Chapter 22: Keep a Low Profile

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In the hall, everyone wore different expressions. Liu Songjin stood with his mouth agape, his face blank, doubting that he had heard wrong. Su Bie and Wang Dafu suddenly rose from their chairs, their faces full of astonishment.

“Did I hear that correctly?” Wang Dafu asked in disbelief, doubting his own ears.

Nearby, Yang Qian’s barely forced smile vanished instantly, his facial muscles twitching uncontrollably.

“Master Luo, hurry up and come on!” Madam Liu waved her hand impatiently.

Luo Zijun stood and addressed Su Bie and the others with a nod before preparing to leave.

But suddenly, he turned to Liu Songjin, patted him on the shoulder, and said, “A gentleman’s word is his bond; once given, it cannot be retracted. A person must keep their integrity. Brother Liu, go eat shit.”

With that, he headed for the stairs.

Liu Songjin was speechless.

Wang Dafu suddenly burst out in curses: “Liu Songjin! You bastard! You want to fool yourself into eating shit, fine, but how dare you drag us into your mess! You’re not even human!”

Others nearby cast unfriendly glances as well.

In the spotlight of all eyes, Luo Zijun ascended the stairs.

At that moment, a sudden uproar erupted from the crowd.

“Why is that?”

“Madam Liu! Why can that kid go meet Miss Chu Jian, but we can’t?”

“I don’t accept this! We want to meet Miss Chu Jian too!”

Especially those guests who had been waiting since before dawn were indignant, looking ready to storm upstairs.

At that moment, a young maid beside Madam Liu suddenly spoke in a clear voice: “Master Luo sent someone last night to make an advance reservation and brought ten thousand taels of silver!”

The hall immediately fell silent upon hearing this.

“Ten... ten thousand taels?”

Everyone’s expressions changed.

Yang Qian and Liu Songjin were also taken aback.

Wang Dafu’s eyes widened as he suddenly turned to Su Bie and asked, “Brother Su, ten... ten thousand taels? Are you sure Master Luo is just an apprentice at a pharmacy?”

Su Bie was equally bewildered.

Of course, Luo Zijun himself was even more confused.

He had sent someone last night to make an advance reservation? And brought ten thousand taels?

How could he not know?

Looking up, he saw the young maid who had seen him urinate twice last night secretly winking at him.

He immediately realized what was going on.

“Ahem, keep it low-key, low-key! Didn’t I say? Don’t make a big fuss—keep it low-key! I’m a poor man!” Luo Zijun mockingly complained toward the upper floor, then humbly ascended the stairs.

Madam Bi’er and Madam Liu upstairs were speechless.

He really knows how to climb the ladder, huh!

People in the hall were dumbfounded.

Spending ten thousand taels to meet a courtesan and calling himself poor?

Then what are they?

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The commotion in the hall immediately subsided.

Having spent ten thousand taels, of course he had the right.

Under envious and jealous gazes, Luo Zijun ascended to the second floor.

Madam Liu grabbed his hand, her touch intimate and eager, wearing a beaming smile as she whispered, “Master Luo, you’ve made this old lady suffer keeping it a secret!”

To those below, this was only natural.

Madam Liu was always money-hungry.

Not to mention ten thousand taels, even a hundred taels would make her beam with joy.

Luo Zijun thought to himself: Madam Liu must have already learned about that poem. That’s good—first, establish good relations with the brothel, get familiar with the environment here. Later, after meeting Xu Xian, I can bring him here for fun and help him fall deeper, which will be even more convenient.

Madam Liu held his hand as they walked down the corridor, affectionately stroking the back of his hand, smiling brightly: “I never expected that poem was written by Master Luo for Miss Chu Jian. Last night we guessed for a long time on the pleasure boat but never figured it out. Tsk tsk, Master Luo is really low-key.”

Luo Zijun modestly said, “I’ve always been like that.”

Following behind, Bi’er curled her lips and muttered silently: You’re really low-key—urinating twice on the boat in public, right in front of people. Very low-key indeed! Hmph!

Suddenly, Luo Zijun remembered something and quickly asked, “Madam Liu, I won’t be charged to meet Miss Chu Jian, right?”

Madam Liu laughed heartily, patting his hand: “No charge, no charge! How could it be otherwise? If not for Master Luo’s poem, our Miss Chu Jian wouldn’t have become so famous so quickly. The Fairy Tower is grateful beyond words and certainly cannot charge you.”

Luo Zijun asked, “So if I come again, it will always be free?”

