Chapter 1481: Jade Fragrance Pavilion
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Chapter 1479: Jade Fragrance Pavilion
“What is it?” Bai Zixi, disguised as ‘Young Master Bai,’ said calmly.
And she said this in her original female voice, with a hint of teasing in her tone.
How could Bai XiaoSheng fail to recognize the voice of his Little Grandaunt? His soul nearly fled his body in fright, and then he looked at Mo Hua with even greater terror.
This Mo Hua was truly something else, he could even “lure” Little Grandaunt out?
Why don’t you just fly to the heavens?
This was no longer just being audacious; it was defying the heavens themselves.
Bai XiaoSheng struggled to crawl out of the carriage.
Mo Hua held him down. “Why are you running?”
Bai XiaoSheng shouted angrily, “Let go of me! I want to get off!”
Mo Hua sighed. “Your Great-Aunt is here. Where do you think you’re going?”
Bai XiaoSheng felt his scalp tingle, both shocked and furious. “You, Mo Hua! You’re tricking me again! You’re trying to get me killed!”
Mo Hua asked, “How am I trying to get you killed?”
Bai XiaoSheng retorted, “You damned scoundrel! If I had known my Little Grandaunt was here, I would never have gotten into this carriage even if you beat me to death!”
Mo Hua asked curiously, “Are you that afraid of your Little Grandaunt?”
Bai XiaoSheng’s face turned pale. “That’s a stupid question! I—”
Before he could finish, Bai Zixi said calmly, “Enough, stop making a fuss.”
Bai XiaoSheng dared not speak further and lowered his head obediently.
Bai Zixi said, “XiaoSheng.”
Bai XiaoSheng replied reluctantly, “Yes.”
“Take me to Jade Fragrance Pavilion,” Bai Zixi said.
“I…” Bai XiaoSheng hesitated.
That kind of place was not somewhere Little Grandaunt should go. Bai XiaoSheng tactfully said, “Little Grandaunt, Jade Fragrance Pavilion is a place of ill repute. Such places are filthy and unworthy of you.”
Bai Zixi then imitated Mo Hua, saying, “I have important business to attend to. I must go.”
Mo Hua sighed silently.
“Just lead the way,” Bai Zixi added.
Seeing Bai XiaoSheng still hesitating, Bai Zixi’s eyes flickered slightly, and she whispered: “Otherwise, I will report to the Ancestor about your usual cultivation in gambling dens and secluded retreats in brothels.”
Bai XiaoSheng stiffened, utterly convinced, and sighed, “As you wish, Little Grandaunt.”
Bai Zixi nodded in satisfaction.
Mo Hua chimed in from the side, “See? It would have been much better if you had listened to your Little Grandaunt earlier.”
Bai XiaoSheng glared fiercely at Mo Hua.
This Mo guy was nothing but a jinx. Anyone associated with him was bound to encounter misfortune. Yet, this fellow was as cunning as a ghost—unfathomable and impossible to guard against. This time, he had clearly fallen victim to this guy’s schemes again.
Bai XiaoSheng wished he could kill Mo Hua with his own hands.
Afterward, the carriage continued forward. The road was smooth and without bumps, but throughout the journey, Bai XiaoSheng’s heart was in turmoil, filled with anxiety and unease.
What kind of good place could Jade Fragrance Pavilion possibly be? How could Little Grandaunt go to such a place?
But if he didn’t lead Little Grandaunt there, she would never let him off.
Yet if he really took Little Grandaunt to a place like Jade Fragrance Pavilion, and if those old folks in the family found out, he would likely die an even more miserable death.
Caught between two terrible outcomes, Bai XiaoSheng thought it over and realized he could only compromise for now, yielding to Little Grandaunt’s authority.
If Little Grandaunt was pleased, she might put in a good word for him, and the Ancestor’s punishment might be lighter.
But if he angered Little Grandaunt, then he would truly have no way out, neither heaven nor earth would offer him refuge.
Once Bai XiaoSheng understood this, he resigned himself to his fate.
“However…”
Bai XiaoSheng glanced at Mo Hua, and the more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became.
For no reason at all, how could Little Grandaunt suddenly want to go to Jade Fragrance Pavilion? It was most likely this Mo Hua’s doing.
But how did this fellow surnamed Mo manage to lure the ‘Great Buddha’ that is Little Grandaunt out of the minor blessed land?
