NOVPUBAfter skipping work, Chen Xi rarely chose not to go home, and instead wandered aimlessly around Fenggao City. The construction of the library by the Talent Recruitment Hall had already begun, a library with the same defensive standards as the city wall, and the Academy of Mount Tai had started construction as well. Even though classes had previously been hastily arranged in whatever space was available, and the students were all very diligent, Chen Xi believed it was important to have proper facilities.
In Chen Xi’s eyes, an academy was either to be built properly or not at all; Jingzhou’s few thatched huts were really a blight on the urban landscape.
Urban landscape? Chen Xi glanced at the bustling commerce on either side, free of the disgusting refuse and dirty water found in other cities. Aside from some small vendors setting up their stalls along the street, Fenggao City was exceptionally harmonious. Chen Xi considered that the legendary top-tier troops could continue their decline, for now, it wasn’t yet time for that. For this era, a city’s main streets being anything better than a landfill was quite an achievement!
"Bang!" Chen Xi, while scanning his surroundings, suddenly felt a thud against his chest and, looking down, discovered a raggedy child, about eight or nine years old, sprawled on the ground.
"Hey, are you okay?" Chen Xi asked, supporting himself on his knees and bending over, "Where are your parents?"
"Mind your own business!" The scrappy kid twisted around and ran off.
"Whose child is this, really." Chen Xi muttered to himself, unfazed that his silk robe had been smudged. He wasn’t angry that the child ran off without an apology; after all, it was he who deserved the apology.
Patted his chest, Chen Xi felt somewhat irritated. The problem with white clothing was that it showed dirt all too clearly, but as a lazy person, the idea of going home to change was even less appealing.
"Well, if it isn’t Tanzhi?" Chen Xi reached out and clapped his hand on the shoulder of a youth about his height. 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
"I pay my respects, Uncle Chen." Guan Ping responded with a respectful salute.
"No problem, no problem." Chen Xi said with a strained smile on his face. He wanted to tell Guan Ping that they should just each mind their own business, but in an era where hierarchy and filial piety were paramount, Guan Ping would never agree and might even think Chen Xi had lost his mind, "What brings Tanzhi here?"
Guan Ping hesitated, and without a word, Chen Xi peered into the alley and immediately understood, "Oh, it’s just a brothel. Come on, your uncle will treat you today."
Chen Xi was nonchalant by now. As Fenggao’s environment improved, the quality of the brothels in the back alleys increased as well, and the looks of the singer girls improved significantly. Some of them were obviously distressed daughters of government officials, but in troubled times like these, that was just how things were. So Chen Xi remained indifferent, content to listen to songs and watch dances. Stories of distressed princesses and princes had nothing to do with him; he was the type to help only if he saw someone he took a liking to, otherwise, he wouldn’t meddle in others’ affairs.
"Uncle..." Guan Ping called out sheepishly.
"Let’s go, what’s there to be afraid of? You’re a grown man; indulging in the pleasures of the flesh is nothing to be shy about. Whichever girl you like, your uncle will pay for you." Chen Xi said carelessly, his sense of propriety long gone. It seemed to him that every time he entered such places, any sense of propriety he had would automatically fall away.
"Hey, Uncle, Uncle..." Guan Ping was dumbfounded, as Chen Xi heedlessly walked inside, and Guan Ping, having no choice, reluctantly followed since it was a family elder pulling him along and he had his own reasons for coming.
Chen Xi held his hollowed sandalwood fan, the very image of a wastrel young master. He spent his days sequestered at home, rarely recognized by anyone. Although everyone in Mount Tai knew of Chen Zichuan, few had actually seen him.
"May I know if the gentleman wishes to listen to some music, or watch a dance?" As soon as Chen Xi entered, an old madam approached with a sycophantic look, asking with obsequious flattery. Even though there was a stain on Chen Xi’s chest, his whole attire and ornaments clearly identified him as a young noble, and after all, even a poverty-stricken Mount Tai wouldn’t have a personage like Chen Xi dressing like a beggar, let alone on account of Marquis Chen’s dignity.
