Chapter 29
After waiting for a while without hearing the Queen speak, the system couldn't help but wonder: "Sister Huan, how long are you two going to play the wooden figures?"
Chu Huan was helpless: [What can I do? This is the Queen, my boss. If I interrupt her, I'll die.]
Queen: “…”
Beautiful maid: "..."
Not really, not really.
The Queen had never beaten anyone to death for speaking out, and she didn't know why Chu Huan had such a wrong impression of her.
But Chu Huan didn't know, so she couldn't give a corresponding answer to avoid revealing the truth.
"Lord Chu."
Chu Huan quickly came back to her senses: "I'm here."
The Queen found a topic she thought was acceptable: "I heard that you have been helping the Ministry of Revenue uncover a lot of bad debts these days."
Chu Hua: "Thanks to you."
[Tong'er, are you sure the Queen wants me to go to Chunfeng Tower with her, and not to settle accounts with me?]
Queen: “…”
System: [Confirmed! Sister Huan, the "Eating Melon" system gathers information based on existing facts. It won't be wrong, unless she changes her mind at the last minute.]
The Queen's heart trembled, and she suddenly changed the subject: "You must be tired from checking the accounts. Why not go somewhere nice to relax?"
Chu Huan lowered her eyebrows and said, "I will obey your Majesty."
The carriage moved forward slowly, flanked by the queen's maids and several Jinyiwei. The embroidered spring swords in their hands made passersby stay away from them.
The Queen slowed her voice, trying to speak softly, "The Emperor has mentioned to me that you were once a girl raised in seclusion, but because of the Emperor's whim, you have to rise every day at 3:00 AM to attend court in your brother's place."
Chu Huan:!
Finally I know who the smart guy is who makes her get up at three in the morning every day and go to court in the cold wind.
I thought someone came up with this bad idea, but it turned out to be the emperor.
"Now you've been transferred to the Ministry of Revenue to do such tedious and exhausting work. If you're not careful, you'll offend people. Every time I think about it, I feel so sorry for you."
The system listened for a few sentences but didn't get the point, so it turned to someone outside the scene for help: [Sister Huan, what is the Queen doing?]
Chu Hua: [This is a common tactic used by bosses. When they know you're busy but still want to assign you tasks, they start by chatting with you about family matters, building a closer relationship, and making you think you have a good relationship and are open to discussing anything.]
[When you let down your guard and can't help but complain to her, if you're not careful and say too much, she'll immediately catch you in the act, and your boss will look at you with a look that says, "You don't want anyone else to know about this, do you?"]
Can your little arms still twist your boss's thighs? Even if you're already so busy you're running around, you still have to tearfully accept the unreasonable tasks your boss gives you. You work twelve hours a day, and you won't go to work until you're off.
The system uttered in a shocked voice: [This is too much! Sister Huan, you are so miserable!]
Queen: “…”
Maid: “…”
Jinyiwei: “…”
Good guess, don’t guess again next time.
Also, system, you are just a little kid who has never seen the world. Don’t be led astray by Chu Huan!
The Queen couldn't alert the system out loud, so she could only say cryptically, "If you feel your current work is too hard, I can talk to the Emperor on your behalf."
Chu Hua smiled: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. Serving Dasheng and the people will never be tiring."
[Tong'er, see? This is the trick to talking to your boss! When your boss asks you if you're working hard, you can never give a straight answer. You have to answer nicely, or you'll never get a promotion or a raise!]
The system nodded vigorously: [Got it!]
Queen: “…”
Maid: “…”
Jinyiwei: “…”
The Queen really felt that the Emperor had given a thirteen-year-old girl too much work, and that it was a bit excessive, so she wanted to help Chu Huan.
However, after these two conversations that were quite inconsistent, she also realized that Chu Huan was unusually wary of her status as queen.
I don’t know what she has experienced in the past that makes her so wary of people who are higher in status and position than her.
In short: As long as she is still the queen, I am afraid that whatever she says will be understood by Chu Huan in a different way.
