Qin Yining leaned close to Pang Xiao’s ear and whispered, “It seems the Lu family’s influence is indeed significant.”

“Indeed.” Pang Xiao took the opportunity to embrace and kiss her.

This situation wasn’t difficult to judge. A brothel of Caixiang Pavilion’s scale must have connections with both the legal and illegal sides of the local community. Yet such a place had specifically reserved the best seating for a mere servant, and let that maid accompany him—this clearly showed deference to the Lu family.

At this moment, four young women had already approached. The sisters exchanged glances before stepping forward to bow.

“We pay our respects to the lord.”

Both Pang Xiao and Qin Yining collected their thoughts, returning their attention to the room.

Four attractive women had arrived, all of above-average appearance. Currently, all four wore stunned expressions. Upon seeing Pang Xiao, their hearts cried out in amazement, wishing this young master would immediately take a fancy to them and bring them home. But seeing Qin Yining, their excitement was doused with cold water.

They were outclassed, completely outclassed. No wonder that old Yu Shang told them to serve well, saying this lord was just out for a taste of novelty. Tsk, all men are the same—having a heavenly beauty yet still coming out to sample wild flavors!

Despite these thoughts, the four women clung to him like glutinous rice cakes.

“Young master, please drink.”

“Young master, where are you from?”

…

Since Pang Xiao continuously held Qin Yining’s waist, she was forced to sit on his lap. A group of beauties rushed forward with their fragrant breeze, leaving Qin Yining nowhere to escape. She was overwhelmed by the scents and sneezed.

Pang Xiao was startled, feeling as if a soft kitten’s paw had patted his heart. He thought to himself that his Yining never used such heavy fragrances, nor did she ever wear such thick makeup. By comparison, these other women became common powder and rouge in Pang Xiao’s eyes, unworthy of notice.

Though Pang Xiao felt disgusted, he didn’t mistreat these women, merely extending his arms slightly to keep some distance.

Women who made their living in the pleasure quarters were most adept at reading situations. Seeing his attitude—so different from other clients—they understood immediately. They positioned themselves to the side, serving tea and water, occasionally making small talk with Pang Xiao and Qin Yining.

All four women were eloquent speakers, and the atmosphere quickly became lively.

Pang Xiao chatted and laughed with them, several times making them giggle uncontrollably, and casually rewarded them with a pouch of small gold ingots.

The four were ecstatic—this gold, when divided among them, would be enough for each to buy her freedom!

Such a generous customer only wanted them to accompany him for a few drinks—easy work indeed. The four were overjoyed and spoke more honestly, answering almost everything asked. Soon, Pang Xiao had learned where they were from and exactly how they had fallen into this life.

After chatting briefly and eating and drinking their fill, Pang Xiao held Qin Yining while continuing to watch the performances below, seemingly very interested in the songs and dances.

The four women also moved to the window to watch and comment occasionally.

Qin Yining pointed downstairs with feigned surprise. “That table is so strange—why are there only two people?”

The four women looked in the direction Qin Yining indicated and immediately laughed, competing to explain: “You don’t know—Fuxue is the new top courtesan, so naturally her treatment is different.”

“Yes, that Fuxue was originally a head maid in a wealthy household, with some status when going out. But because she made a mistake, she ended up in our building. See that servant? He’s no ordinary servant—that’s Fuxue’s fiancé, previously betrothed to her.”

The women chattered away, all cleverly avoiding mention of the Lu family while confirming Pang Xiao and Qin Yining’s suspicions.

Qin Yining smiled and asked, “Since Fuxue was a maid from a great household, her fiancé must also be someone of status. Why doesn’t he pay to redeem her?”

Hearing such a naive question from Qin Yining, all four women couldn’t help but grumble internally. This young lady must have had too good a life, following such a handsome and wealthy young master—probably spoiled to the point of not using her brain.

“She was sold here on orders from their family’s eldest young master. That man is the young master’s personal attendant—how could he defy his master to redeem someone?”

“Though by coming daily like this, he’s probably already defying his young master. With him behaving this way, the madam has to reserve the best seat for him daily, yet she doesn’t dare let Fuxue serve clients. It’s really difficult to manage—neither up nor down.”

The four women were drawn into conversation, discussing the various special treatments Fuxue had received since arriving at Caixiang Pavilion.

It seemed her special treatment had stirred some resentment among the other women in the building.

Qin Yining and Pang Xiao exchanged a glance—they had formed a plan.

Pang Xiao asked, “What does this Fuxue look like? Has she served clients yet?”

The four women, who had been chatting enthusiastically, paused slightly and instinctively looked at Qin Yining’s expression. Seeing her forced smile, they couldn’t help but sigh sympathetically.

It seemed this young lady wasn’t to be envied either. What cat doesn’t eat fish? This lord didn’t want their four services because he looked down on them—he probably preferred those who were still pure.

Though all four harbored such thoughts internally, they smiled outwardly and nodded in agreement.

