Chapter 94: The Empress — Yu Yu Lingzi the Courtesan-Queen

Yu Yu Lingzi, the Empress

"How about it, did you find her?"

"Found her, found her. She's at the Kyogoku House, but it seems the old madam hid her away, so we couldn't meet her."

"Hmph! That old madam of the Kyogoku House — the two of us are hardly new customers, yet she's so unfair!"

"Exactly! And that courtesan-queen Fern Princess, who knows what's gotten into her lately — she won't even receive us, after all the money we've spent!"

"Forget it. In the next few days I'll go to the Kyogoku House. I refuse to believe I can't meet my Empress!"

"She's MY Empress!"

"She's mine, don't fight me for her!"

As the two of them talked on, they nearly came to blows.

They kept arguing over whose Empress Yu Yu Lingzi was.

If Yu Yu Lingzi were here, she would have realized that these two were none other than the Fatty and the Skinny she had once trampled underfoot…

…………

The Kyogoku House.

These past few days, Madam Madam Sanjin had been constantly fussing over Yu Yu Lingzi, dropping by her room every few moments to check on her.

If she wasn't asking whether she was eating well, she was asking whether she'd been sleeping well these past few days.

She was terrified something might happen to this future courtesan-queen.

Moreover, these past few days she had sent people to train Yu Yu Lingzi in the skills of a courtesan-queen, only to discover that whatever she did, she picked it up with absurd ease.

Whether it was the tea ceremony, flower arranging, or painting — for Yu Yu Lingzi, it was all effortless.

This made Madam Madam Sanjin feel she had truly stumbled upon a treasure.

In her heart she guessed that Yu Yu Lingzi must have been the daughter of some noble house in the past, which was why these things came so easily to her.

Perhaps the family had fallen on hard times, which was why she'd been sold here by that handsome fellow.

And so, now that day had broken, she came to Yu Yu Lingzi's room once more.

Behind her trailed several geisha, and in the geisha's hands were piled beautiful clothes and ornaments.

Anyone looking closely would have noticed these were the very clothes and accessories worn during a courtesan-queen's procession through the streets.

Arriving at Yu Yu Lingzi's room, she knocked on the door and said: "Yu Yu Lingzi, are you awake? Mama's coming in~"

(The old madams of the pleasure quarter generally treat their courtesan-queens like their own daughters, and like to call themselves 'Mama.')

Slide!

As Madam Madam Sanjin slid open the wooden door, she saw Orihime and Hanaki sitting in Yu Yu Lingzi's lap, acting coquettishly, their faces lit up with happy smiles.

Seeing the old madam, Hanaki and Orihime hurriedly rose and stood behind Yu Yu Lingzi.

Madam Madam Sanjin wasn't surprised — at least in terms of temperament, she could tell Yu Yu Lingzi was immeasurably better than Fern Princess.

"Yu Yu Lingzi, dear, these are the new clothes I've brought you. Why don't you try them on in a moment and see if they fit?"

"Mm, understood. Thank you."

Afterwards, Madam Madam Sanjin fussed over Yu Yu Lingzi some more, then instructed the geisha to set the things down, intending to help her change.

"I can do it myself."

Yu Yu Lingzi quickly stopped them from laying hands on her to change her clothes.

If she really let them change her, wouldn't her cover be blown on the spot?

"Sister Yu Yu Lingzi, we'll help you." x2

The two little girls, Hanaki and Orihime, thought Sister Yu Yu Lingzi was simply being shy, so they eagerly offered to help her.

These past few days Yu Yu Lingzi had been very good to the two of them — whenever there was something tasty, she always shared it with the sisters, and she often coaxed them to sleep.

"No need, I appreciate the thought, but I can manage on my own. Just guard the door for me."

"Oh, alright~"

Afterwards, Yu Yu Lingzi went to the side room, and Hanaki and Orihime, very obediently, knelt and sat on the left and right sides of the doorway to keep watch.

Half an hour or so later.

Yu Yu Lingzi had changed, and under the expectant gazes of all the women, she stepped lightly, slid open the wooden door, and walked out of the side room.

At once, Madam Madam Sanjin, the geisha, and the two little girls were all dazzled.

That kimono skirt, printed with all manner of floral patterns, worn on Yu Yu Lingzi's body, together with the fan in her hand — she looked like a woman of light dust banished to the mortal world.

Her exquisite features, combined with that head of long white hair carefully combed, and adorned with a hairpin, only added the finishing touch to her bearing.

The little dangling beads on the hairpins at either side swayed gently, occasionally knocking together and giving off a crisp, clear sound.

"Wow~ Yu Yu Lingzi is so beautiful~ The old madam's eye is truly sharp!" cried one of the geisha at the side.

"Sister Yu Yu Lingzi, you're so pretty~" Hanaki and Orihime also crowded to Yu Yu Lingzi's side, peering at her this way and that, their eyes practically shooting out little stars.

As for Madam Madam Sanjin, she no longer knew how to describe it — she only knew that the money she'd spent that night had been worth it.

