Chapter 296 Rattle Drum
Yangzhou was a very wealthy city and also the county with the least flood damage.
Qin Jinzhi and Yuecheng took advantage of the moonlight to board the dock in Yangzhou and saw that the streets were brightly lit and there was no sign of disaster.
Yuecheng, wearing a cap, stood next to Qin Jinzhi with her arms crossed.
"How come Yangzhou doesn't seem to have any disaster situation at all?"
Qin Jinzhi walked forward, "Then let's take a look around."
Yuecheng followed Qin Jinzhi and toured around Yangzhou.
Street vendors were hawking their wares, and Yuecheng walked over to one of the stalls and picked up a tiger-head rattle drum.
He turned it around, clearly enjoying it, and asked, "How much is this?"
The vendor immediately said, "Sir, this is ten coins."
Yuecheng wandered around again, then took out some money and threw it to the vendor.
"I want it."
As Qin Jinzhi turned around, a small tiger head appeared before her eyes.
Yuecheng grinned. "So, do you like it?"
Qin Jinzhi glanced at the rattle drum, then at Yuecheng.
Yuecheng shoved the rattle drum into Qin Jinzhi's hands, "What else do you like? I'll buy it for you!"
Just then, a toddler's voice rang out, "Daddy, sugar figurine."
Yuecheng heard the sound and looked over, only to see an old craftsman blowing sugar figurines.
His face lit up with joy, and he walked over again.
He returned shortly afterward, carrying a sugar figurine of a tiger's head.
He shoved it into Qin Jinzhi's hand.
"eat!"
Qin Jinzhi holds a sugar figurine in her left hand and a rattle drum in her right.
Before she could speak, Yuecheng plunged into a small stall surrounded by a group of children.
This time, Qin Jinzhi knew what he was buying.
Pine nut candy.
Yuecheng stood in front of Qin Jinzhi and said, "What are you standing there for? Eat up."
Qin Jinzhi blinked, looking at Yuecheng speechlessly, and stuffed the sugar figurine into her mouth.
It's so sweet!
Moon City felt like it had discovered a new continent.
The two walked for a while, and Yuecheng's hands were full of children's toys.
After searching for a long time, no one was found among the disaster victims.
The two then went to Pan Ge, the largest restaurant in Yangzhou, for a meal.
Pan Ge is built by the water. If there hadn't been a flood, you could see all sorts of flower boats there now.
Looking at the brightly lit Yangzhou, Yuecheng thought, "Yangzhou is worlds apart from Suzhou."
Qin Jinzhi stood by the window. "Yangzhou is wealthy. It's a gathering place for salt merchants from the Huai River region, so it's naturally incomparable to Suzhou."
Salt merchants were arguably the wealthiest businessmen.
Their wealth rivaled that of royalty.
Yangzhou is also the most famous place for brothels.
This remained true even after several dynasties.
The most famous of these was the Yangzhou Slender Horse.
The girl was sold into a brothel when she was young.
They were divided into three levels after receiving specialized training.
The higher-class girls were trained as daughters of noble families and then sold to high-ranking officials and nobles as concubines.
Those of average means were sold to wealthy merchants as concubines.
The lower-class were sold to small merchants as concubines.
Those who were not chosen would remain in the brothel to serve customers.
These so-called "thin horses" can be bought and sold, or given away to others; their lives are entirely in the hands of others.
Supply cannot meet demand.
The first stop for the abducted women was Yangzhou.
Those that are not selected will be sold elsewhere through transshipment.
Yuecheng, seeing Qin Jinzhi deep in thought, said, "Get some rest. We still need to meet up with Si Sha tomorrow."
Qin Jinzhi looked up and saw the moon being obscured by dark clouds, then closed the window.
She walked to the bedside and saw the rattle drum that Yuecheng had bought. She picked it up and shook it gently twice.
Then place it under your pillow.
The next day, Qin Jinzhi and Yuecheng searched the city for the marks left by the Four Killers.
The final mark appeared at Yangzhou's largest brothel.
