Chapter 512 – Post-Wedding Extra Chapter: A Dance That Captivated the City and Spread Across the World – I Can Never Repay Such Great Kindness, Except By… (04)
The two people on the second floor were lost in their affection, completely oblivious to the performance taking place below.
Suddenly, thunderous cheers erupted from downstairs. Bai Tang followed the sound and saw a graceful woman wearing a veil make her entrance in silhouette. Accompanied by the sound of a guzheng and falling flower petals, the scene was breathtakingly beautiful and immediately elicited excited screams from the guests below.
Sang Tiantian performed under the alias Fairy Bibo, and her chosen performance was a Latin dance. Her graceful movements and uninhibited steps pushed the atmosphere to its peak.
A servant she had bribed had mingled among the guests and began throwing silver onto the stage while shouting loudly, “Fairy Bibo! Fairy Bibo!”
Caught up in the atmosphere, the guests below joined in the cheering. At the same time, countless pieces of silver and copper coins were thrown onto the stage.
The Madam was grinning from ear to ear. Money! It’s all money!
It seemed that Sang Tiantian had some tricks of her own. Letting her participate in the Top Courtesan Competition had indeed been a wise decision.
Sang Tiantian left the stage amid the guests’ cheers. The Madam immediately ordered people to clean up the stage, though in reality, she simply wanted them to collect all the silver scattered across it.
That’s real money!
After watching so many performances, Sang Tiantian was clearly the most popular. It seemed that this year’s Top Courtesan would undoubtedly be her.
The Madam, who already had her mind made up, treated Sang Tiantian completely differently from how she had a few days ago. Sang Tiantian was now her money tree, so naturally, she would receive much better treatment.
Under the envious and jealous gazes of everyone around her, Sang Tiantian calmly accepted the Madam’s flattery.
These foolish ancient people. They were completely stunned by nothing more than one type of Latin dance. If I showed them other dances and songs, wouldn’t they worship me as a talented woman?
Having watched the entire performance from the second floor, Bai Tang immediately recognized the bold and uninhibited woman whose performance had been so outstanding.
It was Sang Tiantian.
He couldn’t help worrying for her.
How did Tiantian end up like this?
With the audience reacting so enthusiastically, there was no way the Madam would be willing to let her go. The title of Top Courtesan might sound impressive, but she would still not be free. And the more famous she became, the less likely the Madam would be to let her leave.
Bai Tang grew anxious. He had only just asked A-Wu to help redeem Sang Tiantian, and now Sang Tiantian had suddenly become famous.
This…
Jiang Liangwu had absolutely no favorable feelings toward Sang Tiantian. If Bai Tang hadn’t pleaded with him, he wouldn’t have cared in the slightest whether that woman lived or died.
“A Wu, I want to go backstage and talk to Tiantian. If she’s willing to leave with us, we’ll take her away. If she doesn’t want to, then forget it. Is that okay?”
Bai Tang cautiously glanced at Jiang Liangwu’s expression. Seeing that there was no change in it, his worried heart slowly settled down.
“Okay. Just this once. While you’re at it, gather up all the things you’re used to using. You won’t be coming back here again.”
Jiang Liangwu affectionately pinched the young man’s nose, making Bai Tang blush and scamper away shyly.
When Bai Tang arrived backstage and found Sang Tiantian, she was bossing around the servants and maids, ordering them around as they attended to her every need.
“Tiantian, there’s something I want to talk to you about. Could you come outside with me for a moment?” Bai Tang asked her gently.
But Sang Tiantian responded with nothing but disdain.
“Oh? Who’s talking? Did any of you hear someone talking?”
It was as though Sang Tiantian’s eyes were permanently fixed on the ceiling, because she refused to even look at Bai Tang.
When I was down and out, you never offered me a helping hand. Now that everyone is fawning over me, you come running over to curry favor with me. Shameless.
The young maids serving nearby didn’t dare treat Bai Tang as rudely as Sang Tiantian did. Sang Tiantian had been backstage the entire time and hadn’t seen what was happening outside, but the maids had been going back and forth between the front and backstage all evening.
They had seen a distinguished young master get into an argument with the Madam over Bai Tang—and, more importantly, they had seen that even the Madam didn’t dare offend him.
Bai Tang took a deep breath and pretended not to hear Sang Tiantian’s sarcasm.
“If you don’t want to talk to me alone, then forget it. I’ll only ask you one question. If you had a chance to leave Wanhua Pavilion, would you be willing to go?”
