Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

The officials who weren’t named practically wore their schadenfreude on their faces.

In one room, a famed courtesan leaned against an official’s chest, her slender arms wrapped around his neck. Her breath carried a delicate fragrance as she teased, “What happy thought has crossed your mind, my dear patron, to make you smile so brightly?”

—“My dear patron” was the standard term courtesans used for their clients.

The official leaned back against the cushioned couch and chuckled. “Seeing someone else drenched in water while I stayed dry naturally puts me in a good mood.”

The courtesan didn’t fully understand his words but knew better than to press. She laughed softly, flattering him with a few light-hearted remarks.

Breathing in the room’s perfumed air, the official sighed. “What a shame that Lian’er is unwell today and unable to attend to me. Her skills in fragrance blending far surpass yours.”

The courtesan’s expression didn’t falter for even a moment. She smiled sweetly and replied, “Lian’er often speaks of you, my dear patron. I heard she even struggled to get out of bed today just to instruct me on your preferences. Unfortunately, I lack her talents and finesse.”

The official traced his hand along her slender waist, his smile turning suggestive. “No need to belittle yourself. Your Lian’er doesn’t have a waist as slender as yours…”

Downstairs, Xu Yanmiao politely declined the advances of the thirty-second courtesan who approached him.

Hearing this, Xu Yanmiao backed away even faster, his retreat amusing the courtesan, whose laughter rang even more brightly.

But to her surprise, the handsome young scholar returned moments later, pulling a small pouch of silver coins from his pocket and pressing it into her hands. “I know you’re Lian’er’s good sister. Take this and give it to Lian’er so she can see a doctor.”

With that, he hurried away again.

The courtesan stood there, frozen in place, holding the pouch of money in disbelief.

She couldn’t hear Xu Yanmiao’s inner thoughts:

[How tragic…]

[To have a patron’s child forcibly aborted with a stick.]

[Four months along, beaten until the fetus was gone. She nearly lost her life. Now she’s bedridden, her body broken.]

Upstairs, the official who had been enjoying himself heard a murmur about Lian’er’s condition. When he caught wind of the details—bloodied and mangled flesh—his expression shifted to one of disgust. He resolved not to request Lian’er’s company again, her situation too off-putting. Instead, he found himself appreciating how tactful and attentive Aiyue was…

Just as his thoughts began to wander, Xu Yanmiao’s voice echoed again:

[These patrons really aren’t afraid of dying, are they? The madam, to prevent her ‘money-makers’ from getting pregnant, laces their tea and food with mercury. And they still dare to come here, drink here, eat here… Mercury is poisonous, you know!]

Suddenly, the sound of shattering cups and plates filled several rooms in the flower house.

Dry retching followed as some patrons gagged, clawing at their throats.

Dancers and courtesans stood in shock, unsure why these esteemed officials had suddenly shoved them away, smashed their cups, or darted to the side to vomit.

[Ah… Truly, they value lust over life. Or maybe they don’t understand the risks of visiting brothels? Virtually every flower house has cases of poisoning…]

[Hmm, should I warn Shang Yuan? He’s an Imperial Censor and comes here often. If he catches soft chancre, he probably wouldn’t even know… That disease eventually rots away a good inch or two of the root, doesn’t it?]

[Forget it. No need to warn him. Anyone who frequents flower houses—it’s only a matter of time before they catch something.]

[Wow, Shang Yuan is still praising that courtesan for her slender waist.]

“Bang!”

Xu Yanmiao heard a loud sound, like someone overturning a table. He looked up in confusion.

[Is that a fight breaking out? Or just some kind of show in the brothel?]

[Forget it, it’s none of my business. I need to think more about this… Geez, so many of my colleagues are frequenting brothels. Wait, Ji’an Marquis??? Why is it you again?!]

Upstairs, Ji’an Marquis also wondered why he was always singled out.@@novelbin@@

What had he done to offend Xu Yanmiao?

[Sleeping with three women a day… Whether or not his kidneys are failing, someone here definitely has syphilis.]

[Though maybe he doesn’t care? Perhaps he thinks it’s a mark of sophistication rather than shame?]

[That must be it. If he cared, he wouldn’t be in a brothel. I remember a scholar who had advanced syphilis—his nose had rotted away—and people still called it a romantic tale.]

In his private room, Ji’an Marquis frantically pushed the courtesan beside him away, covering his nose and trembling in fear.

How could he not care?! His nose was at stake!

Damn it! Why is this brothel so problematic when others are perfectly clean?!

In his fury, Ji’an Marquis began smashing objects around the room.

Internally, he screamed: Close it down! This brothel must be shut down!

No, that wasn’t enough! The prostitutes here must also be barred from continuing their trade. If they went to another brothel, he might not have syphilis now, but what about later?!

[Wow, so many people are here!]

[Even the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of War and his son! Aren’t they worried about ending their bloodline?]

[Oh, and a Treasury Department official? Tsk tsk, such selflessness. Someone under him has been eyeing his position—what a great opportunity for them.]

[A protocol officer from the Ministry of Rites?! Phew, let me check… Have I had any dealings with him? Thankfully, no. Even though this shouldn’t spread through conversation or shared meals, it still feels gross.]

[…Shouldn’t?]

[Oh, and there’s more…]

After wandering around the brothel muttering to himself, Xu Yanmiao left, feeling troubled.

