Chapter Seventy-Three Take A Look At My Sister

  As time passed, the atmosphere outside became increasingly intense. Chu Hao clearly felt that at this moment, someone outside had already started calling out to let Yao Mengchi come out.

  Yao Mengchi is the ace of Cui Yueju, and also a pure and noble person. However, Chu Hao has never seen her before. Of course, he still has great interest in beautiful women, cultivating Taoism means following one's heart after all.

  A feast for the eyes and beneficial for the way.

  It seems that this year's flower lantern festival, the largest one should be Yao Mengchi. At least half of the people here are coming for Yao Mengchi, to admire the beauty of the first beauty of the capital city's brothel.

  Chu Hao took a moment to glance out the window, and all he saw was the lake's surface dotted with dark ripples, reflecting the lanterns' glow, as if it were stolen moonlight and starlight floating on the serene lake, shimmering before his eyes. Many talented scholars stood leisurely by the pavilion at the lake's edge, engaged in composing poems and couplets. However, their gazes often lingered on the ladies and young women around them. When the flower boat on the serene lake approached, they suddenly changed their demeanor, putting on a straight and noble air, not daring to glance sideways, gently swaying their fans, reciting poetry, and displaying their elegance.

  Apart from these talented individuals, there were also many onlookers. On the stage adorned with lanterns and streamers, several girls were dancing, while a woman's soft singing voice filled the air. Chu Hao didn't understand music, but he felt that this melody was one that could comfort the imperial men as they went to battle against Maya, and soothe the anxious women in their chambers playing melancholic tunes under the apricot blossom tree - it was truly enchanting.

  It's not yet Cui Yue Lou's turn, these singing and dancing girls are all from other brothels.

  Chu Hao felt that the singing voice was weak and wrinkled his brow.

  Sun Haoran pushed the little girl next to him away, he didn't drink too much wine, his head was still clear at this moment, listening to the singing voice below, he turned his head and said: "What is this little tune? It's so unpleasant to listen to?"

  Chu Hao and others had not yet had time to answer him, when a man from below who was unwilling to sink called out: "I'm here to see the flowers, what's with this woman's incessant humming? Let Yao Mengchi come out and sing for us, we still want more!"

  The turtle slave standing next to him was startled by the loud shout. He glanced at the man and saw that he was dressed as a deputy schoolmaster, so he hastily smiled and replaced the girl on stage with another one from a nearby flower boat, who began singing in a lavish and elegant tone.

  Finally, all he heard was that deputy principal muttering: "This is more like it, damn it, I can't stand this elegant music."

  He sang a few more lines, and the man couldn't help but shout: "What are you singing? I don't understand a single sentence! Change to another one!" So he changed to another song. This tune was familiar to Chu Hao, and Sun Haoran and others were not strangers either. It was written by a famous courtesan from the Cloud Sky Wind Moon House.

  That was over a hundred years ago.

  At that time, the song girl and a talented rich young master fell in love. However, the young master's family strongly disagreed with their relationship. The young master loved the song girl so much that he ignored his family's opposition and insisted on redeeming her and marrying her as his legitimate wife.

  After learning the news, the song girl was moved in her heart, but for the sake of the rich young master's future, she resolutely refused his request. In the end, the young master was heartbroken and married a daughter of a high-ranking official according to his family's arrangement. Afterwards, he did not live a happy life, and finally could not bear the intrigue in the officialdom, and was exhausted every day.

  When he was over thirty and returned to the brothel to look for the songstress, he found out that she had long passed away, leaving behind only an unfinished melody. Looking at the score, the young master of the wealthy family knew it was a song about him, his heart was in unbearable pain, so he continued writing it and gave it to another famous songstress to play and sing. As he listened, the young master unknowingly had tears streaming down his face...

  It is unknown whether this matter is true or false, but later the singer who got the score was from Cuimonth Residence. Also because of this song, Cuimonth Residence, which was not well-known at that time, became famous and gradually became the number one pleasure place in the capital city.

  Of course, this may also have something to do with the son's promotion after becoming a high-ranking official.

  At this moment, listening to this song, Chu Hao's mood also rose with a few ripples. However, the girl singing at this moment did not grasp this emotion well, and the accompaniment was also somewhat mismatched.

  However, the big man was still dissatisfied and started yelling at Turtle Slave: "What's wrong with you? Are you playing me? Am I only worthy of listening to dead people's songs? Believe it or not, I'll hit you!" As soon as he finished speaking, several people rushed out from around him, threw a few punches, and the guy was knocked unconscious. Then, one person carried his shoulders and another carried his legs, and they carried him away. Turtle Slave shouted: "Throw him far away, throw him to the west side of the Empty Void Lake, the Flower Lantern Festival is about to begin!" Chu Hao and others in the private room burst out laughing, and this scene adjusted the atmosphere from earlier quite a bit.

  Not long after that, Xiaohong came down and smiled: "Young master, gentlemen, the flower lantern festival is about to begin. Shall we board the boat now?"