Sang Tiantian, who had been drinking water, nearly spat out the tea she hadn’t swallowed.
“You’re joking, right? Leave Wanhua Pavilion? Are you going to support me?”
Bai Tang answered seriously, “I will.”
Sang Tiantian gave a mocking laugh. For the sake of the last bit of affection the original Sang Tiantian had held for Bai Tang, she said, “If you want to leave, then go. I’m not leaving. Back when you were enjoying wealth and prosperity, you didn’t even spare a thought for me when I was on the verge of death. Now I don’t need you pretending to be kind. From now on, let’s just treat each other as strangers.”
Bai Tang was heartbroken.
So this was how Sang Tiantian had always seen him.
He had approached her out of genuine kindness, but no one could keep offering warmth to someone who constantly responded with coldness without eventually feeling hurt. Besides, his arrangement with the Madam was no secret. Anyone at Wanhua Pavilion could have told Sang Tiantian about it if she had simply asked.
That alone showed that she had never cared about why he had been sent to the South Courtyard.
But had she ever stopped to think about it?
With her lowly status as a maid, how could she possibly have afforded a physician to treat her? Where had all the good food, fresh fruit, and other luxuries come from?
They had all been part of his allotted provisions, which he had specifically set aside for her.
“Fine. As you wish. From now on, we’re no longer friends.”
Bai Tang flicked his sleeve and left, walking out of the backstage area under everyone’s curious and sidelong gazes.
Now that she’s doing well, she wants to climb onto someone more powerful? No way.
Sang Tiantian picked up a grape and popped it into her mouth, continuing to perfect her plan to become famous throughout the world in her mind.
Bai Tang returned to the South Courtyard to pack his things. There, he ran into Gou Ziming, the senior courtesan who happened to be taking the day off.
Gou Ziming looked at him in surprise. “Why are you back?”
Bai Tang took Gou Ziming’s hand and asked, “Senior, if you had a chance to redeem yourself and leave this place, would you be willing to go?”
Gou Ziming used his free hand to feel Bai Tang’s forehead. The child didn’t seem to be sick, so why was he talking such nonsense?
Seeing how serious Bai Tang looked, Gou Ziming smiled and said, “Of course I’d be willing. If I had a chance to escape this pit of misery, why wouldn’t I take it? Even if I had to go back to farming, that would still be better than having to entertain customers all day.”
Unfortunately, the Madam would never let them go unless someone rich and powerful was willing to buy them out. Ordinary officials and nobles wouldn’t be enough.
At last, Bai Tang had received some good news. The blow he had suffered from Sang Tiantian was eased considerably.
“Then, Senior, hurry up and pack your things. We can leave tonight.”
The young man smiled sweetly, and two tiny dimples appeared faintly on his cheeks. The sight made Gou Ziming’s heart flutter. It took him quite a while to come back to his senses before he asked incredulously, “What did you say? The Madam is going to let us leave?”
If it were an ordinary person, Bai Tang wouldn’t have been confident. But who was A-Wu? He was the Third Prince of the current dynasty. The Madam would definitely let them go.
“Yes. Go pack your things first, Senior. Whether it’s true or not, you’ll find out soon enough.”
Perhaps Bai Tang’s smile was simply too convincing. Hope began to bloom in Gou Ziming’s heart, and he quickly returned to his room to gather the silver he had saved over the years.
If I can really leave, that would be wonderful. If not, at worst, I can just put everything back where it was.
Bai Tang didn’t have much to pack. Most of his belongings had only been purchased recently, and many of the clothes weren’t even the kind he liked to wear. He didn’t have many valuables either—just two sets of clothes to change into.
He waited at the entrance of the South Courtyard. Before long, Gou Ziming came out carrying a bundle over his shoulder.
“I’m ready. Let’s go.”
The two of them avoided the crowd and returned to the second floor, where Jiang Liangwu was standing at the foot of the stairs.
The moment Bai Tang saw him, he instinctively ran over and happily threw himself into Jiang Liangwu’s arms. Only after doing so did he realize how bold the gesture had been. His face flushed, and he shyly called out, “A Wu~”
“Mm. Why did you take so long? I was almost about to go in and look for you.”
Jiang Liangwu stroked the young man’s long hair, which fell down past his waist. Under Gou Ziming’s training and careful care, Bai Tang’s black hair had become smooth, glossy, and silky to the touch.
