Chapter 25
On the day the songstress Yingniang arrived, Yuli dressed up. Fearing that the other party would find it boring to perform for her alone, she gathered all the female dependents in the residence, assembling an audience of about twenty.
A temporary stage was set up by the lake, directed by Yingniang’s people. It was hung with colorful silks that fluttered in the autumn wind, creating a rather gentle and charming atmosphere.
Yuli had asked Xie Yao in advance, wanting him to come and listen as well. He only said that if he finished his work, he would come back, and that she didn’t need to wait for him.
Yuli assumed he wouldn’t be back. She prepared everything, arranged for many snacks, long benches, and small tables, and comfortably nibbled on snacks while waiting for Yingniang to appear.
When the moon was high in the willow branches, the female musicians appeared one after another, taking their positions on the stage. After waiting for another quarter of an hour, a small sedan chair passed through the sparse tree shadows and arrived behind the stage.
Yuli almost craned her neck. Amidst the anticipation, Yingniang’s maid opened the curtain, and Yingniang, dressed in a plain white dress, slowly walked out.
Yuli sat in the front row, about a zhang away. To her left was the properly seated Jingyu, and to her right was Xiyun, who was cracking melon seeds just like her.
Further out were all young, beautiful faces, looking on with anticipation. Yingniang paused for a moment before walking to the front of the stage and curtsying slightly to Yuli, who was clearly the hostess.
Yuli put down her melon seeds and sat up a little straighter.
The music began, and Yingniang started to sing her most popular song, which was well-known in the city.
The moment she opened her mouth, Yuli let out a “wow.” She was struck by her light and ethereal voice, which naturally carried a lovelorn tone. Her heart tingled, as if she were listening to the sounds of heaven.
The songs of that time had a lingering and melodious articulation, with long, drawn-out words. Yuli couldn’t quite understand the lyrics, only vaguely guessing that they were about a woman’s lament.
Because she sang so charmingly, with rises and falls, from meeting and knowing each other, to parting, and finally to the sorrow of her lover’s change of heart, by the time the song was over, Yuli felt as if she had experienced a love and separation with her.
When the song ended, Yuli couldn’t help but shout her praise.
Yingniang didn’t react much. It wasn’t until Jingyu signaled for someone to give a reward that Yingniang accepted a tray of silver, handed it to her maid, and came down from the stage to thank Yuli.
Only then did Yuli see her clearly. The other party was not wearing any makeup, her phoenix eyes were slightly raised, and her image was completely different from the pitiful and infatuated one in her song just now. She seemed to have a cold and proud personality.
When Yingniang saw Yuli clearly, a trace of surprise flashed in her eyes.
As the most sought-after songstress in the capital, her price was extremely high. A night’s performance could earn a huge sum for the Chunxiao Tower. Those who could invite her to their homes either spent a fortune or used their power to force her.
When she came today, she had been specially instructed to dress elegantly, preferably without makeup. Yingniang usually loved heavy makeup, preferably dazzling, so that the patrons who supported her couldn’t take their eyes off her. The scholars and dandies of the capital also praised her beauty. It was the first time someone had wanted to see her in a simple and elegant style.
Yingniang had thought it was just some pretentious person putting on airs and that she would have to deal with open and hidden machinations. She hadn’t expected it to be such a quiet residence, and the hostess was such a young woman.
“Mistress, this is Yingniang,” Jingyu introduced to Yuli.
Yingniang curtsied to Yuli. “Madam Song.”
Yuli looked at her, full of admiration and enthusiasm, which made Yingniang, who was used to seeing all kinds of sordid gazes, very uncomfortable.
Yuli was still a little reserved. “Yingniang, could you sing another song?”
Seeing Yuli purse her lips for a long time before making such a request, Yingniang immediately agreed. She had thought she would be forced to drink when she came. She hadn’t expected it to be like this, such a strange occasion.
Yingniang returned to the stage and sang another song. She put some thought into it and didn’t sing the boudoir lament songs that the brothel customers loved, but sang a more festive one.
After she finished singing, Yuli was still not satisfied. Yingniang could see that what she wanted to hear was not these. She asked, “What does the Mistress want to hear? Hum it, or write down the lyrics. There is no song that Yingniang cannot sing well.”
Yuli’s eyes lit up. “Your voice is ethereal and naturally full of emotion. It’s especially suitable for singing Hong Lou!”
