Li Yan waited a while longer in the dark alley, noticing more and more people arriving at the "Piao Xiang Lou," before he walked toward the entrance.
"Sir, please hold up."
Just as he reached the door, he was stopped by the boy who had approached him earlier.
"You look unfamiliar, sir. Is it your first ti visiting our establishnt?"
The boy was all smiles, but made a hand gesture behind his back, and his companions imdiately gathered around, hands reaching for their waists.
Li Yan frowned slightly, glancing around.
The other guests were greeted respectfully by the boys, except for him.
It was indeed curious; this was a high-class place where others were dressed in splendid clothes or accompanied by servants, while Li Yan had a Duan Chen Blade at his waist and a flintlock holster concealed under his cloak, naturally arousing suspicion.
"What’s the matter?"
Li Yan gave a faint glance, "I’m from Ezhou. Are you not letting people in here?"
"Sorry."
The boy maintained his smile, "Our establishnt only serves regular custors."
Li Yan remained unperturbed, smiling as he said, "Running a business here, and you’re turning away custors? Let order so flower tea."
He then took out a five hundred tael silver note from his pocket.
The term "ordering flower tea" was brothel slang.
In so upscale establishnts, first-ti visitors need to pay a high tea fee.
In modern terms, it’s like a capital verification, screening custors.
Of course, no tea would actually cost five hundred taels; it was rely a show of strength.
"This..."
The lead boy was in a bit of a pickle after hearing this.
He was not a dedicated turtle of the brothel but soone sent to keep watch over the place.
If Li Yan knew nothing, it would be fine to turn him away. But knowing the term "ordering flower tea" ant he was either from the pugilistic world or a regular at brothels. If they turned him away and he spread rumors, "Tiger Might Hall" would be accused of breaking the rules.
With more dignitaries arriving, the boy finally gritted his teeth, "Alright, since you’re an old acquaintance (fellow traveler of the pugilistic world), we’ll show you a bit of our backing! This establishnt is supported by Weihu Hall, and today, so big shots are here. Feel free to spend, but if you try anything tricky, it ans you’re making an enemy of Tiger Might Hall!"
Li Yan grinned, "No problem, I know the tricks of the trade!"
"A distinguished guest!"
The boy cupped his hands and called out loudly inside.
It was both a welco and a warning to keep an eye on soone formidable who had arrived.
Li Yan frowned but strode through the gate.
He intended to find a chance to approach Commandery Prince Hai, but seeing the situation, he knew he had to be more discreet.
As he turned past the screen, his eyes widened.
The main courtyard had high-carved beams, with delicately designed flow paths below, quite elegant.
Behind the flowing water was a makeshift stage where an old man and a young girl were performing ballads.
Both the first and second floors had private rooms, from which the sounds of n and won drinking and having fun emitted.
"Sir."
A mature madam walked over, covering her mouth with a handkerchief as she saw Li Yan, "Is it your first ti here, young master? Do you have any acquaintance among the ladies?"
"No, could you introduce soone?"
Li Yan effortlessly engaged in conversation while scanning his surroundings.
"Of course, please follow ."
As the madam spoke, she intended to lead him toward the left wing of the first floor.
Seeing this, Li Yan frowned imdiately, "It’s too noisy up front, I prefer sowhere quieter."
He rembered that Piao Xiang Lou was a large mansion with three courtyards, and the Commandery Prince Hai had gone to the back.
"Oh dear, what a pity."
The madam appeared troubled, "The back courtyard is full today; it’s Lady Hu’s event day."
"What a coincidence!"
Li Yan clapped his hands and laughed, "I’ve also heard of Lady Hu’s unparalleled beauty and wanted to et her."
However, the madam was still unwilling and changed the subject with a smile, "Please forgive us, young master. The back courtyard truly is full, it’s full of VIPs today, and we can’t make room for anyone else. I couldn’t possibly bear the consequences..."
Just as she was speaking, a voice suddenly ca from the back, "Hahaha, Liu Aniang, you really have no eye for talent!"
Li Yan turned his head and imdiately sensed trouble.
The newcor was indeed an acquaintance.
It was Dong Cunshan from the Trigram Sect, whom he t in Chengdu.
Back then, he had rescued people from the Imperial Censor’s Mansion, and Dong Cunshan went to Chongqing for help. Although he missed the battle at the Prince Mansion, his garrison soldiers ca as tily assistance to fend off the rebellion in Chengdu.
The two hadn’t t often but had beco sworn brothers through life and death.
Before the other party could speak, Li Yan quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands and saying, "Li Cheng from Ezhou, greetings to Master Dong."