The women chatted with Yu Yu Lingzi a while longer, then prepared to leave.

After all, they all still had plenty of matters to attend to.

"Yu Yu Lingzi, dear, you just rest well. We won't disturb you any longer."

In the end, Madam Madam Sanjin left Yu Yu Lingzi's room with the geisha.

Yu Yu Lingzi looked at her outfit, and suddenly thought of another plan.

"Looks like tonight's plan needs a slight change. I refuse to believe I can't lure you out like this!" Yu Yu Lingzi thought.

…………

Night fell. The Kyogoku House.

The pleasure quarter at night was still the same as ever, bustling with people coming and going.

An endless stream of guests flaunted their wealth and charm, hoping to win the courtesan queen's favor.

And on this night, the business of Kyogoku House was even more booming than usual.

No one knew who spread the rumor, but word was that Kyogoku House had acquired a stunning new courtesan queen who would make her debut tonight.

This had thoroughly piqued the curiosity of the men.

They rushed to Kyogoku House one after another, eager to see for themselves.

Compared to Kyogoku House, the business of Ogiimoto House and Tokitare House fell short by a bit.

Many long-time regulars left one after another, heading over to Kyogoku House.

Inside the room, Yu Yu Lingzi watched the situation and felt the timing was about right — it was time to act.

She refused to believe that if she stole all of Daki's clients, Daki would still be able to hold back.

Not only that, over the past few nights, Yu Yu Lingzi had often sensed movement from the ceiling.

The fact that no move was made was obvious — Daki must be secretly observing her.

Just as Yu Yu Lingzi was about to rise and leave, Madam Madam Sanjin came hurrying over upon hearing the news.

"Yu Yu Lingzi, you... you really are going out to meet the guests?" Madam Madam Sanjin was somewhat incredulous.

She had assumed it was only a rumor.

"Yes."

"But, you..."

"There's no 'but.' Trust me, you'll understand."

Yu Yu Lingzi slowly rose, left the room, and prepared to wander around the first floor casually.

Madam Madam Sanjin didn't know what to do, so she could only order some bodyguards to secretly protect Yu Yu Lingzi.

If anyone dared to harm Yu Yu Lingzi, they could act directly and throw them out.

Yu Yu Lingzi was someone she had bought back at a great price — her personal money tree — she couldn't afford any loss!

At the same time, she didn't quite understand the words Yu Yu Lingzi had said, "You'll understand"...

Why would she say that to her?

Could it be that she was going to do something, or perhaps she had learned something...??

The guests on the first floor had each picked a spot, sitting and waiting for the new courtesan queen to appear, but after waiting a long while, the new courtesan queen still didn't show.

This made them somewhat angry and embarrassed, feeling they had been tricked.

Just as they were about to cause a commotion, no one knew who in the crowd shouted, "The courtesan queen is here, right there!" — and every eye in the room turned to the second floor.

Instantly, they were stunned by that aura.

The new courtesan queen was seen holding a fan, stepping down the stairs in elevated wooden clogs.

She then made her way to the platform where the geisha played the shamisen, and sat down.

The fan in her hand covered her mouth.

"So... so beautiful..."

The restless guests couldn't help themselves and walked up to the courtesan queen Yu Yu Lingzi.

But before they could reach Yu Yu Lingzi, she directly took out a riding crop and lashed it across the hand of the guest in front who was about to touch her clothes.

She commanded: "Kneel before this empress!!"

Thud! Thud! Thud!...

The few guests closest couldn't help but drop to their knees, as if it were the innate bloodline suppression of a superior over an inferior.

Empress Yu Yu Lingzi rose and walked before the men kneeling to her, looking down at them from above.

She stared at them with a gaze that regarded them as trash, full of contempt.

The man kneeling on the ground raised his head and met Empress Yu Yu Lingzi's gaze, stung by that look that treated him like garbage.

He only felt that this Empress was so dazzling, and hoped for more of such treatment.

"Trash, who gave you permission to raise your head and look at this empress?!" Empress Yu Yu Lingzi said disdainfully.

"I... I'm sorry, my lord Empress... I was wrong... please continue!"

Gul~

Madam Madam Sanjin, who had been standing not far away, swallowed hard at the sight.

She had expected something terrible to happen, but never in her wildest dreams imagined that Yu Yu Lingzi would be this domineering.

Just now, with that single command from Yu Yu Lingzi, even she had nearly been frightened to her knees!

Then, Empress Yu Yu Lingzi took off her elevated wooden clogs and set them aside, stepped on the man's head before her with a foot clad in black stockings, and commanded: "This empress is tired of standing — I want a chair."

Upon hearing this, the man quickly racked his brain, pondering the meaning behind the Empress's words.

Suddenly a light bulb went off — he understood what to do.

He slowly crawled before Empress Yu Yu Lingzi and made himself into a chair for her to sit on.

Yu Yu Lingzi didn't hold back either, and sat directly on this "chair's" back.

