Chapter 36 Learning from the Male-Calling Clinic
A knowing glint flashed in Shen Hegui's eyes, but he didn't expose him directly. He casually propped himself up on one leg and asked in a nonchalant tone, "The mission is complete?"
Lu Wensheng nodded hurriedly, reached out to hug Chen Hegui, and planned to continue coaxing him to sleep.
Lu Wensheng maintained a fawning smile: "It's just a coincidence. I had a nightmare and was planning to call Your Highness when I woke up this morning." He felt guilty for lying to Shen Hegui.
Shen Hegui subtly avoided Lu Wensheng's arm, his mind in turmoil: "I have some things to attend to, so I won't stay with you any longer. Seeing that you really like this kind of glowing jade, I have many more here. You can take some back."
Having lost his reason, he couldn't yet allow Lu Wensheng to continue holding him without any reservations, especially on the extremely ambiguous bed.
Letting out a breath of suffocated air, Shen Hegui simply got out of bed and dressed, choosing to escape for the first time ever: "If you want to go home, I can send someone to take you. If you want to stay and continue sleeping, that's fine too. From now on, there's no need for too many considerations between us. Just be straightforward."
He paused, then added, "And you must not harm yourself."
Lu Wensheng pulled the blanket tighter around himself, forcing a cheerful tone: "I'll remember, Your Highness, you're so good to me!"
"Hmm." Shen Hegui quickened his pace as he dressed.
The door slammed shut, and Lu Wensheng whispered to Xiao Yuan, "Was my acting really that bad?" When did she give herself away?
Xiao Yuan stared intently at the countless scales, without answering.
Bright light is not good for sleep, so Lu Wensheng found the switch and pressed it, muttering to himself, "Forget it, there's no need to worry about it. It's more important to hurry up and take a nap."
She's sleeping in this comfortable bed until noon! As for that lousy class at the Hanlin Academy, skipping it once or twice is the same thing, so it doesn't matter.
The crescent moon outside the palace disappeared into the clouds.
Shen Hegui deliberately chose a windy spot to stand in, hoping to use the chill to calm himself down.
Feng Gou, holding a thick cloak, bowed and advised, "The morning breeze is too cold, Your Highness should put on a warm cloak."
Shen Hegui glanced at the blue cloak in Feng Gou's hand and suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He couldn't convince himself by just standing there, so he might as well go to the male homosexual brothel to learn from their experience.
Shen Hegui: "At this hour, the banks of the Swallow River should still be quite lively. Go and prepare some plain clothes and a mask for me, and also summon a clever-looking eunuch. I need to go to the South Wind Pavilion."
Feng Gou had previously witnessed Lu Wensheng confessing his feelings to Shen Hegui, not to mention that he had personally seen the two spending the night together in the same palace. In an instant, as if struck by lightning, Feng Gou felt his blood run cold.
He asked in a trembling voice, "Your Highness, are you really going to be with Editor Lu? You're not going to take a concubine?"
The cold wind froze Shen Hegui's fingertips red, and at the same time made him understand more clearly what he wanted: "A bunch of ordinary women, in the long run, ten of them combined are not as useful as one Lu Wensheng! When the daughters of officials marry into the royal family, their fathers think that as maternal relatives, they can actually usurp the power of the emperor. In their eyes and hearts, they have no regard for the common people, no virtue of being a mother to the world, and no feelings for me!"
Moreover, he has a monstrous prototype, which is not something everyone can accept.
"This old servant will keep Your Highness's secret." Lord Lu's face and personality are indeed likable; whether it's a blessing or a curse to have caught His Highness's eye is anyone's guess.
Shen Hegui picked up the cloak and put it on, instructing, "You stay here and wait until dawn when people wake up. Take Lu Wensheng to the animal park and teach him how to distinguish between males and females, especially the ones that have been fanned. Make sure to show him them properly."
"Yes!" Feng Gou lowered his head and mumbled twice, but ultimately said nothing more.
