Episode 45

  Insufficient to carry Qianer side towards the casino located in the other end of the small town, while telling Qianer a good plan. Qianer suddenly laughed and said:

  "You're really something, brother! How dare you call me a prostitute!"

  That casino, although located in a small town, was not small in scale. The front and back three connected courtyards, the first of which was a wine house, with two floors, although not very large, but famous for its culinary skills far and near. In the middle was a gambling hall, with three floors up and down. The lower floor was quite spacious, with only one hall. There were many gamblers, all of whom were local villagers and traveling merchants. The middle floor had three interconnected compartments, all set up for big-time gamblers. There were officials from far and near, wealthy businessmen from the city, and high-ranking officials. And the top floor was a single elegant room, where gamblers who came and went were mysterious figures, and ordinary people couldn't even catch a glimpse of them! What they gambled on were things that were hard to find in the mortal world, such as high-ranking officials and wealthy businessmen, and even great hermits who were rarely seen. And the good gamblers from the Fangzhou family were also here. They often gambled for three or five days without leaving. More than half of their winnings were spent on this place! In the back was a large and elegant courtyard, like a garden. There were streams, ponds, artificial hills, small bridges, and several pavilions, all exquisitely crafted! The wooden building in the courtyard was particularly impressive. There were five or seven buildings inside, each with beautiful women living there. On the north side, there was a building called "Liuxiang", which was located in a quiet and secluded area, surrounded by bamboo forests on both sides. In front of the building, there was a small pond with a water-spouting dragon's mouth, which was truly amazing. Inside the building lived a beautiful woman who was good at playing the guqin, and everyone called her "Qinniang". The good gamblers, except for those who gambled big, only stayed in Qinniang's place, like a husband and wife. Qinniang used her music to delight him, and he favored her with silver and money without end. Others were envious of his good fortune and couldn't help but feel resentful!

  It's a place where laughter and jokes are made during the day, but at night, it's all about gambling. It's a shady business that can't be done openly. On this particular evening, around midnight, the gambler hadn't returned to his residence yet. The shop owner, Hu Zhanggui, brought in two people. One was a young man with a fair complexion and not very good at speaking, but he had a refined demeanor and moved quickly. He was someone Hu Zhanggui had hired as an apprentice for Qin Niang. The other person was a beautiful and elegant young girl, who was also bought by Hu Zhanggui to be trained by Qin Niang. Qin Niang thought the two of them looked quite handsome and felt a pang of kindness in her heart:

  "As you've entrusted me with this task, I'll make sure to train her diligently and return to you a stunning beauty with exceptional talent in a year's time!"

  Mr. Hu was overjoyed and bid farewell, leaving with a smile on his face.

  "What's this young fellow's name? Or should I just call him by his nickname?"

  "As for Miss's words, Xiaozhi's surname is Jin, you can call him Jin San."

  "What a great name! Jin San and Jin Shan are harmonious, interesting, interesting! What's your name, little sister?"

  "My surname is Shi, and I have a single given name, Hua. You can call me Huahua."

  "Shi Hua! Hmm, this name is a bit awkward! Besides, the name Shi Hua is too common. I see that your bone structure is elegant and refined, with a lively spirit between your eyebrows. How about calling you Shi Ya? Or we can also call you Ya'er for short?"

  "Yah! This name is really great. Yah thanks sister."

  "Hmm, Ya'er, do you have a special skill?"

  "I have been studying the guqin since I was a child, although I am not very skilled at it, but I really love this art."

  "Oh! There's a zither here, play it quickly!"

  "Yes, sister. I'm so sorry for being a bother."

  Then Ya'er sat beside the piano, pondering for a moment. She stretched out her slender jade hand and lightly plucked the strings, which seemed to have a spirit of their own, instantly emitting a clear and elegant sound. Like a small stream in the mountains that suddenly encounters a large rock blocking its path, it flows around and circles back. Later, the river widens and the water becomes calm, slowly flowing with the waves, where fish swim in the water. Near the flat and open area, the water flow seems to stop, and small fish play in the water, while fresh flowers bloom on the shore, filling the air with fragrance. Bees and butterflies emerge from the flower clusters, chasing and playing.

  Its sound is like the fragrance of flowers, faint yet lingering. Its sound is close and timely, like lovers whispering, though soft-spoken yet with a deep affection. Its sound is vast and distant, like the expansive wilderness, though one's gaze reaches far and wide yet cannot encompass its edges. Its sound soars high, like clouds in the sky, though intangible and shapeless yet with an enchanting beauty that lingers on. Its low and mournful tone, like a hero's severed wrist, though painful to hear yet without diminishing the grand passion. When the music ends, all is silent, even the flowers and summer insects pause in contemplation.

