Chapter 84 - 82: Musical Piece

Chapter 84: Chapter 82: Musical Piece

The Master was rendered speechless. ’I’m just trying to save you some face, you know.’

"Brother Mu, at least stay and listen to the Xiang Family’s song before you go. What’s so important about official business? If I don’t say anything, who would dare say anything about you?"

Wang Guan continued.

Just as Su Mu was about to refuse again, a clamor suddenly erupted from outside.

"What’s going on?"

Wang Guan’s expression darkened. "Who dares cause a disturbance here?" he roared.

"My apologies, Sima. My subordinate doesn’t know the rules. He broke the congratulatory gift meant for you, Sima. I’ll throw him out right now."

A constable went out to check and quickly returned, leading a middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man came before Wang Guan, bowed low, and spoke in a rush.

Wang Guan waved his hand impatiently. He couldn’t be bothered with such trivial matters.

He turned back, about to continue persuading Su Mu to stay.

He had spent a fortune to invite the Xiang Family, all to curry favor with Su Mu. No one else was worth such a large investment from him, Second Young Master Wang.

If Su Mu left, wouldn’t all that silver have been spent for nothing?

When he turned his head, he saw Su Mu was already walking out.

"Brother Mu—"

Wang Guan cried out.

This form of address made the Minister, the Chief Clerk, and the others frown.

’For a direct descendant of the Wang Family, one of the four great families of the Inner City, to be calling a mud-legged constable ’brother’—what has the world come to!’

’Even if this Su Mu also has the status of a Taiping Bureau White Clothes, he’s still not worthy.’

’He’s not the Taiping Captain. Aren’t you afraid of losing face!’

When the Minister and the Chief Clerk saw Su Mu extend a hand to help up the lower-class person who had been knocked to the ground, their eyes filled with even more disdain.

’A bumpkin will always be a bumpkin. To do such a thing on an occasion like this truly dishonors his status!’

"Brother Sun, are you alright? You’re here, why didn’t you come say hello?"

Su Mu helped the man to his feet and asked with a smile.

Sun Dazhao looked disheveled and said awkwardly, "I came with the Gang Leader to deliver a gift."

Su Mu glanced at the shattered glass on the floor and understood.

"Gang Leader Liang of the Hunting Gang, Sun Dazhao is my friend. I’ll pay for what he broke. How about that?"

Su Mu said, turning around.

"N-no, I wouldn’t dare."

The Hunting Gang’s leader looked at Su Mu, then snuck a glance at Wang Guan, and quickly replied.

He cursed inwardly, ’Damn you, Sun Dazhao! Why didn’t you say you had this kind of connection sooner?’

’This Constable Xiao Su is not who he used to be!’

’In the past, his title of constable was in name only, but now, didn’t you see the new Sima himself calling him ’brother’?’

"So he’s a friend of Brother Mu. It’s no big deal."

Wang Guan waved his hand dismissively. "Someone, arrange a seat for this brother. We’ll all listen to music and drink together."

An attendant quickly set up a place and invited Sun Dazhao to sit down.

Sun Dazhao looked terrified. In a gathering like this, where would there be a seat for him?

Even his Gang Leader was sitting in the lowest seat, and his own spot was in front of the Gang Leader’s.

"Since you’re here, just sit down."

Su Mu smiled and gently pushed Sun Dazhao down into the seat.

After such a commotion, it was no longer appropriate for Su Mu to leave right away.

Wang Guan had given him face, so he had to return the favor.

"Everyone, take your seats! The Xiang Family is coming out! Let me tell you, the Xiang Family’s pipa, it’s the sound of a rascal in heaven."

Wang Guan said.

Everyone: "..."

’You mean *the music of the heavens*, don’t you?’

At this moment, a woman carrying a pipa gracefully appeared on the high stage.

The woman had a natural grace and a radiant complexion. As her eyes swept across the room, the entire hall immediately fell silent.

’Truly worthy of being the top Courtesan...’ Even the well-traveled Su Mu was stunned by her beauty.

In terms of looks and figure, this Courtesan was in no way inferior to Luo Anning.

However, Luo Anning possessed more of the delicate beauty and elegance of a high-born lady.

This Courtesan, on the other hand, exuded an enchanting allure from head to toe.

She gave a graceful curtsy, then sat down on a stool. Her slender fingers plucked a string on the pipa.

TWANG!

A clear, resonant note echoed in the air.

Immediately after, her fingers began to move rapidly.

In an instant, only the DING-DONG-DING-DONG of the pipa could be heard, drowning out all other sounds.

Everyone was immersed in the music, even their breathing grew cautious, as if afraid of marring the flawless melody.

