GTB Chapter 6
by VolareJiang Jiuchu had just received the face covering from Lu Luo when Ji Shutíng snatched it away, saying disdainfully, “Jiuchu, you’re not planning to wear this veil the whole time, are you? What a hassle! I know your face is a beautiful sight, but we’re going to Mo Feng Pavilion, not a bandit’s den. Who in Kyoto would dare to be openly rude to us? There’s no need to wear a face covering!”
The words “bandit’s den” made Jiang Jiuchu’s heart tighten. “My mother told me to bring it, in case we run into someone like Sun Yong again.”
Ji Shutíng recalled for a moment, then said, “Didn’t Sun Yong politely leave last time when we ignored him? He didn’t come looking for you again, did he?”
Jiang Jiuchu shook her head slightly. “He didn’t, but his mother invited my mother to their residence to admire the flowers. You know our Jiang family has shallow roots, and even a polite refusal would inevitably displease them.”
Ji Shutíng had a look of sudden realization. “No wonder Sun Yong didn’t pester you too much last time. I thought he’d changed! So, he was planning this big move.”
“But then again, Princess Shí Qingya is your sister-in-law, so even if you refuse outright, the Sun family wouldn’t dare say anything.”
Jiang Jiuchu took the face covering back from Ji Shutíng. “We can’t take that for granted. Besides, even if the Sun family wouldn’t dare, it doesn’t mean everyone wouldn’t. It’s better to avoid such trouble. I don’t want to marry someone I don’t like casually.”
Ji Shutíng nodded in agreement. “That makes sense. Then wear it! But your parents are really good; they’ll consider your feelings when it comes to marriage.”
Jiang Jiuchu smiled at her. “Isn’t your brother very fond of you too? He’ll definitely ask for your consent in matters of marriage.”
“Of course. So, we two sisters are the happiest girls in Kyoto.”
Ji Shutíng then asked Lu Luo, “Are there any more face coverings? I have to be prepared. What if some high-ranking, powerful person accidentally falls for my beauty?”
“No… there aren’t any more. Otherwise, Miss Ji, you can use a handkerchief.” Lu Luo was a little slow to react, then suggested.
“That won’t do. It’s so ugly to tie a handkerchief on the face, like a thief. People might think…”
Ji Shutíng was saying when she saw a clothing store outside through the carriage window. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately stopped talking and shouted, “Stop the carriage.”
“What’s wrong?” Jiang Jiuchu looked at Ji Shutíng, puzzled.
“You’ll see when you come with me.”
Ji Shutíng pulled Jiang Jiuchu directly out of the carriage, not forgetting to have the maids follow.
A quarter of an hour later, the two stood in front of the clothing store dressed as handsome young men.
Ji Shutíng looked at their male attire and said proudly, “How is it? Isn’t this much more convenient than wearing a face covering?”
Jiang Jiuchu looked down at herself, then at Ji Shutíng. “It’s quite convenient, but… are you sure people can’t tell we’re cross-dressing?”
She was a little doubtful. After all, in her eyes, Ji Shutíng clearly looked like a woman dressed as a man.
“They won’t notice. Don’t worry! It’s just because you’re too familiar with me. Strangers won’t notice.” Ji Shutíng put her arm around Jiang Jiuchu’s shoulder and walked towards the carriage like a man.
The two got back into the carriage and headed towards the most prosperous area of Kyoto.
Kyoto’s most prosperous areas were two: one was East Magpie Street, east of Magpie Bridge, a place of food, drink, and entertainment, full of bustle; the other was West Magpie Street, along the river west of Magpie Bridge, with shops facing the lake, mostly teahouses and taverns, a place of leisure and elegance, where one could enjoy boating on the lake and the weeping willows.
Mo Feng Pavilion was located diagonally across from Magpie Bridge; crossing Magpie Bridge led to Mo Feng Pavilion.
It mainly focused on rare calligraphy and paintings, supplemented by top-notch talent and artistry, and in just one year, it swept through the entire city of Kyoto, becoming a gathering place for talented scholars, beautiful women, powerful dignitaries.
Today, there were more people in front of Mo Feng Pavilion than usual, because today was not only for appreciating literature and art, but also for bidding on rare treasures, and there were new talents and arts, both of which could be auctioned.
“Young masters, there are many people today. Maids and servants without badges are not allowed in.”
Hearing this, Jiang Jiuchu and Ji Shutíng asked the two maids to wait outside.
Mo Feng Pavilion was already full, and the two were obviously late. The auction on the stage had already begun, featuring a rare travel novel by Grand Master Hongyi, which was left after his death a century ago.
Since the private rooms were full, the two found an empty seat in the hall.
Jiang Jiuchu looked at the travel novel on the stage, her eyes sparkling. “I heard that Grand Master Hongyi’s travel novel records mountains, rivers, deserts, and strange and unusual events. I really want to see it.”
Ji Shutíng had just sat down, and her attention was drawn to the person diagonally in front of her. She didn’t hear what Jiang Jiuchu said at all.
Seeing this, Jiang Jiuchu followed her gaze and saw a young man in green clothes with elegant features. She nudged the somewhat dazed Ji Shutíng.
“What are you looking at?”
Ji Shutíng quickly came back to her senses, a flush instantly appearing on her face. She said embarrassedly, “No… nothing.”
Jiang Jiuchu naturally saw Ji Shutíng’s unusual behavior. She didn’t expose her but was curious as to which young man had stirred Shutíng’s heart.
“Shutíng, who is that young man in green?”
Ji Shutíng paused, then whispered, “That’s Gu Changxuan, the most talented scholar from Yuzhou, famous far and wide. It’s said that he’ll definitely be on the list in this year’s Metropolitan Examination.”
“Oh!”
Jiang Jiuchu nodded and re-examined Gu Changxuan, who was diagonally in front of her. Although his clothes were simple, they were clean and tidy, a proper handsome scholar.
Seeing Shutíng’s admiring look, she thought that if this person was really as talented as Shutíng said and could pass the Metropolitan Examination, a talented scholar and a beautiful woman would be a good match.
Gu Changxuan seemed to sense something and turned to look diagonally behind him.
The two were caught, quickly gave an embarrassed smile, and averted their eyes, especially Ji Shutíng, whose face instantly turned red again.
Gu Changxuan paused, nodded slightly towards Jiang Jiuchu and Ji Shutíng, then turned back.
One auction after another ended, and Jiang Jiuchu’s heart sank to the bottom, because nothing was sold for less than ten thousand silver.
After several auctions, a woman in a pink dress holding a qin appeared on the stage, her red lips lightly touching, her temperament gentle and soft, especially her eyebrows and eyes, quiet and elegant, like a pure white lotus.
Her appearance instantly caused a stir under the stage, and the stage fell silent until the melodious sound of the qin rang out.
While playing, Yu Qin looked down the stage, her eyes landing on Gu Changxuan. After a mutual glance, she immediately looked away.
Gu Changxuan looked at the person on the stage with tenderness in his eyes, full of hope. He had fifty thousand silver notes given by the prince, so he can definitely bid successfully and take Yu Qin away.