Gazing at the plaque bearing the golden characters "Bai Cao Ge," Nian Jiaojiao's lips twitched.
This was what they called a gathering...
Nian Jiaojiao turned to leave, but was stopped by a few people.
Li Jing grabbed Nian Jiaojiao's arm and said, "Sister Nian, that's not very nice of you. You're already here, why do you want to leave?"
Nian Jiaojiao replied helplessly, "We agreed it was a gathering, why have we come to a place like this?"
Li Jing dismissed it, "Yes, of course we have to come here. We have food and drinks, and the key is that it's entertaining~"
Another classmate, Chen Jilan, chimed in, "Yes, yes. Look, we've all changed our clothes. If we weren't coming here, why would we change?"
Nian Jiaojiao: ...
So logical, I can't refute it...
Seeing Nian Jiaojiao still hesitant, Li Jing added, "Sister Nian isn't from Qingzhou, so you might not know. It's actually very common for students from various academies to come to Cao Ge. Some have even gained fame for romantic affairs.
The places like these in our Qingzhou are not like the vulgar brothels in smaller towns. In our Qingzhou, the most famous are the Five Courtyards and Six Pavilions."
Nian Jiaojiao repeated in confusion, "Five Courtyards and Six Pavilions?"
Li Jing nodded, "The so-called Six Pavilions refer to Nuan Cao Ge, Shang Cao Ge, Wen Cao Ge, Shi Cao Ge, Chang Cao Ge, and Bai Cao Ge where we are now. Their ranking is not fixed.
The Five Courtyards refer to Yi Cao Yuan, Xiang Cao Yuan, Nen Cao Yuan, Qun Cao Yuan, and Lichun Yuan."
Nian Jiaojiao couldn't help but sigh after listening:
This is truly a massive and legitimate industry chain...
As Nian Jiaojiao was inwardly complaining, she was pulled into Bai Cao Ge.
Upon entering, Nian Jiaojiao found that it was different from what she had seen on television in her previous life.
There were no men with painted faces rushing towards them. Although the red silk curtains and brightly colored silks suggested it was not an "ordinary" place, it wasn't as chaotic as she had imagined.
Nian Jiaojiao felt a sense of relief.
The group walked in familiarly. At this moment, a young man with painted features approached them and said, "Miss Li~ What wind has blown you here today~"
Nian Jiaojiao: ...
It has that vibe...
Li Jing smiled and said, "Didn't I just come a few days ago? You make it sound like I haven't been here in a long time."
The man, biting his handkerchief, looked resentful and said, "It seems Miss Li has found better places to go these past few days, and only now has it been my pavilion's turn~"
Li Jing laughed it off and said, "Enough said, let's go to our usual spot. Order the best wine and food!"
"Ah~"
The man's face lit up upon hearing the request for the highest standard of food and drink. He no longer mentioned Li Jing's absence.
In fact, he was just joking; he didn't truly care where Li Jing went. She was a guest, free to go wherever she pleased, and he had no right to question it.
After the man instructed his staff to prepare the wine and food, he suddenly noticed Nian Jiaojiao standing among the group. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
It was the first time he had seen a lady of such exquisite beauty.
"This lady looks very unfamiliar. Is this your first time at Bai Cao Ge?"
Nian Jiaojiao, unaccustomed to a stranger of the opposite sex approaching so closely, instinctively took two steps back.
The man was momentarily taken aback by Nian Jiaojiao's reaction, then chuckled coquettishly, "Oh, hoho~ It seems, young lady, that this is your first visit to a pleasure house. In that case, Shi Lang must treat you well so that you'll want to come often. I'm sure the gentlemen in our Bai Cao Ge will be delighted."
Nian Jiaojiao looked embarrassed.
Li Jing came over, placed her hand on Nian Jiaojiao's shoulder, and said to the man called "Shi Lang," "Alright, stop joking. My Sister Nian is easily shy. If your gentlemen, who are like wolves and tigers, scare her this time, I can't guarantee I can bring her again next time."
Nian Jiaojiao: (￢_￢)
You still want a next time?
...
Nian Jiaojiao and the others went up to a private room on the second floor. They ate and drank, and surprisingly, they didn't call for any gentlemen. Nian Jiaojiao was astonished and felt ashamed: it turned out she had misunderstood them...
Just then, when she heard the names of her tablemates, she perked up her ears.
"Hmph, I just don't like Chen Liangyu. She acts so high and mighty all the time!"
The classmate who spoke was indignant and gulped down a cup of wine.
"In the eyes of people like her, she's righteous, and we are just decadent fops corrupted by money~"
"Decadent fops~ Bah! Who among us isn't a Tong Shou? Speaking of which, Sister Li is a year ahead of her as the Tong Shou of Qingzhou Prefecture. What is she so proud of? She's disrespecting her senior!"
Li Jing tried to smooth things over, "Enough, enough. We're here to have fun, why bring up that unlucky person?"
The one who spoke first still felt wronged, "I just can't stand it. Although we are divided into two factions, it's only because our positions and circumstances are different. Oh, just because we have good backgrounds, does that mean we're wrong? We spend our own family's money, which is legitimately earned. Why are they gossiping behind our backs!"
Nian Jiaojiao agreed with these words.
Chen Liangyu was clearly a bit extreme.
This was the so-called theory of the rich being guilty.
To the scholars of the noble faction present, Chen Liangyu and her group were from humble backgrounds.
But to those who struggled for a living, experiencing hunger and satiety, Chen Liangyu and her group were also "nobles."
Moreover, not all wealthy people obtained their wealth through exploiting the people, nor were all poor people kind-hearted and despising of wealth.
Therefore, one shouldn't judge everyone with the same brush!
After chatting for a while, Li Jing said with a smile, "Everyone, do you know why I brought you to Bai Cao Ge today?"
Everyone looked at each other, their eyes filled with confusion.
Didn't they just come here on rotation?
At this, Li Jing continued, "Because... Bai Cao Ge has a peerlessly handsome man!"
After hearing Li Jing's words, everyone was indifferent.
They had seen many handsome men. As soon as a new top performer joined a pleasure house, they would market them as "peerlessly handsome" to attract customers.
After all, which pleasure house didn't have ten or eight signature performers?
They figured Bai Cao Ge must have a new star performer.
Li Jing knew what everyone was thinking from their expressions.
She stopped keeping them in suspense and said, "This one is truly different from before. Haven't you noticed that there are more guests here today than at any other time?"
Chen Jilan thought for a moment and said, "Indeed, it seems more than double the usual number of people."
"This is even after I sent people in advance to book a spot with Shi Lang. Otherwise, do you think we would have a private room?"
"Sister Li, Sister Li, hurry and tell us, what makes this peerlessly handsome man so special?"
Li Jing tilted her head and took a big drink before saying, "This peerlessly handsome man doesn't perform every day, and his appearance times are uncertain. It is said that he has only been in Bai Cao for a short time, and has only performed twice. And everyone who has seen him..."