After Mid-Autumn Festival, Jiangning city's weather stayed clear for about two days before turning overcast, and walking on the roads, the slightly cold autumn wind swept up fallen leaves from the streets, adding several touches of bleakness to the once-bustling city.

Of course, to most people, the city still looked the same as usual—autumn should naturally be like this, with the river surface clear, painted boats remaining as always, their oars stirring up splashing sounds as they glided lightly through drooping willows. Wind swept up nearby fallen leaves, then sent them swirling down onto the water surface, floating away with the rippling light, while city roads held pedestrians and carriages, blue-robed servants in small sedan chairs, peddlers and laborers of all kinds. Wide streets and narrow alleys, long stone steps, wooden bridges spanning narrower waterways—where the water flowed more slowly, one could see women washing clothes on the stone steps, chatting and laughing. In the distance, teahouses hosted banquets, wine shops wafted fragrance.

Most people were still busily rushing about for their livelihood, though of course, being already accustomed, this was just part of life. If they had leisure to stop briefly, perhaps sitting in a teahouse or resting by the roadside, occasionally mentioning recent interesting rumors, they inevitably spoke of events from Mid-Autumn night a few days ago. Among these, mentioned most frequently was the emergence of that Water Melody Prelude and the matter of Neo-Confucian master Kang Xian angrily lecturing everyone at the Zhishui Poetry Gathering.

Cause, process, result—coincidence, suspense, climax—so-called drama must satisfy these conditions. If it were merely some talented scholar composing a poem, stunning the audience with literary grace—people were tired of hearing that, though if a talented woman's favor were added, the drama would increase. And this Water Melody Prelude had done even more in this regard, as people liked good poetry and also liked such stories. These past few days, if one sat idle in pleasure quarters, when the girls came out, they inevitably had to hear this tune "When Will the Moon Be Round" and evaluate its merits.

Su residence, Ning Yi, Ning Liheng—live-in son-in-law of the Su family.

At the Zhishui Poetry Gathering, Kang Xian's lecture had established Water Melody Prelude's reputation as an excellent work, but couldn't smooth the doubts in everyone's hearts. Why hadn't he been famous before? Why, having such talent, did he still become a live-in son-in-law in a merchant family? Most importantly, whether this poem was bought or plagiarized was almost every discussant's greatest concern.

Scandals were often more dramatic than praise, and people's hearts were more inclined to accept such things—scholars buying poems for fame wasn't news. When everyone discussed it, they mostly leaned toward such speculation, as after all, a live-in son-in-law's status was low. Some even said such people had no backbone, forgot their ancestors—anyone with the slightest pride wouldn't do such things.

However, over these few days, there were also claims that the Su family's second young miss Tan'er had heavenly beauty and was gentle and gracious, and Ning Yi fell in love at first sight and was willing to become a live-in son-in-law to be with her forever. But in this era of male chauvinism, those who believed such stories were few indeed, as society was full of courtesan-visiting culture, women's status was like goods—who would believe someone would go to such lengths for a woman? Taking a step back, even if one believed it, if this person had no talent, that would be one thing, but if he truly had learning yet became a live-in son-in-law for a woman, that would truly anger heaven and people—unworthy as a man, unworthy of reading sage books, even unworthy as a person.

In this era, people preferred fairy tales where the male lead passed imperial examinations then returned to marry his beloved woman. People couldn't accept abandoning everything for a woman.

The liveliest places on the Qinhuai River were around Confucius Temple and the examination halls, with numerous pleasure quarters across the river. It was just past noon, and these places hadn't opened yet, though those who should be awake were already up, and walking along the streets below, one could see some women upstairs either sitting alone against railings or chatting and playing. From within courtyard walls came faint sounds of silk and bamboo instruments, drifting ethereally.

Such music—some was skilled women practicing in the buildings, others were young girls learning instruments from teachers arranged by the pleasure houses, and at this time in Golden Wind Tower's inner courtyard, a lesson teaching music was nearing its end. Several younger girls were still earnestly playing the assigned pieces while a female teacher in plain cloth dress and simple hairpins sat at a small table in front, chin propped in her hand, listening to the music.

The woman was actually only about twenty years old, and though her dress was simple, greatly inferior to the colorful finery in pleasure houses, her appearance was extremely outstanding—a delicately beautiful oval face, elegant eyebrows like ink, with exceptional bearing. Sitting there quietly listening to music, her figure gave people a feeling light as ink wash. Compared to the girls learning music below, she was actually much more outstanding.

