"Jia Yao, are you even a man?"

"It's just a brothel visit; why are you so scared? I'm embarrassed for you!"

Jiang Chen's tone was laced with disdain as he glanced at her. "Hurry up and get ready to take me. Don't waste time."

The emperor's words were law, leaving no room for argument.

Jia Yao knew she was going to this brothel today.

If she refused any longer, the emperor before her might accuse her of negligence.

She could only hope that when the truth came out, her parents would take into account that she was visiting a brothel on imperial orders and would be lenient, refraining from using family law against her.

Sighing, Jia Yao nodded with a bitter face. "Yes, this humble citizen will respectfully obey His Majesty's decree!"

Seeing her submission, a hint of satisfaction appeared in Jiang Chen's eyes. He reminded her, "You are my acknowledged disciple. Just refer to yourself as a student. 'Humble citizen' is too distant and affects our relationship as teacher and student."

"Also, it's getting late. Let's get going."

With that, Jiang Chen grabbed Jia Yao's shoulder and dragged her towards the door.

Alarmed by the emperor's high spirits, Jia Yao hurriedly said, "Your... Your Majesty, before we go, can you agree to one condition for your student?"

"My family rules are strict. If I return home too late, I will be punished by my parents… So, could you possibly not spend the night at the brothel?"

This request wasn't too excessive. Jiang Chen pondered for a moment and nodded.

"Alright, I'm just going to see what it's like. I don't necessarily need to do anything, and I won't delay your return home."

Hearing this, Jia Yao felt relieved.

If they didn't stay overnight, the chances of something going wrong were practically non-existent.

As long as she was careful, her identity shouldn't be exposed!

After reaching an agreement, the group discreetly made their way towards a bustling street in the imperial capital.

It was a playground for wealthy nobles, with pavilions and towers, swaying red sleeves, and the scent of women's powder lingering in the air.

Jiang Chen, surrounded by his entourage, arrived in the middle of the street and stopped in front of the main entrance of a brothel called Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

"Your Majesty, when I attended poetry gatherings, I heard of this brothel... They say the courtesan here is not only beautiful but also talented. Many of Da Wei's scholars have visited her."

"I thought you would prefer such a beauty with both looks and talent over ordinary women, so I…" Jia Yao trailed off, embarrassed to continue.

After all, she was a woman, and some things were hard to say.

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, surprised by her flushed cheeks. "We haven't even gone inside, and you're already afraid to breathe… Jia Yao, be honest, you haven't lost your virginity yet, have you?"

Jia Yao's heart clenched at the question. Her face burned as if on fire, and she wished she could die on the spot to escape this suffocating place!

Just as she was stammering, unable to utter a word, she suddenly felt a warmth on her shoulder, as if a weight had been added.

She looked up blankly, shocked to find that the emperor, who had been at least a step away, had approached her and put his arm around her shoulder!

"Your… Your Majesty?" Jia Yao said tremulously.

Jiang Chen laughed heartily and said magnanimously, "Jia Yao, as your teacher, I must take you to enjoy yourself today and make you a real man, lest you become foolish from studying."

After speaking, he patted Jia Yao's shoulder forcefully a few times and prepared to lead her inside.

Jia Yao was completely dumbfounded. She never imagined that she would encounter such an absurd situation.

Heavens, is it too late to confess that she's a woman?!

Although she was full of resistance and didn't want to go in, Jia Yao's strength was no match for Jiang Chen.

She was dragged in, under the envious gaze of the guards.

To be favored by His Majesty like this, this boy named Jia Yao was truly lucky!

The group marched into the main hall, startling the madam, who was entertaining distinguished guests. Seeing Jiang Chen and his entourage's extraordinary demeanor and luxurious attire, she immediately arranged the best private room for them.

She opened Taian Pavilion on the third floor, which was usually reserved for princes and nobles, to Jiang Chen.

Although the reputation of brothels wasn't good, once inside, one would find that Hundred Flowers Pavilion wasn't a place of debauchery. In fact, it could even be called elegant and peaceful.

After all, it was a place for entertaining dignitaries, so everything was presentable.

"Young master, you look unfamiliar to me, so you must be visiting Hundred Flowers Pavilion for the first time. What type of girl do you fancy? You can tell me directly, and I'll arrange it for you!"

The alluring madam, with every smile and frown, carried a seductive charm as she stared directly at Jiang Chen, recognizing him as the one in charge.

Jiang Chen admired her keen eyesight and smiled charmingly. "Madam, I think you're quite good yourself."

"There's no need to go to the trouble of calling another girl. You can stay and drink with me!"

As he spoke, Jiang Chen stretched out his long arm, put it around the madam's slender waist, and pulled her into his embrace.

This flirtatious scene happened to fall into Jia Yao's eyes, instantly making her blush, and her thoughts raced.

This… will I have to do that too?

Do all men have to be so handsy when they come to a brothel? I can't do that!

The madam leaned into Jiang Chen's arms. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Jia Yao and teased with a mischievous look, "Haha, young master, my name is Yun Niang. Although I'm honored that you took a liking to me and chose me, I haven't been on the market for a long time, so I might not be able to entertain you."

She then fluttered her eyes and said, "How about I introduce you to some pure and innocent girls to accompany you?"

"Judging by the awkwardness of the young master over there, this must be his first time in a brothel. I think those pure girls with conservative and gentle natures would be more suitable for him!"

Although Jiang Chen's actions were bold, he didn't take the opportunity to take advantage of her. This made Yun Niang appreciate him and even develop a slight liking for him.

So she gave a considerate suggestion instead of aggressively promoting her difficult girls.

"Yun Niang, that's a good name, it matches your charming appearance."

"However, I don't like those pure girls. I'm very interested in you, so you can stay with me," Jiang Chen said, raising an eyebrow.

To be valued by such a handsome young man, even Yun Niang, who had been in the business for a long time, couldn't help but feel happy.

She softly declined, "Young master, that's really not possible. I'm the manager of Hundred Flowers Pavilion. If I accompany you tonight, there will be no one to attend to the guests. Please forgive me."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen gave a look to the guard beside him.

The next moment, the guard captain, Xu Mu, took out a thousand tael silver note from his pocket. "Take good care of our master. We'll compensate you double for any lost customers tonight!"

"If you have any other objections, have your boss come see me and we'll talk face to face!"

Yun Niang was stunned by Jiang Chen's generosity. Her red lips parted slightly, and her charming eyes widened.