Gu Chengyu looked around and found many people dressed in opulence, with even more scholars and talents present.
Among them, so gorgeously dressed girls were weaving through the guests, making coquettish gestures and occasionally letting out bell-like laughter.
After about a quarter of an hour, Madam Hua swayed her hips with a beaming smile as she ascended the high stage.
Everyone knew the night banquet was about to begin, so they voluntarily quieted down.
"Thank you all for gracing us with your presence. Today, we are having a night banquet at Tianxiang Pavilion, as you all know. I won’t say much; the rules are the sa as before. The highest bidder wins. Additionally, the one whose poem is chosen as the best tonight can spend a lovely evening with their chosen lady."
Madam Hua waved her round fan, her smile suggestive, making so of the talented participants below blush with excitent. The girls at Tianxiang Pavilion were not cheap, and spending an entire night with one was beyond the ans of an ordinary person.
The allure of choosing one’s favorite lady and spending the night without spending any money was naturally enticing to many.
Gu Chengyu found it sowhat odd. Is the first-place winner selected by everyone? Those more famous or from prestigious families indeed had an advantage. It seed difficult for a talented person of ordinary background to claim the top spot.
"Chengyu, you must give it a try! Look, so many noble sons are here today. Over there is the second son of Marquis Zhan’s Mansion, Lu Chen, and next to him is the fourth son of Anhe Marquis Mansion, Liang Shaoen."
Zhu Pang pointed to the elegant seats in the center right, introducing to Gu Chengyu the opulently dressed young masters.
Following Zhu Pang’s gaze, Gu Chengyu saw several noble young masters sitting in the central elegant seats. Two of them appeared extraordinary, and their deanor and bearing suggested good upbringing, with an inherent arrogance and confidence typical of noble sons.
Gu Chengyu observed them carefully and found that the other young masters seed to center around these two, engaging in lively discussions and laughter.
Lu Chen watched the stage below with interest; he had attended last year and had seen the scholars compete in a battle of wits, ostensibly comparing poetic talent but secretly competing to win the beauty.
After a few glances, Gu Chengyu lost interest. He had heard of Lu Chen and Liang Shaoen’s reputation. In contrast to Zhu Pang’s playboy antics, these two were considered young geniuses.
The three major Marquis Mansions and the two major Duke Mansions in the Capital owed their status to military exploits. During Emperor Jia Ren’s usurpation, the Marquis and Duke Mansions contributed significantly. To reward their loyal service, it was not excessive to grant them hereditary titles. These families were truly of wealth and status.
However, after going through two emperors, the aristocratic families’ power had diminished significantly compared to before. Otherwise, the noble sons would have been even more arrogant than they were now.
Gu Chengyu lost interest after a few more glances, though he was curious about the rules of the Tianxiang Pavilion night banquet.
"Brother Zhu, what are the rules of the Tianxiang Pavilion? How is the first place selected?"
Zhu Pang, seeing Gu Chengyu finally interested, was instantly energized. After taking a sip of tea to moisten his throat, he began to explain to Gu Chengyu.
"I’ll just tell you the important parts; the rest is more fun if you see it yourself! In a bit, a few girls will co on stage. If you fancy any, you can use Silver to have her spend the spring night with you. However, if soone else has their eye on her too, you’ll have to compete with them. Those girls are virgins, and their prices are steep."
Gu Chengyu understood imdiately. It was much like the auctions he knew in his past life; if you liked sothing, you bid for it, ensuring the owner got maximum profit. Except here, the items being auctioned were people—no, to be precise, their chastity.
Gu Chengyu felt a bit uncomfortable; auctioning them so blatantly made him imagine how these won must feel. Yet, such practices were common in the feudal dynasty. Once these girls entered the brothel, leaving was only possible if soone redeed them.
Otherwise, they’d have to serve people until they were old and sick, then be driven out by the madams.
"Isn’t it said that whoever wins the poetry contest can choose any girl without paying? What’s the deal with that?" Gu Chengyu suspected the brothel wouldn’t engage in a losing business; there had to be so profit to gain.
"The girls will co on stage first for everyone to see, then those writing poems will write, and those spending Silver will spend it. However, if both the one spending Silver and the first-place winner fancy the sa girl, the first-place winner has priority. Of course, they can only choose one, and the poem must remain in Tianxiang Pavilion."
With Zhu Pang’s explanation, Gu Chengyu understood that Tianxiang Pavilion was essentially using this opportunity to make Silver while gaining favor from noble youths and talented scholars.
Gu Chengyu had no intention of participating, but he was worried Hua Lian might appear. Since he promised to redeem her, he couldn’t go back on his word; he was always true to his word.
"Madam Hua! Enough with the chatter; let’s get started!" Soone impatiently shouted, seeing Madam Hua still monopolizing the stage.
Madam Hua was slightly plump; though it was evident she had been a beauty when younger, now aging had taken its toll, leaving little to admire compared to the fresh, lovely girls.
Gu Chengyu looked in the direction of the voice and saw a glittering treasure trove. Why say that? It was because of the gold-threaded brocade and satin adorning the man, his fingers full of golden rings, and even three Jade Pendants dangling from his waist.
It reminded Gu Chengyu of a nouveau riche from his past life, eager to display gold and silver all over. Gu Chengyu chuckled as the wealthy gentleman burst into laughter from Madam Hua’s words, revealing a big golden tooth in his mouth.
It was indeed quite the display of extravagance, Gu Chengyu thought, unaware that this gentleman would later give him a headache, making him gnash his teeth in frustration.
Madam Hua finally descended the stage, initially presenting a song and dance segnt. The dancers, with graceful figures and sowhat revealing attire, elicited cheers from so guests, heightening the atmosphere.
Lu Chen frowned, disturbed by the uncouth rchants with their bawdy language and lewd expressions, as if they had never seen a woman in all their lives.
Gu Chengyu found it unbearable; watching was one thing, but their eyes seed glued to the dancers, and so were almost drooling, displaying their ugliness. Zhu Pang, however, watched with great interest, even comnting on which girl had the softest waist or the fairest skin.
Gu Chengyu couldn’t see how Zhu Pang could keep himself composed. Frequenting the brothel, even if his father disapproved, could Zhu Pang really restrain himself with that eager deanor? Indeed, as the saying goes, eating and lusting are in human nature.
He tugged at Zhu Pang, "Wipe that drool off your chin, aren’t you embarrassed?"
Zhu Pang protested, "What man wouldn’t be excited watching this? Except maybe you... wait, don’t tell ...you prefer n?"
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