novelraw Chapter 527: For a Novelty?
Chapter 527: For a Novelty?
Zhao Junyao and Xia Tingfeng went to the Bai Fang Pavilion in the Capital City.This wasn’t Xia Tingfeng’s first time here, so he wasn’t surprised.
But the Emperor...
This kind of place was one the Emperor had never even glanced at, and he wouldn’t even want to walk on this street!
Now, why on earth did he suddenly...
The Emperor certainly wasn’t lacking in women!
The Emperor didn’t lack women, and definitely not beautiful women.
Even the Courtesan Ladies here, if placed in his Harem, would at most be considered average!
So, it was certain he hadn’t come here for carnal pleasures.
Maybe... it was just for something novel?
However... the singing girls here were indeed unmatched, and no other place could compare.
Xia Tingfeng felt slightly relieved.
Perhaps the Emperor also came to listen to songs!
At this moment, Zhao Junyao had only one thought in his mind:
Find a woman!
He had countless words bottled up in his heart, unsure of whom to confide in.
At least, he couldn’t talk to the men around him, right?
Nor could he talk to the women in the Harem.
Therefore, he had to find a stranger, someone with whom he could cast aside his status and identity.
To pour out all the emotional baggage, all his grievances.
He might feel much more relieved then.
Where could he find such a woman?
Of course, it had to be a Brothel.
Although that place was sordid, there were... many women.
Isn’t there a poem that says so?
"Since ancient times, beautiful women often emerge from humble origins."
He knew some women there had seen a fair share of the world.
So...
His objective was quite clear.
The largest and finest Brothel in the Capital City was... the Bai Fang Pavilion.
When the eunuch Li Shengan was brought by the Emperor and Commander Xia to the entrance of this... Brothel, he was utterly dumbfounded.
His inner thoughts went something like this:
Emperor, it’s a good thing you’re in plain clothes. Otherwise, you’d scare everyone to death!
And it’s a good thing I, your servant, am also in plain clothes, or I’d die of embarrassment!
A eunuch visiting a Brothel! If word got out, people would laugh their heads off, wouldn’t they?
Zhao Junyao stood at the entrance.
It was much like Xia Tingfeng’s first visit.
He stood at the entrance, looking up.
Zhao Junyao was dressed in a White Jade Robe, with a White Jade Crown on his head and Gold-patterned Soap Boots on his feet.
As a Military Official, his features were sharp, as if carved by a knife, and his handsome bearing was as grand as mountains and rivers. His aura of elegance, tinged with a hint of languor, bespoke his noble heritage. His profound knowledge of poetry and literature endowed him with a scholarly grace. His skill in archery and martial arts gave him the sharp, effortless demeanor of a warrior. Years of experience in the imperial court had imbued him with a natural, commanding presence. He carried an imperious aura, as if he could direct the course of nations and rule the world.
These distinct qualities merged seamlessly within him, creating an ineffable charm. Simply standing there quietly, he seemed to radiate a natural halo.
Anyone who stood before him would feel humbled and awed by his presence, overcome by an urge to immediately kneel in submission!
When he lifted his head, all the Courtesans upstairs waving their handkerchiefs, dressed revealingly, were stunned.
All sounds came to an abrupt halt.
Courtesan Xiao Hong:
He’s too handsome! I’ve roamed the Brothels for ten years and never seen such a good-looking man!
Courtesan Xiao Lv:
Oh heavens, this man may look plainly dressed, but at a glance... one can tell he’s wealthy!
Courtesan Xiao Huang:
This man seems powerful and influential. If I could just catch his eye and have him buy my freedom, wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Courtesan Xiao Hua:
This man looks lean, but I bet his martial arts are formidable. You can tell from the veins on his arms...
Men skilled in martial arts are tigers in bed! To sleep with such a handsome man, I’d even pay for the privilege!
Satisfied with his observation, Zhao Junyao calmly lowered his head and coughed lightly twice.
He clasped his hands behind his back and entered with an air of feigned familiarity!
Xia Tingfeng didn’t dare say much either and followed him in.
Li Shengan was deeply frustrated.
What can I do? I’m helpless too!
With that thought, he had no choice but to enter.
Once inside, the frenzy of the Courtesans was beyond description.
The madam’s eyes practically lit up. She approached, swaying her ample waist with great enthusiasm.
"Oh my, isn’t this Young Master Xia!"
"And this gentleman is..."
This gentleman looks quite wealthy, though unfamiliar, she mused. It must be his first visit.
With that thought, she became even more attentive.
First-timers, especially, needed to be well taken care of.
Such wealthy patrons had to be cultivated into regulars!
Xia Tingfeng didn’t know how to introduce the Emperor, so he kept silent.
Zhao Junyao was too disinclined to speak with the madam.
The heavy scent of cosmetics was almost suffocating. Seriously. With three thousand beauties in his Harem, he considered himself to have sampled all the world’s charms and cosmetics. Yet, he had never encountered such an overwhelmingly offensive odor of cosmetics before. It truly made it difficult to breathe...
Noticing the Emperor’s silence and the glare he shot him, Li Shengan hurriedly stepped forward.
"This gentleman is... Third Master!"
"Third... Third Master Huang!"
He certainly couldn’t say Third Master Zhao; Zhao was the imperial surname. Wouldn’t that expose them?
The madam instantly beamed with joy.
"So it’s Third Master Huang!"
"Esteemed sirs, please, this way upstairs!"
Young Master Xia doesn’t care for female companionship; he prefers listening to music. This gentleman seems even more distinguished than Young Master Xia; she certainly mustn’t neglect him. If the girls she calls displease this gentleman, she’d be courting disaster. It’s best not to offend such a wealthy and influential gentleman.
Zhao Junyao frowned.
"Find the quietest place for me!"
The madam quickly agreed.
"Of course, of course," she said as she led the way.
Soon enough, they were seated in the most luxurious private room on the top floor.
A table laden with fine wine and delicacies was served.
Zhao Junyao poured for himself, downing four or five cups in quick succession.
When one is joyful, they can often drink a thousand cups without becoming intoxicated. But when melancholic, three cups are often enough to make them stumble.
By the time he finished the fifth cup, his vision had grown hazy.
He lifted the corners of his mouth, looking at Xia Tingfeng.
"Having come to such an establishment, how can one be without beautiful companionship?"
After saying that, he turned to Li Shengan.
"Summon them. Bring in the best Courtesans this place has to offer!"
"Remember, I want the very best, the most beautiful!"
How could Li Shengan dare to disobey? He promptly affirmed his understanding.
Before long, the madam returned, leading a dozen or so girls inside.
"Esteemed sir, these young ladies are the finest we have here..."
"Come now, greet Third Master Huang..."
Having navigated these pleasure quarters for so long, her judgment of people was exceptionally sharp. She could also discern that, in Third Master Huang’s presence, even Young Master Xia was merely an attendant. Therefore, she had already thoroughly instructed the girls.
Third Master Huang was the one they absolutely had to please.
The Courtesans lined up, demure and coy, offering shy curtsies.
"Third Master Huang~"
Their voices were sweet and alluring. Any ordinary man hearing them would feel his bones turn to jelly.
Unfortunately...
Zhao Junyao was no ordinary man, and neither was Xia Tingfeng.
"Rise..." Zhao Junyao said indifferently.
He gave them but a fleeting glance before looking away.
He only sought oblivion in wine!
The girls rose shyly and skillfully drew near. Each one, with bared shoulders or suggestive décolletage, was flushed with excitement. They were all prepared to use every artifice at their disposal to captivate this gentleman.