As soon as Young Master Shen entered Zuixiang Fang, it was like Tang Monk mistakenly entering the Pansi Cave or a butterfly flying into a cluster of flowers. As he walked along, every girl who glanced at him would throw a scented handkerchief at him and tease him.
Although Zuixiang Fang was the most famous place for entertainment in Shengjing, but a brothel was still a brothel after all, a place for wealthy people to seek pleasure. Most of the patrons who come here were hard to describe. A beauty like Young Master Shen is indeed rare.
Young Master Shen lacked experience and could not withstand the passionate ladies. Helplessly, he had to pull Kong Shang, who was behind him, to block for him.
“Young Master?” Kong Qianhu didn’t know that he was being used as a shield and turned his head to ask with a confused look on his face.
“Don’t ask too many questions. Just go.” Shen Qingzhuo hid behind him, and with his other hand he opened a folding fan to cover his beautiful face.
The three of them went up to the second floor, walked around for a while, and finally stopped in front of a private room.
“The servant lives in this room. Please come in, Young Master, please.” Xiang Lian’s eyes moved, and she bowed to invite Young Master Shen in.
“Alright.” Shen Qingzhuo stepped over the threshold with a calm expression.
Kong Shang was about to go in together but was stopped by Xiang Lian. “This master, you don’t have to follow in, right?”
“Why can’t I go in?” Kong Shang suddenly became anxious and gestured with his hands agitatedly, “I came here with my Young Master!”
He shoulders the responsibility of protecting Lord Shen. Lord Shen is out of his sight. If anything happens, he can’t afford it!
Xiang Lian was not afraid of him and replied, “The girls in Zuixiang Fang only receive one customer at a time. Doesn’t Master Kong know this rule?”
Kong Shang: “I—”
“Just wait outside.” Shen Qingzhuo turned around and said, “If there is any need, I will call you in.”
Kong Shang frowned: “Young Master!”
“Or, you can also go find a girl to talk about love.” Shen Qingzhuo said with a smile, “For the silver, this young master will pay for you, I’ll treat you once.”
Kong Shang couldn’t help but be moved when he heard it, “Is it really possible?”
The last time he came here, he met the girl named Chun Tao, and he had been thinking about her ever since. However, Chun Tao’s “visiting fee” was very high, and he might not even be able to get a number.
Before Shen Qingzhuo could reply, Xiang Lian closed the door and said, “Master Kong, please do as you please ah.”
Shen Qingzhuo: “……”
Xiang Lian turned around, with a gentle smile on her face again, “Young Master, please take a seat.”
Shen Qingzhuo sat down at the table. Just as he was about to ask Xiang Lian what talent she had, a strong smell of perfume suddenly hit him. It was Xiang Lian who rushed over and was eager to undress him.
“Wait a minute!” Shen Qingzhuo was caught off guard and quickly raised his hand to grab the collar of his clothes. “Miss Xiang Lian, a gentleman should use his mouth instead of his fists. Let’s talk it out nicely!”
“The servant is a woman, not a gentleman.” Xiang Lian glared at him coquettishly and reached out her hand.
Shen Qingzhuo dodged her hand in a somewhat wolfish manner. He could not use force on the girl, so he could only raise his voice and shout, “Xiang Lian!”
It was really karma. He shouldn’t have laughed at his little disciple who was “forced r*pe” by two palace maids. This retribution came too quickly!
“Young Master?” Kong Shang, who was guarding outside the door, heard the noise inside the room and pounded on the door anxiously, “Young Master, are you alright?”
“No problem!” Shen Qingzhuo blocked Xiang Lian’s attack with his jade fan and said in a gentle voice, “Miss Xiang Lian, those who are hasty don’t get to eat hot tofu1Hasty men don’t get to eat hot tofu (idiom); one just has to be patient; haste will ruin everything..”
Seeing Young Master Shen’s resistance, Xiang Lian withdrew somewhat weakly, “Young Master, do you really want to have tea and chat with the servant ah?”