Following the usual process, after the music finished and the woman gave pointers, today's teaching would end, but just as the woman prepared to pack up, the girls below exchanged glances. One girl smiled: "Sister Yunzhu, Sister Yunzhu, can you teach us to sing Water Melody Prelude?"

"Mm? Water Melody Prelude..." The woman called Yunzhu paused, then looked at them, blinking, probably not understanding why they wanted to learn this, and the girls below had already started talking.

"Guests coming these days all love hearing this..."

"It's the one from Mid-Autumn night..."

"We really like it too."

Hearing this, the woman understood: "Mid-Autumn? A good poem that came out this Mid-Autumn?"

"Ah? Sister Yunzhu, you still don't know?"

"I've had matters these past few times, haven't paid attention to Mid-Autumn affairs..." The woman showed a smile, though beneath that smile lay some weariness, but the girls before her probably couldn't see it.

Then these girls chattered as they brought out booklets with Water Melody Prelude copied in them, and the woman sat there, reading word by word, lips moving slightly. She truly understood this poem's merits, and before long, her expression became serious. The girls spoke about this poem's origins on Mid-Autumn night in such an atmosphere.

"...Too bad that person married into someone else's family."

"Yes, he's a live-in son-in-law..."

"Now everyone says this poem was bought..."

"But the poem is really good... When will the moon be round, raising a cup to ask the blue sky..."

Chattering away, the girls below spoke about the poem's origins and background one by one, then sang it. Though they were still learning music, their elder sisters in Golden Wind Tower sang it daily, so learning to sing it was no problem. Actually, Golden Wind Tower had sheet music for Water Melody Prelude's tune pattern, and they'd learned various fingering techniques and could play along themselves, but it was ultimately best to have someone teach them.

"A live-in son-in-law..." Yunzhu looked at the poem, and after hearing everyone's account, she smiled: "In that case, you sisters should know the Water Melody Prelude tune somewhat?"

"We've played along too, but some places we can't play well..."

"Mm, learning the tune is fine. Water Melody Prelude has several special fingering technique places, and for singing, actually you can slightly vary a few places. I'll lead you sisters in playing once, then explain to everyone..."

Speaking thus, the girls returned to sit at their instruments as Yunzhu's gaze swept around. She pressed her fingers on the zither strings, and after a light, elegant smile like mist, her fingertips plucked upward.

"When will the moon be round..."

Lingering music rose from the room, and with many people playing, most still unfamiliar, it should have been somewhat chaotic. However, among this music, the clearest and most beautiful strand steadily led the melody. Though all sounds were the same volume, that music completely harmonized the other sounds in artistic conception, and then a gentle voice also led everyone's singing. If a guest skilled in this art came now, they might discover this music and singing was actually much more outstanding than most women in Golden Wind Tower, even not inferior to Golden Wind Tower's current top courtesan Yuan Jin'er.

Yuan Jin'er's voice had a lively, light feeling, while this voice was like flowing water, like bell sounds, making hearts quiet and leisurely. When such music rose, some nearby girls also came over, listening from afar. After Water Melody Prelude finished, some said: "It's Sister Yunzhu..."

"Sister Yunzhu's singing is still so good..."

Either admiring or jealous. Before long, the lesson inside finally ended, leaving the girls to practice themselves, and the woman in plain dress came out holding a small bundle, passing through corridors, greeting several women she knew, then going to the madam's room to collect her teaching fee. Leaving along the way, she encountered Yuan Jin'er in the outer corridor.

"Sister Yunzhu."

"Sister Jin'er."

"I heard Sister Yunzhu singing upstairs just now—this Water Melody Prelude truly sounds best when Sister Yunzhu sings it. Jin'er always feels I can't find such a mood—it doesn't sound good when I sing."

Yuan Jin'er was seventeen this year, with a livelier personality, and after exchanging pleasantries, she put away her bright smile and asked softly: "Sister Yunzhu, how is Sister Hutao?"

"She's been well these days—her illness should be cured in a few more days."

"That's good..." Yuan Jin'er nodded, and after a moment, looking around to see no one, she took out a small package: "Sister Yunzhu, I know your usual temperament, but since Sister Hutao is sick, emergencies always need handling. Here's some money—please accept it, Sister. You took care of Jin'er before, Jin'er always remembers..."

She wanted to place that small bag of silver in the other's hands, but Yunzhu declined—though very moved, she ultimately didn't accept it.

