Chapter 36: Brothel: How About I Attend to You Personally?
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
After carefully analyzing Chen Fuhan’s infected blood, Ye Jiuge found that, in addition to Red-crowned Crane, it contained a poison called Icy Vigor Powder.
Strictly speaking, Icy Vigor Powder was an aphrodisiac, not a poison. Upon consumption, it allowed a person to feel as though he or she were in paradise and live as if in a dream. It made a man more powerful in bed and increased a woman’s pleasure.
This aphrodisiac also had another use that was often neglected: It could be used to suppress different toxins. However, sexual intercourse caused suppressed poison to break out with amplified effects.
Su Yufeng had used the Icy Vigor Powder on Chen Fuhan to humiliate Fifth Concubine before she brought over her servants to catch them in the act. Chen Fuhan would have died from the poison in bed, and Fifth Concubine would have never been able to cure herself even if she had jumped into the Yellow River.
However, Su Yufeng had miscalculated: she had not expected somebody to interfere and knock Chen Fuhan unconscious. Before Chen Fuhan could humiliate Fifth Concubine, Ye Yuxuan had nearly beaten him to death, which was why he was killed when Xing Hua kicked him.
Icy Vigor Powder was scarce in the capital, and only the best brothels used it to spice things up. It was unclear which brothel Chen Fuhan had been in when he fell into the trap.
Privately, Ye Jiuge investigated Chen Fuhan’s recent whereabouts and heard that he had made some money a while ago and hooked up with a courtesan from the Drunken Cloud Pavilion. “Drunken Cloud Pavilion” sounded like the name of a restaurant, but it was one of the three best brothels in the capital.
The courtesan, Lady Yun, was an intriguing woman. Although she was stunningly beautiful, she chose her customers casually. If she felt an affinity for one who caught her eye, she treated him equally, regardless of his background. Hence, many vain, ordinary men tried their luck with her.
Ye Jiuge decided to investigate Lady Yun’s background. She changed into a man’s attire and disguised herself as the graceful son of a nobleman. Shaking her fan, she arrived at the Drunken Cloud Pavilion, which was located on Hua Street.
Red lanterns decorated either side of the street. Young women in revealing clothing were alluring customers from the brothel entrances. The entire street stank of cheap cosmetics.
The Drunken Cloud Pavilion was in the east corner. The wooden building was three stories high and decorated lavishly. The young women at the entrance looked like they were of a higher rank than those from other brothels. When they saw her walking over, they smiled and called out to her, “Guest, come in quickly!”
As soon as Ye Jiuge entered the Drunken Cloud Pavilion, the brothel’s madame came to greet her.
Approximately forty years old, she was wearing make-up and had a shrewd look with sharp eyes. She wore a low-necked red tunic and smiled charmingly as she asked Ye Jiuge, “You look unfamiliar, this must be your first time here. How should I address you?”
“My last name is Ye. I have heard that Lady Yun is as beautiful as a fairy and came specially to pay her a visit. I hope that Mama can refer me.” Ye Jiuge closed her fan with a snap and fished out a silver ingot.
The female brothel keeper’s eyes brightened immediately. She grinned as she accepted the silver and said, “Mr. Ye, I apologize sincerely. Lady Yun is taking care of a customer now, shall I introduce you to the other ladies?”
“I came here solely out of admiration for her. Mama, please grant me this favor.” Ye Jiuge took out another silver ingot.
“Since you are so sincere, I will go and ask Lady Yun. Please wait a moment in the private room.” The madame smiled widely.
“Thank you!” With a snap, Ye Jiuge opened her fan again and followed the madame to a private room on the second floor with a promiscuous air.
Before she left, the madame called out to four beautiful ladies and told them to accompany Ye Jiuge. These four ladies were experienced. Holding cups of wine, they rubbed their bodies against Ye Jiuge as they urged delicately, “Mr. Ye, let me have a drink with you!”
With an indifferent expression, Ye Jiuge stopped them before she smiled and said, “I did not come here to drink.”
