The autumn wind was bleak. In the evening, everyone from the Exorcism Division was overjoyed as they followed Li Jinglong to visit the brothel.
"Later, keep a lookout for me." Li Jinglong specifically instructed.
"Aiya! Officer Li! No, no, it's Elder Li! "
Spring Dawn was the largest and most luxurious music and brothel in Chang 'an. Compared to the small and poetic Poetry Pavilion and the Camel Bell Listening to the Wind, this place was clearly more luxurious and more in line with everyone's expectations.
"L-L-L-L-Stay away from me." Li Jinglong felt uncomfortable being pulled by someone and quickly pulled Hongjun to his side to shield her. This was the first time Hongjun had officially come to visit. She was immediately alarmed and hurriedly hid behind Li Jinglong.
"You wanted to come to Pingkang yourself. Why are you hiding?" Li Jinglong was somewhat gloating and his voice was slightly louder. Hongjun's face instantly flushed red as she experienced Li Jinglong's feelings for once.
"Aiya! It's that Hu Langjun! "
Someone discovered Atay and immediately shouted. Immediately after, they swarmed towards Atay like a swarm of bees. Atay was already famous in Pingkang. Entering this place of cherry blossoms and green willows, he was quite happy and at ease.
"I won't play the zither today." Atay said, "I'll listen to you play the zither."
The girls were incomparably disappointed. The brothel keeper hurriedly arranged the most spacious and luxurious seats for the five of them in the hall. When Li Jinglong walked past, the singing and dancing in the hall had not yet begun. The guests were chatting and laughing wittily. When they saw Li Jinglong come over, they all fell silent.
Li Jinglong walked past Spring Dawn and purposely leaned towards the large pond where many koi fish were raised. He casually shook the cloth bag and shook the Carp Demon into it.
"Have fun." Li Jinglong said.
"Thank you!" The Carp Demon popped its head out and said. Then, it happily swam into the school of fish. The fish were frightened and scattered in all directions. The Carp Demon hugged a koi fish and said, "Don't go! Beauty! "
Not long after, the buzzing sounds of discussion rang out again. The imperial examination case had obviously become a hot topic in Chang 'an these days, and Li Jinglong's demon-hunting incident had caused a sensation in the entire city. News couldn't be stopped, and it spread very quickly. There were rumors everywhere, and there were speculations about this group of people.
The attendant led them to the largest couch in the hall, took out a folding screen and placed it on the table. He invited them to sit down, with three on the left and two on the right. Qiu Yongsi and Atay sat on one side, while Li Jinglong, Hongjun, and Mo Rigen sat on the other side. Li Jinglong also ordered someone to bring over a small folding screen, and then separated them slightly on the left and right, blocking Atay and Qiu Yongsi, who were used to visiting brothels, so as to not lead the children astray.
The three of them faced the spacious hall, which was nearly half a mu in size. The decorations were extremely luxurious, and there were many folding screens. Occasionally, a woman's laughter could be heard. When Hongjun looked up again, he saw that there were three floors in the Spring Dawn Brothel, and each floor was higher than the last. There was a wooden bridge at the top, and the bridge was hung with colorful lanterns. It was like a dream.
"Gentlemen, are there any ladies you like?"
"No." Li Jinglong decisively rejected the procuress.
"Then let the ladies …"
Li Jinglong: "No need."
"The other two gentlemen, do you need …"
Li Jinglong: "No need."
Hongjun: "…"
Mo Rigen: "…"
"What are we doing here?" Hongjun asked Mo Rigen.
Mo Rigen was very amused, and said, "You'll have to ask the Chief Clerk, I don't know."
Li Jinglong ate the grapes on the table and answered, "Listen to music, watch dancing, and tip people. After that, we'll go back to the Exorcism Division to sleep at night."
Hongjun asked, "Will there be anyone dancing later?"
Li Jinglong: "Yes, there will be someone playing the guqin … Mo Rigen wants to find a lady to sit next door."
Mo Rigen laughed, "I said it was my first time, so I have to keep it. Tonight, I'll only listen to music. "
"Keep it?" Li Jinglong was a little surprised.