The Queen was somewhat discouraged, but she suddenly remembered the previous conversation between Chu Huan and the system, and tentatively said, "I heard that the tea at Chunfeng Tower is quite good. Sir Chu, would you like to accompany me for a cup?"
Chu Huan's eyes lit up: "I obey your command."
He appeared respectful on the outside, but inside he was screaming like crazy: [Ahhh Tonger, the main point is finally here!]
The system had waited for so long, and finally it had arrived. It screamed along with Chu Huan: [Ahhh, Sister Huan, let's eat melons together!]
Queen: “…”
Maid: “…”
Jinyiwei: “…”
There is a saying: Things resemble their owners.
It was simply designed for this one person, and it couldn't be more vivid.
Passersby who were not far enough away heard the sound but could not find the source of the sound.
When he looked again, he was surprised to see so many Jinyiwei guarding a carriage. He couldn't afford to offend them, so he ran away.
After a cup of tea, we arrived at Chunfeng Tower.
Chu Huan got off the carriage first and was about to help the queen. The beautiful maid who had been following the carriage helped the queen get off the carriage.
The queen was wearing a rose-red robe today. Yes, she was also dressed as a man.
Although her overly feminine appearance and graceful and dignified temperament made her outfit look different from anything else, everyone could see that she still respected the nature of Chunfenglou as a brothel.
No matter how much mental preparation she had done beforehand, the queen still became timid when she arrived at the door.
She is the mother of a country and should be a role model for women all over the world. Shouldn't she come to Chunfeng Tower just because she is angry with the emperor?
The smell of makeup in the building was so strong that she could smell it at the door, and it must be even worse inside. Did she really want to go into such a place?
Chu Huan lowered her head and patted the dust off her official robe, then took a step forward and walked in with confidence.
Jia Yi and Cai Gang received the emperor's order, and without changing their expressions, they carried the Embroidered Spring Sword and followed Chu Huan in.
Queen: “…”
Looking at the upright Chu Huan, and then looking at herself and the maid who had gone to the trouble of disguising themselves as men and were still timid, she always felt like a loser.
"Biyu, let's go." The queen walked inside with her head held high and her chest puffed out.
Biyu lowered her voice and said, "Yes, sir."
Four Jinyiwei armed with swords followed silently behind the two men.
As soon as they appeared at the door of Chunfeng Tower with knives in their hands and before they even entered, someone hurried over to inform the madam.
The madam panicked for a moment when she learned that the Jinyiwei were coming. The Jinyiwei had been raiding houses day and night in the past few days, causing panic among the people of the entire capital, and the business of Chunfenglou was affected.
But she was just an ordinary businessman and could not confront the Jinyiwei head-on, so she could only greet them with a smile.
"Several guests..."
The madam's eyes quickly swept across the positions of several people. She knew that the Jinyiwei were protecting those three people. She took another look and saw, huh?
Why would someone wear official robes to a brothel? Aren't they afraid of being punished or demoted? Oh, it's a woman, huh? A woman?
The last two... well, they are also women.
The madam had a very sharp eye. She could tell at a glance that Biyu's posture and position showed that she was a servant, and the one in front of Biyu was the master.
The clothes of this group of people are all made of bright and fine materials, and none of them is short of money.
"Are you two distinguished guests having tea upstairs?"
When Chu Huan came in, she had already taken a look around the lobby. There was no overly explicit flirting. They just sat there drinking tea, eating snacks, chatting, and watching the singing, dancing, and musical performances on the central stage in the lobby.
"Bring me a pot of Tieguanyin tea, two sets of tea and snacks, and call ten guys with different styles. We want guys who can play, sing, talk, be funny, and give massages. We don't want those who are cold, pretentious, flattering, or dirty."
Madam: “…” The smile on her face almost froze.
If she hadn't confirmed that she had never seen this girl come to Chunfeng Tower with her photographic memory, she would have thought she was a familiar customer.
"Alright, my two distinguished guests, please go to the third floor private room for a feast."
A young man in thin white clothes came slowly and said softly, "My two distinguished guests, please follow me."
Chu Huan left first, not to grab the first place, but she couldn't let the queen talk to the madam, right?
