Chapter 22: You invite, and I pay?

During the day, Shi Sheng went to report for duty as usual, while Ye Liuyun paid a visit to the Zhao Prison. Unfortunately, as he had noted during his last visit, the prison had yet to be replenished with many inmates. There were only a few scattered prisoners, none of whom possessed any special traits worth noting, so Ye Liuyun left after a brief inspection.

When evening arrived, Ye Liuyun and his companions changed out of their official uniforms and headed to one of the most bustling establishments in the city: the Jiaofangsi.

"Is this the Jiaofangsi?"

From the outside, the building was brilliantly lit, yet compared to other brothels, its layout was more understated; at the very least, there were no women standing at the entrance soliciting customers.

"I hear that the ladies of the Jiaofangsi are all as beautiful as celestial beings, and the top courtesan, Ruoxi, is like a goddess descended to earth. I wonder if we’ll get to see her perform tonight."

A "top courtesan" was naturally the most outstanding among all the women. Ye Liuyun did not respond. His main goal for the night was to broaden his horizons, so he strode inside. Shi Sheng followed closely behind, casting a look of utter disdain at Si Nan as he passed him—what an embarrassment.

"Hey, my lord, wait for me!"

By the time Si Nan realized what was happening, Ye Liuyun and Shi Sheng had already entered. With no time to dwell on it, he hurried in after them.

...

The group’s table was located in a private room on the second floor, offering a perfect view of the performances on the stage below. The soothing melody of a zither helped to relax the mind, and the dancers, with their graceful movements, were clearly trained from a young age. Many patrons in the surrounding area cheered or tossed tips. Ye Liuyun looked around; the place was indeed far more luxurious than he had imagined. It was no wonder the ancients knew how to enjoy themselves; with so few forms of entertainment in this era, even high-ranking court officials were fond of frequenting such places.

Soon, attendants began serving drinks.

"You three gentlemen look unfamiliar; this must be your first time at our Jiaofangsi," said a still-charming matron as she approached their table and poured wine for each of them. "The rule of our house is that every guest must pay one hundred taels upfront; other expenses are calculated separately."

"Pay money?"

Ye Liuyun and Si Nan were unbothered, but Shi Sheng froze. "I thought the food and drinks here were free?"

His comment caused the matron to pause, then she couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle. "In our Jiaofangsi, each person pays one hundred taels first, and the food and drink are then complimentary. If you require a lady to accompany you for drinks, that would be an additional charge."

Did people really think dining in a place like this was free? Ye Liuyun found it unremarkable, though the business model reminded him somewhat of a buffet.

Si Nan looked at Shi Sheng strangely. "So, you invited us here because you heard that the food at the Jiaofangsi was free?"

"..."

Shi Sheng did not answer, but his silence said it all. Si Nan rolled his eyes in frustration. This blockhead was truly simple-minded; he had dared to come here without even knowing the rules.

"Um..." Shi Sheng hesitated for a moment, then reached out a hand toward Si Nan. "I'm a bit short on silver."

One hundred taels per person meant three hundred taels total.

"How much are you short?" Since they were supposed to be having a good time, Si Nan wouldn't have minded covering a few taels.

"Two hundred and ninety taels."

"What the hell!" Si Nan nearly spat out his wine and jumped to his feet. "You only have ten taels on you, and you dared to invite us to the Jiaofangsi?"

He had expected him to be short a few taels, but to be told that he only had a few taels to his name—and yet he had still invited them?

"How was I supposed to know it wasn't free? Besides, the monthly salary of an Imperial Guard isn't much. Having ten taels on me is already quite good!"

Most Imperial Guards didn't rely on their official salaries to get by. But Shi Sheng was different; he wasn't involved in any schemes or protection rackets. His only source of income was his salary.

"I..." *I shouldn't have come.*

Looking at the thick-skinned Shi Sheng, who was now asking him for money without a hint of shame, Si Nan would have slapped him across the face if he were strong enough. Who was hosting whom? But there was no help for it; they were already here, and he couldn't let Ye Liuyun pay. With a bitter expression, Si Nan pulled three silver notes from his robes. If he hadn't made a fair bit of money following Ye Liuyun lately, he wouldn't have been able to afford this.

"You scoundrel!" As he paid, Si Nan glared daggers at Shi Sheng. You’re the host, and I’m the one paying?

"Don't worry, I'll treat you to steamed buns tomorrow morning!" Shi Sheng, perhaps realizing this wasn't ideal, said to Si Nan in all seriousness.

"..."

Si Nan didn't even want to speak. Soon, the matron collected the money and left, and the fine wine and food were brought out.

Even though one hundred taels per person wasn't cheap, the quality of the food and wine was excellent.

"My lord, I toast you!" Shi Sheng picked up his cup, stood, and looked at Ye Liuyun earnestly. "I misunderstood you before, but from now on, if there is anything you need, I, Shi Sheng, will not shirk from the task!"

Shi Sheng’s thinking was simple: since Ye Liuyun had helped him, he would help Ye Liuyun in return.

"Don't worry, there will be plenty of times I'll need you, and I won't be shy about it!" Shi Sheng’s strength as a first-rate martial artist would be a waste not to utilize.

"And me!" Si Nan also stood up, holding his cup toward Ye Liuyun. "Without you, my lord, there would be no Si Nan today. Wherever you point, I will follow, even through life and death."

After speaking, he cast a wary glance at Shi Sheng. The guy looked honest and steady, but he didn't expect him to be so good at buttering people up. *No, I have to be careful. I can't let him steal my position as the favorite lackey.*

"Alright, I accept your sentiments. Sit down!" Ye Liuyun waved his hand with a smile, signaling them to sit. "We’re here to enjoy ourselves tonight, no need to be so serious. As long as you do your work well in the future, you won't be short of the benefits I promised."

"Yes, my lord!"

Si Nan truly believed him; his master was indeed very generous these days. But thinking about how the money he had worked so hard to earn was gone in a single meal, he cast a resentful look at Shi Sheng. Shi Sheng, however, acted as if he hadn't noticed, mindlessly tearing into a chicken leg and eating away to himself.

"So delicious!"

...

In the adjacent private room, Lü Lan was respectfully pouring wine for Yan Shuzhu. Although Yan Shuzhu had heard of such places, this was her first time here. She waved her hand, declining the company of any entertainers. Sitting here, she could hear the commotion from Ye Liuyun’s room next door. It was precisely because she had received word of Ye Liuyun that she had made this trip.