Volume One, Chapter Seven: This Courtesan Is Different

“Gentlemen, these are the most popular girls in my Scarlet Pavilion,” the madam said with a beaming smile as she led a new group of girls forward.

Zhang Yan’s gaze swept over them; all were dressed scantily and quite pleasing to the eye. Truly, this was the finest brothel in Wucheng.

Zhang Yan chuckled softly, patted Xiao Changqing on the shoulder, and said, “Scholar Xiao, would you like to choose first?”

Xiao Changqing smiled faintly, shook his head, and declined, “No need.”

As a distinguished third-place top scholar, he had come to the Scarlet Pavilion for the poetry contest, not for pleasure. If word got out, it would tarnish his reputable name.

Zhang Yan curled his lips in disdain; Xiao Changqing was just pretending to be proper. He had yet to meet a man who truly harbored no thoughts in a place like this.

Since Xiao Changqing refused, Zhang Yan was more than willing to make a choice.

“You’re the one,” Zhang Yan said, pointing to a girl who clearly seemed very experienced.

She wore a light green dress, exposing more skin than the others.

“I am Xuan Xuan. Thank you for your favor, sir,” she said with a smile, leaning slightly toward Zhang Yan as she settled into a chair.

Zhang Yan placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling slyly and murmuring, “Xuan Xuan — such a lovely name.”

Xuan Xuan lifted a wine cup, offering it to Zhang Yan before taking a sip herself, her expression tinged with sorrow as she confided, “To be honest, my father is a gambler who has left us with enormous debts, my mother is seriously ill, and I have a younger brother who must continue his studies. I had no choice but to enter this smoky and willow-lined place.”

Zhang Yan took the cup, the corner of his mouth twitching.

Father gambles, mother sick, brother studying — and a broken girl to boot?

Classic. Absolutely classic.

Clinking cups with Xuan Xuan, Zhang Yan leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Miss Xuan Xuan, you seem quite experienced and must have served many young masters. Why not tell me what they say when drunk? If your words please me, I might even reward you generously — perhaps even buy your freedom.”

“Sir, those are the guests’ secrets; I dare not reveal them,” Xuan Xuan replied, shaking her head.

Zhang Yan was not surprised. It was their first meeting; it was only natural for her to be cautious.

The more he talked, the more he might gain.

Zhang Yan was not here to indulge himself in the Scarlet Pavilion; he was here to investigate who had deceived his predecessor.

The previous memories yielded very little information. To uncover the mastermind behind the troubles facing the Zhang family, the brothel was naturally the best place to gather intelligence.

As Zhang Yan pondered, the music abruptly stopped; the purple-clad woman on stage paused her playing.

She smiled gently, immediately drawing many eyes, and said, “Thank you all for attending Qingya’s monthly poetry contest. It is your patronage that has sustained this event.”

She then glanced at Xiao Changqing,I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.