Would True Person Rong allow it?
Wasn’t she afraid of cause and effect being exposed?
And moreover, Little Grandaunt was actually willing to go out?
Bai XiaoSheng found it utterly baffling.
He stole a glance at Bai Zixi, then looked at Mo Hua. Seeing these two—one with features as exquisite as a painting, the other free-spirited and transcendent—their appearance and aura actually bore some resemblance, sitting together without the slightest incongruity, he couldn’t help but think to himself:
“Has Little Grandaunt truly come to regard this junior brother Mo Hua as her own younger brother? To indulge and care for him like this?”
After all, ordinary men, aside from the direct descendants of the Bai Clan, didn’t even have the right to see Little Grandaunt.
Bai XiaoSheng shook his head.
Little Grandaunt simply didn’t realize that this kid Mo Hua, with his malicious cunning and profound scheming, was nothing like the rosy-lipped, innocent-looking youth he appeared to be on the surface.
Bai XiaoSheng wanted to warn Little Grandaunt, but with Mo Hua present, he couldn’t bring himself to speak up.
He was afraid that if he couldn’t out-argue the crafty Mo Hua and ended up being framed instead, he would completely lose Little Grandaunt’s trust.
Mo Hua was precisely that kind of despicable treacherous minister.
Bai XiaoSheng mentally labeled Mo Hua as such.
Regardless, with Bai XiaoSheng leading the way, things would be easier from here on.
Houtu City was vast, and the road to Jade Fragrance Pavilion was not easy to navigate—winding and twisting, with many forks. Mo Hua had never been there and wasn’t very familiar with the route.
But Bai XiaoSheng was. With the ‘Great Buddha’ Bai Zixi watching over him, he dared not lead Mo Hua on any detours. He honestly guided the carriage through streets and alleys, and amidst the leisurely clip-clop of hooves, they eventually arrived at the border between the southern and northern districts.
From afar, Mo Hua saw a brightly lit long street, bustling with crowds and a subtle undercurrent of fragrance.
But the carriage circled the nearby streets for a long time, unable to find an entrance.
It was as if that flower street, woven with lights and rouge, existed in another world, so close yet so far away.
Mo Hua looked at Bai XiaoSheng.
Well-versed in formations, he naturally knew that the nearby streets were all laid with formations, some even Illusion Formations, meant to keep out irrelevant people.
Only those “invited” or those in the know could enter.
Bai XiaoSheng sighed and said nothing, instead voluntarily taking the reins to clear the way. He drove to a dead-end alley nearby.
Bai XiaoSheng knocked on the stone wall at the entrance of the alley. Before long, a figure emerged from the darkness, seemingly a gatekeeper.
Bai XiaoSheng showed a token and tossed him a small pouch of Spirit stones.
Seeing the token, the gatekeeper’s attitude grew considerably more respectful. After accepting the Spirit stones, he even bowed deeply, saying: “Esteemed guest, please wait a moment.”
Then the gatekeeper melted back into the shadows.
Not long after, the stone wall at the entrance of the alley vanished, revealing a small stone lane before them.
“Drunken Flower Street, Gold-Spending Lane…”
Bai XiaoSheng murmured, then turned and continued driving the carriage forward.
The carriage wound its way along the dim, narrow lane. After a short distance, the view suddenly opened up.
Fireworks floated in the sky, lights glittered brilliantly, and an entire flower street stretched into the distance like a sea of blossoms, with no end in sight.
On both sides of this floral sea stood magnificent towers and jade palaces.
Upon each jade tower and gilded terrace, leaning against the railings stood one after another women of peerless beauty and graceful figures.
Beneath the moonlight, the towers shimmered with a hazy glow, while the sea of flowers exuded an intoxicating fragrance.
These lovely, elegant women danced on high, illuminated by the light and set off by the blossoms, as if celestial maidens descended from the heavens.
At least in appearance, they were indeed breathtakingly beautiful.
Not only Mo Hua, but even Bai Zixi was momentarily stunned.
She turned her head, stared at Mo Hua for a moment, and whispered softly, “They are quite beautiful… no wonder you wanted to come.”
Bai Zixi’s voice was gentle, but Mo Hua’s heart skipped a beat. With a serious expression, he said: “Little Senior Sister, you know me, I never care for such things.”