“How am I supposed to deal with this? There are so many high-ranking officials involved—it seems difficult to bring it down.”

Two days later, Xu Yanmiao heard that the brothel he’d visited had been forcibly shut down. The prostitutes there were ordered to leave the trade by some kind-hearted, anonymous individuals. To avoid causing a stir so close to the Emperor’s residence, arrangements were made for them to settle down properly.

And apparently, there was more than one such kind-hearted individual.

Xu Yanmiao was elated.

The next morning at court, he was all smiles.

[This world is still full of good people! …Wait, why does it feel like there are fewer officials here today? Let me see… Why are they all going to the clinic? And sneaking around at that.]

[Ah!!!]

[I missed out on such juicy gossip!]

[Damn it! After I left the brothel that day, Ji’an Marquis managed to get information from that courtesan, Aiyue, about someone in the brothel having syphilis! He immediately ordered his household staff to smash the place up!]

[Hiss, it seems quite a few officials got involved too!]

[No wonder that brothel was shut down. No wonder he went to see a doctor the next day under the pretense of taking leave.]

[Let me see how he found out… “Doctor, I’ve been feeling really uncomfortable in that area these past two days. Can you check if there’s something wrong?” Ah, so he noticed physical discomfort and suspected it might be that disease. He probed for answers, and only after confirming his suspicions did he seek a doctor the next day.]

[He even knew to cover his face while visiting the doctor… Understandable. If it were me, I wouldn’t want my colleagues to know either. Fortunately, he went at night with his face covered, so no one noticed.]

[The other officials who took leave are likely doing so for the same reason. Though their excuses are all over the place… Wow, this one’s really ruthless to himself. To avoid suspicion, he even broke his own leg. Officially, he’s seeking treatment for his leg, but in reality… Tsk tsk, such dedication.]

Other officials: “…”

A subtle wave of sympathy arose for the colleague with the broken leg.

Well, now that Bai Ze has exposed everything, you broke your leg for nothing.

There’s something interesting about joking around:

“Later, Emperor Murong De of Southern Yan hosted a feast for his ministers. After drinking heavily, he asked them with a laugh, ‘Though I am of humble character, I remain respectful in my position as ruler and vigilantly guard my place. Which ancient emperor would you compare me to?’

Qingzhou Governor Ju Zhong quickly flattered him, saying, ‘Your Majesty is a sage emperor of the restoration era, comparable to Shao Kang or Emperor Guangwu.’

Murong De offered to reward Ju Zhong with a thousand bolts of silk. Hearing the amount, Ju Zhong declined repeatedly. Murong De remarked, ‘You jest with me, so why can’t I jest with you? You flatter me with false praise, so I’ll repay you with empty rewards. It’s only fair.’

Then another official, Han Fanjin, said, ‘I’ve heard that an emperor does not speak in jest, and loyal ministers do not respond frivolously. Today, both the ruler and ministers have erred in their conduct.’

Murong De was delighted and rewarded Han Fanjin with fifty bolts of silk. From then on, the court became a place where bold and honest discussions flourished.”

— Book of Jin

[Translation: Murong De joked that Ju Zhong’s flattery was insincere, so he gave him an insincere reward in return. Han Fanjin, however, pointed out the error, earning Murong De’s favor and creating a culture of candor at court.]

“Opening the mind” (出萌儿)

Refers to the idea of enlightenment or realization.

“Ordering flower tea” (点花茶)

An old custom in brothels where patrons were greeted with a pot of tea. Even a single cup would incur a substantial fee, known as “flower tea money.”

“In the entertainment districts of Pingkang, new visitors would be presented with tea, for which even a single cup could cost thousands of coins. This was called ‘flower tea money.’ Drinking a cup upon entering incurred payment before ordering further entertainment.”

— Wulin Jiushi (The Old Stories of Wulin)

On the disease worsening:

“A wealthy young man named Tang Jing, about eighteen or nineteen years old and unmarried, developed a sore on his genitals. Initially the size of a needle’s eye, he feared the pain and avoided cleaning or treating it. Over time, the infection penetrated deeper, rotting about an inch or two of flesh. A physician applied ointments, which only increased the pain.

A wandering Taoist named Zhou Shouzhen identified it as a form of syphilis, caused by an excess of pent-up energy and improper release. He recommended refraining from intercourse, washing with an herbal concoction, applying a powdered mixture of fragrant herbs and musk, and keeping the wound dry and stable.”

— Historical medical records.

— Medical Treatise (医说)

Poisonous Woman (毒女):

There are poisonous women. Even when they live or stay in the same place as others, if sores appear on their bodies, any interaction with them will cause death. If their bodily fluids touch plants or trees, those plants will wither.

— Tang Huiyao (唐会要)

Yangmei Sores (杨梅疮)

The ancient medical texts do not record the treatment for Yangmei sores, nor do they mention the disease. This condition recently emerged in the regions beyond the mountains and has spread to all parts. The climate in the mountains is hot and humid, with miasma and toxic vapors, along with a diet rich in spicy and hot food, and the indulgence of both men and women. When the damp heat accumulates over time, it leads to poisonous sores, which then spread through mutual contact. The disease has spread from south to north, affecting the entire world, but it primarily afflicts those who lead dissolute lives.

— Compendium of Materia Medica (本草纲目)