A Time-Traveling Mishap: I Became an Ancient Nobleman

Chapter 127 We Don't Visit Brothels

The Gu family father and son listened to the two men's explanation and found it to be quite reasonable.

Halfway through their meal, the innkeeper came up to greet Liu Niang, saying, "I'm so sorry, I've been too busy today, and I haven't had time to greet you since you brought guests."

Liu Niang didn't mind, "You go about your business. I often bring guests over for meals, so I can't ask you to come and serve us every time."

“Well then,” the innkeeper bowed slightly to Zhou Hanzhang and the others, “we have some unique folk tunes in Jiangnan, which are especially suitable for listening to while dining.”

After saying that, he clapped his hands, and a beautiful woman from Jiangnan appeared behind him, holding a pipa in her hands.

Their private room happened to have a small table, so the beautiful woman sat down on it, struck a pose, and gently plucked the strings of her pipa, instantly producing a melodious sound.

"Pingtan?"

Zhou Hanzhang was somewhat puzzled. Was this Pingtan actually a modern Suzhou storytelling art because it was a general term for Suzhou Pinghua and Suzhou Tanci?

Pingtan is a traditional storytelling and drama form performed orally in Wu dialect. It originated and became popular in Suzhou and the Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai areas. It has a long history, taking shape around the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, and only became popular during the Qianlong period of the Qing dynasty.

But how did I end up here at this time?

The shopkeeper looked slightly puzzled upon hearing the term, "What is Pingtan?"

"Oh, no, I was just thinking about some similar performances I'd heard before."

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper seemed quite interested and bowed to Zhou Hanzhang to ask him for his detailed advice.

Zhou Hanzhang naturally didn't keep anything to himself and told the shopkeeper as well. The shopkeeper's whole body lit up after hearing it.

"This format is indeed good. We usually just play the pipa and sing some tunes for our guests. We never thought we could perform opera in this way."

Her words greatly inspired the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper sighed with regret, "It's a real pity that we don't have a corresponding play to use on this."

“There’s no need to regret it. Some opera excerpts can be adapted and reused. You can discuss it in detail with a professional,” Zhou Hanzhang suggested.

The innkeeper bowed deeply to Zhou Hanzhang, "Young master has given me great inspiration, so I will treat you all to this meal."

Zhou Hanzhang didn't argue with him. If the manager used her idea well, it could indeed take the restaurant to the next level.

Liu Niang smiled and teased the shopkeeper, "It seems I'm also benefiting from your generosity, young master. I've brought so many guests here before, but you've never given me a free meal."

"...You earn a lot, you won't miss my meal or two, besides, I usually recommend customers to you, don't I?"

The shopkeeper didn't indulge Liu Niang and said with a smile, "Please enjoy your meal. I have other things to attend to, so I'll have to go now."

"Go on, go on, everyone knows you're busy." Liu Niang didn't care.

After the shopkeeper left, Zhou Hanzhang noticed that Liu Niang was staring at him, so he touched his face and asked, "But what's on my face? Why are you staring at me, Liu Niang?"

"No, I'm just curious, where did you hear about that evaluation, sir?"

"Pingtan" (a type of storytelling and ballad singing).

Gu Qingfeng was unaware that this Pingtan (a type of storytelling and ballad singing) had not yet appeared in this Jiangnan region, but since he had a good memory, he added that.

"Yes, it's Pingtan. I've lived in Jiangnan for many years and have never heard such a novel piece of music before."

Zhou Hanzhang's heart skipped a beat. He had forgotten that Liu Niang might be Youying, who was best at capturing details to draw conclusions.

Her mind raced. "Well, actually, the elders in my family like to listen to tunes while eating, and they like to go out and see anything new. I'm often with them, so I've heard a bit of everything."

"Then it seems we are not meant to be."

Liu Niang didn't press the topic any further. "Later, I'll take you on a boat trip on the river. It's a unique feature of our town. You can see the scenery on both banks from the boat."

Zhou Hanzhang thought of the tourist boats in the ancient town now. She had been here for so long but had never experienced what ancient tourist boats were like, and she became somewhat interested.

After they finished their meal, the town began to light up with scattered firelight, and Liu Niang led them to the riverbank.

Everyone here seems to know Liu Niang well; they greet her and chat for a bit whenever they pass by.

"Liu Niang, are you so familiar with everyone in this town?" Zhou Hanzhang asked intentionally.

“I’ve lived here for many years and run a guesthouse, so I can chat with anyone.”

When Gu Qingfeng heard Liu Niang say this, he said, "That's because you have a good personality. Look at my father, even if he lived here for the rest of his life, you wouldn't find many people who are as good to him as you."

General Gu wanted to kick him again, but Gu Qingfeng walked away quickly this time and he didn't get kicked.

Liu Niang found a boat, took them aboard, and accompanied them on a tour for a while. In the middle of the tour, she suddenly noticed something and her expression changed, but she still greeted Zhou Hanzhang and the others with a smile.

But Zhou Hanzhang noticed something was wrong. "Liu Niang, is something the matter?"

After a moment of silence, Liu Niang smiled and said, "I suddenly forgot that I have some things to do at my inn, so I'm afraid I can't continue to accompany you. Otherwise, I'll find a waiter to accompany you to continue sightseeing?"

General Gu quickly declined, saying, "No need. You can go ahead and do what you need to do. We can just take a walk around."

"Well... I'm really sorry." Liu Niang seemed somewhat apologetic.

"It's alright, it's alright. We're the ones who feel bad for having you come with us at the last minute."

General Gu spoke to Liu Niang with a somewhat naive expression.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony. I'll take you around properly another day." Liu Niang told the boatman to take the boat to the shore and they went ashore.

"Keep swimming. This boat can basically show you all the scenery along the way. Enjoying the scenery on the boat at night is the most wonderful."

Zhou Hanzhang glanced at the Gu family father and son, "Let's get off here too. It's good to take a walk after dinner."

She turned to Liu Niang and said, "You go about your business, don't worry about us, we know the way back."

Liu Niang nodded, then suddenly remembered something, "If you keep going straight down this road, there's a very famous brothel. If you want... you can go and have a look. It's quite different from the ones in the capital."

General Gu quickly shook his head, "We don't go to brothels."

Zhou Hanzhang had a sudden inspiration and said to him, "Why don't you take Liu Niang back? We can wander around a bit more."

Seeing that General Gu was about to agree, Liu Niang quickly refused, "No need, I know this place very well. You all have a good time exploring. I don't need to trouble you to take me back."

After saying that, she didn't linger and left in a hurry.

Zhou Hanzhang had originally planned to secretly follow Liu Niang to take a look, but Gu Qingfeng stopped her, "Shall we go to that brothel and take a look?"

In just a short while, Liu Niang disappeared without a trace.