Chapter 83: It Was Not About the Money

If they want to look, let them. There are already enough troubles as it is. I don’t mind one more. I’m numb to it anyway.

Sino Sang seemed not to care in the least.

“All right. Let’s find somewhere for you to change.”

Of course Ye Xuan would not force her to go back. If she wanted to wander around and have some fun, he would accompany her. Perhaps this could deepen the bond between them.

Very soon, Sino Sang had changed clothes. Then Ye Xuan casually combed out her hair and tied it into a man’s style, all in an instant.

Sino Sang became a handsome young gentleman.

“You go in looking like this. How many women are you planning to charm to death?”

“That’s right. I am young and beautiful.”

Sino Sang showed no humility at all, and even praised himself.

“Yes.”

Ye Xuan handed him a folding fan so he could look the part.

“Using this to act dashing is pretty good, no? Ye Xuan, do you have a lot of experience?”

“Listen to you. This is called refinement.”

“All right, I’m vulgar. Same thing, right?”

So the two of them walked side by side to this famous pleasure house.

Above the entrance hung three large words: Azure Cloud Pavilion.

So pretentious, Sino Sang thought. The sort of attitude that means a man has already taken one wife and still wants another.

“What a graceful name!”

“Mm, not bad.”

“Do you have a favorite inside?”

Sino Sang smiled at Ye Xuan. Ye Xuan turned and glanced at him.

“I’m not familiar with this place.”

“You don’t need to explain. I understand.”

Sino Sang deliberately cut him off, and Ye Xuan was nearly driven to spitting blood with frustration. This Sino Sang—there was nothing he could do about him. Thus the two of them went inside.

What they found was brilliant as daylight, full of all kinds of people. There were beauties from the western regions, women from all over the land.

In short, if one wanted attendants, there were attendants; if one wanted models, there were models. If one wanted foreign beauties, there were foreign beauties.

“This place is really thrilling!”

Sino Sang said, just about to walk further in, when Ye Xuan grabbed him by the arm.

“Stay with me.”

He had to keep a close watch on this woman, or who knew what she might do.

“Oh, at least let go of me first. Clinging to me like this, people will think we’re one of those.”

Sino Sang said.

It would make people think they were some kind of same-sex couple or something.

“Fine. But don’t run around, understand?”

Ye Xuan looked at him as he spoke. Sino Sang nodded. In truth, as a man now, he need not care so much about appearances. But Ye Xuan simply could not feel at ease.

“Two young masters, welcome, welcome. Do you have a favorite girl? We have women from every corner here. If not, the two of you may take a look around. I’m Madame.”

An old procuress came over, waving a handkerchief at them. The fragrance from it nearly made her faint.

“Do you have private rooms?”

Ye Xuan asked the procuress.

As soon as she heard that, she knew these were wealthy patrons.

“Yes, yes, of course we do.”

The place was lively enough, but truly rich customers were few. Most were just there looking for cheap amusements, with a few minor spenders among them.

“Take us there.”

The hall below was too crowded, full of all sorts of rough characters. Better to find a private room and sit awhile.

So the procuress led them upstairs and opened a room. It was nicely furnished, quiet and elegant. The people of this era were quite particular in such matters.

“Two young masters, may I ask whether you would like something to eat?”

“Of course, of course. Bring out whatever is delicious, and plenty of fine wine as well.”

She had come here to eat. She wanted to taste the food, and only then had she come.

“Yes, young master.”

The moment Sino Sang heard about food, his interest was immediately aroused.

“Bring up all of your signature dishes.”

Ye Xuan also said to the procuress. The procuress instructed the waiter beside her to prepare the food, then stood to one side watching the two of them.

“What? Is there something else?”

Sino Sang looked at her and asked.

“Do the two young masters not want any girls?”

“Girls? Ah, yes, girls. How many do you need?”

Sino Sang turned to look at Ye Xuan, and the expressions on Ye Xuan’s face and the procuress’s face were instantly at opposite extremes.

The procuress thought: truly, these are rich men. If they want some, they want several at once.

Ye Xuan, meanwhile, thought: was Sino Sang doing this on purpose to mess with him?

“How many do you need?”

Ye Xuan asked back.

Sino Sang’s mouth curved into a smile.

“Pick out a few good-looking ones. We don’t want anything too shabby.”

Sino Sang put on the air of a grand lord. The procuress nodded repeatedly and withdrew.

Before long, seven or eight girls entered together. Yet Sino Sang was nearly sick to his stomach.

“No way. Are these the pretty ones in your place?”

Sino Sang looked at the procuress and said.

The procuress looked at them and replied, “There is one more, but her price is rather high. She is the finest in the establishment and is skilled at the guqin.”

“Is this a matter of money? Is it a matter of money? Hurry and bring her over. Quickly. Let her play us a piece.”

Sino Sang slapped the table and produced a thick stack of banknotes. He was already rich enough to begin with; he did not even need the wealth of the Azure Emperor Temple.

“Yes, yes, yes.”

At once the procuress hurriedly sent the others away. Not long after, a woman came strolling in, carrying a zither.

“Two young masters, this is our finest, Ruan Qingnong.”

The procuress said with a flattering smile.

Ruan Qingnong lowered her waist in a graceful bow.

“Greetings to the two young masters.”

“No need to be so formal.”

Ye Xuan smiled.

Meanwhile, Sino Sang said, “Quickly play a few pieces for us to hear. Also, Madame, hurry and bring up the food. Food is the most important thing. If you starve me to death, I won’t pay.”

Sino Sang had truly come to eat. He was nearly starving.

“Young master, it will be here at once.”

The procuress quickly withdrew.

Soon, before Ruan Qingnong had even begun to play, the dishes were brought up.

“Wow, this is delicious!”

Sino Sang said, pulling Ye Xuan along to eat as well.

“Miss Ruan, would you like to have some too?”

Sino Sang glanced at Ruan Qingnong, who seemed rather awkward standing nearby. No doubt it was because they had been eating all this time and not paying her much mind.

“Young masters, please eat. I will pour the wine for you.”

Ruan Qingnong had, in truth, never met such customers before—ones who did not lay hands on her. When the madame called her over, she had been deeply worried, but now it seemed there had been no need. These two young masters were far more interested in the food.

The food here really was excellent. The wine, too, was intoxicating.

Sino Sang had not drunk in a long while. When he had lived in the prince’s residence, he had rarely been allowed more than a small sip at a time.

But now he could drink freely, to his heart’s content. With a cup in hand beside Ye Xuan, along with good food and music, the evening was perfect.

Ruan Qingnong truly played well, so at this hour, Sino Sang had entirely forgotten about Xuan Yuan Jue Si.

But after he had stayed there for two hours, the people of Xuan Yuan Jue Si burst in.

“Officers, officers, what brings you here?”

The madame thought she had somehow gotten into trouble and said anxiously.

“Move aside.”

Those men brushed past the madame and looked straight at Sino Sang.