Such stories are frequently depicted in television and novels, but Lin Wanrong disdainfully remarked, "Young Master, to be frank with you, I have the utmost contempt for these courtesans. To put it politely, they are called courtesans, but bluntly speaking, they're just pretending to be elegant. Regardless of being a courtesan or a talented woman, they are ultimately selling their charms. What is a brothel? It's a place for us men to enjoy ourselves. Once you enter a brothel, if you don't engage in physical intimacy, attempting to deceive us men with just a pretty face, are they taking us for fools? Just appreciating their faces is enough; it's better to return home and admire a painting of a virtuous lady. Why waste silver on such things?"
"Oh, oh, Lin San, may I ask, what does 'pretending to be elegant' mean?"
"Pretending to be elegant is—let me give you an example. Those women in the brothel, who are clearly there for physical intimacy, yet pretend to be refined and above it, that's what 'pretending to be elegant' means."
"Reasonable, reasonable," the young master suddenly felt a sense of camaraderie. "Lin San, it seems you have some experience in this. Have you visited such places before?"
"No, no," Lin Wanrong hastily replied modestly. "I've just heard too many stories from those talented courtesans who don't engage in physical intimacy. It has become somewhat numb to me. I was thinking, if you go to a brothel, you should engage in physical intimacy; otherwise, what's the point of going to a brothel? As for those young gentlemen and talents, putting on airs in front of courtesans, claiming to appreciate their talents, but revealing their true colors behind their backs, we men are well aware of it. Only Young Master, you are pure and natural, like a jade born from the heavens, that is the true talent and hero."
The young master's eyes gleamed with excitement as he firmly held Lin Wanrong's hand, saying, "Lin San, your words truly resonate with my heart. Here's twenty taels of silver, a reward from me, the young master. Tonight, you shall accompany me and enjoy yourself."
"Thank you, Young Master." Lin Wanrong accepted the silver with a face full of "gratitude." Twenty taels of silver for just talking; why not take advantage of such an opportunity?
"Lin San, since you are so resourceful, can you do me a small favor?" Seeing Lin Wanrong take the silver, the young master's face bloomed into a smile, and he flattered, "But if Young Master commands, Lin San will unquestionably obey."
"Lin San, do you have any way to make it so that I can get closer to this courtesan?" The young master, with a slightly shy demeanor, asked a direct question.
"Well, well, Young Master, aren't you afraid that Second Miss and Third Miss might have objections?" Lin Wanrong sweated on his forehead. This young master indeed had some nerve, making such a request.
The young master sighed and said, "It's like having two dishes on the table—one is beautifully presented but completely unattainable, and the other is not bad in appearance, with hopes of being enjoyed. Lin San, if you were me, which one would you choose first?"
"Needless to say, naturally, you would choose the one that can be enjoyed first." Lin Wanrong suppressed a smile. Although this young master seemed naive, the metaphor had some meaning.
"Yes, that's the point. Enjoy the one that can be enjoyed first, then gradually plan for the ones that cannot be enjoyed yet, ultimately turning the unattainable into the attainable." Hearing Lin Wanrong agree, the young master became excited but accidentally revealed his ambitious intentions.
People have bold ambitions, and territories have abundant resources. Though this young master seemed naive, Lin Wanrong was somewhat impressed by his thick skin.
"Why, don't you agree?" The young master saw Lin Wanrong standing there in a daze and quickly took out another twenty taels of silver, nervously saying.
"It's not that I don't agree, it's just, Young Master, you are overestimating me, Lin San. I haven't even seen the appearance of that courtesan, let alone know her name. How can I be of help?"
"No worries, no worries, Lin San, you are resourceful; you'll surely find a way. That courtesan is named Qin Xian'er, incredibly beautiful. You'll see once you lay eyes on her. I don't have any other requests, just that Miss Qin, the courtesan, looks at me a few more times and talks to me a bit. That would be satisfying."
Speaking of this courtesan, Miss Qin, the young master seemed a bit infatuated, as if recalling the beautiful appearance of Miss Qin.
Lin Wanrong curiously asked, "Is this Miss Qin, the courtesan, even more beautiful than Third Miss?"
"Not at all, not at all," the young master hurriedly replied. "As I mentioned earlier, one is only for looking, and the other is for enjoying. Which one would you choose first?"
This young master really considered himself highly. Seeing his infatuated appearance, Lin Wanrong secretly chuckled, pocketing the forty taels of silver and saying with a smile, "Well, I'll think of a way to make Miss Qin look at you more and talk to you a bit, Young Master."
Seeing Lin Wanrong's agreement, the young master was exceptionally happy. He had an intuition that, with this servant's outstanding performance, Miss Qin, the courtesan, would surely regard him with different eyes.
Qinhuai River, formerly known as Huai River, is said to have been connected during the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, traversing through the city of Jinling, hence the name Qinhuai River.
After Xiang Yu established the Great Chu Dynasty, it continued for a thousand years, flourishing to this day. With the development of the economy and cultural arts, the area around Qinhuai River became exceptionally prosperous.
The Ten Miles of Qinhuai, where aristocrats and nobles gathered, was a gathering place for literati and scholars. It was truly a paradise for scholars.
The beauty of Qinhuai, especially the lantern boats, was renowned. At night, all the boats on the river would be adorned with colorful lanterns. Those who traveled on Qinhuai River considered riding a lantern boat a must for a joyful experience.
Standing by the banks of Qinhuai River, Lin Wanrong was filled with emotions. The Qinhuai River before his eyes, filled with wealthy merchants and numerous brothels, adorned with beautifully decorated boats, was truly a land of beauty. Historical sites, gardens, boats, and market streets were all gathered here, creating a bustling and vibrant scene.
"Young Master, where is the renowned Miao Yu Brothel?" This was Lin Wanrong's first time visiting such a place in this world, and he pretended to be a bit "green." How could he steal the young master's limelight?
Sure enough, Guo Wuchang, the young master, waved his hand very contentedly, pointing to a magnificent building in the distance.
"Look, isn't that it?"
Following the direction of the young master's finger, a magnificent building stood in the distance, four stories high, with fluttering colored flags and hanging lanterns, bright and luxurious. Before even approaching, the laughter of men and the giggles of girls could be heard.
Guo Wuchang seemed to be a frequent visitor here, not bothering to let Lin Wanrong lead the way. He crossed over and headed straight to the entrance of Miao Yu Brothel.
"Guo Young Master, you've come." The enthusiastic madam with a plump figure approached the young master, laughing loudly. Lin Wanrong almost vomited at the coquettish gaze she gave.
The madams of this era were quite different from those in his time. Comparing it to the establishments he had experienced, both in terms of figure and appearance, Madam here at Miao Yu Brothel was a cut above. However, in this era, having such a large-scale and popular brothel by the Qinhuai River was also among the best.
Guo Wuchang, without any hesitation, gave the madam's plump buttocks a pat and said, "Sister Han, have you missed me?"
"Oh, my Guo Young Master, why haven't you come to see me for such a long time?" Sister Han replied with a smile.