He promised you an eighteen-year-old girl? I'll double it and give you a thirty-six-year-old

Great Ming, Capital City, Fragrant Pavilion.

The madam fanned herself with a small round fan, busy welcoming arrivals and seeing guests off.

Business at the Fragrant Pavilion remained excellent, and two more branches had opened that month, but her face no longer bore its usual smile.

"Is my lord still not coming back? Without him, business will only get harder, and more and more people will want to get their hands on it."

Previously, every official in Great Ming had known that the Fragrant Pavilion belonged to Lin Lang. Even the Jinyiwei could only occasionally get a discount or a complimentary fruit platter. They could forget about eating and drinking for free, let alone enjoying the women for free.

This was a money pit that raked in gold by the bucket every day. Who wouldn't covet it?

Wang Wu, Jia Liu, and the others were still holding the line with the Jinyiwei, but if the Imperial Preceptor didn't return soon, nobody would be able to hold out.

"Lord Sun, what brings you here? Please, come inside. Bring Lord Sun fine wine and good food. Today is on me." Seeing an official enter, the madam immediately forced a smile and went to greet him.

Lord Sun enjoyed the fine food and wine with two girls in his arms and another two singing beside him, utterly at ease.

He turned to the madam. "How is that matter I mentioned last time coming along? Our Feathered Forest Guards, Golden Guards, Tiger Braves Guards, and the others are pooling money to buy shares. Not everyone gets an opportunity like this."

"With us here, your business will be perfectly secure. When you no longer feel like running it, retiring with the money wouldn't be bad either."

The madam smiled ingratiatingly. "Didn't you say you would