RWNEFE -Chapter 629 Lavish Profiteering and a Subtle Hint at the Emperor

Inside, the pavilion was brightly lit, with singing, dancing, and music blending with seductive tunes. Even during the reign of the Benevolent Emperor, such displays would have been excessive.

Liu Yanhui caught up.

“Your Majesty, perhaps we should find a quieter spot.”

Shen Lanxi’s expression remained impassive as she watched men, lost in the pleasures of women surrounding them, left and right. These men seemed to have never witnessed the brilliance of war—they appeared as if raised entirely in a life of wealth and ease.

“Fine.”

The madam of Li Chun Pavilion arrived, accompanied by two beautiful women.

“Gentlemen, allow my two daughters to accompany you for a chat and some wine. In my Li Chun Pavilion, their beauty and figures are among the finest.”

Liu Yanhui began to refuse, but Shen Lanxi said, “Leave them.”

As soon as the madam stepped away, her two daughters started pouring wine for them.

“Actually, we sisters aren’t the most beautiful in Li Chun Pavilion. The best are upstairs,” one said.

“The upstairs is different from downstairs. Having money isn’t enough to get upstairs; your social status must be special as well.”

Liu Yanhui didn’t understand the Emperor’s intentions and remained silent.

Shen Lanxi listened and, going along with them, asked, “How does one get upstairs?”

The women exchanged a gleeful glance and replied, smiling, “As we said earlier, three hundred taels more.”

“You two don’t seem like people without money, and your status is probably special as well.”

“Honestly, we’re telling you—upstairs is very different from downstairs.”

The women’s words, back and forth, were all hints to make them pay for access.

“What do you mean by ‘different’?” Shen Lanxi feigned curiosity.

The women giggled, then coyly replied, “Naturally, the way things are done is different.”

“You’re obviously new here and don’t know the rules.”

Shen Lanxi sneered inwardly. Likely, these two fresh faces would immediately draw attention.

“You two little foxes speak so well. I’d like to see for myself what the most expensive women here are like.”

Liu Yanhui’s eyes widened in shock—what reckless words!

“No, no…”

This place was already corrupting the Emperor’s gaze. Upstairs would surely be worse.

If other court officials knew the Emperor had been led here, Liu Yanhui feared there’d be no way to save even a single intact body.

Although it was the Emperor’s decision, there would be no way to explain it to his followers.

“Three hundred taels. Upstairs!”

Liu Yanhui sighed and produced the silver—he had expected this outcome.

The two women exchanged delighted glances.

“The second floor is different from the first. All the women upstairs are talented, multi-skilled. To get them to come out, you need two things: money and talent.”

“If they are impressed by your talent, they will come out and let you in.”

Liu Yanhui exclaimed, “So we pay three hundred taels, and we don’t even see them?”

“Not exactly. These women are extraordinary; most men could never see them.”

“Most importantly, they are all pure,” a suggestive voice added.

Shen Lanxi smiled. “If one wishes to become their private guest, the price must be higher than downstairs, right?”

The two women looked slightly embarrassed, then nodded naturally. “Even street food has ranks; how much more for people? The higher you go, the more talented the women, and naturally, their status rises as well.”

“Ordinary men aren’t even worthy to see them.”

The words were clearly meant to provoke.

Shen Lanxi immediately assumed the role of a man spurred to action: “I have plenty of money. Today, I want to see the most expensive woman here for myself.”

The two women’s eyes gleamed with delight.

“Pay.”

Liu Yanhui realized the Emperor had a plan, though he didn’t know what it was. He could only become a heartless money bag—handing over the silver as instructed.

In a blink, the coins were gone, and they were led to the top floor as expected.

Seeing the room upstairs, Liu Yanhui’s expression changed.

“Sword dance? This is your specialty? Not impressive,” Shen Lanxi said, feigning disappointment.

The dancer quickly explained, “This isn’t an ordinary sword dance. All the women here practice martial arts, many are highly skilled.”

Shen Lanxi’s eyes lit up, as if her excitement had been sparked, and she took her seat.

Many guests were present upstairs, tossing silver at the dancers as they spoke.

Liu Yanhui, distracted, accidentally let his purse fall into Shen Lanxi’s hands.

By the time he realized it, the purse had landed with a thud at the feet of one of the dancers.

The two women standing nearby smiled and went to entertain other guests.

Liu Yanhui was panicked—not all the silver was theirs, but there was still a substantial amount inside. He was not one to waste money on such indulgences.

“Your Majesty, do you see the problem?”

Shen Lanxi’s gaze was cold. “They are shamelessly extorting money.”

Liu Yanhui quickly realized too. If a pleasure house doesn’t make money, are they expected to give charity?

“The sword-dancing women are hinting at me,” she added.

Her words hit Liu Yanhui like a thunderclap; his face went pale.

Looking at the women and recalling the words of the two downstairs, his expression turned icy.

A cold voice echoed.

“I, a woman, sit on the throne of the Nine Five Supreme. Many men, though silent in public, secretly cannot accept it.”

The deeper Liu Yanhui thought, the darker his face grew, his body stiffening like wood.

“This place is far from the capital. Those who despise women and cannot accept me will, upon seeing these women, surely be stirred to wicked thoughts.”

Liu Yanhui’s face was darker than the night outside.

Filthy and vile—these people deserved punishment.

“In the capital, they dare not act against women. Here, they do as they please.”

The earlier emphasis on the martial skills of the upstairs women—wasn’t that a reflection on her?

“Nie Congzhou deserves death,” Liu Yanhui thought, wishing he could strike him down immediately.

Shen Lanxi’s eyes darkened. “He wouldn’t dare act alone.”

Liu Yanhui’s gaze flickered. “Your Majesty suspects he’s colluding with the officials in the capital? Or is he aligned with Zhou Ruyuan?”

Shen Lanxi smiled. “Zhou Ruyuan may be foolish, but he isn’t that foolish.”

Then who is behind this?

“Let’s wait and see.”

The sword dance gradually changed tone. Soon, men familiar with the house began guiding dancers into side rooms—what happens inside was obvious.

The two of them, feigning drunkenness, stumbled into a side room. The others assumed they were intoxicated, escorted them inside, closed the door, and left.