Chapter 92 Jiaofangsi

Upon hearing the words "Office of the Brothel Quarter," Gao Zheng was somewhat indifferent, but those feigning injury like Xu Dabong and Liu Dan immediately widened their eyes.

The Office of the Brothel Quarter is under the Ministry of Rites.

To put it nicely, it’s called the Office of the Brothel Quarter.

To put it bluntly, it’s a state-operated brothel.

But the women inside are of much higher quality than those in any of the brothels in Bianliang City.

Because some of the women in the Office are female relatives of convicted officials.

Due to their association with serious crimes, these officials’ female relatives were implicated and sent to the Office for discipline.

Since they were originally from official families, their bearing is still present, incomparable to that of common prostitutes.

Moreover, as it belongs to the Ministry of Rites, they are responsible for teaching and performing entertainment in the palace.

They naturally have to be proficient in musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

So, whether you want to cultivate your character or just get it done, the Office of the Brothel Quarter is a great place to go.

However, the price is quite high, several times that of ordinary brothels, costing several taels or even dozens of taels of silver for one night, comparable to a regular Imperial Guard’s annual salary, unattainable for ordinary people.

"Captain, for some reason, I suddenly feel like my butt doesn’t hurt anymore."

Liu Dan climbed down from the bed, repeatedly calling the captain.

"Me too, it’s really strange," said another robust man who had been caned in the military.

"Captain, are you serious?" Xu Dabong, who somehow got off the bed, hesitantly rubbed his hands in front of Chen Mo.

"I mean what I say, but since you are all wounded, it will have to wait for another day."

As Chen Mo spoke, he was about to turn and leave.

But Xu Dabong stopped him, ingratiatingly saying, "Captain Chen, what are you saying? Just a few dozen canes, how could they injure us brothers? Even if we were caned a few dozen more, we wouldn’t get hurt."

"Then just now..."

"That... was feigning illness, yes, feigning illness," Xu Dabong muttered, rolling his eyes.

Chen Mo didn’t expose them and said, "Then pack up and let’s go together."

Saying this, Chen Mo glanced at Gao Zheng, who was still lying on the bed, and said, "Deputy Gao, not going?"

"Ah... cough cough..." Gao Zheng coughed dryly, got off the bed, cleared his throat, and said, "Since Captain Chen invites so warmly, it would be impolite for me to refuse."

...

After a moment, Chen Mo, Gao Zheng, Xu Dabong, Liu Dan, and Han Shitou headed towards the Office of the Brothel Quarter.

Fortunately, besides rewarding him with some elixirs, Xiao Yunxi had also given him a considerable amount of gold and silver.

Additionally, when accompanying Zhao Fujin out of the palace that day, she gave Chen Mo a money pouch and didn’t take it back.

She said it was for emergency use the next time they went out of the palace.

Inviting them to the Office of the Brothel Quarter was more than sufficient.

Of course, Chen Mo concealed his identity when visiting, and he also disguised himself with Gao Zheng and the others.

Although Gao Zheng and the others didn’t know Chen Mo’s true identity, quite a few in Bianliang City did.

A eunuch visiting the Brothel Quarter would surely attract gossip.

If word reached the Emperor’s ears, he might even send someone to verify him.

Upon arriving at the Office, Chen Mo selected one for each of them, including Gao Zheng.

Chen Mo also selected one for himself in front of Gao Zheng and the others.

After all, to truly lead the Eastern Capital, it was necessary to build a closer relationship with them, not only using strong measures but also other methods.

Inviting them to the Office was one such method.

Isn’t there a saying that only those who do that together are true brothers?

However, after entering the room and filling his stomach with some snacks and fruits, Chen Mo left.

Not because he’s like Liu Xiahui.

Firstly, there was not enough time, as he had to go to Shenxiao Temple later.

Secondly, being a virgin, he had some standards.

How could he lose... to a prostitute?

At the very least, he needed a consort.

Before heading to Shenxiao Temple, Chen Mo went to buy a set of clothes.

Nightwear.

...

Zhao Fujin hadn’t slept all night. She had thought about it all night, and although she knew her first kiss had been taken, and that Chen Mo didn’t do it on purpose, the first kiss was still gone.

She had to get an explanation.

But upon seeing Chen Mo again, her face flushed red.

Her gaze instinctively avoided him, completely forgetting all the prepared words she had thought of earlier.

As a result, tonight she didn’t focus at all on some of the Daoist techniques Lin Su Ya was teaching.

"Fujin..." With a flick of her slender fingers, a strand of True Qi hit Zhao Fujin’s forehead. Lin Su Ya frowned as she said, "Fujin, what’s wrong? I noticed you’re always daydreaming."

"N-nothing..."

Zhao Fujin, while answering, felt Chen Mo’s gaze and immediately started to dodge eye contact.

Lin Su Ya didn’t reprimand her too much, as Zhao Fujin’s previous performance had always been good. It was just today she was a bit out of sorts, so she simply admonished her to listen carefully.

Zhao Fujin obediently nodded.

Half an hour later.

After Lin Su Ya left them with the instruction to self-cultivate and review what she had taught, she flicked her duster and departed.

After Lin Su Ya left.

Zhao Fujin naturally couldn’t escape facing Chen Mo.

Chen Mo pretended to be oblivious and said, "Senior Sister, what’s wrong? Your face is so red."

Zhao Fujin bit her lip, glared at Chen Mo fiercely, and said, "Nothing."

"Right, Senior Sister, the seal that the State Preceptor just taught, I still don’t understand. Could you teach me?" Chen Mo asked.

"That seal."

"Yes, that seal."

"This seal is so simple, you didn’t learn it?"

"Senior Sister, please teach me."

"First like this, then like this, and finally like this."

"Is it like this?" Chen Mo gestured a seal to show Zhao Fujin.

"Why are you so dumb, it’s like this!"

Zhao Fujin was somewhat exasperated, having taught him several times yet he still couldn’t learn it, and she directly took Chen Mo’s hands to teach him hand-in-hand.

"Oh, it’s like this, Senior Sister, I understand now."

After a long while, Chen Mo, looking at the face so close to him, said with a knowing expression.

The two of them were very close, their bodies touching, and they could feel each other’s breathing.

When Chen Mo’s gaze swept over, Zhao Fujin quickly let go of his hands, her face blushing as she said, "You’re terribly dumb."

"Senior Sister is still the clever one. By the way, Senior Sister, what do you like to eat? I’ll make it for you," Chen Mo asked.

"Why... are you making it for me?"

"Didn’t Senior Sister just teach me that seal? As a junior brother, I should thank you," Chen Mo said.

"I want to eat Peach Blossom Soup," Zhao Fujin said.

"In this season, where can I find peach blossoms?"

"I don’t care, you’re the one who asked what I liked to eat," Zhao Fujin said, a sly glint in her eyes.

It seemed to be a payback for having her first kiss taken.

"I’ll find a way then," Chen Mo said.

Although peach blossoms don’t bloom this season, that doesn’t mean there are absolutely no peach blossoms.

Dried peach blossoms are still peach blossoms.