Su Mu marveled inwardly. ’As expected of a Courtesan whose appearance fee is as high as three thousand taels of silver. Her skill is truly transcendent.’

’If I could learn to play the pipa like that, then cultivating the Heavenly Dragon Eight Sounds Marrow Tempering Technique would probably be no trouble at all.’

’Although, that seems a bit difficult.’

’I might be better suited for other instruments. Gongs and drums, for instance?’

An unknown amount of time passed before the song ended.

The Minister and the Chief Clerk immediately began to offer their critiques, their fawning praise making even Su Mu feel embarrassed.

The Courtesan, the Xiang Family, wore a professional smile and offered a few polite, modest words.

"The Xiang Family, let me introduce you. This is my brother, Chief Su, Su Mu. He is also one of the Taiping Bureau’s White Clothes."

Wang Guan said, pulling Su Mu in front of the Xiang Family.

The Courtesan, the Xiang Family, sized up Su Mu, a hint of surprise in her eyes. Such a handsome young man was a rare sight, and he was even a Taiping Bureau White Clothes.

"This humble one greets Su Baiyi."

The Xiang Family said with a curtsy.

Her choice of address was very tactical. She clearly looked down on a mere constable; if not for Su Mu’s status as a Taiping Bureau White Clothes, she would likely have shown even more disdain.

But it was understandable. As a Courtesan of the Inner City, she normally conversed with great scholars and had no dealings with commoners.

Under normal circumstances, a constable from the Outer City would indeed have no opportunity to meet her.

"The Xiang Family, I would like to ask for your guidance on the art of playing musical instruments. I wonder if that would be possible?"

Su Mu said after a moment of thought.

’Crude, rude, and utterly artless!’

The Minister and the Chief Clerk cursed inwardly. ’Trying to use such an excuse to get close to the Courtesan!’

"This humble one is untalented and ignorant; I am afraid I am not worthy of Su Baiyi’s inquiry."

The Xiang Family said, shaking her head in refusal.

"Brother Mu, the Xiang Family is one of the Cultured Courtesans. That approach won’t work. I’ve tried it before," Wang Guan whispered in Su Mu’s ear.

Su Mu shot him a glance. ’How could I be the same as you? You’re an uncultured oaf, but I genuinely want to learn an instrument.’

"If that’s the case, then forget it."

Su Mu smiled freely. Although the Xiang Family’s skills were outstanding, it wasn’t as if he had to learn from her and no one else.

The Xiang Family gave Su Mu a somewhat surprised look. She had seen plenty of men who would pester and cling; she had expected Su Mu to be persistent as well, but he had let the matter drop so easily.

"The Xiang Family, I wonder if we might be able to hear your rendition of the *Jade Sea Tide Song* tonight?"

Wang Guan said with a chuckle. "How about letting our brother here broaden his horizons?"

"Since Second Young Master Wang is interested, this humble one shall make a humble attempt."

The Xiang Family was silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

She had just refused Su Mu, so it wouldn’t be right to refuse Wang Guan immediately afterward.

After all, the Second Young Master of the Wang Family had paid a great price, so she had to give him some face.

"Wait."

Just as the Xiang Family was about to return to the high stage, Su Mu suddenly spoke up.

The Xiang Family stopped, her large eyes looking at Su Mu with a trace of confusion.

"Sima, I have an impudent request, I’m not sure if I may ask?"

Su Mu did not look at the Xiang Family, but instead turned to Wang Guan and cupped his hands.

"Brother Mu, why are you being so polite with me? Just say whatever’s on your mind. If it’s something your brother can do, I’ll do it without a second thought."

Wang Guan said, slapping his chest.

The Xiang Family’s eyes filled with even more confusion. She had never seen the Second Young Master of the Wang Family be so close to anyone. ’Could there be something special about this Su Mu?’

’Surely a White Clothes of the Taiping Bureau isn’t worthy of such high regard from a direct descendant of the Wang Family, right?’

"Thank you."

Su Mu first expressed his thanks, then turned to the Xiang Family and said, "I have a piece of music here. I would like to request that the Xiang Family perform it."

The Xiang Family looked at Su Mu, wondering if he was deliberately making things difficult for her because she had refused him.

Su Mu met her gaze without flinching, his eyes clear.

Curiosity sparked in the Xiang Family’s heart, but she felt no fear. With her level of mastery, even with a completely new musical score, she could perform it after reading it a few times. She wouldn’t embarrass herself on the spot.

"If Su Baiyi wishes to test this humble girl’s skills, though I am untalented and ignorant, I am willing to do my best to try."

The Xiang Family said slowly, "Please present the musical score, Su Baiyi."