Chapter 99 Land of Tigers and Wolves

Lin Yuesha was drinking tea when she almost choked on her laughter at the driver's words, while Jiang Baozhu blushed and looked like she wanted to disappear into the ground.

“Sister Baozhu, we’re all worldly-wise. You can’t be so petty.”

Lin Yuesha lowered her voice. At this moment, she couldn't care less about being shy. She should listen and observe more, and definitely not act like a woman.

"But... this is too explicit."

Jiang Baozhu was coy. No wonder Zhang Jing didn't come to brothels. What respectable person would come to such a filthy place!

"Once we enter the Drunken Wind Pavilion, things will get even more explicit."

Lin Yuesha shook her head indifferently. If these few sentences were considered explicit, then Jiang Baozhu would definitely faint if she heard modern raunchy jokes.

"Uncle, it seems you're a regular at Zuifenglou."

Jiang Baozhu wasn't helpful, so Lin Yuesha ignored her and continued to try to get information out of the driver.

At least with the coachman, that little bit of silver wasn't wasted; she learned quite a bit of useful information.

"We wouldn't call ourselves regulars. We're just low-class folks who often pick up and drop off guests and get to know a few pimps at Zuifeng Tower."

The courtesans at Zuifeng Tower are different from the women in the lowly brothels. They all have their own talents, and they charge several taels of silver just for drinking and listening to songs, not to mention spending the night with you.

"However, young masters, if this is your first time here, I may offer some advice."

The coachman was led to a teahouse, where Lin Yuesha ordered tea and pastries for him. The coachman was very satisfied and continued, "You should try not to have too much contact with Granny Feng of Zuifeng Tower."

Granny Feng used to be a courtesan, but as she grew old and lost her beauty, she became a nanny at the Drunken Wind Brothel. She adored young boys and virgins, and some young men who were visiting the brothel for the first time were coaxed into her bed.

The first time, I must find a beautiful woman. If I let that old woman bully me, wouldn't that be a loss?

Lin Yuesha blinked. What kind of dangerous and treacherous place was this?!

"I've come here to broaden my horizons, and I don't necessarily need to stay overnight. I just want to listen to some music."

Lin Yuesha hesitated for a moment before replying.

"The courtesans at Zuifeng Tower are quite good at singing folk songs. There used to be a Magpie and a Thrush, but I heard that neither of them have been at Zuifeng Tower recently."

The driver seemed to be deep in thought, and then shared the news he had just received.

Lin Yuesha was startled and quickly exchanged a glance with Jiang Baozhu, who nodded to her.

"Where did the magpie and the thrush go? I remember my father mentioning it once, saying that the magpie sings a good little tune."

Lin Yuesha silently apologized to Xiao Chenggui in her heart, as she had no choice but to fabricate a lie.

"The magpie sings a nice little tune, but it's not suitable for you, young master."

The driver laughed heartily, and the father and son got on together—they were really having a blast!

Magpie is already in her early twenties, old enough to be the young master's mother, but too old for her. In the past two years, many girls from the south have come to Zuifeng Tower, and no patrons have sought out Magpie anymore.

I heard that the magpie had earned enough money to redeem herself from servitude and was planning to return to a respectable life.

"What about the thrush?"

Lin Yuesha pressed for details, it seemed that the people in the town did not know that Magpie had brought her son to find Jiang Huai, the news had not yet spread.

"The day before yesterday, I met a customer who was a thrush patron. I heard that the thrush was bought by a wealthy businessman and seems to have gone elsewhere."

The driver wasn't entirely sure either; he hadn't inquired specifically and was just hearing things from others.

"Even Huamei has been redeemed?"

Lin Yuesha stroked her chin, she didn't believe there could be so many coincidences. If there were, it wouldn't have taken until now. All the coincidences happening at once might be connected.

"That's a real pity. My father also likes the girl with painted eyebrows and wants to redeem her from her servitude, but my mother won't allow it."

Lin Yuesha apologized to her parents a second time in her heart, and continued without changing her expression.

"Hua Mei had a tragic past. Her parents died early, and her elder brother and sister-in-law disliked her because she was a burden. However, they saw that she was quite pretty, so they sold her to Zuifeng Tower."

When the driver mentioned Huamei, he said a few more words. Huamei used to live in the building and often used the leftover food from the guests to feed the cats and dogs.

Perhaps because the thrush is gone, the cats and dogs no longer come to Zuifeng Tower, which is why the streets are much quieter.

Jiang Baozhu was getting anxious after finally finding out who knew the inside information, but then the person disappeared. She scratched her head, realizing she was helpless.

"If you brothers can afford it, why don't you meet the top courtesan of Zuifeng Tower, Miss Ziyuan?"

The young lady Ziyuan was eighteen years old. Although she worked at the Drunken Wind Brothel, she remained pure and untainted. Wealthy young men had already fought tooth and nail for her, and it was rumored that among her patrons was an extraordinary and powerful figure.

To see Miss Ziyuan, one not only needs money, but also needs to consider her mood; she will only grant an audience if one takes a liking to her.

The coachman described Ziyuan as a unique presence in the brothel, saying that even Granny Feng listened to her every word, keeping this money tree in check and fearing she would run away.

Lin Yuesha was curious about the quirky flower girl, but she didn't forget her business.

The purpose of coming to the brothel is to investigate the magpie; the key is to get things done with the least amount of money.

Right now, the clue of where the thrush went is very important.

The coachman knew little else, and Lin Yuesha didn't get any more useful information.

As dusk settles, the flower-lined streets are brightly lit.

As soon as Jiang Baozhu and Lin Yuesha got off the carriage, they were sneezed several times by the strong smell of perfume.

"Young masters, you'll get used to it once you become regulars on this red-light district."

The coachman chuckled twice, then turned his horse around and rode away.

"Come here, handsome young master, come to your sister!"

The courtesans stood on the second floor, teasing and throwing down purses and embroidered handkerchiefs. Some of the bolder ones ran out onto the road to intercept them.

Jiang Baozhu got goosebumps and regretted her bad idea of ​​bringing Lin Yuesha here.

Lin Yuesha kept a straight face and didn't look to the side. Soon, Hua Niang thought he was just a young boy who was just passing by out of curiosity, so she stopped bothering her.

Lin Yuesha was sweating bullets. She had already come all this way, and wasting a whole day couldn't just lead her back like this.

In the red-light district, the signboard of Zuifenglou is the largest and most eye-catching.

Even in winter, the flower girls still wear a light veil to attract customers, and occasionally, through the veil, one can vaguely see the surging waves.

Lin Yuesha looked down at herself and sighed softly.

"Are you two young masters here looking for some fun? Please come in!"

As the coachman said, when Granny Feng saw Jiang Baozhu and Lin Yuesha, her eyes lit up immediately, and she half-dragged and half-pulled them into the hall.

"Oh my, what a handsome young man!"

The courtesans seemed enthusiastic, and a group of them immediately surrounded her. Lin Yuesha felt like she was being overwhelmed by the cheap scent of cosmetics.

"Get out of the way, all of you get out of the way!"

Lin Yuesha glanced at Jiang Baozhu, who was about to faint, and had no choice but to change her strategy.

"Does the young master look down on us sisters?"

Granny Feng stood aside without intervening, but the girls were clearly dissatisfied with Lin Yuesha's actions.

Who wouldn't want to find a young, handsome young man after spending all day with an old man with yellow teeth and bad breath? These two young men are dressed in fine clothes, so they're sure to shower them with silver.