“So, this is the biggest brothel in the area?” Chu Ruo muttered to herself, stroking her chin. She had gathered this information from the waiter back at the inn. The place looked spacious and bright, with quite a luxurious interior. Not bad, not bad at all.
“Indeed it is, Young Master,” a voice chimed in. Though Chu Ruo had been talking to herself, the women soliciting at the entrance had spotted her. Seeing her dressed like a person of wealth and status, and noting her curious murmurs, they seized the opportunity. They swarmed her, grabbing her arms and ushering her inside with a chorus of chirping voices. “Oh, what a handsome gentleman! First time here? Come in, come in—we’ll make sure you’re satisfied. Don’t be shy~”
*Ugh.* The scent of powder and rouge was stifling. Their voices were laced with a forced, sugary sweetness that would make most men melt, but Chu Ruo found it grating. She couldn't help but make a silent comparison: Yan’er and the Little Scorpion had much lovelier voices, and their natural scents weren't nearly as suffocating. As the women’s hands began to wander, she hurriedly shielded her vital areas. “Alright, alright, stop pushing! I have legs, I can walk myself.”
“Madam! We have a guest!”
At the shout, the procuress appeared. Chu Ruo knew exactly who she was because her appearance and mannerisms were a carbon copy of the madams from TV dramas. Her face was caked in a layer of makeup so thick that a smile threatened to drop two pounds of powder from her wrinkles. She wore a garish clash of reds and greens, brandishing a large fan and a bright pink handkerchief that she flicked at everyone she met. The scent wafting off her nearly knocked Chu Ruo unconscious from several paces away.
“Oh, let me see... what a handsome official!” The madam of a brothel naturally had a sharp eye. If Chu Ruo hadn't looked so wealthy, the girls wouldn't have been so enthusiastic, and the madam wouldn't have come to greet her personally. They could tell at a glance who was truly rich and who was just pretending. A guest of Chu Ruo’s caliber couldn't be left to the common girls at the door. With a wave of her hand, she dismissed them.
“A fresh face! Your first time, I presume? Oh, I’m not one to blow my own trumpet, but in a three-hundred-mile radius, you won’t find a better place than my Drunken Dream Pavilion. My girls are truly...”
She went on and on. *Official? Please don’t call me that, sister,* Chu Ruo thought. *I’m no Lord Ximen.* She quickly cut her off. “Ha, Madam, you joke. Since you can see it’s my first time and I’m wearing a mask, how can you tell if I’m handsome?”
“Oh, Young Master, look at these.” The madam, Madam Yao, pointed to her own eyes—which were as large as a cow’s—with a boastful grin. “These golden pupils of mine aren't just for show. But enough of that! Since it’s your first time, let me introduce two of my best. Chun’er! Yan’er!”
She whistled, summoning two girls. “The main hall is a bit noisy. Would you prefer a private booth or...?”
Chu Ruo looked them over. They were decent-looking, perhaps a bit above average, but one was named Yan’er. *Ugh, she’s a far cry from my Yan’er.* She handed over two heavy silver ingots. “That’s enough. Madam... whatever-your-name-is...”
Madam Yao’s face lit up as she snatched the silver. “Madam Yao, or you can call me Sister Yao. Whatever you need, just say the word.”
“Enough, enough.” *Sister Yao? What a name... fits a madam, I suppose.* “I’m just here to see the sights. You don’t need to mind me.”
“Are these two not to your liking? We also have...”
“No need.” Chu Ruo handed over two more banknotes. *Man, being rich feels amazing.* “Just bring me a jar of wine and a couple of side dishes.”
“Coming right up!” Madam Yao tucked the notes into her bodice. Brothels saw all sorts of people; she didn't care that Chu Ruo wore a mask as long as the money was good. If the guest didn't want girls, even better—less work. “Wait just a moment, it’ll be right there.”
