#361 - Chapter 361 Qianyao

Hongyu smiled triumphantly, clearly her little trick had worked.

Every guest who could go up to the fourth or fifth floor was a big spender, which was also good for Hongyu.

Following Hongyu to the fourth floor, the space here was larger, there were fewer guests, but the atmosphere was even better.

Hongyu said, "Could the guest please take out the paper from just now and let me take a look?"

Cheng Feng naturally had no objections, as for revealing anything...

The young lady on the third floor had said that there were quite a few people who used this kind of paper. Cheng Feng also hoped that Hongyu could help him narrow down the scope.

Hongyu moved her lotus steps lightly, gracefully walked to a carved wooden table, gently pulled out a chair, and gestured for Cheng Feng to sit down.

Cheng Feng sat down as told and took out the slightly worn paper from his bosom.

He slowly spread it out on the table. The paper was blank, but it emitted a faint sandalwood fragrance.

Hongyu's gaze instantly became sharp and focused.

Her slender fingers gently stroked the paper, as if recalling something.

After a moment, she frowned slightly, then relaxed, and a meaningful smile appeared at the corner of her mouth: "This kind of paper is generally used by the courtesans in the Rouge Pavilion."

They are all on the fifth floor, accessible only to dignitaries, wealthy merchants, and powerful families.

Each of the flower singers on the fourth floor has her own unique skills.

Among them, there are also two who use this kind of paper. Is the young master perhaps looking for the two ladies, Qian Yao and Shang Yan?"

Hearing the positive news, Cheng Feng did not deny it: "This was also given to me by a friend, who told me to come and see."

Hongyu smiled and said, "Then the young master's friend must have excellent taste."

Cheng Feng nodded slightly, noncommittal to Hongyu's praise.

His mind was entirely on the paper that might lead him to the answer.

"Indeed, that friend has always had extraordinary insights, and this time he strongly recommended that I come here."

A hint of curiosity flashed in Hongyu's eyes, but she did not continue to ask. Instead, she said, "Since the young master's friend is so laudatory, then allow me to introduce them to you."

There are eighteen flower singers on the fourth floor, each of whom is talented and has her own merits.

Among them, Qian Yao, as the top singer on the fourth floor, is proficient in everything from music to chess, calligraphy, and painting. She is especially good at entering the Dao with music, and a single song can move people's hearts.

As for Shang Yan, who ranks second, she is skilled in poetry, lyrics, and songs. Her words are eloquent and every word is a gem, which is amazing.

Hearing this, Cheng Feng's heart stirred. He realized that this might be a good opportunity to access more information.

"Then, Miss Hongyu, who do you think is better?"

Hongyu smiled slightly and shook her head, "I can't say for sure. However, since the young master is interested, you might as well visit them one by one, and perhaps you can make your own judgment.

Qian Yao is currently playing the zither in the elegant room. If the young master is interested, I can introduce you."

Cheng Feng thought for a moment and nodded.

Relying on one person alone to find clues about the paper was obviously not enough. Perhaps he could get some clues from these flower singers.

Moreover, Cheng Feng was playing an open game, and it would be worthwhile even if he could lure the snake out of its hole.

Following Hongyu's lead, Cheng Feng arrived at the elegant room where Qian Yao was.

Inside the room, the zither music was melodious, like a gurgling spring, or like a spring breeze caressing the face, making people feel relaxed and happy.

Qian Yao was about twenty years old, dressed in plain clothes, sitting in front of the zither, her fingers dancing on the strings, as if talking to the zither, every note containing deep emotion.

The elegant zither music slowly emanated from her hands.

Her eyebrows revealed a penetrating etherealness. Her ink-like black hair faintly brushed past her shallow vermilion lips.

Cheng Feng stood quietly aside, listening to this movement from the heart.

When the song ended, Hongyu stepped forward and whispered the reason.

Qian Yao slowly raised her head, her eyes clear as water, looked at Cheng Feng, and smiled slightly, "Young master is a little unfamiliar. I heard from Hongyu that there are some small things that I can help with?"

Cheng Feng was stunned, not expecting Qian Yao to be so direct.

He looked at Hongyu, and Hongyu nodded silently.

Cheng Feng understood and admitted frankly, "I came here for the first time and wanted to see the Blackwood Mansion, but I didn't expect Miss Qian Yao's zither music to be so moving."

Taking out the paper directly, Cheng Feng narrated in detail: "My friend and I made a bet and took this paper to find its origin.

But there are only a handful of people in the Rouge Pavilion who can use this kind of paper, so I asked Miss Hongyu for help. Who did this paper come from?"

Qian Yao asked curiously, "Looking for someone with paper? That's interesting. Is there a prize for this bet?"

Cheng Feng nodded and said, "Of course there is. A small gamble is fun, a big gamble hurts the body. We took ten thousand taels of silver as a prize."

Hongyu had never heard of this before, but it didn't matter.

She was just a pimp, seeing if she could help Qian Yao.

Quietly and steadily being her wooden stake.

Hearing that they could take out ten thousand taels of silver for a small bet in private,

A hint of surprise flashed in Qian Yao's eyes, then she regained her composure and a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, "Young Master Cheng is quite generous, and must be either rich or noble.

However, this paper is unique, but it is not untraceable. In the Rouge Pavilion, besides a few courtesans, only Shang Yan and I can use this kind of paper.

Judging from the appearance of this paper, it should be newly released recently.

Whenever a guest needs it, they will naturally use it, but recently the fifth floor has been mostly occupied by the second sons of wealthy families and playboys, who are not very interested in paper.

Only the two courtesans practice every day.

There are also Shang Yan and I who have had a few friends with extremely high talents here."

"So quickly locked in on the remaining four people."

Cheng Feng's eyes lit up, seemingly looking forward to Qian Yao's analysis, "Then, according to Miss Qian Yao, who is most likely to have this paper?"

Qian Yao gently stroked the zither strings, thought for a moment, and slowly said, "If we talk about where paper is most widely circulated, it is the study and painting room.

Chu Dandan and Yu Feng'er on the fifth floor practice calligraphy and painting every day, without slacking off.

Shang Yan is very fond of poetry, lyrics, and songs.

Everyone needs to use paper, and it is commonly used.

If your friend relies on money, he is naturally a distinguished guest on the fifth floor.

If he is talented, he may have a pleasant conversation with Shang Yan."

Hongyu listened with relish, secretly admiring Qian Yao's intelligence, and at the same time becoming more curious about Cheng Feng's origins.

She interjected, "In that case, how should Young Master Cheng narrow down the scope of the person he is looking for?"

Cheng Feng smiled slightly, seemingly confident, "According to my friend's personality, I have a general idea,"

Cheng Feng looked at Qian Yao, a hint of gratitude flashing in his eyes, "Thank you for your help, Miss Qian Yao. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would still be blindly searching in this Rouge Pavilion."

Qian Yao smiled lightly, her voice like a spring breeze, "Young Master Cheng is too polite, I just said a few words.

Besides, this bet is also quite interesting, and I also want to see what the final result will be.

Does Young Master Cheng have a way?"

Cheng Feng's inner thoughts: "I'm just here to fish, and after meeting Shang Yan, it should be about the same."

On the surface, he confidently said, "Indeed, I have a little confidence."