Volume One, Chapter 17: Which Pleasure House in Binzhou Reigns Supreme?

Princess Changning gently lifted her eyelids, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips—radiant and composed. “Cousin, your words are quite amusing. If you envy me, why not petition Father? Perhaps next time there’s a political marriage, you’ll have your moment to shine as well?”

Song Qingqing laughed awkwardly. “Ha, cousin, I don’t have such honor. It’s just that I pity you. Far away in a strange land, if you suffer any grievances, who would you turn to for comfort?”

She raised a handkerchief to wipe away tears that weren’t really there.

Princess Changning nodded, smiling. “So you think marriage brings hardship. Pray tell, cousin, who would wrong you then?”

“Who dares...” Song Qingqing shouted hoarsely.

Liu Yuru tugged at Song Qingqing’s sleeve. “Come inside and talk. Don’t stand there and tire the princess.”

She quickly gave orders to the maids and servants to move the luggage, bustling about busily.

“Cousin, you’re quite confident!” Princess Changning rolled her eyes.

This cousin on her maternal side had always been unpleasant, bullying others among the noble ladies, relying on being the granddaughter of the Prime Minister.

Princess Changning’s maidservants, as well as the chief eunuch and housekeepers, followed in a throng. Xu Hai and the steward appointed by Liu Yuru took over, coordinating the household affairs in an orderly fashion.

Liu’s sisters-in-law accompanied Princess Changning into the flower hall, where the steward’s maid had prepared refreshments.

After some light conversation, Liu Yuru smiled at Princess Changning. “Princess, the main residence has been prepared for you. If you need anything, please instruct us. Having traveled all day, we won’t disturb your rest. Tomorrow, we shall bring the child to formally greet you.”

Princess Changning nodded, a trace of relief on her face. “Sister Yuru, your thoughtfulness is appreciated. You have all been busy; you should rest early.”

The two sisters-in-law, along with their maids and housekeepers, took their leave.

Princess Changning rose and returned to the main residence, where the young palace maids had already changed the bedding and prepared all the necessities.

Qingluan and Qiutao attended to the princess, helping her with incense, bath, and changing clothes. She drank some warm red bean, coix seed, and jujube tea.

Princess Changning rose slowly, her fair and beautiful face exceptionally radiant today. Smiling, she said, “Little Qingluan, I will take you out for some fun.”

“Princess, it’s the middle of the night. Where would you go for fun at such an hour?” the maids asked curiously.

“Why, to the most intoxicating place in the mortal world,” Princess Changning said with a mischievous smile, her brows arched alluringly.

—

Youth is meant to be restless; Princess Changning would be wasting her time if she did not stir things up.

Asked which brothel in Binzhou was the best, it was none other than the Red Sleeve House where they stood.

The princess wore a moon-white embroidered silk robe, broad sleeves patterned with subtle clouds, her black hair piled high and fixed with a jade crown. Her features were as if painted, graceful and dignified.

At her waist hung a jade-studded leather belt, from which dangled a white jade qilin pendant—elegant and unhurried, like a refined young gentleman from a noble family.

Qingluan lowered her voice. “Princess, do you think the madam noticed that we’re disguised as men?”

Princess Changning lifted her tea cup lazily and smiled. “Qingluan, why are you so nervous? Ever since you handed over that hundred taels of silver, in her eyes you are a walking treasure chest. She couldn’t care less about your gender.”

Qingluan nodded somewhat doubtfully, still uneasy. “But I think I just saw Prefect Song!”

Changning remained calm, raising an eyebrow slyly. “That’s exactly why I chose this place.”

After all, it took all the silver in her purse to snatch the top courtesan away from the prefect’s grasp.

At that moment, Song Ziqian and several officials were drinking at the Red Sleeve House. They had intended to lavishly hire a courtesan to present to Gu Han, but Gu Han promptly left upon hearing they were going to a brothel.

The madam warned that the top courtesan was already engaged for the night, much to Song’s frustration.

Meanwhile, Princess Changning and her companion waited a while until faint footsteps approached outside. A curtain was lifted, and a woman entered wearing an apricot-colored broad-sleeved gown draped with light gauze. Her skin was as white as snow, her figure slender, and her brows alluring.

She was none other than the Red Sleeve House’s most celebrated courtesan—Liu Xixi.

She stepped forward with a graceful bow. “I am Liu Xixi, greetings to the two gentlemen.”

Princess Changning stood and with a flick of her wrist executed two lightning-fast grappling moves.

Liu Xixi’s face drained of color; her body went limp and nearly fell to her knees. She retreated to the screen, tears shimmering in her eyes, a mixture of grievance and fear.

“Sir, I am but a frail woman. If the tea displeases you, you may call another lady to serve. There’s no need for such force,” Liu Xixi’s voice trembled slightly.

Princess Changning smiled faintly, tilting her head to Qingluan. “See? No martial skill.”

At that moment, Qingluan stepped forward, drawing a dagger and pressing it against Liu Xixi’s throat.

Though frightened, Liu Xixi did not kneel or beg. She whispered, “If you must take my life, please be swift. I only ask that you send the silver I have secretly saved to Huaiyang, for my brother’s schooling.”

Qingluan sneered coldly, pressing harder until a drop of blood fell. “We are robbing lives, not leaving riches.”

“You dress richly, your manner refined—I imagine you are no mere thief,” Liu Xixi lowered her gaze respectfully.

“You entice many gentlemen to linger here. Today, I will take your life!” Qingluan’s voice was thick with emotion, her eyes reddened.

Princess Changning regarded her with amusement—this little maid had a flair for drama.

“I have kept proper distance with patrons, selling only my art, not my body. I only wish to save silver for my brother’s education. My plight here was not by choice. If you take my life, let it be in atonement, to appease my departed parents,” Liu Xixi spoke with deep feeling, her voice strong and resolute.

Qingluan frowned, eyes even redder, whispering to the princess, “Sir, could she be deceiving us?”

Princess Changning’s eyes glinted with interest, her smile deepening. “One can never be sure.”

“You are quite sharp-tongued,” Qingluan said again. “If you saved silver, why not redeem yourself?”

Liu Xixi lowered her head, voice soft. “It costs three hundred taels of gold to redeem oneself. Where would I find so much? Besides, my brother is clever and studies well, but even the tuition is beyond my means.”

“I will redeem you,” Princess Changning said, folding her fan like a young gentleman, lifting Liu Xixi’s chin.

Liu Xixi quickly knelt, biting her lip. “Sir, you seem noble and not from around here. You have tested me several times—I suspect you have other reasons. Speak plainly, and I will do my utmost to help.”

Princess Changning nodded slightly, smiling. “You are clever. Very well, I will redeem you. Not just you, but all the kind-hearted, unfortunate souls in the Red Sleeve House. How does that sound?”

Liu Xixi looked puzzled, raising her eyes. “Sir, I do not understand your intentions. Is there some other request?”

Princess Changning’s voice was clear yet full of meaning. “Naturally, there is.”