Chapter 17 The "Madam" of the Brothel
Jiang Zhiyao first came to the brothel two or three years ago. At that time, the three of them were very curious about the brothel. They secretly entered the brothel under the pretext of going out of the mansion.
Their previous impressions of brothels were based on gossip and stories, so they disguised themselves before coming, but they were recognized as soon as they entered the brothel.
"Oh, it's three little girls." But unexpectedly, the boss didn't kick them out; instead, he warmly welcomed them.
They also realized that the descriptions of brothels differed from those in the storybooks.
There are not only girls here, but also male prostitutes. There are also quite a few female customers, though most of them don't use their real names when they come here.
Moreover, there are different types of brothels. This is the largest brothel in the entire capital, so naturally there are no illegal activities like those described in those stories. It's not as chaotic as you might imagine.
Jiang Zhiyao and her friends never ordered male prostitutes when they came, but they always ordered food. The food in this brothel was even better than that in restaurants.
They had been there quite a few times before, and now they easily found their way to a private room, where they ordered several singers, dancers, and food.
Although the brothel was fun, they didn't come often, firstly because the expenses were too high, and secondly because they were afraid of being recognized if they came too often.
Although coming to this brothel does not violate the law, it is not exactly a respectable thing to do, and it might give rise to gossip.
In the private room, Jiang Zhiyao and the others usually played cards with the girls they had chosen, watched dancing, and played other games.
"Madam." A familiar, gentle voice came from the doorway.
Huh? I must have misheard.
Jiang Zhiyao originally wanted to look up towards the door, but the girl beside her called out softly, "Miss."
Jiang Zhiyao had just raised her gaze when the girl pulled her back, and she lowered her head slightly to bite the pastry in the girl's hand.
"Madam." It was that voice again, but this time the call was slightly more plaintive than the previous one.
Jiang Zhiyao finally looked up and gazed towards the doorway.
!
The pastry that Jiang Zhiyao had just bitten into fell to the ground. The snow-white pastry rolled a few times, picked up some dust, and rolled to Yan Zhenxi's feet.
Through the thin veil, Yan Zhenxi could clearly see the scene before her, even spotting a tiny ring of teeth marks on the snow-white pastry.
He had actually arrived at the door a quarter of an hour earlier. He had witnessed firsthand how the girl next to him snuggled up to Jiang Zhiyao and how she coaxed Jiang Zhiyao into eating pastries.
He stood at the door for a full fifteen minutes, but Jiang Zhiyao didn't notice his arrival at all.
At this moment, Jiang Zhiyao stared at him with her watery eyes wide open. Yan Zhenxi didn't say anything more and just stood there without moving.
Jiang Zhiyao stood up somewhat flusteredly, creating distance between herself and the girl, not understanding why she suddenly felt a little guilty.
That's not right, he can't see it now either.
Thinking of this, Jiang Zhiyao pretended to be calm and sat back down.
Yan Zhenxi clenched his fists even tighter at his sides.
All he wants to do now is pull the girl next to Jiang Zhiyao away.
"Husband? What are you doing here?" Jiang Zhiyao's voice carried a distinct sense of guilt.
The entire room fell silent.
Ji Wanqing and Cheng Mingzhu, who were standing to the side, also quietly watched the people at the door.
Yan Zhenxi deliberately softened her tone, trying to sound less like a wife who had come to catch her husband who hadn't returned all night: "You didn't come back last night, so I thought I'd come to find you this morning."
I just didn't expect to find it in a brothel.
Hearing this, Jiang Zhiyao explained somewhat flusteredly, "I just arrived this morning. I stayed at Mingzhu's residence last night."
"I know."
Seeing Jiang Zhiyao looking somewhat awkward, Cheng Mingzhu couldn't stand it anymore: "What kind of tone is that when you talk to Yaoyao?"
“Didn’t you go to Chu Yu’s banquet alone the day before yesterday? You didn’t even tell us, Yao Yao. Besides, we didn’t do anything today.” Yan Zhenxi still faced Jiang Zhiyao and said gently, “I’m sorry to have disturbed Miss Cheng’s enjoyment. I’m just here to take my wife back to the manor.”
"Madam, shall we go back together now?"
Jiang Zhiyao looked at Yan Zhenxi in front of her and immediately agreed, "Okay."
Cheng Mingzhu wanted to say something more, but Ji Wanqing grabbed her hand and she closed her mouth again. It was perfectly reasonable for Yan Zhenxi to come and take Jiang Zhiyao back.
As Jiang Zhiyao walked past the girl, she took the girl's hand, who was clearly frightened by the atmosphere, and handed her a hairpin from her hair to comfort her.
Then he turned to Ji Wanqing and Cheng Mingzhu and said, "I'll head back now. You guys keep having fun. Goodbye."
Looking at Jiang Zhiyao, who seemed a little guilty and flustered but not afraid, Ji Wanqing smiled and said, "Goodbye."
On the carriage back to the mansion, Jiang Zhiyao explained to Yan Zhenxi, "I only went upstairs with them to listen to music and watch dances, and did nothing else."
“I know,” Yan Zhenxi said.
"If you mind, I won't go there again." Jiang Zhiyao lowered her eyes.
“I don’t mind.” Hearing Jiang Zhiyao’s downcast voice, Yan Zhenxi said, “It’s just that you didn’t return to the manor last night, and you went to the brothel this morning.”
