Ye Xiu was first angry, then he glanced around at the silk-clad young masters surrounding him. Standing among such a crowd, he truly stood out like a sore thumb.

"Still haven't scrammed? Need someone to help you roll out?" The courtesans at the door glared fiercely at Ye Xiu, mortifying him completely.

Damn it, Ye Xiu thought, so prostitutes have been this arrogant from ancient times to the present day. Feeling disgruntled, he turned to a young master beside him and said, "Esteemed Sir, I observe that your bone structure is unique, your handsomeness innate. If you were to master a supreme martial art, you could surely save the common people, quell the chaotic times, and uphold cosmic peace in the future."

"You..." That young master was already shifty-eyed and clearly wealthy, though likely rich without being learned. He stared blankly at Ye Xiu and asked, "What is the cosmos?"

Ye Xiu clapped him on the shoulder, gesturing for him to step into a nearby corner. A few sounds of blows exchanged later, when Ye Xiu emerged from the corner, he was transformed into a refined, leisurely, wealthy young master.

"This way, honored Sir! May I ask your esteemed name?" Predictably, the cluster of painted faces surged toward Ye Xiu, clutching his hands and waist in overly intimate ways.

Led by a madam, Ye Xiu successfully entered the Cuiyan Pavilion. Counting it up, this was Ye Xiu's first time stepping foot inside a brothel, especially an ancient one. He hadn't expected its opulence to be any less than modern 'foot massage' parlors or saunas. The peculiar thing was that the women inside all seemed to lean toward being slightly plump. Had a preference for subtle plumpness been the aesthetic standard back then?

"Come, honored Sir, please!" The madam obsequiously led Ye Xiu to a table set with fine wine, ushering him in while waving her handkerchief to summon two girls. "A Jiao, Bai Zhi, hurry over and attend to this distinguished gentleman."

"Pfft..." The moment Ye Xiu heard their names, he let out a large gust of air. Are you kidding me? No wonder Brother Edison had such a discerning eye for people. So A Jiao and Bai Zhi had already fallen into such places of pleasure back in the Qin and Han dynasties! Those explicit photos could have been taken without even needing a camera.

"Sir, it has been so long since you came to see us two." A Jiao's voice was indeed sickly sweet, enough to kill a man, though her appearance was frankly hard to compliment. "Sir, please sit down quickly; this humble servant will pour you several more cups." Bai Zhi was sculpted by nature with remarkable artistry, yet looking at her made one hesitate to spend any money.

Though Ye Xiu wasn't exactly a saint, his standards for women were exceptionally high. Such mediocre goods naturally failed to catch his eye. Furthermore, exhausted from his journey, he was starving. There's an old saying: 'Full stomach, lustful mind.' Right now, with an empty stomach, he was thinking of raw desire. So, he sat down and bellowed, "Bring up your finest wine and dishes! I have plenty of money!"

"Oh dear, yes, yes!" The madam was overjoyed at these words and immediately waved for more beauties. "Sister Feng, Little Yueyue, come quickly and attend to this master!"

Good heavens, Ye Xiu felt a sudden urge to commit suicide. Why couldn't he have a few A Jiaos? Instead, he got Sister Feng and Little Yueyue. It seemed the culture of prostitution was truly profound and extensive, spanning thousands of years right up to the present. It shouldn't be criticized; it should be revered by ten thousand people!

Before long, a table laden with food was presented. The four repulsive women before him all began touching and fondling Ye Xiu. At this moment, Ye Xiu was focused solely on gorging himself. This meal was likely the best he'd had since arriving in this era: fish, meat, and women—what could compare to such simple happiness? Although these women couldn't stir up much carnal desire in Ye Xiu, it didn't matter. Having someone pour his wine and serve his food was heavenly bliss.

"Get up for me!" Ye Xiu was happily eating when a young master suddenly slammed his hand down on the table in front of him, his other hand firmly pulling up the courtesan named Sister Feng. "Sister Feng has always served me. Today, I’m taking her away from you, brother."

"Uh." Ye Xiu felt a pang of unexpected joy. He hadn't realized that this Sister Feng, whose features were basically complete, was so popular. How desperate must men be now? He casually waved his hand and said, "If this brother fancies her, please, feel free."

"Good! Brother, you are truly straightforward; I’ll be your friend. Tonight is on me!" The man was clearly wealthy and high-spirited. He happily slung his arm around Sister Feng's pig-like waist and headed upstairs.

"Alas," Ye Xiu shook his head, sighing endlessly. Someone was fighting over such a woman, and fighting with such enthusiasm—it was truly admirable. As he pondered this confusion, the surrounding candlelight suddenly flared, and colors danced into his vision as a voice rang out leisurely.

"Honored patrons, tonight our flower queen, Miss Ji Jiang, is in the mood to perform a single dance exclusively for one patron. Miss Ji Jiang only sells her art, not her body. It is a rare occasion for her to be so artistically inclined, so please watch closely, gentlemen! The highest bidder takes the performance."

"Miss Ji Jiang!" Upon hearing the name, Ye Xiu instantly spat the mouthful of wine he was holding directly onto A Jiao’s face. Sister Ji Jiang is here?

Ye Xiu could no longer suppress the excitement surging through him. He stood up abruptly and looked toward the stage on the second floor. The words "Ji Jiang" had completely shattered his composure. He desperately longed to see Sister Ji Jiang, yet he was also terrified of meeting her in a place like this.

The music had already begun. A silhouette materialized as if weightless on the stage upstairs, cast onto the sheer curtain in front. The figure was slender; every movement, every light step and soft turn, captivated Ye Xiu's heart.

"Sir, you've soaked this lady's face." The nearby A Jiao tried to stand up to regain Ye Xiu's attention, but he simply kicked her away like a ball.

The dance continued gently, the figure remaining gracefully poised, exciting the wolves below. Suddenly, the song ended, and the thousands of candles were extinguished simultaneously.

The madam stepped forward, calling for everyone to calm down: "Next is a special dance performed only for one, by our Miss Ji Jiang. However, this depends on which of you gentlemen can meet her price. Well, esteemed patrons, you may begin!"

"Hmph! So thin, there’s no feeling to touch. What price could she command?" A young master said with a scowl of disdain.

"I bid fifty thousand coins!" Suddenly, from another direction, a dashing young man in blue raised his hand and laughed. "A virtuous and modest lady, only five thousand coins for a dance—I must have this!"

"Young Master Li, aren't you being a bit overconfident?" A young man in yellow robes behind him also raised his hand. "I, Master Wang, bid sixty thousand coins."