Shuyu Pavilion, the grandest and most upscale brothel in Jinling City, stood tall with unrivaled splendor. Its name was renowned far and wide, a place of extravagant indulgence, and a paradise countless men longed to visit at least once in their lifetime.
Stepping into Shuyu Pavilion was like entering a dreamlike realm. The interior sparkled with gold and jade, lavish carvings and ornate decorations filling the space with dazzling opulence. But what truly captivated attention were the women.
They were as beautiful as celestial maidens, each one blooming like a flower, exuding irresistible charm. Their graceful figures moved like flowing water, and their stunning faces seemed to have stepped out of a painting. Their skin was as smooth and radiant as mutton-fat jade, their curved eyebrows resembled distant mountains shrouded in mist, and their eyes twinkled like starlight. Every smile and glance carried boundless allure, entrancing all who looked upon them.
From the moment Shen Lang entered, he wished he had a few extra pairs of eyes to feast on the beauty around him. He didn’t even bother pretending to be modest.
Jiang Shangxian said proudly, “What did I tell you? This place guarantees satisfaction. You won’t leave disappointed.” He pointed at a group of female musicians and drooled, saying, “Look at them! Every one of these women is gorgeous and talented. Even those playing music could charm countless men if taken outside. This place offers every delight life has to offer.”
As he spoke, a stunning woman in her late twenties, dressed in richly embroidered silk, gracefully swayed her soft, boneless waist and stepped in front of Jiang Shangxian. She performed a graceful curtsey and greeted, “It’s been so long, Your Highness. I thought you’d already forgotten about this place.”
“Fuer, I missed you terribly. Come, let me hold you,” Jiang Shangxian said, eyes narrowing in delight as he pulled the woman into his arms.
She let out a soft, enchanting murmur and half-resisted as she leaned against his broad chest. “Your Highness, please behave~” she said flirtatiously, then coyly slipped out of his arms.
With a curious smile, she asked, “Your Highness, who is this? Such a handsome young man. I don’t believe I’ve seen him before. Is this his first time here?”
Shen Lang remained silent. Jiang Shangxian introduced him, “This is my sworn brother. I brought him today to experience the scene. Fuer, go arrange things for him, and make sure he has a great time.”
“Same arrangement as usual?” Fuer asked, twirling her fan playfully.
Jiang Shangxian nodded, then leaned close and whispered a few words into her ear. Fuer glanced at Shen Lang curiously after hearing it and quickly covered half her face with the fan, as if trying to stifle a laugh.
The sight annoyed Shen Lang. His hand drifted to the hilt of his dagger, gripping it behind his back.
Jiang Shangxian urged, “Alright Fuer, go on and arrange it. Don’t keep my brother waiting.”
Fuer waved her fan and said, “Your Highness, the rules of Shuyu Pavilion are clear. We can find a girl for him, and she’ll definitely be beautiful. But whether they spend the night together depends on his charm. After all, our girls sell their art, not their bodies—unless they’re willing.”
“Hurry up then.” Jiang Shangxian pulled two gold ingots, each worth 10 taels, from his storage ring. “Also, bring two pots of fine wine and some side dishes. Make sure my brother is treated well.”
Fuer accepted the gold with a joyful smile. “Of course. Your Highness, you and the young lord may go bathe and change first. Then wait in the Junyue Pavilion. She’ll arrive shortly.”
Once she left, Jiang Shangxian clapped Shen Lang on the shoulder and laughed, “How was that, brother? Did I arrange everything well? Today, don’t worry about anything. Just enjoy yourself to the fullest. I’ll cover all the expenses.” Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping.com.
Shen Lang scoffed, “Your Highness, don’t you have any shame? Technically, the money you’re spending is mine. Can you at least ask the person whose money you’re using how he feels about it?”
Jiang Shangxian grinned, “Why split hairs between brothers?”
