Chapter 4 Knowing Each Other in the Red Dust

It turned out that the beginning of the story was just like the romantic tales told by storytellers—a passionate young master visiting the House of Pleasure, taking a fancy to a beautiful maiden, gifting her a Token of Love, and vowing to protect her for a lifetime. The maiden waited with foolish devotion, only to be met with betrayal. And how would this story end?

The protagonist was a young nobleman named Xie Lang, gentle in temperament and handsome in appearance, said to be the object of many young ladies’ admiration in Chang’an.

That day, he had been dragged in by friends, but unexpectedly caught sight of Zi An playing the zither on stage. Her demeanor was gentle and lovely, not particularly stunning, yet she somehow struck a chord in his heart. So, he paid some silver and entered Zi An’s chamber.

Zi An was in the midst of removing her makeup when someone pushed the door open, scattering hairpins across the floor.

The mirror reflected the figure of the person behind her, standing cautiously at the doorway, glancing left and right as if afraid to startle the beauty.

Zi An smiled, bending down to pick up the hairpins, revealing the graceful curve of her profile as she curled her lips. “Zi An has never seen someone like you in Chang’an, young master. You came here for pleasure, yet you look so flustered—how amusing!”

Xie Lang blushed at her words, stammering, “M-Miss… may I… come in?”

Zi An turned around, her back to the bronze mirror, and looked at him with amusement. “By all means, young master.”

Only then did Xie Lang close the door and step inside, his footsteps light.

Yet he remained silent.

Zi An found it strange. Had this noble young master suddenly changed his nature? When had he become so bashful?

She asked, “Have you nothing to say, young master?”

Her gaze lingered on his flustered face, her eyes brimming with unconcealed mirth.

Xie Lang scratched his head, embarrassed. “I… I… this is my first time here!”

Zi An smiled faintly upon hearing this. So that was it—no wonder he acted this way.

As time passed, the two grew closer. Xie Lang found Zi An to be a woman of many talents, forced into this life by unfortunate circumstances. Meanwhile, Yue Zi An thought Xie Lang was unlike ordinary men—he wasn’t scheming, had a good temperament, and didn’t look down on her because of her status. In fact, he was quite intelligent; his earlier stuttering wasn’t natural but due to nervousness during their first meeting.

With hearts aligned, their bond deepened.

A passionate young master and a woman of the red dust pledged their love—a tale often told by storytellers, where one inevitably betrays the other, usually the man forsaking the woman. Many might dismiss it, but more often than not, it rings true.

Noble families were strict in their traditions—when would they ever allow a woman of the red dust through their doors? Even if she entered, it would never end well. Relying on a man’s favor was never a secure fate.

“Beauty fades, and so does affection.”

The storytellers spoke common truths, voicing what many thought, though some refused to believe.

An elder sister who had entered the House before Zi An once warned her, “Noblemen are often fickle—best be cautious.”

She didn’t believe it. How could someone as sincere as Xie Lang behave like those ordinary men, flitting from flower to flower?

Indeed, Xie Lang was not one of those libertines, nor did he dally with women he shouldn’t.

In his heart and eyes, there was only Zi An.

Yet, he was bound by circumstances beyond his control.

One day, Xie Lang sent a letter to Zi An, telling her not to wait for him anymore because he was getting married—and the bride wasn’t her, but another noble lady. As for the reason, he wrote only four words: *I am no good man.*  

After reading it, Zi An was heartbroken. Overwhelmed with grief, she fell ill for three days.  

And after those three days, she sent a letter to Su Qing.  

Thus, the current situation came to be.  

Mu Qing Shi listened quietly, then gazed thoughtfully at Yue Zi An and said lightly, “Why not wait a few more days, Miss?”  

Su Qing was slightly taken aback—what did he mean by that?  

Zi An smiled faintly. “I can’t afford to wait. I’ve waited too long already, and I don’t want to wait anymore.”  

Mu Qing Shi glanced at Jiu Jiu, who was staring at him with wide eyes, and chuckled. “If Miss thinks it’s best, then so be it. I was merely speaking idly.”  

Jiu Jiu blinked and turned to Yue Zi An. “Sister Zi An, are you really not going to wait anymore?”  

Yue Zi An’s eyes flickered. She could tell that Jiu Jiu adored sticking close to Mu Qing Shi and, compared to Su Qing, listened to him more—otherwise, she wouldn’t have echoed his words.  

But some things were unnecessary.  

“When can we begin, Miss?”  

Yue Zi An didn’t want to remain trapped in this uncontrollable sorrow. She had decided to start anew.  

Su Qing hesitated slightly. She felt Mu Qing Shi’s words might carry some hidden meaning, yet she also believed Yue Zi An’s decision wasn’t wrong. After being betrayed, this course of action was understandable.  

“You’ve made up your mind, Miss?” She still wanted to confirm once more.  

Yue Zi An nodded. “There’s no need to worry, Miss. This is my own choice.”  

Su Qing took a small sip of tea. “In that case, three days from now, we’ll wait for you here again.”  

Yue Zi An smiled and said, “Agreed.”  

After the three of them left the teahouse with Yue Zi An, the sun had already begun to set. Not wanting to violate the strict management rules, Yue Zi An hurriedly boarded her carriage and returned to the *House of Rouge*.  

Meanwhile, Su Qing and the others headed toward the entrance of the *Demon Market*.