She came to the brothel in her official robes and walked in front, attracting most people's attention and making it difficult for people to notice the queen behind her. If the truth ever came to light, she could also protect the queen from criticism.
The Queen naturally understood, and when she went upstairs, she asked her with a smile, "Has Lord Chu been here before?"
"No." Chu Huan confessed honestly, "I read it in a storybook."
Queen: "What storybook?"
Chu Huan didn't answer immediately, but asked with her eyes: Do you really want to know?
The Queen nodded: I want to know.
Well, you forced me to do this.
Chu Huan: "'The Regent's Forced Love' contains a plot about the Regent's young wife visiting brothels. I simply adapted it slightly to make it more realistic."
Queen: “…”
Others: “…”
What practicality? Is it practical to find ten young men to serve the Empress?
Jia Yi and Cai Gang both suspected that with their abilities, which were among the best in the Pacification Division, they could perfectly block sneak attacks, assassinations, poisonings, and sieges from outside, but they might not be able to prevent Chu Huan from committing suicide on her own initiative.
You are the only one in Quan Dasheng who dares to take the queen to a brothel and order ten young men for her.
The group arrived at the third-floor box in a somewhat eerie silence: Wind and Rain Love.
This is a carefully decorated box with several paintings of flowers and plants hanging on the wall, and the screen is a landscape painting.
There is a faint and elegant scent of agarwood in the room. Agarwood has a special reason for becoming fragrant, takes a long time, and is rare in quantity. It is not one of the top-grade agarwoods but it is also very rare. Overall, it is exquisite but not vulgar.
Chu Huan dared to bet: "The Second Prince is probably also in this box."
The Queen had finished looking around and was quite satisfied with the layout, nodding slightly.
The system said: [No, it’s the Furong noodles across the street.]
Chu Huan: “…”
Queen: “…”
The two looked at each other and sent out the same tentative message: Go and take a look?
Action is better than thought! Chu Hua turned on her toes and prepared to go out for a stroll.
As soon as the door was opened, a row of young men in green, blue and white came over. When they saw the door of Fengyuqing box opened, they immediately showed Chu Huan a gentle, well-behaved or ingratiating smile.
Chu Huan silently withdrew her foot and made a gesture of invitation to the Queen.
Queen: “…” She was instantly in a dilemma.
Ten young men with different styles and body shapes but all very handsome could tell at a glance who was the one they should serve, and they all rushed to the queen's side.
"What's this gentleman's name?"
"Would you like some tea, sir?"
"Young Master, please have some refreshments."
"Sir, are you listening to music?"
It was obvious that the queen was a woman, but she kept calling him "Young Master" because she was dressed as a man.
They didn't do anything excessive, just a little passionate, and didn't even have physical contact without permission.
Since her engagement to the Emperor, who was then the Crown Prince, more than 20 years ago, the Empress has been avoiding even her own father and brothers. After her marriage, she was surrounded by maids and eunuchs, and the Embroidered Uniform Guards protected her while keeping a considerable distance from her.
This was the first time in more than 20 years that she was surrounded by so many young men, which reminded her of the time when she was young and was pursued by many young men.
The queen felt uncomfortable and stuttered inadvertently: "No, no need."
As soon as he finished speaking, his face turned red.
This is very different from the dignified, virtuous, noble and dignified Queen in the carriage.
More like a naive girl.
Chu Hua frantically poked the system: [Tong'er, is the Queen beautiful?]
System: [Beautiful!]
Gentlemen: ???
Empress?
The young masters' attention was all on the queen, not Chu Huan. Upon hearing this, they silently cast their gazes towards the beauties surrounding and serving them. Could this be the empress in the palace?
That’s right, otherwise he wouldn’t be protected by so many Jinyiwei armed with embroidered spring swords.
Thinking of this, they became even more excited.
Hello, Your Majesty. You are rich. Just a little bit of money that leaks from your fingers is enough for them to live for a long time.
"Sir, can I sing you a little Jiangnan song?"
"Do you like the sound of the piano? I can play anything."
"Sir, do you like tea art? I am the best at making tea in Chunfeng Tower."
"Young Master..."
