Chapter 117: Who Could Have Guessed His Heart Belonged to the Courtesan?

No one knew that even Li Longji, the Emperor in the palace, had been stirred by the city competition; even if they had known, no one would have found it strange. The "Third Son" in the palace was famously fond of romance and excitement. In recent years, the imperial treasury had become increasingly strained; beyond the constant wars on the borders, a significant reason was the extravagance sparked by this fun-loving Emperor.

As the theatrical stage was erected in the East Market, people realized that no stage had been built in the West Market. Could it be that the stage in the West Market was mobile?

Wang Yuanbao could not spare any attention for the West Market. His priority was to display the finest offerings of his own side to turn the tide.

In the East Market, the sound of bronze gongs rang out, followed by troupes of musicians filing onto the stage. No one knew when they had arrived. As the various performers appeared, the crowds of tourists who had gathered at the West Market shifted their attention and surged toward the East. Although the cross-street was fifty meters wide, the massive stage in the center, coupled with the arrival of thousands upon thousands of spectators, made it impassable.

Chongniang held Ye Chang’s hand and squeezed through. Despite having few attendants, with the fierce monk Shanzhi present, they managed to reach a decent vantage point. As the sound of zithers and flutes rose, the surroundings quieted. A troupe of singing girls appeared, dancing as they sang. Because they were some distance away, Ye Chang could not hear the lyrics clearly, but the voices sounded soft, melodic, and truly beautiful.

One troupe finished, bowed, and exited, immediately followed by another. Like a revolving lantern, five or six troupes had performed before anyone realized it.

Ye Chang could not truly appreciate the music and dance of the Great Tang, so he simply watched for the spectacle. Chongniang, however, was enthralled, though she remained stubborn: "It’s just so-so. In the palace’s Pear Garden, not to mention Aman, even Xiao Huo or Xichai could surpass them."

"Your words make me feel a bit anxious—to think that only Pear Garden disciples could best them."

"Eleventh Brother, you had a hand in the West Market’s side, didn't you?"

"I did play a part... oh."

As Ye Chang was about to speak, the East Market suddenly quieted. A young girl stepped gracefully onto the stage. She was exquisitely beautiful—the very same girl he had met at the glass shop in the West Market, the one who had accidentally broken a glass plate.

"Eleventh Brother, you know her?" Chongniang’s sharp intuition sensed something amiss, and she pouted as she asked.

"I met her once in the West Market, but I never imagined she was a performer," Ye Chang replied.

"You remember her quite clearly, don't you?"

Ye Chang ignored the young girl’s jealous tone. To him, she was like his own younger sister; he simply pitied her for growing up in the palace without anyone to care for her. Besides, she was still so young—having just passed the New Year, she was only ten. Ye Chang did not think too deeply about it.

"It’s not that I remember her clearly; I just bumped into her that day and caused her to break a glass plate worth dozens of strings of cash," Ye Chang explained casually.

"And you, showing off your chivalry, must have paid for it, right?" Chongniang was much sharper than Xiang'er in this regard. While Xiang'er would have blindly trusted Ye Chang, Chongniang guessed exactly what had happened. "Ha, ha, what a kind heart you have!"

Ye Chang then felt a sharp pain in his toe; Chongniang had stomped on him hard, her face puffed up in anger. Only then did Ye Chang realize something was wrong. "Stop it, enough..."

"Hmph, what is her name? Did you ask?"

"I didn't have the time; she was just a passerby, and besides..." Before Ye Chang could finish, he noticed the surrounding chatter had suddenly died down.

Then, through the sweltering wind of Chang'an, came the voice of the girl on the stage.

"My surname is Li, my childhood name is Yaxian. My family has long resided in Pingkang Ward. Today, having obtained three new poems from Scholar Wang Wei, I wish to present my skills before you all."

Her voice was crisp and sweet, yet carried a heroic air that startled the audience, like a breath of cool air in the sweltering heat.

"Well, now you know her name," Chongniang said, pouting as she saw Ye Chang staring blankly.

"I just feel the name is familiar," Ye Chang mused. The name "Li Yaxian" did seem familiar, but for a moment, he could not place it.

The High Tang era left behind many extraordinary women; perhaps she was one of them.

Li Yaxian sang Wang Wei’s new poems, which were entirely unheard of by the crowd. After the three songs concluded, the surroundings erupted in cheers. Amidst the applause, a single person began clapping, and soon, more and more people joined in to show their admiration for Li Yaxian.

"Ouch! Why are you stepping on me again?" Ye Chang, who had been clapping, cried out in pain and glared at Chongniang.

