As soon as Zhou Li arrived at the entrance of Falling Blossom Pavilion, two women dressed in gaudy attire came forward to greet him.
“Oh my, Young Master, you are truly handsome.”
Watching the two women strike alluring poses, Zhou Li actually felt rather pleased.
Perhaps it was because he had just transmigrated over the past two days and had been constantly staring at Nangong Yan’er’s cold, sullen face.
Although these two women were far inferior to Nangong Yan’er in both figure and appearance, he found them far more pleasing to the eye.
“Here! This Young Master rewards you!” Zhou Li waved his hand grandly and tossed out two Mid-Grade Spirit Stones from his sleeve.
The two women caught the stones, froze for a moment, then exclaimed excitedly, “Thank you, Young Master! Thank you, Young Master!”
“Go tell your madam to prepare a first-class private room for me.” With that, Zhou Li strode inside.
“Yes, Young Master!”
Before long, a maid led Zhou Li into an elegant private room on the second floor.
From the window, he could clearly overlook the bustling scene within Falling Blossom Pavilion.
“Young Master, is this room acceptable?” the maid asked respectfully.
“Yes, not bad. This one will do.” Zhou Li nodded in satisfaction.
“Oh right. Didn’t I say to call your madam?”
Their “madam” was naturally the brothel keeper.
However, this brothel keeper had another identity as well. She was an elder of the Joyous Harmony Demonic Sect.
It could be said that from the brothel keeper down to the maids, everyone in Falling Blossom Pavilion belonged to the Joyous Harmony Demonic Sect.
The maid smiled and explained, “Madam is currently helping the courtesan prepare her makeup.”
“I see. By the way, if this Young Master wishes to meet your top courtesan, what are the requirements?” Zhou Li asked.
“Well…”
“It’s fine. This Young Master has money.”
“I’m sorry, Young Master. Our top courtesan sells only her art, not her body. To meet her, she must personally take interest first,” the maid explained apologetically.
“Very well. Then arrange a table of fine wine and delicacies for me.”
Zhou Li had not eaten all day. Although he was not particularly hungry, he felt that something was missing if he did not eat.
“Yes, Young Master.” The maid slowly retreated.
“Wait!” Zhou Li suddenly called out.
“Does Young Master have another request?” This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
Zhou Li smiled faintly and said, “Help this Young Master choose a zither. The quality does not matter.”
…
Inside Falling Blossom Pavilion, everyone was immersed in the joyful atmosphere of fine wine and exquisite dishes. Laughter and chatter filled the air.
Suddenly, petals began to fall like rain, as though a shower of blossoms had descended from above.
Red silk ribbons then danced freely in midair, like celestial maidens in graceful motion.
The guests looked up in astonishment. A beautiful woman with a graceful figure stepped lightly into the air. Every movement she made radiated charm and allure, captivating all who saw her.
This woman was the brothel keeper of Falling Blossom Pavilion and also an acting elder of the Joyous Harmony Demonic Sect.
Zhou Li sat leisurely to the side, holding a wine cup as he savored his drink.
His gaze, however, was fixed on the brothel keeper as he observed her every move.
“3rd stage Spirit Tempering Realm. Hmm… interesting,” Zhou Li murmured with a faint smile.
When the guests downstairs saw Madam Hong appear, they became excited and began shouting for Miss Xiangxiang.
“Madam Hong, we want to see Miss Xiangxiang!”
“That’s right! Hurry and let Miss Xiangxiang come out!”
The shouts rose one after another, and the scene grew lively.
Madam Hong curved her lips into a gentle smile.
“Gentlemen, please do not rush,” she said softly.
“Our Miss Xiangxiang has her rules. As always, music shall be used to make friends. Only those gentlemen who capture her interest with their zither will have the chance to enter her chamber.”
“Which gentleman would like to try first?”
The hall fell briefly silent. At that moment, a young man in a blue robe appeared at the center of the stage.
He smiled confidently. “My name is Xu Jiuying. I studied under Fairy Qianlan of Divine Melody Pavilion. I would like to offer a piece and see if it can catch Miss Xiangxiang’s discerning eye.”
“Divine Melody Pavilion?”
“That is a grand sect devoted to the art of the zither! Miss Xiangxiang will surely favor this Young Master Xu!”
Madam Hong smiled gracefully. “Since you are a talent from Divine Melody Pavilion, your zither skills must be exceptional.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a jade zither appeared before Xu Jiuying.
“The body is crafted from Cold Mountain Spirit Jade, and the strings are woven from Heavenly Silkworm Ice Thread. Truly a fine instrument,” Xu Jiuying praised.
“Since you recognize its worth, please begin your performance,” Madam Hong gestured invitingly.
“I shall make a fool of myself,” Xu Jiuying said modestly with a smile.
He slowly knelt down with elegant posture, as if merging with his surroundings.
He gently extended his fingers and carefully brushed the strings as though touching the most precious treasure.
In an instant, a crisp and melodious sound poured forth like flowing water, like heavenly music that lingered in everyone’s ears.
The beautiful melody flowed like a clear spring through the hearts of the listeners, intoxicating them completely.
As the piece progressed, a vivid scene gradually formed before their eyes.
Snow fell heavily, drifting like goose feathers across the sky, surging forward with overwhelming force.
At that breathtaking moment, a heroic young man streaked across the snow like a bolt of lightning.
Holding a long sword that shimmered with cold light, he slashed through the air in a graceful arc.
With a single strike, it was as though he had cleaved through the endless snow itself, leaving all in awe.
As the climax of the music slowly faded, the dreamlike imagery gradually dissipated.
The guests snapped back to reality, their faces filled with admiration.
“Amazing! Young Master Xu actually played such an extraordinary artistic realm!”
“This time, Young Master Xu will surely win Miss Xiangxiang’s favor!”
For a time, Falling Blossom Pavilion was drowned in praise for Xu Jiuying.
Everyone discussed his performance enthusiastically, offering endless compliments.
Yet amid this wave of admiration, two individuals stood out as completely indifferent.
In the second-floor private room, Zhou Li absentmindedly picked at his ear, seemingly unmoved by the beautiful music.
Meanwhile, in a third-floor chamber draped with dark purple gauze, a woman also looked upon Xu Jiuying’s performance with disdain.
Just as the praise for Xu Jiuying reached its peak, Zhou Li and the woman seemed to share the same thought and simultaneously said, “Tch, garbage.”
Zhou Li finished his final cup of wine and turned his gaze to a plain wooden zither beside him.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Now it is this Prince of Han’s turn…