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It’s no secret that Shizun used to frequent brothels.
Luo Binghe heard it in hushed whispers from her shixiongs when she had just entered Qing Jing Peak. Nowadays, if she caught a whiff of unsavory rumors that sought to question her shizun’s virtue, whoever was responsible for it found themselves on latrine duty for a month and running laps until sunset.
Being head-disciple was nice. It came with a lot of perks.
Still, even as she gently dissuaded her shixiongs from spreading distasteful lies, Luo Binghe couldn’t help but give some thought to the claims. It hadn’t made any sense to her back then when she was a lanky girl of eleven, more street rat than Qing Jing disciple, and it didn’t make any sense now that she was practically a grown woman.
Shen Qingqiu frequented brothels, or at least she used to, for Luo Binghe slept one flimsy door away from her and she would know if her shizun was sneaking out at night. The question was why .
Bolder disciples from other peaks -see, the savages of Bai Zhan- said she used to sell herself there for extra money when she was a disciple. They even claimed Liu Qingge had once caught her in the act with a client and dragged her back to Cang Qiong Mountain to be disciplined for making the sect lose face.
Luo Binghe found it hard to believe. Her shizun had always seemed to her an untouchable, peerless beauty. Luo Binghe couldn’t picture her leaning against a client, smiling at men and performing for them- It was simply unthinkable!
Why would she need extra money anyways? Sure, disciples didn’t exactly have wages, but the mountain covered all their expenses. Even during Binghe’s most trying times at Qing Jing Peak, she never went so long without a meal that she’d have to resort to that, and she couldn’t picture Shen Qingqiu doing so either.
Her shizun was resourceful and intelligent, if she were in such a situation, she’d dig out roots and forage mushrooms, or fish from the river. No, she wouldn’t go to a brothel.
If anything, her shizun is so good and kind that she probably went there to help them with something. Perhaps a disgruntled spirit lingering on the premises. Yes, surely it was that.
And yet… Binghe has eyes. And so do the prostitutes of the Red Warm Pavilion.
It is easy to recognize the pretty young women during daylight. Sure, Binghe has never ventured into the brothel herself, but be it either for the way they carry themselves or the looks they get from the townspeople, their profession becomes apparent.
They stare at Shen Qingqiu. One of them follows her with wistful eyes, and her shizun turns around and meets her gaze briefly. There is recognition in the prostitute’s eyes, familiarity and something even tender.
Shen Qingqiu doesn’t spare her a second look and the girl is visibly wounded, but Binghe’s next ten meals taste like acidic vinegar.
It is then that she is forced to consider an alternative explanation for Shizun’s past trips to the brothels. What if… What if Shizun went there to enjoy herself?
Before long, that’s all she can think about, the endless possible daillances of Shen Qingqiu.
It makes so much sense that it upsets her. Shizun is oblivious and/or indifferent to the advances of men, whether it be Liu Qingge’s clumsy attempts at courtship or the mournful eyes of the sect leader. As for women…
She was on good terms with Qi Qingqiu- Which apparently was a recent development, for during one of their trips to Xian Shu Peak, Binghe learned they did not get along during their disciple days. Nowadays though, Shen Qingqiu readily shared with her the pastries Binghe made for her while she tried to push her disciple to leave and interact with the Xian Shu disciples.
Could it be that she was trying to get some privacy?
Could it be that her shizun had forsaken the comforts of the pleasure house for the sacred bond between two martial sisters? Binghe refused to believe it, she refused to see it through!
No official announcement meant that there was still something to be done about it.
Binghe had a plan. A years-long plan that was supposed to culminate once she excelled at the cultivation conference that was mere months away, after which Shizun would see she was no longer the half-starved girl who knelt before her so long ago, but a grown woman who could protect her- Just like Shizun has been protecting her for years.
Someone who would keep her house, cook her meals, clean her meridians, dual-
They’d get together and be very happy! All Binghe had to do was get rid of the many interlopers standing between them. The men she didn’t care about, because Shizun didn’t care about them either. As for Qi Qingqi… What did she have that Luo Binghe was supposed to envy, other than Shizun’s theoretical favor?
Binghe was pretty and she knew it, and it was widely known that Shizun favored her above all others. Just not romantically- Not yet anyway.
She was so used to seeing Binghe in her head-disciple robes that she failed to perceive the woman beneath them.
Thankfully, she thought as she recalled the prostitutes of the Red Warm Pavilion, she knew the kind of women Shizun was interested in.
-
Acquiring the goods is quite easy.
