Yan Yihuan tugged and pulled A-Ying along as they turned into Jinliu Alley, both of them instantly taken aback by the scene before them.
Although this street was called an alley, it was wide enough for three horse-drawn carriages to pass side by side. On both sides stood rows of small buildings of varying heights. Most were two to three stories high, but from a distance, a few with outstretched eaves exuded an imposing grandeur, towering five or six stories tall.
Night had already fallen, yet the rows of buildings extending endlessly on both sides were brightly lit, as if it were broad daylight. The lively noises mixed with soft murmurs that reached their ears stirred a restlessness in Yan Yihuan’s heart. His mind had already begun to envision the enticing encounters that awaited him tonight.
“Young Master, we have to attend the palace banquet tomorrow, we should return now,” This wasn’t Linjing, where everyone knew him as the Third Young Master Yan. If anything happened here that delayed tomorrow’s banquet, it could spell serious trouble.
“That’s precisely why I came here tonight,” Yan Yihuan’s legs carried him further inside without his control. “In places like this, as long as you’ve got money, there’s nothing to fear.”
He had made a bold claim, therefore he would not leave without having a look to not lose face, he already had a plan in mind. The palace banquet wasn’t until tomorrow evening, so he’ll drink wine and listen to songs with a beauty in his arms then return by midnight, definitely not staying overnight.
With this thought in mind, Yan Yihuan found himself standing before the tallest building on the street, where the plaque read “Fengyue Tower.”
This was the place!
Excited, Yan Yihuan snapped his folding fan shut with a crisp sound and strode up the stairs.
Today he was dressed in a light azure brocade robe embroidered with cloud patterns, cinched at the waist with a golden jade belt, accentuating his slender and upright figure. His hair was tied back with a matching cloud-patterned ribbon, each end adorned with a translucent green gemstone that swayed gently with his movements, reflecting flashes of brilliance—a clear mark of extravagance. Especially his peach-blossom eyes, which sparkled with charm under the warm glow of the lanterns, making him appear all the more dashing and charming.
Since the Fengyue Tower is the largest male courtesan house in the capital, even the gatekeeper servants here have sharper eyes than those elsewhere. As soon as they saw Yan Yihuan, they knew he was an important guest. They immediately put on welcoming smiles and approached him.
“Welcome, young master!” The servant gave him a quick glance. “You look unfamiliar, is this your first time here?”
Yan Yihuan smiled slightly, nodding with the refined demeanor of a nobleman.
“Just by a glance, one can tell you are not of ordinary status. Since you’ve come to Fengyue Tower tonight, we guarantee you’ll leave satisfied.”
As soon as he stepped inside, Yan Yihuan was taken aback. He had assumed that brothels everywhere would share a gaudy and vulgar aesthetic. But from the moment he entered, he found himself walking along winding cobblestone paths. If he hadn’t been fully aware that he had just entered a building, he might have thought he had wandered into a private garden.
Here, shadows of trees overlapped, rocks were artfully arranged, and even a meandering stream flowed gently past. Following the servant across a small stone bridge, Yan Yihuan saw a plump silver-white koi fish swishing its long tail as it swam beneath his feet, leaving him momentarily mesmerized.
“Your establishment is truly unique.”
“You flatter us, young master,” the servant replied with a smile. “Our establishment is quite different from others. You’ll have plenty of time to experience them.”
Hearing this, Yan Yihuan felt a growing sense of anticipation. Turning a corner, they arrived at the main hall, which was far livelier. In the center was a waterside pavilion, and the winding streams eventually converged into this shallow pond.
In the pond, various colorful koi swam around the water lilies. Suddenly, an entirely golden koi leaped from the water, catching a lotus petal in its mouth before diving back down, leaving the onlookers utterly amazed.
Indeed, the capital was like no other!
Let alone anything else, just this scenery alone would be enough for him to talk about for months after returning to Linjing. Yan Yihuan was inwardly full of admiration, but outwardly, he maintained a composed demeanor, careful not to let anyone think less of him.
Though Yan Yihuan was deeply impressed, he still had his wits about him. Aware that his identity couldn’t be carelessly exposed, he reluctantly tore his gaze away from the enchanting performances on stage and opted for a private room.
“This way, young master,” the servant said, pocketing the heavy gold ingot with glee. The gesture confirmed his belief that this young noble was someone with wealth to spare. He hurried to arrange the finest room. “Please wait a moment, young master. Fine wine and delicacies will be served shortly.”
The servant then gave a sly smile. “And, of course, our Fengyue Tower’s top courtesan.”
He turned to Yan Yihuan’s attendant, A-Ying, and said, “You may come with me. Our tower has a special rest area for attendants, complete with refreshments.”
A-Ying was startled and glanced nervously at Yan Yihuan, only to see his young master, dazzled by the place, casually wave his hand.
“Go on, A-Ying. I won’t stay too late tonight.”
Reluctantly, A-Ying was led away, leaving Yan Yihuan alone in the room. Once he confirmed no one else was around, he stood up and began inspecting his surroundings with keen curiosity.
The room was not the kind of ostentatiously decorated suite one might expect, but instead resembled a refined scholar’s study. The calligraphy and paintings were all the works of renowned artists, and in one corner stood a Huanghuali wood desk complete with ink, brushes, and paper. Next to it was a guqin elegantly displayed on a stand. If not for the fact that he knew he was in a courtesan house, he might have thought he had wandered into a literary gathering.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps came from outside. Yan Yihuan quickly returned to his seat and composed himself, assuming a calm and poised demeanor. A line of servants entered, carrying trays of wine and dishes, which they carefully arranged on the table. Then, a tall and graceful young man entered, gave him a slight smile and turned to close the door. He gave a slight bow and introduced himself.
