That night!
In a restaurant in Liangling City.
The Female Emperor Ji Qianxue looked at the two poems Xue Ying had brought back, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
She had read these two poems no less than twenty times, yet each reading brought a different sensation.
Especially the “Ode to the Goddess of Luo.”
The literary depth and cultural richness contained within it were beyond even her comprehension.
It was truly written too well—it would not be an exaggeration to call it the best piece of writing she had ever read.
Yet these two works came from a man notorious as a profligate, a man known for his lack of learning and skill.
How could anyone believe this!
Therefore, there was only one possible explanation: Chen Fan was no profligate at all!
Instead, he was a prodigiously talented scholar!
A peerless genius whose two poems alone could overshadow all the scholars of the world for three hundred years!
His reputation as a profligate was merely a facade.
But if he possessed such extraordinary talent, coupled with the backing of the Guogong Mansion, why would he pretend?
Moreover, what did he mean by saying, “Only when he left the Guogong Mansion was he truly himself”?
As she pondered, Ji Qianxue grew increasingly curious about Chen Fan.
“Xue Ying, where is he now?”
“He is with that courtesan named Lian Yue…” Xue Ying hesitated slightly.
Hearing this, Ji Qianxue’s expression suddenly changed. Her brows furrowed tightly, and a surge of anger rose within her.
Chen Fan was originally her man.
Yet now, he was with a brothel woman…
“Issue the decree! Order the raid of all brothels within the borders! No one, whether official or commoner, is permitted to engage with courtesans! Violators will be conscripted into the army!”
Ji Qianxue suddenly declared coldly.
Hearing this, Xue Ying was taken aback.
“Female Emperor! This…”
“Do I need to repeat myself?” Ji Qianxue said coldly.
“Your subordinate will carry it out immediately!” Xue Ying hurriedly replied.
Ji Qianxue watched Xue Ying leave, her heart still burning with rage as she tightly clenched the papers in her hand.
Only after a long while did she smooth out the papers and begin reading them once more.
The next morning, at dawn.
In the Qingyin Pavilion’s backyard, inside Lian Yue’s room.
Lian Yue had woken up early, but she did not rise immediately. Instead, she carefully shifted her body, gazing intently at Chen Fan beside her.
A smile unique to a young girl in moments of happiness graced her face.
Last night.
At first, she had been truly afraid and nervous.
Although she had never experienced intimacy before, living in a place of pleasure, she had heard tales of the pain of a first night.
But Chen Fan had been incredibly gentle, so gentle that it allowed her to experience an unprecedented sense of beauty.
Most importantly, Chen Fan had promised to redeem her, take her as a concubine, and give her a proper status.
Even though it was only as a concubine, she was fully content.
After all, despite her talents, she was still a woman from the world of pleasure—this was the best outcome she could hope for.
Moreover, she felt she had truly fallen for Chen Fan.
Just like in the romantic tales, where a courtesan and a dashing scholar meet, their connection beginning with talent and deepening with character. And besides, Chen Fan was also exceptionally handsome, elegant as jade.
“You’re awake?”
At that moment, Chen Fan slowly opened his eyes, looking gently at Lian Yue in his arms, her lips curved in a smile.
“Yes!”
Lian Yue nodded softly, her eyes unwilling to look away, always gazing affectionately at Chen Fan.
“Why didn’t you wake me?” Chen Fan asked.
“I wanted to look at you a little longer,” Lian Yue replied.
Hearing this, Chen Fan smiled slightly, “Afraid I’ll leave?”
“Yes!” Lian Yue nodded.
“Don’t worry, I said I’d help you buy your freedom, and I definitely will. I won’t go back on my word!”
Chen Fan spoke softly, gently brushing away the stray hairs on Lian Yue’s face.
“Yes! I believe you!”
Lian Yue nodded lightly, nestling further into Chen Fan’s embrace, burying herself completely in his arms.
Chen Fan actually disliked using public resources for private purposes, but Lian Yue was truly too beautiful and too gentle—he genuinely liked her very much.
Moreover, Lian Yue was so obedient and well-behaved at this moment.
So, he could only be a little selfish.
But just as Chen Fan was about to embrace Lian Yue, there suddenly came urgent knocking at the door.
“Lian Yue!”
“Lian Yue! Get up quickly! The authorities are coming to raid our Qingyin Pavilion!”
Hearing the voice, Lian Yue and Chen Fan suddenly sat up straight.
The authorities were coming to raid Qingyin Pavilion!
What was going on?
But they didn’t dare delay, hurriedly getting up, dressing, and stepping out of the room.
Outside, chaos had erupted—everyone was frantically packing things away.
Seeing Chen Fan come out, Xiao Ke and Xiao Ai hurriedly ran to his side, their faces filled with fear.
The brothel madam was directing in a flustered panic.
“Madam! What’s happening?” Lian Yue quickly stepped forward to ask.
“I don’t know why either! Early this morning, Liu Dudu sent someone to tell me that by the Female Emperor’s decree, all brothels are to be raided.
From now on, no one is allowed to frequent brothels—violators will be conscripted into the army! He told me to hide quickly!” the madam said with a grim expression.
Hearing this, not only Lian Yue but even Chen Fan looked astonished. Why would such a decree banning brothel visits be suddenly issued out of nowhere?
“Madam! What should we do next?”
“The officials will be here soon to raid Qingyin Pavilion. If we delay any longer, even I won’t be able to protect myself! How can I possibly take care of you all? You’re on your own now!”
As she spoke, the madam hurriedly directed the servants to carry away her silver and valuables.
“What about my deed of sale?” Lian Yue pressed urgently.
“Take it! Take it! I’m returning them all to you! From now on, you’re on your own—don’t say you’ve ever met me!”
The madam tossed out a box, no longer concerned about Lian Yue or the others. She directed the servants, took her silver and valuables, and hurriedly slipped out through the back door.
If she waited for the officials to arrive, all her silver and treasures would be lost!
Seeing this, Lian Yue looked utterly at a loss.
At that moment, Chen Fan stepped forward. “Lian Yue, come with me!”
Hearing this, Lian Yue’s expression changed suddenly, but she soon nodded earnestly, “Yes! Wait for me to pack a few things!”
With that, Lian Yue hurriedly ran into the room and soon came out carrying a small box. “Chen Fan, let’s go!”
Without hesitation, Chen Fan led Lian Yue away through the back door.
Soon, they arrived at a small street stall and had breakfast, though Lian Yue’s face was still filled with worry, and she frequently avoided the gazes of passersby.
“Lian Yue, don’t worry. The authorities are only raiding Qingyin Pavilion—it has nothing to do with you.”
“Yes!”
Lian Yue nodded. “Chen Fan, why do you think the authorities suddenly want to raid all the brothels?”
“I don’t know either, but perhaps someone from the brothels in the capital offended the one in the imperial court!” Chen Fan said.
“But what does this have to do with our Jinling? Shutting down all the brothels at once—what will my many sisters do to survive?” Lian Yue worried.
“This…”
Chen Fan suddenly found himself at a loss for words. After all, this was a feudal society in another world, where women had no substantial job opportunities aside from serving as maids or attendants in wealthy households.
But which wealthy family would take in a group of women from brothels? Even if the master agreed, the mistress would not.
Yet Chen Fan seemed to think of something, his expression suddenly changing. So many women, what if…
Thinking this, his eyes suddenly lit up.
“Let them all follow me!”