In Shan Chao's opinion, if this kind of dirty thing was exposed, the mastermind should at least be a little embarrassed.
However, to his surprise, Xie Yun was not at all. Her attitude was very aggressive, as if this was a matter of course, and even a task that must be completed.
"Miss Jinxin's kindness is too much for me to accept."
After a short moment of surprise, Shan Chao calmed down and stared straight at Xie Yun. "Commander Xie, please take her back."
Xie Yun was expressionless. "Although Jinxin is a few years older, she is very reliable. If you really don't like her, you can find another one.
Go out, Jinxin will arrange it for you. "
"No need."
"Go out."
"No need!"
The two looked at each other, and the atmosphere was tense. The candlelight was slightly crackling.
Dan Chao emphasized each word, "I said, there's no need to arrange anything."
Xie Yun leaned back slightly and looked at Shan Chao for a moment.
"Is it because you are a monk?"
Shan Chao was stunned.
He was a monk who became a monk halfway through his life and did not have much self-awareness. But even if he was not bound by the rules and regulations, he did not know why he was very disgusted with such a beautiful and seductive woman. It was not that he felt that Jinxin was not clean. He did not have such thoughts.
He just felt … resistance.
Do you think I am a stud horse?
At this age, you think you can mate with a female?
Shan Chao sighed coldly. He did not want to say it directly, so he only said, "Yes."
Xie Yun asked, "Then why do you look so natural when you drink?"
Shan Chao: "… …"
Xie Yun raised her eyebrows and looked at him, shaking her index finger.
People who practice swordsmanship since childhood have very slender fingers. Xie Yun's hand shape was particularly beautiful, so such a simple action was particularly sarcastic.
"You are making me feel very uncomfortable," he said slowly.
"If you don't like Jinxin, then that's fine. Everyone has different preferences. But if you don't want anyone, then it's very strange.
Ma Xin and the others all have lovers in private, but you stayed in my residence for more than half a month, and you didn't even look at those maidservants … "
"You're making me wonder if you have any special fetishes." Xie Yun paused and said, "If that's the case, then it'll be really troublesome."
For some reason, Shan Chao's heart clenched as if an invisible claw was gripping his throat.
He didn't even realize what Xie Yun was referring to. In other words, he immediately realized how terrifying the implications behind those words were and refused to understand them.
Shan Chao's throat moved up and down. After a while, he opened his mouth again. His voice was unprecedentedly cold.
"No, it's not like that … Just don't make me do something I don't want to do."
Under the lantern light, Xie Yun's expression suddenly changed.
Although the world had changed and the scene was completely different, the same person and the same answer at that moment, as well as the tone that had not changed in the slightest from his memory, made him suddenly have the illusion that time had turned back.
— What did he say at that time?
"… Even if power and influence are like the yellow soil, this is a matter of life and death. As long as you are willing to do it, you don't even need to do it yourself. Thousands of people will be your stepping stones …"
But that young man stood in the middle of the sandstorm and stared at him. Every tone of his was hoarse and cold. Even after a long time, he would still hear it in his distant dreams.
"There is no turning back … Master, don't make me do something I don't want to do!
… "
Xie Yun suddenly felt very ironic. He even wanted to laugh, but after so many years of suppressing his laughter, it disappeared silently before it reached his throat.
He looked at Shan Chao with deep and cold eyes. After a while, he suddenly closed the document in front of him with a bang.
Shan Chao saw him get up, walk around the table, and strode to the door. When he passed by, he didn't even look at him. Then he opened the door and shouted, "Someone, prepare the carriage!"
Immediately, there was the sound of footsteps outside. Not far away, a servant carrying a lantern quickly stepped forward and answered. Although he was surprised, he didn't dare to delay and immediately rushed out of the second door.
"Didn't you say that you don't have any special hobbies?" Xie Yun turned around and asked.
Shan Chao stood still vigilantly.
Xie Yun's eyes finally showed a trace of sarcasm, "… Then prove it to me."
An hour later.
