Warmth rose steadily, and the spring breeze brushed past the railings.
Sunlight slipped through the cracks of the carved wooden window, creeping onto the girl’s serene sleeping face.
Su Tan furrowed her brows slightly, forcing her eyelids open.
Having stayed awake all night yesterday, she could only manage to rest for half an hour to regain some energy.
Recalling Shen Xiuwang’s terrifying demeanor—the kind that could kill with a mere flick of a finger—Su Tan shuddered and sat up abruptly with a start.
It was time to get down to business, or she might truly end up sleeping forever!
After some careful thought, she changed into a fresh dress, hastily drank half a bowl of porridge as lunch, and pushed open her door.
During the day, the brothel did not open for business. The girls either practiced the zither in their rooms or rehearsed dances in the flower hall.
Some, who had been thoroughly exhausted, could only manage to sleep for two hours to recover.
Despite the apparent tranquility inside the building, outside the main gate, the back door, and every alleyway, there were guards and burly servants lying in wait.
Attempting to escape would be like throwing an egg against a rock.
As a cash cow, Su Tan’s every move was closely monitored.
The moment she stepped out of her room, two young maidservants followed closely behind.
Han Cui, dressed in a green skirt, spoke up, “Miss, Mama Yue said you should rest well in your room to recover. You’ll need to accompany Military Governor Shen tonight.”
Su Tan hummed in acknowledgment, “I’ve rested enough.”
“Then where are you going?”
Su Tan walked lightly toward the eastern end of the building. “Last night, the Military Governor praised the Golden Osmanthus and Gorgon Fruit Water Chestnut Soup endlessly. I thought I’d make a bowl myself and present it to him tonight for his enjoyment.”
To please a man, aside from skills in bed, it was all about satisfying his appetite.
What Mama Yue taught, Su Tan naturally had to put into practice.
However, she was merely making up an excuse for convenience.
Grand Commandant Shen’s mouth was far too refined. If she actually served him the soup, he’d likely kick her and the bowl out two miles away.
Han Cui nodded repeatedly, “Then I’ll accompany you, miss.”
As she spoke, she glanced at the other maidservant in a blue skirt.
The two understood each other without words—one was responsible for surveillance, while the other reported to Mama Yue in real time.
Su Tan remained unfazed and walked into the kitchen on her own.
Fragrant Pavilion had three head chefs, each adept in Sichuan, Shandong, Cantonese, and Huaiyang cuisines.
Aside from the beauty of the girls, the delicacies were also renowned.
At the moment, the head chefs were resting, while several kitchen maids and servants were busy preparing, washing, and chopping ingredients.
“Oh, why has Miss Mei Wu come here?” Among the three, the short, plump, and round-faced Chef Chen was the most amiable.
Su Tan took a silver ingot from her sleeve and handed it to him, smiling. “Sorry to disturb your rest, Chef Chen. I’d like to make a bowl of Golden Osmanthus and Gorgon Fruit Water Chestnut Soup. May I borrow your stove?”
Last night, Military Governor Shen spent ten thousand gold to become the first guest of the courtesan, and everyone in the building was eager to climb the social ladder.
Now that Su Tan had sought him out and was generous with her money, Chef Chen accepted the silver and became even more enthusiastic.
“You’re too kind, miss. Is this for the Military Governor?”
Su Tan feigned shyness and nodded.
“You two, come and assist the miss. Be quick about it.”
In front of Han Cui, Su Tan earnestly followed Chef Chen’s instructions to learn how to make the sweet soup, engaging in casual conversation with him.
Seeing Chef Chen’s cleverness and the silver he received, others in the kitchen also gathered around to join the conversation.
When the talk turned to risqué bedroom matters, some couldn’t help but grow even more curious about Military Governor Shen’s prowess.
For a moment, the conversation flowed freely.
The maidservant in the blue skirt was named Qiu Chan. Seeing Han Cui keeping a close watch, she seized the opportunity to report to Mama Yue.
Mama Yue lay on her couch humming a tune, listening as Qiu Chan recounted the events succinctly.
