Chapter 49: The Emerald Oriole Pavilion I
Yu Qinyan gave a reluctant nod, which passed as agreement with his assessment. Chu Yufeng probably maintained the exact same expression even when facing his enemies.
"Since my beloved consort knows this, you should avoid getting too close to him."
Yu Qinyan asked curiously, "Why is that? I think he is quite nice. I enjoy dealing with smart people."
Even though she had to guard against being plotted against by him, it also saved a considerable amount of trouble.
"You enjoy it?"
"What about it?"
Chu Yuchuan cast a dark, gloomy look in her direction. He must ensure she never met Chu Yufeng alone again!
Ever since this person began sticking around her like a shadow, she could no longer do a single thing as she pleased. Yet he acted as though nothing was amiss. More than ten days had slipped by in a blur, and Yu Qinyan felt she was nearly growing mold from inactivity.
"How much longer are you going to follow me?"
"Why ask that?" Chu Yuchuan put down his book and looked at her.
"Don't you have anything else to do?"
"I do, and I am doing it right now."
Good heavens...
"Is my beloved consort bored?" Chu Yuchuan smiled, leaning closer to her. "Would you like to go out?"
"Where to?"
"If not, shall we go listen to some opera?"
"No way!" Yu Qinyan frowned. Listening to opera was out of the question; she had no interest in that. However—
"Then where would you like to go? I will accompany you."
Yu Qinyan smiled. "You said it."
Half an hour later, Chu Yuchuan stared at the plaque above with a dark face.
"Do you know what place this is?"
Yu Qinyan rolled her eyes. "Would I have come if I didn't know?"
With that, she walked straight inside, and Chu Yuchuan hurriedly followed.
"Pardon me, young masters, it is not yet time for business. The girls are all resting..."
Yu Qinyan raised her hand and slipped a silver ingot into the madam's palm. The madam's face instantly lit up with smiles as she shouted up toward the upper floor, "Girls, honored guests have arrived! Open the doors early to receive guests today!"
"Will the two young masters be sitting together, or—"
Yu Qinyan smiled, turning back to look at Chu Yuchuan. "Shall I let you pick first later?"
Chu Yuchuan gritted his teeth as he glared at the woman before him. "Don't push your luck!"
Yu Qinyan produced another silver ingot. "I want a superior private room. As for the girls, pick some and send them up. This young master trusts the madam's eye."
"Right away! Rest assured, young master, the maidens of our Emerald Oriole Pavilion are the most enchanting, and we guarantee the young master will be satisfied~"
"Splendid!"
On the second floor of the Emerald Oriole Pavilion, Yu Qinyan surveyed the surroundings with moderate satisfaction.
"Has my beloved consort had enough fun yet?"
"What kind of talk is that? The girls haven't even come up yet."
"I am quite curious to see how my beloved consort intends to play!"
Yu Qinyan smiled. In this era, homosexuality was likely exceedingly rare, and even if it existed, it would be condemned by society; yet in the modern world, it was commonplace.
Yu Qinyan poured herself a cup of wine. "Your Highness need not be curious. Won't you find out in a moment?"
Before long, four jade-like beauties entered through the door.
"This humble servant greets the two young masters."
Yu Qinyan raised her eyes and helped the one closest to her to her feet. She was indeed quite lovely.
"What is your name?"
"Huamei."
Yu Qinyan pulled her close to her side and looked at Chu Yuchuan. "Help yourself."
Chu Yuchuan tilted his head back and drained the wine in his cup, his amber gaze following Yu Qinyan. Had he not known from the very beginning that she was a woman, it would truly have been difficult to tell! This woman was far too daring!
Seeing this, the remaining three songstresses hurried toward Chu Yuchuan. "This humble servant will attend to the young master."
"Get out!" Chu Yuchuan snapped impatiently. The three women actually froze in their tracks and looked toward Yu Qinyan's direction.