Yihong Courtyard.
As Qin Jinzhi led Yuecheng inside, they were immediately greeted by a strong scent of perfume.
The hall was a veritable paradise of wine and meat.
The two had just stood still when a voice rang out.
"This young master looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time visiting the brothel?"
A woman who looked like a madam swept a silk handkerchief across Qin Jinzhi's face.
Qin Jinzhi curled one corner of her mouth and said, "Find your best private room and have your top courtesan from Yihong Courtyard come and keep you company."
As he spoke, he tossed a gold ingot into the madam's hand.
The madam beamed with delight, "Young master, you are truly fortunate! I will arrange for Yuxiang to accompany you. And this young master beside you?"
Qin Jinzhi glanced at Yuecheng, her smile widening. "My brother has been strictly controlled since childhood and has never been with a woman. I'll find him two gentle and affectionate ones."
Yuecheng's eyes widened. "Junior sister, you've got me into trouble!"
The madam smiled even more broadly, "Leave it to me."
She turned around and called out, "Luyi, Lunong, come and greet the two young masters."
Qin Jinzhi was led upstairs.
Yuecheng followed behind Qin Jinzhi, surrounded by two women dressed in the same green shirt.
"I can walk by myself!"
"Young master, don't be shy!"
Yuecheng shook off the two and quickly caught up with Qin Jinzhi.
Once inside the private room, the madam quickly arranged a table of food and drinks.
The two courtesans kept lunging at the Moon City God.
Yuecheng ripped off her cap, revealing red hair and red eyebrows.
The two women's expressions immediately changed, and they became much more obedient.
At this moment, the madam led in a woman dressed in a pink silk dress with her shoulders half-exposed.
"This humble servant is Yuxiang, greetings to the young master."
The madam, having seen a bit of the world, was only momentarily surprised by Yuecheng's appearance.
"Young master, let Yuxiang keep you company. If you need anything, just call me."
Qin Jinzhi waved her hand, and the madam left.
Yu Xiang sat down next to Qin Jinzhi, her face slightly flushed.
Qin Jinzhi was tall and slender, and had practiced martial arts for many years.
And then there's her face.
Dressing in men's clothing doesn't look out of place at all; on the contrary, it gives off a dashing vibe.
Yu Xiang poured wine for Qin Jinzhi, saying, "May I ask your honorable name, young master? I am skilled in playing pipa tunes and can help you relieve your boredom."
Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "Then let's play a little tune."
She smiled, and the two women, Lu Yi and Lu Nong, also felt a little shy.
It felt as if frost was rising around Yuecheng, when Yuxiang walked to the back and picked up the pipa.
The two of them sat down next to Qin Jinzhi.
He massaged her shoulders while pouring her wine.
Yu Xiang's soft, sweet voice rang out, carrying the unique charm of a woman from Jiangnan.
The more she sang, the softer her voice became.
In the end, all three of them collapsed onto the table.
Yuecheng walked up to Qin Jinzhi and snorted, "I've spoiled you for nothing!"
He then went to the window and took a whistle out of his sleeve.
The whistle's sound wasn't shrill; it blended harmoniously with the constant sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments emanating from the Yihong Courtyard.
Half an incense stick later, a small bald head was hanging upside down in the window.
Si Sha flipped himself in and quickly walked to Qin Jinzhi's side.
Looking at the two people sitting next to Qin Jinzhi.
Si Sha scratched his head, moved the two people aside, and finally sat down next to Qin Jinzhi.
Qin Jinzhi placed the rice in front of her, "Eat up, it tastes good."
Si Sha's eyes lit up, and he began to feast.
Yuecheng closed the window.
After Si Sha finished eating all the food on the table, he let out a big burp.
Qin Jinzhi wiped the oil off her lips.
Si Sha pointed to the window and said, "Luoshui, the backyard."
Qin Jinzhi asked, "Are the abducted women all in the backyard?"
Si Sha shook his head. "Luo Shui, Qi, the backyard."
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