Chapter 1: The Miserable Transmigration

  Kang Qingyan looked at Jiang Xia with a thin layer of anger on her face, three parts annoyed and seven parts sour. Today, the mastermind behind the Huafang Pavilion, Liu Jin, was about to leave Shuntian Prefecture for a trip, so he came over to take a look. After seeing Liu Jin, Kang Qingyan inexplicably mentioned Jiang Xia in front of him, and even said many good things about her.

  After settling the matter of Wang Gongzi, Liu Jin became interested in Jiang Xia and asked Kang Qingyan to bring him over for a meeting. Unexpectedly, Kang Qingyan had just arrived at Jiang Xia's door when he learned that it was actually Jiang Xia who had let off the smoke to scare away Wang Gongzi, and the purpose of taking such a risk was surprisingly to save Cui Nianslave.

  "Hmph, what's so great about this Cui Nian Nu? She's just younger and prettier than me, that's all. Although I'm not a young maiden anymore, my skills in bed are still top-notch, you Jiang Xia not appreciating me is your loss, humph!"

  Kang Qingyan's heart was sour as she thought about all this, while Jiang Xia, knowing he had been caught red-handed, couldn't help but smile obsequiously: "Aunt Kang, actually I did it for you too."

  "Why me?" Kong Qing raised an eyebrow, her forehead clearly bearing the three words "don't believe it". She coldly snorted and said: "I couldn't possibly do something so reckless, so please, Jiang Gongzi, don't say such things. I wouldn't dare to take responsibility for that."

  "Hey, it seems like you're really angry, Mom. They say you're broad-minded and magnanimous, so I didn't think you'd get angry easily. Now that you are, I'm guessing there's been a misunderstanding. What I did was truly for your own good; if I've spoken even half a lie, may I be struck by lightning and die a terrible death."

  As soon as Jiang Xia made the poisonous oath, Kang's mother had to become serious. She was now half-believing and half-doubting, so she looked at Jiang Xia and asked: "Are you really doing this for me? How can you say that?"

  "Could it be that you're doing this for Madam Kang? I've heard that she's different from Li Mama at Chunyi Building. That Li Mama is involved in some shady business, forcing girls into prostitution and whatnot. But Madam Kang is kind to the girls under her care, never forcing them to do anything they don't want to do. The reason why most of the girls from Qunfang Pavilion are doing this line of work is because they have no other choice, with maybe one or two exceptions who think it's an easy way to get rich and are willing to do it."

  "This... of course, I, Kang Qingshan, am famous for never doing anything to coerce or force others." Even though she knew in her heart that she had done such things many times before, Kang Qingshan didn't dare admit it now. Jiang Xia started by saying "Kang's mother is different from Li's mother", and then added "Li's mother has done some things that are similar to coercing or forcing others, which are shameful enough to cut off one's descendants."

  If I admit it now, isn't that equivalent to indirectly admitting that I'm the same as that Li mother and should also be childless?

  When Jiang Xia heard this, he immediately clapped his hands and said: "I knew I didn't misjudge you. When I was young, my mother told me that women who are beautiful must have a kind heart. As the saying goes, 'beauty comes from within', and it's true in your case, Mother Kang."

  Jiang Xia's boasting skills were in full swing, and he kept throwing compliments at Kang Qingyan one after another. Kang Qingyan had already been charmed and was feeling elated. However, she still remembered to ask Jiang Xia: "Alright, tell me, why did you pretend to be in a hurry because of me?"

  "Kang mother, how can you still not understand?" Jiang Xia sighed and shook his head: "Wang Gongzi has been harassing Nianslave for a long time, every time he was stopped by Kang mother. Who in Shuntian Mansion doesn't praise Kang mother's benevolence?

  But this time, Wang Gongzi brazenly broke into the Group Fragrance Pavilion and swaggered all the way up to the fourth floor before entering Nian Nu's residence with ill intentions. With such a high-profile move, even Kang Mama didn't appear to stop him; if Wang Gongzi were to succeed, what would others think?

  This time, without waiting for Kang's mother to respond, Jiang Xia spoke up and said: "Others thought that this time, it must be that group of Fang Ge's Kang's mother was afraid of Wang Gongzi and didn't dare to stop him again. She deliberately let Wang Gongzi go to the fourth floor. Ah, ah, it turns out that Kang Qingyan is also a person who helps evil and is timid and afraid of things, forcing good people to become prostitutes."

  I'm deeply grateful to you, Aunt Kang. How could I just sit back and let something like this happen? Don't others know that I wouldn't be unclear about it either? Aunt Kang must have been meeting an important person today, which is why she was able to slip out and intercept him, right?"

  "That's right." Besides this answer, Kang Qingyan really didn't know what else to say. In fact, she was the one who deliberately sent Wang Gongzi to the fourth floor, but now she would rather die than admit it. Otherwise, it would be like Jiang Xia said "Assisting evil, being timid and afraid of trouble, forcing good people to become prostitutes".

