Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

When Gao Zhao was still at Biyong, he sensed that there was a master behind the brothel, whose marketing plan was very sophisticated. Later, he learned from Xiangnu that it was all Fu Jin's doing, and that Fu Jin was an old acquaintance!

They contacted Lu Zhishen to plan another heist, but unfortunately, the noblewoman passed away and music was banned throughout the city for a month, so they had to give up!

However, due to his concern about dealing with Jin, he had Shi Qian keep a close eye on the movements of the gold-selling den during this period!

Now that the ban on music has long expired, the dens of iniquity have reopened and become bustling again.

Gao Zhao loved excitement and rushed over with great enthusiasm. However, Shi Qian's appearance was too lewd, so he went to find an acquaintance named Xiang Nu and took him along.

He led the veiled Xiangnu along the Washizi market, and when they encountered a vendor selling miscellaneous items, he bought a mask and put it on before swaggering into the den of iniquity.

Gao Zhao was quite disappointed to see so many suspicious students from the Imperial Academy along the way!

How could a scholar like myself come to such a place of pleasure!

The world is going to the dogs, and people's hearts are no longer what they used to be!

He shook his head, tightened his grip on Xiangnu's waist, quickened his pace, and headed towards the brothel.

The two entered the room with practiced ease. The madam recognized Xiang Nu immediately upon seeing her features and greeted her with a beaming smile, teasingly saying, "Oh, Miss Xiang Nu, what brings you here! I thought some gentleman had brought such a beauty to cause trouble for my establishment!"

Xiangnu lifted her veil, gracefully bowed, and laughed, "Mama, you jest. There are plenty of girls in the brothel who are a hundred or a thousand times more beautiful than me; how could I dare to show off here!"

"Hehe..." The madam chuckled, glancing at Gao Zhao before adding with a laugh, "You heartless little hussy, you disappeared without a trace after leaving, I thought you'd climbed the social ladder and forgotten about me! Why are you back today?"

Xiangnu looked at Gao Zhao and introduced him to the madam with a smile, "This gentleman heard that things have been lively in the brothel lately, so he asked me to bring him here to see Madam's training methods!"

"Oh, oh, oh... that's quite the flattery! It's my good fortune that such an important person would grace me with their presence!"

The madam laughed heartily, as if she had just seen Gao Zhao. She repeatedly knelt down and bowed, knowing Xiang Nu's decisive nature. Now that she had redeemed herself and left, she would not easily turn back.

The person in front of her, who could make her return to her old ways, must be either very rich or very powerful, and must be offering her substantial benefits.

She naturally dared not treat such a distinguished guest lightly, and asked with a smile, "This gentleman has actually entered the courtyard, and why is he still wearing a mask?"

Before Gao Zhao could answer, Xiang Nu interjected, "It's inconvenient!"

The madam was slightly taken aback, but then realized that the Song Dynasty prohibited officials from patronizing prostitutes. Even if an official hosted a banquet in a brothel, he was not allowed to sit with the prostitutes.

In addition, there are some well-known gentlemen and moral exemplars who are also unable to come to such places.

But everyone has emotions and desires! Sometimes they also want to share in the joy of the people...

That would make hiding one's identity understandable!

"Oh dear, look at my mouth, always asking things I shouldn't ask." The madam smiled apologetically and slapped her face a few times as an apology.

Xiangnu smiled without saying a word, secretly laughing to herself, "This is all your own guess, not what I said."

His identity really shouldn't be revealed, otherwise you'd probably have to tear it up...

Gao Zhao waved his hand, indicating to the madam that she didn't need to say anything more, and said calmly, "Go and make the arrangements!"

The madam cursed under her breath for being hypocritical, then personally led the two to a secluded courtyard. The room was elegantly furnished, clearly prepared for distinguished guests, and then a group of prostitutes were brought in to serve them.

With Xiangnu by his side, Gao Zhao drank a few cups of wine, watched a few dances, and listened to a few songs. Then he sighed and said, "That's all..."

The madam's face stiffened. "What do you mean by that?"

You were hugging and flirting just now, looking really happy. And now you're doing this? What? You got aroused so quickly?

He doesn't look that weak!

Gao Zhao sat up straight, straightened his clothes, and offered a suggestion: "Beauties are good, but they can be found in other places too. This place is so lively, there must be something special about it!"

The madam had been in this business for many years and was quite experienced. She didn't even need to look at Gao Zhao's expression to know what he wanted just by looking at his backside... She could tell from the sound of his voice that he was looking for a thrill!

"Yes, yes, yes! Since we dare to call this place a den of iniquity, we naturally have all sorts of thrilling activities!"

The madam's eyes lit up, and a worldly smile spread across her face. She took a half-step forward, lowering her voice to avoid being overheard: "Since you've asked, sir, I won't hold back. You can find plenty of wine, women, songs, and dances in Bianjing, big and small. But our brothel attracts all the high-ranking officials and noblemen in the city to spend lavishly. We must have our own methods."

She paused, glanced at Xiang Nu sitting quietly to the side, and then looked at Gao Zhao, who was wearing a mask.

"There are gambling games, such as pitch-pot, dice, and backgammon, where a single bet can be worth hundreds of strings of cash; there are also insect fighting and sumo wrestling, all of which are rarely seen elsewhere; and there are also some refined games for literati, such as poetry riddles and drinking games, which even noblemen find not enough to satisfy their desires..."

The madam leaned slightly forward, lowering her voice even further: "There are also secret chambers, dedicated to novelties, but those places are extremely expensive, costing at least a thousand taels of silver to even sit down."

Gao Zhao tapped the table with his fingertips, his gaze sweeping indifferently over the madam beneath his mask. "Then let's go take a look."

"This way, please!" The madam, knowing she'd found a fat customer, beamed and snapped at the prostitutes, "What are you all standing there for? Quickly show our esteemed guest the way!"

Several prostitutes immediately responded, swaying their hips as they rushed into Gao Zhao's arms, crowding around him and pushing Xiang Nu aside.

Gao Zhao turned to look at her, and Xiang Nu forced a smile, indicating that he didn't need to worry about it. Her appearance only made people feel sorry for her.

"Excellent tea ceremony!"

Gao Zhao secretly admired her, and then took it seriously. He embraced two women on his left and right and walked out amidst the sweet chatter of women. Xiang Nu was so angry that she gritted her teeth and almost tore the silk handkerchief in her hand to shreds, but she had no choice but to force a smile and follow him.

The group walked through the courtyard and entered a building with high walls and winding corridors. There was no clamor of music; instead, it was unusually quiet, with only a few glass lamps on the eaves casting dappled shadows on the flowers and trees.

Several servants in blue robes came forward respectfully. It didn't look like an entertainment venue, but rather like the private residence of a wealthy family.

Passing through an ornate covered walkway and around a rockery, a bluestone path appears on the ground, leading directly underground.

As we descended the passageway, after walking for a long time, we could faintly hear the crisp sound of dice hitting a bowl, the low chuckles of a man, and occasionally a few exclamations of surprise.

When you come to a fork in the road, choose to go left. After walking a few more steps, the view suddenly opens up to a large hall, brightly lit, with gambling tables lined up, and a lively atmosphere filled with people.

Gao Zhao glanced around and exclaimed, "Wow, quite a few familiar faces! So many of my classmates from Biyong!"