Jin Feng was taken advantage of by a group of flirtatious women, but in the end, he didn’t stay at Chunfeng Tower, forcefully pushing his way out from the crowd of admirers.
It wasn’t that the women weren’t beautiful, but he was well aware that a life of indulgence is a hero’s grave. The allure of such places was the most corrosive, and while it was fine to play along for a bit, anything more was out of the question.
“Sir, those women were so beautiful and enthusiastic, pulling you to join them for tea. Why didn’t you go?” Tie Chui asked, still feeling it was a pity as they neared the inn’s back door, constantly glancing back toward the pleasure district.
“I saw two women clinging to you earlier. If you feel it’s a shame, why don’t you drop me off and head back?” Jin Feng shot Tie Chui a sidelong glance. “From the recent bandit raids, you must have earned a decent amount of silver. That should be enough to stay at Chunfeng Tower for a while.”
“That silver was hard-earned, fighting bandits with my brothers. I’m saving it to get my son a wife,” Tie Chui said, quickly clutching his money pouch. “I asked around a couple of days ago. Chunfeng Tower is a money pit. Spending a night with a decent woman, plus some food, costs a few taels of silver. My savings wouldn’t last long. Besides, I heard those women are snobs. When you have money, you’re their lord, but once they’ve taken it all, you’re nothing.”
“You’ve got some sense, at least,” Jin Feng said, then suddenly stopped. “If you know all this, why do you keep looking back?”
“Heh, following you means I don’t have to spend a penny,” Tie Chui grinned, scratching his head.
“Get lost!” Jin Feng kicked him lightly. “When we get back, keep your mouth shut. Don’t blab everything.”
“Don’t worry, sir!” Tie Chui patted his chest, guaranteeing his silence.
Guan Xiaorou, Tang Dongdong, and Qing Mulan were waiting in the courtyard for Jin Feng’s news. As soon as he returned, the women stood up.
Tang Dongdong was about to ask something when Qing Mulan sniffed the air. “What’s that smell? Why’s it so fragrant?” She leaned closer to Jin Feng.
Pfft! Tie Chui couldn’t hold back a laugh.
Seeing Jin Feng glare at him, he quickly waved his hands, signaling it wasn’t his fault.
The women at the brothel were the best customers for rouge and powder merchants, and after spending so much time with them, Jin Feng naturally carried some of their scent.
“Are you a dog, sniffing around like that?” Jin Feng stepped back, a bit guilty, then pointed at Tie Chui. “It’s this guy. While I was discussing things with Xiao Bei, he was off flirting with her maid and taking liberties.”
Hic! Tie Chui, who was stifling his laughter, choked.
What’s going on? I was just watching the show, and now the blame’s on me? But he quickly realised one of a subordinate’s duties is to take the fall for the boss. He put on an embarrassed look and chuckled, “Miss Mulan, don’t sniff. That’s my smell.”
He deliberately waved his sleeve under Qing Mulan’s nose. Having mingled with a couple of women himself, his scent was no less potent than Jin Feng’s, and Qing Mulan caught it immediately.
“Get away!” Qing Mulan kicked Tie Chui away in disgust.
Tie Chui didn’t mind, turning to leave with a sly wink at Jin Feng, signaling he’d handled it.
Jin Feng, however, pointed at Tie Chui with a righteous expression. “Tie Chui, I’m not saying you’re hopeless, but you can’t resist the slightest temptation. Your willpower is too weak.”
“You’re right, sir. I’ll be more careful in the future,” Tie Chui nodded repeatedly.
The two played their parts with gusto, unaware that Guan Xiaorou, Qing Mulan, and the others had already seen through them.
But in those days, a man visiting a brothel wasn’t a big deal. Qing Mulan was just teasing Jin Feng, and no one took it seriously.
That night, however, the usually reserved Guan Xiaorou insisted on bathing with Jin Feng, scrubbing him thoroughly, nearly rubbing his skin raw.
“Xiaorou, I was wrong. Stop scrubbing, or you’ll break my skin,” Jin Feng pleaded, wincing. “Once we get Dongdong’s sister out, I’ll never go to a brothel again.”
“Mulan told me it’s normal for men to visit brothels, as long as, well, they don’t get too close. Those women aren’t clean,” Guan Xiaorou said, blushing. “If you really want to, why not take Dongdong or Runniang? Aren’t they better than brothel women?”
“Why are you bringing this up again?” Jin Feng said helplessly. “I didn’t get close to anyone. Xiao Bei’s sisters were just curious about me. We drank tea in a pavilion, and I got some rouge scent on me, that’s all.”
“I heard brothel women are very forward, throwing themselves at men. No man can resist,” Guan Xiaorou said skeptically. “You resisted?”
“This…” Jin Feng was stumped.
The question was like, “Does your mother know you’re a pig?” Answer yes or no, and you’re in trouble. Saying he resisted would make him seem less of a man; admitting he couldn’t would be confessing guilt.
For such questions, a direct answer wouldn’t do.
“That pavilion had only four pillars, no walls. Even if I couldn’t resist, what could I do?” he said.
“Really?” she asked.
“Of course. Ask Tie Chui if you don’t believe me. Or ask Tang Xiao Bei when you see her later,” Jin Feng said. “If you still don’t trust me, check the inventory. You’ll see.”
“Darling, we’re bathing. Keep your hands to yourself…” she protested.
“No way. I need to prove my innocence!”
That night, Jin Feng and Guan Xiaorou checked the “inventory” until midnight to prove his innocence. When Tang Dongdong woke them the next morning, both had dark circles under their eyes.
But today was the courtesan contest, the day to rescue Tang Xiao Bei.
Entertainment was scarce in Dakang, and the courtesan contest was one of the county’s rare lively events. Few brothels qualified to compete, but others could send their women to parade and promote themselves.
All the brothels in the county sent out their flower carriages, with women showcasing their talents. It was a citywide celebration, with countless citizens crowding the streets, watching eagerly. Most commoners rarely saw brothel women otherwise.
When the carriages of the Jiaofangsi and Chunfeng Tower appeared, the atmosphere grew electric.
“Miss Lüliu!” “Miss Qingluo!” “Miss Xiao Bei!” Scholars waved at familiar women, while commoners joined in, shouting names, some even getting them wrong.
From a tavern, Jin Feng heard someone mistakenly call Xiao Bei “Miss Xiao Fei.”
“Is this the ancient version of a fan chase?” Jin Feng muttered, glancing out the window at Chunfeng Tower’s carriage.
