Red Tower Spring Fragrance, I Want to Cross the River

What Wang Xian hadn't expected was that the Red Tower in Flowing Water Town was hidden in an alley, just like the Golden Hook Gambling House in Jinling Imperial City.

If the waiter hadn't shown him the way, he probably never would have found it.

The waiter led Wang Xian to the tightly shut front door, then turned and left.

He was afraid that if he stayed there a moment longer, someone inside would lure his soul away.

Wang Xian looked up. The Red Tower truly was red. Even its two tightly shut doors had been painted deep crimson, like a dead man's blood after it had clotted.

Wang Xian stood before the door, gazing up at the swaying red lanterns.

A crow was painted on each lantern, gleaming eerily in the night.

He raised a hand and knocked three times, then waited quietly.

"Creak!"

The dark, carved doors slowly swung open.

"May I help you, young master?"

A heavily made-up madam held the red door half-open, gently fanning herself with a round fan.

She looked Wang Xian up and down, her face showing a hint of disdain. "Are you sure you've come to the right place?"

The madam couldn't understand it. A young man in a black hemp robe and cloth shoes—how many coins could he possibly have to spend in this den of iniquity?

Wang Xian shook his head. "I'm in the right place."

The madam paused, then opened the door a little wider. "Do you know what kind of place this is?"

"Isn't this the Red Tower?"

Wang Xian replied calmly, "I'm here to see Linghu Chunxiang."

"Miss Chunxiang?"

The madam looked Wang Xian up and down again, then asked with a frown, "Do you have money? Do you know her?"

After a moment, she added, "If