Murong Qinjian looked at her with a hint of sympathy in his eyes.
How pitiful—a young man of fourteen or fifteen who had never visited a brothel or enjoyed wine with courtesans.
Seeing how pitiful Yan Xiaosi was, he took out a banknote and handed it to the madam across from them, saying with grand flair: “Since this is your first time in such a place, how could I let you spend money? Today, it’s brother’s treat.”
Yan Xiaosi moved her lips, smiling somewhat stiffly.
“Thank you, Elder Brother Murong.”
Murong Qinjian beckoned to the madam and instructed: “Call Lan’er and Xiang’er over.”
Miss Lan’er and Miss Xiang’er were the top courtesans here, and the name Lanxiang Pavilion derived from them.
The banknote Murong Qinjian had just given was of no small value. Plus, it was daytime when business was slow, and both Xiang’er and Lan’er were idle in their rooms. The madam pocketed the banknote and agreed readily.
“Young masters, please follow the attendant upstairs first. I’ll immediately call Xiang’er and Lan’er to serve you.”
“Mm.”
Murong Qinjian nodded slightly, grabbed Yan Xiaosi’s sleeve, and followed the attendant up the crimson staircase to the second floor.
The two were led by the attendant into an elegantly decorated room on the second floor. Murong Qinjian ordered a table full of dishes and several pots of wine. Together with Yan Xiaosi, they ate and drank while waiting for Xiang’er and Lan’er to arrive.
Meanwhile, the madam went to notify Xiang’er and Lan’er.
Perhaps because Murong Qinjian was wealthy, had status, and was particularly good-looking, when Xiang’er and Lan’er heard that he was the guest, they both gazed into bronze mirrors, vigorously applying powder to their faces.
Yan Xiaosi took a bite of food and narrowed her eyes in enjoyment.
No wonder Murong Qinjian wanted to come here—the food was indeed excellent, at least better than many large restaurants.
As she ate, she asked Murong Qinjian indistinctly: “Elder Brother Murong, do you come here often?”
Being able to call the girls here by name so easily, he must be a regular.
Murong Qinjian tossed a peanut into his mouth, chewed it, and explained: “I do come often, but only to drink and listen to some tunes.”
For some reason, at this moment, a voice inside him was clamoring, not wanting Yan Xiaosi to think he was the sort of improper person with a chaotic lifestyle.
Yan Xiaosi’s gaze fell on his face, noting his clear eyes, red lips and fair skin, thick black hair, and robust vitality—clearly not the type of lecherous ghost.
“Mm, I also think the food here is good. Elder Brother Murong, you really know how to pick places.”
Receiving approval, Murong Qinjian happily raised his eyebrows, poured a cup of wine, and pushed it in front of Yan Xiaosi.
“The wine here is good too. Try it.”
In her previous life, Yan Xiaosi did drink—red, white, beer, all of it. But in this life, her body was too weak, and economic conditions didn’t allow it, so she hadn’t drunk. When Murong Qinjian pushed the wine cup over, a hint of wine fragrance entered her nostrils, making her inhale and feel somewhat tempted.
In her previous life, she had a good alcohol tolerance. She didn’t know how this body’s tolerance would be, but drinking just a little bit shouldn’t make her drunk.
Under Murong Qinjian’s expectant gaze, she picked up the wine cup and took a small sip.
It was somewhat spicy on the tongue, but after enduring that initial spiciness, her mouth was filled with the aroma of wine.
The wine here truly tasted good.
“How does it feel?”
Yan Xiaosi stuck out her tongue like a little dog to ease the sensation and said: “It’s quite good, but I haven’t drunk much wine before, so it feels a bit spicy on the tongue.”
Seeing her pink cheeks after drinking and the adorable way she stuck out her tongue, Murong Qinjian burst into laughter.
As the two were enjoying themselves, the door was pushed open, and Xiang’er and Lan’er entered—one carrying a pipa, the other holding a round fan, jostling each other.
