Yan Ge resumed his usual composure and pulled Huangfu Yuchen to sit on the two nearest chairs. He took out a 1000-tael silver note from his sleeve and placed it on the table. “Summon the madam. Today’s expenses at the Red Sleeve Pavilion are on me.”
Huangfu Yuchen raised an eyebrow. Wasn’t spending 1000 taels of silver too generous? Perhaps the agreed-upon 200,000 taels was too little?
Upon seeing that this was a distinguished guest, the girls immediately entertained them warmly. Some went to summon the madam, others brought tea and water, a few fanned Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen, and some cleared the hall of onlookers. Soon, the entire hall was empty.
The madam arrived gracefully, her smiling face resembling a blooming chrysanthemum. “Oh, what a rare—”
Yan Ge waved his hand, interrupting her coquettish words and smile. “Madam, skip the pleasantries and bring out all the girls.”
Uupon receiving the 1000-tael silver note, the proprietress couldn’t contain her delight and shouted loudly, “Girls, receive—guests—”
Yan Ge shuddered, secretly rubbing his hands together.
The girls rushed forward, but upon catching Huangfu Yuchen’s cold gaze, they stopped two steps away. Some of the girls who had been waiting in their rooms on the second floor descended with swaying waists, casting flirtatious glances at Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen. In the rear were several men dressed in gorgeous attire, some feminine and some burly, all equally impressive.
“Not your first time here?” Huangfu Yuchen leaned closer to Yan Ge, his mouth near his ear, his deep voice filled with danger.
Yan Ge straightened up. “Absolutely my first time!”
Huangfu Yuchen smiled ambiguously, maintaining his proximity.
“If it wasn’t my first time, I wouldn’t have needed to ask Gao Feng and Gao Yun to investigate which is the largest brothel in the capital,” Yan Ge defended himself in a low voice.
Huangfu Yuchen patted his waist and embraced him, saying leisurely, “I can let go, that is if you aren’t worried about them getting closer.”
Upon hearing this, Yan Ge found it reasonable and leaned against him at an angle.
A subtle smile played on Huangfu Yuchen’s lips. This guy was truly oblivious. With a thought in his mind, he wrapped both arms around Yan Ge’s waist, curious as to when he would realize that he was being teased. Seeing no reaction from Yan Ge, he considered it for a moment, and his hand moved to his thigh, discreetly caressing it.
Yan Ge simply thought he was pretending to be a couple in front of others to prevent the girls and young masters from getting too close, so he paid no attention to it.
A clear smile lingered on Huangfu Yuchen’s lips, but suddenly his smile froze, and the hand on Yan Ge’s leg paused. Not long ago, he had been repulsed by Yan Ge’s embrace, so why did he suddenly think of flirting with him? And why did he hold him so intimately without any aversion?
Yan Ge’s mind was occupied with serious matters and didn’t notice his dilemma. He felt a little sore leaning against Huangfu Yuchen’s waist and shifted his position slightly, leaning more naturally against him.
Huangfu Yuchen glanced down at his head, withdrew the hand on his thigh back to his waist, unconsciously tightening his grip slightly.
Zhang Yuan and Liu Rong averted their gaze.
“Young master, do you have any other orders? Feel free to speak.” The madam’s curious gaze drifted towards the wooden box on the table, wondering if it contained silver ingots.
Yan Ge patted the wooden box. “There are ten sets of dresses here. Each of you girls will try on one set and showcase your utmost beauty in front of me and my brother. If you perform well, not only will I gift you that dress, but I will also reward you with an additional 100 taels of silver. Is that clear?”
The girls couldn’t believe their ears as they looked at each other. Could such a good opportunity really exist? Just by trying on a few dresses, they could receive 100 taels of silver? As for the dresses themselves, they didn’t care at all.
The madam quickly spoke on behalf of everyone, “No problem, no problem!”
Yan Ge nodded, and Zhang Yuan and Liu Rong handed the two wooden boxes to the girls.
The girls hurriedly went upstairs to change their clothes.
In the center of the hall, there happened to be a stage. It was usually used by the girls for performances but now it was transformed into a runway.
Yan Ge leaned in close to Huangfu Yuchen’s ear. “Brother, later on, can you help me determine which dress suits each girl best?”
Huangfu Yuchen finally understood Yan Ge’s intention. He neither agreed nor refused but said, “If I assist you in selecting the girls, shouldn’t you offer some benefits?”
Will this man die if he didn’t take advantage? Yan Ge helplessly replied, “In fact, I have already prepared a gift for you, brother. I’ll give it to you when we return.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded in response.
Before long, the first girl emerged. The madam glanced over casually and froze in astonishment.
The girl stood barefoot, wearing a strapless dress predominantly orange with a peach-colored border. The V-shaped design at the chest perfectly accentuated her curves. A flowing blue outer robe, reaching just below her knees at the front and trailing behind her at the back, was loosely tied at her waist with a matching silk ribbon. Below, she wore a sheer skirt that barely grazed her hipbones, transitioning from peach to orange, outlining the voluptuous curve of her buttocks. Silver beads adorned the skirt, shimmering and swaying with each step, captivating hearts and souls.
Huangfu Yuchen only glanced at her briefly, then nonchalantly averted his gaze.
The girl performed a dance on the stage, casting a smiling glance back at Huangfu Yuchen and Yan Ge before gracefully retreating.
Huangfu Yuchen turned his head and noticed Yan Ge staring intently. He was inexplicably displeased, and he grasped Yan Ge’s chin, pressing his lips firmly against the corner of his mouth.
Yan Ge looked at him in surprise.
Huangfu Yuchen was also taken aback by his own impulsiveness. He turned back to the stage, his expression calm. “I am reminding you not to forget your identity.”
Yan Ge touched the corner of his mouth, feeling somewhat helpless. “I haven’t forgotten. I was just looking at the clothes.”
Huangfu Yuchen said expressionlessly, “These clothes are novel and have unique designs, which is a powerful form of publicity. It is not necessary to find a
suitable person. Someone, come.”
Gao Feng and Gao Yun, who had been hiding somewhere, immediately appeared.
“Boss.”
“You two stay here and be responsible for selecting ten individuals,” Huangfu Yuchen said before taking Yan Ge’s hand and leaving.
Yan Ge was taken aback. “But—”
Huangfu Yuchen interrupted him. “It’s getting late. We should go.”
‘Domineering.’ Yan Ge dared not voice his anger but thought in his heart, ‘I won’t give him the gift either.’
“If you don’t give it, I’ll find it myself,” Huangfu Yuchen casually remarked.
Yan Ge was astonished. How did he know what he was thinking?
Huangfu Yuchen lightly chuckled and urged, “Let’s go.”
Yan Ge peered outside, and only when he didn’t see Yan Xiaojing did he dare to step out.
Huangfu Yuchen laughed silently. “I will explain the next time I see him.”
The two left the Red Sleeve Pavilion, unaware of a person hiding in the distance. As they exited, the person sneered, a cunning expression on their face. “He has time to visit a brothel but no time to meet my master. That brat really doesn’t know his place!”
