Chapter 50 The eldest brother will naturally protect his younger sister

Meanwhile, the courtesan election downstairs has gradually begun, and the building is already packed with people, creating a lively atmosphere.

Jiang Fenghua stood by the window and looked down. "This kind of match will make Yichunlou a fortune tonight. Only places like this make money the fastest. Lin Yu, I have to admire your business acumen."

Lin Yu curled her red lips and put her arm around her waist. "The young masters of Shengjing City all like to go to this place. Of course, Yichun Pavilion will make sure that the money in their pockets is well spent and that they linger there. Everyone is just getting what they need."

As the music began, the girls made their grand entrance, each vying for attention. First, the contestants competed individually, and whoever could perform best was determined by their own abilities.

"Next, please welcome Miss Pianpian."

A young girl in red, veiled in red, descended from the sky, holding a pipa in her arms. Her alluring figure began to dance gracefully, like a blooming red peony.

Upon seeing the woman before them, the sounds inside the building abruptly ceased. Everyone stared wide-eyed at her, finding her breathtakingly beautiful.

Immediately afterwards, she lightly flicked her fingers, and a beautiful note was played. With her light and graceful dance steps, a "Pipa Music" flowed like clouds and water, melodious and lingering.

Her singing voice was beautiful, like heavenly music, and she instantly received a standing ovation.

Jiang Fenghua stared intently, her eyes shining brightly, her slender, fair fingers unconsciously tapping to the beat.

She asked, "Where did you find this graceful young lady? Her dance steps are quite unique."

Lin Yu said, "She's quite a beautiful woman. I heard that our Yichun Pavilion is organizing a courtesan competition, and she came to us herself. I think that one more person means one more source of income, and besides, I won't treat her unfairly. If she's capable, we'll split the profits fifty-fifty. Our goal is to make money, while she wants to become famous. It's a win-win situation. As for whether she can win, that depends on her ability."

"It's quite interesting, and the pipa playing is excellent," Jiang Fenghua praised.

“It’s far inferior to yours. It’s just that your current status makes it inconvenient, otherwise…” Seeing her keen interest, Lin Yu asked, “Do you want to try going on stage? If you go, our Yichun Pavilion will be famous throughout the world tonight!”

Jiang Fenghua glanced at Jiang Jinyan and said, "Is it alright? I am now the Princess Consort of Heng, and it is not appropriate for me to appear in such occasions."

Jiang Jinyan's lips curled into a doting smile, "As long as Ruan Ruan is happy, everything else can be ignored. Your older brother will protect you."

The current Yichun Pavilion is different from the old Yichun Pavilion, and it is also different from other brothels in Shengjing. The women who earn money by performing here are relatively safe, and no one forces them unless they want more.

However, times were tough, and women were treated even more harshly. More women ended up in the brothel. They were not saviors; everyone was just trying to make money and get what they needed.

He knew that his younger sister was precocious, intelligent and studious from a young age, and had a good plan for her life. She even had a plan for the person she was going to marry. Unlike other girls, she did not have fantasies about love. Her firm gaze was unfathomable.

Jiang Fenghua glanced around. Tonight, many literati and scholars, as well as sons of high-ranking officials and nobles, and even some young ladies from wealthy families had disguised themselves and sneaked in.

Guo Xiao and his gang of playboys also booked a large private room on the second floor, and even Xiao Yu was there...

She thought about it and said, "I think I'll pass."

Jiang Jinyan noticed the concern in her eyes. "What has he done to you since you married Prince Heng? You've become so timid and hesitant that I hardly recognize you anymore. Where did the confident and shrewd Jiang Fenghua go?"

“In the past, my elder brother would cover for me when I came and went from Yichun Tower, but things are different now, and I can’t act recklessly anymore,” she said calmly.

Jiang Jinyan knew she was the Princess Consort of Heng, and he also knew that Xie Shang and another woman were already engaged, but Ruan Ruan wanted to marry, and he couldn't stop her. He only hoped that his sister would be open-minded and carefree.

He had always wondered if Ruan Ruan had been in love with Prince Heng since childhood. He asked, "Ruan Ruan, I know you've always been shrewd and calculating. I hope you won't forget yourself or wrong yourself for some unworthy things or people. Remember that happiness is the most important thing. If he can't make you happy or let you be yourself, why marry him?"

Jiang Jinyan knew that she was different from other girls since she was a child. At the age of five, she had already taken the initiative to study and even planned her life and future. No one knew that everything in the Jiang family came from the hands of a little girl.

With Jiang Shaofu's meager salary, the Jiang family was barely making ends meet, yet they are now extremely wealthy.

Even if Jiang Fenghua loved singing and dancing, she dared not take the risk. She had been planning for ten years, and she absolutely could not fail.

Her elder brother wanted her to be herself, but there were many things he didn't know. If she didn't plan ahead, the Jiang family would have no place to stand in a dozen years.

Even though my eldest brother has extraordinary talent, he still has no hope for a career in government, and my second sister and brother-in-law will live in poverty.

The Jin family's business plummeted not because of their poor management, but because there were too many people who fawned over the powerful and belittled the weak.

The fourth brother went down a path of no return, and their father, the learned Jiang Shaofu, was framed and lost half his life's integrity.

What my father valued most was his uprightness and integrity throughout his life.

And all of this started because of her.

She felt there were some things she needed to prepare her eldest brother for; she couldn't let the Jiang family be caught off guard again.

“Brother, my marriage into the Heng Prince’s mansion and defeating Su Tingwan to take her place in Xie Shang’s heart is just the first step in my plan…” Jiang Fenghua said in a deep voice.

After hearing Jiang Fenghua's explanation, Jiang Jinyan also became agitated. "The position you're seeking, how do you know he'll rise to a high position in the future? Rumor has it that he's not favored by the Emperor."

"He can." Jiang Fenghua's voice was firm, not at all like a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl.

Jiang Jinyan could no longer sit still. "Ruan Ruan."

She said, "Now that you're back, brother, I must push Jiang Shaofu's eldest son to the emperor. The Jiang family has never produced a military general in generations, so they are already at a disadvantage in the court. The Su family has been in the military for generations, and they have military power, so they are already difficult to deal with. So whether you can get a place in front of Xie Shang and whether you can fight for a safe haven for our Jiang family depends on you."

Jiang Jinyan knew that only those with a voice had the right to talk about the Pure Land; otherwise, everything else was in vain. Now that they were in the game, the Jiang family had no way out.

"What does Ruan Ruan want her elder brother to do?" Jiang Jinyan asked in a deep voice.

Jiang Fenghua smiled sweetly, "Didn't my brother say he would protect me?"

Jiang Jinyan was always gentle and mild-mannered, and his smile was like a spring breeze, exuding elegance and magnanimity.

At this moment, a cold glint flashed in his obsidian-like eyes, and his handsome face was striking. "Big brother will naturally protect his sister."