Finally alone, Chu Ruo sat at her small table and surveyed her surroundings. The place was bustling, a constant flow of men and women. On the stage in the center of the hall, singers and dancers were performing. Her hearing had improved significantly lately, and she could catch snippets of poetry and drinking games from the nearby tables. This ancient brothel was exactly as she had imagined. It was interesting, in a way. She wasn't actually there for the women; she just liked the atmosphere—the feeling of being in the middle of a crowd while remaining detached. However, the beauty of the women here was... mediocre. She thought of Yan’er and the Little Scorpion again. *If the Little Scorpion knew I was comparing her to brothel girls, she’d flip.* But honestly, even the other disciples of the Hundred Flowers Palace were far superior. *If I wanted to see beauties, I should have just stayed on the mountain.*
Well, the peanuts were gone, and she’d seen enough of the spectacle. There were no special events at the Drunken Dream Pavilion tonight. Most of the gossip she overheard was useless—talk of the Heavenly Demon Palace’s growing power or the mysterious disappearances of various sect leaders. The performances on stage were just more of the same. Chu Ruo clapped her hands, ready to leave, when she overheard a conversation between two people nearby.
A youth in a water-blue robe spoke up. “Sis—I mean, Brother, it’s about time. We have things to do. Let’s head back.” He fumbled with his sleeves, his expression suddenly changing. “I... my purse. I think it’s gone.”
The youth in white beside him looked equally panicked. “What do we do? Mine is gone too! It was right here a moment ago. This is bad... you ordered quite a lot of things.”
“Don’t worry about that. How about we slip out while no one’s looking?”
“But...” the one in white hesitated, “that doesn't seem right. It would be so embarrassing if we were caught.”
“Oh, just come on! What’s not right about it?” He grabbed the other’s arm and made a dash for the exit. “We snuck out to play; don’t forget our mission. Let’s go before someone notices.”
As they turned to flee, the youth in white accidentally bumped straight into Chu Ruo. He immediately lowered his head, his face flushing a deep red. When he looked up again and saw the handsome, masked figure smiling warmly at him, his heart skipped a beat. He whispered, barely audible, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s no trouble.” Chu Ruo wanted to laugh. From their conversation, it was clear their purses hadn't been lost—they’d been stolen. And she was a hundred percent certain these two weren't boys. Like her, they were girls in disguise—just a couple of young lasses. They were quite pretty, though their disguises were a bit amateur. *You should ask me for tips next time; I’ll teach you for free.*
Before they could reach the door, Madam Yao and her thugs blocked the way. The madam was still smiling, but it didn't reach her eyes. “Oh? And where might you two young masters be going? Looking at your fine clothes, surely you aren't planning to dine and dash in my establishment?”
Chu Ruo was impressed. Despite the noise and the crowd of at least fifty people, the madam kept track of everyone’s movements. Impressive indeed.
The "youth" in blue tried to hide his discomfort. “What? This lad—this young master was in a hurry today. We have urgent business. We’ll return tomorrow to pay you back.”
“Now, that’s a new one.” Madam Yao’s face soured faster than a turning page. “What do you think the Drunken Dream Pavilion is? Do you take me for a fool? You want to leave? Fine. One stays here, and the other goes to get the money.”
“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? I told you we’re in a hurry! Who has time to waste here? We’re leaving, and I’d like to see who dares stop us.”
Madam Yao signaled to several burly men, who immediately surrounded the pair. The girl in blue reached for her waist, her hand moving toward a hidden weapon.
“I’ll pay for them.”
Everyone turned. Chu Ruo walked over. “How much do they owe? Give me a number, Madam Yao, and I’ll settle it.”
“Oh, it’s you! Very well, five hundred taels.”
“Five hundred taels!” the girl in blue cried out, incensed. “I only ordered two jars of wine and a couple of lousy dishes! You’re highwaymen! Why don't you just rob us?”
“Here is five hundred taels.” Chu Ruo handed over five hundred-tael notes.
Madam Yao took the money and immediately waved her thugs away. “Be grateful, you two. You met a benefactor today. I even gave you a twenty percent discount.” She turned back to Chu Ruo with a fawning smile. “Please, continue your evening. Call me if you need anything else.”
“Thank you for your help, Young Master,” the girl in white said, cupping her hands. “May I ask your name and where you live? We will surely repay you tomorrow.”
“It’s a small matter.” Chu Ruo decided not to expose their gender. They were likely daughters of a wealthy family or disciples who had snuck out to play. “No need for formalities, Brother. Consider it a way to make a friend.”
