Your Majesty, Please Stop!

Chapter 193: On How to Play

The name "Xingyun Tower" may not seem fitting for a place of pleasure like a flower house, but it allows people to experience a different kind of joy. The decoration style of the entire lobby, including the lamps, tables, and the theme of "clouds" and "flowing water," all align with this theme.

In a corner of the lobby on the first floor, there sat He Liansheng, Zong Lingxi, Ji Cunxiao, Li Xiyue, and Fu Qingshan, who had a previous friendship with Xin Zhuo.

It is indeed strange for women like Zong Lingxi and Li Xiyue to visit a brothel, but women's fashion is very popular in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and women love to admire beautiful women. Everyone is used to it, and it's not a problem to just watch the excitement.

Moreover, today is a rest day, and the few of them are purely attracted by the reputation of the female swordsmen in the martial world, so they came to watch.

Although there were many people in the lobby at the moment, when Xin Zhuo and his group of noble and wealthy young men entered, they still attracted a lot of attention, except for He Liansheng and the others who didn't notice.

"I wonder if that Jiang family's eldest grandson, the Crown Prince of the Western Qin Kingdom, is really Xin Zhuo?"

He Liansheng tapped his folding fan, his face full of confusion.

The arrival of the Crown Prince of the Western Qin Kingdom, who was once a member of the Jiang family and now living among the common people, was indeed a big event that caused a sensation in the capital. Many people paid attention to it, but the few of them who were in the military and the lower ranks of the Six Ministries didn't have time to witness it firsthand.

And in the past few days, it is unclear whether someone with ulterior motives deliberately spread rumors, confusing the truth. The Crown Prince of the Western Qin Kingdom went from being a bandit on the border to being a member of a prestigious family or a scholar in a certain academy, or even a peasant's son, and so on.

In short, there are too many versions, making it difficult to distinguish between true and false. If they were to investigate and inquire everywhere, it would probably attract the attention of the Jiang family and cause unnecessary trouble.

However, the version of him being a bandit on the border did catch the attention of He Liansheng and the other former students of the Yikui House. With a little investigation, that person seemed to fit the image of Xin Zhuo.

"This matter..."

Li Xiyue, dressed as a young gentleman in men's clothing, also shook her folding fan and frowned. "I think it's unlikely. If Xin Zhuo is the Crown Prince of the Western Qin Kingdom, why would he have endured those..."

She couldn't continue speaking at this point, after all, that matter involved too much and was too widespread, and even the current Princess Chang was involved.

However, after more than half a year, every time they thought of the Deva works that Xin Zhuo taught them, such as the "Tao Te Ching," "The Art of War," and "The Thirty-Six Stratagems," as well as the scene of Xin Zhuo coughing up blood while writing in the snow that day, they felt extremely ashamed as students of the Yikui House.

This sense of shame gradually intensified as they applied what Xin Zhuo taught them in their studies and work, and they were increasingly valued by their elders and the court.

"Whether he is or not, Xin Zhuo may never be able to recover in this lifetime."

Ji Cunxiao's eyes flickered. "Not to mention the Meridians that were abolished, there is no longer any talk of him re-cultivating the Martial Realm. Even if the 'Tao Te Ching' and 'The Art of War' were strictly sealed by the masters, no one knows that he wrote them. I'm afraid his reputation won't even spread."

He Liansheng furrowed his brow. "Let's not mention the talk of the Martial Realm, but these extraordinary works are indeed Xin Zhuo's. Why did the masters seal the news?"

"You're confused, He Lian junior brother!"

Zong Lingxi ate a pastry and shook her head with regret. "Xin Zhuo himself said that those divine works were not written by him, but were ancient classics. When he taught us, he clearly stated that they belonged to the Autumn Palace and other people, such as Dongfang Xiansheng and Qin Fuzi!

Moreover, he is only in his teens. Even if he were to say it, who would believe him?"

Li Xiyue said coldly, "Even if we don't mention this matter, Xin Zhuo's poetry and songs are already spreading throughout the world. Who dares to take them away?"