— Changping Square, Pleasure House.
There were many musical houses and brothels on Changping Street. They were brightly lit, and there was good wine and music. Even the night breeze carried the fragrance of cosmetics.
Shan Chao had never seen such a prosperous and extravagant night scene since he was born. Although the banquet in the palace was rare in the world, Changping Square was even more unrestrained.
In all directions, there were luxurious cars and luxurious luxuries. People were afraid that if they were not careful, they would drown in this gentle cave of singing and dancing.
Xie Yun put down the wine cup with a ding.
The grape wine was in a luminous glass. The dark red wine rippled in the white jade cup. It was as red as pigeon's blood and as fine as mutton fat. It shone in the brilliant light.
On the luminous glass, Xie Yun's index finger and middle finger were slightly close together. Her movements were very gentle. Her fingers were long and smooth. In a trance, she seemed to have merged with the mutton fat jade.
Shan Chao's eyes were fixed on it. For a few breaths, he didn't look away until Xie Yun suddenly raised her finger and slowly knocked twice on the wall of the cup.
"…" Shan Chao suddenly looked up and saw Xie Yun's cold expression, "What are you looking at?"
Shan Chao's breathing was slightly disordered. He looked away and didn't answer.
Fortunately, Xie Yun didn't ask. She just sneered and said, "Pour the wine."
She didn't order him to pour the wine, but the girl beside him.
Chang 'an Musical House was a money-squandering establishment, so it was normal for them to squander a lot of money in one night. But everything in Cheng Xin Lou was twice as expensive as other places. The price was not a scam, it was directly reflected in the appearance of the girls.
Xie Yun didn't cover her face. If she covered her face, it would directly tell the whole Chang An that the commander of the imperial army came to visit the brothel.
But as soon as he entered the door, he grabbed a handful of golden sunflower seeds and gave them away as a reward. He also asked the top courtesan to pour wine for him. The shopkeeper of the Musical House only glanced at the color of the golden sunflower seeds and immediately realized that this was a distinguished guest. Without saying anything, he invited them to sit at the top of a private room and sent four popular girls to accompany them.
The courtesan stretched out her hand and filled Shan Chao's glass with light golden liquid. She smiled and said, "This is the 'bone crisp' brewed by our girls in Pleasure House. The ingredients are fresh flowers and fruits. It's intoxicating and not harmful to the body. Langjun, please taste it."
She had seen countless people and her eyes were sharp.
Although Xie Yun was incomparably handsome and generous, but … he was too generous. Moreover, there was an obvious murderous aura in his eyes. That didn't feel like an ordinary rich young master. Dan Chao, on the other hand, was much calmer and more stable. Moreover, he wasn't good at romance at all. After entering the door, he didn't even look at them. It was a piece of cake to please such a newbie.
Hua Kui was very confident in her own appearance. She held Luo Pa's hand and gently stroked Dan Chao's shoulder. She knew that this Langjun should be a martial artist. His posture was tall and straight. Compared to the hedonistic sons of rich parents she usually socialized with, he was much taller. In her heart, she was somewhat fond of him.
Unexpectedly, Shan Chao dodged, raised his head and drank the wine in one gulp. He silently put down the jade glass.
"…" Hua Kui was a little confused. She smiled and said, "Langjun, do you think it's still drinkable?" Then she poured another glass.
Shan Chao didn't answer her. He raised his glass again and drank it.
Hua Kui's jade bottle froze in mid-air. Just as she was wondering how it was going to end, she heard Xie Yun say, "Pour again."
Hua Kui didn't dare to say anything more. She forced a smile and poured another glass of sparkling wine. She watched Dan Chao drink the "Bone Numbing Sensation" that the customers of the Pleasure Hall wanted but couldn't get for the third time.
Then, his expression didn't change. He remained silent, as if he couldn't hear anything. He sat up straight and looked at Xie Yun.
Hua Kui really didn't know what these two guests were up to today.
