Nighttime Visit to Su Estate

The capital's pleasure quarters and entertainment districts were mainly scattered across three hutongs.

Yanle Hutong, Goulan Hutong, and Yanzhi Lane.

"Yanle Hutong," near Dongsi Street, was under the jurisdiction of the Jiaofang Division. Official courtesans trained in singing, dancing, and instrumental music there.

The officially operated music troupes emphasized one word: "refinement."

The girls practiced the pipa and sanxian from childhood. Their voices had to ring clear, and their figures had to be supple.

The old eunuch of the Jiaofang Division narrowed his eyes and tapped the sandalwood clapper with his orchid-pointing finger. "Rainbow Skirt—third movement. Here we go!"

As soon as the strings rang out, the courtesans in green sleeveless jackets swayed their heads to the tune, their gold hairpins and pendants striking their cheeks.

But once one turned into Goulan Hutong, the scene was entirely different.

Moon gates of gray brick bore Xiangfei Bamboo Curtains, while the tinkling sound of yuqins drifted from within, mixed with the shouts of men playing drinking games.

"Call a girl—!" The brothel servant drawled his announcement into the courtyard. Before long, a woman with peony-styled hair emerged carrying a ruanxian. Her jacket and skirt rustled over the threshold, leaving behind the scent of jasmine soap...

Deep in Yanzhi Lane, most establishments had three courtyards and stages beneath rolled-eave roofs.

Their locations were secluded, and their patrons were all high officials and nobles.

As for Floating Fragrance Brothel, formerly controlled by Tiger Might Hall, its grade was nowhere near theirs.

"Official courtesans or private ones? They're all just toys for the gentlemen to dispel their boredom!"

The man leading the way chuckled softly. "One look at you and I knew you were a man of Prosperity. The rules in the capital are strict, but they're no different from elsewhere. Everything depends on official