A realm of fleeting pleasures, draped in perfume and blossoms; once you step inside, how can you ever leave unstained?
***
The Great Xing Dynasty’s court was prosperous and its people at peace; an enlightened ruler governed the nation, and loyal officials protected it.
Yet, no matter the dynasty, there would always be a powerful minister, second only to the emperor and above ten thousand, whose influence swayed both court and common folk – the current Prime Minister, Gu Qin.
The first day of autumn still clung to the oppressive heat of summer. The scorching evening sun blazed down on the gray stone pavement, and palace servants coming and going, even with shoes on, couldn't help but wince as they walked on the burning hot stone.
Inside the Imperial Study, the reigning emperor was discussing state affairs with his high officials.
When the orange evening sun only illuminated half the sky, the man on the dragon throne finally, reluctantly, released his ministers.
However, when Emperor Zhū Xīng looked up and saw his former study companion, still in his usual leisurely attire and with an indifferent expression, he couldn't help but feel a pang of exasperation.
He propped his chin, looking at the man at the head of the civil officials, and sighed, “Ah, Minister Gu, you neither drink wine nor appreciate beauty.
All day long you keep company with state affairs; I'm almost bored to death just thinking about it on your behalf!”
A military official, seeing that state affairs were no longer being discussed, immediately relaxed and burst into hearty laughter, chiming in, “Your Majesty is absolutely right! Prime Minister Gu, you really should learn to enjoy yourself a little.
Only then, when you're old, will you have no regrets.”
Civil and military officials were naturally incompatible. Even though Great Xing had enjoyed internal and external harmony for a hundred years, the civil officials, whenever they saw their military counterparts, couldn't help but feel an itch to speak out.
A relatively young civil official couldn't help but glare at the other party, saying sourly, “Are you suggesting that someone as refined and full of scholarly aura as our Prime Minister should eat large chunks of meat and drink big bowls of wine like you?! The nerve of you to even suggest such a thing!”
Sitting in the front row, an older military official frowned and snorted coldly, “So, you literati, tell us, what exactly should we do to be sufficiently refined? Do you want us to recite poetry or play the zither?”
After some back and forth, both sides were red-faced and furious, hurling insults at each other. Emperor Zhū Xīng, watching this chaotic scene, didn't feel disrespected; on the contrary, he offered a suggestion.
“Last time, when Princess Liu hosted a birthday celebration for the Old Princess, she invited the girls from Jù Huā Fáng to perform. I thought it wasn't bad.
Later, all of you ministers, together, take our current Prime Minister Gu to experience a bit of worldly romance and pleasure.”
Gu Qin, who had been leisurely watching the spectacle and drinking tea, almost spat out all his tea upon hearing this. His indifferent eyes showed a flicker of disbelief as he looked at the person on the dragon throne.
*Your Majesty, how could you have the heart to do this to your humble servant?!*
The emperor's eyes, full of implied laughter, narrowed until they were mere slits.
“Indeed, my beloved minister, there's no need to thank me with a bow. You are excused from the formalities!”
The other officials, hearing the command, happily escorted Prime Minister Gu away before he could even utter a word of protest.
Watching the noisy group leave, the old eunuch attending the emperor said with a hint of worry, “Your Majesty, isn't that a bit too much for the Prime Minister?”
Emperor Zhū Xīng said nonchalantly, “Gu Qin prefers a simple life, and that's fine.
But he's almost thirty. It's one thing not to have a main wife, but he doesn't even have a single concubine or bed-warming maid.
Even I almost thought he was... incapable.”
The old eunuch looked as if he wanted to speak but held back.
*Even so, Your Majesty shouldn't send the Prime Minister there, should you?! That's a brothel! A brothel! Aren't you afraid Old Madam Gu will come storming into the palace to kill you?!*
***
The sun had set, and the moon rose high.
By this hour, the Western Street of the imperial city was once again strung with lights and adorned with flowers of myriad dazzling colors. Shops and stalls were set out, and beautiful young women in exquisite attire emerged from the red pavilions and painted towers, chatting and laughing as they invited passersby to visit.
Located at the end of the Western Street was a grand pavilion, hung with countless lanterns and red silk, its signboard bearing the name Tụ Hoa Phường.
Young women wore floral robes of every imaginable hue, while nimble attendants and customers, drawn by desire, arrived in a steady stream.
The constant flow of people created a bustling atmosphere; this was, after all, the appearance of the capital's foremost pleasure house.
On the second floor, in the spot offering the best view of the stage below, sat a young woman. Her hair was loosely coiled and adorned with a vibrant red peony, which strikingly highlighted her snow-white, delicate skin.
In her slender, skillful fingers, she held a wine gourd made of warm jade. She lowered her gaze, observing the entire scene below, her movements as she drank elegant yet revealing a worldly allure.
One hand held the wine gourd, the other gently waved a round, embroidered fan. Her soft, alluring voice, as if captivating the listener's heart, gently uttered, "It's getting late. It's time to play music to welcome our esteemed guests."
The maidservant standing beside her elegantly acknowledged her words and then departed. Not long after, the sounds of zithers and flutes echoed throughout the entire pavilion, steeped in colors and fragrances.