“Five hundred taels to make a friend? You’re an interesting one,” the girl in blue said, looking her up and down. “You seem alright. What’s your name?”
“I am Chu Ruo.”
“We are—”
“Oh!” The girl in blue pulled her companion. “We really don’t have time. Let’s go! Hey, kid, we’ll remember this five-hundred-tael favor. We’ll pay you back someday!”
This time, the two ran out without hindrance. Only the girl in white turned back at the door to mouth something. Judging by her lips, it was "Until we meet again."
*Meet again? Probably not,* Chu Ruo thought. *Anyway, it wasn't my money, so I don't feel the sting.* If the Little Scorpion found out she was throwing her money away like this... *Tsk, the mental image is too scary to contemplate.*
***
“Sis, why are you smiling while we run? Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for that sucker?”
“I have not!” she replied shyly. “He helped us, and you’re still calling him names.”
“Ooh, look at you, getting protective. I’m just reminding you—anyone who hangs out in a brothel isn't a good person.”
“Who says everyone in a place like that is bad? Didn't you see? He didn't even call for a girl, he didn't smell like powder, and... and he was so kind...”
“Fine, fine. We don’t have time for this. Hurry up, we can’t be late for the mission.”
***
Back at the Drunken Dream Pavilion.
“It seems you haven't had your fill of wandering yet.”
Before Chu Ruo could finish her musings, a voice came from behind. She actually ran toward it excitedly, a brilliant smile on her face. “Master!”
Nan Muxue didn't know why, but this person’s moods were starting to affect her. she looked at her with an amused glint. “Looking at you, Ruo’er, I fear you’ve enjoyed yourself so much you’ve forgotten my instructions entirely.”
*Would it kill you not to needle me?* “How could I? I was just waiting for Master to come pick me up.”
“And how did you find this brothel?”
“Not bad,” Chu Ruo critiqued seriously. “The girls are a bit lacking, though. Just common, powdered faces. Only average beauty.”
“Chu Ruo,” Nan Muxue said, her smile radiant yet dangerous. “Do you have a death wish?”
Chu Ruo shrunk back. She felt spineless, truly spineless, but what could she do? She was helpless against her.
“Let’s go.”
“Wait for me outside for a moment.”
Chu Ruo was confused. “Why?”
“I heard some people over there talking about the Heavenly Demon Palace. You go out first; I’ll go listen. They’ll be suspicious if there are too many of us.”
“Oh,” Chu Ruo nodded obediently. “Then hurry up.”
As soon as Chu Ruo left, a figure flickered beside Nan Muxue. “Greetings, Young Palace Mistress.”
“There are many people here; no need for formalities.”
“Yes.”
“Speak.”
“After Chu Ruo entered, she ordered a jar of wine and two side dishes. She sat at the table in the southeast corner, looking around and listening to the music. She did not call for any girls, nor did she flirt with anyone. She did, however, encounter two girls who were trying to leave without paying. She settled their bill with five hundred taels. Other than that, nothing happened.”
Nan Muxue stood with her hands behind her back, her expression unreadable. “Girls?”
Madam Yao replied respectfully, “Yes, though they were disguised as men. They looked like disciples from some minor sect who had snuck out. She helped them out of chivalry; she likely didn't know their identities.”
“I see. You may return to your duties.”
“Yes.” As Madam Yao walked away, she muttered a silent prayer. *Lord Buddha, Chu Ruo, you’re on your own. This is all the help I can give you.* Why did the girl have to pick a brothel owned by the Hundred Flowers Palace? Then again, most brothels in the area belonged to them; it wouldn't have mattered where she went. Madam Yao had heard rumors that the Young Palace Mistress was particularly concerned with this person, but she hadn't expected it to be to this extent—ordering a full report on her every move. Having spent her life in this trade, Madam Yao’s eyes were sharper than most when it came to matters of the heart. *The Young Palace Mistress... I fear she’s fallen for her own disciple. Ah, what a tangled web.*
On the road, Chu Ruo asked curiously, “What’s wrong? You haven't said a word.”
No response. She caught up. “Hey!”
Still ignored. She leaped ahead, blocking Nan Muxue’s path. “What’s the matter now?”
“The hero saving the beauties... how did it feel?”
***