Ji Cunxiao put away his folding fan and smiled. "That was written by Xin Zhuo! A sickly bandit, he wouldn't even be able to convince others! If Xin Zhuo is indeed Jiang Yuqing, what does Jiang Yuqing have to do with Xin Zhuo? The Jiang family values their reputation the most. How could they admit that there is a bandit's grandson?"

"I really don't understand why you, who have also been deeply influenced by Xin Zhuo's teachings, speak so negatively about him. What does this mean?" Li Xiyue's eyes turned cold, indicating that she was about to leave.

"Ah!" Ji Cunxiao smiled and tried to smooth things over. "Just chatting casually, Li junior sister, there's no need to get angry. We are still very grateful to Xin Zhuo in our hearts!"

...

"Brother Song, please have a seat!"

"Brother Jiang, please have a seat!"

"Brother Li, you are the eldest, please have a seat first!"

Song Ruqing, Jiang Yugui, and others have already entered the private room on the second floor, showing mutual courtesy, and then,

they saw Xin Zhuo taking the initiative to sit in the main seat, picking up a piece of pastry and eating half of it, then handing it to the person behind him, who took it eagerly and took a bite. Mmm, it's quite sweet.

"Uh... the prince sitting in the main seat is well-deserved!"

Song Ruqing and Jiang Yugui smiled awkwardly and took their seats one after another.

A graceful and elegant woman, dressed like a wealthy lady, hurriedly approached from afar with several outstandingly beautiful girls.

When she came closer, she bowed and greeted with an air of elegance, "Gentlemen, your presence here truly brings radiance to our humble abode!"

The use of the term "humble abode" is quite clever, giving a sense of being a guest in a respectable household. This "act" is like the finishing touch, making the young gentlemen present feel a bit more noble.

Xin Zhuo couldn't help but sigh inwardly. What a home away from home experience, this is incomparable to the Flower House of Fufeng Mansion.

Jiang Yugui waved his hand with a dignified smile on his face, "Our two families have been friends for generations. Let's have a few drinks at your mansion without any formalities!"

Song Ruqing also smiled mischievously, "That's right! We are all old friends, let's have a drink!"

This... is somewhat undignified. When it comes to the friendship between the noble and official children and the courtesans, it does highlight the boldness of the experienced playboys.

"Since that's the case..."

The female manager smiled slightly and pointed to a group of delicate and beautiful girls behind her, "These are my unmarried daughters. They will accompany the young gentlemen for a small drink!"

"Great! Hahaha..."

Jiang Yugui laughed heartily and waved his hand forcefully, "Come, come, come! Yes, the one who looks the purest should accompany my brother. My brother is a pure-hearted man!"

The girls came forward gracefully and leaned against the young gentlemen.

Just as the "pure" girl was about to approach Xin Zhuo with a smiling face, she saw the person behind Xin Zhuo's face darken and stare at her coldly. Her expression changed and she obediently sat next to Xin Zhuo, two feet away, with a timid look on her face.

Xin Zhuo remained calm in his heart, and even felt like eating a roasted chicken leg. "Brother, order a plate of roasted chicken legs!"

"Wonderful! Eating chicken legs at the Flower House, my brother is a wonderful person!"

Jiang Yugui was excited, and he signaled to the servant next to him. The servant understood and walked to the side of the corridor, loudly saying, "Today, our young master is out for the first time to have fun. Young Master Jiang is in a good mood. The entire bill for today will be covered by Young Master Jiang. Let's have a plate of roasted chicken legs for each person!"

Xin Zhuo's expression remained unchanged, but he couldn't help but think... if you want to show off, do it on your own, don't drag me into it!

Sure enough! This statement was quite intimidating. The entire building fell silent for a moment, then erupted into applause, and many people even stood up and thanked him with cupped hands.

"Our young master doesn't need you to pay, how boring!"

Suddenly, a gloomy voice came from the private room on the opposite second floor, sounding like it was squeezed out of a wooden stake, not concealing its sarcasm and mockery.

(End of this chapter)