Chapter 76: Music and Dance

The inn’s attendant had already prepared the guest room, and after Qi Jun finished his meal, he was respectfully led to a chamber at the very top floor. Just by looking at the door, exquisitely carved with birds twined around fragrant blossoms, and catching a faint scent wafting from it, Qi Jun knew this door alone was worth a tidy sum—let alone the furnishings and supplies within.

He nodded to the attendant and was about to enter, but the young man remained standing beside him, smiling with continued deference.

“Is there something else?” Qi Jun recalled the scene at the inn’s entrance and still felt a lingering anger.

“Sir, I noticed you seemed weary. Would you like me to find a few skilled young ladies to attend to you?” As he spoke, the attendant held out his hand, palm open near Qi Jun, clearly angling for a tip.

Qi Jun immediately understood—the fellow was using this as a pretext to solicit a gratuity.

“Get lost!” Infuriated by the attendant’s shamelessness, Qi Jun could not help but snap.

The attendant was taken aback, then quickly plastered on a smile. “Sir, you need not worry. Whether officials or commoners, all who stay here are accustomed to such service…”

“Enough! Here’s your tip.” Qi Jun, uncertain whether the attendant was truly offering services or simply ignoring his refusal, impatiently waved a hand to cut him off, tossing a few silver coins to dismiss him.

He shut the door, lay down on the soft, thick mattress, and inhaled the floral scent lingering on the bedding. His limbs felt heavy and sleep beckoned, the wine in his system adding a drowsy haze. He had no mind to visit the teahouse for nighttime entertainment; still fully clothed, he drifted into sleep.

As Qi Jun slipped into dreams, a gentle knock sounded at the door. After a moment, when no reply came, the knocking grew stronger.

Disturbed from his slumber, Qi Jun irritably sat up and walked to the door, assuming it was the bothersome attendant once again. Brimming with annoyance, he yanked open the door, ready to unleash a string of curses.

But when he saw who stood outside, he was stunned.

It was not the attendant, but two young women of striking beauty, both dressed in pale gauze skirts, draped in translucent shawls. One of them carried a cloth-wrapped bundle, which looked to be a musical instrument.

While Qi Jun stood in surprise, the two women smiled and bowed to him, then slipped past and entered the room.

“What… what brings you here?” Qi Jun, facing these unfamiliar girls, was momentarily at a loss for words.

The one with the instrument sat herself at a stool and deftly took out a pipa, tuning it with practiced hands, while the other stood before Qi Jun, dipped in a courtesy curtsy, and bowed again.

“Please, sir, rest yourself. My sister and I are musicians and dancers from the Spring Drunken Pavilion, here to entertain you,” she said softly, respectfully lowering her head.

“Oh, there’s no need. I’m not in the mood for music or dance. I only wish to rest. Please, you may return,” Qi Jun replied, shaking his head in resignation and stepping aside to indicate they should leave.

The two women looked at him in astonishment, exchanged glances, and a flicker of panic crossed their faces. Suddenly, both knelt before Qi Jun.

“If you find us plain, we’ll cover our faces. Please, show mercy, don’t send us away,” the girl who had bowed pleaded, her voice choked with tears.

“It’s not that I dislike you—I’m simply exhausted,” Qi Jun sighed, shaking his head. He took the remaining silver coins and handed them to the girl in front of him. “Take these as payment for your performance.”

Yet the two women refused the coins, instead tearfully kowtowed before him. “Please, sir, we beg you—give us a chance to survive!”

“What… what’s the reason for this?” Qi Jun was bewildered. He hurriedly crouched down to stop the girl’s desperate bows, helping her up.

“Sir, you may not know…” The girl wiped her tears, went to help her sister up, then came back to Qi Jun and whispered, “There’s a rule at Spring Drunken Pavilion: if we do not spend the night in a guest’s room, the matron will punish us severely. My sister and I only arrived last month—you are the very first guest we’ve served. If we’re rejected on our first assignment, it will be a fate worse than death…”

Listening to her tearful explanation, Qi Jun felt genuine pity for them. Since that was the case, he thought, there was no harm in enjoying some music and dance; there was no need to make things harder for them. He nodded his assent, closed the door, and sat back on the bed, signaling them to begin their performance.

“Very well. Please, continue with your music and dance,” Qi Jun said, picking up a pastry from the bedside and tasting it.

“Thank you, sir!” The two girls, seeing Qi Jun settle down, joyfully bowed to him, then straightened their attire and adjusted their instrument.

The girl with the pipa plucked the strings with slender fingers, producing a melodious sound. As the music swelled, the other girl began to dance, her steps graceful and fluid, one hand raised in a delicate orchid gesture.

Elegant melodies and beautiful movements intertwined as the girls performed passionately before Qi Jun, their figures illuminated by flickering candlelight.

Qi Jun was utterly captivated—not by their beauty, but by the sheer artistry of the spectacle. He thought to himself that not even the celebrity performers of later generations could boast such skill in music and dance. For just a little silver, he was tasting the pleasures reserved for kings.

If the musicians of Spring Drunken Pavilion could enchant an audience so, then the renowned court performers must surely be even more mesmerizing.

A quarter of an hour later, their performance ended, and the two girls rose and bowed deeply to Qi Jun.

He finally snapped out of his reverie and applauded them sincerely. But to his surprise, the two girls, blushing, moved to sit by his sides.

Qi Jun, bewildered, watched as one girl gently reached to loosen his clothing.

“What… what’s the meaning of this?” Qi Jun quickly stopped her hand, hastily rising from the bed.

“Sir, it is customary for us to undress and attend to you at night. Why be alarmed?” the dancer said, glancing shyly at Qi Jun and lowering her head.

“My sister is inexperienced—allow me to help you change,” the pipa player said, blushing as she approached.

“Wait… wait! Don’t come any closer!” Qi Jun retreated a few steps with an outstretched hand.

It was the first time he’d encountered such a situation—two beautiful young women offering themselves to him—and he was utterly flustered.

His reaction left the girls in an awkward silence. All three stood with flushed faces, the only sound Qi Jun could hear was the pounding of his own heart.

As a young man, it was impossible not to be affected by such circumstances, yet he forced himself to calm down.

Influenced by the values of his later life, he knew that his girlfriend, and future wife, was Liu Yunfei from East Ridge Village—not these two strangers whose names he did not even know.

Could a one-night stand be called love? Were fleeting unions true marriages?

Qi Jun shook his head vigorously. If he lost control and acted on impulse tonight, it would feel, to him, like a betrayal of Yunfei’s affection.

“Sir… my sister and I, this is our first time…” The pipa player, noticing Qi Jun’s reaction, lowered her head and quietly explained.

Qi Jun looked up at the two pitiable girls before him, and suddenly felt a sharp pain pierce his heart.