And so, the two of them, all lovey-dovey, arrived at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. You Qi had timed it perfectly—just as they got there, preparations for the grand opening were already underway. Thanks to the performance Qiu Liuyue had arranged outside during the day, along with other promotional efforts, the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, despite being newly opened, had already drawn a large crowd of eager patrons. The scene was bustling, to say the least.
People always love a spectacle. Many who hadn’t been there during the day and missed the captivating performances outside were now drawn in by the sheer size of the crowd, their curiosity piqued. In fact, a good portion of the patrons outside the pavilion had been lured in this way, joining the throng.
However, as the saying goes, “Business rivals are enemies.” The Hundred Flowers Pavilion’s success naturally bred resentment among other brothels and pleasure houses. There were only so many customers to go around, and with one establishment hogging the lion’s share, the others were left with crumbs. Cutting off someone’s livelihood is akin to killing their parents—how could the Hundred Flowers Pavilion *not* attract hatred?
This “Street of Pleasure Houses” wasn’t without its own renowned establishments that drew large crowds. But the owners who had built such successful businesses were shrewd enough not to provoke the ire of all their competitors, maintaining a veneer of diplomacy behind the scenes.
Qiu Liuyue, however, was different. Having risen to prominence through her “exceptional vision,” she was arrogant and dismissive of others. Now, posing under a different identity, she had no qualms about stoking resentment, unburdened by concerns over her image or reputation.
Upon hearing from You Qi just how much hostility Qiu Liuyue had stirred up, Chi Huai sighed and shook his head slightly. “Provoking collective anger and drawing the hatred of all your competitors is never a good thing.” Harmony breeds wealth, but once you’ve angered the masses, things become much harder.
You Qi remained noncommittal. He had never held any fondness for Qiu Liuyue and couldn’t care less about her fate. His presence at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion was solely for the sake of his mission.
Disguised as utterly ordinary individuals, the two blended into the crowd and entered the pavilion. Meanwhile, a handsome, refined young master in luxurious robes, accompanied by his attendants, made his way to a pre-booked private room.
This young master smiled with an air of gentleness and approachability, though his eyes concealed a deep, venomous selfishness. “I do hope the owner of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion doesn’t disappoint me…”
A servant stepped forward, bowing respectfully. “Young Master, with your boundless fortune, success is assured. Even if our great… must temporarily submit to the shameless Zhou dynasty, one day, all the people of Zhou will be nothing but our slaves.”
Had others—such as Chi Huai or Han Xinbai—heard this, they would have laughed at such delusions. The Zhou dynasty, with its formidable navy, far-reaching influence, and flourishing culture, science, and technology, was not an entity to be trifled with.
Yet the young master nodded in agreement. “Well said. Our current suffering is merely a test and tempering from the great gods. The Zhou dynasty is but a stepping stone to our ultimate ascension!”
With this conviction, the master and his entourage entered the pavilion and settled into their private room.
Qiu Liuyue, aiming to establish the Hundred Flowers Pavilion as a premier establishment, had spared no effort for its grand opening. Patrons received complimentary gifts, and those who spent generously were rewarded further. VIP guests in private rooms even took home exclusive, limited-edition souvenirs. The array of activities was designed to stoke spending—and it worked.
Even Chi Huai had to admit that Qiu Liuyue’s promotional tactics were impressive. Had she chosen to be a legitimate businesswoman rather than indulging in underhanded schemes, he would have been happy to exchange ideas with her.
At this thought, Chi Huai sighed regretfully. Qiu Liuyue had a sharp business mind, often coming up with innovative and unique ideas—something he admired. It was a shame she had chosen such a crooked path.
Meanwhile, You Qi, who would normally be seething with jealousy at Chi Huai’s attention to another woman, remained unusually calm. He had spotted a familiar face and frowned, but now wasn’t the time or place to discuss it. He led Chi Huai to a quiet, inconspicuous corner.
Noticing You Qi’s distraction, Chi Huai looked at him with concern. You Qi smiled reassuringly, squeezing his hand. “It’s nothing. I’ll explain later.”
Understanding the need for discretion, Chi Huai nodded and turned his attention to the upcoming performance.
Having been exposed to countless dazzling shows in her past life, Qiu Liuyue’s arrangements, though somewhat contrived, were enough to captivate the audience of this era. The provocative dances, amplified by the sultry atmosphere, had the patrons worked into a frenzy.
Chi Huai, being more conservative, flushed and averted his gaze, burying his face in You Qi’s chest. He didn’t want to watch—nor did he want You Qi to watch, his jealousy bubbling up.
Smelling the vinegar, You Qi held him close and whispered, “You have to admit, Miss Qiu’s strategy is brilliant. No one would suspect a woman runs this place with such risqué performances. They’ll assume the owner is a man.”
After all, brothels had a notorious reputation, and a woman managing one—let alone one with such bold shows—would raise eyebrows and tarnish her name.
You Qi shook his head. “The Duke values reputation above all. He and his sons pride themselves on being scholars, upholding propriety even while scheming behind the scenes. Who’d have thought his illegitimate daughter would bring such a… *surprise*?”
Chi Huai poked You Qi’s chest. “Oh? Sounds like Young Master You Qi has quite the experience. Watching so intently, hm?” The jealousy in his tone was unmistakable.
And why shouldn’t he be jealous? They were engaged, soon to be married. As You Qi’s fiancé, he had every right to stake his claim.
You Qi, far from minding, pulled him closer, taking advantage of the dim lighting and the crowd’s distraction to indulge in some affection. “Those performers are nothing compared to you, Ah Huai. In every way, you’re a thousand times better.” He grinned. “And you’re *mine*—no one else gets to have you.”
Chi Huai’s heart raced at the possessive declaration, his ears burning red. The sight only fueled You Qi’s hunger.
While the two of them whispered and teased, remaining detached from the frenzy around them, Qiu Liuyue watched from behind the scenes as jewelry and silver rained onto the stage. Calculating her profits, she smirked.
“Who knew running a brothel could be so lucrative? No wonder they’re so popular in historical novels. But from now on, when people think of pleasure houses, it’ll be *my* Hundred Flowers Pavilion they remember!” She sneered at the thought of the older, established brothels in the capital. “Those relics, clinging to their outdated prestige—I’ll crush them all soon enough.”
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