Chapter 94: The Empress—Zero the Courtesan

Zero, the Empress

“How’s it going? Did you find her?”

“Found her, found her! She’s at Kyōkyoku-ya, but the madam hid her away—we couldn’t see her.”

“Hmph! That madam of Kyōkyoku-ya—we’re regulars, and she’s this ungrateful?”

“Exactly! And that Jueji courtesan—lately she won’t even see us, after all the money we’ve spent!”

“Forget it. I’m going to Kyōkyoku-ya these next few days—I refuse to believe I can’t see my Empress!”

“That’s MY Empress!”

“Mine! Don’t you dare compete with me!”

As they argued, they nearly came to blows.

They kept quarreling over who Zero was the Empress of.

If Zero were here, she’d realize these two were none other than the Fatty and the Skinny she’d stepped on…

…………

Kyōkyoku-ya.

For the past few days, Madam Sanjin had been constantly checking on Zero, visiting her room every so often.

She’d ask if Zero ate well, or if she slept well these past days.

She feared any problem might arise with this future courtesan.

Moreover, she’d sent courtesans to train Zero in courtesan arts, and found Zero mastered everything effortlessly.

Whether tea ceremony, flower arrangement, or painting—Zero handled them all with ease.

This made Madam Sanjin feel she’d truly struck gold.

She speculated Zero must have once been a noble lady, which explained why these skills came so naturally to her.

Perhaps her family had fallen from grace, which was why that handsome man sold her here.

And now, with dawn breaking, Madam Sanjin came again to Zero’s room.

Behind her trailed several courtesans, each carrying piles of beautiful garments and jewelry.

If one looked closely, one would recognize these as the attire and ornaments worn during a courtesan’s procession.

Arriving at Zero’s room, she knocked and said: “Zero, are you awake? Mama’s coming in~”

(In the Flower Street, madams always treated their courtesans like daughters, preferring to call themselves “Mama.”)

Shhhhh!

Madam Sanjin pulled open the wooden door to see Zhixue and Huaqi curled up in Zero’s lap, smiling happily.

Huaqi and Zhixue immediately rose and stood behind Zero.

Madam Sanjin didn’t mind—she could tell, at least in temperament, Zero was infinitely better than Jueji .

“Zero, these are new clothes I brought you. Try them on—see if they fit?”

“Mm, understood. Thank you.”

Then Madam Sanjin went on with more tender inquiries, ordered the courtesans to set the items down, and tried to help Zero change.

“I can do it myself.”

Zero quickly stopped them from touching her clothes.

If they helped her change, wouldn’t her secret be exposed?

“Zero-sister, let us help you.” x2

Huaqi and Zhixue, two little girls, thought Zero was just shy, so they willingly offered to assist.

These past days, Zero had been kind to them—always sharing treats and often tucking them in to sleep.

“No, thank you for your kindness, but I’ll manage alone. Just guard the door for me.”

“Oh, alright~”

Then Zero went to the side chamber, and Huaqi and Zhixue obediently knelt on either side of the door, keeping watch.

Over half an hour later.

Zero emerged from the side chamber, dressed, stepping lightly before the expectant gazes of the women, and opened the wooden door.

Instantly, Madam Sanjin, the courtesans, and the two girls were awestruck.

The kimono, embroidered with countless floral patterns, clung to Zero’s form, and with the fan in hand, she looked like a celestial spirit descended to earth.

Her exquisite face, paired with her meticulously styled long white hair and hairpins, enhanced her aura tenfold.

The tiny dangling beads on either side of her hairpins swayed and chimed softly with every movement.

“Wow~ Zero is so beautiful~ Madam’s taste is impeccable!” one courtesan gasped.

“Zero-sister, you’re so pretty~” Huaqi and Zhixue rushed to Zero’s side, gazing left and right, their eyes sparkling like stars.

As for Madam Sanjin, she was speechless—she only knew the money she’d spent that night was worth every coin.

