nycdaug Chapter 275
Chapter 275
Once they understood all this, the officials of the Jiaofangsi felt their scalps tingle. They immediately summoned all the courtesans and prostitutes in the Jiaofangsi and told them about how the Zhou family had invited them to their residence.
"Let me be frank from the start. I know that many of you hate Lord Zhou, but if any of you dare to harbor any disloyal intentions, you will harm the entire Jiaofangsi and your exiled clansmen. You should think this through."
The manager of the Jiaofangsi looked at the women below and said with a serious expression.
Upon hearing this, Liu Sisi shuddered. Yes, she had only thought about revenge, but Zhou Chu was a powerful figure. Even if she succeeded, it would likely implicate her exiled clansmen.
For a moment, Liu Sisi was caught in a dilemma.
Ultimately, Liu Sisi was also selected and placed on the list of those going to the Zhou residence.
The top courtesan of the Jiaofangsi (a type of brothel) might be something others could only dream of, but for Zhou Chu, she was merely a top courtesan, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he could take her at will.
The Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) was different from brothels. When women from brothels came to the mansion, they were usually carried by pimps with their heads covered. But the Jiaofangsi was an official place, and such behavior was too disrespectful. So Liu Sisi and the others rode in sedan chairs prepared by the Jiaofangsi and arrived at Zhou Chu's gate.
Liu Sisi followed the other women into the Zhou residence. As soon as she entered, she was intimidated by the Imperial Guards that could be seen everywhere in the residence. These Imperial Guards were all very wary of them, and their eyes were full of scrutiny.
After all, they all knew that many of the women in the Jiaofangsi (a type of entertainment venue) hated the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard), especially their own lord, who had handled that earth-shattering case a year ago. Most of the women in front of them had a grudge against their lord.
They didn't know why Zhou Chu would suddenly summon people from the brothel, but given their status, they naturally dared not question Zhou Chu's decision. So they could only keep a close eye on these women, and if any of them dared to make any unusual moves, they would take action.
This was the first time Liu Sisi had faced such a situation. The pressure these Imperial Guards put on her was much greater than the pressure she had felt in the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment district). Liu Sisi could even sense that these people seemed to know what she was thinking.
This made Liu Sisi's heart jump into her throat.
Soon, the women arrived at the main hall of the Zhou residence.
"Keep your head up."
Liu Sisi heard a very young yet authoritative voice, and her heart trembled. She raised her head along with the other women.
Only then did she get a clear look at Zhou Chu's appearance. He was actually a handsome young man with an air of authority and dignity, which greatly surprised Liu Sisi. She had originally thought that Zhou Chu, a living devil, would be a burly man with a broad back and thick waist, if not a blue-faced, fanged monster.
Yes, Zhou Chu used to be a famous talented scholar in the capital.
Liu Sisi then suddenly remembered Zhou Chu's other identity, but these two identities seemed too separate, and few people could connect the previous Zhou Chu with the current Zhou Chu.
"Teacher, since you are new to the capital, I have nothing to offer you. How do you think the brothels in the capital compare to those in Suzhou?"
Zhou Chu looked at Wen Zhengming in front of him and smiled.
It was already the end of the year, and winter had returned. Winters in the capital were much colder than those in Suzhou. However, the Zhou family never lacked good charcoal. With charcoal braziers burning, the main hall was surprisingly warm rather than cold.
Wen Zhengming came to the capital to prepare for the imperial examination next year. Originally, Wen Zhengming did not plan to come so early, but before Zhou Chu returned to the capital, he invited Wen Zhengming to prepare for the exam at his residence. Wen Zhengming then agreed and arrived in the capital by boat one after the other with Zhou Chu.
As for Tang Bohu, Zhou Chu also invited him, and even that little fellow Xu Wei was invited.
However, Tang Bohu felt that the capital was too cold and wanted to wait until after winter to make a decision. After all, his family couldn't stay at the Zhou residence alone like Wen Zhengming.
Zhou Chu did not insist on this. Before coming, he sent a lot of charcoal to the Tang family. After all, Tang Bohu was getting old, and every winter was a difficult time for him. As a student, Zhou Chu naturally had to be considerate.
"Weighing instrument, you..."
Wen Zhengming said with some helplessness.
He is now over fifty years old. In his youth, he and Tang Bohu were dissolute and unrestrained, but he settled down after a few years. He is not like Tang Bohu, who was disrespectful to his age. However, Zhou Chu insisted on bringing these women from the brothel, and Wen Zhengming thought that his student had grown up, so he did not refuse.
Zhou Chu did this partly to entertain Wen Zhengming, and partly to put on a show for those people in the capital.
Since you're going to rest, then have fun. If you're resting and don't know what you're doing all day, how can people feel at ease?
Only when they feel at ease will they focus their attention on Chen Wanyan.
As for whether these women from the Jiaofangsi had a grudge against him? Zhou Chu didn't care. They were just some women, and Zhou Chu had no intention of getting close to them. He only invited them to play the zither and dance.
While Zhou Chu was enjoying himself, in the inner palace, Lady Chen learned that her father had been humiliated in court and was furious. Ever since she became pregnant, her temper had worsened day by day.
"Yang Shen, how dare you repeatedly humiliate my father! So what if you are a Grand Secretary!"
Chen gritted his teeth and said.