Chapter 14: Showing Off Wealth to Me?

"Young Master, how many in your party?"

As Liu Zheng and his companion walked over, a procuress rushed over, grabbing one arm of each man, beaming with joy, and feigning mystery as she said, "This young master, you've come at the perfect time today! Today is the very first day that Miss Manqing is making her debut!"

The "debut" here did not mean marriage, but rather the formal opening of doors to welcome guests.

"Really?"

Liu Zheng chuckled.

Seeing Liu Zheng's fine silk robes, the procuress knew he was no ordinary young master and showered him with praise: "You wouldn't know, would you? Miss Manqing is proficient in everything—Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting, as well as singing and playing instruments!"

"Haha, singing and playing instruments, I like that, I like that!"

Liu Zheng had not yet finished speaking.

A group of people had already approached from the side, a young master in silk robes, surrounded by a crowd of servants, walking in an overbearing manner. Many passersby nearby could not dodge in time and were punched and kicked by these vicious thugs.

"Oh my, Young Master Chen! A rare guest, a rare guest, you truly are a rare guest!"

Seeing the newcomer, the procuress immediately let go of Liu Zheng and respectfully went to greet him.

"Hmph! I heard Miss Manqing is making her debut, so I'm booking the whole house today!"

The young master of the Chen Family was full of bravado and laughed heartily, but within his dark-circled eyes—caused by wine and lust—flashes of lewdness were already emerging; those around him shook their heads repeatedly, thinking that Miss Manqing, a refined courtesan, would likely suffer a grim fate today.

Who in the whole city didn't know that this Chen Xiang was a complete playboy, wallowing in debauchery and committing every evil imaginable.

"Yes, yes, please come in, Young Master Chen!"

Once Chen Xiang arrived, the whole scene revolved around him; as a young master of the Four Great Noble Families, the Chen Family, he was fawned upon wherever he went.

Liu Zheng and Qin Zhangfeng followed quietly behind.

Upon entering Wanhua Pavilion, sure enough, an air of decadence rushed to meet them. As always, the environment was unbearable to look at; in the main hall, there were many scattered seats, private rooms on the second floor, and resting quarters on the third—everyone understood what this place was for. In the hall, many were acting in a dissolute manner.

Among them, one could tell at a glance that many were scholars and literati, while others were merchants who had come to Yinzhou to do business. Those merchants, holding girls and drinking wine, were mostly crude men. As for the scholars, they were also shaking their heads and reciting essays, but their hands were also very dishonestly grabbing and touching the courtesans, occasionally pairing it with some lewd poetry, provoking a chorus of cheers from the crowd.

The scene was quite interesting.

"Young Master Chen has arrived, everyone shut up!"

As soon as Chen Xiang arrived, a lackey immediately shouted loudly.

The scene instantly went quiet, followed by hushed discussions.

The people of Yinzhou, upon hearing "Young Master Chen," shut their mouths, while those doing business looked resentful. But after hearing others speak of this young master's prestige, they also wisely shut their mouths.

"Hahaha, good!"

Chen Xiang felt quite prestigious and waved his hand: "No matter, no matter, Wanhua Pavilion is meant to be lively! Let it be lively, I like it lively! Today, I'm booking the whole house!"

"Good!"

"Young Master Chen is generous!"

The crowd vied to flatter him.

Chen Xiang sat down with a grand air and looked around arrogantly: "What were you discussing just now? Continue!"

A man looking like a destitute scholar stood up, raised his cup, and said: "Just now, my colleagues were discussing this newly built County Marquis Mansion; will the sky over Yinzhou change in the future?"

The crowd nodded one after another.

Liu Zheng also found it interesting, so he ordered a pot of wine and a few taels of meat, sitting to the side to listen.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiang sneered: "County Marquis? Is that the Liu Family father and son who have been hanging around with a bunch of commoners and mud-legged peasants these past few days? Who doesn't know that the Liu Family young master is just a spendthrift? How much promise can he have?"

"Hahaha!"

"What a joke!"

The group of servants also followed along with mocking laughter.

"Remember, in Yinzhou, the County Marquis Mansion is a joke!"

