Many n have their own goddess in mind, whether from their youth, growth, from movie stars, childhood sweethearts, or a striking passerby they caught a glimpse of.
For Master Jia, his goddess is undoubtedly Qing Niang, the Mada of Spring Rain Building.
Jiang Shouzhong had not expected to et her here.
And from the looks of it, she had beco a manager in Jinse Pavilion.
This surprised Jiang Shouzhong very much.
As a flesh trading venue, though Spring Rain Building was not as famous as the top three brothels in the Capital, nor could it compare with so establishnts with deep heritages, it did have so reputation among common folks.
Its main patrons were ordinary families, lower-level officials, impoverished yet sowhat talented scholars, and myriad ruffians from Jianghu with wild spending habits.
After all, pleasure houses are differentiated by high-end, mid-end, and low-end.
Spring Rain Building qualified as a "boutique" amongst the mid-end.
Especially last year, when connoisseurs rated the top ten Oiran in the Capital, a signature dancer of the Spring Rain Building who excelled in the Hu Xuan dance was on the candidate list; although she did not make it into the top ten, it still attracted so sons of noble families to patronize the establishnt.
A brothel of this kind must be doing good business, so why would she co here to manage another pleasure house?
Could it be to avoid so persistent admirer?
Jiang Shouzhong rembered that Master Jia had ntioned Qing Niang going away to the countryside.
Now it appeared that she had not gone to visit relatives or handle so business but had co to Qingzhou to expand her efforts, while Master Jia was still waiting for her back in the Capital.
"Please co inside, sir."
Since Jiang Shouzhong was wearing a disguise mask, Qing Niang did not recognize him and led the three of them to a superior private room.
Inside the private room, gossar curtains draped elegantly, and light smoke wafted from the incense burners.
Several ink-and-wash paintings hung on the wall.
On the red sandalwood table, spring wine was poured into jade jugs, alongside delicately arranged pastries.
The small chamber exuded elegance and refinent, no wonder it had beco the leading establishnt in Qingzhou after the incident at ngyao Pavilion.
"Eh? Have I seen you sowhere before?"
After serving the tea, Jiang Shouzhong pretended to ponder and looked at Qing Niang, "Haven’t you once been a Mada in a brothel in the Capital?"
Qing Niang startled, scrutinizing Jiang Shouzhong closely, she smiled and said, "Master does seem a bit familiar."
As a brothel Mada, she had developed the ability to rember most patrons who had visited Spring Rain Building.
Particularly soone like Jiang Shouzhong, who could afford such a luxurious room, must have been a valued guest at Spring Rain Building.
Jiang Shouzhong smiled, "My na is Jiang. I went there once with a friend a few years back when business was slow. My friend dragged to drink, and I happened to see Qing Niang protecting a maid from the conflict with a young nobleman. It left a deep impression."
These were the details Lu Renjia had shared with him.
It could be said that Lu Renjia rembered every little thing about Qing Niang.
Qing Niang suddenly rembered, stroking her earlocks with a smile, "Now that Master Jiang has co to such a refined place, it suggests your business must have taken off. I’m truly happy for you."
"So, Qing Niang, I presu your business did not run into trouble?" Jiang Shouzhong countered.
Qing Niang couldn’t be considered extrely beautiful, but the coquettish charm accrued from years in the brothel and the grace of a mature woman were quite alluring in their own right.
Quite a few patrons of Spring Rain Building ca just for her.
Although Qing Niang no longer cared for guests, it wasn’t bad to take advantage a little now and then.
The woman shook her head, "Business on the Capital’s side is actually good, I was just a bit tired, so I ca here to relax and incidentally help an old friend manage her business."
"Oh, that’s how it is."
Jiang Shouzhong nodded lightly.
After so idle chat, Jiang Shouzhong casually inquired:
"By the way, the last ti I ca to Jinse Pavilion, I saw a person wearing a monkey mask. Do you rember him, Qing Niang?"
"Monkey mask..."
Qing Niang furrowed her brows in thought for a while then shook her head, "I haven’t seen him."
"What about a man missing the little finger on his right hand, do you recall anyone like that?"
"Neither."
Qing Niang looked at him suspiciously, "Is Master here to inquire about soone?"
Jiang Shouzhong sighed and said ambiguously, "Business is tough these days. It’s the debtors who act like lords, and I suspect that fellow, always flaunting a mask in front of , is mocking ."
Qing Niang understood, her lips curling into a smile, "Considering our old acquaintance, I will keep an eye out for you."
"Much appreciated, Qing Niang."
Jiang Shouzhong quickly thanked her, bowing.
Qing Niang glanced at Ran Qingchen and Li Nanshuang beside the man and asked teasingly, "Master Jiang, which one of our girls would you like for company? Our girls are skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."
Jiang Shouzhong was about to respond when his left waist was pinched by a hand.
Then, the soft flesh on the right side of his waist was also grabbed.
The two won seed to have a tacit understanding.
Jiang Shouzhong kept a straight face and smiled, "No need, I’m just here to relax and chat with my two friends. Oh, by the way, I heard soone ntion a certain Liu Wuxu who’s quite impressive?"
"She’s the top card of Jinse Pavilion, Miss Liu."
Qing Niang joked, "If Master Jiang wants her company, you’d have to buy Jinse Pavilion outright."
"Just an Oiran, yet so precious?"
Ran Qingchen’s eyebrows raised.
Qing Niang understood the jealousy between won and explained in a soothing tone:
"Precious or not is for n to decide; if a man finds value in her, then she is precious, and if not, she’s worthless."
Her gaze returned to Jiang Shouzhong, as she continued:
"Since Master Jiang has been to the Capital, you must be aware of how valuable the courtesans in the top three brothels are. I dare say our Miss Liu of Jinse Pavilion is every bit as comndable as those top courtesans in the Capital."
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