Chapter 92: Who the Hell Goes to a Brothel District on a Date!

“Officer, you’re truly a good person—thank you so much this time.”

Wu Nanzhi remained polite, expressing her gratitude to Xiao Ming before leaving.

After all, he’d helped her kick away Ma Gao, that annoying pest.

But the more she thanked him, the more Xiao Ming’s composure cracked.

Out of nowhere, he got handed a “good person” card—his puppy-dog ambitions died mid-course.

“It’s nothing, it’s my duty,” Xiao Ming said with a bitter smile.

Watching Wu Nanzhi’s retreating back, he turned his anger toward Ma Gao, who was laughing beside him.

Ma Gao had never liked Xiao Ming, and seeing him humiliated now only made him happy.

If I can’t have my goddess, neither can you!

Think you can step on me to rise? You’re gonna crash hard, kid!

The Sage’s residual soul, watching this, felt deeply satisfied—and could sense energy stirring within Xiao Ming’s body.

After this, Xiao Ming’s cultivation would likely see a slight boost.

On the other side, after leaving Changqing Street, Li Chen casually asked, “Were those your friends just now?”

Wu Nanzhi shook her head. “I don’t know them. Probably patrol officers from around here—they seem nice enough.”

She didn’t want to admit she knew Ma Gao, and indeed didn’t know Xiao Ming at all.

Today, Wu Nanzhi wore a beige knee-length dress that accentuated her supple, slender waist.

Her delicate figure rose and fell like mountain peaks, breathtakingly beautiful, with curves perfectly balanced.

Only someone with a good figure could pull off such an elegant look.

Since he’d noticed this woman changing clothes, Li Chen offered his approval.

In Li Chen’s eyes, she was a mannequin—looked good in anything, even naked.

He was pleased with her reaction to the earlier words—if only he hadn’t added that last line!

The two wandered aimlessly through the marketplace; Wu Nanzhi, having her own money, bought some snacks—clearly acting like a couple on a date.

“Where to next?” Wu Nanzhi asked, perhaps a little tired, turning to Li Chen, the capital native, for suggestions.

In truth, the capital wasn’t very familiar to Li Chen—he was rather homebound.

But when it came to date spots, he did have one in mind.

Saying nothing more, Li Chen led Wu Nanzhi to a rather mysterious place.

Wu Nanzhi initially thought it was some romantic spot—until they arrived and she realized: Wait, what? The Brothel District?

She stared at Li Chen in shock, her expression clearly saying: We’re going here? Are you joking?

I’d understand if you’d taken me to an inn.

Who the hell goes to a brothel district on a date?

What kind of twisted brain does he have? Wu Nanzhi was losing track entirely.

If Li Chen knew how she felt, he’d have taken her to an inn.

“Don’t worry—it’s not as complicated as you think, and I’ve brought plenty of money.”

Under Li Chen’s persuasion, Wu Nanzhi still followed him inside.

It was her first time ever entering such a pleasure quarter.

Before this, her impression of such places was danger and vulgarity.

After all, this was where noble youths loved to gather—conflicts happened all too easily.

But not everyone here came for that kind of business.

At her age, even if she’d never done anything physical, she’d certainly heard stories.

If not for Li Chen beside her, she’d never have stepped inside.

In Wu Nanzhi’s mind, Li Chen might be many things—but his strength was undeniably terrifying.

He must hold some status in the capital, enough to avoid most trouble.

The Brothel District was an upscale venue—not just anyone could enter.

Without status or rank, one had to pass various inspections and registrations to gain entry.

For instance, near the entrance, a group of scholars tried to win entry through their literary talent.

Many courtesans favored literati.

But most scholars were turned away—since the imperial exams were near, the talented were all studying, not wasting time here.

Some wealthy merchants could buy entry tickets—essentially, quarterly memberships; even if you didn’t come during the period, your time would still be deducted.

To access premium services, you had to pay even more.

Warriors needed social standing—meeting specific criteria to gain entry.

Take Xiao Ming: his cultivation was once high, but he lacked status to enter—now that he serves in the Ministry of Justice, he can.

Of course, all that applied to others—Li Chen needed none of it. The gatekeeper maid had eyes like a hawk, specially trained—Li Chen’s attire alone was beyond what ordinary nobles could obtain; such a man required no inspection or registration.

“May I ask your noble surname, sir?”

“Li.”

Upon learning his surname was Li, the maid became even more deferential.

Whether or not Li Chen was imperial royalty, they treated him as a revered guest.

Yet one thing puzzled the maid: why was he bringing a woman?

!

If it were an ordinary woman, fine—but Wu Nanzhi’s beauty, even to maids accustomed to courtesan queens, was startlingly exquisite.

With a woman like this beside him, why come to a brothel district at all?

Confused as she was, professional decorum meant not asking questions she shouldn’t.

Li Chen asked the maid to prepare a private courtyard for them, then to bring the establishment’s services.

Before the services arrived, Wu Nanzhi curiously scanned the surroundings, then said to Li Chen: “You seem awfully familiar with this place.”

“I’ve never been here before,” Li Chen said seriously.

He truly hadn’t—yet such places were all much the same.

“You think I believe that?” Wu Nanzhi rolled her eyes—but the gesture only made her more alluring.

At that moment, she wondered: Is Li Chen going to do… those things… with a courtesan right in front of me?

I shouldn’t have come here.

But her thoughts changed drastically just minutes later.

The services Li Chen ordered were all “foot massage,” “acupressure,” and “massage table”—in short, legitimate foot and body treatments, performed by professional maids.

At first, Wu Nanzhi was uncomfortable—but the maids were skilled, relaxing her body through massage while chatting and offering emotional comfort.

Slowly, she began to find the place not so bad after all—not nearly as vile as she’d imagined.

Besides, here one could sip tea, listen to music, and watch dances.

As long as you paid, you received noble service.

Wu Nanzhi, caught up in the moment, even summoned an artist to perform—enjoying the sound of stringed instruments and clear, ringing melodies.

“Now I get why men all love coming here.”

Wu Nanzhi, enjoying her foot soak and massage, chatted easily with Li Chen.

Clearly, she was quite satisfied with this unusual date.

Honestly, among all the men she’d met, Li Chen was the most inscrutable—she had no idea what he’d do next.

So beside him, every day felt like a surprise.

Gradually, she’d forgotten why she’d agreed to this date—to make Li Chen look foolish.

“This is just the beginning—the night’s even better,” Li Chen said with a smile.

Wu Nanzhi merely huffed, saying nothing.

But Li Chen had only come on a whim—thought of something, tried it—no deeper plan.

When the services ended, he prepared to take Wu Nanzhi away.

They couldn’t really spend the night here.

As the two walked from the courtyard toward the main gate, Li Chen suddenly noticed a passerby on a nearby pavilion and frowned.

Wu Nanzhi followed his gaze and saw a woman of extraordinary beauty.

Her features were refined, brows like spring mountains, eyes like autumn waters, radiating noble elegance—as if a celestial fairy had descended to earth.

Even though she vanished from Wu Nanzhi’s sight in a fleeting glance, the sight still left her awestruck.

Who would have thought such a refined, dignified woman would appear in a brothel district?

“Could she be your old flame?” Wu Nanzhi speculated.

“Where do you get that idea? If I’m not mistaken, I should call her sister-in-law,” Li Chen replied.

Li Chen himself couldn’t understand why the Crown Princess would be here.

(End of Chapter)