The guests who came to Zuixiang Fang were either royal nobles or scholars. At first, those men would pretend to be cultured, listen to music and watch dance, and chat with the girls about everything from poetry to life philosophy, but in the end, they would still end up in bed.
“Cough, cough…” Shen Qingzhuo cleared his throat and straightened his slightly messy clothes. “What talents does Miss Xiang Lian have?”
Xiang Lian looked at the zither placed on the side and said, “I know a little about music. What kind of music would Young Master like to hear?”
“Miss Xiang Lian can play whatever song you like.” Shen Qingzhuo pretended to listen attentively. “This young master will try his best not to let Miss Xiang Lian play the lute to a cow.”
“Hehe…” Xiang Lian covered her lips and chuckled, “Young Master Shen is so humorous.”
The sound of the zither began, starting with resentment, and then murderous intent arose. The rapid bass sound breeds restlessness, and then it collided with great momentum, creating a spark. It was really “brilliant and colorful, with spears and swords everywhere”, as if the war with drums and gongs was right in front of them.
Shen Qingzhuo frowned slightly and stared at the woman playing the zither thoughtfully.
Different from the lofty artistic conception and peaceful tunes of traditional zither music, this piece of “Guangling San” was full of swords and murderous plots. It is both depressing and angry and passionate. It is not the kind of music that is favored in the land of the Smoky Willow.
“Good!” After the song ended, Shen Qingzhuo fanned his hands and praised, “The zither is beautiful, the music is beautiful, and the person is even more beautiful.”
Xiang Lian withdrew her hand cleanly and neatly, and her face showed a charming look again. “Since the servant is so beautiful, why wouldn’t Young Master Shen be moved?”
“That shows that this young master has strong willpower.” Shen Qingzhuo pointed to the seat opposite him and said, “Come and sit down.”
Xiang Lian stood up and sat down as she was told. She smiled and said, “Next, Young Master Shen, are you going to talk to the servant about poetry or about family and country?”
“No.” Shen Qingzhuo gently waved his fan, “This young master wants to ask you about a girl.”
Hearing this, Xiang Lian’s smile froze slightly, and she covered up her anger and said, “The servant is sitting next to Young Master. How can Young Master still think about other girls?”
Shen Qingzhuo just smiled and said nothing. He took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and said, “Does Miss Xiang Lian also have this sun totem?”
The smile on Xiang Lian’s lips completely disappeared. “Young Master Shen has never been to Zuixiang Fang before, where did you see this totem?”
Shen Qingzhuo took out another piece of paper and showed her the portrait on it. “Then what about this girl? Does Miss Xiang Lian know her?”
Xiang Lian paused, lowered his eyes, and replied, “I don’t know.”
“It seems like old acquaintances.” Shen Qingzhuo was staring at her intently and naturally would not miss every expression on her face. He said in a positive tone, “Today, this young master has found the right person.”
“Young Master Shen.” Xiang Lian knew that he could not be easily fooled, so he said directly, “Except for asking about people and things, Young Master Shen can do anything he wants to do, Xiang Lian can accompany him.”
Shen Qingzhuo narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a calm tone, “Since Miss Xiang Lian can’t give me what I want, then I won’t force you either. But with a lot of gold, there must be a brave man. If Miss Xiang Lian is unwilling to speak, there will naturally be someone willing.”
Having said that, he got up and walked towards the door.
“Wait!” At this moment, Xiang Lin suddenly called out to him from behind, “What does Young Master Shen want to know?”
Shen Qingzhuo lowered his eyelashes, and a faint smile flashed across the corners of his lips.
He turned around and said, “Miss Xiang Lian, please tell me everything you know.”
***
In the room, Shen Qingzhuo sipped a cup of fragrant tea. The tall and strong Kong Qianhu stood behind him with a serious face.