  "Marvelous! Marvelous! Marvelous! The sound still lingers, and it's been three days without fading! This is the only thing I've ever heard in my life! Ya'er, was your qin skill taught by someone?"

  Chang'er bowed her head and said:

  "This was taught by my mother in our household, but she has passed away for a long time!"

  "Oh! Does this tune have a name?"

  "Nothing, just what my mother did."

  "Truly wonderful! Truly a wonder of wonders! Unfortunately, that person has passed away and cannot hear it personally!"

  Qin Niang was surprised to find a kindred spirit, and they sat down together to discuss the art of qin. Shi Hua had long admired Qin Niang as a master of music, and Qin Niang was delighted to have found someone who shared her passion. They played the guqin together, discussing the subtleties of music theory and playing techniques, and didn't stop until the third watch of the night.

  That great ark of a good gambler had arrived at this hour, already in the second half of the night, and Qinniang was asleep. The person was as silent as the wind, without seeing his feet move slightly, yet he had already reached Qinniang's bedside. He lightly blew a breath, and the window's gauze curtain slowly lifted. Seeing that beautiful and delicate body under the silk quilt gently rising and falling with each breath, he sat down beside the bed and muttered to himself:

  "In this world, there are wonderful things that even immortals cannot exchange! Since the Great Way is hopeless, it's also good to indulge in the most luxurious and extravagant pleasures! Moreover, my heavenly years are not far off, so I should indeed use my limited years to enjoy boundless extreme joys!"

  And then he saw the wonderful person lightly turning over and sleeping, about to turn over with a beautiful and plump buttocks. The good gambler's cultivator saw this, stretched out his palm and gently slapped it on his fat buttocks:

  "Qin Niang, beautiful girl, quickly wake up and see what I have won for you?"

  "Oh no! My master! You scared me too!"

  The beautiful woman sat up and looked at the golden treasure in her hand with a greedy and charming expression.

  "What treasure could make me so happy?"

  "What treasure is like you, making me so happy! Ha ha ha......"

  "Old master, you just sit outside for a while. I'm tired and don't look good, wait till I change my clothes and then come to admire the treasure!"

  "Change into whatever clothes you like, just half-revealing is fine!"

  The monk then embraced the woman and after a brief moment sat down in the outer hall, bringing his mouth close to hers.

  "Father, you're so lustful!"

  The two of them drew closer together, and Gu Niang spoke again:

  "Master, I know you enjoy the sound of the guqin. Now, I've found a young girl who is even more skilled at playing it than I am! Shall I call her over to play and help with your drinking pleasure?"

  "Just come and play the pipa, but what's with the girl?"

  The beautiful woman stood up with a smile, swaying her body, and walked to the staircase in a gentle and elegant manner, fully displaying her feminine charm. The gambler's eyes were fixed on this woman, but then he heard her say to someone downstairs:

  "Jin San, bring the wine and call Ya'er over too."

  "Yes!"

  "Who is it downstairs?"

  "It's Master Hu who has newly sent over a young servant and a maidservant, wanting me to train them well to receive guests."

  "What about the original one?"

  "Those two lazy bums were sent by Boss Hu to his building."

  "Oh, I suppose you've been rewarded more for his sake, so here's a bonus for you!"

  Having a husband is just like having a lifelong dependence for me. I don't care about other rewards!

  That woman was talking and walking, sitting in his arms, playing coquettishly. Just a moment later, the girl named Yāér came upstairs, wearing a light red dress that showed off her elegant beauty. She bowed to the gambler, adjusted her clothes, and sat down at the piano table, but didn't say a word. The Taoist priest looked at Yāér in the lamp light, seeing her beautiful figure, pure face, gentle and soft demeanor, and holy attitude, truly a rare match. Compared to her, Qín Niáng was just a seductive fleshly doll, not even worth mentioning alongside this Yāér!

  "Grandfather, what's wrong with Ya?"

  "Good! What a wonderful and extraordinary person!"

  "Sir, when sir hears him play the zither, he will surely be astonished and regard him as a heavenly being!"

  "Oh, this is really true!"

  "I have received your favor for a long time, and I'm afraid it's hard to repay. How can I deceive you with empty words?"

  "Are you calling me Ya'er?"

  "Yes!"

  "Would you like to play a piece for me?"

  "Please enlighten me, sir!"

  At this time, Jin San had already brought up the dishes, the wine was hot, and everything was properly arranged. Then he quietly retreated.