Feeling the Empress on his back, the man's face showed an expression of immense satisfaction (? ˉ?? ˉ??).

The other male guests all wore expressions of jealousy.

They wanted to tear that "chair" beneath the Empress into a thousand pieces!

And then take its place themselves.

The whole hall fell somewhat silent; everyone simply stood quietly about a meter away, surrounding courtesan queen Yu Yu Lingzi,

At this moment, a seemingly refined-looking man mustered his courage and approached courtesan queen Yu Yu Lingzi, saying: "Courtesan queen Yu Yu Lingzi..."

However, what answered him was courtesan queen Yu Yu Lingzi's gaze of disdain and contempt.

The riding crop lifted the refined man's chin, and in a cold tone she interrogated: "And you think you're worthy of calling this empress by name?!"

Gurgle~

The refined-looking man swallowed hard, his body trembling slightly—Yu Yu Lingzi the Courtesan Queen's aura was simply too overwhelming.

But at the same time, a desire to conquer welled up inside him.

Yu Yu Lingzi the Courtesan Queen seemed to read his thoughts and commanded: "You, kneel before this Palace as well!"

The refined-looking man dropped to his knees before Yu Yu Lingzi the Courtesan Queen without hesitation.

"Trash is trash—a refined-looking degenerate, polluting the air around us!"

Then, Yu Yu Lingzi raised her foot in its black-stockinged toes and kicked the refined-looking man square in the face.

The refined-looking man was sent flying, crashing to the ground with a nosebleed.

But a lecherous grin spread across his face as he said foolishly: "So fragrant~ Worth it~"

"Tch, trashy cockroach!" Yu Yu Lingzi the Courtesan Queen rose from her "chair," stepped into her platform geta, and, accompanied by Zhi Xue and Hua Qi, left the scene.

"Boss lady!" the refined-looking man shouted.

Madam Madam Sanjin heard him and hurried over from the side, apologizing: "Yes, yes, I'm here, my apologies to you, honored guest. Yu Yu Lingzi, she… she… is still just a newcomer, and if there's anything…"

"Tomorrow, I want to see Yu Yu Lingzi the Courtesan Queen again! I know the rules…"

"Huh?!"

"What? Is there a problem? You think I can't afford it?!"

"No, no, honored guest, I'll have to discuss this with Yu Yu Lingzi. After all, this is her first time as Courtesan Queen, and there are still many things she doesn't understand~ Besides, didn't you say you wanted to meet with Courtesan Queen Jue Ji…"

"Cut the crap, what could Jue Ji possibly do?! She can't compare to my Empress! I'll be back again tomorrow night, it's settled!"

With that, the refined-looking man turned and left Kyogoku House.

"This… this…" Now it was Madam Madam Sanjin's turn to be at a loss.

That refined-looking man was a regular here, having already met with Jue Ji twice.

Every time he came to Kyogoku House, he would name her directly and demand to see Courtesan Queen Jue Ji.

And now, of all things…

There was no choice—she'd have to find Yu Yu Lingzi to discuss it later.

Not only that, but just as Madam Madam Sanjin turned to leave and had barely taken a few steps, she was blocked by a few burly men.

Madam Madam Sanjin grabbed the hem of her clothes in fright, saying: "Y-you-you… what do you want?! I-I… I'll tell you~ I don't sell myself, unless the price goes up…"

"Go, go, go, who wants you! I want to see Empress Yu Yu Lingzi tomorrow night too, I know the rules!"

"Scram, the Empress is mine—Madam Madam Sanjin, the madam—I'll pay double tomorrow…"

"I'll pay five times…!!"

The scene once again descended into chaos.

Madam Madam Sanjin's head was spinning—she hadn't expected Yu Yu Lingzi to cause such a huge commotion on her very first night.

If she became Courtesan Queen in the future, what then…

However, not long after Yu Yu Lingzi left, in a dark corner of the ceiling, a belt with a pair of eyes had watched everything that just happened clearly.

This belt was Duo Ji's avatar belt.

Seeing Yu Yu Lingzi's stunning beauty again, she couldn't help but lick her lips.

Afterward, the belt returned to Duo Ji.

"Yu Yu Lingzi, you really are a rare beauty~ Hehehe~ Your taste must be quite exquisite! I must get my hands on you and savor you all by myself!"

Duo Ji watched Yu Yu Lingzi's departure as if looking at the finest of prey, as if Yu Yu Lingzi had already become something in the palm of her hand!

But just as Duo Ji was lost in self-admiration, what she didn't know was that the invisible drone had already transmitted every bit of footage to Zero's 【Analysis Glasses】.

Her every move and word had entered Zero's surveillance.

"Hehe, want to hunt me? Duo Ji, oh Duo Ji, you really are brainless! Who wins in the end is still uncertain~ Hehehe~"

The true hunter often appears in the form of prey, hunting the hunter.

In Zero's eyes, Duo Ji at this moment was the true prey.

"Everything is ready, Duo Ji—see you tomorrow night! Hehehe~"

…………