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

After all, each had many duties still unattended.

“Zero, rest well—we won’t disturb you further.”

Finally, Madam Sanjin led the courtesans out of Zero’s room.

Zero gazed at her attire, and suddenly recalled another plan.

“Looks like tonight’s plan needs a slight adjustment—I refuse to believe this won’t draw you out!” Zero thought.

…………

Nightfall. Kyōkyoku-ya.

The Flower Street at night remained as bustling as ever.

Guests poured in, flaunting their wealth and charm, vying for the courtesan’s favor.

Yet tonight, Kyōkyoku-ya’s business was even livelier than usual.

A rumor had spread: a stunning new courtesan had arrived at Kyōkyoku-ya and would make her debut tonight.

This ignited the men’s curiosity.

They flocked to Kyōkyoku-ya, eager to see for themselves.

In contrast, Ogimachi-ya and Shiren-ya saw a slight decline in business.

Many regular patrons had left, heading toward Kyōkyoku-ya.

Inside, Zero observed the scene—timing was ripe. It was time to act.

She wouldn’t believe Jueji could still hold back if she stole all her clients.

Moreover, these past nights, Zero had often sensed movement above the ceiling.

Her inaction clearly meant Jueji was secretly watching her.

Just as Zero rose to leave, Madam Sanjin hurried in.

“Zero… you’re really going to meet guests?” Madam Sanjin could hardly believe it.

She’d thought it was just rumor.

“Yes.”

“But you…”

“No buts. Trust me—you’ll understand.”

Zero rose slowly, left the room, and headed downstairs to stroll casually.

Madam Sanjin didn’t know what else to do, so she ordered bodyguards to shadow Zero covertly.

Anyone who dared harm Zero could be thrown out immediately.

Zero was her costly investment—her golden goose. She couldn’t afford any loss!

Yet she remained puzzled by Zero’s words: “You’ll understand…”

Why had Zero said that to her?

Was she planning something? Or had she discovered something…??

Guests downstairs had chosen their seats, waiting for the new courtesan’s debut—but hours passed, and she never appeared.

They grew angry, feeling deceived.

Just as they were about to riot, someone in the crowd shouted: “The courtesan’s here—up there!” All eyes turned to the second floor.

Instantly, they were stunned by her aura.

There, the new courtesan descended the stairs slowly, fan in hand, wooden geta clacking beneath her feet.

She then took her place atop the platform where courtesans played the shamisen.

Her fan concealed her mouth.

“So… so beautiful…”

The eager guests involuntarily moved toward Zero the Courtesan.

But before any could touch her, Zero whipped out a cane and struck the hand of the nearest man, just as it neared her robe.

She commanded: “Kneel before me, you scum!”

Thud! Thud! Thud!…

The closest guests dropped to their knees instinctively—as if subjected to a supreme ruler’s bloodline dominance over the lowly.

Zero, the Empress, rose and stepped before the kneeling men, looking down upon them.

Her gaze, cold and contemptuous, regarded them as garbage.

The men on the ground lifted their heads to meet her eyes—and were stung by that look of utter disdain.

She felt this Empress was so dazzling, and wished for more such treatment.

“Trash, who gave you permission to look up at this palace lady?!” Zero Empress sneered.

“S-sorry, Empress… I’m wrong… Please continue!”

Gulp~

Sanjin, the madam standing nearby, swallowed hard at the sight.

She had thought something major was about to happen, but never imagined Zero was this ruthless.

Just now, Zero’s command nearly made her kneel in fear herself!

Then, Zero Empress set aside her elevated wooden clogs and stepped on the man’s head with her black-silk-clad foot, ordering: “I’m tired of standing. Bring me a chair.”

The man quickly turned his mind, trying to decipher the Empress’s meaning.

Suddenly, inspiration struck—he understood what to do.

He slowly crawled to Zero Empress’s feet and offered himself as her chair.

Zero didn’t hesitate—she sat directly on the back of this living chair.

