Mingshen forbade his younger siblings from opening the curtains of the carriage while Gu Ying navigated the horses into the narrower alleys. To get to Hong Nian Niang’s secret sect headquarters, they had to take a non-scenic route. Yihao might be alright with seeing what happened in the back alley. He was already of marriageable age. However, Anji was still a child. It would be inappropriate to expose a minor to those types of activities, although inevitable in the long run.
Even without looking outside, Anji had a feeling they were entering the red light district. It’s no surprise because Hong Niang Niang was known to run a series of highly successful brothels. Her second brother was not subtle about his flamboyance either, an influence from working in such areas. If anything, he fit right in as one of these brothel managers alongside Hong Nian Niang’s many husbands after several years working in the shadows.
The sound of music and laughter outside, right before the carriage stopped, told Anji they were here. It was early in the evening, and Anji was surprised at how early they worked. However, her surprise did not stop there.
After getting out of the carriage, the sll of delicious food filled the air and tempted them, even though Anji did not need to eat as frequently.
Instead of a brothel she was expecting, Anji stood in front of a very famous entertainnt house that had amazing chefs, skilled musicians, acrobatic dance performances and privately operated gambling dens. There was also an opium smoking den among other shadier forms of entertainnt, but this place was known not to discriminate against gender, occupation or age as long as they carried a heavy coin purse.
Red Palace was the establishnt’s na. In all of Chang’an, they were the only building painted in bright red that could be viewed from even the palace’s main gates. It was even taller than the temple and was always brightly lit, no matter the hour. Ever since its construction completion, the Red Palace has beco an iconic landmark of the capital city. Rumours that it was a private investnt by the Noble Consort Liu Guiya floated around the streets. However, nobody dared confirm who the backer of this place was. After all, they contributed greatly to the taxes and helped the needy.
The more Anji looked at this Red Palace, the more impressed she was. To call it a Palace right in front of an actual Palace without incurring imperial wrath and using the Noble Consort’s na without retribution must be really sothing. Hong Nian Niang and her second brother must have had ties in the palace to be able to pull off such a bold move. It was very eye-catching but also an excellent cover in Anji’s opinion. With their network and influence, it was possible for Mingshen to move undercover as an informant.
"We will be staying here for most of the part. I’ll show you the rest of the businesses after settling so administrative matters. Please stick close to Lizi while you’re here and do not leave the Red Palace premises without an escort."
Yihao waved his older brother off and was imdiately captivated by the huge spit boar roasting over an open stove as part of the cooking show. Lizi held Anji’s hand and escorted the child from the carriage. Nobody spared them a glance at first, but Mingshen summoned servants left and right with flicks of his fan and gestures.
Within minutes, a dedicated servant manager was at Yihao and Anji’s beck and call. He introduced himself as a temporary manager while Mingshen busied himself and gave them both intricately carved red jade tokens.
"These are Red Palace Tokens reserved for the special guests. Everything within this building is on the owner’s tab, so feel free to get anything you want during your stay. I’ll show you to your rooms and give you a tour after the luggage has been brought in. This way, please!"
Although he was already salivating at the huge boar roasting over a huge open stove, Yihao swallowed hard and tore his gaze away. They had to be professional while they were here. Back at the Celestial Dragon Sect, he promised his mother that he would protect Anji and remain by her side at all tis and listen to his older brother, who knew more about society than even his father. As soone who respected the strong, Yihao agreed not to cause trouble or fight with Mingshen when it ca to business in the capital city.
The Red Palace had many floors and hidden rooms. Even without her second sight, Anji could tell there were many hidden experts based on her control of energy. However, she did not expose them. Apart from becoming an entertainnt hub and pleasure house, the Red Palace seed to also be a double eting place for the unsavoury and the jianghu experts. These people must already know the real owner was the Vermillion Bird Sect Leader and not Noble Consort Liu. The room manager assigned to serve them must be unaware of the other side of this business. Hence, Anji followed silently and observed as the pulley attendants lowered the vertical platform using a rope and lever pulley system.
"Please step onto this platform, it will take you to the top floor and private rooms. As there is a weight limit for safety issues, I will et you there separately."
A moving platform for guests? Although Anji had seen this used in the Mystical Qilin Sect, it was an uncommon invention to be used inside a building for people using the traditional thod. Most tis, people only used this pulley rope system for fetching well water. Her brother must have tried his best to implent the conveniences of technology from the Mystical Qilin Sect only to rember non-cultivators cannot activate talismans and modified the chanisms to suit everyone.
As the pulley had to be manually operated, Anji and winced when the platform dipped significantly after Yihao stepped onto it. Ordinarily, the four labourers tasked to turn the pulley cog would suffice. However, Yihao was a cultivator whose muscles were as dense as steel. His hulking fra was a disguise for his true weight. In reality, they must have already exceeded the weight limit because even after four more labourers rushed to assist, the platform moved at a crippling slow pace.
Taking pity on them, Anji discreetly cast a weight-lightening spell so that they would not injure themselves transporting them all the way up.
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