Chen Xiang looked arrogant and shouted: "Only my Four Great Noble Families are the true kings here!"

"Dominating!"

"Young Master Chen is full of spirit, we should drink a large cup to that!"

"With the Chen Family here, Yinzhou won't be in chaos, and we can rest easy!"

A group of scholars immediately flattered him and raised their cups.

However, at this moment, a thin, weak-looking scholar covered in patches said timidly: "But I observe that the Liu Family young master is no playboy. He does things in an orderly fashion; in chaotic times, one must rely on prestige. He established trust with a log a few days ago, and these past few days he has been gathering retainers. When the County Marquis Mansion rises in the future, whether one is an official or a White-clothed commoner, won't it all be up to his word?"

This abrupt viewpoint immediately caused the whole room to change color.

A scholar in silk robes said arrogantly: "Those who build a great mansion first choose the craftsmen before selecting the materials; those who govern a country first choose their assistants before settling the people! This County Marquis eats and lives with commoners and mud-legged peasants—where is the dignity of a superior?"

Another person also attacked: "The County Marquis Mansion is newly established and must first establish its prestige! Without hierarchy, where does dignity come from?"

The group of people began to quote classics and use flowery language.

The thin scholar said: "But those who govern a country take enriching the people as the foundation! The world's orderly governance lies in the people's wealth, the world's peace and stillness lie in the people's happiness, and the world's prosperity lies in the people moving toward righteousness! If the County Marquis shares joy with the people, what is wrong with that?"

Thus, this debate in the pleasure house began.

Liu Zheng also looked over in surprise; in this era of solidified classes and solidified thinking, it was not easy for someone to have such insights.

"Shen Xing, do you mean that under the jurisdiction of the several great noble families, there is no joy in my Yinzhou?"

Several people looked over mockingly, deliberately shifting the hatred toward Chen Xiang.

Shen Xing was somewhat stubborn and insisted: "The superior is like the branch, the people are like the deer; such 'doing nothing' to seek 'doing nothing' requires a strong state and a wealthy prefecture! Yinzhou is currently exhausted, how can it continue like this?"

"Doing nothing to seek doing something, it is utterly absurd!"

"Doing something to seek doing something is the true blessing of the common people!"

"Without the government, where does 'doing something' come from?"

Facing the mockery of so many people, Shen Xing was not afraid at all and spoke with great force.

"Audacious!"

"Shen Xing, how dare you defy Young Master Chen?"

"You, a mere White-clothed, dare to spout such nonsense?"

However, this viewpoint was immediately attacked by the crowd. The reason was simple: Young Master Chen said that person was no good, yet you insisted he was good—were you not failing to give our Young Master Chen face?

You must know, Young Master Chen has covered the entire venue today; the wine you are drinking is all courtesy of Young Master Chen!

Chen Xiang also looked coldly at that Shen Xing: "Is your Excellency doubting my Chen Family, or the strength of our Powerful Clan?"

Several servants rolled up their sleeves, looking aggressive.

Shen Xing's face turned pale: "Shen Xing would not dare!"

"Beat him out of here!"

Chen Xiang could no longer endure it.

Today he came here to see Beauty Manqing, and he had to demonstrate his absolute control over this place; how could someone dare not give him face?

"Th-this..."

Shen Xing was terrified, scrambling away on his hands and knees.

Those Chen Family servants had already surrounded him, and it looked as if Shen Xing was about to suffer a brutal beating.

"Stop!"

Liu Zheng was just about to have Qin Zhangfeng intervene, when unexpectedly, a graceful voice drifted out from the tavern's private room: "In a tavern, everyone is free to express their own views; even the Imperial Court does not interfere. Does this Chen Family perhaps think that here in Yinzhou, they are more overbearing than the Imperial Court of my Longyan Dynasty?"

"You..."

The whole room was startled.

These words were sharp enough to strike at the heart.

Hearing this voice, Chen Xiang's expression also changed slightly, and then he began to laugh: "I wondered who it was; so it is the eldest daughter of the Zheng Family. It was I, this young man, who was reckless! It has been some time since I last saw you, Eldest Miss. How is it, could it be that Eldest Miss Zheng is also a fan of Beauty Manqing?"

