Outside Zuìhuā Tower, two lightly dressed maids stood at the entrance, welcoming guests. From time to time, groups of young masters entered together.
So this was an ancient brothel?
He stared at Zuìhuā Tower, his heart itching with curiosity. Chinese culture was vast and profound. As for this ancient tradition that had long vanished in his previous life, he had always held deep reverence for it.
Since he had the fortune to witness it firsthand, he had to explore it thoroughly—otherwise, wouldn’t he have come to this world for nothing?
But now didn’t seem like the right time. He glanced at Honglian beside him.
I’m the Young Marquis now—why should I be afraid of visiting a brothel?
Though it was still broad daylight… maybe not?
He hesitated.
Honglian had once gone undercover at Zuìhuā Tower, so she was naturally more aware than anyone of the Young Marquis’s interest in visiting brothels. Seeing him dithering like this, she gave him a thoughtful look and said, “If your body is weak, better take some time to recover.”
“…” Ji Huaian’s face darkened.
He glared at her through gritted teeth, “Who’s weak? Didn’t you see how full of energy I was this morning?”
The little maid blushed. He thought he had regained his dignity, but then she softly added, “Short stamina is still weak.”
Ji Huaian: “…”
Just as he was about to cough up blood from anger, a plump man in fine clothes spotted him and hurried over with delight.
“Young Marquis, it really is you!”
The man had a chubby figure, wore flashy clothes, and had a cheerful, round face—though his smile was slightly lewd. Ji Huaian instantly recognized him from memory.
Qian Duoduo, the youngest son of Treasurer Qian, one of the wealthiest men in Yangzhou. Even his name screamed nouveau riche.
While southern scholars liked to give themselves elegant courtesy names, this Young Master Qian fancied himself a talented gentleman and future pillar of the Empire, so he gave himself a lofty courtesy name: Dongliang (pillar).
But in truth, Qian Duoduo was just like the Young Marquis—neither good at studies nor martial arts, both a good-for-nothing and a prodigal son. However, Qian Duoduo did have one redeeming quality: he got along famously with Ji Huaian.
“So it’s Brother Dongliang, long time no see,” Ji Huaian said awkwardly.
“Young Marquis, I thought I was mistaken. Come on, today I’ll treat!” Qian Duoduo said, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward Zuìhuā Tower.
Though Ji Huaian had hesitated, once pulled by Qian Duoduo, he went along naturally. Honglian wasn’t surprised at all and followed them in.
Inside Zuìhuā Tower’s main hall, a stage occupied the center where a few flower girls in revealing clothes played instruments and danced. Around the hall, a few guests sat scattered. This story is hosted at novelping . com.
Perhaps because it was daytime, the crowd was sparse.
As soon as Qian Duoduo pulled Ji Huaian into the hall, a middle-aged woman swayed her hips and waved a handkerchief as she greeted them with a beaming smile.
It was Madam Sang, the brothel madam of Zuìhuā Tower—very familiar to the body’s original owner.
Ji Huaian observed her closely. Though she was past forty, she was still quite charming. Especially her curvy, full figure—far beyond what ordinary young girls could match.
“Young Marquis, Young Master Qian, it’s been days since you two visited. The girls have been thinking about you nonstop…” Madam Sang clung to Ji Huaian’s arm, her ample bosom pressing against his chest, making him extremely uncomfortable.
Qian Duoduo smacked Madam Sang’s perky rear and teased, “I think they’ve been missing our silver.”
“Oh, Young Master Qian, don’t say that. Come, sit down…” Madam Sang glanced at Honglian, remaining composed and all smiles as she led Ji Huaian and Qian Duoduo to a table near the stage.
“Young Marquis, it’s been days since you came.”
“Young Master Qian, we missed you so much.”
…
Just as the two sat down, a group of gorgeously dressed girls surrounded them, all trying to squeeze closer.
Qian Duoduo picked four girls. The rest pouted and left, clearly unhappy.
Soon, a table full of fine wine and food was served.
The four girls sat on either side of Ji Huaian and Qian Duoduo, enthusiastically pouring wine and serving food while they chatted and listened to music.
So this was drinking flower wine. Honestly, it wasn’t much different from getting a booth at a bar with a few girls keeping you company.
Of course, the girls here were far more forward.
The one on Ji Huaian’s left was named Chunlan, the one on his right, Qiushui. Both were beautiful and had curvy figures.
“Young Marquis, let me feed you…” Chunlan brought wine to his lips, her chest pressing heavily against him.
Not to be outdone, Qiushui clung to his other arm and rubbed up against him.
The two girls were so overly passionate that Ji Huaian felt completely on edge.
Qian Duoduo, however, was completely at ease—one hand kneading a girl’s thigh, the other wrapped around her waist, drinking wine mouth-to-mouth with her.
Wine dribbled down his chubby cheeks, making Ji Huaian feel nauseated.
“Young Marquis, let me feed you too,” Qiushui said, taking a sip of wine and leaning in to feed him mouth-to-mouth. He slapped her face gently to block her.
“Ahem…” Qiushui swallowed the wine and started coughing uncontrollably.
Hearing the question, many looked toward Madam Sang in anticipation.
Being named the courtesan queen by countless scholars, Du Niang was famous not just for her beauty but for her talents—skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, as well as poetry and song. She was truly gifted.
As the top courtesan of Zuìhuā Tower, it was difficult for ordinary patrons to even catch a glimpse of her.
Du Niang only appeared in the main hall to dance or play an instrument when she was in a good mood—a rare treat for the guests.
Wanting her company in private? That required not only a fortune in silver but also her approval.
As for spending the night… Du Niang officially only sold art, not her body—at least, that was what the brothel claimed.
Ji Huaian recalled from memory that the Young Marquis had only been received by Du Niang twice, both times after he got drunk—he had no clear memory of what happened.
That left him wondering… was the Young Marquis played?
Thinking of how he woke up on the pleasure boat two mornings ago with Du Niang lying beside him… Maybe he really did black out from drinking?
He stopped thinking about it.
“Young Master Qian, you came at the perfect time. Tonight, Zuìhuā Tower is hosting a poetry contest, with Du Niang herself as host. The winner can enter the courtesan’s chamber and discuss poetry and music with her over drinks,” Madam Sang said with a grin.
Brothels often held events to attract customers, and the poetry contest was one of the most popular among young scholars.
The hall buzzed with excitement at her words, everyone talking about the contest.
Zuìhuā Tower had clearly advertised the event. As time passed, more and more young masters arrived in groups.
By dusk, the entire main hall was packed.
Ji Huaian drank flower wine in boredom, when suddenly he caught sight of a familiar face in the corner and froze.
Sun Yu? That penniless scholar actually came to drink flower wine?
Zuìhuā Tower wasn’t cheap. Even without staying the night, just a simple meal and one girl to drink with cost several taels of silver—equal to thousands in his past life.
A broke scholar shouldn’t be able to afford this.
Zhao Xue had stolen the Jade Buddha to help him gather money to take the imperial exam in the capital. Yet here this guy was, spending it on flower wine…
Ji Huaian suddenly felt Zhao Xue’s sacrifice had been completely wasted.