Dong Cunshan, being a shrewd person, smiled unchanged and said, "Brother Li, it’s been a long ti since we last t."
Then, looking at the madam, his face turned somber, "What’s going on?"
The madam hurriedly smiled apologetically, "Master Dong, there are no rooms in the back courtyard, this gentleman wants..."
"Such a big deal!"
Dong Cunshan snorted, "Brother Li, just co with , we’ll get so fine wine and dishes."
"Naturally, our chef’s skills are well-known to Master Dong."
The madam replied with a smile, as if nothing had just happened.
After Li Yan and the others left, the madam breathed a sigh of relief and whispered to the side, "That person’s identity doesn’t match, be careful."
The young servant at the door, also full of fear, said, "Should we check..."
"Check my ass!"
The madam cursed, "Did a donkey kick your head? Didn’t you see even Dong Cunshan from the Trigram Sect treated him with respect? If there’s really anything, just push it on the Trigram Sect, turn a blind eye, and let’s just get through tonight."
"Those young masters in a quarrel might just do sothing reckless..."
......
On the other side, Li Yan had followed Dong Cunshan to the back courtyard, entering the eastern elegant room through the turtle.
The fragrance of the elegant room was welcoming, a rosewood screen separating it from the outer world’s commotion.
Next to the zither stand sat a girl with a snake bun, her fingers brushing the Zhaowei qin producing harmonics like shattered jade falling on a plate.
"You leave, no music tonight."
Dong Cunshan waved his hand, dismissing the girl, then looked at Li Yan.
But he didn’t rush to speak, only after the turtle brought in a table full of wine and dishes did he get up to close the door, his expression solemn, "Brother, is there sothing wrong?"
"The Capital has a sinister atmosphere, it’s not good to show up."
Li Yan slightly smiled, "Turns out Brother Dong also has this hobby."
"Hahaha..."
Dong Cunshan stroked his beard and laughed, "You with your great reputation in the brothel, why make fun of ."
Saying this, he sighed, "My injuries in Chengdu hurt the ridians, though healed, my martial arts path is over, no chance to advance further, so I might as well make up for the suffering over these years."
He knew Li Yan didn’t want to talk, so he didn’t ask further.
Clearly, the battle in Chengdu not only injured the body but also the spirit.
If it were before, he would definitely want to understand which "sinister atmosphere" Li Yan referred to in the Capital.
"Let’s not ntion sad things, brother, I toast to you."
Li Yan raised his glass and clinked it with Dong Cunshan’s, then smiled, "Brother Dong, the Piaoxiang Lou is really lively tonight, which girl is doing her hair, spreading such mysterious tales."
"That girl’s surna is Hu, from Guandong."
Dong Cunshan replied, "I’ve never seen her either, just heard those who’ve seen her are entranced as if possessed, and the stories get weirder. How beautiful can she be, honestly, it’s just the tricks of the brothel, there are a few like her every year before they choose the Oiran."
"Tonight is lively because so young masters from the Capital are quarrelling, and everyone is here to watch the fun."
"The auspicious hour has arrived, Miss Hu is to erge!"
As they spoke, suddenly a turtle’s voice outside announced.
Dong Cunshan imdiately stood up and pushed open the window.
Li Yan also walked to the window to look out.
The back courtyard was designed very cleverly, with a two-story embroidered building constructed at the north, eaves flying, hanging with several painted silk lanterns, making the pagoda seem soaked in rouge, the railings carved with intertwined peonies, the paint bright, clearly well-maintained.
The east, south, and west wing rooms surrounded it, opening their doors and windows, precisely facing the embroidered building.
By the railing of the building, two maids lifted the curtain, and a red figure slowly walked out.
The girl wore a crimson embroidered silk outfit, her neckline slightly open, revealing snow-white skin, the belt at her waist adorned with silver bells, tinkling softly in the night breeze.
rely seeing this figure made many swallow subconsciously.
As she raised her delicate fingers to lift the semi-transparent veil, an incredibly beautiful face was revealed at once.
Eyebrows like distant mountains with painted green, eyes like autumn water reflecting light, lips as red as vermillion, charming without a smile.
Most importantly, there was a faint scar on her left eyebrow, not detracting from her beauty but adding a heroic touch.
All these unique qualities blended together, exuding a distinct allure.
The young masters in several wing rooms stared unblinkingly.
Li Yan, too, was fixedly watching the embroidered building.
But his gaze wasn’t on the girl, rather on the woman serving behind her with lowered head.
Another familiar face he hadn’t seen in years.
Widow Wang, who served the Divine Soul in Li Family Castle...
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