Madam Liu’s smile stiffened for a moment, then she laughed: “If Master Luo comes to drink tea and watch performances in the hall, of course it’s free. But if you want to enjoy other services, hehe, the Fairy Tower is a small business and has to support many girls…”

Luo Zijun nodded, “Understood.”

Madam Liu’s eyes twinkled as she smiled again, “If Master Luo can write a few more poems like last night’s, then everything can naturally be free.”

Luo Zijun glanced at her: “Madam Liu, you have quite an appetite. That one poem probably already made your Fairy Tower a fortune. If there are a few more, won’t your Fairy Tower become the Fairy Palace? Our guests might have to kneel to see the girls.”

“Pfft...”

Bi’er behind them couldn’t help but laugh aloud, quickly covering her mouth.

Madam Liu laughed heartily, patting Luo Zijun’s hand: “Master Luo sure knows how to joke. No wonder you can write such amazing poems. If you really write more like last night, when you come next time, Master Luo won’t have to kneel; it will be us and the girls who kneel to you!”

The two laughed as they went up to the third floor.

They stopped at a side room at the end of the corridor.

Madam Liu smiled broadly, “Master Luo, please come in. Miss Chu Jian is waiting for you inside. I have to go attend to the gentlemen downstairs, so I won’t disturb you.”

She glanced at Bi’er and subtly signaled her.

Their girl had transformed into the brothel’s most valuable cash cow; naturally, they needed to manage her carefully, slowly earning money without her losing her value too quickly.

Madam Liu hurried away.

Bi’er stepped forward and knocked: “Miss, Master Luo has arrived.”

A gentle, beautiful voice came from inside: “Please have Master Luo come in.”

“Squeak...”

Bi’er pushed open the door and bowed respectfully: “Master Luo, please enter.”

Luo Zijun glanced inside before stepping in.

The room was carpeted with pink velvet, draped with pink curtains. A vase on the table held freshly picked flowers, filling the air with a faint, delicate fragrance.

The room was divided into inner and outer chambers.

The two spaces were separated by a crystal bead curtain and two draperies. The inner room held a floral folding screen embroidered with a winter plum blossom scene.

A figure sat behind the screen, seemingly playing a guqin.

But no sound came from the instrument.

Luo Zijun cupped his hands and said, “Greetings, Miss Chu Jian.”

Bi’er closed the door and came over to whisper, “Master Luo, please sit here. I will prepare some tea for you.”

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Behind the screen, the figure stood and gracefully bowed, her voice soft and gentle: “Miss Chu Jian greets Master. I am unwell today, so I can only speak with you like this. Please forgive me.”

Luo Zijun looked at the girl behind the screen and said, “You are unwell? I know a bit of medicine; may I come in and take a look?”

Liu Chu Jian: “......”

Bi’er poured tea nearby, rolling her eyes and muttering: You’re the one who’s sick!

Our Miss just took the initiative to meet someone for the first time, shy and reserved—how is she sick?

“Thank you for your concern, Master. I have just caught a slight chill and nothing serious. A few days’ rest will cure it,” Liu Chu Jian answered softly.

“Oh, if you’re unwell, I won’t disturb you. I’ll take my leave,” Luo Zijun said, turning to leave.

Liu Chu Jian: “......”

Bi’er was stunned for a moment and hurried after him: “Master Luo, our Miss wants to speak with you!”

What kind of person is this?

Coming in and already wanting to leave?

“If it’s just to express thanks, I understand. I have other matters to attend to; I’ll visit again next time,” Luo Zijun said as he opened the door.

Outside, night had already fallen.

Rather than waste time here pretending with an NPC behind bead curtains and folding screens, it was better to go home and practice martial arts.

His goal for today had been achieved—Madam Liu already knew him.

Better to go home early.

“Master...”

Liu Chu Jian quickly stepped out from behind the folding screen.

But Luo Zijun had already left without looking back, waving his hand: “Miss, don’t be polite. Last night on the pleasure boat, I ate, drank, and urinated; consider that poem my payment to you.”

With that, he left without a backward glance.

“Clatter...”

The bead curtain swayed.

Liu Chu Jian, dressed in a pink gown, came out of the inner room. Looking toward the empty doorway and hearing the footsteps quickly fading, her expression stiffened.

He really... left?

“How could he do this?”

Beside her, the candlelight flickered, casting shadows on her delicate, beautiful face and slender, fragile figure.

Her watery eyes were full of astonishment.

Bi’er stood at the door, mouth agape, looking dumbfounded.

“Yes, how could he do that?”

“Miss, is he sick or something?”

Didn’t he see all those people outside crying and begging to see their lady, all denied?

And he leaves just after arriving?

Mistress and servant stared at each other in disbelief; the atmosphere froze.

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