A group of people stifled their laughter.

Of course, they did not dare to laugh out loud.

The eldest daughter of the Zheng Family!

The Zheng Family, also one of the Four Great Noble Families, was not a whit inferior to the Chen Family in strength. Moreover, the backer behind the Zheng Family was none other than the current Empress Zheng of the Longyan Dynasty! It was said that this eldest daughter of the Zheng Family was a peerless beauty, yet at twenty years of age, she remained unmarried. Rumors circulated that she did not like men and preferred women. In this era, such a rumor was shocking, but because the Zheng Family's power was overwhelming, no one dared to discuss it much.

This remark by Chen Xiang was a provocation toward Eldest Miss Zheng, and the others did not dare to let out even a fart.

Liu Zheng found it quite interesting.

He had not expected that a whim to visit a tavern would lead to so many interesting people and events.

"A meeting of gold and jade dew, surpasses countless encounters in the human world."

Eldest Miss Zheng let out a giggle, her noble and refined voice ringing out.

"Do you think that someone capable of composing such an eternal masterpiece is a wastrel like you?"

Chen Xiang's face darkened.

Liu Zheng, however, laughed upon hearing this; so there were still people with good taste!

Just at this moment.

"Beauty Manqing arrives!"

The entire room perked up, and everyone looked over.

The atmosphere of the entire tavern seemed to change. A woman dressed in light red silk emerged from the back room wearing a veil, accompanied by the sounds of strings and bamboo from within the tavern. The delicate music made her sway with grace; although she wore a veil, one look was enough to know that this woman was absolutely a peerless beauty, possessing a face that could sink fish and drop geese.

Hiding her face behind the pipa, she plucked the strings a few times.

The more mysterious she was, the more attractive she became.

In an instant, the clamor of the entire tavern came to an abrupt halt.

All eyes were drawn to her.

The previously lewd atmosphere instantly became much fresher.

Beautiful!

Even Liu Zheng, who had seen all sorts of celebrities and internet influencers in the later ages, could not help but have his eyes light up. Who could have imagined that in such a barren place, there could be such a Beauty?

Not to mention Chen Xiang, who was currently wearing a lecherous expression, his drool almost spilling out.

"Good, good, good!"

Chen Xiang could no longer be bothered to bicker with Eldest Miss Zheng, shouting: "Reward! Give her a reward!"

For a moment, he could not even find a reason for the reward, he just wanted to show off his virility.

"Thank you, Young Master."

Beauty Manqing bowed slightly, her voice cold and clear, and sat on the second-floor stage where an ancient zither had already been prepared.

Everyone was captivated, forgetting the focus of the earlier argument.

Dong, dong, dong...

This Beauty Manqing was indeed proficient in all arts... She began with a piece, Recalling an Old Friend, which carried a deep, secluded, and resentful atmosphere, perfectly fitting her temperament.

Cold and aloof.

Her zither skills were exquisite, the lingering notes echoing in the rafters.

The people listened, utterly enchanted.

"Good, reward! Give her a reward!"

As the song ended, Chen Xiang was even more excited; having finally found a reason to bestow a reward, he scattered large amounts of silver.

Not only that, he could no longer contain himself, calling the procuress over and shouting: "How much silver? Tell me, I want to redeem Beauty Manqing!"

The procuress looked bitter: "Young Master Chen, Beauty Manqing did not sell herself to our tavern; I cannot make that decision."

"Fart!"

Chen Xiang was furious: "Is there anyone this young master wants to buy that I cannot buy? Five hundred taels, is that enough?"

He took out a Silver Note and slapped it onto the procuress's face with great arrogance.

The procuress still wore a troubled expression.

"Alright, what about one thousand taels?"

Chen Xiang gritted his teeth; these one thousand taels were certainly not a small sum. For people of this era, it would mean instant financial freedom, and not just that, but financial freedom for an entire family!

"This, this, this..."

The procuress was very tempted and glanced at Miss Manqing over there.

"What, is it still not enough?"

Chen Xiang became a bit displeased, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes: "Procuress, do you know who I am!"

"How about that, is Young Master Chen trying to force someone against their will?"

