Chapter 7: Money Is Meant to Be Spent, and Pleasure Quarters Must Be Visited

Meng Yuxi swung the sword delivered by Zhang Long twice. In the Dali Dynasty, wealthy young masters carried swords at their waists; the more expensive the sword, the more prominent the family.

"Sigh, still too light. It doesn't feel right in my hand!"

"Young Master, this is already the heaviest blade in the Meng estate's armory!"

Zhang Long looked troubled. He knew the young master was born with immense strength, and he had already scoured the entire armory; finding a suitable sword was truly a challenge.

With a sharp flick, Meng Yuxi sheathed the sword. Aside from being a bit light, it was a fine blade; at the very least, it was sharp enough to kill.

"Young Master, the, the house door has been locked. Here is the key."

Xiao Cui's pretty face was deathly pale. Her hands trembled as she held out the key, trying to pass it to Meng Yuxi.

"Are you afraid?" Meng Yuxi stared coldly at her.

"Replying to Young Master, it is just that the early spring air is a bit chilly. I may have caught a cold." Xiao Cui lowered her head, her voice hardening with resolve.

"That is good. It is not as if you are not coming back. Keep the key. I have always appreciated your loyalty and courage; do not let me be wrong about you."

Meng Yuxi waved away Zhang and Wang, then took Xiao Cui's small hand and set off toward the Fragrance Pavilion. On the way, he used his seal at a money shop to exchange for gold and silver. He bought himself a folding fan and purchased some gold hairpins and jade bracelets for Xiao Cui as a reward. In Meng Yuxi’s mind, there was no such thing as wanting the horse to run without feeding it.

Xiao Cui initially tried to decline, but the young master gave her too much. Before long, the maid had been transformed into the image of a wealthy young lady. She secretly thought to herself that if she could spend the rest of her life following this young master, how happy she would be—it was truly a pity.

Meng Yuxi frowned at the mediocre poem inscribed on the fan. The Huaxia clan had left behind thousands of classical poems; if his own calligraphy weren't so wretched, he would have inscribed one himself. For now, he would just use this to temper the sharpness of the sword at his waist.

The Meng estate was not far from the bustling streets of Su City, and they soon arrived at the Fragrance Pavilion. It was the most conspicuous building on the street, standing four stories high—a level taller than even the tallest nearby structures. It was decorated with lanterns and vibrant colors, mostly deep reds and yellows, accented with gold dust. To Meng Yuxi, it was a bit gaudy, but it was clear that the pavilion was no ordinary establishment.

The doorman noticed the two of them: the young master with a luxurious sword and a fanning motion, and the maid, whose attire was simple but whose gold hairpins were dazzling. He assumed this must be a young master from an extraordinary family. His eyes crinkled into a smile as he called out, "Young master, have you come to our Fragrance Pavilion to drink wine and listen to music?"

"Young Master, this... this is a place I shouldn't enter. I will wait for you outside." Xiao Cui had not expected that the first place the Fourth Young Master would visit after regaining his wits would be this pavilion. Her face turned red at the thought of the intimate activities inside.

"Sigh, it is fine. We are just here to listen to music."

"No, Young Master, this..."

Xiao Cui tried to refuse again, but seeing the frost on Meng Yuxi's face, she fell silent.

Meng Yuxi pulled her inside. The doorman blocked them, saying, "Young master, a lady entering the Fragrance Pavilion, I'm afraid..."

Before he could finish, Meng Yuxi tossed a silver ingot into his arms. "I know, I know—extra fee. Where is your madam?"

The doorman beamed as he clutched the silver. It was common for men to bring their concubines to the pavilion for amusement, though he felt his ears ringing from the sudden windfall. "Madam? What madam?"

"Ha, old habit. Where is your procuress?"

Meng Yuxi laughed, and the doorman suddenly understood. Bowing low, he led them inside, shouting, "Distinguished guests have arrived!"

A middle-aged woman of middling looks, her body plump, waddled toward them. The doorman ran up and whispered in her ear.

The procuress was nothing special, but the interior of the pavilion was impressive. Seven dancing girls performed in the main hall, their thin silk skirts swirling to reveal graceful figures. Many guests, arms wrapped around girls, watched while holding wine pitchers and occasionally chanting verses. The upper floors had doors tightly shut, likely for more private encounters.

"Oh, young master, you certainly know how to enjoy yourself. Your maid is quite a beauty. Let her learn a few things here, and I guarantee you'll be praising her when you return. However, the cost..." The procuress’s fan could not hide the look of hesitation on her powdered face.

Xiao Cui’s face turned deep red, and her heart hammered against her ribs. Meng Yuxi casually pressed a gold leaf into the procuress's hand.

The woman was overjoyed; a single leaf was worth fifteen silver ingots. This young master was truly generous. "You are very grand, young master! May your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea and your vigor as firm as the Southern Mountain! Which young lady are you looking for?"

"I have come for the renown of Miss Qin Ming."

Meng Yuxi flicked his fan open. The moment the procuress heard the name, her smile vanished. She pursed her lips and tried to return the gold leaf.

"Young master, it is not that I am unappreciative or wish to spoil your mood, but Miss Qin Ming... she does not accept the poor, the rich, or those without official rank. She only sees a select few of the most prominent figures in Su City."

"Perhaps you would like to see another girl?" The procuress, not wanting to lose a wealthy patron, turned to call over others.

"Heh, no need. I only like the gold-plated and diamond-encrusted. Go tell her now; I will wait here."

Meng Yuxi finished his sentence, lifted his robes, and sat down on a chair in the hall. The procuress tried to explain with a forced smile, but Meng Yuxi ignored her and slapped his fan heavily on the table.

"Young master, we welcome those looking for fun, but if you think having a few extra coins in your pocket makes you entitled to cause trouble, you have come to the wrong place." The procuress’s face hardened. She couldn't afford to offend Qin Ming, and while there were many wealthy people in Su City, she decided it was better to get rid of this man quickly.

"Oh? Tell me then. I would like to see who I have offended." Meng Yuxi chuckled.

"You look like a stranger, so I will give you some friendly advice: the Fragrance Pavilion in Su City is owned by Lord Zhang Dewang, the Chief Steward of the Eighth Prince’s manor in the capital. If you know what is good for you, please leave and do not come back."

The procuress gestured with her fan, and several burly men emerged from the back, surrounding Meng Yuxi to usher him out.

Meng Yuxi remained calm, as if they were not there, and turned to look at Xiao Cui. "Do you recognize this Chief Steward of the Eighth Prince’s manor in the capital?"

Xiao Cui’s eyes darted around, and she immediately lowered her head. "How could I possibly know someone of such stature in the capital?"