NOVEL WEB Chapter 6 - Affectionate Gong Yu! Sang Wen is Actually at Miaoyin Fang?
Chapter 6: Affectionate Gong Yu! Sang Wen is Actually at Miaoyin Fang?
“One hundred and fifty thousand taels a month in revenue? That much?”
Inside the Gong Suite at Miaoyin Fang, Li Chengyuan was listening to the financial report from Mr. Thirteen with great surprise.
Mr. Thirteen smiled and said, “Your Highness, the performing arts business has always been highly profitable. However, because we only sell performances and not other services, we earn much less than the flower boats on the Liu Jing River. If we were to operate like Zui Xian Ju on Liu Jing River, our income would at least triple each month.”
“This is fine!” Li Chengyuan waved his hand and said, “Miaoyin Fang’s rule of not selling bodies is the bottom line. Remember, I’d rather not make money than make immoral money. Understand?”
“I understand, I understand!” Mr. Thirteen sighed and said, “Your Highness is truly kind-hearted. It is our fortune to serve under you.”
Li Chengyuan shook his head and said, “We aren’t that virtuous; we just don’t want to earn dirty money and seek peace of mind.”
Standing nearby, Gong Yu looked at Li Chengyuan with eyes full of warmth and said softly, “Your Highness, that very thought is the greatest kindness.”
“Alright, alright, stop flattering me. Let’s get to business. Is the money you’re making enough for daily expenses?”
“It’s enough!” Mr. Thirteen quickly responded, “Because Your Highness advised us to expand the intelligence network cautiously, our expenses are not that high, and we still have a surplus of fifty to sixty thousand taels of silver every month.”
“Good.” Li Chengyuan nodded. “That’s enough. Remember, as I’ve said before, the development of the intelligence network must be careful and discreet. The power of the Qing Empire’s Supervision Bureau is immense; we cannot afford to be careless. I’d rather you not develop at all than risk exposure. Understand?”
“Understood, understood! Your Highness, rest assured,” Mr. Thirteen said. “We have always been extremely cautious in our operations, and there will never be any mistakes.”
“Good,” Li Chengyuan nodded in satisfaction. He had full confidence in Mr. Thirteen’s abilities. “By the way, has there been any trouble lately?”
“No,” Mr. Thirteen replied. “In recent times, we’ve befriended many powerful and influential people, so Miaoyin Fang has been safe and sound.”
“Very well. If there’s any trouble, notify me immediately.”
“Yes!” Mr. Thirteen nodded in agreement.
“Alright, we’ve discussed everything that needs discussing. Now, let’s get down to the real reason I’m here!” Li Chengyuan said, “I came to enjoy music. Call a few girls up here. Mr. Thirteen, you should leave now, so no one notices anything unusual.”
“Understood!” Mr. Thirteen knew that Li Chengyuan’s visit was a deliberate display for others to see, so he nodded knowingly and left to arrange the musicians.
Gong Yu, however, did not leave. Instead, she moved closer to Li Chengyuan with a face full of grievance and said, “Your Highness, wouldn’t it be fine for me to perform for you?”
Li Chengyuan looked at Gong Yu’s delicate face so close to him and, after a pause, gently pinched her cheek. He said warmly, “You stay by my side and keep me company. That’s enough.”
Gong Yu’s face immediately blushed at Li Chengyuan’s “sneak attack,” but her heart was filled with joy. She obediently nodded and snuggled up to him.
Soon, several female musicians carrying various instruments entered the room. Li Chengyuan glanced at them and casually said, “Begin.”
The musicians immediately began to play after receiving the order. Once the music started, Li Chengyuan curiously observed the musicians.
Moments later, his gaze suddenly sharpened. He spotted a “familiar face.”
Quickly pointing at one of the musicians, Li Chengyuan leaned close to Gong Yu and whispered, “Who is that girl?”
Gong Yu followed his gaze and, after a moment, replied, “Your Highness, that girl is called Sang Wen. I recruited her three months ago. She’s new to the profession and used to sing on the Liu Jing River. She’s a pitiful girl who doesn’t know her parents and has suffered a lot. After hearing that we at Miaoyin Fang only sell performances and not our bodies, she sought us out.”
Li Chengyuan pondered for a moment before asking, “Is she trustworthy?”
Gong Yu nodded and said, “As of now, she hasn’t shown any issues. Mr. Thirteen thinks highly of her. He’s been investigating her background and, after confirming there were no problems, has been grooming her as one of Miaoyin Fang’s core informants.”
Li Chengyuan nodded in understanding and said, “Ask her if she’s willing to return to my residence with me. Currently, all the people in my residence are spies sent by His Majesty, and I don’t have anyone I can fully trust. If she’s willing, she can stay by my side.”
Gong Yu pursed her lips and said, “Your Highness, why don’t I return with you?”
Li Chengyuan was taken aback but then laughed softly. “I’d love for you to come with me, but if you leave, what will happen to Miaoyin Fang? Besides you and Mr. Thirteen, I don’t trust anyone else here.”
Hearing this, Gong Yu felt both sweet and helpless. What Li Chengyuan said was true; Miaoyin Fang indeed couldn’t do without her.
But before she could sigh, she heard Li Chengyuan continue, “However, I’ll talk to Mr. Thirteen later. You won’t need to receive guests anymore. From now on, your task is to help me train skilled musicians. You won’t need to make personal appearances anymore.”
Upon hearing this, Gong Yu was immediately overjoyed.
“Your Highness, are you feeling sorry for me?”
“Of course!” Li Chengyuan said without hesitation. “You’re so wonderful—if I don’t care for you, who will?”
Li Chengyuan wasn’t a sickly, fragile man like Mei Changsu. Since the beauty was fond of him, how could he push her away?
Gong Yu’s heart was instantly filled with sweetness, and all the disappointment vanished without a trace.
“Your Highness, don’t worry. I’ll teach her well so she can serve you properly!”
Li Chengyuan said softly, “Remember, no coercion or temptation. Let her come willingly. If she doesn’t want to, don’t force her. After all, I’m looking for someone close to me. If she’s unwilling, I won’t feel comfortable around her.”
Gong Yu responded, “Your Highness, don’t worry. We were all trained by you, so we know how to handle this properly.”
Li Chengyuan was finally at ease and said no more.
�
For the rest of the evening, Li Chengyuan stayed at Miaoyin Fang, enjoying the performances. He listened to the music while Gong Yu fed him fine wine and delicacies.
It wasn’t until Xu Shi (around 9–11 p.m.) that Li Chengyuan decided to leave. Since Miaoyin Fang only operated during the day and closed at night, and to avoid arousing suspicion, Li Chengyuan couldn’t stay overnight.
Despite Gong Yu’s repeated pleas to stay, Li Chengyuan, with some reluctance, left Miaoyin Fang.
As he left, he took Sang Wen with him.
Li Chengyuan wasn’t sure how Gong Yu had persuaded her, but judging by Sang Wen’s nervous yet slightly eager expression, it was clear that she had agreed willingly.
This was understandable. Sang Wen, though insistent on only selling her art, was now favored by a prince. How could she not feel delighted? Why would she refuse?
Sang Wen cherished her virtue, but she wasn’t overly proud. If she were truly proud, she wouldn’t have chosen this profession!
And just as Sang Wen followed Li Chengyuan out of Miaoyin Fang, a notification from the system rang out in Li Chengyuan’s mind, announcing his reward!
���
Footnotes:
Xu Shi (戌时): The time between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in ancient Chinese timekeeping. This system divides the day into twelve two-hour periods.