Chapter Forty-Six: The Courtesan

“Second Brother Yang, you’re not so young anymore. I wonder why you haven’t married yet?” Feng Qiuji looked at Yang Siyuan, who seemed to be about twenty years old. In this era, people wed quite early, so twenty was already considered late.

“A real man should focus on his career first. Unfortunately, I’m past twenty and haven’t achieved anything of note—how could I speak of marriage?” Yang Siyuan replied with an embarrassed smile.

“You’re being too hard on yourself. Life is short, and at twenty, you needn’t demand so much of yourself.”

“You’re right, Qiuqiu. But you’re a young lady yourself—why haven’t you…”

“I lost my parents when I was a child and had no one to look after me. I’ve been wandering ever since. How could I possibly have married?” As she spoke, Feng Qiuji’s thoughts drifted again. Her ambition was to build her own harem, to gather handsome men. That was why she traveled everywhere, seeking the most beautiful men in the land to choose from.

Meanwhile, Ling Zexin was taking Anuo to a brothel.

As soon as they stepped onto the bustling street, they saw a large crowd streaming into a grand, luxurious building ahead, the air lively with excitement.

Ling Zexin was a man who loved amusement, so naturally, he was drawn to the commotion.

“Uncle Six, what is that place?” Ling Shunuo asked curiously, pointing at the lavish building.

“I have no idea.”

“Let’s go and see.” He loved a good spectacle more than anything.

“All right, tonight your Uncle Six will show you what a real event looks like,” Ling Zexin said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. At the doorway, he stopped a man and asked, “Brother, what’s going on here?”

“You don’t know? Tonight, the ‘Piaoxiang Pavilion’ is auctioning off the courtesan Miss Piaoxiang. Everyone’s going in to watch—you’d better hurry and find a good seat.” With that, the man squeezed inside.

Ling Zexin took a few steps back and realized, to his embarrassment, that this was the Piaoxiang Pavilion he frequented. In his excitement, he hadn’t recognized his usual haunt—how mortifying!

Inside the Piaoxiang Pavilion, the scene was entirely different. Nightlife in the capital was indeed rich and splendid, which was why there were so many prodigal sons like Ling Zexin.

Although the main hall was crowded, it didn’t feel cramped at all. Opposite the entrance was a large stage with seats below for the audience. On either side, spiral staircases of polished redwood, intricately carved and adorned with flowing red silk, led upward.

Even the brothels of high society were refined. Ling Shunuo couldn’t take his eyes off the young women passing by. Their skirts swayed gracefully, their movements elegant and dignified. Each smile was enough to dazzle a city, and though they worked in a place of pleasure, there was nothing vulgar about them.

He wondered just how beautiful this courtesan, Miss Piaoxiang, could be.

“Everyone, please quiet down, please…” A servant on stage was shouting himself hoarse, but his voice was completely drowned out by the din.

Anuo shook his head, pitying the poor fellow. Alas, the lack of modern technology—no microphones in this era! All that shouting for nothing, and nobody even noticed.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. Miss Piaoxiang will be out soon.” A mature beauty, still radiant in her forties, walked to the center of the stage in a flowing red gauze dress.

At her appearance, the crowd instantly fell silent, her melodious voice echoing through the hall.

With her commanding presence, it was clear this woman was the owner of Piaoxiang Pavilion. What a brothel this was—even the madam was so alluring. In her youth, she must have been famous across the land.

“Everyone, Miss Piaoxiang is here.”

As her words faded, a shower of pink petals fluttered down from above, accompanied by ethereal music. Then, a veiled woman spun gracefully onto the stage like a celestial maiden. The moment her feet touched the floor, a sweet, intoxicating fragrance spread through the air.

Miss Piaoxiang—her name could not have been more apt.

One had to admit, her lightness skill was extraordinary!

What kind of place was this brothel? Though Miss Piaoxiang was a courtesan, her beauty was enough to topple kingdoms, and her martial grace was remarkable.

She wore a sheer pink gown through which her skin, white as creamy jade, was faintly visible. The rich scent seemed to emanate from her very body, bewitching and irresistible.

The whole hall erupted in cheers.

Amid the uproar, she cast aside her outer garment, her flawless skin exposed to the air. Slowly, she removed her veil, her eyes sparkling with charm as she offered a smile that could enchant the world.

“Truly a rare beauty!” Ling Zexin craned his neck, utterly transfixed. He had seen many women, but never one so stunning.

“She’s truly beautiful.”

“Yes, I’d die happy if I could have her.”

“Too bad I don’t have the money. I’d spend everything I own for a chance.”

The crowd murmured with longing all around.

Ling Shunuo stared speechlessly at Ling Zexin’s infatuated, lustful gaze. How embarrassing—some habits just couldn’t be changed. Ling Zexin looked like he was about to start drooling.

Suddenly, the gentle sound of a guqin arose, quieting the hall once more. To the music, Miss Piaoxiang began to dance, her graceful movements sending petals—no one knew from where—swirling through the air, leaving the audience utterly entranced.

As the music ended, she bowed slightly and withdrew to the side.

—A side note—Ling Shunuo’s first experience at a brothel.