"Is there anything in the household that the lady dislikes?"
Jiang Zhiyao looked up at Yan Zhenxi, whose tone was somewhat low, and felt a pang of guilt: "No..."
They returned to their residence in silence.
Jiang Zhiyao walked to the door of her dormitory and pushed it open to go in.
Just as she turned to close the door, she discovered that Yan Zhenxi had also come in.
"Huh?" Jiang Zhiyao looked at Yan Zhenxi with some surprise, then realized what she meant and said, "I'll take you to the study."
"No need, madam. I'd like to stay in your room for a while, is that alright?"
“Of course.” Jiang Zhiyao nodded.
Jiang Zhiyao pulled Yan Zhenxi's sleeve and sat down on the couch next to him.
This was Yan Zhenxi's first time entering Jiang Zhiyao's dormitory.
Unlike the cold and austere atmosphere of her study and dormitory, Jiang Zhiyao's dormitory was exceptionally warm and inviting.
The dormitory room was filled with many things, but it wasn't cluttered. On the small table on the couch, there was only a bunch of flowers woven from straw.
Jiang Zhiyao poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Yan Zhenxi.
Yan Zhenxi recalled what Cheng Mingzhu had just mentioned about attending the banquet, and he asked, "Does Madam mind that I went to the residence of Vice Minister Chu of the Ministry of War the night before last?"
Jiang Zhiyao thought for a moment before realizing he was referring to the banquet, and she immediately shook her head: "I don't mind."
Looking at Yan Zhenxi's face, which was clearly covered by an eye veil and expressionless, Jiang Zhiyao sensed that Yan Zhenxi's expression became even more blank after she finished speaking.
For some reason, Jiang Zhiyao spoke up again: "...Actually, I still mind a little."
Yan Zhenxi smiled again: "I wasn't going to anyone's banquet. That night I had something to discuss with Lord Chu and didn't know that someone was hosting a banquet at the manor."
"I understand." Jiang Zhiyao hadn't really thought anything of it, but hearing Yan Zhenxi's explanation still brought her some joy.
He tried to explain to himself, was it...?
The little voice in Jiang Zhiyao's mind suddenly shook its head, trying to shake off the unrealistic thoughts in her head.
Yan Zhenxi continued softly, "Madam, if there's anything you need to ask me next time, you can come directly to me. I don't want any misunderstandings between us."
As he spoke, he reached out and ruffled Jiang Zhiyao's hair, then casually stroked her cheek and earlobe as he put his hand down.
"Okay." Jiang Zhiyao nodded, still half-asleep from being coaxed.
Even when he returned to his study, Yan Zhenxi still had a smile on his lips.
The hand that had touched Jiang Zhiyao was now loosely clenched into a fist.
She recalled how, when she reached out her hand, Jiang Zhiyao had deliberately leaned her head forward a little, perhaps afraid that she wouldn't be able to find it.
How can she be so cute?
Yan Zhenxi could hardly contain his smile. As for the incident at the brothel today, it was only because Jiang Zhiyao misunderstood him that others had the opportunity to take advantage of him. It had nothing to do with Jiang Zhiyao.
He wasn't really sure what his feelings were for Jiang Zhiyao. If it was love, it certainly wasn't that strong, but if it was dislike, it definitely wasn't either.
That's love, isn't it? Just like some people love orchids, and some people love cats, he now loves Jiang Zhiyao.
Yan Zhenxi felt that marrying her wasn't such a bad thing; why not just be a real couple?
What are real married couples like?
-
"We should support and care for each other," Uncle Xu said.
"Supporting each other, caring for each other?" Yan Zhenxi repeated slowly, then pondered for a moment and asked, "How do you usually get along?"
Uncle Xu: "First of all, we should eat together."
"What if she doesn't want to come?" Yan Zhenxi asked.
"Then you should go and invite her yourself, and Madam will definitely come," Uncle Xu said confidently.
"I understand. What's next?"
"Secondly, you must share a bed, which is the most important thing," Uncle Xu said earnestly. "However, you and your wife should take things slowly."
"Do we have to share a room?" Yan Zhenxi asked, frowning.
He has always disliked people entering his space for extended periods, especially private places like his dormitory.
Allowing Jiang Zhiyao to freely enter and leave the study was already Yan Zhenxi's biggest concession.
Although he didn't want Jiang Zhiyao to sleep in the same bed with other people, he himself didn't want to share a bed with anyone.
However, he never imagined that one day he would be so eager to dine with someone.
"Yes." Uncle Xu nodded.
Yan Zhenxi clearly didn't take it to heart and casually asked, "What about the others?"
"The rest is about spending more time together and getting to know each other better."
"I understand, you may leave."
"Yes, sir." Uncle Xu lowered his head and retreated.
After leaving the study, Uncle Xu sighed softly. When he heard the master ask how couples should get along, he thought the master had finally figured it out.
However, he never expected that an adult would ask him questions.
He had been by Yan Zhenxi's side for many years. Yan Zhenxi had always acted like a little adult since he was a child, and he had never seen him have any clear preferences.
He always appeared friendly yet distant to everyone, and Uncle Xu once thought he would live such a cold and aloof life.
I never expected that he would treat the lady so specially now. Although he hasn't fully figured it out yet, at least there has been some progress.
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