"Yoo-hoo, Tanzhi, who do you fancy? Just say the word, and your uncle will treat you." Chen Xi turned back and teased Guan Ping, still standing hesitantly at the entrance, with a mischievous grin.
Seeing Guan Ping unable to bring himself to enter, Chen Xi laughed boisterously, pulling Guan Ping along deeper into the brothel. Guan Ping, on one hand, couldn’t resist because it was his elder tugging at him and, on the other hand, he did come here for a reason, so he half-heartedly followed Chen Xi into the nameless brothel.
"The decoration is quite nice, but what’s upstairs?" Chen Xi had been keeping an eye on Guan Ping’s gaze, noticing it darting around every now and then, a hint of amusement on his face, he turned and inquired of the madam.
"I don’t deserve such praise, my young lord, I don’t deserve it at all," the old procuress giggled foolishly, covering her face. "May I ask what kind of girl you are looking for? We have everything one could wish for here~"
Chen Xi frowned slightly, "Do you want to go up and have a look, Tanzhi?"
"Ah, sure!" Guan Ping was stunned at first but then hurriedly replied. However, it was obvious that he was quite bashful, as he bowed his head and started to count ants right after speaking.
"I shall go up for a look," Chen Xi, having been a leader of soldiers, fought in battles, and served as a grand commander, had an aura that swept over the old procuress, leaving no room for refusal.
After saying this, Chen Xi calmly walked upstairs. Only then did the old procuress react, rushing to block his way, "Please forgive me, young lord, the upper floor has been booked by someone today. Please understand."
"Are you saying the woman you’re looking for is upstairs?" Chen Xi asked, turning his head.
"Ah!" Guan Ping was taken aback.
"If you don’t tell me, I will not interfere," Chen Xi said, turning his head away.
"Uncle!" Guan Ping said somewhat angrily.
"The situation today is a bit tricky. A singer girl is something I could easily obtain if I wanted to, but think about it—if the object of your affection were eyed by someone upstairs," Chen Xi said calmly.
Chen Xi completely failed to understand Guan Ping. It was just a singer girl; if he liked her, he should just take her home. He’s the son of Guan Yu, after all. Not to mention spending money to take a singer girl, even without spending a dime, showing a little intent would have her in your bed the next day. It’s really troublesome. Nowadays, people who want to cling to your coattails could form a line from here to outside of Fenggao City!
Having heard Chen Xi’s words, Guan Ping instantly became enlightened. Sometimes a man must not bow his head!
"Please help me, Uncle!" Guan Ping said earnestly, giving a formal salute.
"Let’s go, watch and learn from your Uncle!" Chen Xi laughed heartily then turned to look at the old procuress who was blocking his path. A flicker of cold light in his eyes made her faint on the spot. Chen Xi smiled. This old procuress really was a fine piece of work, gallantly fainting when she knew she couldn’t deal with either party.
Up on the second floor, Chen Xi stood at the door, looking back at Guan Ping, "Watch closely. Remember this for when you encounter such situations in the future!"
With a "crack," Chen Xi kicked the door, flinging it wide open. After all, Chen Xi was a hardened individual who had been practicing martial techniques for over a decade—kicking down a door was nothing to him compared to the likes of third-rate trash like Yug Shee.
"Ping’er, look who your heart desires and take her away," Chen Xi said nonchalantly as he glanced around at the three young masters sitting there, obviously from wealthy families. But to Chen Xi, this was just a trifling matter.
Guan Ping was embarrassed; he had never thought Chen Xi would act so wildly. Nevertheless, he still went and took out the girl who was playing the zither from inside.
"Not bad at all," Chen Xi glanced at the girl, who indeed seemed decent—a fallen government official’s daughter, most likely. Such erudite and sensible women were too appealing to someone like Guan Ping, who came from a humble background.
"Let’s go, Tanzhi, observe. It’s this simple. However, doing things personally is too humiliating. What are you three looking at?" Chen Xi displayed an air of a wastrel, clearly there to provoke. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to come to qidian.com to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users can read at m.qidian.com.)
