bayedsolid Chapter 817 The Charm of "Drunken Spring Pavilion"
Chapter 817 The Charm of "Drunken Spring Pavilion"
The night was as dark as ink, staining every corner of Black Iron City. Torches lit up the city gates, and the checks were several times more stringent than usual. The aftershocks of Zhao Kang's death had not yet subsided, and the entire Black Iron City was shrouded in a repressive and tense atmosphere.
Not far inside the city gate, a brothel called "Drunken Spring Pavilion" was brightly lit, with the faint sounds of string and wind instruments mingling with the laughter of men and women, creating an eerie contrast with the grim atmosphere inside the city.
Inside the brothel, two newly arrived women were being led by the madam, "Aunt Hong," as they walked obediently through the noisy lobby.
Walking on the left is Bai Jie, nicknamed "Bai Ling." She has changed into a light green gauze dress, the hem of which flutters gently in the wind, making her look like a fairy dancing gracefully. The gauze dress tightly outlines her slender figure, every curve perfectly proportioned, inspiring the imagination.
Her face was adorned with exquisite makeup, her eyebrows delicately arched, her eyes sparkling with life. Her lips were painted with vibrant lipstick, and a subtle smile played at the corners of her mouth, captivating all who beheld her. Her once cool and aloof features were now imbued with a perfectly balanced allure, a timid charm emanating from her eyes and brows, like a woman newly entered into the world of courtesans, making one yearn to explore her secrets.
She gently waved a round fan in her hand, its surface painted with a few freehand red plum blossoms, adding to its elegance. The fan swayed softly in her hand, as if telling her innermost thoughts. She took a deep breath, firmly remembering the task Lin Xue had entrusted to her, while also secretly gathering her years of hard-earned musical and dance skills, ready to respond at any moment.
Every movement she made was full of charm, exuding a unique allure. Her waist swayed, her steps were light, as if she were performing a magnificent dance. Every smile and frown of hers was seductive, irresistible.
On the right is "Swallow" Lin Xiaoyan. She's changed out of her usual peach-pink outfit into a slightly revealing pink silk skirt, the hem slit up to her thigh, allowing her to easily display her skills. Her face possesses a fiery yet wild beauty, but her eyes are as sharp as a hawk's. She seemingly casually surveys her surroundings, but in reality, she has memorized the layout of Zui Chun Fang, the movement of people, and the positions of the guards. Her hand rests seemingly unintentionally on her waist, where a small, sharp dagger is concealed; her boot also holds another secret.
Lin Xiaoyan's makeup was exquisite yet wanton, like a fairy stepping out of a painting. Her eyebrows were meticulously drawn into willow leaf shapes, the slightly upturned ends revealing a hint of untamed spirit. Her eyeliner swept upwards, forming captivating fox eyes, and a touch of red at the corners of her eyes added to her allure. Her lips were painted with bright red lipstick, and the slightly pouting corners of her mouth carried a provocative air.
Her hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, gently brushing against her fair skin and exuding a faint fragrance. A few strands of hair swayed in the wind, adding to her allure. A dazzling necklace adorned her neck, shimmering brilliantly and complementing her makeup, making her appear even more regal.
Her pink silk dress was as vibrant and beautiful as a blooming peach blossom, with a slit that reached her thighs, revealing glimpses of her long, slender legs. Every step she took exuded an irresistible charm. A gold belt, inlaid with jewels, cinched her waist, shimmering with her movements, as if proclaiming her nobility and untamed spirit to the world.
Her eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, yet carried a hint of unrestrained laughter, as if telling people that she was a woman full of desire and temptation. Her hand seemed to be casually placed on her waist, but in fact, it concealed a small, sharp dagger. There was also something else hidden in her boot. All of this added a touch of mystery to her wanton charm.
"My two sisters, things haven't been peaceful in Black Iron City lately, but it's precisely at times like these that men love to come here for fun." Aunt Hong, a shrewd middle-aged woman, patted their hands. "Especially those military men; once they have a bit of power, they become very arrogant. You two, one charming and the other beautiful, each with your own talents, will surely reap rewards if you keep the guests happy. But remember, loose lips sink ships. Don't ask what you shouldn't ask, don't listen to what you shouldn't listen to, and definitely don't get involved in trouble."
