Chapter 273 What a great place!

Song Zhimian and her party entered Yangzhou City.

The prefect of Yangzhou was also waiting at the city gate early in the morning to welcome them. Almost all the prominent people in Yangzhou came.

Song Zhimian and the others did not get out of the car until they entered the garden residence arranged by the Yangzhou prefect.

The prefect of Yangzhou dared not neglect the three men in the slightest and waited respectfully outside.

The prefect of Yangzhou did not leave until someone from Princess Shou Kang's entourage came out and said that the princess and her entourage had only come to inspect the charity hall and had nothing else to do.

Inspecting charity organizations, huh? Then go ahead and inspect them!

Anyway, they are not afraid of being investigated. The charitable halls in Yangzhou are just like those in Suzhou, with dedicated people to support them. Moreover, the children in the charitable halls can learn whatever they want.

Charitable organizations that have the means to support children who want to study will provide them with the necessary education.

Those who want to learn a craft or work can find opportunities through various workshops and merchants.

In short, the children from the charity school will definitely be able to support themselves after they leave. In fact, if they are diligent, they may even be able to start their own families and establish their own households in the future!

The prefect of Yangzhou was very confident that the charitable institutions in Yangzhou would surely satisfy the three noblemen.

At the same time, he also sent someone to Suzhou to inquire. The three nobles in Suzhou were just inspecting the charity halls and chatting with the local nobles about everyday matters.

After returning home, the prefect of Yangzhou immediately instructed his family to make arrangements.

After the three distinguished guests have inspected and perfected the hall, we must take the families of the local nobles and gentry of Yangzhou to pay them a proper visit.

Those three noblemen are all people who can speak to His Majesty.

...

Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin continued to do the same things as in Suzhou: those who needed to go to the charity hall went to the charity hall, and those who needed to go to Chun Bu Wan went to Chun Bu Wan.

Song Zhimian continued to interact with the local merchants and workshops, just as she had done in Suzhou.

After touring the workshops in Yangzhou, Song Zhimian secretly admired them.

Yangzhou's prosperity is no less than that of Suzhou or Nanjing.

In some places, Yangzhou was even more prosperous.

After two days of each person busy with their own tasks, the three of them finally finished what they needed to do.

"What should we do next?" Song Zhimian asked softly.

Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin both chuckled.

"Let's go to a brothel!" Princess Shou Kang raised an eyebrow at Song Zhimin.

“Let’s go to a teahouse!” Princess Yongxin winked at Song Zhimin.

Song Zhimin was secretly delighted, but she still pretended to be a little embarrassed, "This... isn't that a bit inappropriate! What's so interesting about visiting a brothel and a teahouse!"

"The Wan Hua Lou (Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion) must select this year's most beautiful courtesan!" Princess Shou Kang immediately declared.

Song Zhimian's eyes lit up. Choosing the top courtesan would definitely allow her to see the most beautiful woman in the Wan Hua Lou.

"The tea master must be selected in the next two days!" Princess Yongxin whispered.

Song Zhimian's eyes shone even brighter.

The selection of the tea master in Chunbuwan means that she can drink the best tea brewed by the best tea ladies or tea gentlemen in Yangzhou.

"Moreover, the owner of Yangzhou Chunbuwan told me that there are many tea gentlemen participating in the selection of Yangzhou Chunbuwan this time!"

"Each of them has a handsome and refined appearance!" Princess Yongxin added two more sentences.

"Then we definitely have to go check it out! The teahouse is where we can get more information."

"We can't waste such a good opportunity. Maybe we can learn more from it!" Song Zhimian said immediately.

Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin both chuckled.

They both knew that no one dislikes looking at beautiful women.

It's not just men who enjoy looking at beautiful women; women enjoy it too.

...

Two days later, Song Zhimian went to Wanhua Tower with Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin.

Today is the day for Wan Hua Lou to select its top courtesan. From the morning onwards, the entrance of Wan Hua Lou has been crowded with people and carriages from various families.

People who run small businesses came specifically to support Wanhualou, and others came from out of town because of its reputation.

In short, the most bustling place in Yangzhou today is Wanhua Tower.

Princess Shou Kang had already contacted the female manager of Wan Hua Lou using a token given to her by Ye Yun Shu. The female manager arranged for the three of them to have the best seats at Wan Hua Lou to watch the selection of the courtesan queen.

Song Zhimian followed Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin into Wanhua Tower through the back door, and was also served by the manager of Wanhua Tower before entering the private room.

Those who had been waiting in the Wan Hua Lou to see the selection of the courtesan were somewhat surprised.

The room directly opposite the courtesan's performance was never opened before, but today...

Looks like we have some important guests here!

Everyone was more energetic. The most beautiful courtesan in Wan Hua Lou is chosen every three years, and almost every one of the five who make it to the final selection is an absolute beauty.

No wonder that private room, which isn't usually open, was already occupied; it must be some distinguished person who came because of its reputation...

...

Song Zhimian was a little astonished when she looked at the private room she was in.

Luxurious and exquisite, everything in the room is unique, even the candlesticks are carved from a single piece of jade.

Everything the three of them had access to was said to be unique.

Song Zhimian had seen many fine things in the palace, but the luxurious and exquisite room in Wanhua Tower still broadened her horizons.

"This building is said to be at least 150 years old, and it was supposedly built by the most skilled craftsman in Da Yu in the past."

My older sister told me that this building in Wanhualou is very safe, and as long as you don't want to go out, this building is the safest.

"It's impossible for anyone else to come in!" Princess Shou Kang was still introducing the two of them.

Song Zhimian and Princess Yongxin both nodded vigorously.

Yes, yes, Princess Shou Kang is right. Everything in Wan Hua Lou is the best.

The two of them are now quite eager to see the selection of the most beautiful courtesan.

Soon, the manager of Wan Hua Lou was already standing on the selection platform announcing the process for choosing the top courtesan.

The selection of the most beautiful courtesan at Wanhua Tower consists of five steps.

Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and beauty!

Everyone knows about the four arts: music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. As for "Yan," it's obviously about looks.

The contestants will be scored five times, and the woman with the highest score in the last five categories will be the queen of the day.

As for the people who give the scores...

The manager of Wan Hua Lou has already begun the introduction.

There were renowned nobles and gentry from Yangzhou, well-read scholars and literati, dashing young men from various families, and...

Um, Song Zhimian rubbed her eyes and glanced at the several exquisitely made-up women outside.

The female owner of the most famous silk and rouge shops in Yangzhou!

"The women in Wan Hua Lou are all unfortunate women. Although they are all exceptionally beautiful and talented, Wan Hua Lou is a place where they sell their art but not their bodies."

When a woman reaches a suitable age, or when she meets a man she likes, and the brothel finds him suitable after investigating her, it will allow her to leave with him.

And those two female shopkeepers are also people of some standing in Yangzhou.

"The two of them mainly judge whether these women's makeup and demeanor are up to standard," Princess Shou Kang explained further.

Song Zhimian and Princess Yongxin both looked at Princess Shoukang without saying a word.

Feeling embarrassed by their stares, Princess Shoukang quickly offered another explanation.

"I heard it from others, and I knew it a little earlier than you guys."

"Well, actually, the brothels not far away select their best male prodigies the same way; they all do it this way."

Song Zhimian, Princess Yongxin...

"When will the selection of that Zhu Kui be held?" Princess Yongxin asked in a low voice.

Just as Princess Shou Kang was about to answer, a zither melody suddenly sounded from outside.

The selection of the most beautiful courtesan has begun!