Yingniang didn’t know Dream of the Red Chamber.
Yuli was not a good singer, but she liked to hum along with the music. She hummed two lines of “Vain Longing” for her to hear.
Yingniang immediately understood, but it was getting late, and she couldn’t come up with a complete song in such a short time.
Yuli’s interest was piqued. She had someone bring a brush and ink and wrote down the lyrics of “Vain Longing” from memory.
Yingniang looked at the lyrics, paused, and after scanning the words, thought to herself that it was just an ordinary boudoir lament love song. Yuli paused, then wrote down a few lines of “Song of Burying Flowers.”
Seeing the last lines, “Just watch as spring wanes and flowers gradually fall, that is when a beauty grows old and dies; once spring is over and a beauty is old, the flowers fall and the person dies, neither knowing the other,” Yingniang almost thought this was a lyric written specifically to mock her.
But Yuli’s expression was normal, with an expectant smile.
Yingniang was shaken inside, but she didn’t show it on her face. She took the two pieces of paper, bowed to Yuli, and then left.
After Yingniang left, Yuli was still immersed in the music. In a fit of musical inspiration, she hummed the masterpieces of several modern divas as she returned to Mingyue Residence.
It was already late. Yuli had thought that Xie Yao would not be back tonight. Unexpectedly, when she walked into the bedchamber, she saw him lying obliquely on the bed, his eyes slightly closed. He only opened his eyes to look at her when he heard her return.
His eyes were deep, staring at Yuli without letting go.
Yuli walked over and asked him, “When did Husband get back?”
“A while ago.”
So he had been waiting for her for some time. Yuli was a little embarrassed.
“Why didn’t you come and find me?”
Xie Yao didn’t answer, but pulled her into his arms.
“How was it? Did the singing suit your taste?”
At this question, Yuli’s eyes immediately lit up. She moved his hand away and turned to the side to look at him.
“It was very beautiful, simply heavenly!” Yuli praised Yingniang to the skies, from her singing style and articulation to her breathing and tone.
It was clear that she was not someone who had not heard good music, but a music lover who had heard countless sounds to have such insights.
“Yingniang is a master!” Yuli said at the end. If she were in the modern era, and learned some popular singing styles, or sang backup for others, she would surely captivate a large audience. It wouldn’t be long before she was a diva-level singer. With her figure and looks, and a little effort, she might even become a superstar in film, television, and music.
Yuli’s eyes sparkled, as if she had discovered a priceless treasure and was eagerly recommending it to others.
Xie Yao’s expression was profound, and the corners of his lips curled into a faint smile.
Everything she saw was beautiful.
That should also include him.
Xie Yao pulled her closer, held her red lips that had spoken so much, and gently crushed and kissed them until they were moist before letting go.
Yuli did not hug him on her own initiative. She was a little tired and wanted to sleep early.
Xie Yao let her go. Yuli jumped down and went into the bathroom to take a bath.
A peaceful night’s sleep.
The next day, Yuli got up early to practice calligraphy. Last night, in her excitement, she had written down the lyrics for Yingniang. At the time, she didn’t think much of it, but now that she thought back, the words on that page were really ugly.
She was not illiterate. To have written like that, she had probably left a bad impression on Yingniang.
Yuli only practiced calligraphy for half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the afternoon every day. Under the guidance of the private tutor, her progress was already considered rapid.
Today, she suddenly practiced non-stop. Xiyun found it strange and came to persuade her to rest.
Yuli said, “I still have many songs I want Yingniang to help me sing. I can’t write so badly next time.”
Xiyun said, “I heard that that Yingniang is someone everyone in the capital is eager to see, but most of them are poor scholars, and there are many who write poems and lyrics. I’m afraid she’s used to it and would rather have the silver that Jingyu gave her. The Mistress really doesn’t need to tire yourself out like this.”
From Xiyun’s description, Yuli heard a faint contempt. She stopped her brush and looked at her. “How could that be?”
As if hearing that her favorite idol disliked the gifts from fans, Yuli couldn’t quite believe it.
Xiyun sensed that her interest had greatly diminished and quickly said, “Maybe she’s not like that. I was just guessing.”
But Yuli keenly sensed it and asked Xiyun, “Which theater troupe is she from? What is her daily life like?”
