Chapter Fifty: The Future Matriarch of the Ye Family

Dumplings before departure, noodles upon arrival.

Following his promotion, today marked the first day that Ye Xi officially went out by sedan chair, which naturally called for a breakfast of dumplings.

Early in the morning, Zhao Youyou went out to forage for some wild vegetables and made dumplings stuffed with wild vegetables and pork.

Accompanied by the umami seasoning powder developed by Ye Xiu, everyone ate with immense relish and delight.

"Big brother, Youyou's cooking just keeps getting more and more delicious," Li Weisheng praised enthusiastically as he ate the dumplings. "I haven't been here long, but I've gained at least ten pounds."

"A bit of weight makes your body sturdier," Zhao Yide said, devouring his food rapidly. "When your weight passes a hundred pounds, I'll teach you how to use the palm crossbow."

"Then I must eat even more," Li Weisheng said, clenching his fists and waving them proudly in the air. "In the future, when Big Brother becomes prime minister, I shall be a fourth-rank imperial guard carrying a blade."

Zhao Youyou smiled softly, secretly anticipating Ye Xiu's praise.

"I must find time to go to the market and buy a maid," Ye Xiu said after taking a bite of a dumpling, full of praise for the flavor. "We cannot let Youyou do everything. When she enters this family as a bride in the future, she is meant to enjoy a life of ease."

"I don't want one," Zhao Youyou flatly refused. "A maid's yearly upkeep is very expensive. I can handle all the housework; there is no need to hire anyone."

Ye Xiu put down his bowl and chopsticks, opened the money pouch at his waist, took out a set of keys, and placed them in Zhao Youyou's palm.

"There is a chest under the bed. All the family's money is inside."

"Oh, Brother You'an..." Zhao Youyou grew anxious at once. "We haven't even married yet, and you're already handing over the family finances. People will point fingers and gossip if word gets out."

"Youyou, just accept it," Ye Wuji said, wiping a grease stain from the corner of his mouth. "The two of us men simply aren't cut out for managing money. In the future, you will be the mistress of the household; you must learn these things and get used to them."

Zhao Youyou looked helplessly at Zhao Yide, but the latter deliberately chose to look away.

As her future elder brother, he refused to get involved in his sister's domestic affairs.

"Then... then I'll give it a try," Zhao Youyou cautiously accepted the keys. "If I don't do a good job, you must take the keys back."

"Once they've been given away, how can I take them back?" Ye Xiu pinched Zhao Youyou's cheek and said affectionately, "You must believe in yourself, get out more, observe more, and learn more. Being the matriarch of a household is no easy task."

"Mmm." Zhao Youyou nodded heavily.

After the meal, they all headed together to the restaurant.

There were many strict customs to observe before a grand opening, and since the restaurant was not yet officially open, no one was allowed inside.

In the morning light, a woman of refined beauty, graceful figure, and extraordinary demeanor was standing right in front of the restaurant entrance.

The restaurant clerk possessed a sharp eye. He immediately brought out a chair, invited the woman to sit, and then poured her a bowl of hot tea.

The woman nodded in acknowledgment, her voice sounding like celestial music. "Thank you, brother."

Just then, Ye Xiu and the others arrived at the restaurant.

Looking the woman up and down, Ye Xiu asked, "Are you Miss Dong?"

"I am she," Dong Rushen replied, standing up and picking up the pipa beside her. "I have come upon invitation. Might I ask which one of you is Master Ye?"

"I am," Ye Xiu made a polite gesture of welcome. "Miss Dong, please come inside."

Behind him, Ye Wuji and Li Weisheng exchanged stunned and disbelieving glances.

Among the top ten courtesans of Jinling, Dong Rushen ranked third.

Never had they imagined that she would actually come.

Seeing that Ye Xiu was merely a youth, Dong Rushen could not help but feel surprised as well.

The reason Duke Yan had been able to move her was not solely because of the connection between them, but even more so because of a certain ci poetry.

Composing herself, Dong Rushen stepped into the restaurant.

"I have prepared a private resting room on the second floor exclusively for Miss Dong, named Magpie Bridge Immortal."