After leaving the front courtyard of Qianyu Palace, Shen Hegui summoned Lin Shoubai, who was on night duty, and asked him to inform the officials that the morning court session was canceled. He also instructed him that if there were any urgent matters, they should submit a memorial to be discussed in the afternoon; otherwise, minor matters could be discussed tomorrow.
...
The banks of the Yanzi River were brightly lit, and the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, along with the aroma of wine and the strong scent of perfume.
Shen Hegui discreetly entered a Nanfeng Pavilion and was led by a servant to a high-class private room called "Shushixuan".
As Shen Hegui and his attendants lifted their robes and took their seats, the owner of the hall personally led several young men of different styles into the hall one after another.
"You're very generous, sir!" He smiled and pushed the three boys from the inside forward. "These three are new here, clean and pure. If you're satisfied, you can keep them all."
Having said that, the florist waved her feather fan a couple of times in a effeminate manner and began to introduce the remaining three: "These three gentlemen, the one with the striking good looks is Liu Shang, the one with the slender waist is Bai Chen, and the one with the exceptionally beautiful hands is named Qin Lang. Qin Lang is our top courtesan, proficient in poetry, calligraphy, painting, music, and chess! Why don't you all quickly greet the new gentleman?"
"Greetings, young master!"
"May you be blessed, young master!"
"Greetings, young master!"
A few greetings rang out, some loud and some soft.
Ever since meeting the owner, Shen Hegui's disgust had never dissipated. A dignified nine-foot-tall man, yet his behavior and speech were more affected and pretentious than a woman's!
Feng Yi, the envoy beside Shen Hegui, gave him a meaningful look.
Feng Yi is Feng Gou's godson. He is handsome with a baby face, looks refined and innocent, and is also very clever.
Feng Yi placed a heavy bag of silver on the table, raised his chin slightly, and said with the arrogance unique to a wealthy family's servant: "Leave it all here. Master, you may leave. My young master does not like to be disturbed."
The shopkeeper touched the bulging silver pouch, and his face instantly lit up with a fawning smile, as if he had seen a close ancestor: "Thank you for your generous reward, sir!"
He bowed extremely low, almost kowtowing to Shen Hegui on the spot: "Rest assured! These children will certainly serve you comfortably, sir! I will now withdraw and will not disturb your enjoyment!"
As they approached the entrance, the owner, in a flamboyant manner, flicked his feather fan and shrieked at the boys, "Be smart! Serve them well!"
Even after the door was completely closed, the owner's greedy and flattering laughter seemed to still faintly echo inside.
Shen Hegui picked up the teacup, paused for a moment, and then put it down.
This place is so different from what he had imagined.
Just now on the first floor, he saw a portly man with his head on the lap of a thin male prostitute, waiting to be fed wine by mouth. Even worse, some were hiding in corners, already intertwined, with intermittent panting and suppressed breathing, as if no one else was around.
Scattered around were overturned wine glasses, fruit pits, and some unclear, foul-smelling water stains.
Under the dazzling lights, undisguised and twisted desires are so blatant that they are chilling.
Stopping his recollection, Shen Hegui suppressed his nausea and asked patiently, "Is the first floor of Nanfeng Pavilion like this every day? This area along the Yanzi River needs a thorough overhaul!"
The three newcomers shrank to the side without saying a word. Liu Shang and Bai Chen exchanged glances and then looked at the top courtesan, Qin Lang.
Qin Lang tried to ignore the oppressive feeling from Shen Hegui and said softly, "Judging from your appearance, is this your first time entering a male-oriented brothel?"
Shen Hegui's face darkened slightly, his brows furrowed, and his expression full of disdain: "Speak properly like a proper man, don't lower your voice and act like a woman."
Qin Lang: "..." I've seen weirdos before, but I've never seen one this weird. If you asked him to accompany you, isn't that just a fine young man pretending to be a delicate woman?