“Her name is Ling Long. She was originally a prostitute in Zuixiang Fang.” Xiang Lian said slowly, “Ling Long was both beautiful and talented, especially famous for her graceful dancing. Many dignitaries have come to her because of her reputation. As time goes by, it is inevitable that some people have bad intentions and often offer high prices to force her to lose her virginity.”
Kong Shang suddenly realized: “So she is Ling Long! I was in the palace—”
Shen Qingzhuo threw a fan over and interrupted his big mouth in time.
Kong Shang was so shocked that he almost bit his tongue. He apologized hastily: “I’m sorry, Young Master! I was wrong!”
“Miss Xiang Lian, please continue.” Shen Qingzhuo smiled slightly.
“As for Zuixiang Fang, as long as the money is paid, there is no strict sense of prostitutes. Mother soon thought of having her selling her body.” Xiang Lian seemed to be lost in memory. “At first Ling Long swore to die and went on hunger strike for several times, but it was useless. Even when she was half-dead from hunger, she was still sent to the bed of the patron by Mother.”
Shen Qingzhuo frowned unconsciously. “And then?”
Xiang Lian: “It was also at that time that Ling Long met a Young Master surname Xiao.”
“Young Master Xiao?” Shen Qingzhuo’s heart moved, and a reasonable guess vaguely emerged in his mind.
“That Young Master Xiao is very mysterious, but he spent a lot of money and was very generous. He directly booked Ling Long.” Xiang Lian’s tone revealed a subtle envy. “From then on, Ling Long was no longer be forced to sell herself.”
Shen Qingzhuo: “Then, Ling Long was redeemed by that Young Master Xiao?”
“That’s right.” Xiang Lian used a handkerchief to cover and laughed softly, “That Young Master Xiao once again spent a fortune to redeem Ling Long. Since then, I have never seen her either.”
Shen Qingzhuo sighed secretly. This Xiang Lian girl probably thought Ling Long was living a good life, but she never expected that Ling Long turned into Lu Mei and now became a wanted murderer by the Beizhen Fushi.
“For brothel girls like us, even if we are redeemed, we are not innocent, and it is difficult to enter the main gate and become the main wife. But since Young Master Xiao is so generous to her, I believe he will not let her suffer too much. All in all, it is much better than staying in Zuixiang Fang.” Xiang Lian raised her eyes and looked at Young Master Shen, with a worry in her tone. “But today, Young Master Shen took her portrait and came to ask people. Did something… happen to her?”
Shen Qingzhuo avoided answering and asked again: “That Young Master Xiao, every time he comes here, does he come into contact with other girls?”
“This…” Xiang Lin looked doubtful.
Shen Qingzhuo raised his hand and signaled to Kong Qianhu behind him.
Kong Shang understood and took out a gold bar from his arms and placed it on the table.
“Don’t worry, Miss Xiang Lian. Everything I asked you today will not be known by a fourth person once we leave this door.” Shen Qingzhuo gently waved the jade fan. “If Miss Xiang Lian wants to leave Zuixiang Fang, you can just tell me as well.”
Xiang Lian gritted her teeth and whispered, “Every time Young Master Xiao comes, he will sit in Ying Luo’s room for a long time.”
“Ying Luo?” Shen Qingzhuo tilted his head slightly. “Xiao Kong, have you heard of this lady?”
Kong Shang: “Of course I’ve heard of her. This Miss Ying Luo is one of the top courtesans in Zuixiang Fang!”
This girl named Ying Luo was a famous prostitute in Shengjing. She was proficient in playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, go, and embroidery. She was especially good at poetry, calligraphy, and painting, which attracted many literati to compose poems for her.
“Lord Kong was right. Those who come in and out of Ying Luo’s room were all big shots in the capital.” Xiang Lian glanced at Young Master Shen again. “I originally thought Young Master Xiao would also redeem Ying Luo, but Ying Luo still receives guests as usual.”
“Big shot?” Shen Qingzhuo tapped the table lightly with the handle of his fan. “How big?”
No matter how big a figure is, can he be bigger than the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace?