  Jiang Xia's mouth curled up with a hint of a smile, and he said with a smile: "Now, Madam Kang doesn't need me to say more, does she? I stopped Wang Gongzi just for Madam Kang. Of course, Madam Kang doesn't have to reward me for this, although I took a risk by doing so, and it's possible that I might offend Wang Gongzi. But I'm not afraid, as I am a member of the Qunfang Pavilion, and I must dedicate all my strength to the pavilion - it is both my duty and my mission."

  Jiang Xia raised his right hand, bending it in front of his chest, making a gesture like a young pioneer charging forward. His facial expression was sacred and inviolable. Those who knew him knew he worked in a brothel, but those who didn't might have thought he was a Communist Party member.

  Kang Qingyan patted Jiang Xia's shoulder and nodded, "Jiang Xia, you did the right thing. Originally, I still owed you twenty taels of reward that I hadn't given to you yet. This time, you've made a great contribution, so I must reward you properly. Later, I'll have the accountant prepare fifty taels of silver for you, go get it yourself."

  "Thank you, kind Mother Kang! You are like the brightest star in the Milky Way, and the most beautiful flower in the Queen Mother's garden. Even the fairy would praise your beauty, and Chang'e would be ashamed of her own appearance." Jiang Xia's tongue was quick to flatter, and he naturally wouldn't spare a few words for such a good deal.

  "Alright, you're just flattering me with your sweet talk." Kang Qingyan said with a pretended scowl, but in fact she was secretly delighted. A woman approaching fifty had almost forgotten when she last heard someone praise her beauty.

  Jiang Xia glanced at Cui Nianshu and easily dealt with Kang Qingyan for the time being, but as Kang Qingyan said, Cui Nianshu might be able to hide from the first but not the fifteenth. Jiang Xia had to take out another insurance policy for Cui Nianshu, and he continued: "Auntie Kang, I have a suggestion, may I mention it?"

  "Suggestions? You tell me." Kang Qingyan's eyes sparkled with interest as she gazed at Jiang Xia, eager to see what kind of excuse he could come up with.

  Jiang Xia said: "Aunt Kang, you absolutely cannot let Wang Gongzi get his hands on Nianslave, no matter what you have to protect her."

  "What's this again?" Kang Qingyan glanced at Cui Nianslave, her face which was originally full of smiles suddenly turned cold, she said with a stern expression: "The Forbidden Pavilion prohibits maidens and servants from colluding, Jiang Xia you must be more careful!"

  The words were getting heavier and heavier, almost with a warning tone. Cui Nianshu's face turned red when she heard this, but Jiang Xia seemed to have not heard it at all, instead looking at Kang Mama with a wronged expression, saying in a melancholic tone: "Alas, my heart is as clear as the bright moon, but why does the bright moon shine on the ditch? Kang Mama, you see me like this, truly wasting my loyalty to you, I'm really so sad."

  "What you're saying, isn't it that I should spare Nian Nu for your sake?" Kang Qingyan said somewhat displeased. She couldn't think of any benefits in sparing Cui Nian Nu for herself, but rather a clear disadvantage - offending Wang Gongzi.

  Jiang Xia shook his head and sighed, saying: "Kang Mama, you've run this brothel for so many years but still don't understand the intricacies. Let me ask you, what are the two most precious things in this world?"

  "Jade and gold?"

  "No." Jiang Xia said with a sigh: "The two most precious things in the world are those that have not been obtained and those that have already been lost. The things that have not been obtained, one's heart is always thinking about them, and they cannot be forgotten even in dreams. As for the things that have already been lost, they can no longer be retrieved. Although one may suddenly realize their preciousness, it is too late to turn back, and there is nothing to regret, so they become lifelong regrets."

  At this point, Jiang Xia suddenly thought of Wen Yue Xing Hong. I don't know if she understood my preciousness after losing me, and regarded this matter as a lifelong regret? Xing Hong... you have such a ruthless heart.

  "Jiang Xia." Kang Qingyan called out Jiang Xia's name, and only then did Jiang Xia snap back to reality.

  Just at that moment, Jiang Xia suddenly became distracted. Kang Qingyan caught sight of Jiang Xia's eyes, which were filled with infinite sorrow and deep tenderness, like a vast starry sky that could make one lose their way if they weren't careful.

  In Kang Qianyan's life, there had never been a moment when she felt this way. Just because of one glance, her heart was racing, just because of one glance, she was heartbroken, just because of one glance, she had an urge to cry. The absent-minded Jiang Xia made Kang Qianyan want to hold him in her arms and comfort him thoroughly.

  Jiang Xia shook his head, a bitter smile spreading from the corner of his mouth. He was no longer as excited as he had been earlier, merely going through the motions to finish what he was saying.

  Jiang Xia said, "Since the most precious thing in the world is something that has not been obtained, then as long as we keep Nian Nu safe. The whole Shun Tian Fu knows that Wang Gongzi has taken a fancy to a girl at Qun Fang Pavilion, but no matter what he does, he can't get his hands on her."

