Who in the world does not know you?

Chapter 50 You're Overthinking It

Pushing open the familiar red door, a pink and white gauze curtain came into view.

The air was filled with a mixture of floral fragrances, making it difficult to distinguish which petals they came from.

The incense burner was filled with the saffron fragrance that the flower maiden was so proud of, which was most suited to the ambiguous and romantic atmosphere when men and women were alone.

Only those of noble status would have the opportunity to enter this boudoir and inhale the alluring fragrance that makes one's heart flutter.

His footsteps were very light, yet they were quite noticeable in the quiet room.

In the center of the red carpet, which resembled blooming flowers, sat a long-haired woman with her back to Qingchuan, who was slowly walking towards her.

Her large expanse of exposed, snow-white skin was flawless, and her long hair was tied up high with a jade hairpin, parting from her slender neck to the left and right, naturally cascading down her delicate shoulders, as if deliberately done to avoid concealing her back.

She was wearing a loose and beautiful white gauze dress, and sitting on a red square stool.

Qingchuan had visited Qingzhufang many times in the past, and naturally had entered this hibiscus tent many times as well. He had even lost count of how many times he had seen this red low stool.

But every time he stepped inside, the courtesan recruited by the flower maiden would be quietly waiting in the center of the gauze curtains, smiling gently as he approached, like a canary in an exquisite cage.

The sumptuous food and wine were laid out to the side in their original positions. As Qingchuan walked toward the woman, she also picked up her erhu.

The skillful and melodious piano music soon filled the room, and the vastness of the world and the splendor of exotic lands were glimpsed for Qingchuan through the woman's hands at this moment.

Qingchuan didn't say anything, but listened to the music as he walked to the table and sat down.

He turned his head to look at the woman in front of him and found that he still couldn't see her face clearly from this angle.

After the music ended, the room fell silent.

She didn't speak first.

In brothels, places where guests come and go seeking pleasure, women are most adept at playing along. Moreover, throughout the entire Ningzhou Prefecture, Qingchuan is the most distinguished guest to appear in such places, without exception.

Even though most courtesans adhere to the principle of selling their art but not their bodies, they always greet wealthy patrons like Qingchuan with great enthusiasm.

She is different from others.

Qingchuan glanced at the blue-patterned white porcelain wine pot and the sumptuous delicacies on the table, and spoke first with a slight smile.

"Are you born with an ugly appearance, which is why you don't want to turn around and let me see your true face?"

"This humble servant is unworthy, possessing only an ordinary appearance, and has no intention of pleasing Young Master Qing. However, I have served many high-ranking officials and nobles in the past, but none have been as distinguished as Young Master Qing. I am understandably nervous, and I hope Young Master Qing will forgive me..."

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet Qingchuan heard every word clearly.

After she finished speaking, she turned her head. Her face was fair and delicate, like a lotus emerging from the water. Her pearly teeth lightly tapped her pink lips, making them appear even softer and fuller.

A touch of makeup, just right.

She looked up at the handsome young man at the table, and with just a blink of her beautiful eyes, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

She reached out and gently pulled up the shoulder strap of her white tulle dress, revealing the clear outline of her collarbone with the subtle movement.

Her ten fingers were slender and delicate like scallions. She was like a young lady who had lived a secluded life in her boudoir and had never done any rough work. She should not be in such a brothel.

Qingchuan's gaze lingered on her face, which could almost be described as flawless, and he suddenly smiled and sighed.

"Young Master, why do you sigh? Is it because my appearance is too ugly, and I frightened you...?"

She asked timidly, but the words that came out of her mouth carried an indescribable softness, gently stirring the heartstrings of the listeners.

"I'm amazed that the courtesan has really gone all out this time. No courtesan in the past in Qingzhufang can compare to you."

Upon hearing this, she smiled, her whole body relaxed, and she clearly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Young Master Qing is indeed as gentle and refined as the rumors say. If any woman is fortunate enough to marry you, it would be a blessing she has accumulated over ten lifetimes..."

She stood up, holding her gray-brown erhu, and walked to Qingchuan's side. Then, belatedly, she put the erhu aside, looking clumsy yet endearing.

Qingchuan saw everything she did and, remembering her superb piano skills, praised her generously.

"You play the piano very well."

"If you like, I will play for you every day from now on. But I wonder if you prefer my appearance or my music?"

As she spoke, she picked up the wine pot on the table and poured wine for Qingchuan. The clear wine flowed slowly from the spout like a trickle. He stared at her intently, so boldly that he did not restrain himself in the slightest.

Qingchuan did not answer her question directly.

Even though he spent his days surrounded by beautiful women, he wasn't easily thrown into a panic.

"Perhaps I prefer your name."

Only after Qingchuan mentioned it did she pretend to suddenly understand.

"I forgot to introduce myself. My humble name is nothing to mention, but I hope you will remember it occasionally. Back in Luoyang, everyone called me Amo, so you can call me Amo as well."

"Amo? What's your last name?"

Upon hearing this, Amo hesitated slightly, a look of sadness appearing on his face.

"My name is Amo, given to me by my schoolteacher. I don't know my surname, nor have I ever met my biological parents... I grew up in a brothel. My parents died in famine, and I was sold into the brothel by a passerby while I was still an infant. The madam of the brothel hired people to teach me music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, all so that I could make money for her when I grew up... After that, I was sold to many different places, and now I've settled in Qingzhufang in Ningzhou Prefecture with Hua Niang... But Young Master Qing, don't worry, I am still a virgin. However, if you find me dirty, I was born in a brothel, and I truly have no face to claim my innocence..."

Amo raised her wine glass with both hands and handed it to Qingchuan. Qingchuan lowered her head and seemed to recall the tragic memories of her childhood, causing her to feel depressed.

Qingchuan took the glass by the bottom, sniffed the aroma, but did not rush to drink it all.

Amo sat down next to him, her eyes welling up with tears. She watched him calmly raise his glass, her sadness evident in her expression.

"I apologize for reminding you of painful memories."

"Young Master Qing, you don't need to say that. I am flattered... I am of humble status, and it is my great fortune to be able to spend some time with you..."

As Amo spoke softly, she fell silent when their eyes met, her lips pressed tightly together.

The next moment, she leaned forward and slowly moved towards Qingchuan.

The beautiful woman's eyes were filled with tears, her body soft and fragrant.

If it's just a matter of leaning on someone's arm for a short while, who could bear to refuse in this situation...

The girl's alluring fragrance wafted over, but Qingchuan suddenly spoke up at that moment.

"Before you met me, Hua Niang must have told you to take good care of me or something like that."

"Yes, I will remember this and serve you with all my heart..."

"Then she must have told you not to touch me. It seems you're quite confident, thinking this young master will succumb to your beauty and fall at your feet..."

Amo's body, which was slowly approaching Qingchuan, suddenly stopped, and the smile on her face instantly froze.

Qingchuan raised his hand and waved, splashing all the wine in his cup onto the beautiful face of the woman in front of him.

"Too bad, you're overthinking it."