The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

There are many brothels in Lin'an City, and there are even more since the capital was moved. However, there are high and low levels in any business. Unlike brothels that specialize in the flesh trade, the women in brothels are mostly geishas who only sell their art and not their bodies. Some of them even come from prominent families, but have ended up here because of their family decline. They are not only beautiful, but also talented. The guests they receive are mostly dignitaries and literati. Qunfanglou is one of the best among them.

"Don't be fooled by the vulgar name. The more vulgar, the more elegant. This brothel has been open in Lin'an for more than 40 years. It is said that it has powerful backers," Lin Junhui introduced while waving a fan.

Zhang Pingan, Jin Bao and Xiao Yifei were all attending such an occasion for the first time, so they were inevitably a little restrained. Especially Xiao Yifei, who was already married and had a good relationship with his wife, so he was even more reserved.

When they were in Wushan County, Xiao's father and mother had always been very strict with Xiao Yifei in this regard, fearing that he would develop bad habits, so this was Xiao Yifei's first time to come to a brothel.

Now that we're at the door, we can't retreat.

Lin Junhui and his friend Gao Cangjian were quite calm, acting like familiar customers, and let the eunuch lead the way.

The three of them followed Lin Junhui in.

Just by looking at the gate, you can tell that Qunfanglou is indeed different from other brothels. There are no girls in cool clothes leaning against the door or on the second floor to call customers. There are only eunuchs at the door to greet guests, which looks low-key and mysterious.

After walking around the screen and entering the hall, it was not too noisy. The hall on the first floor was decorated extremely luxuriously, with glass lamps, Persian carpets, and rosewood furniture. There were ice basins in the four corners of the hall to cool down. Under the bright lights, the level of luxury was even better than Lin Junhui's house. There were also many famous paintings and calligraphy hanging on the walls, making it look gorgeous and not vulgar.

On the stage in the hall, several beautiful women were playing the piano and dancing. The music was melodious and accompanied by the soft singing in Wu dialect, which was really relaxing.

There were not many guests in the lobby on the first floor, just a few, and they all looked like they had just entered.

Zhang Ping'an felt that he and Jinbao were just country bumpkins who had come to the city and had broadened their horizons. Although they had seen many magnificent scenes on TV in their previous lives, seeing them on TV was completely different from experiencing them in person.

Just like many people don’t feel anything when watching something on TV, but feel deeply touched after traveling there in person.

Zhang Ping'an didn't even see the madam come out to greet him. He was so curious that before he could ask, a maid came to serve tea. Lin Junhui smiled and gave her money, saying, "We want to see Miss Liu today. Let Madam Su arrange it!"

After receiving the reward, the maid bowed and then turned to go upstairs. She walked slowly and steadily, and it was obvious that she was well-trained.

"This group of brothels are really different. There is no madam on the first floor, but there are not many customers on the first floor either," Zhang Pingan leaned closer and whispered.

"Hahaha, this Qunfanglou is different from other places. The first floor is not a place for formal reception of guests. The guests are mainly in the girls' rooms on the second and third floors. We will go to the second floor later. The higher the floor, the better the room location, and the higher the value of the girls. You have to spend a lot of money to see the top courtesan. The girl Liu I ordered today, although not the top courtesan, is a great poet and has good talent. You will know later," Lin Junhui said with a smile.

Gao Cangjian's expression relaxed, and he also agreed with a smile: "The environment here is nice, very private, and there is no messy things like other brothels. Even the prefect often comes here."

The prefect? ​​That's Lin Junhui's father-in-law.

Zhang Pingan was a little worried: "Brother Lin, what if you run into your father-in-law?"

Lin Junhui waved his fan nonchalantly and said, "It's okay, just for fun. My father-in-law won't blame me."

Soon, the maid came downstairs and bowed, saying, "Gentlemen, Madam Su wants to see you. Miss Liu is waiting in her room!"

Everyone then followed the maid up to the second floor.

After reaching the second floor, one could faintly hear the sounds of stringed instruments and laughter coming from various rooms. The voices were very low and difficult to hear clearly. The doors and windows on both sides of the corridor on the second floor were closed, and a wooden sign with the girls' names was hung on the door.

The maid leading the way stopped in front of one of the doors, gently pushed it open, and invited everyone in.

The interior was elegantly decorated with the aroma of incense. The madam, Mama Su, was waiting in the small flower hall outside. She was a woman with very gorgeous clothes and appearance. According to Zhang Ping'an's observation, she was no more than 30 years old. Her eyes were gentle and she still had charm. In her previous life, she would have been very young, but in ancient times, she would have been considered a middle-aged woman.

After a few people came in, Mother Su waved her handkerchief and greeted them warmly, "Mr. Lin, you are such a rare guest! It's been a long time since you've been here. Our Shishi has been missing you. Please take a seat!"

