Chapter 27: The Pavilion of Radiant Beauty

What are the pleasures of life in ancient times?

Without electronic devices, without a vibrant nightlife, entertainment is rather scarce. After night falls, the only places left for amusement are the houses of pleasure. Yunyang County, however, boasts many such establishments.

Jiang Han stroked his chin. Since he had traveled through time, he had to see the world, didn't he? Jiang Han was very fond of a sentiment once expressed by the venerable scholar Mr. Ji Xianlin: "I have no other hopes in this life; I only hope to be with more women and to have contact with women from all places."

Although Yunyang County was merely a satellite county of the Divine Capital, it was quite prosperous and rich in resources. Yunmeng Lake was situated to the east of the county, and along its shores lay a district of mist and willows, where pleasure houses competed with one another, their colorful banners fluttering in the wind. Every night, a great number of carriages and sedan chairs arrived, carrying literati and scholars.

Among these houses, the most famous were the Guiyue Tower and the Ningyan Pavilion. These two establishments occupied the largest space, had the finest decorations, and housed the most beautiful women; naturally, they were also the most expensive.

As Jiang Han stepped into this lane of flowers and mist, he was stunned. On both sides were brothels with flying banners, where beautiful women with delicate features stood on the balconies. Upon seeing a man in fine clothes, they would wave their colorful silk handkerchiefs and call out softly, "Young Master, come up for a drink!"

Jiang Han strode into the Ningyan Pavilion. His visit tonight was not entirely for pleasure; he was there to gather information. His own fragrance shop had opened, dealing a heavy blow to the established perfume houses, and he needed to understand how many such shops were in Luoyang and what powers stood behind them. Brothels had been hubs of intelligence since ancient times; one could learn much here. Of course, his primary goal was to examine the evils of the feudal society's brothels with a critical eye—and to broaden his horizons.

Upon entering the Ningyan Pavilion, Jiang Han was greeted with enthusiasm. A gaudily dressed madam ushered him into the main hall, where many young women in sheer gowns were accompanying guests in games of pitch-pot and poetry.

"Is this the young master's first time? Our girls at the Ningyan Pavilion are very attentive. Why don't you pick two you fancy?" The aging madam giggled, waving her silk handkerchief, and five or six slender-waisted girls crowded around him.

This made Jiang Han feel somewhat flushed, but having seen his fair share of the world in his past life, he did not lose his head. He waved his hand and said, "I have heard that Miss Zhou Yun is peerless in both talent and beauty, and particularly skilled at playing the flute. I am here tonight to listen to her music."

He hadn't forgotten that his purpose was to gather information and, incidentally, to see if he could sell his fragrance oil to the brothel. Zhou Yun was the most famous courtesan of the Ningyan Pavilion, renowned for her talent and beauty, and her skill with the flute had brought countless scholars to their knees. A courtesan of such standing not only possessed a wealth of information but was also very wealthy. Seeing the world and making money—he could do both.

"So, the young master has come for Zhou Yun. But to spend the night with her, money alone is not enough," the madam said, pressing her body against him while pouring him wine. Although she was in her thirties, she had been a top courtesan in her youth, and her charm still lingered.

Jiang Han took a sip of wine to suppress his agitation and asked, "Oh? How so?"

"Miss Zhou Yun loves poetry. Later, there will likely be some literary games. If you can move her with your poetry, you may become her honored guest," the madam smiled.

Since ancient times, brothels had been linked to scholars; any top courtesan was bound to be highly cultured. To win a courtesan, one couldn't just throw money around—one needed genuine talent. As the head courtesan of the Ningyan Pavilion, Zhou Yun naturally only accepted the most famous scholars as her guests.

Just then, the main doors opened, and a few young men in brocade robes walked into the hall.

"Oh, it's Young Master Gu! It's been a long time, Young Master Gu. Are you here for Zhou Yun today?" The madam hurried out to greet them.

Jiang Han looked over. The man was familiar—it was Gu Ting, the younger brother of Gu Xirou, the man who had almost become his brother-in-law.

"Indeed, I am here for Zhou Yun today. I have invited some friends, so hurry and prepare a few jugs of fine wine!" Gu Ting strode in, and as he looked up, he spotted Jiang Han. His expression changed instantly. Jiang Han? Why was he here?

"These days, any fool can come to a place like this. Are you trying to swindle the girls of the Ningyan Pavilion?" Gu Ting sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm, immediately drawing the attention of others.

"Who are you calling a fool?" Jiang Han slammed his hand on the table, glaring.

"The fool is talking to you!" Gu Ting laughed.

"Indeed, the fool is talking to me," Jiang Han smiled.

Gu Ting paused before realizing what had happened. Furious, he shouted, "Hmph! I won't waste my breath on someone like you! To think you have the audacity to come to the Ningyan Pavilion—it's a toad lusting after swan meat!"

"Who are you calling a toad?"

"The toad is calling..." Gu Ting almost slipped up, closed his mouth, and glared at Jiang Han. "Hmph! Sharp-tongued wretch! Don't think that just because your 'Secret Fragrance' sells well, you're anything more than a small merchant!" After delivering his threat, Gu Ting headed into a private room.