Regardless, bringing business to the building only benefited them.

Having observed and inquired about everything they needed to know, neither Pang Xiao nor Qin Yining continued this topic. They watched the downstairs program and occasionally whispered intimately to each other. When the time seemed right, Pang Xiao turned to instruct the four women: “Go call your madam.”

“Yes.” The four replied in unison, knowing their services were no longer needed, and withdrew with their pouch of gold ingots.

Soon, Yu Shang swayed her snake-like waist into the room.

“Young master, what are your orders?” Yu Shang’s eyes rolled as she casually glanced around the room’s furnishings. She noticed the gauze curtains behind which the bed remained neat and tidy, with only the area around the eight-immortal table showing signs of use. She couldn’t help but smile: “It seems our wine and dishes weren’t to your taste?”

Pang Xiao raised an eyebrow with a smile. “You’re absolutely right. This young master prefers delicacies—your plain porridge and simple dishes aren’t even plain. But I think you’re not bad.”

“Oh! Please don’t tease me like that.” Yu Shang covered her mouth and laughed. “Well, as long as you’re happy, that’s what matters.”

“Happy—naturally I’m happy.” Pang Xiao waved his hand, and Huzi immediately handed over more banknotes.

Pang Xiao held Qin Yining’s waist as he walked toward the door. Yu Shang immediately beamed and was about to follow.

“Ah, by the way.” Pang Xiao suddenly stopped and turned back. “I’m new to this area and lack a maid to serve tea and water. I’d like to buy one from your establishment to serve me. What do you think?”

Yu Shang was startled, then smiled knowingly.

So that’s how it was! Coming to a brothel just to eat and drink, calling four top courtesans only for pure conversation? Turns out he was too shy and wanted a prettier excuse.

“That’s certainly possible—it depends on which one catches your fancy, young master. As long as you can afford the price, you can choose any girl in our building.”

Upon hearing this, Pang Xiao pointed downstairs. “Then her.”

Yu Shang gracefully walked to the window and looked in the direction of Pang Xiao’s finger, discovering he was pointing toward Fuxue and Lu Xi.

Yu Shang asked in surprise, “You couldn’t mean that one in pink gauze who’s crying?”

“That’s her. She’s new to your establishment and hasn’t served clients yet, right?”

Pang Xiao appropriately displayed both interest and restraint, emphasizing the words “served clients.”

Yu Shang immediately reached the same conclusion as the four women—this young master wanted someone pure but was too embarrassed to enjoy her immediately.

She looked Pang Xiao up and down again. She’d heard a free-spending young master had arrived in the city these past days, always buying the most expensive things, a complete easy mark. Now it seemed this matched the man before her.

Being from out of town, he probably didn’t understand Danzhou’s market prices or know about the Lu family’s complications.

Getting Fuxue at Caixiang Pavilion was like holding a hot potato. Letting her serve clients might displease Lu Xi, yet he came daily to visit, sitting idly while requiring excellent service. Fuxue cried whenever she saw Lu Xi, making their flower house seem more like a mortuary than a brothel.

But not letting Fuxue serve clients might displease the Lu family’s eldest young master. After all, he had specifically sent her here with instructions to “take good care” of her.

Currently, however Yu Shang treated Fuxue was wrong—treating her well or poorly were both problematic. Keeping her wasted silver and would eventually cause trouble for Caixiang Pavilion.

Looking at the wealthy young master before her, this outsider came at exactly the right time. Selling her to him now would allow them to withdraw cleanly—Caixiang Pavilion would no longer be entangled in Lu family affairs.

As for whether the Lu family would seek out this man—that would no longer concern Caixiang Pavilion.

Yu Shang calculated much in what was actually just a moment’s breath. She pretended to hesitate: “That’s our new girl at Caixiang Pavilion. She previously worked in a great household, has seen the world, is beautiful, and still untouched. We’ve been raising her like a flower queen, afraid she might suffer the slightest grievance.”

Hearing this, Pang Xiao knew there was hope. He immediately laughed heartily: “I’ll compensate you well with silver. Having worked in a great household is perfect—I won’t need to teach her how to serve tea and water.”

With these words, he slapped down two more banknotes.

Yu Shang’s eyes rolled, and she quit while ahead, saying reluctantly: “Very well, since you favor her, I can only bear to part with her. I’ll take you to collect her shortly and give you her indenture contract—then she’ll be your household maid.”

Though she said this, going out to find a human trafficker and spending just a tael or two of silver could buy any kind of maid. Why spend so lavishly here?

It was just a respectable excuse, nothing more.

Walking behind, Yu Shang even looked at Qin Yining with pity. What good was being born beautiful? With such looks, she still couldn’t compare to those who were fresh and new. What man didn’t love novelty and excitement?

Each harboring their own thoughts, the group reached the first floor hall. Upon seeing Lu Xi sitting with Fuxue, Yu Shang felt disgusted.

Wanting to sell someone in front of Lu Xi would surely offend him.