Mo Rigen muttered to himself and nodded. Li Jinglong did not ask anymore. Mo Rigen asked again, "The Chief Clerk won't give Hongjun …"
"He won't." Li Jinglong mercilessly cut off Mo Rigen's words, and then looked at Hongjun, and asked, "Am I right?"
Hongjun thought of Li Jinglong's explanation to him that night and was a little excited, but now he felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. He could not help but resist a little, and said, "Actually, it's fine."
"Then you go sit next door." Li Jinglong pointed at Qiu Yongsi and Atay, and said, "These are all decent people. Do you want to sit with us or go next door? "
Hongjun thought about it, and could only give in, and said, "I'll stay here."
Li Jinglong said, "Think about it carefully, you're not allowed to move. We're going to eat cherry pudding later. "
Hongjun: "What? Eat what? What's cherry pudding? I'm not going. Then … can I drink some wine? "
Drinking wine was fine, and Li Jinglong happily ordered food and wine for him. He even asked his companion to go to General Han's shop next door to buy cherry pudding. Hongjun was very easy to satisfy. Eating and lust were part of human nature, and he did not have lust, so it was the same even if there was food. Moreover, the food Li Jinglong mentioned sounded very delicious.
"But my dear Langjuns, you'll be singing and dancing later. Someone has to pour wine for you." The brothel keeper came again and asked, "How about I arrange someone for you to sit in the corner obediently?"
Li Jinglong was about to refuse, but Hongjun suddenly remembered and asked the brothel keeper, "Do you know Sang 'er?"
The brothel keeper immediately said that she knew him, and turned to ask someone to call for him. Li Jinglong could only give up. Hongjun said, "I definitely won't touch anyone here."
"You're quite knowledgeable," Mo Rigen said with a smile.
After a while, Sang 'er came. Hongjun greeted her. After all, Sang' er was the first "friend" he made in Chang 'an, and he was very happy to see her again. At that time, Sang 'er was just a maid who served the top girls in Spring Dawn. She did not expect that a guest would come looking for her today, and it was a top girl, so she was very happy.
When the two of them saw each other, they both laughed. Sang 'er looked at Li Jinglong and then looked at Hongjun. Li Jinglong was full of doubts and did not know what the relationship between Hongjun and Sang' er was. Suddenly, Sang 'er said, "Yo, Lieutenant Li! You two are together! When did you two get together? "
Li Jinglong was drinking water when he suddenly spat it out. Mo Rigen laughed and leaned against the table.
"We've been together for a long time!" Hongjun said with a smile. "Sang 'er, are you going to pour wine for us? I'll pay you! "
Sang 'er smiled and knelt on the couch. She picked up the pot and poured the wine. The pot was full of fine Lanling Daqu. It was the color of amber. When the wine was poured into a white porcelain bowl, the aroma of the wine immediately filled the air. As the saying goes, "Lanling Daqu is like tulips, and the jade bowl is like amber." It was the best wine in the restaurant.
"Don't drink too much," Li Jinglong said to Hongjun. "This wine is strong."
Mo Rigen ate some dried fruit and joked, "Is this vinegar?"
Sang 'er said, "How can it be? This is the best wine! "
Mo Rigen sniffed and said, "Why does it smell sour here?"
Li Jinglong was speechless.
Sang 'er understood and suddenly laughed. She quickly said, "Little Langjun, sit over here …"
Li Jinglong said, "Mo Rigen, you …"
Sang 'er kept urging Hongjun to Li Jinglong's side and then moved to sit next to Mo Rigen. Mo Rigen smiled and said, "That's right."
Hong Jun: "???"
Hongjun moved to sit next to Li Jinglong and turned slightly to talk to Sang 'er. His back was leaning against Li Jinglong's upper body. Li Jinglong let Hongjun lean against him and did not say anything. Not long after, the cherries bought by the waiter arrived. Everyone exclaimed in surprise.
The cherries were stuffed with marinated cherries. The egg crust was filled with roasted lamb's tender thigh meat, fresh cheese, shredded green sunflower, and vegetable cores. It was steamed and then rolled into a ball. Sprinkled with chopped mint leaves, it was fresh, sweet, and salty. It was not greasy at all.
"What's so good?" Qiu Yongsi poked his head out from next door to take a look. He was surprised and asked, "Is it from General Han's house?"
"It's only available at our table," Li Jinglong said coldly. "If you want to eat, buy it yourself."