Bai Zixi glanced at Mo Hua faintly, her eyes shifting slightly, but she said nothing.
Mo Hua didn’t know whether Little Senior Sister was angry or not. He sighed inwardly, then turned to Bai XiaoSheng and asked: “Where is Jade Fragrance Pavilion?”
Bai XiaoSheng pointed ahead, “Keep going straight; it’s probably still a few miles away.”
Mo Hua nodded.
Bai XiaoSheng added, “But before going to Jade Fragrance Pavilion, we need to get something first.”
Mo Hua asked, “Get what?”
Bai XiaoSheng replied, “Follow me.”
With that, Bai XiaoSheng led the way, taking Mo Hua and Bai Zixi to a small shop by the street.
The shop sold various masks.
These masks were relatively simple—thin layers that only covered the cheeks—but they were all exquisite, with many flashy and ornate styles.
Bai XiaoSheng said, “Pick one and put it on.”
Mo Hua didn’t understand, “What’s the use of these?”
With his Divine-Sense, he could see through these masks at a glance.
Bai XiaoSheng said, “Better than nothing.”
Seeing Mo Hua still doubtful, Bai XiaoSheng explained, “Since it’s your first time here, it’s best not to show your face.”
“Even if these masks can’t block the Divine-Sense of experts, they can at least shield you from plain sight.”
“Moreover, in a place like a brothel, you shouldn’t casually use Divine-Sense to spy, it’s highly disrespectful and can easily lead to grudges.”
“If someone really uses Divine-Sense to spy on you, you’ll at least know in advance who has ill intentions toward you.”
“Anyway, it’s the rule. Wearing one won’t do any harm.”
Bai XiaoSheng was mainly concerned about Little Grandaunt’s safety, which is why he explained so much to Mo Hua. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered.
He would have been delighted to see Mo Hua embarrass himself and lose face at Jade Fragrance Pavilion.
Mo Hua nodded. Since it was the rule, he couldn’t very well refuse. So he and Bai Zixi each picked a mask.
Bai Zixi chose a phoenix-patterned mask, elegant and noble.
Mo Hua chose a bronze-patterned mask, simple and mysterious.
After Mo Hua and Bai Zixi made their choices, they turned to look at Bai XiaoSheng, only to see that he wasn’t wearing anything.
Mo Hua asked, “Why aren’t you wearing one?”
Bai XiaoSheng waved his hand, “I don’t need to.”
Mo Hua suddenly understood, “Oh, you’re a regular here, you come often, so it doesn’t matter whether you wear one or not?”
Bai XiaoSheng retorted angrily, “I’m not a regular, and I rarely come! Don’t slander me!”
This treacherous Mo Hua kept tarnishing his reputation in front of Little Grandaunt.
If Little Grandaunt weren’t here, he’d make him pay!
Mo Hua was about to say something more.
Bai XiaoSheng was truly afraid of Mo Hua’s mouth and hurriedly said, “Let’s hurry to Jade Fragrance Pavilion. The sooner we go, the sooner we return.”
Mo Hua paused, then nodded.
Afterwards, Bai XiaoSheng walked ahead to lead the way, while Mo Hua followed beside Little Senior Sister, protecting her.
Drunken Flower Street, a place of worldly pleasures, had since ancient times been a den of extravagance.
Kun Province was prosperous, and Houtu City was especially renowned for its opulence. Thus, this street filled with brothels was a place where gold flowed like water, exuding extreme luxury and decadence.
On the flower street, wealthy young masters, influential gentry, and noble scions came and went without end.
In the brothels, chaste courtesans performed arts, while scarlet courtesans disrobed, creating scenes of lingering intimacy and dazzling beauty.
Mo Hua cultivated the Dao Heart and originally did not care much for such sights.
However, with Little Senior Sister beside him at this moment, the two were pressed close together in the bustling crowd, and he couldn’t help but feel somewhat dazed.
Bai Zixi, on the other hand, had clear eyes and looked around openly and without restraint.
She rarely went out on ordinary days and seldom saw such a place adorned with flowers and filled with bewitching beauties. For a moment, everything seemed novel to her.
After walking like this for a while, a massive brothel appeared before them. The tall building spread out like a mountain range to both sides, both magnificent and imposing.