This Gu fellow was rather arrogant... Jiang Han listened to the seductive music while observing the other guests. With so many scholars here, it was like a hundred birds paying homage to a phoenix; surely the girls of the Ningyan Pavilion were well-managed tonight.

About half an hour later, amidst the gaze of the crowd, the famous courtesan Zhou Yun finally appeared. She walked with a graceful, lotus-like gait. Everyone in the room stopped talking and watched her. She wore a sheer, gauzy gown, and the light fabric draped over her bodice left little to the imagination. Her legs were long, her waist was slender, and her demeanor was both seductive and aloof. In terms of beauty, she was on par with Jiang Qingyan, but more voluptuous—both in age and figure. She was truly the head courtesan of the Ningyan Pavilion.

"Greetings, gentlemen," the courtesan said with a slight bow. Her voice was crisp and alluring, like pearls falling onto a jade plate, making one's ears tingle. With just these words, many guests stared, their eyes practically drilling into the hem of her skirt.

The courtesan looked around with a faint, charming smile. "I apologize for the wait. Let me tell you a joke to amuse you." She recounted a humorous tale about a man who claimed to have eaten dog meat when he had actually eaten chaff, causing the room to erupt in laughter. The atmosphere grew lively, and some scholars began to drool.

Seeing the excitement, Zhou Yun said softly, "I am deeply grateful for your patronage. On such a beautiful night, how can we do without poetry to set the mood? If any young master can compose a poem that moves my heart, I am willing to invite you into my private chambers."

The guests were instantly electrified. This was the rule of the brothel: win the courtesan's heart with a great poem, and you could spend the night with her. Not only would you enjoy her company, but it would also become a point of pride. For the courtesan, receiving a poem from a talented scholar bolstered her own reputation.

"I, Gu Ting, have long admired Miss Zhou Yun. I have a poem to offer!" Gu Ting stepped out of his private room and announced loudly.

"Please, Young Master Gu," Zhou Yun said softly.

Gu Ting cleared his throat and recited: "Like distant mountains, her brows are gathered peaks; with a slender waist, her form is elegant. Bathed in the spring breeze after her toilette, a single smile of hers is worth more than a thousand pieces of gold!"

As he finished, many people cheered and applauded loudly. Jiang Han glanced at Gu Ting and clicked his tongue. This brother-in-law... he had clearly paid for clappers! The poem wasn't terrible, but it was mediocre at best. Yet, to have so many people cheering clearly indicated he had bought them.

Zhou Yun’s eyes remained clear as she said softly, "Young Master, your talent is outstanding; this poem truly gladdens the heart!" After this bit of flattery, she looked around and smiled. "Is there anyone else who wishes to recite?"

Gu Ting stood tall, chest puffed out. "My poem was merely an attempt to invite better ones. It is up to you all now, please!" Though his words were humble, his face was full of smug triumph. Knowing his background, the guests dared not compete. The Gu family had significant influence in Yunyang, and with their recent marriage alliance with the Yin family, who would dare offend him?

Seeing no one else come forward, Zhou Yun frowned slightly and asked again, "Is there anyone else willing to compose a poem?"

Still, there was no response. Gu Ting smiled; the courtesan would be his tonight!

Zhou Yun sighed softly. "Since no other young masters have a poem to offer, then..."

Just then, Jiang Han stood up. "Miss Zhou Yun, I have a lyric to present." He had intentionally waited until now to make Gu Ting fall from his peak of happiness.

Zhou Yun looked at Jiang Han, puzzled. She knew every talented scholar in Yunyang, but this man was a stranger. Could he really win against Gu Ting? Gu Ting was a man of letters, and his poem was decent—winning against him wouldn't be easy.

Gu Ting's face darkened as he glared at Jiang Han, mocking, "Oh? The fool of the Jiang family can compose lyrics too? I'd like to see what you can come up with!"

Jiang Han didn't even look at Gu Ting. He looked at Zhou Yun and said, "I shall offer a 'Lang Tao Sha' for you, Miss Zhou Yun."

He began slowly: "Slender waist in plain attire, weary of the spring's sorrows. Fresh from her evening toilette beneath the sparse plum blossoms. Graceful and delicate, what is she like? A wisp of light cloud."

As the first half of the lyric was recited, the guests were suddenly energized. The whispering ceased, and all eyes fixed on Jiang Han. This first half was graceful and delicate, describing a beautiful, lazy, and alluring figure—a perfect match for the courtesan. Zhou Yun’s eyes brightened; she was shocked, looking at Jiang Han with a flicker of intrigue. This first half was excellent and so refined; it already surpassed Gu Ting's poem.

Jiang Han feigned a moment of contemplation and recited the second half: "Her song is clever, moving her crimson lips, every word a charming pout. A path leads deep into the peach blossom grove. Longing, she gazes at the moon in the clear night sky of the Jade Terrace, which shines back upon her returning carriage."

When the second half was finished, the room fell into absolute silence, with nothing heard but the sound of labored breathing.