"Where are the two distinguished guests headed? Looking for lodging, food, or perhaps to conduct business?"
"Quick, quick, Aunt Qi has the most comprehensive accommodations here! Whatever price range you're looking for, I've got rooms! From grand courtyards with eight courtyards to simple dorms for fifty wen a night! I'm genuine in my business dealings, I won't cheat you out of your silver!"
"Welcome to the Shang Hao Teahouse! Esteemed guests, come and take a look, don't miss out. If you've just entered the city, staying at our Shang Hao Teahouse is definitely the right choice! We have elegant rooms upstairs and a dining hall downstairs! We even have carriages in the backyard. As long as the silver is in place, we'll provide everything! We guarantee you'll have a comfortable stay!"
The crowd shouted their pitches energetically. Sometimes they’d snatch business from each other, pushing and shoving, but mindful not to resort to fighting, they’d argue until their faces turned red, yet gritting their teeth and holding back, all while shouting at the top of their lungs.
It was a contest of vocal cords.
The three voices from above were the most prominent, easily heard by Su Miaomiao. Seeing these enthusiastic touts made her feel like those real estate agents who swarmed you the moment you arrived at your destination in modern times.
Even spanning across ancient and fictional timelines, the approach was identical.
It felt strangely familiar.
Cheng Hao felt the same, a bit peculiar, but he still didn't approach the touts. Everyone knew that most of the people blocking the way were unreliable; he still planned to stroll around with Su Miaomiao and inquire with other residents. This way, the shops they found would be better.
After all, shops with good reputations wouldn't be bad.
Cheng Hao protected Su Miaomiao as they walked out of the crowd, then headed towards the side. They first strolled around the market area to understand that this was the place designated by the government for free exchange of goods or business. The rule of the market was whoever claimed the spot first got to set up, and later arrivals couldn't cause trouble, nor were there any other fees.
Therefore, many people came.
Densely packed.
And very lively.
There were many things in the market, dazzling the eyes.
Food, drinks, daily necessities, everything related to clothing, food, housing, and transportation.
There were even people performing acrobatic feats.
Su Miaomiao gradually became more cheerful, her eyes darting around, observing everything.
It was all so novel.
She saw a little girl balancing bowls on her head, standing on a very tall stool while doing so.
The surrounding people cheered!
It was an uproar.
Su Miaomiao even joined in the applause, cheering for the acrobat!
She clapped her hands until they were almost red.
At this moment, she looked like a little seal.
This amused her childhood friend.
Cheng Hao, however, pulled her along, continuing their walk, or she would wander for a long time.
There were quite a few performers along the way.
Monkey trainers, people breaking stone with their chests, magicians, and so on.
The only act that made the two of them pause for a moment was a singing performer, a beautiful courtesan holding a pipa and singing. Her voice captivated the young couple, and they stood listening to a short passage before realizing she was singing about her own life story.
It was a very pitiable tale.
Sold several times before she was three, she eventually ended up in a brothel.
She survived by singing.
If she hadn't refused to yield and possessed such a good voice, she would have likely been forced to sell herself and died of illness like her sisters.
Thus, she sang with tears streaming down her face.
Unfortunately, many listened and applauded, but few offered rewards.
A young boy with a small round basket collected donations, but received very little money.
Su Miaomiao felt a pang of sympathy. She glanced at Cheng Hao. It was a kind of fate that they could listen to this performance. Cheng Hao remained silent. He took out a few copper coins for her, and Su Miaomiao placed them into the small round basket being passed around. Then, she took Cheng Hao's hand and they continued walking.
They seemed to have entered an unsavory area. The further they went, the more singers and dancers they encountered. Their songs became increasingly vulgar, and their clothes became thinner, even though the weather wasn't warm yet.
Cheng Hao sensed something was wrong and quickly grabbed Su Miaomiao by the waist, turning them in a different direction and entering another alley. In the distance, there was a bookshop, which clearly wouldn't be so disreputable. Su Miaomiao obediently followed his lead but couldn't help muttering, "Why are we going this way?"
He simply replied in a strained voice, "This way looks more interesting than that one."
As soon as he spoke.
Cheng Hao's gaze left the "red-light" alley and happened to catch sight of several male patrons. In broad daylight, they were impatiently pulling and entangling with the women standing on the street, while the courtesans giggled, half-heartedly resisting.
Meeting his calm gaze for a moment.
Many of the courtesans who had been subtly observing the young couple who had wandered in let out small gasps and then began to huddle in groups of two or three, discussing amongst themselves.
They waved their perfumed handkerchiefs energetically.
"This young master is truly handsome; even I, an older sister, would melt upon seeing him."
"Indeed, these two must have just entered the city, look at their dazed expressions!" Saying this, this courtesan covered her mouth with her handkerchief and giggled.
"Oh my, look at that slender waist, that build. I'd be willing to pay to spend a night with him!"
"But he's genuinely handsome. It's unlikely you'd find many like him in the entire Quezhou City. And that young lady is also quite beautiful, with the air of nobility about her."
"Oh dear, sisters, stop talking. The more you talk, the more distressed I become. You're making me so envious!"
The one who said this was also a young courtesan, wringing the perfumed handkerchief in her hand almost to shreds. She bit her lip, her eyes filled with longing, and then said mournfully, "This girl is so fortunate, to be so protected. We probably won't have this kind of luck in this lifetime, let alone hope for someone to treat us sincerely?"
The other courtesans fell silent, only sighing. Some said it was good enough to receive a decent customer, let alone dare to hope for more.
However, an older one offered comfort: "At least we can stand here now. In these times when people devour each other without spitting out bones, we can still live without worry. That is already good. You all should rest and hurry back soon."
They had a restless night.
They came out for some air and ended up encountering these two children who had strayed here.
It was just an opportunity to tease them.
To add a little spice to their monotonous days, otherwise, there was nothing much to live for.
The few of them yawned and dispersed.
As for Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao, this was merely a brief passage. They didn't dwell on it and continued to inquire about the surrounding situation.
Finally, they discovered that the city was indeed peaceful and exceptionally prosperous.
It gave quite the impression of a final golden age.
Everyone was particularly willing to squander. These were people who weren't lacking money. They thought of going all out, indulging in various revelries, and living lives of drunken pleasure every day.
From the bookshop owner, they learned.
The people here were all sick, incurable. The rich feasted every night, squandering their fortunes, while the poor still struggled, hoping to live a few more days of peace. Those with ambition were taking the opportunity to amass wealth in various ways.
The old shop owner said, "At this time, earning silver is truly easy. In Quezhou City, as long as you have a way to make these lords happy, you can earn vast sums of money! This world is already beyond saving. With this group of people who only think of pleasure, what can be saved? Relying on those few sects and families in Quezhou City? Or the descendants of the martial generals?"
The old man sighed, saying that relying solely on them wouldn't last much longer.