Let Me Explain, Fairy-Chapter 41 - Thirty-Eight The Profligate

41: Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Profligate

41 -Thirty-Eight: The Profligate

Zhou Chen felt quite foolish, really.

He had actually thought that the Third Young Master, this ghost of lust, would abstain from women for the sake of asceticism.

But this probably was the Third Young Master after all.

With a slight bow, Zhou Chen asked softly,

“Third Young Master, do you need me to accompany you?”

Standing at the top of the stairs, Xu Yuan looked back with a smile and said,

“Mr.

Zhou, didn’t you want the sisters Ziye and Zihua just now?”

Xu Yuan was always generous to capable people.

He was not short of money.

“….” Zhou Chen’s eyelids twitched.

Xu Yuan patted his shoulder, laughing heartily,

“Let’s go, I’ve already notified the madam to wait for us downstairs.”

Zhou Chen was silent for a moment, then chuckled, “Then I should thank the Third Young Master in advance.”

Having said that, he followed Xu Yuan down the stairs.

…

Descending, a faint scent permeated Zuixian Pavilion.

This scent was slightly intoxicating, likely a product of medicine refining with a subtle aphrodisiac effect upon closer sensation.

Passing by countless flirting ladies, occasionally seeing some young lords in neat clothes standing at the doorstep of the private rooms, bidding a lingering farewell to the courtesans inside.

Some naive courtesans, upon seeing Xu Yuan descending from the top floor, would even take the initiative to approach, engage in playful banter, and seduce him in a subtle manner.

The Third Young Master, well-known for being easy to swindle.

It was said among the sisters that if they served him well, sometimes the Third Young Master would toss out a hundred Patterned Silvers at a time.

The courtesans who owned rooms in Zuixian Pavilion were all top-notch in appearance and physique, and Xu Yuan enjoyed flirting with these ladies.

Food and sex are human nature; once in this place of flowers, there’s no need for pretense or disguise.

By the time they had reached the back hall on the ground floor, Xu Yuan’s clothing had already picked up a fair amount of rouge and fragrance.

Outside the back hall of Zuixian Pavilion were several large courtyards where the madam and several top-ranking Oiran of the pavilion lived.

These Oiran possessed immense autonomy, not only in terms of looks but also well-versed in poetry and music, often hosting poetry and music events at Zuixian Pavilion.

To be their guest, one had to be rich, willing to spend generously, handsome, and talented.

It was they who chose the guests, not the other way around.

Old marketing tactics, yes, but these Elegant-loving lords happened to adore just that.

The courtyard area behind Zuixian Pavilion was extensive; calling it a courtyard did it a disservice, it was more of a garden.

Each Oiran’s residence was built to the standard that could host a poetry and music event.

Pavilions, towers, vast lakes, a picture of luxury.

But this was normal; without a touch of extravagance, how would they get these young lords to splurge?

However, compared to these Oiran’s quarters, the residence where the madam stayed seemed a bit small.

Nothing more than a standard villa.

Upon reaching the madam’s courtyard door, Xu Yuan walked right in without knocking.

He could have knocked, but there was no need.

Artificial hills and ponds, babbling streams, stone benches and tables, a scene brimming with birdsong and floral fragrance, rather tasteful.

It seemed the noise at the entrance had been heard for, from inside the house, a chuckling voice immediately came out:

“Oh my, the Third Young Master has come so early, and I’m not even presentable yet~”

The tone carried a somewhat seductive charm uniquely found in the land of pleasures.

As she said this, a voluptuous woman walked out of the house, golden hairpins in her hair and a simple beige dress that wrapped her ripe figure.

Xu Yuan remembered this madam, called Madam Yue, a formidable woman.

The original body couldn’t even match her for three moves.

After Madam Yue came out, her smiling gaze first swept over Xu Yuan, then took a deep look at Zhou Chen behind him, the corners of her lips still holding a smile,

“Third Young Master, you sent Jiu girl to inform me, is there anything you need?

If it’s for two, this old body of mine…”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen revealed an amused smile.

But Xu Yuan cut her off directly:

“Two things.”

Her words interrupted, Madam Yue wasn’t the slightest bit annoyed; with a shift of her seductive steps, she came close to the two men, sat down and replied with a laugh,

“You say, this lady is listening.”

“First, send Ziye and Zihua to the top floor.”

“Oh my, that..that would depend on the wishes of these two daughters of mine…”

Madam Yue prattled on but after glancing at Xu Yuan, she changed her tune and laughed, “Since the Third Young Master requires it, we’ll disregard the rules.

Please wait, I’ll make the arrangements immediately.

I just don’t know what the Second Young Master’s second matter is?”

Xu Yuan shook his head with a smile, moved to sit at a stone bench in the courtyard, tapped the stone table, and said with a narrowed smile,

“The second matter is, send your new Oiran at Zuixian Pavilion to my room.”