"Hutao's illness is indeed getting better—if it weren't, Sister definitely wouldn't stubbornly endure. Sister Jin'er should save the money—if one day you can redeem yourself, then you can be free..."

"I don't have Sister's temperament." They had just spoken heartfelt words, and now both their eyes were slightly red. Yuan Jin'er wiped her eye corners with her fingers and smiled. "Jin'er in this situation ultimately plans to choose a man to marry. Silver kept by my side actually has no great use—besides, this isn't much, I still have more..."

"If you could meet a talented scholar you admire..."

"Jin'er won't marry someone with nothing but flowery words—sweet talk can't replace food. Born with a concubine's fate, I must find someone with money and status to marry—fortunately I still have some reputation now, marrying won't be hard..."

This was probably to each their own aspirations, and the two walked outside together, speaking intimate words, but ultimately separated at Golden Wind Tower's side door. Yuan Jin'er smiled and waved until the other's figure disappeared from view before lowering her hand.

Some envy, but also some sighs—feelings even she didn't understand.

The woman she called Sister Yunzhu was named Nie Yunzhu, one of Golden Wind Tower's most popular women from previous years. Her zither skills, singing, poetry, calligraphy and painting were all exceptional, but her temperament was indifferent, so she was never the most popular. When Qinhuai selected top courtesans before, she wouldn't participate, so her fame never reached the peak. Two years ago, she saved enough silver to redeem herself and her maid Hutao, finding a place to live. Even now, people coming to Golden Wind Tower occasionally asked about her.

Other pleasure quarter women, even those who redeemed themselves, often maintained contact with many patrons, participating in poetry and literary gatherings with talented scholars, but Sister Yunzhu was different—she cut ties with almost all those people from before. Pleasure quarter life was just comings and goings, and not appearing for two years, she'd faded from that world, only still taking jobs teaching music to earn living expenses.

But teaching music ultimately didn't earn much—even if she didn't teach, the tower now had plenty of people who could do it. When she redeemed herself two years ago, she still had some silver left, but now, word was her situation wasn't good. The mistress and servant had always lived the pleasure quarter life, and though Hutao knew how to serve people, she perhaps wasn't skilled at life matters. After these two years, the silver was probably exhausted, and they could only take pleasure quarter work. Recently hearing Hutao was sick, the two seemed to be struggling, and Yuan Jin'er, grateful for past care, wanted to give silver to help. She didn't offer much, but who knew the other ultimately wouldn't accept it.

Women in this world—what freedom could they speak of? Pleasure quarters seemed glamorous, young nobles competed to shower gold, one song's red silk worth countless riches. But in the end, it was still a concubine's fate—who would treat a pleasure quarter woman as a proper wife? Sister Yunzhu had strong character, but if she herself redeemed her freedom, a weak woman without support in this world—how long could she last? In the end, she'd probably have to return to the pleasure quarters.

She sighed softly and turned back...

Leaving the medicine shop, Nie Yunzhu counted her remaining money and put it in her innermost pocket.

Including money from pawning her hairpin, it could last some more days. What relieved her most was that Hutao's illness was finally about to be cured—this was best.

When leaving the pleasure quarters two years ago, the two had little experience living alone. Though Hutao had suffered hardship as a child, after many years in pleasure quarters, those were childhood memories after all. Being able to cook was already very good. The mistress and servant without much planning lived quite a while completely freely. Though they did some work, like her teaching music at Golden Wind Tower, income still didn't meet expenses, but now, though little silver remained, as long as Hutao recovered, the mistress and servant doing some work could still balance income and expenses.

Picking up the small cloth bundle holding trinkets, her other hand gently lifted the wrapped medicine as she walked toward home, head lowered, half her attention focused on the small pocket on her body. After she and Hutao came out to live, they'd had money pouches stolen twice in crowded places—thinking back now felt regrettable. Leaving Vermillion Bird Avenue¹, pedestrians gradually thinned, and only then did this vigilance relax. Surroundings were still shops selling things, and about to turn the corner, a figure ahead suddenly flashed past her vision.

Eh...

She raised her head, looking doubtfully as that figure had already disappeared around the nearby corner. With such feelings she walked quickly a few steps. Reaching that intersection, she finally saw that figure clearly.

It really was him...

By the street not far away, the thin, scholarly-looking man stood before several shops, holding a large wooden board, looking at things sold in the shops while somewhat boredly swinging that board back and forth. Then he nodded and entered a shop's door.

It looked like he wanted to buy charcoal.

Nie Yunzhu thought for a moment, then followed...

(End of Chapter)