Even if it means climbing over the wall, I still want to go to a brothel.
"What 'ah'? Just tell me if I can go or not," Tang Feng said impatiently.
“It’s possible, but the problem is you just fell off your horse yesterday. Master will definitely not let you go out today. Besides, that’s a brothel! My young master, if Master finds out, he’ll definitely break your legs.” After saying that, Liu Yiwan tugged at Tang Feng’s sleeve and whispered, “Furthermore, brothels only open at night. You can’t go now!”
"Tsk tsk tsk, you know this place so well! It's fine if you won't let me out, I can sneak in! Are there any secret passages or anything like that in the manor?" Tang Feng chuckled, putting his arm around Liu Yiwan's shoulder.
"There's no secret passage, but you can go through the kitchen, young master. They've been drying grain there recently. It rained heavily a few days ago, and Aunt Tian swept the grain to the wall and covered it up. You can climb over the wall by stepping on the pile of grain."
"You're something else! Well, don't tell anyone when I go out tonight."
"Hmm...Alright, young master, let me help you change first. I can only do my best to take care of things tonight." After saying that, Liu Yiwan started looking for the clothes hanging on the rack.
"Alright, alright, it's a deal, okay? Don't forget to prepare some more silver for me." Tang Feng was helped into his clothes by Liu Yiwan.
"Yes, young master. May I ask you a question?"
"Um"
"Why did you suddenly decide to go to a place like that? You've never done this before," Liu Yiwan said, frowning slightly.
"Huh? Maybe he hurt his head from riding a horse!" Tang Feng patted Liu Yiwan on the shoulder. "Don't be nervous, I'm still me. My personality may be different, but I'm still your young master."
"but..."
"Oh, why so many 'buts'? It's all the same job, just give me the money first."
"Young master, don't worry, let me help you get dressed first, and I'll tie the purse for you later. Wear this outfit today! A couple of days ago, on the Dragon Boat Festival, the older ladies used mugwort to scent this outfit for you. The herbal smell is quite strong, but it will also mask the smell of rouge and powder. Don't let the master find out when you pay your respects tomorrow morning."
Liu Yiwan's words only made things worse. After she finished speaking, Tang Feng lifted his sleeve and sniffed carefully; there was indeed a medicinal herb smell.
"You've thought of everything quite thoroughly."
Liu Yiwan straightened Tang Feng's clothes and tied a purse embroidered with butterflies and flowers around his waist. "Why is it embroidered with something girly?" Tang Feng frowned.
"Young master, this is your favorite purse."
"I don't like it now that I've hurt my head, take it off, take it off, quickly get me something else," Tang Feng said, reaching for the pouch at his waist.
"Changing them isn't impossible, but the problem is you're currently wearing these embroidered purses."
"Damn, what kind of weird fetishes did this guy have before? He liked girls' things." Tang Feng glanced at the dozen or so purses of various sizes laid out on the table, some with mandarin ducks playing in the water, others with peony petals. "Go, change all of these for me. Can't I have something with a more masculine feel to it? Huh!?"
Finally, evening arrived. Liu Yiwan led Tang Feng to the haystack in the backyard kitchen and pointed, "Young Master, it's easiest to climb out from here. I'll go up first and wait for you up there."
"Oh, no need, no need. Even if the wall's higher, I'll still climb over it. I'm telling you, this is a matter of a man's dignity; you have to get over it yourself." Tang Feng climbed onto the haystack and flipped over to get onto the wall.
"Young master, I've put fifty taels of silver in your purse. Please be careful with your money. If you don't have enough, the brothel will come to the mansion to ask the master for more, and then you'll be exposed," Liu Yiwan whispered to Tang Feng.
"Oh, okay, okay, why are you talking so much nonsense? By the way, how do I get to the brothel?"
"Go down from here, turn left and walk to the end, then turn right and walk two blocks."
"Okay, remember to keep it a secret." After saying that, Tang Feng turned and left the mansion.
"Don't forget to come back early; the morning greetings are due at Chenshi (7-9 AM). I wonder if you heard me?"
Leaving the mansion, Tang Feng realized the vast difference between modern and ancient times. It was probably past eleven o'clock, and the streets were mostly empty except for pedestrians hurrying home and drunkards lying motionless on the pavement. In his own world, the streets would be bustling with activity, filled with people, various shops, and the irresistible aroma of Uncle Li's skewers. Tang Feng's mouth watered at the thought. The food at the Tang mansion wasn't bad, but it was far too bland: stir-fried bamboo shoots and clear cabbage soup. After eating for a while, Tang Feng hadn't seen a single piece of meat. Liu Yiwan had claimed that her injuries hadn't healed and she couldn't tolerate spicy or greasy food. "Ugh, old woman," Tang Feng couldn't help but mutter to himself.