Just as these words fell, the eldest Miss Zheng in the second-floor private room spoke again.

"Young Master Chen, you had better think carefully. Miss Manqing is not an ordinary courtesan; she is a free woman by nature, only coming to a barren place like our Yinzhou because her family was under a cloud of guilt."

"It is not so simple to win Miss Manqing's favor. Otherwise, would it even be your turn?"

The eldest Miss Zheng sneered repeatedly.

The crowd looked at each other in dismay upon hearing this.

Isn't she just a woman from a place of pleasure? Why all these complicated rules?

"Oh? Then what is required?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiang laughed arrogantly: "Since that is the case, then it is easy to handle! Miss Manqing, just say how much silver is enough! Rest assured, my Chen Family has plenty of silver!"

The eldest Miss Zheng said nothing more and gave a disdainful hum.

As expected.

That Miss Manqing curtsied again to express her gratitude and said with a cold, clear smile: "Young Master Chen, although Manqing is a person under a cloud of guilt, the imperial court has decreed that a father's crimes do not extend to his family, so Manqing is not of slave status. Coming to this place, I only wish to earn some silver to fill my stomach; I have no other intentions."

The others all nodded one after another upon hearing this.

In the Longyan Dynasty, such things were not uncommon.

According to the laws of the Longyan Dynasty, generally, unless it is someone who has committed a Great Evil, there is no need to implicate the nine generations of one's family. It is enough to exile the primary offender; other family members are free to live as they please.

Hearing that Miss Manqing was so aloof, one knew that this woman definitely did not come from an ordinary background. As for her identity, the eldest Miss Zheng must certainly know it, so even this eldest Miss Zheng, who is fond of "beautiful women," probably does not dare to force her against her will.

"Pretentious!"

Chen Xiang felt a sudden sense of dejection upon hearing this.

This restaurant had been promoting this Manqing in all sorts of ways beforehand; who would have thought that today, they wouldn't let anyone touch her?

This was too unbearable!

"Hahaha, so Young Master Chen only has this much ability?"

Just at this moment, Liu Zheng finally could not hold back and sneered repeatedly.

This Chen Xiang, in public, called him a playboy. If it were in the past, that might have been fine, but now that the County Marquis Mansion was about to be rebuilt and those villagers were at his disposal, how could he take such a young master seriously? If there is a grudge, it must be settled on the spot; waiting even one night is out of the question!

This abrupt laughter immediately attracted the gazes of many people.

"Who are you?"

"Presumptuous!"

"How dare you insult my young master?"

The group of servants grabbed items and prepared to rush over.

Liu Zheng held a wine cup in one hand and was not panicked, laughing heartily: "What? Want to touch me? Beating the son of a County Marquis, can you afford the crime?"

"Who?"

"The son of a County Marquis?"

Chen Xiang was stunned, then immediately laughed, his eyes full of mockery: "You are that little brat of the Liu Family?"

"Hahahaha!"

"So you were hiding here!"

These past few days, the County Marquis and his son had been the subjects of intense discussion throughout Yinzhou. Suddenly, with Liu Zheng here, all kinds of curious and scrutinizing gazes were cast his way.

Scrutiny, curiosity, mockery—everyone had a different expression.

Chen Xiang even held back his laughter: "Young Master Liu, why are you not at home building your house, but instead here at the Wanhua Pavilion?"

The people also roared with laughter.

As expected of the number one playboy of Liangzhou; he had only been in Yinzhou for a few days, and he already couldn't help but come to this place of pleasure to seek flowers and ask for willows?

In the second-floor private room.

That eldest Miss Zheng also couldn't help but open the window to look down.

Facing Chen Xiang's mockery, Liu Zheng remained calm and continued to smile: "Young Master Chen is truly worthy of being a son of a wealthy family. I have observed that since you entered this restaurant, your mouth is full of silver. What, does the Chen Family have a lot of silver?"

He gave a cold sneer.

He took a stack of Silver Notes from his pocket and slapped them onto the table with a 'slap'.

"Boss, come out! This Wanhua Pavilion, I, Liu Zheng, am buying it!"

The entire room fell silent in an instant.