"You were the first one to applaud her! If it weren't for you, no one else would have started clapping." Chongniang rolled her eyes at him. "Whose side are you actually on?"

Ye Chang felt helpless regarding the eccentric young girl. "I am on the side of the West Market, but the songs Li Yaxian sang in the East Market were truly excellent. That is why I applauded."

"Since ancient times, those who try to play both sides never come to a good end," Chongniang snorted. "Don't you dare try to stand on two boats at once."

There seemed to be a hidden meaning in those words.

Before Ye Chang could react, Chongniang pulled him away. "I'm tired of watching this. The stage in the West Market should be set up by now, right?"

The West Market’s stage was still empty, but the sound of carriage wheels echoed from afar.

The carriages rattled, and the horses neighed.

Wang Yuanbao had been keeping a close eye on the West Market. Seeing this tactic again, he sneered. The mobile stage had certainly been eye-catching before, but did they really think the same trick would work twice?

Indeed, although many people were distracted by the West Market, the majority remained gathered around the stage, waiting to see who would appear after Li Yaxian.

"Not many people are following us," Chongniang noted, crossing Chaotian Street back to the West Market. She looked behind her, blinked, and asked in confusion, "Eleventh Brother, why is that?"

"The East Market spread rumors long ago that all the famous courtesans of Pingkang Ward were with them. In such a situation, the West Market cannot produce any comparable performers," Ye Chang explained. "The performers who just appeared in the East Market were mere nobodies, yet they already received thunderous applause. Everyone is here for the spectacle, and they want to see what the East Market has in store next."

"It seems the West Market is going to lose this round after all."

"That is not necessarily true," Ye Chang denied again.

The monk beside them listened, feeling dizzy and annoyed by Ye Chang’s cryptic manner. Just as he was about to interject, his mouth fell open as he stared at the approaching decorative floats.

The floats were not as large as the stage, but they were large enough for a performer to dance on. They were covered with screens, and above them floated paper lanterns tied with silk threads.

These lanterns, tied to the floats and swaying in the air as they moved, were enough to capture everyone’s attention.

The crowd that had remained in front of the East Market stage suddenly surged, with a portion of them flowing toward the West Market. Wang Jin frowned, as did Wang Yuanbao, though both managed to remain composed.

"Master Wang, the crowd is dispersing. What should we do?" someone who couldn't keep his cool asked Wang Yuanbao.

Wang Yuanbao waved a hand. "It doesn't matter. This second round is about talent. In the end, the singing girls must be the stars. Other gimmicks may work for a moment, but they cannot last."

Wang Jin nodded. With his brother’s three new songs, the West Market could only win if they managed to drag Li Taibai over. But Li Taibai was currently being kept occupied by the Emperor; he was unlikely to be able to participate in such a spectacle.

He looked toward the West Market’s floats, which served as a stage. It was a bit far, but he could faintly see that the person standing on the float appeared to be a Western Hu girl.

"A Hu girl?" Wang Jin’s heart skipped a beat. He suddenly thought of something.

Although the courtesans of Pingkang Ward had been swayed by Wang Yuanbao, the Hu people scattered throughout the West Market and other wards had not been given proper attention. Yet, in the Great Tang’s Chang'an, there were over a hundred thousand Hu people of all kinds, most of whom were skilled in music and dance. Especially those from the Western Regions who had long ago settled in, many of whom had been professional singers and dancers for generations.

If they had selected the best among these Hu girls and men, that would be a clever move. Even if they couldn't compare to the courtesans of Pingkang Ward, they could certainly offer something unique.

This must be another of Ye Chang’s schemes: to avoid the enemy’s strengths and attack their weaknesses.

That was Wang Jin’s first thought. He felt a surge of anger—this Ye Shiyi was truly like a ghost that wouldn't go away.

But being skilled in dance was not enough. Chang'an was a city of poetry and music. Without outstanding poems and songs, relying solely on a few Hu performers spinning around would still lead to defeat.

Thinking of this, Wang Jin felt slightly relieved. He exchanged a glance with Wang Yuanbao, and they both nodded.

"Let’s go see what trick the West Market has to turn the tide," Wang Jin said.

If he could see Ye Chang there and mock him a few times, it would be even better—though Wang Jin knew that even if he saw him, he likely wouldn't dare to mock him.

Arriving at the West Market, they saw not just one float, but a total of six.

Each float was not very large; it would have seemed crowded for even one person to spin on, far inferior to the grand stage erected in the East Market.