Bai Jie slightly bent her knees, her voice soft and melodious, carrying the unique Wu dialect of a woman from Jiangnan: "Aunt Hong, don't worry, I am Bai Ling. I am new here and will rely entirely on your care." She deliberately changed the "Ling" in "Bailing" to the "Ling" in "Fuling".
Lin Xiaoyan responded in a carefree manner, her voice clear and crisp: "My name is Yanzi, and I know some martial arts. I won't stand for anyone who dares to bully my sisters!" She deliberately used a vulgar tone to fit her disguise as a chivalrous woman of the martial arts world, "Yanzi."
Aunt Hong nodded in satisfaction and led them to two adjacent rooms on the second floor: "Settle down here first, we have guests who have requested you tonight. Yanzi, go and greet Captain Zhang downstairs. He's a regular here, a bit rough around the edges, but generous. Bailing, come with me, General Wang upstairs specifically requests to hear a song."
"Yes." The two women exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of seriousness and determination in each other's eyes. Their infiltration officially began from this moment.
Lin Xiaoyan followed a pimp downstairs to a noisy private room. Inside, several men dressed in rebel uniforms were drinking and shouting. The leader was a burly man with a fierce face, none other than Captain Zhang. His eyes lit up the moment he saw Lin Xiaoyan, and he pulled her into his arms: "Hey, where did Aunt Hong find this wild girl? She's got some nerve!"
Lin Xiaoyan was pulled into Zhang's arms. Her body trembled slightly. As Zhang felt her body, a strange feeling welled up inside him. She was petite and delicate, yet exuded a unique charm. Her skin was as white as snow, as smooth as silk, seemingly fragile enough to break at a touch. Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, gently brushing against his cheek, leaving a faint fragrance.
Lin Xiaoyan's lips curved slightly upward, revealing a barely perceptible smile. Her smile carried a hint of allure and provocation. Zhang, captivated by Lin Xiaoyan's smile and gaze, couldn't help but want to get closer to her. He lowered his head, attempting to kiss her lips, and Lin Xiaoyan obediently leaned forward, their lips meeting in a kiss.
Lin Xiaoyan suppressed her discomfort, forced a charming smile, and pinched his thigh lightly, with a hint of reproach: "Captain Zhang, be gentle, you're going to crush my bones!" Her voice carried a wild coquettishness, which only excited Captain Zhang more.
"Haha, she's got a fiery temper! I like it!" Captain Zhang laughed heartily, holding a glass of wine to her lips. "Drink this and have some fun with your brother!"
Lin Xiaoyan tilted her head back and downed the wine in one gulp. Zhang, the captain, admired her boldness. Taking this opportunity, Lin Xiaoyan began to subtly probe: "Captain Zhang, judging from your attire, you must be a big shot in the army, right? The city is under strict martial law lately. Has something happened?"
Captain Zhang, drunk and blinded by Lin Xiaoyan's beauty and flattery, smugly patted his chest: "I'm a captain under General Ma San! How could I not be a big shot? Humph, it's all because that old codger Zhao Kang didn't know his place and got taken care of by the general! Now our general calls the shots in the city!"
"General Ma San? How impressive!" Lin Xiaoyan feigned admiration. "Then the general must trust you a lot, Captain Zhang, right? Have you been up to any big moves lately?"
"Of course!" Captain Zhang stammered a bit. "The general... the general has recently been mobilizing manpower, saying that he wants to... to strengthen the city's defenses, to prevent... to prevent spies from outside from infiltrating, and also... to wipe out some disobedient remnants... the specifics... hehe, that's a military secret, I can't tell you..." Although he was drunk, he still subconsciously glossed over matters involving core deployments.
