Qin Dynasty: Starting with clinging to Zhao Ji's thigh

Chapter 110 Purple Orchid Pavilion

As the largest pleasure quarter in Xinzheng, Zilan Pavilion occupies an excellent location, built along the water and the street. From the two pavilions, one can see the lake and the streets of Xinzheng.

Its architecture is also very distinctive, with four-story pavilions stacked on top of each other, with flying eaves and upturned corners, exquisite and luxurious.

Large red lanterns hang outside, ancient trees are planted on the side, and peach blossoms fall, filling the air with fragrance, adding to the elegance of the place.

However, now that it's broad daylight, the lanterns are lit. If it were night, they would illuminate the entire Purple Orchid Pavilion.

On the ancient path paved with bluestone slabs, Ying Jing looked up and gazed at a purple figure on the pavilion, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Lord Changxin, this is Zilan Pavilion."

Liu Yi led the way with a fawning expression. This Left Sima of Han truly had no inhibitions and was extremely humble.

However, the two seemed to have arrived a bit too early today, as the gates of the Zilan Pavilion ahead remained tightly closed.

Ying Jing was slightly taken aback, but then he understood. It was perfectly normal for such entertainment venues to open late.

Liu Yi was a regular visitor, so he wasn't surprised at all. The dignified Left Sima went straight up and knocked on the door.

"Squeak..."

Before long, the door of Zilan Pavilion was opened a crack, and a beautiful woman soon appeared.

"Lord Zuo Sima!"

Liu Yi was clearly a regular at Zilan Pavilion, and he already recognized the woman who opened the door, so he immediately bowed.

"Enough with the nonsense, open the door quickly. I have brought distinguished guests with me today."

Liu Yi was very impolite. He was quite obsequious in front of Ying Jing, but he showed a completely different face when facing the girls of Zi Lan Xuan.

"This……"

The woman who opened the door seemed a little hesitant, but at that moment a soft and melodious voice rang out.

"Hongyu, then do as Lord Zuo Sima says."

Her purple hair was styled high, and her form-fitting purple dress could not conceal her shapely figure.

Zi Nu walked slowly with alluring, mysterious steps. Her appearance was no different from when she was in Qianlong Hall, except that a delicate jade bracelet on her snow-white wrist was dazzling in the sunlight.

"Boss Zi is the most sensible one."

Seeing that Zi Nu personally agreed to open the Zi Lan Xuan early, Liu Yi couldn't help but smile even on his ugly face.

Compared to Situ Wanli of the Hidden Dragon Hall, Zi Nu is much more shrewd and worldly-wise.

Her smile was gentle and her voice soft: "The Left Sima is indeed taking good care of my Zilan Pavilion's business, personally bringing distinguished guests here."

Her mysterious eyes gleamed with a purple hue. As she spoke, her gaze swept over Ying Jing, who stood upright to one side, and she gave him a graceful bow.

"Zi Nu greets Lord Changxin."

Ying Jing wore a gentle smile: "Miss Zi Nu, there's no need for such formalities. I've come here today at your invitation, but I didn't want to arrive too early and disturb your rest."

Back at Qianlong Hall, Zi Nu had invited Ying Jing to visit Zi Lan Xuan whenever he had time. Although Liu Yi had invited him today, since he had come, he could be considered to have accepted Zi Nu's invitation.

Zi Nu's eyes were full of smiles: "Since you are such an honored guest, how can Zi Lan Xuan refuse to open the door? Fortunately, the time is not far off, so it won't hurt to open the door a little earlier."

Zilanxuan usually opens between 3 PM and midnight. Today, although it was a little early at 1 PM, it wasn't too early. The girls inside were basically all ready.

"Then I'll have to trouble Miss Zi Nu to entertain me."

Ying Jing exchanged a few polite words and then, led by Zi Nu, entered the Zi Lan Pavilion.

Liu Yi, standing to the side, was no longer so arrogant and only dared to follow closely behind Ying Jing.

He never imagined that the proprietress of Zilan Pavilion would be so well-connected, even able to get acquainted with Lord Changxin.

He had always heard that Zilanxuan had a powerful background, but he didn't quite believe it. Now, however, he had no choice but to believe it.

The lobby on the first floor is quite spacious, with a small waterside pavilion in the center. Water flows out like a fountain, nourishing the beautiful lotus flowers growing there.

There were also many round tables set up around the room for guests, but most of them were only prepared for ordinary wealthy merchants and minor nobles.

Apart from the main entrance, there are staircases leading directly to the second floor on the other three sides. Those who are truly willing to spend money or have a distinguished status can go up to the second floor and have a private room.

By this time, quite a few girls had come down from upstairs, each with a striking appearance and a distinct temperament.

Some are elegant and unique, while others are flamboyant and colorful, each carrying a different fragrance as it moves about.

Moreover, these girls were not merely pretty faces; some carried guqin (a seven-stringed zither), others held jade flutes, and some even carried newly printed books.

It is precisely these "refined" elements that distinguish Zilanxuan from other brothels and attract more wealthy merchants and nobles.

"I have also visited the Qimeng Pavilion in Xianyang, but the Zilan Pavilion is more distinctive. Miss Zi is indeed intelligent and kind-hearted."

Ying Jing couldn't help but let out a soft sigh of admiration. It was truly rare to find such a high-class place of entertainment in this era. No wonder it was a famous den of iniquity in Xinzheng.

"You flatter me, Lord Changxin. They are all just pitiful people..."

Zi Nu was not pleased by Ying Jing's praise; instead, she sighed softly.

Entertainment and sensual pleasures are ultimately just a means to survive.

Ying Jing understood what Zi Nu was sighing about.

Zi Nu founded Zi Lan Xuan, taking in many homeless and pitiful women. However, they still had to rely on themselves to survive in this chaotic world.

Although Zi Nu never forces people to sell themselves, and would never allow customers to use their status to threaten them, Zi Lan Xuan would not stop anyone who is willing to do so.

Zi Nu even used this to gather intelligence so that she could use it as a shield for the safety of Zi Lan Xuan.

Ultimately, it's a place of pleasure, and even if it's cloaked in elegance, such transactions are unavoidable.

"In this chaotic world, Miss Zi Nu has already done a great job. She just needs to do her best."

Ying Jing wouldn't make any promises; such things have existed since ancient times and will likely continue in the future.

All he could do was help Zheng Ge unify the country as soon as possible and restore order, so that such incidents might decrease.

Zi Nu looked at Ying Jing with some surprise. Chang Xin Jun's words undoubtedly showed that he understood what she was thinking.

This Lord Changxin was quite different from other nobles; he was very special.

However, since she didn't know Ying Jing very well, Zi Nu was unwilling to say more about the matter.

"Since Lord Changxin has come to Zilan Pavilion today, would you like to invite a few ladies to accompany him?"

Seeing that Zi Nu had changed the subject, Ying Jing's smile remained unchanged.

"According to Liu Yi, the Zilan Pavilion's Nongyu's zither skills are unparalleled in the world. I am also quite curious. I wonder if I will have the honor of seeing her today?"