  Two pieces of information are revealed from this sentence. Firstly, the woman who can make Wang Gongzi infatuated must be a stunning beauty. Secondly, this woman is as pure and noble as a lotus flower that rises above the mud without being stained. Moreover, with Nian Nu's mastery of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and couplets, wouldn't the nobles, rich merchants, literati, and elegant scholars of Shuntian Prefecture compete to pursue her and offer thousands of gold to win her favor?

  "After saying that, Jiang Xia lightly laughed and said: 'Men are actually born to be narcissistic creatures, they often think they're one in a million, unique and special. As soon as they make a move, all the beauties in the world will rush to throw themselves into their arms.'"

  Although these words seem to be said for Kang Qingyan and Cui Nianyu, they are actually a kind of self-mockery by Jiang Xia.

  However, Kang Qianyan had to admit that everything Jiang Xia said just now was not unreasonable. Especially the analysis at the end, it really gave Kang Qianyan a feeling of sudden enlightenment.

  Kang Qingyan nodded thoughtfully and then looked at Cui Nianslave, saying: "Nianslave, don't worry, something like today won't happen again. From now on, I will definitely take good care of you and not let you suffer any disturbance or harm."

  Cui Nian Nu's nose suddenly felt a little sour after hearing this, and her eyes welled up with tears. Cui Nian Nu bowed to Kang Qingyan and said: "Thank you, Auntie Kang."

  Kang Qingyan smiled and shook her head: "Foolish girl, you are my dear daughter, who else would I dote on if not you?"

  Kang Qingyan's words at this moment would naturally not be believed by Cui Nianyu again. She took a glance at Jiang Xia's back, and at this moment, she only felt that the tall but slightly thin figure was so safe, as if standing behind such a back, all the hardships in the world were not so terrible.

  Chui Nian Nu wanted to thank Jiang Xia, but Kang Qing Yan smiled and said: "Alright Jiang Xia, the matter with Nian Nu has been settled. Come with me to see someone, this person is a very important figure, don't keep them waiting."

  Jiang Xia secretly suspected that the big shot Kang Qingyan was talking about was the mastermind behind this group of Fang Ge, he nodded and was about to agree to go with Kang Qingyan when Jiang Xia's door was suddenly knocked on. Han Yu appeared and walked into Jiang Xia's room. He took a glance at Cui Nianshuai, whose eyes flashed with astonishment, before walking over to Kang Qingyan and whispering something in her ear. After listening, Kang Qingyan's expression changed slightly, she looked at Jiang Xia and said: "Jiang Xia, the big shot I was talking about will see you later, first follow Han Yu to Mudan Pavilion to meet someone."

  "Peony Pavilion?" Jiang Xia pouted and said, "Kang Mama, I'm telling you clearly. I, Jiang Xia, am a genuine and authentic big shot, if you want me to accompany guests, it has to be beautiful women and the price has to be high enough, then I might consider it. But if it's men with some cut sleeve and shared peach hobby, I'd rather die than agree."

  Kang Qingyan shot Jiang Xia a cold glance, her voice slightly angry as she said: "If it's about the price of a beauty, you'd consider it, right? Then do you think Kang's mom is beautiful or not? And what kind of price are you talking about?"

  Jiang Xia was suddenly shocked, never expecting that this turn would dig a hole and bury himself. Jiang Xia hehe smiled and immediately said to Han Yu: "Brother Han, is it the Peony Pavilion? Alright, I'll go right away, can't let the honored guest wait anxiously. Hehehe..."

  Jiang Xia smiled slyly as he brushed past Kang Qingyan's side and ran out the door. Before leaving, he didn't forget to wink at Cui Nianshuai and made a cheering gesture.

  Choi Nansool smiled for a moment.

  From afar came the voice of Jiang Xia, "In the north there is a beauty, one smile can topple a city, two smiles can topple a nation, three smiles and my heart will be lost to you, Jiang Xia... hahaha..."

  Kang Qingyan couldn't help but turn her head to look at Cui Nianshu, staring for a long time until Cui Nianshu felt uneasy all over. Only then did Kang Qingyan say: "In the future, don't casually smile at others, go smile at those young masters instead."

  "Yes." After Chui Nian Nu responded, Kang Qingyan finally swung her sleeves and walked out of Jiang Xia's room. Seeing that Kang's mother had left, Chui Nian Nu couldn't help but smile again. She looked around Jiang Xia's room, then walked to the desk and picked up a piece of Xuan paper and a brush.

  After dipping the brush in ink, Cui Nianci wrote on the rice paper with a flourish, and several beautiful characters immediately appeared on the paper. The inscription read: "One smile and you have seen him, two smiles and three smiles, and you will see him again."

  After finishing writing, Cui Nian Nu secretly smiled again, like a child who had stolen sugar, extremely cute.