The sound is clear and pleasant.

After that, he ordered the maid: "Xiaoqing, serve tea quickly!"

Although she has been through a lot and is not young anymore, one can still feel a hint of girlish coquettishness and sincerity in the way the madam speaks.

Lin Junhui exchanged a few polite words with the madam, drank tea in the flower hall, and paid for the tea before the madam let them into the small inner hall.

Zhang Ping'an felt a pang of pain when he saw the number of one hundred taels on the banknote. It was easier to make money from rich people.

When they entered the small inner hall, they saw a beautiful woman in a light green dress sitting at a table by the window, reading a book. It must be Miss Liu. When she saw everyone coming in, she put down the book, stood up and greeted them, saying, "Greetings, gentlemen."

Her voice is soft and sweet, like the sound of a flowing spring. She looks to be in her twenties, with skin as delicate as a baby's.

After Lin Junhui sat down, he praised: "Miss Liu's voice is like a spring, clear and refreshing, clearing away the dust and smoke in my ears."

Miss Liu snorted softly when she heard this, "Why doesn't Master Lin come to see me more often? It's a waste that Shishi is always thinking about Master Lin!"

After everyone was seated, the maid brought up fresh fruits and snacks.

Zhang Ping'an saw that this small hall did not look like a flower hall where brothel girls entertained guests, but rather a study. There were many stringed instruments and four treasures of the study in the small hall, as well as many exquisitely trimmed flowers and plants. There was not a trace of worldly air in the hall.

Lin Junhui was very considerate in his work and introduced the people on both sides one by one.

After a few teasings, Miss Liu looked at Zhang Pingan and the others, her eyes gentle and she said, "You gentlemen don't talk much, but has Shishi been negligent in any way?"

"Not really. We found it quite interesting to listen to Miss Liu and Brother Lin chatting," Zhang Ping'an replied gently.

Jin Bao blushed and stammered, unable to make any clear words. Although the other party came from a brothel, she was indeed the most beautiful and special woman he had ever met in his life of more than ten years. She was like a fairy. When he looked at her, his mind felt blank and he couldn't say anything. Obviously, he was not such a clumsy person.

After hearing this, Miss Liu covered her mouth with her handkerchief and smiled softly: "What's the point of listening to other people chatting? If you don't mind, why don't we make friends through poetry?"

Everyone present was educated, and since they were bored just sitting there, they all agreed readily.

Miss Liu stood up and began to compose a line: "Water lilies shine through the duckweed in the green brocade pond."

After saying this, he looked at everyone with a bright gaze.

Lin Junhui said without hesitation: "A thousand summer orioles chirp at the roses."

It was Gaocangjian's turn. After a moment's thought, he said, "No one has watched the drizzle all day."

Everyone answered the poem in the order they sat. Everyone looked at Xiao Yifei, who was a little nervous. After all, this was his first time composing a poem in such an occasion. After a moment's hesitation, he continued, "On the terrace facing each other, bathing in red."

Then it was Zhang Ping'an's turn. He had just finished the provincial examination and was full of knowledge. This poem was easy for him, and he immediately continued: "A breeze suddenly arose and blew the lotus leaves."

Finally, it was Jin Bao. Although he had no official title, he had at least studied for many years. When the previous people answered, he had already started thinking, so he did not make a fool of himself and answered quickly: "Mercury pouring out of a green jade dish."

Miss Liu was very supportive. After listening to the poems written by each person, she clapped her hands and praised, "You gentlemen are indeed very talented. I admire you very much!"

After finishing the poem, everyone started to guess riddles. This Miss Liu knew a little bit about everything and had a wide range of knowledge. Although she was not considered proficient in Zhang Ping'an's opinion, it was more than enough for a brothel girl, and it was also rare.

She spoke softly and gently, and treated everyone to great care without neglecting anyone. She was a considerate and eloquent person.

Everyone left at 11:00 PM. They could order food and wine inside the brothel, and the chef was quite good. Everyone was satisfied with the food and wine.

But the price was really not cheap. Zhang Ping'an thought that the 100 taels covered all the expenses for tonight. As a result, when Lin Junhui left, he actually left another 100 taels silver note, which was enough for an ordinary person to buy a small courtyard in the south of the city.

Poverty limited his imagination, and today he was lucky. Zhang Pingan felt a little sad, and Xiao Yifei and Jin Bao felt the same.

On the other hand, Gao Cangjian looked calm.

Seeing that it was already late, Lin Junhui called for a sedan chair to send them back.

There are many sedan chair bearers on this street near brothels, who specialize in night business and are easy to call.

Xiao Yifei and Jinbao walked together.

Zhang Ping'an lived in the south of the city. He didn't follow anyone and went home alone in a sedan chair.