Madam Yue’s eyes flickered for a moment, then she gracefully sat across from Xu Yuan, tucked in her skirts, and cooed,

“Third Young Master, there will be a poetry event tomorrow night in the Bamboo Garden.

My daughter will naturally appear there, why the urgency at this moment~”

“A poetry event?” murmured Xu Yuan.

“Yes, at that time, my other daughters from this courtyard will also go there to support.

You could shine and win all their hearts then.

Why the rush~” Madam Yue attempted to refuse politely.

Xu Yuan listened intently before rapping his knuckles on the table again and smiling:

“Just tell me how much silver.”

A flicker of helplessness crossed Madam Yue’s eyes as she hurriedly said:

“Third Young Master, it’s not about the silver.

The invitations for my daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony have already been sent out, and my daughter is a Qing courtesan, so it comes down to her own wishes.”

Xu Yuan frowned slightly and stared at the beautiful woman in front of him, silent for a long while:

“So, you’re saying there’s no room for discussion?”

Madam Yue’s smile remained undiminished as she gracefully took a seat beside Xu Yuan, draping an arm over his and gently caressing his thigh:

“Third Young Master, please calm down.

How about this?

Regardless of the outcome of tomorrow’s poetry contest, I will arrange for you to meet my daughter.

Would that be acceptable?”

Xu Yuan glanced at Madam Yue’s ample bosom and silently withdrew his hand.

Madam Yue sat up straight, still smiling, her eyes curving as she watched Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan’s own gaze revealed a trace of contemplation.

Participate in the poetry contest…

He carefully recalled those poems from his past life that had been passed down through the ages.

Hmm…

it seemed like a decent proposal.

He might be able to pull off this pretense.

But as the thought crossed his mind, Xu Yuan subtly shook his head.

He was now Xu Changtian.

Poetry and lyrics?

He didn’t know squat!

To expect someone who couldn’t even write a limerick to suddenly produce timeless verses?

Taking a deep breath, Xu Yuan retrieved a 10,000-silver note from the Sumeru Ring and slapped it on the stone table.

Madam Yue’s pupils slightly contracted.

She was astonished not only by the 10,000-silver note but also by the ring on Xu Yuan’s finger.

Xu Yuan ignored the shock in Madam Yue’s eyes, focusing on her:

“Last time I’m asking, will you send her, or not?”

10,000 silver for an Oiran’s favor was already a hefty sum, even exorbitant.

Even for sisters like Ziye and Zihua combined, one night would cost only about forty silver, and selecting one individually might only be fifteen or so.

At Zuixian Pavilion’s top floor price of a hundred silver for one night, most people would chip in for gatherings, only someone as extravagant as Xu Yuan would reside there long-term.

Sums of several tens of thousands of Patterned Silver for an Oiran’s favor only existed in illustrated books.

Madam Yue took a glance at the 10,000-silver note and pursed her lips with a pitiful charm:

“Third Young Master, all the invitations have already been sent out.

Can’t you wait a little longer?”

Given the Third Young Master’s historically eager behavior, maybe he would increase the offer.

If he had the Sumeru Ring, he could certainly add more.

After a moment of silence,

Xu Yuan promptly put away the 10,000-silver note and instead laid three 1,000-silver notes on the table, then walked out, saying to Zhou Chen:

“Mr.

Zhou, accompany me to Bamboo Grove.”

“Ah, sure thing…”

Zhou Chen agreed, his face showing his anticipation for the drama as he glanced at Madam Yue and silently followed Xu Yuan.

The Third Young Master could have taken her by force, offering 10,000 silver yet she refused it…

heh.

“….”

Madam Yue watched the stone table with three 1,000-silver notes on it and called out with an ingratiating smile to Xu Yuan’s departing figure:

“Ah~ Since the Third Young Master is so fond of my daughter, if you insist on 10,000, then 10,000 it is.”

The stream babbled, the courtyard quiet.

Xu Yuan walked unhurriedly, paying her no further attention.

The money had already been given.

If she wouldn’t take 10,000, then so be it.

3,000 silver was the market price he remembered, which could even be halved if the young master was a talented poet.

At the gate,

Madam Yue’s sly voice faded a bit, her words wafting through the air:

“Third Young Master…

everything must be done according to the rules.

Forceful buying and selling is not how things should be done.”

Hearing this, Xu Yuan glanced at Madam Yue, chuckled, and closed the courtyard gate behind him.

With the courtyard closed, silence ensued.

Madam Yue sat on the stone bench, her eyes flickering for a moment before taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling.

Origin Qi surged around her, and in an instant, her silhouette flashed and vanished on the spot.

Just as her figure disappeared…

“Bang!!!!”

A muffled explosion erupted in the alley within the courtyard!

As the dust settled,

Xu Yuan looked amused at the beautiful young woman who had suddenly appeared in front of him, now pinned against the stone wall by Zhou Chen’s grip on her neck.

After a few moments, Xu Yuan sighed and said with a smile:

“Madam Yue, what are you trying to pull off here?”