“That girl Mei Wu is truly remarkable, already catching on by her second day of receiving guests.”
Qiuchan responded, “Indeed, she even asked the kitchen staff what women should eat to nourish their figures and what men should drink, like deer blood.”
The little maid blushed. Between the lines, Mei Wu seemed eager for Military Governor Shen to be utterly captivated by her.
Truly a seductress.
Mama Yue snorted, “She’s really delved deep into those barbarian bedroom remedies.”
“Never mind, it’s all trivial. These past few days, Military Governor Shen has taken quite a fancy to her. Whatever she wants to do in the brothel, just let her.”
“Just one thing: she must not be allowed to escape.”
“I understand.”
With a creak, the door closed tightly.
Mama Yue rose cheerfully, slipped behind the screen, pushed aside the bathtub, and stepped onto one of the square tiles.
A small, dark door slowly opened in the wall behind, and she twisted her plump waist to slip inside.
Downstairs in the kitchen, every maid and servant who had lent a hand received a reward from Su Tan.
The conversation grew even livelier.
“If you ask me, that thing’s vigor isn’t just built up by supplements—it’s innate.”
“Barbarians are especially gifted in that regard.”
Su Tan feigned surprise, “Really?”
An older kitchen hand spoke confidently, “Of course. I remember six or seven years ago, two barbarian merchants often came to the brothel. Each time, they left three or five girls utterly exhausted.”
Someone teased with ill intent, “You must’ve been peeking through the door crack, you rascal.”
“Get lost! How would I dare?”
The room erupted in laughter, and Su Tan had no choice but to force a slight smile.
Another long-serving old cook chimed in, “That’s right. I remember those two often asked us for deer blood to drink. Pity we people of Great Wei can’t stomach that stuff.”
Su Tan listened quietly to their bawdy talk, occasionally interjecting.
It seemed that seven years ago, barbarian merchants did frequent the brothel. Back then, she was beaten and trained every day, too terrified to look or listen closely.
It was just a shame that the girls who served those barbarian merchants either died or went mad. Each entered in full bloom, only to be carried out wrapped in straw mats, disheveled and covered in scars.
As for what Shen Xiuwang wanted her to find, she didn’t know if it was still in the brothel.
If she couldn’t find it, the fate of those girls would be her own future.
Lost in thought, Su Tan couldn’t help but shiver.
Someone snickered and asked, “Miss Mei Wu, are you looking for a bowl of fresh deer blood for Military Governor Shen?”
The implication was that she thought Shen Xiuwang was inadequate?!
How audacious.
If even a single word of this reached that man’s ears, she might as well give up struggling to survive and slit her own throat right then.
Su Tan paused slightly as she stirred the sweet soup, awkwardly covering up, “Oh, I was just wondering if women could drink it too. Military Governor Shen is so formidable, it’s hard to keep up.”
With that, she rubbed her slender waist, wearing a pained expression.
Everyone sighed in understanding, nodding as if it all made sense.
A young general who had abstained for eight years in the military ought to be vigorous and robust.
In Zhaoshan Lane of the capital, at Guiyi Teahouse.
In a private room, the “vigorous and robust” Military Governor Shen was undergoing a “joint interrogation.”
Cheng Yue, after finishing his shift at the Five-City Military Command, hadn’t even changed his clothes and dragged Qi Qingheng over from the prefectural office of the Dali Temple.
Last night’s performance had left him utterly confused.
“Shen Xiuwang, what were you thinking? Isn’t your reputation already scandalous enough?” Deputy Commander Cheng downed a cup of tea and slammed it heavily on the table.
Military Governor Shen clicked his tongue, “I said you were foolish, and you really are.”
He raised an eyebrow toward the young minister Qi on his right. “Guess—there are three reasons.”
Qi Qingheng took a leisurely bite of a tea pastry and said calmly, “Xingzhi has returned to the capital with illustrious military achievements, and his status in the court is at its peak. Naturally, this has aroused suspicion from many quarters.”
“Water that is too clear breeds no fish; similarly, the same applies to people.”