Feeling the Empress on his back, the man’s face wore an expression of deep satisfaction (?ˉ??ˉ??).

The other male guests all wore expressions of envy.

They wanted to tear apart the “chair” beneath the Empress!

And take his place.

The entire room fell quiet; everyone stood silently, encircling Zero the courtesan at a distance of one meter.

At that moment, a seemingly refined man gathered courage and approached Zero the courtesan: “Zero Courtesan…”

But his only reply was Zero’s disdainful, contemptuous gaze.

The whip lifted the refined man’s chin as she coldly demanded: “Do you even deserve to speak my name?!”

Gulp~

The refined man swallowed hard, his body trembling—Zero Courtesan’s aura was overwhelming.

Yet within him, a desire to conquer stirred.

Zero Courtesan seemed to sense his thoughts and ordered: “You, kneel before me too!”

The refined man immediately knelt before Zero Courtesan.

“Trash is trash—a refined scumbag, polluting the air around!”

Then, Zero raised her black-silk-clad foot and kicked the refined man square in the face.

He was flung backward, crashing to the ground, blood streaming from his nose.

Yet his face wore a lewd, foolish grin as he muttered: “So fragrant… Worth it~”

“Pfft, trashy vermin!” Zero rose from the “chair,” slipped back into her elevated clogs, and departed with Xue and Huaqi in tow.

“Madam!” the refined man shouted.

Sanjin hurried over, apologetic: “Yes yes yes, I’m here—my apologies, sir, but Zero… she… she’s still new. If there’s anything…”

“Tomorrow, I still want to see Zero Courtesan. I understand the rules…”

“Huh?!”

“What? Is there a problem? Do you think I can’t pay?!”

“No no, sir, I need to consult Zero first—she’s just starting as a courtesan, still doesn’t know much… Besides, didn’t you say you wanted to meet Fern Ji Courtesan…?”

“Enough nonsense! What’s Fern Ji to me? She can’t compare to my Empress! I’ll be back tomorrow night—settled!”

With that, the refined man turned and left Jingjiwu.

“This… this…” Now it was Sanjin’s turn to be baffled.

The refined man was a regular here—he’d met Fern Ji twice already.

Every time he came to Jingjiwu, he demanded to see Fern Ji Courtesan by name.

And now…?

No choice—she’d have to consult Zero later.

Worse still, as Sanjin turned to leave, just a few steps away, several large men blocked her path.

Sanjin panicked, clutching her collar: “Y-you… what do you want?! I-I… I’m not for sale, unless you pay extra…”

“Get lost, who wants you?! Tomorrow night, I want to see Zero Empress—I know the rules!”

“Get out, the Empress is mine, Sanjin Madam—I’ll pay double tomorrow!”

“I’ll pay five times…!!”

Chaos erupted again.

Sanjin’s head throbbed—she never expected Zero would cause such a stir on her very first night.

What would happen when she truly became a courtesan…?

Yet, not long after Zero left, a belt with a pair of eyes in the dark corner of the ceiling had witnessed everything clearly.

That belt was Duoji’s detached belt.

Seeing Zero’s astonishing beauty again, she couldn’t help but lick her lips.

Then, the belt returned to Duoji.

“Zero, you’re such a temptress~ Hehehe~ Your taste must be exquisite! I’ll capture you, and savor you slowly, all to myself!”

Duoji watched Zero depart as if she were a prized prey—Zero already seemed hers to claim!

But Duoji didn’t know—hidden drones had already transmitted every image of her to Zero’s [Analytical Glasses].

Every movement, every word, was under Zero’s surveillance.

“Heh, you want to hunt me? Duoji, you truly have no brain! Who will end up the victor? We’ll see~ Hehehe~”

The true hunter often appears as prey, to hunt the hunter.

In Zero’s eyes, Duoji was now the real prey.

“Everything’s ready, Duoji—see you tomorrow night! Hehehe~”

………