Since both were top courtesans, they were sworn rivals, but upon entering the room and seeing Murong Qinjian and Yan Xiaosi, their reactions were identical.
Excitement, with eyes gleaming.
They hadn’t expected that besides Young Master Murong, there would be another young master as beautiful as a celestial being.
It’s no wonder the two top courtesans were so excited. Most clients were lecherous ghosts, either sallow-faced with turbid eyes and monkey-like features, full of lewdness, or burly with thick waists, exuding the air of butchers or nouveau riche. Clients as pleasing to the eye as Murong Qinjian and Yan Xiaosi, naturally elegant and scholarly, might not be encountered even once in several years.
“Xiang’er pays respects to Young Master Murong and Little Young Master.”
Seeing Xiang’er bow and flatter, Lan’er snorted coldly. Not to be outdone, she bowed with her round fan: “Lan’er pays respects to Young Master Murong and Little Young Master.”
Before Murong Qinjian and Yan Xiaosi could speak, the two top courtesans had already straightened up and pounced over.
One pounced beside Murong Qinjian, the other beside Yan Xiaosi.
Yan Xiaosi had just drunk wine and her mouth and nose were still adjusting when she suddenly smelled a strong scent of cosmetics, causing her to cough twice.
Looking sideways, she saw that Xiang’er, who was nestled beside her, had applied a full face of makeup. Her face was as deathly pale as a zombie, frightening Yan Xiaosi so much that her heart skipped a beat.
This… this was Lanxiang Pavilion’s top courtesan?
She couldn’t appreciate it, sorry.
“Miss Xiang’er…”
Thinking that the top courtesan’s life wasn’t easy either, Yan Xiaosi spoke in a gentle tone.
Hearing this gentle tone, Xiang’er’s heart fluttered, and she clung even more to Yan Xiaosi’s shoulder.
“Little Young Master, don’t be shy. Whatever you command, just instruct Xiang’er.”
We’re both women, what is there to be shy about?
Yan Xiaosi was getting a headache from the cosmetic scent emanating from her.
She pushed Xiang’er away in a gentlemanly manner and politely said: “It’s a bit stuffy in this room. I’m feeling hot. Please, Miss Xiang’er, step back a bit.”
Murong Qinjian observed her uncomfortable demeanor and understood completely.
He glanced at the pipa that Lan’er had set aside and casually instructed: “Lan’er, it’s been a long time since I heard you play the pipa. Play a piece.”
“Yes, Young Master Murong.”
Lan’er thought Murong Qinjian was longing for her superb pipa melodies. She rose, with a face full of smiles, took the pipa, sat on a chair nearby, and plucked the strings, preparing to play.
Xiang’er continued to stare intently at Yan Xiaosi like a fresh piece of meat.
Women are all the same. Women in the entertainment business had no choice in their circumstances and were even more pitiful. Xiang’er hadn’t done anything wrong, so Yan Xiaosi couldn’t bring herself to speak harshly and drive her away. She looked to Murong Qinjian for help.
Murong Qinjian smiled slightly. Hearing the first “zheng” sound of the pipa, he looked at Xiang’er and said: “Miss Xiang’er’s dance is graceful. Why not cooperate with Miss Lan’er and dance a piece?”
Ordinarily, Xiang’er would absolutely not collaborate with her sworn rival, but today she wanted to perform for Yan Xiaosi, so she readily agreed.
As the scent of cosmetics faded, Yan Xiaosi breathed a sigh of relief.
She drank wine with Murong Qinjian while enjoying the performance of the two top courtesans.
The sound of the pipa resonated like jade beads falling onto a plate. Xiang’er twirled to the rhythm, her dance moves captivating.
Yan Xiaosi finally understood why these two could become the trademark of Lanxiang Pavilion—they indeed had real talent. If they washed away the thick layer of makeup on their faces, perhaps they would be truly beautiful women.