Chapter 66 Yelaixiang Brothel

What business opportunities were popular and hot, anything novel! What did customers want, a chain of their favorite places wherever they went! What business made the most money in this, or any era? Brothels did!

The Yelaixiang Brothel was considered the best brothel in the world, with more than 30 locations across the seven kingdoms. It was the pinnacle of the brothel business. It provided first-class services to men on both continents contributing to social harmony worldwide.

In the evening when the lanterns under the eaves were lit, prostitutes at the Yelaixiang Brothel in Can City woke and dressed for their work day. San Niang, the procuress at the Brothel, had a thick foundation of makeup on as she shouted, "Are you ladies ready?"

When moonlight began to stream through the windows, the women ran out of rooms to position themselves in alluring poses. San Niang made last minutes adjustments to dozens of golden hairpins on her hair while calling, "Open the gate and welcome the guests!"

Hundreds of men flooded through the gates as they were opened, and headed into the Yelaixiang Brothel.

San Niang stood at the gate waving her handkerchief welcoming customers, "Gentlemen, welcome. We offer a wide variety of talented ladies and many interesting games as well. Please, please come in!"

A servant prattled off the rules of the Yelaixiang Brothel to a wealthy looking customer.

The entrance fee was 100 liang* otherwise you may not enter.

(*TN: Liang a currency unit in ancient China.)

"On the first floor, we have many prostitutes. Look at them, and they are sexier than your concubines, I am sure, with skin as white as lotus root, and legs as smooth as silk. Your money will be well spent here! Holding or kissing the prostitutes is permissible, and you may also play a game of dice, or even cricket fighting and other diversions are available too. As a progressive business, we offer complimentary beverages and pastries. Our boss called it horizontal development and integration of many industries. Oh, we also have bowling, darts, and many other games. Our staff can offer you lessons at 50 liang per class if you do not know how to play a game."

"What? You say you are wealthy and require better services? In that case, please, let me welcome you to the second floor! The ladies on the second floor are all virgins and more conservative. Sir, you are even more impatient than the customers on the first floor! There is a fee of 200 liang for access to the second floor, and it costs 300 liang for the first night with a lady. We have private rooms where you can indulge a bath with a lady, or watch one perform a striptease. Which would you prefer? I would remind you to be gentle; please, after all the ladies on the second floor are virgins."

"What? You want our top showgirl? We have five showgirls on the third floor. Four of our showgirls are second-class, and of course, we have one top showgirl, your choice. 500 liang is the cost for one of the second-class showgirls, and the top showgirl's fess is only 800 liang. There is also the 300 liang entrance fee to gain entry to the third floor. Our prices are very reasonable, and once you have visited the third floor, you will see our prices are not high at all!"

"Ladies, get out here! We have a distinguished guest. Sir, this is Hua Shang. With an angel's face and a devil's body, she has earned the title of a second-class showgirl and deserves the money you have paid. Oh my god, sir, your nose is bleeding! Here take this handkerchief. Oh, by the way, the handkerchief will be billed to you at 10 liang, and a basin of water will cost 5 liang."

"Sir

San Niang was so happily planning to rip him off.

"Gentleman, our brothel is different from others. Why not take your time and experience it starting on the first floor. We have many interesting games; I'm sure you haven't seen them all before." San Niang suggested.

"What interesting games?" Yan Cangyue stepped back again avoiding the advancing San Niang. He liked ladies, but there were some things, even he wouldn't accept.

"Sir, it's your first time here. Certainly haven't seen these before. They aren't in other brothels of ours in other cities, let alone brothels owned by others. Xiao Gui, ask a lady to teach them how to play. Sir, you go with this lady. She will show you how to play. But you should also pay for that."

Yan Cangyue was intrigued as he stared at the scene on the first floor and indeed found many new things.

"Don't mind the cost!" Yan Cangyue said.

San Niang gave a bored look to the back of the man. She wasn't pay attention to the money, because she planned to take it.

"Sir, this is Die Er, and she will teach you how to play. One class is fifteen minutes and costs 50 liang. Die Er, take good care of this gentleman!" San Niang directed.

San Niang ridiculed Yan Cangyue in her mind. It didn't matter if he was rich, the Yelaixiang Brothel would take all his money. San Niang plotted, 'He will have lost his shirt when he leaves the brothel.'

Four hours later, Mr. Zhang and Yan Cangyue reached for money only to discover empty pockets! San Niang walked towards them again like an arrogant peacock.

"Gentlemen, it has been four hours. Why are you still in the first floor? Alas! You two are so stupid." San Niang giggled into her sleeve.

"Will you continue?" San Niang asked. "Die Er, take the money! Wait, what? You have no money left? Then why are you still here? Guards, remove them!"

Yan Cangyue was stunned. He never expected to be driven out of a brothel for no money! After all, he was the third prince of the Chi Kingdom.

Watching them leave, San Niang waved a final farewell, and Xiao Gui quickly ran towards her.

"Tell Yun Yu, we had a strange guest come tonight. He wore a jade of the Chi Kingdom. I think he is a royal member of the Chi Kingdom."

When Yun Canglan returned to the imperial palace in the Can Kingdom, she was given Yun Yu's information.

The Nine Prominent Figures would gather again soon! So too would her seven Feathers be reunited!