Binghe has saved a decent amount of money over the years. Shizun doesn’t exactly give her an allowance, but whenever she indulges in some shiny trinket or new fan, she’ll give Binghe a few coins and tell her to get something nice for herself.
The dress was the most expensive thing- The former street rat in Binghe needs to remind herself that this is an investment. Purple and red flow down her body in a flattering cut. She had a bit of trouble tying the sash around her waist, as the dress isn’t quite like her disciple robes, and decided to discard it for later and focus on the makeup first.
The cosmetics were cheap and easy to acquire, nothing too sophisticated. Binghe could only hope to emulate the look of the courtesans, with their tinted lips and dark lashes. She’s not being very successful though, and she fears for the mission before it even begins.
“Binghe?”
She almost drops the small container.
Slowly, she turns to find Shen Qingqiu at the doorway with an amused, if confused look on her face.
Luo Binghe would have liked to melt on that instant.
Shizun wasn’t supposed to return this early- Binghe thought she still had a good hour before she was back. During that time, Binghe would turn into an irresistible seductress.
Kneeling on the floor with her dress pooled around her while she struggled with the small bronze mirror, Binghe felt like a little girl caught playing with her mother’s things.
“What is Binghe doing?” She cocked her head to the side, taking in the full scene.
“Shizun… This disciple was just- just, trying something new.”
She really hoped her shizun wouldn’t accuse her of being vain.
“This master can see that,” a smile curled her lips. “Ah, Binghe went ahead and became a woman, didn’t she?”
Binghe’s heart stuttered. Exactly! That’s what she wanted her to realize. Not all was lost.
“Do you need some help with that?” Shen Qingqiu was kneeling beside her before she could answer. “Let me see, turn around.”
Binghe did as she was told. She felt the touch of her fingers through the fabric, as she tightened the sash around her waist. She jumped a bit when Shen Qingqiu’s index traced the curve of it and she sighed wistfully.
“Binghe has such a small waist. Anything would look good on her.”
She swallowed. “Shizun thinks so?”
“I’m certain. This master can tell she’ll break many hearts in the future.”
There was only one she was interested in.
“...men from all the three realms will vye for her favor.”
“This disciple has no need of them,” she told her sweetly. “I only care about shizun’s regard.”
Shen Qingqiu chuckled as she reached for the face-powder. She leaned very close to Binghe while she was applying it, and she unfortunately had to close her eyes so none of it would get into them.
“Of course Binghe doesn’t need them,” she whispered. The brush tickled her cheeks. “That doesn’t mean she shouldn’t enjoy herself- And with a face like this, she’ll have her share of options.”
Again, there was only one she cared about.
But also, what did she mean about a share of options and enjoying herself? Could… Could it be that the women of the Red Warm Pavilion didn’t even charge her for their services?!
It made sense, Binghe wouldn’t do it either. Someone like Shizun could have their pick.
She suppressed a frown.
“This disciple isn’t interested in ‘enjoying’ herself-”
She was cut off by a disbelieving snort.
Binghe gasped. “Shizun!”
“Binghe might change her mind about that.”
She blew gently on the brush, ridding it of the excess product. Binghe could only focus on the shape of her lips as she did so.
“I won’t.” She insisted.
“Well, only time will tell.”
Binghe noticed that Shen Qingqiu, for all that she never wore any kind of makeup, seemed quite at ease doing Binghe’s. She couldn’t help but wonder if she had experience doing this for others.
The thought settled bitterly on her throat, but she stayed still until Shen Qingqiu declared she was done.
Binghe met her gaze on the mirror. She was quite satisfied with what she found.
“Thanking Shizun for her help,” the smile she flashed was sharper than her usual ones, fitting for the crimson painted over her lips.
“It was nothing. How could this master resist?”
Shen Qingqiu brushed one of her curls behind her ear. Binghe shut her mouth in fear that her heart might escape through her lips.
“Binghe has turned into such a lovely young woman… All she’s missing is a pretty hairpin to complete the look.”
She howled within.
A hairpin! A hairpin! Shizun couldn’t have been more clear about her intentions.
“Shizun will get me one?” She asked boldly.
She got a pinch to her cheek for it, but Shen Qingqiu was smiling, eyes dripping with fondness and warmth.
“We can go to the market tomorrow to see if any of them catches your eye.”
“This disciple would love to.”
She hoped that would come across the women of the Red Warm Pavilion. Let them see who'd be enjoying Shen Qingqiu's company from now on and forever!
"We could also go to Xian Shu later, I'll show my jiejies my new hairpin..."
"Hmn, Binghe just wants to show off."
"Of course not, Shizun..."