"So it's Master Feng who's brought his friends to visit. Excellent, please come inside. Hurry, please come in."
After speaking, he led them inside. Upon entering the Snow Fragrance Tower, they were met by a tall glass screen that blocked the view within.
Turning past the screen, their eyes were met with a bright sight: a circular pond with a platform built over it, the platform surrounded by jade balustrades.
Only a small set of stairs led up to the platform. The Four Treasures of the Study were placed there, along with a zither stand, clearly indicating this was where the young ladies performed.
The proprietress led them inside, and immediately, some young ladies came to greet them. Indeed, they were all women of exquisite beauty.
Some were refined, some charming, some vivacious, all shapes and sizes, a complete collection. Looking at the men beside them, each one was ogling them, truly a tomb for heroes in a land of gentle women.
However, these wares clearly did not catch the eye of these men. They merely glanced at them, then shook their heads with waning interest.
The proprietress, seeing this, knew that these were all big fish. She bowed and spoke.
"Tonight, one of our Snow Fragrance Tower's 'Flower Specters,' Miss Xiang Yin, will play a piece for you all. Master Feng, do you have the inclination to enjoy it with these gentlemen, or would you prefer to find a young lady to accompany you first?"
The proprietress knew that the wealthy patrons before her were all refined gentlemen. Men who entered brothels were of two types: one type enjoyed refined pleasures.
These men did not rush into carnal acts, but were eager to appreciate the talents of beautiful women.
And this type of person was often a wealthy patron.
As for those who, upon entering, immediately asked for a room with a young lady, they were all vulgar people. These people were not worth mentioning, they were the second type of man.
In just a few minutes, the proprietress had assessed these men. They were all of the same type, so she didn't rush to call young ladies for them, but instead made an inquiry.
Feng Jiu scanned everyone's faces. Seeing that no one spoke, he nodded, "Very well, arrange a private room."
"Good, good," the proprietress said happily, turning to instruct a young lady beside her to lead the guests to a private room on the second floor. The group followed the leading young lady upstairs.
Along the way, they saw that the admiring gazes of the young ladies of the Snow Fragrance Tower were all fixed on their group. They whispered to each other from time to time. Liu Liu did not find this unusual, it was to be expected.
Among their group, each person was the pinnacle of men. Even if the men of Feng Yue City were handsome, few were as handsome as their group. They were all dragons among men.
Which young lady did not like handsome young masters? Thus, the entire building stirred with excitement. It was only after Liu Liu and the others entered the private room that things outside finally calmed down.
One side of the private room faced the platform below, offering a clear view. As soon as they sat down, young ladies brought tea, occasionally stealing glances at the gentlemen before them.
Liu Liu wore a mask, attracting more glances. Feng Xie, on the other hand, looked gloomy. He hadn't wanted to come, but Feng Jiu was too enthusiastic, constantly asking Zhan Yun to bring his friends along.
If he didn't come, he was afraid it would arouse suspicion, so he had no choice but to follow.
However, from the moment he stepped into the Snow Fragrance Tower, his expression had been dark and cold. The surrounding chill radiated from him, making him exude an aura of "stay away."
His arrogant and untamed demeanor drew Feng Jiu's attention several times. He always felt that the man before him was somewhat different. The ferocity in his eyes, the restrained noble aura around him, just standing there, he exuded a dominance that placed him above others.
Could the person before him be of royal blood? Feng Jiu guessed secretly.
Otherwise, how could he have the ability to return the goods they had seized to them? He knew that shipment had been seized by the imperial court.
Now that he had returned the shipment so easily, this person must have a significant background. Thinking of this, Feng Jiu gave Feng Xie a polite smile. As a businessman, he naturally wanted to build good relationships.
Feng Xie's eyelids lifted slightly. He nodded minimally in response to Feng Jiu, his face showing an arrogant demeanor that made others want to hit him.
His aloofness and stillness exuded a deep sense of loneliness, yet it also carried a fierce aura, making people feel pity but also afraid to approach.
Everyone automatically sat on the other side, leaving him, the ice block, alone on one side, lest they be frozen to death by the cold aura surrounding him.
Liu Liu couldn't understand. Although Feng Xie used to be domineering, arrogant, and autocratic, he never had such a cold demeanor.
He used to love showing off in front of women. Yet, in the Snow Fragrance Tower, famous throughout the land, he remained indifferent, his gaze not straying.
The private room fell silent for a moment. Downstairs, the atmosphere had already become lively. Besides the private rooms on the second floor, there were many tables and chairs around the platform, specifically for those with less wealth.
They each had their preferred performers, and the scene was quite lively, with voices occasionally carrying upstairs.
Liu Liu became interested and looked out. Everyone except Feng Xie seemed interested. She hadn't expected the Snow Fragrance Tower to have such appeal. Her business strategy was quite advanced, Liu Liu mused.
Suddenly, fervent cheers and shouts erupted. It was clear that the courtesan named Xiang Yin had descended.
Everyone looked towards the stairs. They saw the beautiful woman gracefully descending, clad in a lake-blue light gauze embroidered with misty clouds, trailing on the ground. Her hair was styled in a Jade Cloud Bun, adorned with a jade plum blossom hairpin and tassels that dangled like falling osmanthus, making her entire face appear ethereal and refined.
But that face stunned Liu Liu and Dai Mei. Because this face was so familiar, more familiar than could be imagined. Her delicate eyebrows were like the green willows of February, her eyes like dazzling stars, her nose proud and tall, her lips like cherries. Her skin was as white as snow. This was clearly Liu Liu herself.
In this world, there was someone who looked exactly like her. This was too shocking. This courtesan named Xiang Yin looked exactly like her, Liu Liu, not differing in the slightest, even her every movement was so similar.
Liu Liu was stunned. Dai Mei was stunned. Zhan Yun's eyes flickered as he tried hard to think who this woman resembled.
As for Feng Xie, his attention was not on the women outside at all. He casually looked at the steaming tea in his hand, but he heard his subordinate exclaim in surprise.
"Master, quickly look at that person?"
Feng Xie looked out in response. With just one glance, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning. Wasn't this Liu'er? He was also stunned, staring blankly at the woman as she walked towards the platform amidst the fervent applause and cheers of the crowd, knelt before the zither stand, and began to play. The music was beautiful, enough to linger for three days.
Liu Liu came back to her senses. However, the zither music was not as good as her own; it focused too much on auditory appeal, losing the charm of the zither. Who exactly was this woman?
Did she truly grow to look like this, or was there some unspeakable secret? Her gaze suddenly sharpened, fixed on the woman named Xiang Yin.
She swayed her body slightly with the rhythm of the music, completely immersed in the zither's melody. The patrons below were listening with rapt attention, unable to distinguish east from west. Their eyes were fixed only on this Flower Specter of the Snow Fragrance Tower, Bu Xiang Yin.
On the other side, Feng Xie's dark, deep eyes flashed with brilliant light. His entire face softened, the surrounding chill receded, replaced by joy and excitement. He gazed intently at the woman on the platform. Was she Liu'er?