143: Coming

Things were getting more and more interesting; if it truly was this woman, then the attack on the Zhuang Family had started long ago.

Colluding with Shang Xian to seize the medicine shop was merely a follow-up.

Jiang Hanwen gazed at the dark sky. How could one catch a tiger cub without entering the tiger’s den?

This matter would definitely not be concluded this winter.

Next, in order to gather information, he would have to frequent brothels.

He swore he was forced, that it was for the Face of the bookstore, and he had no choice but to sacrifice himself.

The deaths of both the servant and Zhang Jian were merely tiny pebbles tossed into a river, not even making a splash.

A month and a half later, with the arrival of spring and a group of people heading south, Jiang Hanwen began to disguise himself as a Young Master and visit gambling dens, presenting himself as a Young Master from a noble family who had recently settled in the area.

After gambling for half a month, winning and losing, and throwing down six thousand taels of silver to solidify his identity, he switched battlefields and headed straight for the brothels.

The Great Stronghold had a total of four famous brothels: two belonged to the Zhuang Family, one to the Huang Family, and one was managed by the Black Wind Martial Hall.

Jiang Hanwen first visited the Huang Family’s Cuiwei Tower.

He lingered for half a month. Although the girls were charming and their voices enchanting, Jiang Hanwen always appeared dissatisfied, saying he wanted something more elegant and disliked this kind of atmosphere.

After much searching, guided by a broker, he finally arrived at the Zhuang Family’s Yunshui House, a gathering place for courtesans who only sold their art and not their bodies, under the reputation of being a big spender.

Jiang Hanwen never expected that one day he would come to the Yunshui House, which he had suggested building, to listen to music.

This time, Jiang Hanwen’s learned Go skills came into play.

He played Go with the courtesans who performed music in the evenings, passing the time while gathering information.

“Young Master Wang, are you satisfied with this song?”

Inside a private room, a gentle woman in a green blouse and white robe, with her hair tied up, shyly lowered her head. A blush spread across her fair, tofu-like cheeks, showing a maiden’s bashfulness.

Jiang Hanwen drank his wine, smacking his lips. The wine at this Yunshui House came from a recipe he had provided years ago, but now it tasted terribly bad.

Too much time had passed; he couldn't tell if his palate had become pickier or if the Zhuang Family hadn’t brewed it according to his requirements, selling fake wine.

“Qinwan, is this your best vintage wine?” Jiang Hanwen asked with disdain.

“Young Master Wang, this is already the most expensive Miluoyan. If you say it’s not good, then other places probably wouldn’t even enter your Dharma Eye.”

As she spoke, Qinwan stood up, inadvertently revealing a flash of white, whether intentionally or not was unclear.

The body, this thing, can be a man’s tool to conquer the world, and of course, it can also be a woman’s tool to conquer men.

Courtesan?

Selling art, not the body?

The price just wasn’t high enough. Making money, it’s not shameful.

“Go get me a jar of Shaodaozi, twenty years or older!” Jiang Hanwen ordered, shooing the woman out.

It was early summer now. He had been lingering in this Yunshui House for over two months. He had seen most of the girls, whether playing the zither or singing ballads, but he still hadn’t seen the woman suspected of being a soul-snatcher.

Through casual chats, Jiang Hanwen learned that a few courtesans at Yunshui House didn’t often stay at the establishment, but their zither skills were profound and highly favored by wealthy patrons, making many other girls jealous.

Demanding her deliberately would seem too obvious and easily alert the target.

It was possible the other party was observing him from the shadows, secretly investigating the house he bought to verify his identity.

The true hunter often disguises himself as prey.

If his generous spending wasn't enough of a bargaining chip, then he would put out something good as bait.

Ten breaths later, the twenty-year-old Shaodaozi was brought into the room. Qinwan skillfully took out the Go board and began to play with Jiang Hanwen.

Half an hour later, Jiang Hanwen won by a solid fifty points.

“Come!” He slapped a blade technique manual on the table, and with a drunken slur, he mumbled,

“Take this to exchange for money. This is for the drinks these past few days!”

Qinwan’s eyes lit up when she saw it was a Cultivation Technique. She quickly approached with a wine cup and said with a charming smile,

“Young Master Wang, are you unable to drink anymore?”

“Bullshit!

I’m not drunk!”

Jiang Hanwen pushed Qinwan away and drank another cup.

Seemingly worried, but actually urging him to drink more.

