The Way of Spiritual Journey

Chapter 32, Moon Appreciation

"You really enjoyed the moon all night long?" In another private room, Li Lang listened to Shi Butong's account and asked incredulously to confirm.

"Brother, I'm innocent!" At this moment, Shi Butong could no longer control his inner collapse. He hugged Li Lang's arm and was about to cry.

"No, no, it can't be that bad, it can't be that bad." Li Lang shifted his body, pushing Shi Butong away with disdain. "Logically speaking, this shouldn't be happening. Tell me, is there something wrong with this?"

"I won't say that the money was wasted, but to not even let people eat the cooked duck is a joke no matter where you go." There were only two people in this private room, and Shi Butong wasn't there to question him. After all, the things Li Lang provided were of the highest quality. What could he say if he was so incompetent?

Shi Butong was unwilling to accept it. It had already spread throughout the wealthy elite circles of Dadu that the young master of the Shi family had entered Nalan Mingyue's boudoir and had not come out all night, so the matter of becoming a spirit was a certainty.

Moreover, the next morning, when Shi Butong returned to his residence, he could see a long line of people coming to offer their congratulations from afar in front of the gate.

At first, Master Shi was puzzled by this scene. When he asked, he learned that his son had made a great impression at Qifeng Tower the night before, winning the title of the most beautiful courtesan, Mingyue, and enjoying a wonderful night together.

Speaking of which, Master Shi held a high position and his family had strict morals, rarely venturing into places of pleasure. The reason was not complicated; it was mainly because the expenses there were enormous, and he would always feel a pang of regret afterward.

Of course, none of these are the main points. The main point is that the rumor that Nalan Mingyue possesses a spiritual essence and that obtaining her can open one's spiritual aperture has already spread throughout Dadu.

For the past two years, many wealthy and influential people in the capital, including Master Shi, have traveled there with large sums of money, hoping to win a smile from the beauty, but all have returned empty-handed.

Now, the peach that the father never got has been picked by his son. This is a joyous occasion, a great one, and absolutely worthy of congratulations.

Upon receiving the definite news, Master Shi was momentarily taken aback, but then his face lit up. He opened the door to welcome his son and awaited his return.

Shi Butong wandered outside until the afternoon, and only after all the guests had left did he sneak back into the mansion. He then closed the doors and windows tightly and began to seclude himself.

"He's gone into seclusion now. It seems the rumors are true." Master Shi was secretly pleased to see this and gave the order that no one should disturb him.

Another day, a thunderous explosion rocked Dadu, and Nalan Mingyue's top courtesan title remained hanging high on Qifeng Tower.

"This is getting interesting. Could it be...?"

"Hehe, it should be..."

"I told you long ago, the name Shi Butong is no good. It should be called Shi Buji (meaning 'unable to lift'), hehe..."

The playboys were overjoyed and flocked to the Shi residence to visit him.

Seeing the endless stream of visitors entering and leaving the mansion, Shi Butong naturally refused to see them. After learning the whole story, Master Shi was so angry that his face turned ashen and his beard trembled.

That day, after court, Master Shi was teased by his colleagues about Qifeng Tower. Upon returning home, he could no longer suppress his anger and prepared to punish the playful, impotent brat who had brought shame to the family.

Fortunately, a servant in the house risked his life to report the news, and Shi Butong did not dare to delay for a moment and hurriedly hid away.

"Yes, it was the right thing for you to hide." Li Lang nodded, affirming Shi Butong's decision.

"But, is there really something wrong with your name?" Li Lang glanced casually at Shi Butong's lower body and asked thoughtfully.

Shi Butong's face turned pale, and his legs suddenly tightened.

"Damn it, I'm furious. I don't know which bastard spread this rumor, but once it's found out, I won't let him get away with it," Shi Butong said through gritted teeth.

"Hehe, since the rumors are untrue, and Miss Mingyue is still the top courtesan at Qifeng Tower, you should give an explanation." Li Lang chuckled and then said.

"I have no explanation to give." Hearing this, Shi Butong felt even more resentful. "That night, when we went up to the second floor, everything was fine at first. Miss Mingyue was very enthusiastic, speaking softly and gently, serving tea and water, and looking at us with affection."

At this point, the hatred on Shi Butong's face eased slightly, as if he were reminiscing about the events of that night.

"And then?" Li Lang thought disdainfully, seeing Shi Butong's pig-headed expression. 'Even after all this, he's still indulging in wishful thinking?'

"Then Miss Mingyue opened the window, looked at the moon in the sky, and asked with a smile, 'Young Master Shi's poem "The Bright Moon in the Sky" is indeed a rare masterpiece. I wonder if you could explain it in detail?' I was thinking to myself, 'It's already been explained so clearly, what's the point of explaining it in detail?'" Shi Butong continued, his words clearly showing displeasure.

"Sigh, you probably don't understand what 'detailed explanation' means, do you?" Hearing this, Li Lang sighed and shook his head.

"What? I don't understand? I've been to school, you know. Do I really need to explain something so obvious? 'Bright moon in the sky' is self-explanatory; it's the moon in the sky, it couldn't be clearer." Shi Butong immediately became unhappy upon hearing Li Lang's words, shaking his head and beginning to explain.

"You're right." Hearing Shi Butong's explanation, Li Lang was taken aback at first, then expressed his agreement. But inwardly, he was silently cursing, "Someone like you should be called Shi Pighead. Would it kill you to say that Miss Mingyue is as beautiful as the moon in the sky? With your emotional intelligence, you deserve to be impotent."

Li Lang understood; this must be the beginning of the situation.

"When Miss Mingyue heard my words, she was clearly taken aback, and her eyes showed a hint of surprise. It was obvious that she was impressed by my literary talent." At this moment, Shi Butong was completely immersed in his memories.

"At this moment, Rou'er came in and whispered something in Mingyue's ear. Mingyue's gaze towards me completely changed. After saying a few words, the two of them left and never returned."

"What did he say?" Li Lang wondered, as this sentence was probably the key to the whole incident.

"Miss Mingyue said, 'Young Master Bulang is truly a man of unparalleled talent!'" Shi Butong replied.

Li Lang was speechless. He hadn't expected the problem to be with him. He had been exposed so quickly.

"Young Master Bulang, you need to give an explanation for this matter, right?" Shi Butong stared intently at Li Lang. This was the real reason he had come to Li Lang's door; every grievance had its source, every debt its debtor, and every cause and effect needed to be explained.

"Sigh!" Li Lang sighed heavily. This matter really had nothing to do with him. The money and goods had already been settled at the time, and as for what would happen afterward, no one could guarantee anything.

"I told you long ago, a noblewoman is found in the most dangerous places. I've paved the way for you to get into the room, and you still can't get her? Can you blame me?" Li Lang waved his hand, expressing his regret.

"Hmph, I was wondering why you didn't take the opportunity yourself and instead gave it to me. So that's what you were waiting for!" Shi Butong snorted, his tone filled with strong dissatisfaction.

"Young Master Shi, you're mistaken. If I had taken matters into my own hands back then, do you think Miss Mingyue would still be the top courtesan? I just don't care about women; I love money more." Li Lang was truly helpless.

In fact, Li Lang had a deeper meaning he didn't reveal: he was a time traveler who still wanted to go back and didn't want to have too much involvement with this world.

He'd seen plenty of women in his previous life, and generally speaking, none of them held the same allure as money. Besides, that Miss Mingyue had her face veiled at the time, and hadn't even let him see her.