Lin Xiaoyan's heart skipped a beat. Ma San was indeed increasing security and conducting an internal purge. She stopped pressing for answers and instead worked even harder to persuade Zhang to drink and act coquettishly, until he was completely intoxicated. From his fragmented drunken ramblings, she gleaned snippets of information about the "west city warehouse," "night patrol frequency," and "an important figure will be inspecting the area soon." Lin Xiaoyan memorized these details. Soon, Zhang, seemingly unable to hold his liquor, pulled Lin Xiaoyan towards the suite's bedroom. Lin Xiaoyan pretended to be nonchalant and obediently followed him to the bed. Zhang kissed her again, and Lin Xiaoyan returned the kiss. Their lips met, and their passion ignited. Before long, Zhang had stripped Lin Xiaoyan naked and pounced on her. Lin Xiaoyan responded passionately, and soon the room was filled with the warmth of spring.
Meanwhile, upstairs in a private room.
Bai Jie sat gracefully before the zither, her slender hands plucking the strings. The melodious and graceful music flowed out like a stream, sometimes like a mountain stream, sometimes like a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, instantly silencing the noise in the private room.
Sitting in the main seat was Deputy General Wang, one of Ma San's confidants. Compared to Captain Zhang, he was much more composed and shrewd. He squinted, looking at Bai Jie's elegant and refined profile and focused expression in the candlelight, as well as those seemingly expressive eyes. His fingers tapped lightly on the table, in sync with the rhythm of the piano music.
The song ended, and the lingering sound lingered.
Vice General Wang clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Excellent! What a wonderful rendition of 'Guangling San'! Not only is Miss Bailing beautiful, but her musical skills are also superb. She truly lives up to her name; such beautiful music is a cleansing to the soul!"
Bai Jie rose and bowed, her smile gentle: "Vice General Wang, you flatter me. I am but a novice, and I am afraid you will find my knowledge lacking."
"You're too modest, young lady." Vice General Wang raised his wine cup. "Come, Miss Bai Ling, let me toast you. Judging from your accent, you don't seem to be from around here?"
"I am from Jiangnan. My hometown was ravaged by war, and I have wandered here with no other choice." Bai Jie lowered her eyes, her voice carrying a just-right touch of sorrow, which evoked pity.
"Oh? Jiangnan?" A hint of inquiry flashed in Vice General Wang's eyes. "In this world, there aren't many safe places left. It's quite lucky that you were able to come to Black Iron City safely, young lady."
"Yes, I only wish to find a place to settle down and make a living in this chaotic world." Bai Jie raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears. "I just don't know if this Black Iron City can really provide me with a peaceful place, as the rumors say. I've heard that General Ma San is a strict and well-disciplined general who is deeply loved by the people." She cleverly steered the conversation toward Ma San.
A hint of smugness flashed in Vice General Wang's eyes, but he quickly concealed it: "General, you are naturally a man of great talent and ambition. After Zhao Kang fell from power, there was some minor unrest in the city, but it has gradually subsided under your iron fist. However..." He paused, seemingly hesitant, "...the tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease. There are always some clowns who try to stop the chariot with their bare hands."
Bai Jie was secretly delighted and pressed on, "You flatter me, Vice General. With pillars like the General and yourself here, who would dare to cause trouble?"
Seeing this, Deputy General Wang quickly waved his hand and said, "Miss, please don't be agitated. I had no such intention; it was just a routine matter. In that case, I hope you can cooperate and tell me the truth about why you've come here."
Bai Jie bit her lip, calming herself slightly, before speaking slowly and deliberately: "To be honest, Vice General, I am originally from the capital, but due to a misfortune in my family, I was forced to become a wanderer. We endured hardships and slept in the open along the way, but fortunately, I met Sister Yanzi, and the two of us traveled together to reach this place. Now, hearing that the situation in the city is tense, my sister and I only want to find a safe place to lay low for a while, we ask for nothing more!"
Her superb acting skills and delicate appearance successfully dispelled some of Vice General Wang's doubts. Vice General Wang sighed and waved his hand, "Alright, you don't seem like a cunning person. But these are extraordinary times, so it's best for you to be careful, young lady." He changed the subject and began to inquire about the customs and culture of Jiangnan. Bai Jie answered with ease, displaying her talent in her words, which made Vice General Wang like her even more.
As night deepened, the Drunken Spring Pavilion remained a scene of revelry and celebration.