Xiang Lian leaned over and said mysteriously, “I privately heard that many high-ranking officials of the current dynasty are frequent guests in Ying Luo’s room.”
Shen Qingzhuo hissed and asked, “How can I meet that Miss Ying Luo?”
“That’s difficult.” Xiang Lian sat back in her chair. “This is Young Master Shen’s first time at Zuixiang Fang. I’m afraid you can’t even get to know Ying Luo.”
Shen Qingzhuo opened his fan and said slowly, “Is that so?”
***
About an incense stick’s time later, a handsome young master appeared on the private seat on the second floor.
It was the time when Zuixiang Fang was welcoming customers, and the guests came in and sat down on the first and second floors one after another.
“This Young Master looks unfamiliar.” A young man in a brocade robe came over and started a conversation. “Is this your first time at Zuixiang Fang?”
Shen Qingzhuo retracted his gaze, looked back at the person who came, and replied with a smile, “That’s right.”
The young man stared at him intently, “Is Young Master from Shengjing? Logically speaking, if there is a man as famous as Young Master in Shengjing, Tan should not be unfamiliar to him.”
“Brother Tan, thank you very much. I have just arrived in Shengjing not long ago.” Shen Qingzhuo bowed and said, “My surname is Shen.”
“So it’s Young Master Shen!” Tan Ruizhe smiled brightly, “Young Master Shen, which girl are you here for today?”
Shen Qingzhuo thought for a moment and replied, “To be honest, Brother Tan, I came here for Miss Ying Luo.”
As soon as these words came out, Tan Ruizhe raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Miss Ying Luo’s threshold is not low.”
“Shen has long admired Miss Ying Luo’s beauty.” Shen Qingzhuo waved his jade fan slowly. “Brother Tan, if you can find a way to let me see Miss Ying Luo’s beauty, Shen will be very grateful.”
Tan Ruizhe thought for a while, called the waiter behind him, and whispered a few words in her ear.
“We have the good fortune to meet here today, so the brother will give it a try for Young Master Shen.” Tan Ruizhe sat down beside him in a familiar manner and said with a smile, “But the brother dares not guarantee whether it will succeed or not.”
“Brother Tan is such a straightforward person.” Shen Qingzhuo curled his lips and smiled softly. “Whether it succeeds or not, Shen is grateful to Brother Tan for his kindness.”
As soon as he smiled, Tan Ruizhe couldn’t help but be distracted for a moment, staring at those slightly raised peach blossom eyes, unable to move his eyes away.
Kong Shang was no longer surprised by such infatuated looks. While paying attention to Lord Shen’s safety, he also distracted himself by watching the performance in the audience.
There are girls performing in Zuixiang Fang every night. Just to watch a singing and dancing performance costs ten taels of silver. The girl on stage tonight was dancing to the music played by the musicians, and the crowd watching as if they were intoxicated.
Young Master Shen was drinking tea absentmindedly, idly chatting with Tan Ruizhe, whom he had just met across from him.
After a while, he called Kong Shang and whispered something in his ear.
Kong Shang received the order and immediately went downstairs to find the tea girl who was in charge of counting the rewards on the side of the stage.
After a while, the tea girl shouted loudly, “Young Master Shen, from the private room on the second floor, give a hundred gold coins!”
The whole room was filled with applause, and all the guests looked around for the generous young man.
This Zuixiang Fang is like a large live broadcast room. The girls accept rewards from the audience while performing their talents. If the reward is enough, the tea girls will manually broadcast to thank the rewarders.
After a performance, the top-ranked brother will receive some additional rewards, such as being invited to the girls’ private room to drink tea and chat. As for staying overnight, that is another price.
After a burst of commotion, Zuixiang Fang gradually returned to peace again.
“Young Master Shen, didn’t you come here for Miss Ying Luo?” Tan Ruizhe was a little confused. “Why…”
“No impact.” Shen Qingzhuo replied calmly, “This little money is just a token of respect for the girls performing tonight.”