As the top courtesan, Qin Lang possessed remarkable composure. He quickly regained his composure, cleared his throat, and readily replied, "Young master is right. You've ordered six at once; how do you expect us to entertain you?"
Although he couldn't see the man's face, he had seen countless people and could tell with just a few glances that the young man in front of him was definitely rich and noble, and that he was a virgin. If he worked hard to become the young man's first man, he might have a chance to gain his freedom and enjoy wealth!
Qin Lang slowly walked to Shen Hegui's side, intending to lean over and sit on his lap. He was already calculating his next move.
Feng Yi was prepared. He stepped forward and coldly grabbed Qin Lang, saying, "You can stand here and serve me. My young master doesn't like outsiders getting close." Before leaving the palace, his godfather had specifically instructed him not to let any disreputable men get close to His Highness the Crown Prince.
Shen He glanced calmly at the three people huddled in the corner and asked again, "Is the first floor of Nanfeng Pavilion like this every day?"
"How would they know? It's better if I answer..." Qin Lang was unwilling to give up and wanted to continue to seduce Shen Hegui with his genitals.
"Tie up this nuisance and drag him to the outer room," Shen Hegui ordered in a deep voice, his face full of disgust and resistance.
Now, anyone with eyes could see that Shen Hegui was extremely averse to men getting close to her.
Feng Yi: "Yes, Master!"
Qin Lang: "You guys... um..." No one has ever complained that he's in the way!
Feng Yi's movements were extremely swift. He took out a handkerchief and covered Qin Lang's mouth, then tore down the curtain and tied him up tightly.
After Qin Lang was dragged away, the three people in the corner mustered up their courage and each answered Shen Hegui's question.
"It's like this every day; I've been forced to watch it for over half a month now."
"Young master, you've arrived a bit late. The real excitement begins around midnight."
“The outside is the lowest level; even dirtier deals are hidden in the private rooms of the attic. Here, men are forced into prostitution, human life is treated like dirt, and there is no law or order. Please, young master, save us! We don’t want to be prostitutes!”
Shen Hegui turned to look at Bai Chen and Liu Shang, who had remained silent throughout, and said seriously, "Were you two also forced into being homosexuals? If you tell even one lie, you won't be leaving this room tonight."
Shen Hegui's gaze was stern, filled with oppressive and scrutinizing intent.
"……yes."
"...Me too. That musician was not only the top courtesan, but also the owner's lover," Liu Shang said timidly.
Shen Hegui frowned: "Don't you have any men here who are mutually in love?"
Men seeking pleasure with other men is already against social norms and ethics. I thought this Nanfeng Pavilion would be different from a brothel, but it turns out they are the same in purpose.
The merchant mustered his courage and said, "There is one. He sold himself into this business so that he could support his mistress's education."
Shen Hegui said, "Go and bring him here. I have some questions I'd like to ask him. If the result is satisfactory, it's not impossible for me to take you away from here."
A glint flashed in Bai Chen's eyes, and he quickly added, "I also know someone who will volunteer the day after tomorrow. I'll go and call him over!"
The crane returned with its head bowed.
Seeing the two leave, Feng Yi went into the inner room, bowed, and asked, "Are we just going to let them out like this? Won't that be detrimental to our master?"
Shen Hegui got up and splashed the water in his teacup out the window, then threw the teacup far away: "What's there to be afraid of? Wouldn't it be better if it were not to our advantage!" There's no need to look for evidence; the charge of plotting to harm the crown prince alone is enough to get him into trouble.
Footsteps approached from afar, and Liu Shang and Bai Chen led their respective people into the inner room.
Bai Chen spoke first: "His name is Bi Zhu. He will definitely answer all your questions to the best of his ability!"
Shen Hegui put his hands behind his back, secretly clenching his fists, and asked in a cold voice, "How...did you convince yourself to accept having sex with a man back then?"
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Author's note: I'll try to prolong tomorrow's post and then release it earlier [covering face and peeking][hugs]
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