Lin Xiaoyan used the excuse of "serving" Captain Zhang to go to the outhouse, and while no one was paying attention, she slipped into the backyard like a ghost to confirm several possible escape routes and signal transmission points.
After Bai Jie finished playing the piece and received a reward from Vice General Wang, she excused herself, citing illness. Back in her room, she immediately closed the doors and windows. By the dim candlelight, she used her charcoal pencil to quickly record the information she had gleaned from Vice General Wang, along with her own observations, onto a very thin piece of silk. She then carefully rolled it up and tucked it into her hair.
Neither of them went to rest immediately after returning to their respective rooms.
Lin Xiaoyan leaned against the door, listening intently to the sounds outside, her fingers gently stroking the dagger at her waist.
Bai Jie sat by the window, gazing at the deep night of Black Iron City outside, her eyes shining with determination.
They knew this was only the first day of their infiltration; the real test was yet to come. Black Iron City was like a giant whirlpool, full of danger and temptation, and they were like two nimble swallows and a cunning lark caught in this whirlpool, needing to both gather the nectar of intelligence and remain constantly vigilant against the hunter's traps.
In the days to come, they will navigate this world of pleasure, mingling with all sorts of people, using their wisdom, beauty, skills, and courage to uncover the truth behind Ma San's plan, to reveal the secrets within the rebel army, and to ignite a beacon of hope for Lin Xue and her companions' next move. And this Drunken Spring Brothel will be their silent battlefield.
The next day, as night fell, the Drunken Spring Brothel was brightly lit and bustling with activity. Today was the day for the courtesans to compete in their talents and vie for the title of this year's most beautiful courtesan.
Lin Xiaoyan wore a glamorous and revealing red dress with a thigh-high slit that exposed her long, beautiful legs. A black belt cinched her waist, studded with dazzling gemstones that shimmered brilliantly. Her hair, like flames, brushed gently against her fair skin, exuding a captivating fragrance.
She stepped onto the stage, instantly captivating the audience's attention. Every movement she made was alluring; her graceful figure and swaying waist seemed to be performing a forbidden dance. Her eyes were mesmerizing and fiery, irresistible.
Lin Xiaoyan's smoky eye makeup was exquisite and alluring, like an elf emerging from the darkness. Her eyeliner swept upwards, outlining a pair of long, seductive cat-like eyes, with deep black eyeshadow applied to her eye sockets, creating a striking contrast with her fiery red hair. Her eyelashes were thick and curled, like two small fans, exuding captivating charm with each gentle flutter.
Her lips were painted a vibrant red, as alluring as ripe cherries, and a subtle smile played at the corners of her mouth, as if proclaiming her confidence and untamed spirit to the world. Her dance costume was revealing and sexy; the long red skirt was like a burning flame, with a slit up to her thigh, revealing her long, beautiful legs. A black belt, studded with dazzling gemstones, cinched her waist, shimmering with a brilliant light.
Her figure was graceful and alluring, her swaying waist exuding an irresistible charm. Every movement was seductive, as if she were dancing a forbidden dance, making one's heart race involuntarily. Her eyes were bewitching and fiery, seemingly able to pierce the soul, captivating all who beheld them.
Seeing this, the other prostitutes displayed their talents, wanting to compete with Lin Xiaoyan. Some sang melodious songs, some danced gracefully, and some demonstrated their exquisite musical skills.
However, Lin Xiaoyan's performance was even more stunning. Her singing voice was as melodious as a nightingale's, captivating the audience; her dancing was as fiery as a flame, igniting the entire stage. Every movement of hers was perfectly timed, both alluring and elegant, showcasing her charm to the fullest.
In that fiercely competitive and highly anticipated battle for the title of courtesan, Lin Xiaoyan stood out like a dazzling star! Her stunning beauty was breathtaking; her mastery of the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—was truly admirable; and most remarkably, she possessed a unique and captivating charm that set her apart from her competitors. All of this led her to an overwhelming victory over numerous rivals, claiming the title of the most beautiful courtesan in Zuichunfang! From then on, the name "Courtesan Yanzi" swept through the city like a whirlwind, becoming an indispensable topic of conversation among the city's residents.