Following Liu Yiwan's directions, Tang Feng turned a corner and passed two more blocks before seeing a huge archway standing in front of him, with three large characters "Wanchun Lane" written on it. Rather than a lane, it was more like an independent little world. Outside the lane, the shouts of the night watchman could be heard, while inside the lane, there was a cacophony of gongs and drums.
"Wow, that's pretty good!" Tang Feng clenched his purse. "Since we're here, we have to have a good time today." With that, Tang Feng entered Wanchun Alley. The alley was bustling with shops of all sizes on both sides, and brothel owners stood at their doors, shouting their wares. But despite their shouts, the customers standing on both sides showed no intention of going in. Everyone was standing on tiptoe, their eyes fixed on the depths of the alley, as if something was drawing them in. Tang Feng, curious, squeezed into the crowd.
"Excuse me, everyone, please make way so I can get in for a second."
"Hey, you little brat, what are you doing all the time? Stand at the back!" A burly man with dark skin grabbed Tang Feng.
"Um... I'm here to save a spot for my dad," Tang Feng said, giving the burly man a pitiful yet helpless look. "Uncle, could you please give me a spot? If my dad comes and finds I didn't get a place, he'll beat me when we get home."
"Oh dear, you're a poor child too. Come and stand in front of me."
Tang Feng leaned forward a little and looked into the depths of the alley. The area he couldn't see seemed even more lively. Tang Feng couldn't help but lean forward again. "Uncle, what are you all waiting for?"
"Didn't your father tell you? Today, Han Jiuhua is parading through the streets. This is the first time she's paraded through the streets since becoming the top courtesan. Everyone says that Han Jiuhua is quite mysterious. I've come to join in the fun and see what she looks like. Is she prettier than Miss Meng from Ping'an Ward?"
"Oh~" Tang Feng stroked his chin. "A courtesan! Tsk tsk tsk." Speaking of courtesans, Tang Feng had only ever seen them on television. They were talented and beautiful, and then they met a young master who was willing to redeem them, and in the end, the two lived a life of blissful happiness. It was truly enviable! As Tang Feng thought about it, he began to imagine himself in their shoes. With the sound of gongs and drums, Tang Feng came back to his senses, followed by a shout: "The parade begins! Clear the middle street!"
Immediately, the crowd began to stir. Tang Feng was pushed to the front. In the distance, he saw several people carrying a sedan chair. The chair was not sealed, but covered by a red, semi-transparent gauze curtain. The bells tied to the four corners of the chair began to ring as it swayed. Han Jiuhua knelt inside the chair, holding a fan to partially cover her face. A gust of wind lifted the gauze curtain, and Han Jiuhua and Tang Feng's eyes met.
"Wow~ She's really beautiful." Tang Feng, still somewhat captivated by Han Jiuhua's alluring eyes, turned around and asked, "Big brother, oh no, uncle, whose courtesan is she?"
"Qinghui Lane, that family is expensive, they must charge several hundred taels of silver! I heard they entertain all sorts of high-ranking officials and dignitaries. Sigh, why am I telling you this, little kid?" the old man muttered.
"Qinghui Lane..." Tang Feng walked out of the crowd, following the direction of the sedan chair, and finally found the Qinghui Lane that the old man had mentioned. The sedan chair that Han Jiuhua had made earlier was still parked at the entrance.
"Oh, young master! Who are you looking for?" The madam standing at the door crossed her arms and gave Tang Feng a flirtatious wink.
"I'm looking for your most beautiful courtesan," Tang Feng said, getting goosebumps from the madam's gaze.
"You're looking for Han Jiuhua? You?" The madam cracked melon seeds, somewhat disdainfully. "To be honest, young master, at your age, any one of my clients could be your father. In other words, are you rich?"
Tang Feng, upon hearing this, thought, "Who do you think you are?!" He tossed his purse to the madam, saying, "It's just some silver, take it."
The madam opened the purse and saw the Tang family's seal on the silver. She immediately put the silver back in the purse and smiled obsequiously, "Young master, please come upstairs." As she spoke, she turned around and shouted, "Amu, don't just stand there! Quickly tell Jiuhua to get ready and welcome our guests!"
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