She instinctively felt that she had met a tough nut to crack. Just as she was thinking of words to ease the situation, she heard Xie Yun say lightly,
"Why are you in a daze?"
Her voice was light but cold. Hua Kui's fair and tender hands couldn't help but tremble.
She could only force a smile and pour another glass of wine. Shan Chao didn't say anything. He drank one glass after another.
Although no one said anything or made trouble for her, the gradually tense atmosphere made her feel like she was sitting on pins and needles. After she finished the entire jade bottle, Hua Kui finally mustered up her courage and said tactfully,
"I've been feeling unwell for the past two days. That's why I've lost my complexion.
If you don't like it, we still have a few sisters in the Pleasure Hall. They're all beautiful and talented. Would you like to take a look at them? "
Hua Kui's thought process was quite similar to Commander Xie's. It didn't matter if you didn't like it, you could just find another one.
This was also why she was sensible. She wouldn't be jealous just because the guest chose another girl. Her words were gentle and well-behaved. It was obvious that the Pleasure Hall was better than other Pleasure Halls.
However, Dan Chao smiled. That smile was very short, and it disappeared in the blink of an eye. "Thank you for your kindness, Miss. But there's no need. You can all leave."
Hua Kui was stunned.
"… Do you think that the music is rough and unsightly?"
"No."
"Then it's because the girls are rude and unsightly?"
"Not at all."
"Then …" Hua Kui still wanted to say something. Shan Chao slowly stood up and looked at Xie Yun condescendingly.
"Master, I'll go out first.
If you like any … or any of the girls, you can go to them for a while. I'll wait for you outside. "
In this world, there was still a master who taught her disciple to go to whorehouses. Her words and example were on point. This was the only thought Hua Kui had.
Xie Yun slowly stretched out her hand and waved outside. She said to the girls, "Get out."
Hua Kui didn't dare to say a word. She hurriedly got up and left, leading the other four girls in the room quietly leaving.
When there was no one else in the room, Xie Yun finally asked, "Do you look down on them?"
Shan Chao said, "No."
"The officials in Chang An are changing constantly. Many of the aristocratic families were wiped out overnight. Their young women were sold to the Musical House. Most of them entered Cheng Xin Restaurant.
Although the girls in this restaurant are just wushu, many of them are as talented as Jinxin. Don't look down on them. "
Shan Chao was silent for a moment and said, "I don't look down on anyone."
Immediately after, he changed the topic and coldly said, "Commander Xie — — You value Jinxin so much that you always mention her, is it because she was bestowed by Empress Wu?"
Xie Yun didn't expect him to suddenly ask such a question. After a slight pause, she raised half of her eyebrows unabashedly.
"I thought you were at least less stupid than the Helan family. I didn't expect you to be the same. I was wrong."
Shan Chao: "…"
Shan Chao immediately opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Xie Yun suddenly asked, "Do you know why this place is called Cheng Xin Restaurant?"
"…"
"Cheng Xin."
Xie Yun said leisurely, "The late emperor deposed the crown prince, Cheng Qian. He loved Tai Chang Le and was called 'Cheng Xin'. When the emperor heard this, he was angry and killed several people.
Cheng Qian cried and prayed to 'Cheng Xin' in the garden day and night. He said that he was sick and didn't go to court for several months. In the end, he rebelled and died … "
"Therefore, 'Cheng Xin' is Nan Feng." Xie Yun glanced at Shan Chao from the corner of her eyes. There seemed to be a dangerous deep meaning in her eyes. "This is also the reason why this Musical House is famous in Chang An."
Shan Chao's pupils shrank slightly.
The next moment, the door was knocked a few times and then it was pushed open.
Four young boys with small figures and beautiful faces came in one after another. They looked to be 14 or 15 years old. All of them were fair and tender. They lined up and bowed to them.
Shan Chao was stunned. "You …"
Xie Yun supported her forehead and said, "Don't serve me. I don't like this kind of thing."
Then she raised her chin at Shan Chao and ordered the boys, "Go over there. If you serve them well, you will be rewarded."