes the young master’s servant in the future... to maintain this identity, she should stay low-key... avoid causing trouble for the young master, and reduce her presence as much as possible...

Only through such means can she always retain the position of a servant.

Ah Qing wasn’t sure whether this made sense, but regardless, she noted down this principle taught by the young girl.

"You’ve helped me once again." Ah Qing pinched the young girl’s cheek, unaware that the shadow of the former Demon Cult Lady had faded significantly.

Now, whether in speech or demeanor, Ah Qing was approaching the girls from the Flower Moon Building.

This kind of intimacy between girls, she could never do before, yet now it was a natural progression, as if the courtesan before her was truly her sister.

"...?"

The young girl was puzzled.

She clearly did nothing.

It was this strange and affluent girl speaking her thoughts, tying her hair, unrelated to her.

However... after a brief encounter, the young girl held a very good impression of Ah Qing, because Ah Qing resembled the girls she had met previously from Flower Moon Building... gentle and generous.

No wonder the sisters all admired them.

"It’s getting late, soon the morning chill will be very cold, you better head back early," the young girl reminded Ah Qing.

"I’m probably healthier than you." Ah Qing weighed the gold in her hand: "You worry about me instead of your own health?"

"..." The young girl was momentarily speechless.

While she believed Ah Qing’s health would surely surpass her own, she knew such words could not be spoken openly, as it would undoubtedly upset Ah Qing.

"Well... I should go and deliver pastries to my sisters." The girl blinked.

"That’s a good reason." Ah Qing curved her lips: "So, I said... time is most important... but refusing gold, that would be breaking the rules."

The young girl tilted her head in confusion but bowed in farewell to Ah Qing nonetheless.

"By the way, you’re a courtesan, right?" As she was leaving, Ah Qing suddenly asked.

"Yes, sister," the young girl nodded openly.

She believed her garish attire was easily recognizable, and after all, being a brothel girl indeed wasn’t something to be embarrassed about.

"Wanzhi Building..." Ah Qing observed the embroidery on the young girl’s dress and then asked, "How many times does a courtesan receive guests in the span of half a month?"

"Why do you ask, sister?" The young girl was perplexed but still answered: "It depends on the arrangements by the madam and the preferences of favored guests... about twice, guests include both young masters and ladies."

"Do you also receive guests?" Ah Qing inquired.

"...Yes." The young girl nodded.

"In a few days, I’ll visit your place for some fun." Ah Qing stated earnestly.

"?"

The young girl was stunned.

She watched Ah Qing’s white satin-like wrist, a blush appearing on her face.

"Sister, please don’t joke, you... what would you do here?"

Her face naturally turned red.

She was a guest-receiving courtesan, Ah Qing wanting to come to her place for fun... what could they possibly play?

Who plays with who?

"Is it strange?" Ah Qing chuckled lightly.

"Not at all, sister... but... what does this mean?" The young girl blushed intensely.

She approached Ah Qing out of care, not to solicit a client.

It was indeed not strange.

Due to a slight connection with the Flower Moon Building, Wanzhi Building often received female guests... and even some guests were other Inner City girls.

Liu Qingluo was spotted by Zhu Pingniang because of this connection.

Courtesans visiting a brothel.

It sounds bizarre, but under such circumstances, it is indeed very reasonable.

Therefore, the matter was settled just like that.

Ah Qing learned two valuable lessons from the young girl here, so she favored this child and kept her in her ’fate.’

In the future, she would surely like many more children like her.

This wouldn’t be the first.

Gently rubbing the young girl’s cheek, Ah Qing bid farewell, turned around, and left, leaving the young girl standing there with a basket in hand, staring blankly at her departing figure.

"The sisters in the Inner City... are really likable."

She looked forward to this sister, unknown in name and appearance, coming to see her play.

"Go... add some rouge."

The young girl headed towards the bustling street.

——

——

Ah Qing walked along the lakeside alone, pondering the young girl she just encountered, thinking that such female-to-female relationships are so common in Beisang City... if she wanted to become Yun Qian’s servant, would she need to avoid suspicion?

For instance... perhaps she should find herself a companion beforehand.

Having a family might make one feel more secure?

No, wait.

Wouldn’t it instead make her seem like she prefers women... thus posing a greater threat to Yun Qian?

"...No." Ah Qing stopped her steps, lightly shook her head.

From Zhu Pingniang’s perspective, it seemed better to establish a monogamous persona, given Xu Chang’an knowing Zhu Pingniang so adored Li Zhibai, still feeling at ease allowing Yun Qian to be alone with her despite Zhu’s preference for women.

She kept this matter in mind.

Ah Qing felt that if so, perhaps she should find a confidant... not necessarily a companion, but even a close friend could suffice.

But...

"A confidant... huh."

Ah Qing walked under a tree beside the lake, looking intently at the trunk.

Before her was a Cyan Phoenix Tree, also known as the Phoenix Tree often mentioned by others; Huang’Er loved this Cyan Phoenix Tree, often claiming it was auspicious, even the Immortal said, "A family with a Phoenix Tree attracts golden phoenixes."

"Immortal..."

Ah Qing’s mind flashed with Xu Chang’an’s image, followed by thoughts of Yun Qian.

These two are not confidants, but a married couple.

At this moment, within Ah Qing’s view, a female cicada hovered on the tree trunk, its sword-like ovipositor stabbing a line of small holes on the branches.

Ah Qing knew it was laying eggs. Tiny larvae would hatch from the eggs, blown by the wind to the ground, immediately seeking soft soil to burrow, living near the roots as they matured.

And this female cicada... had at most a week left to live.

Ah Qing silently watched the "criminal" destroying the Phoenix Tree.

"Immortal... confidant... lifespan."

Observing the short-lived creature, Ah Qing suddenly realized why she’s always somewhat repelled by the notion of a "confidant," due to differing lifespans.

Like that young girl she favored earlier, "Life is short" really has truth.

Even though Ah Qing remembers her looks now, perhaps in an instant... this girl could vanish from the world.

There’s nothing to be done, not even cultivation can halt time; post-cultivation, with Realm promotion, if they can’t progress together, separation is inevitable.

Li Zhibai sent off countless old friends.

Ah Qing also sent off countless old friends.

Currently encountering an existence possibly connected to ’Immortal,’ Xu Chang’an’s lifespan undoubtedly would rank among top tier...

Yet—

What about Yun Qian?

Can Yun Qian’s lifespan keep up?

Does the young master realize this?