Li Jinglong bought four servings. He did not expect Sang 'er to come, so he only gave one to her. Hongjun quickly finished it and asked, "Is there any more? Go and buy some more. "
Li Jinglong gave his share to him and turned to look at the hall. He wondered why the banquet had not started yet. When he turned back to look at Hongjun, the other cherries were gone.
"Is there any more?" Hongjun asked again.
"Are you learning from Zhao Zilong?" Li Jinglong said, "Do you swallow when you eat?"
Hongjun said, "I finished it."
Li Jinglong replied, "There's no more. I can't let you eat enough. That's why you keep thinking about it."
Hongjun had to give up. He wanted the remaining half in Mo Rigen's hand, but Mo Rigen was almost finished. Li Jinglong said, "There are so many delicious places in the world. I'll take you to eat them all another day."
Servants passed by on the second and third floor and dimmed the lights. The lights in the hall dimmed, and the chatter and laughter gradually stopped. In the darkness, there was a "ding" sound, and the whole hall was silent. Then, a round of pipa music, like moving clouds and flowing water, began to play continuously. It was as if the snow in the mountains collapsed and turned into thousands of water droplets, pouring down in torrents.
When it reached the end, several more pipa music sounded and combined with the lead pipa music. It was like a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, and the lead pipa music surrounded the hall and flew to the sky.
When the people in the hall heard the continuous plucking of the ten fingers, there was a loud bang, and they all clapped. Hongjun had already forgotten what he wanted to say. He hurriedly turned around and stared at the hall, his eyes full of joy. It was too beautiful!
The sound of orioles rang out. It was the musician's vocal technique. Then, all the screens lit up one by one. The girls who had been waiting under the screens each held a glass bowl in their hands, and in the bowl was a colorful lantern. They left the screens and quickly walked to the center of the hall.
Dancers appeared on the second and third floors one by one. They were all beautiful, and they all danced like orioles. They held flying lanterns in their hands, and their waists were wrapped in water satin. With a "shua" sound, they descended from high above.
"Wow …" Hongjun saw this scene for the first time in his life. Li Jinglong explained, "Flowing Oriole Spring Dawn, it's just like its name."
The colorful glass lanterns flickered like the spring light, and there were even dancers leaning on the couch, smiling sweetly.
There were people in the hall who had seen this dance, but they still couldn't help but cheer. Hongjun exclaimed, "It's so beautiful!"
Like a hundred orioles singing in spring, it was full of life. The dancers holding the glass lanterns first gathered in the center, and then they moved to the side, revealing a screen that looked like a merry-go-round lantern in the hall. Behind the screen, there was a slim figure holding a pipa. It was the girl who had led the dance just now.
A round of pipa music sounded again. The girl opened her red lips and sang, "The morning rain in the City of Wei rustles the dust, and the guest house is green with willows …"
Hongjun, "!!!"
The "Three Layers of Yang Pass" was the most popular folk song in Chang 'an. Although he had heard it countless times, under the bright and beautiful spring light, the surrounding lights and shadows lit up little by little, which made it even more meaningful.
Sang Er bowed and took small steps to change the wine. Hongjun was a little drunk, so he leaned on Li Jinglong's shoulder and looked at the pipa girl in a daze. Then he sang softly, "I urge you to drink another cup of wine …"
Li Jinglong put one hand on the table and gently tapped Hongjun's hand. The two of them sang softly together, "… West of Yang Pass … No Old Friend …"
The couch that the pipa woman was sitting on was gently pushed by the women, it slowly approached the seats where Li Jinglong and Hong Jun were sitting in the main hall. She played another verse and sang in a gentle voice, "Swallow grass like green silk, Qin mulberry low on the green branches …"
"Li Bai! It's Li Bai! "When Hongjun heard his idol's poem, he immediately became excited.
Li Jinglong couldn't help but laugh. He put one hand on Hongjun's shoulder, and the pipa girl was pushed to their seats. She stared into Hongjun's eyes and sang, "When you remember the past, it's your concubine who's heartbroken …"
Hongjun smiled. It was really too pleasing to the eye!
When Li Jinglong saw the pipa girl's smile, his face became serious again.
