“Sister, look at her egging Brother-in-law to go to a brothel!”
Xiao E pointed at Qing Mulang, indignant, “And she claims to be your sister, don’t let her in next time she comes to our house for food!”
“You little brat, what do you know?”
Qing Mulang ruffled Xiao E’s hair, “What’s wrong with men going to a brothel? I’m not telling your brother-in-law to visit prostitutes.”
“Who says I don’t understand? I heard Brother Tie Chui say going to a brothel means finding those bad women!” Xiao E retorted, unconvinced.
Even Guan Xiaorou cast a distrustful glance.
She didn’t mind Jin Feng taking a concubine, but she didn’t want him visiting disreputable places.
Jin Feng, however, understood Qing Mulang’s point.
In ancient times, entertainment was scarce, high-class brothels weren’t just for flesh trade, they were key social hubs for scholars and literati.
Occasionally, tales of talented men and beautiful women from brothels became popular gossip among the people.
“What are you all thinking?”
Qing Mulang laughed, exasperated, “Chunfeng Tower is eligible to compete for flower queen, it’s a high-class brothel, unlike the low-end ones in Jinchuan County. They don’t just do flesh trade, it’s normal for city scholars to go listen to music.”
Guan Xiaorou’s expression softened slightly.
But Xiao E remained skeptical, “Sister, she’s definitely lying to you.”
“Miss Mulang isn’t lying,” Tang Dongdong entered, “In the county city, it’s normal for scholars to visit brothels, those who haven’t are mocked for being unworldly.”
“Dongdong, weren’t you resting? Why are you here?” Guan Xiaorou quickly pulled a chair for her.
“How can I sleep when I don’t know how Xiao Bei is?” Tang Dongdong looked at Guan Xiaorou, “Sister Xiaorou, Chunfeng Tower is one of the best brothels in the county city, going there to listen to music is fine.
Xiao Bei is my only family, Sister Xiaorou, please help me…”
“Dongdong, stop, I didn’t say I wouldn’t let him go,” Guan Xiaorou, soft-hearted and Tang Dongdong’s best friend, turned to support her, “Dear, go and figure something out.”
“Dongdong’s matter, I’ll definitely handle,” Jin Feng looked at Qing Mulang, “Any ideas on your end?”
“For other matters, I could help, but if my brother knew I was redeeming a brothel girl, he’d drag me back without a word,” Qing Mulang said helplessly.
She loved martial arts, and in Xichuan, rumours already circulated about her preferences, upsetting her brother, associating with brothel girls would make things worse.
With Qing Mulang unreliable, Jin Feng turned to Tang Dongdong, “Going to a brothel early in the morning isn’t right, tell me about the flower queen competition first.”
“The flower queen contest happens yearly, including the official music house, six brothels in the county city qualify, each sending four girls,” Tang Dongdong said, “On the day, supporters buy flowers on-site, the girl with the most flowers becomes the flower queen.”
“So, if a rich merchant fancies a girl, he could single-handedly make her the flower queen?”
“Yes, three years ago in Bianjing, a salt merchant’s son spent 170,000 taels of silver in one night to boost Ziyang from Jinyue Pavilion, causing a sensation. Her value soared, even a distant glimpse cost 100 taels!” Qing Mulang exclaimed, “My cousin spent over 3,000 taels for a meal with her, infuriating my uncle, who grounded him for three months.”
“Marquis Qing has such romantic tales?” Jin Feng was astonished.
“Not Brother Qing Huai, my useless eldest cousin, always carousing, not worth a finger of Qing Huai,” Qing Mulang muttered, “If he weren’t the eldest legitimate son, my uncle would’ve kicked him out. My second brother’s no better, he chased Ziyang too, spent over 1,000 taels, but only got tea for lack of funds.”
“A hundred taels for a look, 1,000 for tea, over 3,000 for a meal?” Guan Xiaorou covered her mouth, “Is Ziyang a fairy?”
Jin Feng had defeated several bandit groups, with spoils and official rewards making him wealthy in Jinchuan County, but his total wealth didn’t reach 10,000 taels.
His entire fortune could only afford two or three meals with Ziyang.
“That’s nothing, twenty years ago, Bianjing’s music house had a Bifu, meals with her started at 10,000 taels,” Qing Mulang said, “Even so, noble sons flocked to see her, unable to get a slot.”
“Are they mad?” Guan Xiaorou’s worldview shattered.
“Young nobles vie for fame, a song’s worth is countless,” Jin Feng sighed, “To us, 10,000 taels is astronomical, but to the rich, it’s nothing.”
In his past life, people spent fortunes to boost celebrities too.
“Sir’s right,” Qing Mulang nodded, “Bifu was unique in Dakang, to those young lords, spending for a meal with her was a bargain for bragging rights, worth more than 10,000 taels.”
“10,000 taels could feed our village for years, just for a meal to brag about?” Guan Xiaorou couldn’t comprehend.
“The rich feast while the poor freeze, they care only for themselves,” Jin Feng said.
“Going to a brothel is so costly, dear, do we have enough?” Guan Xiaorou worried.
They brought 3,000 taels, meant for buying slaves and iron-smelting materials, sufficient for the original plan.
But hearing Qing Mulang, a brothel meal cost so much, she grew uncertain.
“We were talking about Bianjing’s top girls, Guangyuan is just a Xichuan county city, even the biggest stars don’t cost much unless staying overnight,” Qing Mulang smiled, “Besides, sir might not spend anything, he could even earn money.”
“What do you mean?” Jin Feng stepped back, “I’m not selling my looks!”
“Brothels have male clients, even if you wanted to, who’d buy?” Qing Mulang smirked, “You can write poetry, right? Write a few good poems praising Chunfeng Tower’s girls, they’ll treat you like a VIP, maybe some will offer themselves, creating a legendary tale.”