“Then why did you come here?” One of the ladies dressed in yellow smiled tenderly as she reached for Ye Jiuge’s thighs. However, Ye Jiuge caught her hand and held it.
“I want something exciting; do you have it here?” Ye Jiuge patted the lady on the cheek a few times, her eyes squinting as she smiled wickedly.
The ladies’ expressions changed. These days, they were afraid of perverted customers. Those who looked refined were, in fact, the most brutal and cruel.
The lady in yellow paled with fear. She forced a smile and asked, “What kind of excitement are you looking for?”
“Tell me what you have. Money is not an issue.” Ye Jiuge hinted by rubbing her fingers together; this was the secret code for wanting to use Icy Vigor Powder.
The ladies looked at one another. Before they could speak, a silver bell-like voice came from outside the room, “I am so sorry for making you wait.”
“Aiya, it’s Lady Yun.” The ladies immediately rose jovially and excused themselves after opening the door to welcome in Lady Yun.
Indeed, Lady Yun was beautiful. Her skin was white as snow, and she had rosy cheeks and almond eyes. She wore peach-red low-necked clothes that revealed generous glimpses of her snow-white breasts. Her sleeves were broad, and her every movement was enchanting. Her wanton charm was indeed capable of making men fall head over heels for her.
“Since I arrived late, I shall punish myself with three cups of wine!” Lady Yun drew up her sleeve and revealed her white and delicate wrist. A strange but unique smell followed.
September Fragrance?! Ye Jiuge was surprised to smell it. Immediately, she began to feel dizzy. Suddenly, there seemed to be two Lady Yuns standing in front of her.
“Mr. Ye, what is wrong?” Lady Yun’s beautiful face expressed surprise as she stretched out her hand to support Ye Jiuge.
“Don’t touch me!” Ye Jiuge slapped Lady Yun’s hand away forcefully. She tried to stand up but felt weak in her entire body.
September Fragrance paired with November Cream produced an overpowering drug that was effective against Spiritual Practitioners. It was activated immediately once inhaled. As such, both drugs were forbidden. If found in a person’s possession, he would be hunted down and killed by Spiritual Practitioners.
Ye Jiuge had been careless. She had thought that the place was an ordinary brothel and that it would be no trouble for her to ask a few questions inside. She did not believe that she would fall into a trap. The November Cream must have been activated in a hidden corner of the room.
Lady Yun looked at her wrist, which had turned red from Ye Jiuge’s slap. Her gentle and passionate expression had changed. She revealed an ugly sneer as she chastised, “Little brat, you dared lay your hands on me. I shall find out who you think you are that you dare cast your eyes on the Drunken Cloud Pavilion.”
As soon as she spoke, she reached out to grab Ye Jiuge. A layer of pale black gas appeared on her white palm.
Ye Jiuge bit the tip of her tongue forcefully as she tried to wield her spiritual power to fight back. Suddenly, Lady Yun’s eyes rolled in their sockets, and she collapsed on the floor with a slam.
Zi Shang’s perfect figure appeared behind Lady Yun.
His handsome face revealed a slight smile as a hint of playfulness flashed across his purple eyes. His snake tail curled into a hook and pulled Ye Jiuge into an embrace. He lowered his head and laughed, “Little Jiuge, if I had been napping, you would have wound up in a difficult situation.”
Zi Shang’s warm breath enveloped her face with an intoxicating flavor.
Ye Jiuge’s head was spinning even more. Not wanting Zi Shang to laugh at her, she forced herself to hold on and said, “Who says that I am in a difficult situation? I came out to pick up chicks and was feeling free!”
However, the “chick,” Lady Yun, had been too cold-hearted and ruthless.
“Are you? I didn’t know that little Jiuge attracts both men and women. This woman doesn’t seem like enough for you. How about I attend to you personally? I will ensure that you are satisfied.” As Zi Shang spoke, his hands, which were holding Ye Jiuge’s waist, began to roam further down…