Ye Jiu helped him put on the veil next to him, "Cover it up a bit, so that some people won't get restless."
With his view blocked, Yun Jia carefully hooked his hand around hers. Ye Jiu noticed his little action and naturally squeezed his hand back, enveloping it in her palm.
Yun Jia's lips curled up. No matter how many times Ye Jiu did this, he liked it. It was a favoritism, an exception, and something unique to him.
Most of the time, Yun Jia is alone, while Ye Jiu is surrounded by many people who keep her busy every day. He can't keep up with her, so he just waits quietly at home.
She would bring him snacks and small gifts, and he would give her a big hug. She would kiss him tenderly and say, "Let's get married in a few more years."
All of this gave Yun Jia an immense sense of security.
A gentle spring breeze caressed her face, and Ye Jiu squinted her eyes in enjoyment. "The weather is so nice. The peach blossoms will probably be in bloom soon."
Yun Jia squeezed her hand. "Yes, we can go for a spring outing in the countryside then."
——
The next morning, Ye Jiu was called away by Xu Yinzhu. Before leaving, she told Yun Jia to eat well and then left with Xu Yinzhu.
Yun Jia closed her eyes. It was really hard not to be jealous of her friends... even though she and he should have been the closest people to each other.
Xu Yinzhu called Ye Jiu away for two reasons: firstly, the shop was about to launch new products, and she wanted to take her to see them, and also have a get-together with her good friend for a few drinks.
Investing in the shop greatly improved her relationship with Xu Yinzhu. The two were practically sisters, even closer than Xu Yinzhu was to Ye Jiu than to her sister.
Secondly, a new brothel called Yihong Courtyard had just opened in the city. Xu Yinzhu thought that since it was full of women who were not yet married, she would go and broaden their horizons.
After finishing their meal with Xu Yinzhu, she suggested going to Yihong Courtyard. Ye Jiu, who didn't know what Yihong Courtyard was, just thought it was a place that sold cosmetics and powder. Thinking she could buy some for Yun Jia, she nodded and followed Xu Yinzhu.
It wasn't until she stood beneath the "Yihong Courtyard" plaque, surrounded by beautiful courtesans, that she realized this was... a brothel.
The rouge and powder on the faces of the court musicians made them look even more beautiful. As they entered the building, more court musicians peeked out. Some covered their mouths with handkerchiefs and smiled shyly, while others approached them directly and asked, "What kind of guests do you like? Do you think I'm suitable?"
Ye Jiu and Xu Yinzhu were surrounded by men for a long time before the madam finally arrived. The madam was old, but one could still vaguely see the beauty of her youth in her eyes. She didn't wear heavy makeup, just a light touch of rouge, and wore a large red flower in her hair to show her status.
He first bowed in greeting, and the men who had been surrounding Ye Jiu and Xu Yinzhu scattered like birds and beasts, and suddenly it became quiet.
The madam slowly began, "Sir, I'm truly sorry. Our shop is newly opened and we're very busy. We haven't been able to provide the best service. How about I offer you a pot of wine as a gift?"
Although she was surrounded by men, Ye Jiu didn't suffer any loss. She was happy to get a free pot of wine, so she nodded and accepted the compensation.
The madam beckoned, and two servants came up. "Sir, shall we go upstairs to a private room first? I'll introduce them to you as we walk."
Ye Jiu followed the madam. Xu Yinzhu was still immersed in the pleasures of the brothel and whispered to Ye Jiu, "No wonder so many people linger in the pleasure quarters, it really is beautiful."
Ye Jiu chuckled and shook her head. "But they're after the money in your pocket."
As expected, Xu Yinzhu's smile froze after she said that. After hesitating for a long time, she gritted her teeth and said, "It's not impossible to come once in a while."
Ye Jiu was overjoyed upon hearing this, "Wow, this miserly guy can actually pluck feathers?! That's truly rare."
"You dare say you don't enjoy it? Now I understand why so many people frequent brothels."
Ye Jiu laughed when she thought about it. She had been talking about going to male model shops for years, but it turned out that her first visit was in ancient times.
The men here are considered beautiful when they are thin, and they are all frail and delicate. She could only regretfully give up the big, muscular mother and first snuggle into the arms of the little puppy.
As soon as they entered the private room, the madam closed the door. "Sir, would you like to listen to music and watch a dance, or..."
Ye Jiu immediately understood what he hadn't finished saying and waved her hand repeatedly, "Just call a few people to listen to the music, forget about the others."
Xu Yinzhu hooked her arm around her neck and teased, "Why are you pretending now? Don't you want to try it out?"
Ye Jiu pushed her hand away, "Just look at it, we'll talk about the rest later."
Ye Jiu only had the desire but not the courage. She could only look and that was enough. She would find it dirty to actually touch him, especially since medical conditions were not good now. If she contracted a sexually transmitted disease, she would be really finished.
She advised Xu Yinzhu, "Just take a look and that's enough. If your mother knew you came to this place, she'd break your legs."
Xu Yinzhu sighed and said, "That's true. It's better not to offend my mother. Let's just listen to the music. It's a nice thing to see so many handsome men playing the zither and singing."
The madam immediately made arrangements, and before long, four men entered the private room, each carrying a musical instrument and bowing.
The leader spoke first, "Sir, my name is Xiaofeng." Then he introduced them one by one, "This is Xiaohua, this is Xiaoxue, and this is Xiaoyue."
After finishing his introduction, he knelt on the prayer mat and asked, "Sir, what would you like to hear?"
Ye Jiu waved her hand dismissively, "Whatever, it's fine."
It even felt a bit like an emperor choosing his concubines, which was kind of fun.
The four women were all exceptionally beautiful, their delicate hands plucking the strings of their instruments. Ye Jiu watched, mesmerized. Their faces, figures, and hands were all superb; no wonder they were named "Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon."
Xu Yinzhu, needless to say, had never even touched a man's hand in her entire life, and stared wide-eyed, "Ye Jiu, now I suddenly understand why I wanted to marry a husband."
Xu Yinzhu used to think that marrying a husband would mean another mouth to feed, and the monthly expenses would be much higher with one more person. In particular, men would buy clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, and so on, which would cost money. When her mother tried to find a match for her, she deliberately offended all the matchmakers. Now, it's hard to find many people in the entire capital who are willing to help her find a match.
Now Xu Yinzhu finally understands what she missed before.
Seeing her change, Ye Jiu mocked her, "You've offended all the matchmakers, let's see who would still want to marry you, hahaha, you might as well just live with your money."
Xu Yinzhu didn't care at all, saying, "Money makes the world go round. I have plenty of money, and there will always be matchmakers who can be persuaded."
Ye Jiu clicked her tongue, realizing she had forgotten about it. But if the matchmaker really made an outrageous demand, she wondered if she would still be willing, hahaha.
Ye Jiu didn't voice her true feelings to discourage her; since there was nothing else to do today, she might as well enjoy it.
Xiao Feng listened intently to their conversation and immediately realized that they were probably all unmarried women. His mind began to wander; if it weren't for the pressures of life, who would want to stay in this place forever?
If someone could redeem him...
He glanced up cautiously at Ye Jiu, and their eyes met unexpectedly. Xiao Feng immediately lowered his head to cover his shy and timid face. This girl was so beautiful, if he could marry her... he would accept being a servant.
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