CH 30

As soon as the sedan had stopped, Qi Changyi “wow”ed in awe. So this was what the streets of the Imperial Capital were like. Even though it was already nighttime, the stalls and shops on both sides were still bustling with people.

It was especially lively in front of this luxurious pavilion; the lights were bright and it was teeming with people; shouts of excitement could also be heard from inside.

Qi Changyi followed Pei Zheng closely. He kept turning his head and staring all around him; everything here was a novelty for this sheltered little prince.

At this moment, a woman dressed in a flowy pink dress and shawl walked toward them with a smile.

“Yo, Young Master Pei1, a rare guest indeed.”

As she spoke, she even arched her eyebrows flirtatiously at Pei Zheng.

Qi Changyi stared at the violently pink figure in front of them; the voice he had just heard was clearly a man’s, but this person possessed a coquettish beauty that was on par with most women.

The man laughed softly and covered his mouth with his sleeve, before he poked Qi Changyi’s forehead with his finger, “And who is this little beauty, how come I’ve never seen him before? Young Master Pei, even if you get yourself a new lover, you shouldn’t forget about our Drunken Spring Pavilion.”

Qi Changyi’s nostrils were blasted by a flowery fragrance, he rubbed his nose and sneezed.

Pei Zheng merely lifted his eyes, and the man wisely shut up.

“Okay, okay, I was being nosy. Young Master Pei, little beauty, follow me.”

The man led the two of them to a secluded corner of the lobby, and ordered someone to serve them. He left with a flick of his sleeves, leaving a trail of scented powder in his wake.

Qi Changyi sat on a high wooden bench, his legs swinging back and forth. The surrounding tables were occupied by other guests. Each customer was accompanied by one or two courtesans, each with a face so beautiful that it was impossible to tell whether it was a man or woman.

The table was laden with an assortment of snacks, as well as tea and wine. Qi Changyi ate until his little belly bulged.

He himself had a cup of tea in front of him, but he wasn’t sure about the contents of Pei Zheng’s cup.

Qi Changyi watched as Pei Zheng took a sip from his drink. He stared at the cup in his hand, and unconsciously licked his lips.

The sound of beating drums suddenly echoed through the lobby, and a smoky mist rose from the floor. Through it, one could make out a hazy, graceful figure.

The crowd immediately burst into a thunderous applause, and the two of them also looked towards the stage.

The silhouette jumped onto the stage and began to dance. Its movements were light and elegant like a swallow’s flight, and every step seemed to bloom with lotus flowers2. The crowd was entranced by the combination of music and dance.

Qi Changyi held his cheeks and stared intently at the dreamlike figure. It danced across the stage among the mysterious silver smoke, resembling an immortal goddess. It was an exquisite scene to behold.

Pei Zheng turned and saw Qi Changyi’s grinning face, and his eyebrows immediately knitted. This ignorant, joyful expression was really unbefitting for a prince.

After the dance was over, the curtains were drawn. The pink-clad man from before stood up on stage.

“Everyone, you’ve all come on the right day. Our Drunken Spring Pavilion’s newest arrival Luo Yu will be receiving customers for the first time! Same old rules, highest bidder wins!”

The men in the audience all stared at Luo Yu’s white face and slender body, their expressions filled with greed. They all hurried to raise their hands and make a bid.

“Five hundred taels!”

A fat young master with big ears shouted; he looked as though he was about to pounce onto the stage.

“Five hundred taels from Young Master Wang, is anyone willing to bid higher? Our Luo Yu is not only beautiful, but skilled as well. Doesn’t that excite you?”

Upon hearing the pink man’s ambiguous words, many other guests were unable to sit still.

“A hundred, I bet a hundred taels!”

“Three hundred taels!”

“A hundred fifty!”

The bids continued to rise, and Luo Yu could only smile like a doll at the mercy of a group of greedy children.

“One thousand five hundred taels!”

The determined Young Master Wang called again; he was notorious for his love of men, and there was no way he wouldn’t be bedding Luo Yu tonight.

The people in the audience began to sigh, and the shouts of bidding slowly ceased. The price was getting too high; no one was willing to spend too much on a male prostitute’s first night. For a little while, the price didn’t increase.

The pink man’s lips were curled high, and he waved his shawl, “Young Master Wang is really determined, is there really no one else to challenge him? If not, then Luo Yu will belong to…”

“Three thousand taels.”

An emotionless voice rang from the corner. It wasn’t very loud but the number was outrageous; the entire lobby was shocked into silence.

Qi Changyi paused and swiveled to Pei Zheng, his eyes filled with disbelief.

What did he say? Pei-gege wanted to buy Luo Yu?

Did that mean they’d be sleeping together?

So tonight…he came here for Luo Yu?

The little man’s eyes were full of grief, he didn’t dare to look at Pei Zheng again. His small hands clenched at the hem of his robes.

Everybody in the lobby looked in their direction. However, since they were behind a screen, no one could catch a glimpse of the gutsy bidder.

“Three thousand taels! Is anyone willing to bet higher? If not, then Luo Yu will belong to this mysterious young master tonight! Thank you all for your participation, our Drunken Spring Pavilion’s other escorts4 will make sure to take good care of you, have a great time tonight!”

Luo Yu bowed in their direction and even blew a kiss, before he twisted his slender waist around and sashayed off to the wing on the second floor to wait.

Qi Changyi had his head lowered this whole time, the giddiness and excitement of leaving the palace had completely vanished.

Pei Zheng ordered several attendants to guard Qi Changyi, before walking off toward the staircase without looking back.

Qi Changyi sat alone on a stool. His mind was a mess. He stared at the wine jug on the table for a while. Then, while gritting his teeth, he poured himself a full cup and downed it in one gulp.

The spiciness of the alcohol3 made his throat burn. When it reached his stomach, he felt tears squeeze out of the corners of his eyes. Qi Changyi thought of Pei Zheng’s back as he walked upstairs, and his heart began to sting as well.

His eyes were red. The attendant beside him noticed and whispered in his ear, “Your Highness, let’s go upstairs and rest for a bit.”

Qi Changyi obediently followed as they climbed up the stairs. He was so well-behaved that it was almost concerning.

The attendants escorted him to a room and left. Qi Changyi was dizzy after drinking that cup of wine.

He was finally alone. He let his tears gush out unrestrainedly. The only sounds in the room were his quiet sobs and the dull beating of his heart.

He didn’t know how long he cried for, he cried until he was so tired that he fell asleep while flopped onto his stomach.

When Pei Zheng opened the door and walked inside, he was immediately greeted by this scene. The little man was lying on the bed, still dressed in his brocade robe. Even his face was completely covered by the thick quilt.

Notes:

don’t worry Changyi my mind is also a mess

In this chapter, it is unclear in the beginning what gender Luo Yu is, that is until the author reveals that Young Master Wang is famously gay

The upload speed will unfortunately slow down to 1-2 chapters a day during the weekdays, sorry for the inconvenience ;-;

Thanks for reading~~

1: 公子: A youth of noble birth; childe. Childe Pei hghahahaha

2: 步步生莲: lotus flowers blooming with every step; graceful

3. 烈酒: wine that is very high in alcohol content; spirits

4. Throughout the chapter, there is a word ‘小倌’. Pink man really be forcing me to search up synonyms for prostitute