“I am Liu Qiao. It is an honor to meet you, young master.”
Yan Yihuan realized that the surprises and delights of this courtesan house seemed endless. He had seen courtesans before, of course—weren’t they always soft and delicate, full of seductive charm?
Just the other day on the painted boat, the courtesan was also warm and soft. Yet this Liu Qiao was entirely different. He wore a flowing yet modest long robe, his black hair neatly coiled and secured with a jade crown. Though his features were exquisite, they were not overtly feminine. Instead, he carried the aloof grace of a proud scholar, with a touch of cool detachment that was both unexpected and captivating.
But when he smiled, his eyes and brows carried a seductive charm. This contrast of reserved chastity and subtle allure stirred something deep in Yan Yihuan, making him almost leap to his feet.
“Cough.” Yan Yihuan snapped open his folding fan, waving it twice in a flustered attempt to conceal his momentary daze. After adjusting his breath, he donned his usual playful grin and crooked a finger at Liu Qiao.
“Come, sit by this young master.”
Liu Qiao nodded lightly and took a seat beside him. He gracefully poured a cup of wine, his slender fingers glowing even more strikingly against the green jade cup. Yan Yihuan, his heart fluttering, placed his hand over Liu Qiao’s and drank the wine in one go, without breaking eye contact.
“You have a fine tolerance for alcohol, young master,” Liu Qiao remarked softly. Holding his sleeve delicately, he leaned in to wipe away a trace of wine from Yan Yihuan’s lips. The movement caused the neckline of his robe to loosen slightly, revealing a glimpse of his smooth, ivory clavicle and the delicate skin below. As Liu Qiao adjusted himself, Yan Yihuan even caught a glimpse of a hint of pink hidden inside.
At that moment, Yan Yihuan couldn’t hold back any longer and pulled him into his arms, his fingertip gently tracing along Liu Qiao’s cheek. Unlike the powdery softness of other courtesans he’d encountered, Liu Qiao’s skin was untouched by makeup, its silky texture exactly as Yan Yihuan had imagined.
“This young master thinks this wine tastes bad,” Yan Yihuan murmured, his finger trailing down from Liu Qiao’s jawline to his neck, causing the man in his arms to tremble slightly.
“This is the best wine in our establishment, young master. You’re still not satisfied?” Liu Qiao’s brows furrowed ever so slightly, a look so delicate it tugged at the heartstrings. Suddenly, a soft gasp escaped him as Yan Yihuan’s fingers had slipped beneath his collar, brushing against the raised curve of his collarbone, lingering and teasing the sensitive skin there.
“Because this wine can’t intoxicate me like you do,” Yan Yihuan said, his thoughts becoming increasingly untamed. He even began to wonder whether tonight might be the night to finally end his long-guarded virginity, after all, such a beauty was a rarity even in Linjing.
“Young master, you sure know how to tease,” Liu Qiao whispered, suddenly leaning in closer. His soft, red lips brushed lightly along Yan Yihuan’s jawline. “Why not stay the night, hmm?”
Was he serious?
Yan Yihuan felt his mind go blank, his heart racing uncontrollably as a wave of uncertainty struck him.
Yet, despite his nerves, he refused to lose face. Gathering his courage, he wrapped his arm firmly around Liu Qiao’s slender waist, pulling him closer until their bodies were tightly pressed together.
“This young master has important matters tomorrow night, so I cannot stay overnight,” Yan Yihuan said firmly.
Hearing this, Liu Qiao’s delicate brows furrowed instantly. His captivating eyes were now tinged with a trace of grievance. “Is it that I have not served you well enough? Besides, young master’s matters are for tomorrow night, a night of passion won’t delay anything.”
His words were irrefutable, yet Yan Yihuan’s heart began to race uncontrollably. He had never truly ventured into such “serious business” before. The closest he had ever come was that one chaotic moment with Zhao Chufeng.
This was uncharted territory, and it left him both tempted and flustered.
In the unlit room, amidst heavy breathing, the two of them fiercely entangled with each other, eagerly shedding each other’s clothes.
What happened later?
Later, he found himself increasingly on the defensive. He initially wanted to muster the courage to turn the tables, but instead he was pinned down, Zhao Chufeng even managed to explore under his clothes…
Pei pei, how could he be thinking about him again? Really ruins the mood!
Yet although he felt it ruins the mood, the scene replaying in his mind ignited a surge of heat in his stomach. Yan Yihuan was startled and hurriedly tried to step back, but as he took a step back, Liu Qiao moved two steps closer, leaving almost no gap between them.
“The young master says no, but your body seems quite honest,” Liu Qiao teased with a smile, reaching out his hand, nearly startling Yan Yihuan into shouting.
“I… I really have something urgent, I’ll give you more silver to make up for it”
“This isn’t a matter of silver,” Liu Qiao feigned a coy pout, but his grip didn’t ease, he had no intention of letting Yan Yihuan escape easily. “For me to enter your room only to be sent away… how will I ever face anyone again?”
At this moment, a sudden commotion erupted outside. Yan Yihuan turned his head in a panic, only to be held even tighter by Liu Qiao.
“Young master, if you’re so distracted, you’ll break my heart…”
Before Liu Qiao could finish his words, a loud “bang” sounded. The door to their private room was kicked open, and four or five people rushed in, looking serious as they stared at the two of them, disheveled and entangled.