"Young Master..."
The queen was annoyed by the constant calls of "young master". These people knew her identity and always kept to their duties, without any behavior that went beyond the rules. They just tried their best to make her happy.
She couldn't act like a queen here, nor could she let the Jinyiwei throw the person out.
After thinking for a moment, the queen said, "Come one by one."
The young men happily responded: "Yes!"
Chu Huan poured a cup of Tieguanyin tea, chose a corner a little further away to sit down and drink tea while watching the performance.
The system also watched with great interest. It could only see photos and text when it usually watched melons, but this was the first time it saw a live version of the competition between handsome men.
System: [Wow—this piano player is great! Sister Huan, what is he playing?]
Chu Hua: ["Spring Snow" uses light and lively music to depict the earth's revival as winter turns to spring.]
The system hesitantly asked: [Is this appropriate for a brothel? Shouldn't it be full of lingering affection?]
Chu Hua: [You have to be reserved the first time. You can't just fall in love right after meeting each other, right?]
The queen's face turned slightly red. This girl thought that others couldn't hear her and really didn't care at all.
If these people's attention wasn't on her, she might have known that the fact that she could make a sound without opening her mouth would have been exposed!
However... the range of hearing is fifty meters. I hope the sounds of singing, drinking and chatting everywhere in Chunfeng Tower can be drowned out.
If the emperor had not asked her to think of a way to prevent Chu Huan from going to the Xirong spies to avoid exposing the reason for the existence of the system, she would not have chosen Chunfeng Tower because of the loud and noisy places with many people.
There was a knock on the door.
The queen glanced over and the young man near the door opened it. Standing at the door was a woman in a royal blue robe.
Another woman who is not good at dressing as a man.
The woman smiled as soon as she saw it: "How can I be missing from such an interesting thing?"
Queen: “…”
Chu Hua: [Tong'er, who is this?]
System: [This is the Second Prince's Consort whom you've been dreaming of meeting.]
Chu Huan immediately stood up: [Oh huh! The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are visiting a brothel together, shouldn't they invite more people?]
"Enjoy your meal, you two. I'll go order a few more dishes."
She wanted to go out and pick out some handsome guys, and if she wanted to, she could also go to Furong Noodles across the street to see the private room that the Second Prince and his wife often used.
As a result, as soon as her butt left the seat, the Second Prince's wife made a one-handed pressing gesture: "Not busy."
Chu Huan:?
The Second Prince's Consort said, "Before I came here, I heard that you were all here. I called twenty more people, ten for each of you, to make sure no one is left behind."
She winked at Chu Huan playfully, as if to say: Don't worry, I have benefits and will not miss you.
Queen: “…” She is so filial to her mother-in-law.
Chu Huan's face froze, her toes dug into the ground, and she wanted to slip away.
She is a giant in thought and a king in words, but if she were to be served by ten handsome boys at the age of thirteen... it's not impossible.
Chu Huan raised her hand obediently: "Can I apply to be replaced with a pretty girl?" It would be even better if she could!
At that moment, the Second Prince's wife's eyes lit up like light bulbs: after confirming through eye contact, she knew that they were the same type who liked to cuddle with beautiful sisters!
Chu Huan, however, failed to receive the message. [Tong'er, why do I feel like she's looking at me with a bit of passion?]
System: [Perhaps because you are good-looking, they are planning to take you into the Second Prince's residence?]
Chu Huan gasped: [hiss——]
The Second Prince's wife was about to explain that she just thought she looked like a kindred spirit when she heard Chu Huan's next words: "Can we go tonight?"
Queen: “…”
The Second Prince's Consort: "..."
So, isn't that a bit too hasty?
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law thought Chu Huan was anxious to get close to the beautiful sister. After all, she had made similar bold remarks in the court earlier. Unexpectedly...
Chu Huan: [The Second Prince's backyard is full of beautiful women who know how to do accounting. Each one of them is an excellent labor force trained by famous families. I really want to pack them all up and send them to the Ministry of Revenue. I wonder if the Second Prince would agree.]
Queen: “…”
The Second Prince's Consort: "..."
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