Wanchun Pavilion

Chen He’s words, “I’ll go with you,” got stuck in his throat. Before he could utter them, Song Yao’s figure had already vanished into the dimming lights of the crowd.

He immediately felt a surge of anxiety.

This was the Beiyao Sect’s territory, and it was pitch black outside. She was just a child and completely drunk—how could she run off alone?

But on second thought, back in the secret realm, he had claimed he would protect her, yet he hadn’t actually been of any help.

Instead, she had silently pocketed all kinds of spiritual herbs on her own. Moreover, since she could escape from the Twin Insect Cave all by herself, she must have some skills he didn’t know about.

He shook his head, putting the thought aside, and turned to catch up with Ming Ran and Cheng Yue.

...

Outside Wanchun Pavilion, a row of red silk lanterns hung high, their warm glow illuminating the street as the melodies of string and wind instruments drifted through the air.

Well-dressed patrons bustled in and out, their arms draped over one another’s shoulders as they squeezed inside. Even from afar, one could smell the intoxicating scent of powder and rouge.

Ye Chang’an’s face was grim as he strode into the hall. His brocade robe draped loosely over his shoulders, and the arrogance in his brow from earlier that day was gone, replaced by a smoldering rage.

The Wen siblings followed behind in silence, with Jiang Jin bringing up the very rear.

The flamboyantly dressed madam immediately greeted them with a smile. Flicking her handkerchief, she spoke in a sickeningly sweet, warm tone, “Young Master Ye! It’s been so long since we last saw you. We’ve all missed you terribly! The Heaven-grade room has been reserved for you this whole time~”

Ignoring her, Ye Chang’an reached back, grabbed Jiang Jin from the rear, and pulled him close, gripping his shoulder tightly. “What’s the point of flattering these two blocks of wood? You’d be better off flattering me.”

The gloom in his eyes deepened, carrying a hint of gritted teeth. “That Lin Mu from your sect made me lose face today! You’d better drink a few cups on her behalf to make it up to me.”

Jiang Jin pursed his lips, suppressing his discomfort. Cupping his hands, he said, “My junior sister is indeed a bit mischievous and untoward. She offended you in the hall today, Young Master Ye, so I hope you can be understanding.”

He paused. “How about this? All expenses tonight will be on my tab. I will drink a few cups with you seniors to apologize.”

He didn’t hold any deep-seated grudge against Ye Chang’an. Even if he couldn’t get any information about his Fifth Senior Sister in the end, using this opportunity to ease their relationship and gain a friend would mean the trip wasn’t in vain.

Hearing this, the hostility in Ye Chang’an’s eyes dissipated slightly. His grip on Jiang Jin’s shoulder loosened, and he sneered, “At least you know how to behave.”

He waved his hand to dismiss the madam. “Lead the way.”

However, the further they walked inside, the more Jiang Jin felt something was off. This was no ordinary restaurant; it was clearly a...

His steps slowed slightly, and he looked at Ye Chang’an with some unease. “Young Master Ye, coming to a place like this... if your fiancée finds out, won’t it be inappropriate?”

Ye Chang’an didn’t even turn his head. “What’s inappropriate about it?”

Jiang Jin frowned and added, “But this is the Beiyao Sect’s territory after all. If someone catches us and word gets out...”

“So what if they do?” Ye Chang’an interrupted him with blatant contempt. “That woman is even more of a block of wood than these two from the Wen family. Even if I stood in front of her with my arms wrapped around the girls of this pavilion, she wouldn’t dare say a single word.”

Jiang Jin opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing more. He could only steel himself and follow them upstairs.

...

Just as Ye Chang’an and the others stepped inside, Song Yao followed closely behind and glanced at the sign. Well, well. Wanchun Pavilion.

Wasn’t this her Eldest Senior Brother’s property?

She remembered that Wanchun Pavilion was actually a chain. Not only did it have branches in the Beiyao Sect’s territory, but also in the Taiqing Pavilion’s territory, and there were even two branches opened outside the Tianshu Realm.

Her Eldest Senior Brother was highly business-minded. The girls and young men in the pavilion only sold their talents, not their bodies. Each of them was exceptionally talented, drawing in the disciples of prominent families like moths to a flame, willing to spend lavishly. It had become one of the premier gold-consuming dens in various cities.

This was Song Yao’s first time visiting this particular Wanchun Pavilion in the Beiyao Sect. With hazy, drunken eyes, she leisurely followed the crowd inside.

Because she was exceptionally beautiful and had her hair tied up, the welcoming escort boy dazed for a moment. Blushing, he leaned into her embrace. “Little Daoist, are you here to listen to music? Or are you looking for some fun? I can play pitch-pot, and I can also play the zither~”

Song Yao waved her folding fan to gently push the boy back. Looking at the receding backs of Ye Chang’an and his group walking upstairs, she smiled and said, “Next time. Today, I’m here to drink with someone.”

The escort boy was sharp-eyed. Glancing at her Daoist robe, he immediately understood. “Are you with Young Master Ye? He’s in Heaven Room One. Shall I lead you there?”

“No need, I can go by myself,” Song Yao replied.

The boy felt quite regretful. He leaned closer to her again, his face full of anticipation. “Then you must come find me next time.”

“Sure thing.” Folding her fan, she smilingly lifted the boy’s chin with its handle, then turned and walked up the carpeted stairs.

The Heaven-grade rooms were on the top floor, with only three rooms in total. As she rounded the corner, she suddenly heard low sobbing coming from a side room.

She walked over to take a look. Inside, several brightly dressed girls and young men huddled in a corner, clutching handkerchiefs to wipe their tears. Their voices trembled uncontrollably. “No, I won’t go serve Young Master Ye! We agreed in the beginning that we sell our talents, not our bodies. The way he acts...”

The madam paced anxiously in the room, wringing her hands and urging them repeatedly, “Oh, my dear ladies, who is asking you to sell your bodies? It’s just to accompany him for drinks and sing a few songs. It’s not what you think!”

A girl in a pink dress sobbed, her shoulders shaking. “It’s not selling our bodies, but he is like a lunatic! Last time, Sister Xiwan only sang one wrong line, and he beat her so badly she couldn’t get up for half a day. Her leg is still crippled now!”

“And A-Liang! Just because he was a beat too slow pouring wine, he was kicked down the stairs. He’s still recovering outside!”

“He only comes when he’s in a bad mood, finding all sorts of excuses to beat people to death.”

The madam was left speechless. After a long pause, she tried to persuade them again, “He is extremely generous with his money. If you get beaten once, you won’t have to worry about the rest of your life.”

The escort boy beside her chimed in with a sob, “But we have to be alive to spend it!”

The madam stamped her feet in frustration, her voice trembling. “I know you are suffering! But he is the young master of the Taiqing Pavilion; we cannot afford to offend him! If our manager were still here, how would he dare be so impudent...”

Before she could finish, a loud crash suddenly echoed from the direction of Heaven Room One.

Following that was Ye Chang’an’s furious roar, shaking even the lanterns hanging under the corridor. “Where is everyone?! I said I wanted to hear music, so why isn’t anyone here yet?! Keep wasting time, and see if I don’t tear this damn building down!”

The occupants of the side room instantly turned pale with fear, huddling in the corner, not even daring to cry out loud.

The madam shuddered at the roar, her face draining of color. She gritted her teeth and stamped her foot. “Fine, fine! If you won’t go, I will! I’m at least half a manager here; he can’t possibly kill me.”

Several of them immediately rushed forward in a panic to stop her, tears of anxiety welling in their eyes. “You can’t go either! Your health is already poor!”