Translator â Xiao He Lian
Chapter 84.1
However, Wen Chi didnât know that this was a brothel.
After getting off the carriage, he saw that the restaurant in front of him was much more luxuriously decorated than he had imagined.
Although the restaurant is not open yet, red lanterns and flowery decorations were hung outside the front door and when he looked up, he could see the view of the first floor terrace.
Wen Chi thought that the two men who suggested this place had just been tormented by the bland meals at the Zhou residence for too long, so they chose this expensive-looking restaurant to indulge in some fish and meat and didnât think much of it.
Fortunately, he brought a lot of silver taels with him when he set off. Both the emperor and Shi Ye ordered the eunuchs to give him a lot of valuable things, but he hadnât spent much money since he arrived in Jinzhou, so it was no problem to treat everyone to a big meal.
Itâs just that when he walked in, Wen Chi noticed that Shi Jinâs face was a little awkward and his steps were a little hesitant.
Wen Chi said: âPrince Xuan?â
When Shi Jin heard Wen Chiâs voice, he turned his head to look at Wen Chi and found that Wen Chiâs expression was normal, so he waved his hand and said, âItâs nothing, letâs go.â
Wen Chi scratched his head, confused.
But as soon as he entered the restaurant, he smelt a heavy smell of powder, which was so strong that it choked him.
Wen Chi breathed through his nose and resisted the urge to sneeze.
But General Lin, who was walking in front of him, couldnât bear it any longer. He sneezed unintentionally, which startled everyone and made them turn their heads to look at General Lin.
General Lin smiled a little embarrassedly and then asked: âWhatâs this smell in here? It smells awful.â
The two people walking in the front were also very embarrassed. They looked at each other and the tall and thin man among them came over and smoothed things over with a smile: âWhat smell? General Lin must have gotten it wrong.â
General Lin was not happy: âIt really stinks.â
At this time, a beautifully dressed woman came down from the second floor swaying her hips. With a charming smile, she said in a slightly coquettish tone: âOh, itâs naturally the fragrance of the girls. Hearing what this Lord said, is it your first time here?â
It had to be said that after so many years of fighting in the war, living in the barracks in spring, summer, autumn and winter, facing all the big, thick-looking men and eating the casual, bland food, it was the first time in his life that he had ever stepped into such a place.
Although General Linâs mind was not that sophisticated, he slowly picked up on the womanâs dress and tone of voice.
âThatâs not right.â General Lin has always been rough-skinned and thick-skinned, but now his face turned red. He raised his finger to the tall thin man, âYue Zhicheng, youâ¦â
Yue Zhicheng was afraid that General Lin would say something embarrassing, so he hurriedly walked between General Lin and the woman. He took out a piece of silver from his cuff and handed it to the woman and at the same time he winked at the woman and said: âFind us a private room, serve all the good wine and food here, for the rest, you can arrange it.â
The woman understood and squeezed the silver knowingly and when she looked at the clothes of these people, her face was about to burst into laughter. She quickly called two little girls: âCome here, take these masters into the Spring Garden .â
The two little girls came running with their skirts in hand, carefully leading the crowd to the second floor.
At this time, Wen Chi, who was as slow as General Lin, also sensed something was wrong. He deliberately lagged behind by a few steps,and then walked up to General Lin at the end.
âGeneral Lin, do you know where this is?â
âBrothel.â General Lin looked at Wen Chi with a sly look in his eyes and whispered, âYoung Master Wen, after all, you are⦠a man with a family, to think that you would come to such a place.â
Hearing this, Wen Chi was also very embarrassed.
He really didnât expect that Yue Zhicheng and Liu Wen would pick out a brothel. If he had known that they were talking about coming to a brothel, he would have never agreed.
Itâs too outrageous to come to the brothel with the money rewarded by the emperor and the crown prince.
Wen Chiâs face turned blue and then turned pale. After finally digesting the embarrassment, he whispered back, âWhy donât we leave now?â
General Lin said: âCan we leave?â
Wen Chi: Yes ah, Yue Zhicheng has already given them the silver.â
ââ¦â The corners of General Linâs mouth twitched visibly, and he laughed angrily, âYoung Master Wen, is that a matter of silver? Theyâve both brought Prince Xuan and Young Master Hua, even if we donât give them a face, we should give Prince Xuan and Young Master Hua face.â
Wen Chi was speechless.
âItâs just that.â General Lin looked at Wen Chiâs eyebrow, only to see that the red mole was covered up tightly. Even if he got close, he couldnât see anything, so he put his mind at ease, âFinish eating early and go back early, you should also be careful.â
Wen Chi nodded with a serious expression.
General Lin also nodded and made a gesture of invitation to Wen Chi, and the two walked upstairs together.
After walking a few steps, General Lin suddenly remembered something, and stopped in his tracks: âThatâs rightâ¦â
Seeing that General Linâs expression became serious at a speed visible to the naked eye, Wen Chi thought that General Lin was going to say something very important, so he stopped and pricked up his ears.
General Lin deliberated for a while, then whispered so that only the two of them could hear, and said in a serious manner: âIf His Royal Highness asks about this matter, it is the responsibility of Yue Zhicheng and Liu Wen, and has nothing to do with me. â
Wen Chi: ââ¦â
Whatâs it to do with Shi Ye?
Maybe when he returned to the capital in a few years, Shi Ye would not remember him anymore.
Thinking about it carefully, this should be the best possible ending.
If possible, he would like to take the opportunity to ask the emperor to let him go after returning to the capital. Anyway, he has hands and feet, so he could do whatever he wanted after leaving the palace without starving himself to death.
The most important thing is that when the time comes, he would no longer have to look at Shi Yeâs face.
He thought he had overestimated his position in Shi Yeâs heart.
He was not such a brave person, like a snail hiding in its shell, he had plucked up the courage to poke a tentacle out, only to hit the wall hard.
He never wanted to come out of his shell again.
****
The private room was on the second floor. Not only does it have a large terrace but it is also divided into an inner room and an outer room, separated by a layer of pink veil.
Walking into the private room, Wen Chi smelled that the smell of powder in the private room seemed to be stronger than that of outside.
He had just finished thinking this when General Lin, who was walking in front of him, sneezed.
Although Yue Zhicheng and Liu Wen have never been to this brothel, it can be seen that they are regular visitors to the red light district. They are very skilled in greeting people and arrange everyoneâs location properly.
Wen Chi didnât speak, just watched them do their thing.
Soon, everyone was seated.
Shi Jin, who has the highest status here, was naturally surrounded by Yue Zhicheng and Liu Wen and placed in the top seat.
On the right side of Shi Jin sat General Lin and fake birthday boy Wen Chi, on the left sat Hua Zi Zang and the rest of the people sat apart according to their family background and status.
In short, the less people have the right to speak, the farther away they are from Shi Jin.
Wen Chi glanced at the positions arranged by Yue Zhicheng and Liu Wen, couldnât help but sigh at the reality of this society and swept his eyes at Hua Zi Zang, who was separated from him by Shi Jin and General Lin and this sigh became even heavier.
General Lin, who was sitting next to him, seemed to feel Wen Chiâs despondency and turned his head to whisper, âItâs alright, heâs far away in the capital. If you donât tell him, he wonât know about it.â