Yu Mingyue had prepared men's clothing for this outing, as the destination was unusual. She had made special preparations.
A jade hairpin tied her hair, further accentuating her delicate features. A moon-white cloud-patterned sash cinched her waist, adorned with a jade pendant. She truly looked dashing and elegant.
Shaking a folding fan, Yu Mingyue asked Du Rui and Li Fu beside her, "What do you think?"
Compared to men from the north, those from Jiangnan were more refined and delicate. Yu Mingyue did not seem out of place among them.
Du Rui nodded, "Your attire, my lord, is truly magnificent."
Yu Mingyue humbly replied, "Just average, I suppose."
Since becoming a female official, she had always worn men's clothing for convenience. Her mother had then commissioned some outfits for her to wear when she went out. Compared to the fabrics of her dresses, these were indeed ordinary.
This was Du Rui's first time in such a place of pleasure. Although they were investigating a case, he felt he was letting his wife at home down. He walked with his head down, almost stumbling. This amused the women upstairs, who erupted in laughter.
"My brother here is inexperienced and shy," Yu Mingyue chimed in with a laugh.
"Sisters, we have a rare guest today!" A group of charming women, pulling and dragging, surrounded the three and led them into a room.
It was Yu Mingyue's first time here too. She could manage the initial scene, but now she was struggling to maintain composure.
However, she had to keep the situation under control, or she wouldn't be able to find Xiuhe tonight.
"Sisters, we are merchants from the capital. We've heard that the ladies of Chunhua Tower sing the best Jiangnan folk songs. Who will sing a tune for us? A good performance will be rewarded." Yu Mingyue took out a stack of silver notes and placed them on the table, adopting the air of a patron of pleasure houses.
The women's faces lit up with joy. Each of them exclaimed, "I can sing, I can sing..."
"Young master, I can also play music."
"Then play a tune!" Yu Mingyue tucked another silver note into the woman's embrace. The woman immediately kissed Yu Mingyue on the cheek. Yu Mingyue, playing along, patted the woman's waist.
Yu Mingyue realized that one couldn't be shy when dealing with these women. They were all women, so there were no inhibitions.
The room became incredibly lively. One woman played the pipa, another sang a folk song in a soft Wu dialect, and a third danced gracefully, her silken scarf occasionally brushing against the faces of the three men.
Du Rui and Li Fu's discomfort only made the women more spirited. Yu Mingyue, on the other hand, adapted very well. She responded to the coquettish glances of the pipa player, pulled the dancing girl closer to kiss her on the cheek when her scarf brushed past, and the singer, not to be outdone, was almost sitting on Yu Mingyue's lap.
Du Rui, with his head bowed, couldn't bear to watch. "My lord, my lord, I never expected you to be this kind of person! It's not just about seeking pleasure; you spend money like water. That stack of silver notes is several years' worth of salary!"
Li Fu turned his face away. Hearing the laughter, he realized the women were having a great time and truly believed he was a dissolute young master. If his wife found out, his life would be forfeit.
May gods and Buddhas protect him, and may his wife never find out.
Once the song finally ended, the three women fluttered like butterflies around Yu Mingyue. Yu Mingyue, as if by magic, produced several gold hairpins. "Sisters, your playing, singing, and dancing are all excellent. I'm so enchanted that I don't want to return to the capital."
"Young master, you're so wicked, teasing us again."
"How could I bear to deceive you, sisters? Be good, and I'll take you to the capital to play."
"Oh, yes, yes! We sisters have never been to the capital."
"Then it's a deal!" Yu Mingyue let out a burp. "Do you have any food here at Chunhua Tower? I haven't eaten today, and my stomach feels a bit uneasy after drinking."
Seeing her generosity, the women, eager to please him, used all their charms. "Chunhua Tower has everything. What would you like to eat, young master?"
"Then I'll have a bowl of wonton noodles. I've heard that Yangzhou wonton noodles are exceptional," Yu Mingyue said deliberately.
Meng Sanniang, not favored at home, was often neglected in terms of food. Fortunately, her maid Xiuhe was an excellent cook and was most skilled at making wonton noodles. The ingredients were simple, and it was a filling meal.
However, Yu Mingyue was just trying her luck. If she couldn't meet that Xiuhe, she would have to find another way.
If Yu Mingyue hadn't been so generous and handsome, her request would have been met with ridicule. Who would come to a place like this for wonton noodles? It was utterly ridiculous.
"Please trouble yourself to ask the kitchen if they can make it. If it's good, I'll reward you handsomely," Yu Mingyue said grandly.
As expected, upon hearing this, the woman who had been dancing twisted her waist and said, "Young master, I'll go and see right away. I'll be sure to satisfy you."
Yu Mingyue and Li Fu exchanged a look. Li Fu quickly understood and excused himself to relieve himself, leaving the room.
The trafficker had said Xiuhe was disfigured, which was clearly to prevent anyone from recognizing her. However, finding a disfigured kitchen maid in a place like Chunhua Tower wouldn't be difficult.
The dancing girl returned with a tray, holding a bowl of wonton noodles. "Young master, please try. Our chef's skills at Chunhua Tower are second to none."
Not long after, Li Fu returned and nodded at Yu Mingyue. It seemed her luck was good; the wonton noodles were indeed made by Xiuhe.
Indeed, having a good skill was beneficial. Even in a place like Chunhua Tower, Xiuhe could make a decent living through her abilities.
Yu Mingyue took a bite. Her expression wasn't feigned; the wonton noodles were genuinely delicious and very appetizing.
Yu Mingyue nodded repeatedly. "Good, very good. Chunhua Tower truly lives up to its reputation. It's not inferior to Guo Se Tian Xiang Ge in the capital. The person who can make such a delicacy must also be a beautiful lady. Quickly, call her out. I will reward her generously."
The women giggled behind their hands. "Young master, she's not a beauty. The chef is as ugly as a toad. You'd best not meet her, lest she frighten you."
Yu Mingyue raised an eyebrow and feigned anger. "Am I the kind of person who judges by appearance? Call her in. I said I would reward her, and I will."
She then took out a gold ingot and placed it in the dancing girl's hand. "This is for you. I like clever and pleasing girls."
The pipa player put down her instrument and rushed out. "I'll go find her right away."
This young master was foolish and rich, giving away a gold ingot so easily. Merchants from the capital were indeed wealthy and extravagant.
Xiuhe was dragged into the room by the pipa player. Yu Mingyue saw a long, centipede-like scar running from Xiuhe's eyebrow to her chin and was certain this was the person she was looking for.
Xiuhe appeared flustered, but her eyes were clear and steady. She was indeed not simple. She hadn't expected Meng Sanniang to have such a loyal maid.
"Young master, I've brought her. I told you she might frighten you, but you insisted on seeing her," the pipa player said coquettishly, afraid that Yu Mingyue might not reward her with gold later.
"I didn't expect someone with such an unsightly appearance to make such delicious food. Do you have any secret recipes?" Yu Mingyue asked.
Xiuhe lowered her head, appearing flustered.
The pipa player glanced at her dismissively. "Speak when the young master asks you something. It's your fortune that your cooking is to the young master's liking."
Xiuhe finally spoke again. "I figured it out myself. There are no secret recipes."
Yu Mingyue sighed. "I have a cousin named Sanniang at home. She loves wonton noodles the most. I had hoped to make them for her, but alas."