Xiyun sighed and said honestly, “She is not from a theater troupe. She is the top songstress of the Chunxiao Tower in Pingkang Fang.”
Songstress, songstress, a single word difference, a huge distinction.
Xiyun then told her some of the rumors about her experiences.
She was sold into Pingkang Fang at the age of twelve. The owner of the Chunxiao Tower discovered her superb voice. She debuted at fifteen, and at nineteen, her song “Spring Night” made her famous throughout the capital. Her fame grew and grew. Wealthy merchants and scholars who came to the capital would have to go and listen to her sing. Over time, only the powerful and wealthy could invite her to their residences to sing.
Hearing this, Yuli no longer had the heart to write. She put down her brush for a long time and asked, “Does she entertain clients?”
Although Xiyun was a maid from a small place, she was also the personal maid of a magistrate’s daughter and would not know about the affairs of the brothels. But Yingniang’s fame was too great, and she had heard about it from the servants in the back kitchen.
Xiyun said to Yuli, “She probably does. I heard that her… first night was sold for a thousand taels of gold.”
Yuli looked at the “Song of Burying Flowers” under her brush and no longer had any interest in writing.
No wonder Xie Yao said she couldn’t go to the place where Yingniang sang.
But in the place she couldn’t go, there was such a beautiful voice, and a beautiful woman living there day and night.
Seeing her interest completely gone, Xiyun smiled and comforted her, “She is not as miserable as the Mistress thinks. Now she is a famous star. Even the owner of the Chunxiao Tower respects her. Under the adoration of the crowd, maybe she is also enjoying herself.”
In Xiyun’s impression, the girls in the brothels were all glamorous and specialized in seducing men from good families to spend money on them. Although they were sold into the brothels against their will, few of them would properly leave the profession. Even if they married when they were old and their looks had faded, they would still be fickle and would not live a peaceful life for long. They were not worthy of much sympathy.
Compared to sympathizing with Yingniang, Xiyun was more worried about Yuli.
Fortunately, Young Master Xie had not come to see that day. If he had come and had taken a fancy to her, Yuli would not have known how to handle herself.
Yuli had originally missed Yingniang’s singing and felt that she had lost her appetite for meat. Now that she knew Yingniang’s identity, her appetite for food had also diminished.
Three days later, the day they had agreed to meet with Yingniang arrived.
At dusk, Yingniang’s small sedan chair entered the residence.
It was still the stage by the lake. This time, Yuli did not call all the maids to listen. She had written “Song of Burying Flowers” on a whim, and also because her own life was too comfortable. Hearing her voice, the first thing she thought of was the sad and mournful Hong Lou, which was simply asking for torment.
Now that she thought about it, Yingniang probably didn’t like such lyrics. Her life was already not good, and to sing such heart-wrenching words in public for others’ amusement, probably no one would feel good.
Yuli planned to listen to her finish singing, have Jingyu give her a reward, and then send her away, and never invite her again.
Since she couldn’t interfere with her fate, she could only be a coward and not see it.
Over time, she would forget.
The glorious stage was brightly lit by countless lanterns. When Yingniang came on stage, she saw that there was only one audience member below.
Yuli sat alone in an armchair, leaning back, seemingly absent-minded.
Beside her was a small table with a vase holding a pink flower. The snacks next to it were untouched, and the expression on her face was not as lively and expectant as last time.
She had come on stage, and yet she was not excited. Yingniang was not happy and was determined to sing until she looked at her properly.
Yingniang changed her mind and had the musicians not play. She sang a cappella.
The moment the melodious and emotional human voice came out, Yuli’s scalp tingled.
It was too beautiful to ignore.
In just a few lines, Yingniang made her heart tremble. She picked up a cup of water, wanting to take a sip, but when she saw Yingniang on the stage, she couldn’t take her eyes off her.
She was like Daiyu, but also not Daiyu. Daiyu was sad and sorrowful because she was destined to die when her tears ran out. But Yingniang’s “Song of Burying Flowers” was not. Her singing was sad and mournful, but the underlying tone was full of life.
When she sang, “I wish I could grow wings on this day and fly with the flowers to the end of the sky.”
It was as if she really had the power to grow wings and fly. But when it turned to the next line—
“At the end of the sky, where is the fragrant mound?”
The emotion suddenly dropped, and she fell back to reality, ending with a desolate and desperate note.