“If Xingzhi were pure-hearted, free of worldly desires, and solely dedicated to state affairs, His Majesty might suspect he has ulterior motives.”
After this roundabout explanation, Cheng Yue finally grasped the reasoning. He slapped his forehead and looked at Shen Xiuwang. “So you did it on purpose—using this matter to tarnish your own reputation.”
The image of a dashing Military Governor infatuated with a beautiful woman could indeed deflect many troubles.
One must either covet wealth or lust after beauty to avoid standing out too much in the court.
He had truly mastered the art of officialdom.
Shen Xiuwang chuckled lightly and tossed a crisp jujube into his mouth. “That’s the first reason. What about the second?”
Qi Qingheng suppressed his smile and said seriously, “The second is that you intend to secretly investigate the events of that year. Miss Mei Wu is a pawn on your chessboard.”
With eight hundred pairs of eyes fixed on Shen Xiuwang, even the slightest move would draw attention from multiple sides. It was better to use a pawn with no background or foundation to test the waters.
Hearing this, Cheng Yue furrowed his thick brows, his expression tightening. “Did the Crown Prince send assassins after you again last night?”
Shen Xiuwang lowered his eyelids and snorted. “It’s become routine.”
Cheng Yue suppressed his anger and muttered, “Damn it, he’s supposed to be a noble of imperial blood. How many years has it been, and he still holds a grudge against you? Isn’t Xu Yunshu already the Crown Princess…”
Suddenly mentioning Xu Yunshu, Qi Qingheng glared at Cheng Yue.
Cheng Yue belatedly realized his mistake and fell silent, looking sheepish.
The name Xu Yunshu was not to be mentioned in front of Shen Xiuwang.
Unexpectedly, Military Governor Shen lifted his eyelids, his expression unreadable, and scoffed. “Whether she becomes the Crown Princess or not has nothing to do with me.”
The two men across from him awkwardly laughed and steered the conversation back. Qi Qingheng asked again, “What’s the third reason?”
Young Minister Qi was highly talented, clear-minded, and could analyze the intricate interests of the court’s overt and covert sides with ease, but he couldn’t quite grasp the frivolous heart of Grand Commandant Shen.
The outspoken Cheng Yue chimed in, “Isn’t it obvious? Because Miss Mei Wu is as beautiful as a celestial maiden!”
He grabbed a piece of dried fruit from the plate, picked the most translucent and plump one, and waved it in front of them.
“See, Xiuwang has always been someone who appreciates appearances since childhood. Even when eating fruits or pastries, he picks the prettiest ones from the plate.”
Since he had chosen to tarnish his own reputation, Military Governor Shen would naturally pick the most pleasing one.
If he couldn’t even stand the sight of her, there was no need to mention anything else.
Sure enough, Shen Xiuwang curled the corner of his lips, reached out, snatched the dried fruit, and tossed it into his mouth. “Hah, Brother Cheng has grown wiser.”
“Of course.”
Cheng Yue finally managed to score a point and couldn’t help but feel smug.
Remembering the important matter, he pulled a sealed letter from his pocket.
“The Fourth Prince entrusted me to give this to you. He has been accompanying Her Majesty the Empress Dowager on a southern trip to Guangji Buddhist Temple for prayers recently. He will meet with you after returning to the capital.”
Shen Xiuwang reached out to take it. “Alright, let’s call it a day then.”
“Hey, not even inviting us for dinner?” Cheng Yue glanced at the setting sun outside the window.
Qi Qingheng tugged at him to leave. “Xiuwang still has a date with a beauty. Go back to your own residence and eat.”
Cheng Yue stood up with an awkward smile. “At least someone’s twenty-three-year virginity finally has a chance to be taken care of.”
Shen Xiuwang raised a fist. “Get lost.”
“Fine, I’m leaving. No need to be so fierce.”
“Qingheng, let’s go eat together.”
Young Minister Qi shook his head with a faint smile. “No, I still have a pile of official cases at the prefectural office.”
Cheng Yue inwardly grumbled: Fine, fine, fine. One after another, there goes the brotherhood.