Sheng Tang: What is Liu Jianjun going to do today?

Chapter 56 Liu Jianjun went to a brothel again

Yuchunlou, an elegant pavilion.

Li Xian and Liu Jianjun sat in the elegant room, while downstairs, the courtesans of Yuchun Tower were singing and dancing lavishly. The madam had warmly invited them to sit down, served them fine wine, and prepared two golden roast chickens before bowing and retreating with a fawning smile.

"Please wait a moment, gentlemen. This old lady will now invite Miss Huaqin to come up on stage and perform a piece!"

As soon as the madam left, Liu Jianjun grabbed a roast chicken and stuffed it into his mouth: "The roast chicken from Yuchunlou is really interesting, Xianzi, eat up! Don't worry, we're just having a vegetarian meal today, I won't kick you out!"

Li Xian glared at him irritably, then grabbed the other roast chicken.

After spending the morning at Di Renjie's house, Li Xian was indeed a little hungry.

A commotion gradually rose from downstairs. Yuchun Pavilion was where the "Black-Faced Young Master" first appeared, and it was also where the most of his poems were circulated. Good poems attracted high-quality prostitutes, and high-quality prostitutes attracted more customers. Customers brought more money, which in turn attracted even more prostitutes.

And so it goes, in a cycle.

Moreover, excellent poems themselves can attract scholars and literati.

Therefore, Yuchunlou's business is now much better than before.

Li Xian looked down through the gauze curtain. The downstairs area was filled with patrons, drinking, laughing, reveling, and behaving in a dissolute manner. It was also filled with prostitutes, their breasts and waists exposed, swaying their hips, dressed in flamboyant attire.

Amidst the clamor of voices, a gentle melody began to play, and someone exclaimed, "The Flower Qin Girl is on stage!"

Then, Li Xian saw a woman, supported by the madam, slowly walk to the center of the stage, holding a pipa. Everyone around held their breath, but Li Xian frowned.

That's obvious... she's a bit too thin.

After scrutinizing her for a while, Li Xian found that apart from her full breasts, round buttocks, and fair skin, she had nothing else to offer.

Her waist was too thin and not round enough, her face was too pointed, she had no muscles, and her limbs were also very thin... Hmm, it was similar to the style that Liu Jianjun liked.

Li Xian suddenly remembered what the madam had said to Liu Jianjun before they entered the room, and then he couldn't help but chuckle.

It seems that Liu Jianjun is exceptionally popular in these brothels; Yuchunlou even specially promoted a high-ranking official for him.

At that moment, Li Xian also felt a bit curious about this.

What kind of music will the courtesan from Yuchunlou, who is specifically there to curry favor with Liu Jianjun, play?

Then, Li Xian saw the chieftain speak softly, his tone gentle: "When will the moon be clear and bright? I raise my cup to ask the blue sky~"

Li Xian nodded slightly.

The woman's voice was quite pleasant, with a touch of ethereal beauty.

Hmm... this tune?

"I wonder what year it is tonight in the celestial palace~" Du Zhi was still singing, but his tone had become somewhat mournful.

Li Xian was stunned, and subconsciously looked at Liu Jianjun: "Did you write these lyrics?"

The melody of this song is somewhat similar to "Shuidiao," but the details are different, suggesting that some modifications have been made. It is likely the work of Liu Jianjun.

"How is it? Not bad, right?" Liu Jianjun asked without looking up as he ate the roast chicken.

Li Xian said irritably, "Why do you keep sending these nice words to brothels?"

"It's to offset the cost of prostitution!" Liu Jianjun replied matter-of-factly.

"This melody... is very beautiful, somewhat like 'Shuidiao' (a type of folk song). Hmm, the prostitute's singing voice is also quite good, although her pipa skills are a little lacking, but the flaws do not detract from the overall excellence..." Li Xian commented.

In reality, as the former crown prince, what kind of music hadn't Li Xian heard, and what kind of famous performers hadn't he seen? To receive such praise from Li Xian is already quite remarkable.

The sudden silence downstairs was enough to tell. While the people of the Tang Dynasty appreciated beauty, they also valued talent. This melody had already made up for any shortcomings in her figure and appearance, just like her pipa skills—flaws did not detract from her overall excellence.

Moreover, the melodious and sorrowful tone of the song, paired with Doji's slender figure, was surprisingly quite fitting.

It seems to confirm Liu Jianjun's saying, "I have grown thin and haggard for her sake."

Liu Jianjun's poetic talent is indeed remarkable.

"She sang very well," Li Xian affirmed again.

"That's good. We'll call her up later for a private song for the two of us." Liu Jianjun had already devoured half a roast chicken, wiped the grease from his mouth, and looked down at the brothel owner, his eyes brightening slightly: "Wow! Small things can yield big results! The madam really put in the effort this time!"

So he had just seen what the knower looked like.

Immediately, Liu Jianjun leaned against the windowsill and waved to the madam.

Li Xian also noticed that when Du Zhi saw Liu Jianjun peek out, his eyes instantly brightened, and even his singing pitched up a few notches, as if he had been looking forward to this moment for a long time.

Before long, the madam came running upstairs with a beaming smile, scolding as she ran, "Young Master Liu, why did you only start singing after you finished your song? This old lady thought you looked down on our Miss Huaqin! Our Miss Huaqin was quite sad for a while!"

Liu Jianjun rubbed his hand on the madam's chest, pointed at the unfinished roast chicken, and said with a smile, "I was eating this chicken just now! I didn't notice the one below!"

The madam chuckled, "If these words were to reach the ears of our Miss Huaqin, she would be heartbroken for a long time. She has remained chaste for Young Master Liu!"

"Come on, just call her up here and have her sing a song for us brothers. We'll only do something simple today."

The madam hurriedly nodded and ran downstairs.

Li Xian then saw the madam whisper something in Du Zhi's ear. Du Zhi was instantly overjoyed, but there was still a hint of regret on his face, as if he was regretting that he could not have sex with Liu Jianjun.

But just then, another prostitute rushed over in a panic and whispered something in the madam's ear.

The madam's expression changed, and after giving the chief a few more instructions, she rushed up to the pavilion.

Then, they appeared at the doorway.

She chuckled, her tone tinged with apology and hesitation: "Young Master Liu, isn't it a coincidence? A distinguished guest next door has also taken a fancy to Miss Huaqin, what do you think..."

Liu Jianjun was taken aback, then waved his hand dismissively and said, "It's alright, I don't want to make things difficult for you, old lady. Just give me two different girls."

The madam immediately smiled gratefully and said, "Young Master Liu, you are very generous. It's just that the distinguished guests over there are too important for this old lady to deal with. How about I make the decision to waive this meal for you today?"

Liu Jianjun nodded casually.

Just as the madam was about to leave, Liu Jianjun suddenly asked curiously, "Who is the distinguished guest opposite?"

Then he winked at Li Xian, the meaning of which was clear: if we can win over that person, we can take the opportunity to become acquainted.

The madam looked somewhat embarrassed, but still hesitated before saying, "I can't say the name of that distinguished guest, but... his surname is Wu."

Li Xian was stunned.

Liu Jianjun was also taken aback.

Then he grinned, looked at Li Xian, and said, "Xianzi, didn't we say before we came that we were going to portray ourselves as spoiled brats?"

Li Xian felt that Liu Jianjun's smile was malicious.

……

(End of this chapter)