Hundred Flowers Pavilion

After thinking for a long time without reaching any conclusion, Shi Lan simply set the matter aside for now.

Compared to Shi Feng's Pillar of Fortune, the chain between her and Shi Feng seemed insignificant. Its impact was not too great, so there was no need to rush to undo it.

Shi Lan borrowed a folding fan from the gatehouse, led a troop of guards out, and first arrived before a three-story building of blue bricks and red tiles.

Through a protruding balcony on the second floor, she could vaguely make out ribbons of every color hanging throughout the interior.

Strains of pipa and zither drifted out, mingled with the laughter and teasing of men and women.

The plaque above the building's entrance bore three large characters: "Hundred Flowers Pavilion."

Two burly, fierce-faced men dressed in black stood at the entrance to Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

When the two men saw Shi Lan and her group, their expressions changed at once. They promptly bent at the waist, forcing the flesh on their faces into ingratiating smiles as they looked at Shi Lan.

Curiosity and excitement mingled on Shi Lan's face. This legendary house of pleasure held an attraction for her that could only be called unparalleled.

After finally transmigrating once, it would be far too much of a pity not to have a look around.

"Today, I'm treating! I'll buy you all flower wine!" Shi Lan declared grandly with a sweep of her hand.

"Great!"

"Great my ass!"

One guard reflexively answered "great," but Shi Feng shot him a glare and was about to dissuade Shi Lan when the other guards came to their senses and began chattering all at once.

"Great!"

"Young Master is wise!"

"Thank you, Young Master!"

Shi Feng's expression darkened, but none of the other guards took it seriously. Shi Feng's presence in Shi Mansion was hardly stronger than Shi Lan's had once been, and not many people knew his true identity.

In their eyes, Shi Feng was merely a newly recruited guard. If Shi Lan had not spoken with Shi Feng alone before, they would have long since discussed giving him a show of strength.

Seeing that Shi Feng did not look pleased, Shi Lan only assumed that he was too embarrassed to admit it.

Closet pervert.

Shi Lan thus labeled Shi Feng in her heart. She had once been a man herself. Unless a man was gay, or truly the sort who guarded his chastity like jade, most men had very little resistance to places like this.

Especially when someone else was paying, that resistance could even drop below zero.

After all, men were creatures capable of separating their emotions from their bodies.

If a naked beauty stood before them, free for them to pluck as they pleased, most men would be unable to restrain themselves. That did not mean they had fallen for the beauty; it was merely physical impulse.

"Food and sex are human nature."

Shi Lan gave a sly smile, punched Shi Feng lightly in the chest, then turned and took the lead into Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

Shi Feng clutched his chest, looking utterly baffled. Behind him, the guards cheered and followed Shi Lan in a surging wave into Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

"A distinguished guest has arrived!"

"Young Master Shi, please come inside!"

The two burly men shouted in unison, bowing so low that their foreheads nearly touched the ground.

Shi Lan opened her folding fan and strode into the hall as though borne on the wind.

As it was broad daylight, there were not many patrons in Hundred Flowers Pavilion. They sat scattered in groups of two or three.

Hearing the commotion at the door, the madam, nearly forty yet still charming, came forward with a smile filling her face. "What wind blew a noble guest like you here today?"

A cloyingly sweet fragrance clung to the madam's body. Shi Lan found it rather unpleasant and lightly rubbed the tip of her nose.

The madam perceptively took a few steps back and smiled. "Please follow me." Then, swaying her waist, she turned to lead the way.

The group went upstairs in a grand procession.

Shi Feng stayed close behind Shi Lan, never leaving her side.

The madam led Shi Lan into a private room, while the guards tactfully did not follow them in.

After sitting down, Shi Lan pointed outside. "Give each of those men outside a girl. See that they're properly entertained."

"Rest assured, everything will be arranged properly." The madam smiled and left the room.

Before long, the guards entered the private room one after another, grinning as they thanked Shi Lan and showered her with flattery.

After everyone had left, Shi Lan glanced at Shi Feng, who stood behind her with a dark expression, and the corner of her lips lifted. "Why aren't you going?"

"Eldest Young Master, this place... really isn't suitable for you," Shi Feng said helplessly.

Just as Shi Lan was about to speak, the madam entered again, followed by a row of girls.

The oldest among them was no more than twenty. Each was more tender and lovely than the last, and each wore less fabric than the one before.

As Shi Lan watched the girls, the smile on her lips gradually faded, and her expression became obscure and unreadable.

Seeing Shi Lan's expression, the madam's heart skipped a beat. This is bad. She quickly piled on another smile. "If Young Master Shi isn't satisfied, that's fine. I'll bring you another group."

As batch after batch of girls entered and exited Shi Lan's room, Shi Lan's expression grew increasingly gloomy, without the slightest glimmer of light in her eyes.

After the final group of girls left the room, the madam could barely keep her smile in place. Was this lord here to wreck the establishment?

"Young Master Shi, you're still not satisfied?"

Shi Lan let out a long sigh, looking somewhat desolate. "Bring me the most beautiful one here."

"Young Master Shi, the courtesan queen of our Hundred Flowers Pavilion receives guests at fixed hours. It isn't time yet..."

"I said, bring me the most beautiful one here." Shi Lan stared at the madam, enunciating every word.

"Please... wait a moment. I'll fetch her right away." The madam did not dare refuse again. After all, the person before her was the Shi Clan's legitimate eldest son. No matter how disgraceful the rumors about him were, he was not someone a brothel owner like her could afford to provoke.

Before long, a young woman wearing a green ruqun dress, her hair styled into twin buns, entered the room and respectfully curtsied to Shi Lan.

The woman had pure, delicate features. She looked no older than seventeen or eighteen, and her expression was serene.

"Young Master Shi, Wan'er is a clean courtesan. She does not sell her body," the madam said cautiously.

"You may leave." Shi Lan waved her hand.

After giving Wan'er a look that told her to be careful, the madam left the room somewhat helplessly.

Wan'er looked at Shi Lan uneasily, unable to make up her mind. If Shi Lan tried to force himself on her later, should she submit or not...

If she could truly follow Shi Lan as a concubine, it would still be far better than smiling for customers here at Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

"What instruments can you play?"

As Wan'er weighed the matter in her heart, Shi Lan spoke, interrupting her thoughts.

"I know a little of the qin, se, pipa, xiao, flute, xun, and drums," Wan'er answered reflexively.

"Play something for me." With that, Shi Lan rose and walked to the window. She pushed it open, gazed into the distance, and looked downcast.

Watching these lightly clad girls pass before her one by one, Shi Lan felt only one thing: utter dullness.

That feeling extinguished every trace of the passionate reverence she had held for this legendary den of romance.

Some things came too late today. Sorry.