novelraw Chapter 404: How could you go to such a place?
Chapter 404: How could you go to such a place?
Rat pondered for a moment before asking, "Big Brother, you say... when you give a gift, it must be something Consort Xian Pin likes, right?"Xia Tingfeng nodded. "Of course, the gift must be one she likes!"
Rat asked again, "Then do you know what Consort Xian Pin likes?"
Xia Tingfeng shook his head blankly. "I don’t know!"
He had barely stayed in the mansion since he was a child. He had hardly ever visited his concubine mother, let alone his sister. He had practically never lived with them, so how could he know what his sister liked?
Rat nodded in agreement. "That’s right! Big Brother, you don’t know what Consort Xian Pin likes at all. Isn’t this like finding a needle in a haystack?"
Xia Tingfeng nodded thoughtfully. "So, what do you think I should do?"
Rat was full of bravado. "Big Brother! Leave it to me! You might not know what Consort Xian Pin likes, but someone else does!"
Xia Tingfeng’s interest grew. "Who? Who knows?"
He was already pondering. My sister entered the palace as soon as she arrived in the Capital City. She likely doesn’t know anyone outside. Could someone *really* know what she likes?
Rat looked at Xia Tingfeng with a ’you just don’t get it, do you?’ stare.
Xia Tingfeng punched him. "Speak up!"
Rat yelped in pain.
Xia Tingfeng raised his fist again. "Still want to play coy?"
He immediately conceded. "No more, no more, Big Brother, stop hitting me!"
Xia Tingfeng then desisted.
Rat looked left and right, then sidled closer, saying mysteriously, "Big Brother, only a woman truly understands another woman. Why not ask a woman what they all like?"
Xia Tingfeng was stunned for a moment. His eyes gradually brightened, an epiphany dawning on him. "Hmm! You’re not wrong!"
Just ask a woman what they like, and that should solve it. But... there’s a problem: where would I find a woman? Surely, I can’t just drag someone off the street and ask. That would probably scare her half to death. So... what now?
Rat spoke up again. "There are plenty of women in the brothel, Big Brother. Why not go..."
Xia Tingfeng punched him again. "Nonsense! How can I go to such a place? Are the things they like and what my sister likes even comparable?"
Rat grimaced, his face a mask of pain. "Big Brother..."
"I... I didn’t mean that!"
"Then what did you mean?"
Rat’s face contorted in misery. "Big Brother... those women encounter men from all walks of life. They’re experienced, worldly, and naturally know how to please people..."
Xia Tingfeng relented. "So that’s what you meant!"
Released, Rat took a punch to each shoulder, his eyes welling with tears of pain. I’m taking all these beatings just for a chance to visit a brothel. Is my life easy or what?
...
Bai Fang Pavilion was the most famous brothel in the Capital City. Three men stood before its entrance, watching the girls on the upper floors wave their Brocade Handkerchiefs to attract customers, their calls drifting down in pinched, coquettish voices, over and over.
"Official Master, come play~"
This wasn’t the first visit for the three of them, so, ignoring the women, they went straight inside.
The moment these familiar customers entered, the madam waddled over, her wide hips swaying, her heavily made-up face splitting into a broad, lascivious smile. "The three young masters... you’ve finally come! Our Xiao Hong and Xiao Lv have been missing you to death, pining away day by day..."
Rat and Monster looked quite pleased with themselves. "Well, here we are! Hurry and have them come serve us..."
Xia Tingfeng’s lips twitched as he pondered. Who are Xiao Hong and Xiao Lv?
The madam noticed Xia Tingfeng hadn’t spoken. She scrutinized him with a sharp eye, quickly coming to a conclusion. This one is the big brother, indeed!
Then, her face wreathed in smiles, she approached him. "Why isn’t this master speaking? What kind of girl would he like to keep him company?"
At the madam’s words, the surrounding girls immediately straightened their clothes and touched up their makeup. Some even began to strike alluring poses, batting their eyelashes and casting flirtatious glances his way. It was primarily because Xia Tingfeng, dressed in black, cut a tall, distinguished figure with exceptionally handsome features. He was simply too captivating; a night of pleasure with such a man would be worth it, even without payment in silver!
Rat boasted mightily from the side, "Our big brother only wants the best! Hurry up! Bring out the best girl you’ve got!"
When the madam heard this, her expression turned a bit troubled. "Unfortunately... our Top Courtesan Lady Fang Ruo already has a distinguished guest tonight..."
The madam said cautiously, then her expression shifted as she continued in a different tone, "Besides the Courtesan Lady, this master can pick anyone else..." She then ordered those around her, "What are you standing around for? Hurry and bring a few good girls over to serve this master." With that, she had her staff usher them further inside.
Xia Tingfeng stood his ground, unmoving, then suddenly raised a hand. "Hold on!"
The madam felt her heart clench. "Master...?"
"Would you like to choose yourself?"
"It’s no problem! Just tell me what type you desire, and I guarantee you’ll be satisfied!"
Xia Tingfeng thought for a moment, then said with a stern expression and a firm tone, "I want... someone with experience!"
The madam’s eyes nearly popped out of her head as she wondered in astonishment: Don’t men usually prefer the innocent type? The purer, the better, right? This young master looks so wealthy and noble, yet his tastes are so... intense! He actually wants an experienced one! Tsk tsk tsk, I really don’t get these rich folks nowadays. Still, what does it matter if I get them or not? As long as there’s silver to be made, that’s all that matters!
The madam walked away in high spirits. Bai Fang Pavilion has been in business for so many years. Innocent ones are hard to find, but experienced ones...? Heh heh!
...
The madam soon returned with the girls. She also thoughtfully led them to an opulently decorated and rather suggestive room. They walked down a corridor lined with rooms on both sides, chambers where men, merry from wine and song, were currently enjoying themselves with female companions.
Inside the appointed room, a spread of food and wine was already laid out, and a singer was in position, ready to perform.
As soon as Rat and Monster entered, they eagerly grabbed the girls they had chosen and sat down.
"Big Brother, take a seat!" Rat urged.
Monster also chimed in quickly, "Big Brother, sit here!"
Xia Tingfeng’s lips twitched again as he took a seat.
The madam smiled obsequiously. "Gentlemen, please enjoy your drinks at leisure. Call for anything you need!" With that, she left, still smiling flatteringly.
The singer began her performance.
Rat and Monster started to eat, drink, and revel, their spirits high.
As for Xia Tingfeng, he sat as stoic as still water, listening to the music, drinking, and eating. The girl assigned to him sat neglected to the side.
In truth, Xia Tingfeng was wondering, How should I ask them?
After a quarter of an hour, an impatient Rat left with a girl in tow. Heh heh, off to get his fill, was he?
Then... Monster left too. Before departing, he said mysteriously, "Big Brother, we’re all rooting for you..." With that, he was gone.
The two shared the same thought: If we can just get Big Brother to break his ’fast’ this once, then we can all enjoy ourselves freely in the future! We won’t have to stick to ’vegetarian drinks’ every time we come to a place like this!