Chapter 16: Son of the Vice Minister

Nighttimes in ancient days were deeply quiet. Common folk rose with the sun for work and hard toil. When the sun set, their task was creating the next generation. These two matters were the most important parts of life besides eating, drinking, sleeping, and relieving oneself.

Vast Linyu County was blanketed in darkness, peaceful and serene. Yet inside Intoxication Pavilion, bright lights shone. The Flower Queen Miss Liuyun’s personal concert was still underway. No one knew who wrote the lyrics for this classical song in ancient Chinese; it had been sung for over ten minutes without repeating a line.

Liu Liwa sensed Miss Liuyun was finding the singing harder as it went on. Finally, after the classic exclamation “Ah, oh sorrow!” the song ended. The audience remained wrapped in the beautiful melody. Some savored the lyrics, feeling Miss Liuyun’s sadness. Others were lost in the lingering song that hung in the air.

Miss Liuyun showed no delay. When the song finished, she immediately stood, curtsied, then turned and walked away. Liu Liwa understood—this wasn’t a concert; it was a show for her newest song.

As Miss Liuyun turned to go upstairs, she seemed just as ethereal and unworldly as when she had arrived. She left without stirring a speck of dust, like an immortal goddess ascending. Only then did the audience snap out of it. Applause, cheers, and the clatter of tipping coins erupted around the room. Liu Liwa held a tray, collecting tips. He was about to step forward when suddenly a large chunk of gold landed on his tray. The tipper was none other than the gentleman who’d earlier surrendered to lustful fantasies and made Miss Liuyun purr like a cat.

This man wore a fine robe. His face was fair and handsome, with red lips and teeth white as jade. Yet a faint dark aura lingered between his brows—a sign of excessive pleasures sapping his health, the very picture of a spoilt young nobleman.

His eyes fixed on Miss Liuyun, he tossed out the gold, his hand slightly trembling. Chin raised, he seemed to expect something. Then, Liu Liwa heard other servers call out: “Young Master Wang rewards Miss Liuyun ten silver taels! Squire Zhao rewards fifty silver taels! Shopkeeper Li rewards eighty silver taels!”

Liu Liwa glanced at the man beside him. Still striking his pose, the fellow shifted his gaze from Miss Liuyun to Liu Liwa, a flicker of anxiety on his face. He was waiting for Liu Liwa to announce his tip. Tipping served two purposes: to show off his generosity and to make Miss Liuyun notice him. Right now, Miss Liuyun was nearly at the top of the stairs, about to disappear. He’d thrown out a large piece of gold… yet this idiot wouldn’t shout! Urging him would seem too showy, as if he cared solely for display. Trapped, the man could only glare furiously at Liu Liwa.

He was frantic; so was Liu Liwa. Liu Liwa wanted to call it out! First, he didn’t know this man’s name. Second, how much was this lump of gold? His hand wasn’t a scale! How could he tell its weight?

They stayed locked like that, watching Miss Liuyun grow more distant. Seeing his gold about to be wasted, the man shot Liu Liwa a look full of hate.

Liu Liwa knew if he handled this poorly, the least he’d face was a beating. And there’d be nowhere to complain.

In that crucial moment, quick wit struck. He didn’t overthink. Throwing back his head, he bellowed: “This handsome young master, so peerlessly graceful and steadfast like pure gold, rewards Miss Liuyun… a heap of silver!”

The moment his shout ended, silence fell. Hundreds of men and women in the hall turned their way. The women craned, eager to see the man with peerless charm and unyielding devotion. The men wanted a peek at just how much “a heap” meant. Even cool, ethereal Miss Liuyun couldn’t help stopping on the stairs. Not for the man or the money—Liu Liwa’s shout was simply too… unusual.

Liu Liwa raised his tray high, shielding his own face. Just look at the money, he thought. This Pleasure House ran on cash. Only then did the man beside him catch on—this young waiter was boosting his image! The comparisons were vivid and fitting too. Bright future, this kid.

Gasps spread as people spotted the chunk of gold. Even Madam Shen Zuijin, watching from a distance, gleamed with greedy eyes, let alone the other women. Especially beside this gentleman—the young woman clutched his arm, purring like a cat in heat.

Yang Xiaosi knew Liu Liwa was new and unfamiliar with the rules. Keen to win favor with the big-spending noble himself, Yang immediately drew breath to shout the tip. But Hall Manager Shen Zuijin shoved him aside. This lady in her twenties, decked in bright silks, always sought an air of superiority here. She rarely greeted guests personally, preferring to stroll the main hall. Only familiar patrons got a drink or small talk—it marked her special status. The only things truly worth her personal touch were glittering lumps of gold.

Swaying her hips, she floated to Liu Liwa’s side. A silk handkerchief fluttered, releasing a cloud of perfume. She dipped in a slight, practiced curtsey and cooed: “Ooh, this young master truly has grand and splendid style! Forgive a humble girl, but I haven’t seen you before? Might the esteemed young master honor me with his name? So I could properly admire it?”

Seductive, charming soul—a top-tier figure herself. Only the thick layers of powder cheapened her charm. But it was more than enough to send this “Gold” Young Master’s head spinning. Smiling slightly, chin high, he declared: “I am Ye Zecong, firstborn son of newly-appointed Vice Minister of War Ye Tian!”

He announced his name, then his source, causing a fresh stir. Shen Zuijin’s eyes were practically popping, as if mountains of gold stood before her. The girl who’d been clinging nearly melted into his arms. Only Liu Liwa sneered inwardly. No wonder people cried “My dad’s so-and-so” in later times. Tradition!

Times were turbulent. The late Emperor had passed; a new Emperor now ruled, remaking the world. As the saying went, ‘A new ruler brings new ministers.’ The new Emperor naturally built his own loyal allies. Young Master Ye’s phrase “newly-appointed Vice Minister of War” cemented his ‘new powerhouse’ status. He absolutely had license for such arrogance. And the Vice Minister of War? Equivalent to Vice Chairman of the Military Commission or Chief of General Staff. In court, not among the highest rank; but among commoners? Important and powerful beyond doubt.

Comparing himself to Young Master Ye worsened Liu Liwa’s sense of cruel fate. That guy’s fresh nobility. I’m the descendant of an old-guard traitor the new dynasty purged. He’s amongst the clouds. I’m stuck underfoot. Comparing us only shows how unlucky I am!

Once Ye announced his identity, all eyes snapped into focus. Shen Zuijin tripped over herself not to displease him. Just seeing Ye’s gaze, she knew why he’d come: Miss Liuyun. Using her sugar-sweet voice, she called out: “The Son of the Vice Minister rewards Miss Liuyun twenty taels of gold!”