He rubbed Shen Lang’s shoulders as they walked up to the second floor. “Stick with me, and there’ll be plenty more days like this. Come, let’s take a bath first. A girl will give us a massage soon, and I’ll make sure you get something even better after. It’s my way of thanking you for all your help lately.”
Shen Lang pushed off the hand resting on his shoulder and asked suspiciously, “What did you whisper to that madam just now?”
Jiang Shangxian squinted and said, “I told her you’re still a virgin, so she’d take better care of you.”
“F*ck!” Shen Lang immediately turned to leave without another word.
But before he could take a step, Jiang Shangxian tugged on the cape over his shoulder. “What are you doing, brother? Where are you going?”
Shen Lang snapped, “Who the hell are you calling a virgin? I hate it when people say that! A friend like you? I’d rather not have!”
Jiang Shangxian looked baffled. “How is that an insult? I was doing it for your benefit. According to the rules here, if a man is still a virgin, the chances of him scoring are much higher. I was just creating an opportunity for you.”
Shen Lang shot back, “Since when is being a virgin something to brag about?”
“It shows you’re clean and self-disciplined, right? Girls see that and are easily intrigued. They might want to try something new.”
Shen Lang sneered, “We’re in a brothel, and you’re talking about clean and self-disciplined? Isn’t that a contradiction?”
“Alright, alright. I can’t win with you. Let’s go. Fun comes first.”
Jiang Shangxian pushed Shen Lang into a bathhouse.
Half an hour later, both of them lounged comfortably in silk robes in a private room within Junyue Pavilion, sipping fine wine and enjoying delicacies.
Two scantily dressed, stunning young women knelt at their feet, giving them foot massages.
Jiang Shangxian stretched and groaned contentedly, “Ah, it’s been so long since I’ve enjoyed this. Brother, how are you feeling?” Get faster updates on g.com.
Shen Lang replied, “Not bad. Better than I expected.”
Jiang Shangxian laughed, “You’re just being stubborn with your words.”
He shifted his bulky frame into a more comfortable position, stretched out on the bed, and said no more, fully enjoying the massage.
After the foot therapy, Jiang Shangxian ordered two back oil massages. While waiting for the change of attendants, he suddenly asked, “Brother, what do you think our Great Chu’s chances are if we go to full-scale war with the Great Yan Empire?”
Shen Lang, lying on his stomach, closed his eyes and said, “You know I don’t like discussing national affairs while resting. I’ve already handled those assassins from Qingyi Tower for you. Don’t even think about assigning me another mission for the next two weeks.”
Jiang Shangxian chuckled, “It was just a casual question. What else am I supposed to talk about? Can’t exactly start telling vulgar jokes, right?”
Shen Lang turned his head and said, “If no third party intervenes, even if Great Chu defeats Great Yan, our own losses will be massive. We might not recover for decades. In my opinion, it’s best not to fight now. The timing isn’t right.”
Jiang Shangxian frowned, “That’s what puzzles me. Our Great Chu is clearly stronger than Great Yan. We have more people, ten times the resources. So why do we always fall short?”
Shen Lang answered, “Because our national power isn’t being focused where it matters. Our resources are scattered, uncoordinated. Like a loose pile of sand—how can that win a war?”
Jiang Shangxian’s interest was piqued. “Then tell me, how do we unite it all?”
Shen Lang smiled, “Let’s say East Street sells tables and North Street sells chairs. If someone wants both, they have to run to two different places. But if you sell both in one shop, it’s easier for the buyer, and you free up another shop for something else. That’s resource coordination. If Great Chu can do that, I don’t believe our military would lose to Great Yan.”
“Would that alone be enough to defeat Great Yan?”
“You’re dreaming. That’s just the foundation.”
“What else?” Jiang Shangxian pressed eagerly.
He wanted to see whether Shen Lang truly had talent. If he did, then Jiang Mengxuan would have someone capable at her side, someone who could share her burdens.
But Shen Lang seemed to sense something and asked directly, “Your Highness, aren’t you asking too many questions? Didn’t we come here to have fun? Why are you bringing all this up now?”