Seeing Jiang Liangwu’s bearing, Gou Ziming immediately knew that he was no ordinary person. He was even more imposing than the wealthy officials and nobles Gou Ziming had encountered before.
He bowed respectfully to Jiang Liangwu. “Greetings, Young Master.”
Jiang Liangwu glanced at him and gave a slight nod, indicating that there was no need for such formalities.
“Senior, have a seat.”
Bai Tang turned back to Gou Ziming and gestured for him to sit.
The two returned to their place behind the screen and sat down. Bai Tang remained nestled in Jiang Liangwu’s arms as they watched the announcement of this year’s Top Courtesan.
Sang Tiantian had received the most votes, with Bai Tang coming in second. Since Bai Tang had been claimed by someone the moment he appeared, anyone with even a little sense knew they couldn’t afford to offend the person who had claimed him. Naturally, no one voted for Bai Tang again.
In the end, Sang Tiantian won the favor of the crowd and was officially crowned this year’s Top Courtesan.
Sang Tiantian changed into another outfit and applied red eyeshadow, making her look even more alluring. Yet her expression remained cool and aloof, giving her an air of untouchable nobility. The combination of these two contrasting qualities made her even more captivating. The guests below were dazzled, their eyes fixed solely on Sang Tiantian.
The Madam announced with a beaming smile that the auction for the Top Courtesan’s first night would begin.
Sang Tiantian, who had been feeling rather pleased with herself, immediately froze.
What auction for the Top Courtesan’s first night? After becoming the Top Courtesan, I still have to sell myself?!
Sang Tiantian wanted to escape, but the Madam naturally wasn’t going to let her have her way. She stood right beside Sang Tiantian, making sure she had no chance to leave the stage.
This year’s Top Courtesan was a fresh face, and the bids were exceptionally high. As for who ultimately bought the Top Courtesan’s first night, Jiang Liangwu didn’t care in the slightest. He had already instructed his guards to prepare the necessary money and planned to have the people brought over once the Madam announced the successful conclusion of the competition.
Bai Tang had originally been a servant before becoming a male courtesan. Although the Madam was heartbroken to lose such a potential money-maker, she hadn’t invested all that much in him. Moreover, Jiang Liangwu had revealed a royal token, making the Madam even more wary of offending him.
As for Gou Ziming, things were even simpler. Although the Madam had spent money training him in the past, he had already worked at Wanhua Pavilion for several years, and she had earned back what she had invested in him. Besides, he was already twenty-eight and wouldn’t be able to stay much longer anyway.
The Madam readily agreed to release him.
Seeing that she knew how to cooperate, Jiang Liangwu added a small chest of gold to the original redemption price. This completely erased the last bit of resentment the Madam had felt.
With a chest of gold like that, she could buy out countless people like Bai Tang and Gou Ziming.
Now, she was actually hoping Jiang Liangwu would take a liking to a few more people and redeem them as well.
“Young Master, all the young ladies and gentlemen here are exceptional. Would you like to take another look?” the Madam asked obsequiously.
Bai Tang nervously looked at Jiang Liangwu. The latter lowered his head and kissed him gently before whispering, “I told you, I only like Tang Tang.”
Jiang Liangwu declined the Madam’s offer and left Wanhua Pavilion with Bai Tang and Gou Ziming.
Once they stepped outside, Gou Ziming still felt as though he were dreaming.
Just like that… I’m leaving? I’m really free!
A carriage driven by one of the guards arrived in front of the three of them. Gou Ziming gratefully bowed to Jiang Liangwu.
“Young Master, I can never repay your great kindness. If you ever have need of my services, I will gladly go through fire and water for you.”
Bai Tang had actually thought that after Gou Ziming said, “I can never repay your kindness,” the next words would be “I can only offer myself to you.”
Who would have thought he would say, “I will gladly go through fire and water for you” instead?
Bai Tang felt a little guilty for having been so petty toward Gou Ziming. Senior isn’t that kind of person. How could I have thought that about him?
Gou Ziming noticed the changes in Bai Tang’s expression.
Oh, silly Tang Tang.
After spending so many years at Wanhua Pavilion, the most important skill he had developed was the ability to read people and distinguish genuine feelings from false ones.
There was simply no room for a third person between this young master and Tang Tang. Why would he make a fool of himself by trying to interfere?
Besides, he had finally regained his freedom. There was no way he would willingly return to the life he had lived before.