Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Liu She paused, and his expression turned odd. After a short while, he said, “Men who love the pleasures of Langlang Alley usually come from well-off families. They often have a few wives and mistresses, yet they still come here. Why do you think? It’s not because the ladies here are gorgeous. It’s because they have talents.”
In ancient times, there were not many women who could read and speak well. A girl who was good with words and could understand people was even rarer.
Many men did not have much in common with their wives at home, and they could hardly hold a conversation with them. Therefore, they visited Langlang Alley to find a close female friend in the brothels who they could have fun chatting about literary works with.
Liu She thought this was reasonable, but when he had told Gu Min that, she had rebutted him.
“Mother was such an insightful lady,” Jiang Pengji agreed.
“If that’s the case, I guess Langlang Alley’s atmosphere is much quieter. Why aren’t we headed there?”
“You like excitement, and I don’t think you would like it there,” Liu She replied.
Jiang Pengji: “…”
Buding Bushi Buding: “Your dad understands you. I’m giving your father a Like.”
Xiyan: “Eh, the host’s dad is still quite cute. Whenever they interact, there’s this peaceful feeling. Especially when her dad teases her. I can tell that the host has no energy to roast him.”
Zhaozhao Mumu: “Hahaha! She has finally met her match!”
Nao: “Wooaahhh…. I’ll bet a chili that the host’s thoughts right now is definitely ‘sh*t'”
Liu She picked a place called Yingchun Lou that was much bigger and had more guests.
Liu She had left Hejian County for many years. Though no one remembered what he looked like, he was dressed elegantly and wore an intricately made leather cloak, so he was easy to spot in a crowd.
The female brothel keeper noticed him and eagerly stepped forward to welcome them. Jiang Pengji could not help but be reminded of the slave trader.
“Please enter.”
The keeper waved a handkerchief that had fragrance wafting from it. Liu She frowned and took a step back, dodging the keeper’s purposeful hand.
“Find your brothel’s most beautiful girls and give us a private room. Don’t be too noisy.”
Liu She’s cold expression let the keeper know that he was not here for fun. Then she noticed Jiang Pengji.
She gave smiled radiantly when she realized that the Jiang Pengji was the one who was here for the girls.
“Don’t worry. Everyone knows that our girls are the best. Our young Langjun here will have lots of fun.”
The keeper turned around and yelled to a skinny girl dressed in green to show the two guests to a private room.
The brothel keeper looked to be around thirty years old. In that era, she was considered a middle-aged woman. As she walked away, she had a grace that no younger woman could mimic. Jiang Pengji could not tear her eyes away from the keeper.
Liu She bowed his head as he studied Jiang Pengji. Something was not right.
Jiang Pengji opened her sandalwood fan and used it to cover her face. Her eyes were curved up like crescent moons from her smile.
“That keeper… The way she walks made me think of a word: ‘Sashay.'”
Liu She’s lips twitched before giving in and humming an agreement.
He still felt like something was really not right.
“Please follow me.” The girl in green looked to be around ten years old, but she seemed more mature because she had worked at the brothel for many years.
There was lots of incessant chatter and other sounds that made Jiang Pengji frown. She quietly tried to suppress her senses and felt marginally better.
The private room was not small. When the girl in green pushed open the doors, a simple yet elegant sight greeted them.
“A beautiful private room. Please prepare some light vegetables and two bottles of rice wine,” Jiang Pengji ordered as she studied the room. She sat in front of a square table and leaned her body against a side table. Her posture was relaxed, and she looked like she was enjoying herself. “By the way, do you have any girls who can sing?”
Buding Bushi Buding: “Bet a chili that the host is definitely a veteran at this. Look at her father’s face. That hopeless expression.”
That viewer had accurately described Liu She’s thoughts. After seeing his daughter behave as though she knew what she was doing, he panicked. Was she already a frequent customer at this brothel?
Liu She’s peace was broken.
Jiang Pengji noticed Liu She’s expression and guessed his thoughts. She flipped a cup over on the table and poured herself some tea.
“Father, don’t think too much. This is my first time here.”
Liu She: “…”
A cover-up only makes matters worse!
Before they could talk about it, someone outside the doors announced that the girls had arrived.
“Enter!” Jiang Pengji replied generously.
At her reply, the doors opened to reveal two 17-year-old girls. They were clad in beautiful clothes that were made from expensive fabric. Behind them, there were four other girls carrying musical instruments.
The first two walked straight towards Liu She and Jiang Pengji. One was charming and sweet, while the other was bright and bubbly. The other four were solemn and went to sit in a corner of the room.
Host V: “Do you guys want any songs?”
In a split second, the screen was filled with indecent song titles.
Jiang Pengji glanced at one of the titles and turned to the other four girls. “Do you know how to sing the ‘Shibamo’?”
“Pu—”
Liu She lost his composure and sprayed out half a mouthful of tea.
The four girls looked toward one another as their faces turned red.
Even though it was a place of pleasure, the girls were not accustomed to seeing men like Jiang Pengji and Liu She. They looked like honest men. Jiang Pengji was still young, and Liu She was in his prime and oozed manliness. Just looking at them caused the girls to blush.
Singing such an indecent song in front of them felt wrong and shameful.
“Go serve him. I don’t need anyone.” Liu She quickly regained himself and tidied his appearance. He was still grimacing.
He was sure that this was definitely not the first time his daughter had visited a brothel. He felt that he had failed as a father because he had not provided her with proper guidance.