The singing stopped. Yingniang closed her lips and saw Yuli staring at her motionlessly. She curled her lips slightly, but when she saw her clearly, her panting breath paused.
Tears streamed down Yuli’s cheeks, from her eyes to her chin. A tear was just dripping onto her collar.
Yingniang had seen all kinds of people in the world, but it was the first time she had seen a girl cry from her singing.
Jingyu, according to Yuli’s previous instructions, led Yingniang to Yuli. Yuli’s tears had already been wiped clean, and she had a smile on her face.
Yuli reached for the tray covered with a red cloth, paused, and then turned to pull out the pink chrysanthemum from the vase on the table.
She wiped the water from the flower stem with a handkerchief before handing it to Yingniang.
“I would rather die with fragrance on the branch than be blown down by the north wind,” Yuli said, looking at her with a smile. “This flower is for you.”
Yingniang took the chrysanthemum, looked at the wispy petals, and smiled.
Jingyu presented the reward money, and Yingniang also accepted it.
Yuli didn’t speak for a long time.
“I have also composed a tune for ‘Vain Longing.’ Does the Mistress still want to hear it?” Yingniang asked.
Yuli hesitated for a moment. “Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
Yingniang smiled and returned to the stage, singing “Vain Longing” for Yuli.
“Vain Longing” sang of a love that came to nothing. Yuli was not sad anymore, but the previous emotions were still there. Coupled with Yingniang’s excellent singing, Yuli was drawn in and her eyes turned red for no reason. She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief twice.
Both on and off the stage, they were immersed in the sensitive music. Jingyu turned and left. Unexpectedly, she saw a figure standing behind the trees by the lake. Beside him, Xiyun was giving her a look. Jingyu walked over nonchalantly. The closer she got, the colder she felt. She didn’t dare to look at the master’s face. She saw Xiyun’s eyes darting around, not understanding, and walked over to stand with her.
Xie Yao had come as soon as Yingniang had started singing. He had heard the two songs she sang and had also seen Yuli’s tearful eyes.
Beside him, Xiyun’s head was half-lowered, and she kept glancing at his reaction.
Xiyun couldn’t see who he was looking at. She hoped he was looking at Yuli, not the songstress on the stage who was naturally charming even without makeup.
After “Vain Longing” was finished, Jingyu was about to go to Yuli, but Xie Yao turned and left.
“Don’t tell her I was here,” he left a sentence.
Jingyu seemed to have guessed why the master was angry and thought of reminding Yuli a few words later.
But Xiyun frowned tightly. Not letting Yuli know, could it be that he was going to secretly meet with that songstress?
After the two songs were finished, although Yuli and Yingniang did not show much intimacy, they already regarded each other as kindred spirits.
After Jingyu had given the reward, Yuli still didn’t let her leave, but pulled her to talk about the story behind “Vain Longing.” Yingniang also listened attentively.
At the end, Yuli said, “I only listen to these songs occasionally and don’t particularly like them. I like something more lighthearted. Can I invite you to sing something else another day?”
Yingniang agreed readily.
Yuli was relieved. She rested for a while before returning to Mingyue Residence.
The lights in the courtyard were bright. It seemed Xie Yao was back. Yuli entered the room, and Jingyu also followed.
“If the Mistress doesn’t like tonight’s songs, the next time Yingniang comes, if you want to hear something more lighthearted and peaceful, you can have her sing for you alone. Is the stage still needed?” Jingyu asked.
Yuli stopped. “Let’s wait until Yingniang comes next time.”
After Yuli finished speaking, she went around the screen and into the bedchamber. Jingyu paused for a moment, and Yuli turned back out. “Has the Young Master not returned yet?”
Jingyu’s breath hitched. She looked at Xiyun. Xiyun was also at a loss.
Recently, Xie Yao had been coming back almost every day. Yuli had gotten used to it. It was so late today, and he hadn’t returned. He probably wouldn’t be back.
Yuli entered the bedchamber. Jingyu methodically arranged for someone to help Yuli bathe.
But Xiyun was still uneasy. Should she tell Yuli that the Young Master had been back? But the Young Master had said not to let Yuli know he had been to the lakeside. Where had he gone then?
Xiyun suddenly clenched her hands and looked outside. He couldn’t have taken a fancy to Yingniang and chased after her, could he