Just then.
A young brothel attendant with an excellent eye for people noticed the extraordinary bearing and refined attire of Jiang Che and the other three.
He immediately plastered on a smile and came trotting over, bowing and scraping all the way.
"Yo! Esteemed gentlemen, what rare visitors!"
The attendant flicked the white towel draped over his shoulder, warmly enthusiastic as though he had just found his long-lost father.
"You gentlemen look unfamiliar. I suppose this is your first time visiting our Drunken Apricot Tower?"
The attendant was quick-witted and silver-tongued, clearly well versed in his trade.
Before Jiang Che could even speak, he had already launched into an endless stream of self-praise, fervently promoting the establishment's top courtesans.
"Gentlemen, you've come to the right place today!"
"The ladies of our Drunken Apricot Tower are absolutely among the finest beauties in all of Bianliang City!"
"Especially our Four Great Courtesans: the four accomplished courtesans, Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju."
The attendant boasted animatedly, "They are proficient in all four arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—and their singing and instrumental skills are even more extraordinary!"
"I guarantee they'll leave you gentlemen utterly enchanted, reluctant to leave!"
Having introduced the top courtesans' talents, the attendant rubbed his hands together, a lewd, knowing grin spreading across his face.
"May I ask whether you gentlemen have come today to join the bustle in the main hall and properly enjoy some music?"
"Or would you rather head to a private room upstairs... and indulge yourselves properly?"
In a brothel, so-called "enjoying music" was naturally the proper pastime of refined scholars.
As for "indulging yourselves"... those who knew, knew.
"Music."
Without a second thought, Jiang Che gave his answer.
He casually pulled a glittering gold ingot from his sleeve and accurately tossed it into the attendant's arms.