After another half-jar of Shaodaozi, Jiang Hanwen simply wrapped himself in his clothes and fell asleep, snoring within ten breaths.

“Young Master Wang, Young Master Wang?”

After acting for a quarter of an hour and seeing that Jiang Hanwen was truly asleep, Qinwan quickly left with the book, moving as deftly as a cat catching a mouse, quietly closing the wooden door without a sound.

A quarter of an hour later, Qinwan returned, looking radiant as she gazed at Jiang Hanwen on the bed, sitting upright by the table.

Just now, she had handed in the Cultivation Technique, and the management had given her a full five hundred taels of silver!

A big fat sheep, definitely a big fat sheep. She had to keep a close eye on him and not let him slip out of her grasp!

At dawn, Jiang Hanwen opened his eyes. A graceful figure sat by the table, and a steaming bowl of hangover soup, emitting warmth, was placed right beside his hand.

“Young Master Wang, you’re awake?” Qinwan looked haggard. She brought the bowl to the bedside, appearing so pitiable that one couldn’t help but want to get closer.

“You… you sat up all night?” Jiang Hanwen asked in surprise.

“Yes, your servant was afraid Young Master Wang might fall, so I didn’t leave. Your snoring was really loud.”

As she spoke, a sweet, honey-like smile appeared in Qinwan’s eyes, like a wife who had waited a long time, finally seeing her husband return home, finding even his slovenliness endearing.

A smile played on her lips, reflecting the warmth of happiness.

Jiang Hanwen’s Face showed a flicker of emotion as he took the hangover soup.

“Thank you.”

“Young Master needn’t say thank you. How could a lowly person like me bear such words?” As she spoke, a misty sheen rose in Qinwan’s eyes:

“If it were anyone else, they would have probably already made a move.

Only Young Master is different from others. In Wan’er’s heart, you are unique.

Young Master was tired from drinking yesterday, why not rest a bit more? Later, when Mama comes to clean the room, I’ll just tell her to leave.”

Goodness, do you know why a masseuse would extend the session?

She worries about everything for you, she’s well-behaved and understanding, and her emotional value is maximized. Which man, encountering this, would be willing to let her go?

Filled with emotion, Jiang Hanwen continued to support Qinwan’s business. He drank another cup, and a table full of delicious dishes was brought, which he didn’t touch, saying it was for her. With the smell of alcohol, he staggered back to his own courtyard.

This time, Jiang Hanwen did not leave but continued to sleep on the bed.

Using a Cultivation Technique as collateral was a big enough lure; someone was already secretly following him!

The other party stood on the rooftop for a full hour, only leaving when Jiang Hanwen appeared to be continuously asleep, and returned to Yunshui House.

The other party observed him for over half a month. On the seventeenth day, when he returned, the madam said Qinwan had run off with someone, and a pure maiden had arrived today for him to appraise.

Jiang Hanwen’s heart skipped a beat—it was time for action!

He perfectly displayed the generosity of an experienced playboy, nodding in agreement, completely disregarding how much money he had previously spent on Qinwan.

But he had one condition: if the person who came today didn’t satisfy him, she would have to pay compensation.

Sitting in the room, Jiang Hanwen’s heart was calm.

Although this room was on the third floor, its decor was quite luxurious.

Silver wine cups, gilded wine pots, a large round table carved from a single piece of Xiangshan wood, and fine golden sand slowly trickling in aGlass hourglass (liúlí shālòu – glazed sand timer).

The sand timer lasted for half a quarter of an hour, serving both as the time for serving dishes and for the beauty to prepare.

This kind of waiting game was played very well, perfectly enticing one’s thoughts… Just as the golden sand was reduced to a final, thumb-sized inverted triangle, the door swung open with a clang.

A fragrant breeze wafted in, and a woman wearing a veil and holding a purple jade pipa elegantly walked into the room.

“Little sister Yanran greets Young Master. Please, Young Master, choose a song.”

The woman’s voice was melodious and lingering, with a nasal tone, like a kitten’s tail gently scratching an ear, making one’s heart itch. Her expressive eyes sparkled, like distant stars or pearls on the water.

Regardless of her playing, just her voice and appearance completely outshone all the vulgar women he had seen before.

Jiang Hanwen’s eyes lit up, and he feigned a lecherous expression as he opened his mouth:

“If it’s convenient for the young lady, how about ‘Nishang Qu’?”