"… Spring breeze doesn't know each other, what's the matter of entering the gauze curtain?" After singing this line, the beautiful pipa girl lowered her head. There was a touch of sadness in her eyes. Her voice was gentle and the couch she was sitting on moved back again.
At this moment, everyone in the hall was cheering. When they were about to give their heads to the pipa girl, the pipa girl smiled sweetly. They only heard the sound of a fire exploding above their heads. Hongjun was startled and looked up. It was the servant who lit the huge carousel lantern that was hanging high on the second and third floor.
When the carousel lantern was lit, the hall of Spring Dawn of Flowing Orioles was suddenly filled with light. Under the light of the lantern, countless orioles and birds reflected each other. As the carousel lantern slowly rotated, it was as if there were countless birds flying around.
When Hongjun looked up again, he saw that the pipa girl had already arrived behind the rotating couch. The rotating couch slowly rotated, and a thin and tall middle-aged man appeared. He was holding a pipa in his hand.
The dancing girls all retreated. The bright and spacious hall became the middle-aged man's stage. The man did not seem to have any intention of showing off his musical skills. He just plucked the strings of the pipa with his hand and sang, "Red beans grow in the Southern Kingdom. When spring comes, a few branches will grow. I hope you can pick more. This thing is the most yearning."
Hongjun was instantly shocked. This person's singing was almost on par with Atay's. Atay's voice was clear, and this man's voice was deep and slightly hoarse. However, when he sang, he was like Atay. There was a penetrating feeling that directly penetrated the heart, making his scalp numb.
"Li Guinian?!"
In Spring Dawn of Flowing Orioles, all the guests were in an uproar. Just as someone called out the musician's name, they were signaled by Yu Ren to keep quiet.
Behind the screen next door, there was suddenly the sound of cups and plates overturning.
Hongjun asked Li Jinglong, "He sang so well! Who is it? "
"Li Guinian." Li Jinglong casually replied. With a smile, he looked at Li Guinian.
That person was the number one musician in the capital, Li Guinian. When he saw Li Jinglong, he nodded and smiled. Hongjun was surprised, "You know each other?"
"En." Li Jinglong leaned against the screen and casually put Hongjun over to let him come closer. He lazily said, "This guy usually doesn't come to Spring Dawn of Flowing Orioles to play the pipa. Today, he came because of me."
Hongjun only knew now that Li Guinian was specially invited by Li Jinglong!
Li Guinian plucked the strings again. This time, he sang, "The spring river's tide is connected to the sea, the bright moon on the sea rises with the tide … … Thousands of miles away, where is the spring river without the bright moon?"
The merry-go-round lights dimmed again. The girls rushed over and lined up behind Li Guinian. They all held the pipa in their hands and played in unison. Li Guinian's low voice and the pipa played in unison. Like a gentle tide, a bright lantern hung in the sky, as beautiful as the spring moon.
Hongjun listened with fascination until "The slanting moon hides the sea fog, the stones and stones are endless." At that time, Li Guinian's voice gradually stopped. He sang, "I don't know how many people will return under the moon, the falling moon shakes its emotions, the river is full of trees." The pipa sound gradually faded away. Hongjun's heart rose and fell with the tide, gradually returning to its original position. The hall also gradually darkened.
"Can I play with him tonight?"
"Li Guinian doesn't sell his body." Li Jinglong was a little drunk. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"I want to learn from him." Hongjun said excitedly, "He sings so well!"
"Have you already forgotten about me?" Atay said with a hint of bitterness in his voice.
Hongjun smiled and said, "I really hope that one day, the two of you will be on the same stage. You will definitely cause a sensation in Chang 'an."
"I can't compare to him." Atay said.
Qiu Yongsi said, "Chief, you know Li Guinian? I've never heard you mention this before. "
Li Jinglong said, "In the early years, when he wasn't famous yet, I often spent money to support his performances. Now that he is His Majesty's Imperial Musician, I can't support him anymore. I just sold my old face to coax him to play a song."
Suddenly, the hall lit up again. This time, all the music was played together. The women in the hall danced the Rainbow Feather Dance. However, after Li Guinian's appearance, the rest of the songs and dances tonight were like chewing wax. Hongjun's mind was still reverberating with Li Guinian's "Spring River Moonlight Night". He was really fascinated.
