When new customers arrived at the establishment, the madam was naturally overjoyed and quickly came over to greet them: "Gentlemen, would you like a seat of honor or a private room? Do you have any familiar girls?"
Gao Lang and his group were there on official business, and their superiors hadn't allocated them any funds. With their meager monthly allowances, they couldn't possibly afford to indulge in this extravagant lifestyle. They all looked embarrassed.
The madam, having seen all sorts of people, immediately recognized them as a few penniless scoundrels who had come to pick up tea. Her attitude turned sour, and she shouted, "Little Si'er, take these gentlemen to the main hall and make sure to collect the one tael of silver for their tea."
"Alright!" The waiter named Xiao Si came over quickly, opened his thin palm and asked the group for money: "Sir, give me the money and come with me!"
Gao Lang and the others looked at each other in bewilderment. While on duty in the palace, they hadn't carried a single copper coin with them to avoid suspicion, so where would they get a tael of silver?
"No, sir, this isn't some roadside spot to watch monkey shows. Here, even a small stool costs a string of cash. How about we grab a few stools?"
Xiao Si's clever yet sarcastic remarks left Gao Lang and the others utterly ashamed.
"How long have those two people upstairs been here?" Gao Lang asked, pointing to Ji Fengming and Hei Xiao's private room.
Xiao Si glanced casually at the second floor and said sarcastically, "Those two are regulars here, rich young masters, very extravagant!"
It means, you poor folks should stop making a fool of yourselves here; you can't possibly reach the world of the rich.
"I asked you when they arrived, and you're talking sarcastically. Are you looking for death?" Gao Lang was furious and embarrassed, and drew his sword.
To everyone's surprise, Xiao Si wasn't scared at all. Instead, he shouted loudly, "What? You don't have money? You want to dine and dash at our Cuihonglou?"
Xiao Si's shout immediately drew a crowd of people from all walks of life, including girls, who gathered around to point at and mock the Imperial Guards.
"It's not shameful to dine and dash, but it's really degrading to dine and dash in a brothel."
"Exactly, even the most shameless person in history wouldn't do something like this."
"Hey, I think I recognize the one leading the group. He seems to be the young master of some family. What position does his father hold in the court? I never thought that the son of such an important official would be this kind of person."
Serving in the palace was a source of immense pride and honor for these individuals, who usually felt extremely superior. Now, being publicly shamed by so many people, and unable to reveal their identities, they were utterly frustrated.
Looking up at Ji Fengming and Hei Xiao upstairs, they were enjoying a life of luxury, with beautiful women in their arms, living a carefree and comfortable life. I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.
"Brother Lang, why don't we retreat? We've already seen the person, and the Emperor hasn't said anything about taking him back," a guard from the Imperial Guard whispered a suggestion.
Having watched the commotion to the fullest, Ji Fengming saw Gao Lang and the others about to leave and hurriedly ran downstairs. Under everyone's watchful eyes, he put his arm around Gao Lang's shoulder and, slightly drunk, loudly proclaimed, "Hey, everyone, you've misunderstood. This is my brother. His elder brother is a favorite of the Emperor, and he himself is a bodyguard with a sword!"
Gao Lang was completely bewildered: You damn bandit, we know each other well, why are you putting your arm around my shoulder? Who is this "Master Bao"?
Ji Fengming ignored his disdainful look, pulled him even tighter, and dragged him upstairs, making it impossible for him to leave: "Hiccup! What's wrong, bro? Did you forget to bring money when you brought the guys to find girls? You should have said so earlier, it's on me!"
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