The floats were decorated with fresh flowers and colorful silk, and atop each hung a giant lantern. These lanterns were based on Ye Chang's imitation of balloons from his other life, though now they were powered by candles. When a candle went out, the lantern would descend, be refilled with a new candle, and rise again.

The only thing to be careful of was fire safety.

Beyond the decorations, what caught the eye most were the sixteen-year-old Hu girls on each float. Some were shy, some bold, some lively or reserved, some enchanting or approachable. Each had a unique temperament. Every one of them had eyes like pearls and skin whiter than snow, carrying an exotic charm—truly rare beauties.

Their clothes were not the standard Tang style but incorporated Western elements, gorgeous and vibrant, enhancing their elegance.

The six floats were lined up in two rows beneath the West Market’s colorful tower.

Attracted by the lanterns, many tourists had turned toward the West Market, and seeing these beautiful Hu girls, even more arrived. After all, although there were many Hu girls in Chang'an, few were of the caliber of these six.

Then, a sound of music played. Following the zithers and flutes, a Hu girl on one of the floats began to sing. She sang an old song.

"If you have money, you must drink; if not, you can buy on credit. When I arrive, I often ask for a tab; I feel ashamed before the Hu tavern owner..."

Wang Jin, who had just arrived, heard the song and paused, laughing. "Nothing more than this."

Wang Yuanbao followed him. Having risen from humble beginnings, he did not know much about poetry, so he asked in surprise, "Is this poem not good?"

"It’s not that it’s bad, it’s just repeating old tunes." Wang Jin couldn't be bothered to explain further, offering only those four words.

This poem was written by Wang Ji in the early Tang, a century ago. By calling it "repeating old tunes," Wang Jin pointed out its origins while showing his disdain.

The first Hu girl finished and bowed, but the music did not end. It shifted, and on the second float, a Hu girl with a heroic aura drew a sword and sang while dancing: "The youths of Wuling, east of the Gold Market, ride white horses with silver saddles through the spring breeze. Having trodden down the fallen blossoms, where do they go to roam? They laugh as they enter the Hu girl’s tavern."

As the song ended, before Wang Jin could comment, Wang Yuanbao lamented, "I've heard this! I've heard this! It is a verse by Li Taibai!"

It was indeed Li Taibai’s "Youthful Song." Wang Jin snorted. While Li Bai’s poem was good, his brother Wang Wei also had a "Youthful Song"—perhaps slightly less carefree, but superior in its grand passion.

Two songs in a row were sung by Hu girls, and having a Hu girl sing about Hu girls created a natural, exotic atmosphere. Wang Jin began to guess the West Market’s plan. He pondered that while there were many poems about Hu girls, there might not be many suitable for today.

The second girl bowed and sat back among the flowers on her float. The music changed again, and the third girl began to sing: "Radiant and beautiful, she reflects by the river; the spring breeze leaves the guest behind. She is accustomed to serving at the counter, yet feels shy when pouring wine for her lover. Fragrance drifts from the banana-leaf fan; dressed up, she ascends the bamboo tower. Counting coins with her pale wrists, it is not that she cannot feel sorrow..."

The Hu girl’s eyebrows were slightly knitted, her eyes overflowing with emotion, looking as if she were on the verge of tears. She truly captured the longing in her gaze and voice. If the first two songs were inferior to the East Market, this one was on par with the courtesans there.

The music changed again. The fourth girl began: "Why do you seek the Hu girl’s wine, always coming to the White Nose? Picking lotus flowers to toss on the water, your heart, my love, is like the floating blossoms."

This song was also moving, its imagery making the listeners sigh. The Hu girl was full of affection, and as her gaze swept the crowd, some ruffians couldn't help but shout, "Your heart is set on the Hu girl, that’s what it is!"

Amidst these sounds, the girl bowed gracefully and retreated into the flowers. The fifth girl then began: "Where can we part? At the Green-Ornamented Gate of Chang'an. The Hu girl waves her white hand, inviting guests to drink from the golden cup. When it is time to mount the horse, I speak to you alone. The wind blows, the orchid petals break; the sun sets, the birds clamor. I point to the flying geese; this sentiment is hard to describe. Whether we return early or late, the Ying River has a pure source."

Another wonderful song, another Hu girl.

Wang Jin’s eyes twitched. Wang Yuanbao coughed; although he didn't understand poetry, he knew quality. At the very least, these three consecutive songs were no worse than the Wang Wei song from the East Market.

"Are... are these three also 'repeating old tunes,' or are they also works of Li Taibai?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Wang Jin could not answer. He could only say coldly, "Just listen to the sixth... I refuse to believe there is a sixth."