At the second watch, the music finally ended and the crowd dispersed. Chang 'an curfew was imposed. The guests couldn't handle the alcohol and hugged each other to sleep on the second or third floor. Hongjun only drank wine as water. He was so drunk that he lay on the table. Li Jinglong shook him and asked, "Hey, do you want to go back?"
Qiu Yongsi came over to take a look. Li Jinglong indicated that they could do whatever they wanted. Mo Rigen got up and went out to look at the autumn moon. Li Jinglong wanted to carry Hongjun back, but it was cold at night. He could only put up a screen in the hall and temporarily deal with the night. Hongjun reeked of alcohol. He looked up at Li Jinglong and said, "Chief …"
Li Jinglong was also drunk and asked, "Do you want some water?"
"You … give me back my lamp." Hongjun smiled and said, "I want to go home."
Li Jinglong: "…"
Hongjun then turned over and fell asleep.
Li Jinglong had no choice but to sleep next to Hongjun with his clothes on. The two of them slept side by side.
When it was almost dawn, Mo Rigen was nowhere to be found. Li Jinglong patted Hong Jun, and the alcohol in his body subsided a little, and asked him to go back with him.
When the two of them rode across the nine-turn bridge, Li Jinglong deliberately slowed down. Seeing that Hongjun didn't make any sound, he asked, "Come down for a walk?"
The fog in the autumn morning was heavy. Hongjun just felt like vomiting when the cold wind blew, so he vomited under the bridge. When he turned back, Li Jinglong carried a bamboo tube for him to rinse his mouth. After rinsing, Hongjun stumbled up. When he reached the maple tree, he suddenly missed home.
Last night, the scene of hundreds of birds flying and the singing of orioles reminded him of the golden cloud in Dazzling Gold Palace. He couldn't help but feel sad.
"Did I break your lamp and cause you to not be able to go home?" Li Jinglong frowned slightly and looked at Hongjun.
Li Jinglong asked him to sit under the tree for a while. They were going to wait for the market to open for breakfast before going back. Hongjun was still drunk and said to Li Jinglong, "I'll take you back to my house to play. There are … many birds in the back mountain."
Li Jinglong laughed and said, "When?"
"Mm." Hongjun replied, "We'll leave tomorrow morning …"
Hongjun's whole body lay on Li Jinglong. Li Jinglong couldn't help but not want to push him away. Under the nine-turn bridge, the maple flowers danced. Hongjun's whole body lay on Li Jinglong, his head resting on Li Jinglong's chest. He felt very comfortable. When he was a child, he would lie on a branch and take a nap like this. He was like a cheetah hanging on a tree. When the wind blew, the leaves rustled. He was as free as the wind.
"Ah." Li Jinglong's head began to hurt. He said, "Don't sleep. Go back to sleep … Get up."
Hongjun didn't answer. Li Jinglong tilted his head and fell asleep under the tree. His breathing gradually became heavy.
The carriage passed by the nine-turn bridge. In the fog, the Madam of Guo lifted the curtain and glanced at the distance under the bridge.
Under the maple leaves, Li Jinglong was lying with his back against a tree. Hongjun was lying on top of him, drunk like a dog.
"Madam," the man in the cloak said in a low voice.
"Who is he?" the Madam of Guo asked in a low voice.
The man shook his head and replied, "Xuanyin has investigated him, but she doesn't know his background."
The Lady of Guo looked away from the bridge and turned to look at the man. The man took off his cloak, revealing an extremely ugly and ferocious face. His facial muscles were bulging, and his eyes were ferocious. Four fangs appeared at the corners of his mouth. There was a brand under his neck, which was the mark of "Yazi", one of the nine sons of the dragon.
"Go and inform Baxia and Momo." The Madam of Guo said in a low voice, "When the time is right, we'll act separately. Leave Li Jinglong alive, peel off his skin, and hang it on the Chang 'an city gate."
Yazi replied, "We can act tonight. No matter how powerful the exorcists are, there are only five of them. They can't defeat us and Xuanyin."
"We have to play it safe." The Madam of Guo said, "The fate of the Tang Dynasty is not over yet. Don't start a war until the last moment, in case of Thunder Tribulation."
Yazi had to bow and get out of the carriage. The carriage left the bridge and headed for the imperial palace.