The Great Ming Demon Pill: Your Majesty, please address me as the Crown Prince!

Everyone looked at each other.

That's a very class monitor-like answer!

Just then, footsteps sounded outside, and a group of brightly dressed women filed in.

They wore light gauze dresses, the hems swaying gracefully with their steps, shawls fluttering around their arms, and gold and jade hairpins gleaming in their hair under the lamplight. Even before they arrived, a rich fragrance of cosmetics filled the entire room.

The woman in the lead was in her early twenties, with a charming appearance and captivating eyes.

Behind her followed five or six equally alluring girls, some carrying pipa, others holding round fans, all smiling sweetly, their eyes lingering on the young men.

Zhang Mao, Li Heng, and the others had never seen such a spectacle before.

Staring directly at him by these women, he immediately blushed and didn't know what to do with his hands and feet.

Zhu Yi instinctively shrank back, Zheng Yu lowered his head and gulped down his tea, while Liu Zhong stared at the river view outside the window, pretending not to see it.

Only Zhu Zhanjun remained calm, sizing him up several times.

Tsk, that's too conservative!

None of them showed as much skin as the female livestreamer in black stockings.

"Young gentlemen, why are you so reserved?" The woman at the head of the group chuckled softly, covering her mouth. "My name is Yuxiang. Since Young Master Zhang has brought his friends today, they are truly honored guests. Sisters, why don't you quickly greet these young gentlemen?"

Several young women behind him curtsied in unison, their voices melodious and sweet: "Greetings, young gentlemen!"

Zhang Mao forced himself to speak and stammered, "No, no need for formalities... Um, please sit down."

Yu Xiang glanced at him and sat down next to Zhang Mao, leaning slightly closer: "Young Master Zhang is truly a young man of great talent."

Zhang Mao froze, his face flushed red, and all he could do was chuckle foolishly.

The other girls also found their own seats, some next to Li Heng, others leaning against Zheng Yu.

Li Heng felt a fragrant aroma wafting to his nose, and a soft, warm body almost pressed against him, making him stiff as a board.

Zheng Yu nearly knocked over the teacup in his hand, hurriedly put it down, and looked around nervously.

Seeing this, Yu Xiang's smile deepened: "It seems this is the first time you young gentlemen have come to visit us? Don't worry, although this place is a haven of pleasure, we still maintain a refined atmosphere. The lantern festival is lively today, why don't we have the ladies sing a few popular songs to liven things up?"

Before the boys could respond, she clapped her hands.

A girl holding a pipa lightly plucked the strings with her fingertips, and a series of flowing notes came out.

Another girl rose, and with graceful steps to the music, her waist swaying, she began to sing softly:

"The lanterns of Qinhuai are in disarray, the jade water clock drips slowly... My love, let us not waste this beautiful night, let us fill our golden cups to the brim..."

The song was melodious and lingering, and the lyrics were ambiguous.

The dancing girl was even more daring in her movements. As her gauze dress spun lightly, her snow-white arms and slender waist were faintly visible, and her eyes frequently glanced at the young men in the audience.

Yu Xiang then joined in and began to dance.

Zhu Yi, Li Heng, Zheng Yu, Zhu Zhanqi, and Liu Zhong were dumbfounded.

Zhang Mao himself was also bewildered.

His father never said that "listening to music" was done in this way.

Zhu Zhanjun watched the girls dance with great interest.

He had a vague feeling about it.

These girls seem to be doing it on purpose.

...................

In an elegantly furnished private room at the rear of the pleasure boat.

Yu Zan, the steward who had been there to welcome Zhu Zhanjun and his entourage onto the pleasure boat, was sitting on an embroidered stool, leisurely sipping a cup of fragrant tea.

Beside him stood a lean man in his forties, who looked like a manager, with a hint of unease on his face.

"Sister Yuzan, didn't we... go a little too far just now?"

"That young master Zhang is, after all, the only son of the Duke of Ying's family. If he discovers that we are deliberately teasing him and reports it to the British authorities, our Yixiang Pavilion will be in serious trouble..."

Upon hearing this, Yu Zan raised her eyelids and glanced at him indifferently.

"Complain? Complain about what?"

"We're open for business, and everyone who comes is a customer."

"Young Master Zhang arrived with his father's VIP pass, and we received him according to protocol, offering tea and refreshments, and the girls sang and danced. In what way were we neglecting him?"

The manager was taken aback: "But we have the girls sing those erotic songs and dance so explicitly..."

"So what?" Lady Jade Hairpin smiled slightly. "Who is the Duke of Yingguo? A veteran general in the army, a pillar of the court, and he places great importance on family traditions and education."

"It's harmless for Master Zhang to come here occasionally to listen to music and relax, but how could he be happy to see his underage son frequenting such places of pleasure at such a young age, and being treated so well by our 'Yixiangfang'?"

"If we treat them like ordinary honored guests today, letting them be curious and mischievous, or even going along with their ignorance and providing them with more 'intimate' services, that would be asking for trouble."

"What if one of these lads goes back and lets something slip, and the Duke of England investigates, saying that our 'Yixiang Pavilion' has become a place that corrupts his son? Guess what Master Zhang will think then?"

"With his fiery temper, he could easily destroy our pleasure boat."

The steward broke out in a cold sweat and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, Sister Yuzan is very thoughtful! I was being foolish."

Lady Jade Hairpin continued, "I wonder if this kid stole that plaque from his father."

"To entertain them is not an option, nor is to not to entertain them."

"It's tough being a business owner."

"So, things are best like today."

"The girls were enthusiastic, but also very well-behaved. They sang popular folk songs and danced ordinary traditional dances."

"However... our girl is experienced and knows how to handle things properly."

"It made those teenagers blush and feel uneasy, satisfying their curiosity while making them feel embarrassed and unable to stay any longer."

"When you feel awkward, you'll naturally want to leave."

"Even if the Duke of England finds out about what happened today, he will not be angry."

The steward was now filled with admiration, giving a thumbs-up: "Brilliant! Sister Yuzan is truly brilliant! This handling of the matter is flawless, fulfilling both etiquette and preventing future troubles. I am completely convinced!"

Lady Jade Hairpin smiled slightly and waved her hand gently: "Have someone keep an eye on them. When they're almost ready to leave, politely see them off the boat."

"Yes, I understand!" The steward bowed and replied.

.....................

After an incense stick has burned.

Yu Xiang and the girls behind her, drenched in sweat from dancing, finally slowly stopped.

But before she could catch her breath, she heard Zhu Zhanjun say with a smile.

"Don't stop! Keep the music playing and keep dancing!"

Yu Xiang and the other women: "..."

The boys next to him were so embarrassed they wanted to crawl under their crotches.

This kid, how come his skin is as thick as a city wall?