On the plaque above the brothel’s entrance were written three large characters: “Jade Fragrance Pavilion.”
If one didn’t know in advance, just by looking at the entrance, no one would ever imagine that such a noble and imposing place was actually a brothel that entertained with sensual pleasures.
Bai XiaoSheng stared at the words “Jade Fragrance Pavilion” and hesitated for a moment before looking at Bai Zixi and whispering: “Little… are you really going in?”
Bai Zixi nodded.
Once she decided on something, she naturally wouldn’t go back on it.
Bai XiaoSheng sighed, knowing it was useless to persuade her, especially since they were already at the entrance. He said, “Alright then, follow me.”
Just as Bai Zixi was about to follow Bai XiaoSheng forward, she suddenly paused and turned to look toward the distant southeast corner.
The night was deep, and fireworks were brilliant, making it impossible to see anything in the far southeast corner.
But Mo Hua said, “Is True Person Rong following?”
Bai Zixi was somewhat surprised and looked at Mo Hua. “You knew?”
Mo Hua nodded. “No matter how carefree True Person Rong may be, she would never let you go unsupervised. She must be following.”
“When I was at the Great Void Sect back then, it was the same. No matter what I did, the Ancestor, the Sect Leader, and the Elders would always follow secretly to protect my safety.”
“Only sometimes I knew about it, and sometimes I didn’t.”
Mo Hua deeply appreciated the thoughtful care of the Great Void Sect’s elders.
Bai Zixi’s eyes flickered slightly, and she nodded.
Mo Hua said, “Let’s go in.”
“Mm,” Bai Zixi replied softly.
Afterwards, the two followed Bai XiaoSheng, one after the other, into Jade Fragrance Pavilion.
As the largest brothel in Houtu City, Jade Fragrance Pavilion was different from others. It did not arrange for alluring women to solicit customers at the entrance, as that would instead be looked down upon.
But upon entering Jade Fragrance Pavilion, rows of women dressed in splendid gowns, with graceful figures and dignified makeup, would bow to greet the guests.
As they bowed, their tight-fitting gowns would outline their figures to perfection, both enticing and not overly ostentatious.
Mo Hua sighed inwardly.
Truly befitting a grand brothel, it was indeed different from ordinary ones.
Although, in truth, he didn’t actually know what ordinary brothels were like either.
Bai XiaoSheng, however, remained calm and composed. He called over one of the women and said, “Prepare a private room.”
He certainly didn’t want the esteemed Little Grandaunt to be tainted by the vulgar atmosphere of the main hall.
The woman bowed respectfully. “Yes, Master Bai.”
Mo Hua looked at Bai XiaoSheng. “Master Bai?”
And you say you don’t come often? They’re already calling you “Master.”
Bai Zixi also looked at Bai Xiaosheng with a strange expression.
Bai Xiaosheng’s lips twitched, and he let out an awkward, silly laugh. “This little girl sure has a sweet mouth. Let’s go upstairs, upstairs.”
Afterward, somewhat flustered, Bai Xiaosheng led Mo Hua and the other to an elegant private room on the second floor.
Inside the room, the furnishings were exquisite, featuring a landscape screen, a qin platform, and refined seating. It looked like a rather elegant place.
Bai Xiaosheng said, “I’ll call a few ladies to keep you company.”
With that, he stood up and left. Before long, a row of women filed in, each as charming and lovely as the next, each with her own unique appeal.
These women were initially quite reserved, but the moment they caught sight of Mo Hua and Bai Zixi—these two ‘young masters’—their eyes instantly lit up.
Mo Hua was naturally handsome, and Bai Zixi, disguised as ‘Young Master Bai,’ was also exceptionally good-looking.
Although both wore masks, their brows and eyes shone like stars, and their delicate facial contours were still visible, marking them as two extraordinary beautiful persons.
Moreover, the luxurious phoenix patterns and the mysterious bronze patterns added a forbidden and mysterious allure to Mo Hua and Bai Zixi.
Immediately, one of the women, unable to contain her excitement, blushed and moved closer to Bai Zixi, reaching out to hook her arm, and said in a sweet, coquettish voice: “Young Master, allow this humble one to serve you.”
Seeing this, Mo Hua was startled. He immediately grabbed a pair of chopsticks and clamped them around the woman’s hand, preventing her from touching his Little Senior Sister.