To be honest, the gold, silver, and jewelry he had accumulated in the palace during these years was more than an ordinary family could use up in several lifetimes. It takes a thousand days to save money, but only one day to spend it. You have to spend it when it’s time.
Tan Ruizhe saw his eyes change and asked tentatively, “Excuse me, Young Master Shen, what is your current position?”
“I’m just an idle person.” Shen Qingzhuo replied half-truthfully, “My family has a little money.”
As the two were talking, a slightly sharp female voice rang out: “Yo, this is Young Master Shen, right?”
Shen Qingzhuo raised his eyes and saw a woman in her fifties, wearing heavy makeup and s*xy clothes.
Despite the heavy makeup, it still couldn’t hide the fine lines on the woman’s face. She looked at Young Master Shen with a smile on her face, as if she were looking at a big fish waiting to be slaughtered.
Shen Qingzhuo: “Are you the proprietress of Zuixiang Fang?”
“Young Master Shen has good eyesight!” The proprietress tried to please him. “Is Young Master Shen satisfied with the dance?”
“It’s just so-so.” Shen Qingzhuo put away his jade fan and said nonchalantly, “This young master came here because of the reputation, but after taking a look, it’s just so-so.”
The proprietress’s smile froze for a moment, but she quickly smiled again and said, “It seems that Young Master Shen is also a picky person. However, since Zuixiang Fang is well-known, it must be more than that.”
Shen Qingzhuo glanced at her and said, “What do you mean?”
The proprietress clapped her hands and said, “Young Master Shen, can you take a closer look?”
A moment later, dozens of girls emerged from upstairs.
These girls are of different shapes and sizes, each with their own unique style. They are dressed in all kinds of colors, including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, which are dizzying to look at.
Shen Qingzhuo turned his head slightly, covered his lips with his fan, and asked in a low voice, “Is she among them?”
Kong Shang looked at them carefully several times and suddenly remembered, “Young Master, I have never seen her either!”
Shen Qingzhuo: “……”
She should not be here. How could the top courtesan show up so easily?
“Young Master Shen, all the girls who are free tonight are here. Do you like any of them?” The proprietress said attentively and took the girl next to her for a turn. “The girls in Zuixiang Fang are proficient in all kinds of martial arts. There is nothing that Zuixiang Fang cannot provide, except what you cannot think of, Young Master Shen.”
Shen Qingzhuo walked forward slowly, tapping his jade fan and pretending to look at the girls carefully, but he thought in his heart, No matter how you look at it, this scene looks like a selection of concubines.
“Ah!” With a scream, the girl standing at the edge twisted her neck and legs and fell uncontrollably towards the railing.
The railing was not high, and it was easy for her to fall down. Shen Qingzhuo didn’t have time to think about it and quickly caught her. “Lady, be careful!”
The proprietress didn’t care about the girl’s life or death at all and took advantage of the situation to ask, “How about this, Young Master Shen, which girl’s room do you want to go to for a chat?”
Shen Qingzhuo smiled, but before he could say what he wanted, he heard a very resentful voice behind him: “Master…”
Young Master Shen felt as if he was struck by lightning and loosened his hands subconsciously. The girl in his arms, who was gazing at him shyly, fell to the ground unexpectedly.
At the same time, Kong Shang shouted in astonishment, “Seventh, Seventh, Seventh, Seventh Prin—”
“So, this is what Master said…” Xiao Shen stood alone at the entrance of the second floor, his dark eyes deep and bottomless as he spoke word by word, “Incense-making shop?”
Shen Qingzhuo: “!”
The author has something to say:
Master Shen: Xiao Qi! Let’s listen to Master’s explanation first!
The Little Wolf Cub: Won’t listen, won’t listen, I won’t listen! Master has deceived my innocent and young mind! I’m going to make a scene!
The Lady of Zuixiang Fang: You helped me up and then abandoned me again…
Wait, the fighting scene isn’t over yet hahahaha!
T/N: Not him getting caught visiting the brothel xD