Ye Xiu led Dong Rushen up to the second floor. "Thank you, Miss Dong, for condescending to visit us today. I am grateful for your hard work."

"There is no need to go upstairs just yet. I see the time is almost right. Let us use the stage downstairs."

Dong Rushen walked toward the stage, placed her pipa down properly, and then sat on the stool, beginning to tune the strings of her zheng and zither.

Tuning the strings and testing the notes were completed in one fluid motion.

Then, she improvised a piece.

Her hands danced across the strings like butterflies, light and agile.

The melodious sound of the music lingered, flowing like a murmuring stream from her fingertips.

It was like heavenly music, gentle and delicate, softly brushing against the listener's heart and bringing a sense of boundless peace and beauty.

In the kitchen, the busy staff members felt their nervous tension unconsciously ease.

Ye Wuji, a man who had seen grand occasions, could not help giving Dong Rushen a thumbs-up. "Truly, she is a rare and exceptionally talented woman."

As the music ceased, Dong Rushen's graceful voice sounded once more, "Master Ye, regarding the song, would you prefer me to play casually, or do you already have lyrics prepared?"

"Play whatever you please, Miss Dong," Ye Xiu touched his sleeve. "Master Duke Yan mentioned that Miss Dong is fond of lyrical poetry. This is a personal gift for you, and I hope you will like it."

Dong Rushen unfolded the creased paper to reveal three lyrics.

"Rain on the Bell Tolls - Cold cicadas chirp miserably," "Butterflies in Love with Flowers - Leaning alone against the tall tower, the autumn breeze blows softly," "Eight Beats of Ganzhou - Facing the dreary twilight rain splashing over the river and sky."

Scarcely had she finished silently reciting the first piece, "Rain on the Bell Tolls," than Dong Rushen was left utterly awestruck, as if gazing upon a heavenly being.

The handwriting was exquisite.

The poetry was peerless.

Gradually, Dong Rushen fell into a trance, as though entranced.

Her body began to tremble involuntarily, and the paper slipped from her grasp and fluttered to the ground.

Along the Qinhuai River, a grand selection for the Queen of Courtesans was about to be held.

Unlike previous contests, this year's selection was being organized by the Jinling prefectural government.

The winner of the crown would receive a contract issued by the authorities.

The contract stipulated that the top courtesan could perform arts in a government-operated brothel, with earnings split seventy-thirty.

After completing three years of service, she would not need to buy her freedom and could leave at any time.

Not only would the authorities not hinder her departure, but they would also grant her a generous retirement pension.

If she used Ye Xiu's poetry paired with her own talents, she was bound to win the crown in this year's selection, and regaining her freedom was within easy reach.

These three lyrical poems had been meticulously prepared for Dong Rushen by Ye Xiu, all of them originating from Liu Yong, the legendary master of romantic melancholy.

Looking back at his past life, the most formidable literary genius in history was none other than Grand Master Liu.

When it came to the women of pleasure quarters, Grand Master Liu's works were always of nuclear weapon caliber.

In matters of romantic sorrow and poignant verse, even Li Qingzhao and Nalan Xingde would have to address him as their founding ancestor.

Not only did he frequent top-tier pleasure quarters without spending a single coin, but the premiere courtesans competed with one another to keep him as their favored companion.

On the day of Liu Yong's funeral, every single courtesan in Bianliang wore mourning robes for him, and a hundred thousand women sent wreaths.

All the brothels went on strike for three days, closing their doors completely.

Such treatment was unprecedented in the literary world, both past and present. Who could possibly refuse to be awed?

Seeing Dong Rushen's reaction, Ye Xiu knew he had chosen correctly: truly, the one who understood women's hearts best was none other than Grand Master Liu.

After a long while, Dong Rushen finally recovered from her shock.

Looking at Ye Xiu in sheer disbelief, she asked with a trembling voice, "Young master, such supreme masterpieces—are you truly giving them to me?"

"Truly," Ye Xiu replied with a solemn and earnest expression. "Miss Dong, you risked your reputation to condescend to visit this place. I cannot simply rely on my connection with Master Duke Yan to exploit your labor for free, can I?"