  Chu Hao stood up and said, "Let's go up now." Sun Haoran and others also nodded, glanced at the private room on the other side, and the Sixth Prince and the Little Prince also came out together with many nobles, who greeted each other.

  The sixth prince knew the emperor's thoughts about Weiyuan Wang, so he wouldn't get too close to the crown prince, just nodding his head like he did with the eldest prince. On the other hand, Jing Wang beside him had a hateful look in his eyes, but there was no longer any trace of being beaten by Chu Hao on his face.

  Nan Gong Pao Zi had a timid look on his face. Beside him stood a young man, who was his cousin and the grandson of the Minister of Revenue.

  Chu Hao smiled at Jing Wang and Nan Gong Bao Zi, and the group walked into the hall, leaving Cui Yue Ju.

  The Lantern Festival was held by the lake, but there were too many people outside. Those with status and position watched from boats. As the eldest son of the emperor, Chu Hao had the highest imperial rank among these people, except for the Sixth Prince and the Young Prince, and had a special boat set aside just for him.

  "Miss, the young master has left." Xiaodie saw that the people in the great hall of Cuimonth were streaming out towards the outside and hastily reminded Lin Yue'er. Lin Yue'er also noticed the young master and hastily picked up the long sword on the table, humming: "Let's go, we're going out too."

  However, they were of different status and could not board the ship, so they could only stand in the crowd and see the young master off.

  "How hateful!" Lin Yue'er stamped her foot, her beautiful eyes staring wide with extreme discontent.

  Chu Hao got on the boat and stood at the bow, while Sun Haoran and his friends were hugging girls and teasing them, drinking wine and gazing at the flower pavilion on the shore.

  The little prince's boat was right next to him, Chu Hao swept his eyes over and saw that Wu Donghan's face was calm, standing at the bow of the boat, waving his brush as if writing a poem. He curled his lips, this person was indeed elegant, but mute.

  Today the sky has a bright moon, but the moonlight is no match for the dazzling light of fireworks, and the lake surface ripples gently.

  The flower lantern festival has begun.

  In the past, the flower lantern festival was very lively. There were poetry recitals, couplet competitions, and calligraphy exhibitions, followed by the appearance of the courtesans from various brothels. The stage was extremely lively, with people cheering and shouting, as many talented scholars took turns to perform on stage, either competing in talent or singing with the girls.

  Chu Hao looked for a while, feeling bored, and even those charming girls didn't have the heart to watch. Taking a boat ride on the lake, appreciating poetry and flowers, that's what pretentious young masters do, let alone him, who now has no interest in the last item, not to mention the previous ones. He calmed down and looked around the crowd, searching for the stunning girl he met at dusk.

  At this moment, the dusk is getting heavier, the flowing water is as black as ink, and the night is dark, but the lights are bright. Various colorful lanterns of different shapes and colors are strung together like a string of pearls, filling the ten-mile-long Xuanhu Lake with a dazzling array of colors. At this moment, if viewed from above, it's like a flowing river of colorful lanterns, even more brilliant than the Milky Way!

  Those show-offs in front not only made Chu Hao feel annoyed, but also made Sun Haoran lose his interest in drinking. He came to the bow of the boat and looked at the colorful scenery on the shore, saying somewhat vaguely: "Hao Ge, after you leave tomorrow, I'm afraid I won't want to stay in this capital city either."

  Chu Hao turned back faintly and said, "Why don't you want to stay? Aren't you going to become a great general?" Then he chuckled, "Although I'm your spiritual pillar, don't think of giving up just because I'm leaving."

  Sun Haoran smiled and said, "This capital city is so boring. During this time, I've thought a lot. Although we are young masters, we will eventually follow in our parents' footsteps and work hard for ourselves." He paused, looking at the dark distance, and said, "Moreover, you're the 'Little Overlord', although you didn't say it, I know you'll make a comeback. And at this time, I shouldn't be a burden to you."

  Chu Hao's face changed, and he looked deeply at Sun Haoran, grasping his arm tightly without saying a word.

  Sun Haoran didn't think so, smiled and said with some emotion: "Hao Ge, what you told me a while ago, I still remember. That war song, I've sung it nearly a hundred times. 'Indifferent people, thank you for underestimating me, letting me not lower my head, living more wonderfully...'". After saying that, he stared at the lake surface with a very pure smile: "If I still don't understand Hao Ge's meaning, then I'm an idiot."

  Chu Hao looked at him for a moment, then smiled brightly and said, "That's actually true."

  Sun Haoran didn't have the heart to joke with Chu Hao, shook his head and fell silent. The tranquility on this boat's bow was extremely out of sync with the commotion all around. After a long while, Sun Haoran lifted his head and said faintly: "You're going to Duoluo City, it's very close to the border, if you have time, take a look at my sister for me."

  Chu Hao felt a pang of sadness in his heart, sighed and said: "I will."

  At this moment, a boat came again, opening the lake surface and waves, and on it stood a yellow-shirted person at the bow of the boat, who was the stunning little girl they had met before.