Hence, this Fragrance Concave Pavilion hosted both male guests and female guests alike.Yet, humans always had such a nature—disliking what they weren’t supposed to do yet wanting it the most.
After all, whether at a brothel or in the Fragrance Concave Pavilion, drinking wine and admiring beauty was still more refined in the latter.
Moreover, the women here were truly beautiful;without the heavy makeup and coquettish voices of a brothel, these girls with pretty faces dressed simply yet elegantly in identical attire served dishes.Those who performed music, chess, calligraphy, poetry, dances...
were indeed among the most beautiful women.
Not just in this barren Northwest but even in the famous places for beauty in Jiangnan, scholars and poets would be entranced here.Ye Li sat on a room on the second floor of the Fragrance Concave Pavilion, leaning against the window, looking outside.
It was already night, with Yuyang City lit up like daytime.
Opposite the Fragrance Concave Pavilion, there seemed to be a stage for some kind of competition or game."Still out this late?Why did you come out, Princess?" said Yao Ji in a red robe.
Her originally breathtaking appearance had recovered somewhat but still fell short of her former beauty, yet she exuded more gentleness and charm.
Opening the door and coming inside, she asked, "Niece, it's quite late;why are you here?"Ye Li smiled faintly, "Bored, came to see.
You've done well with the Fragrance Concave Pavilion."Yao Ji said, "Thank you, Your Highness.
Much of this is due to your kindness towards these beauties.
Otherwise, many fine ladies might have been cast into the streets in vain."Ye Li looked at her with a half-smile, "Who says beauties must run brothels?Tianyi Pavilion has enough brokering houses;there's no need for another one.
Besides, does Fragrance Concave make less than your City Beauty House?"Yao Ji nodded and smiled, "Your Highness is right." The high costs at the Fragrance Concave Pavilion made even Yao Ji, who had once managed the capital’s top brothel, gasp in surprise.
Yet, business over these few days was surprisingly good;they earned enough gold and silver in just a short time.
So, as they say, humans are naturally cheap!"Let them go out to those entertainment districts if they want companionship.
The Fragrance Concave Pavilion only provides the finest wine, dishes, music, dances, and performances," ordered Ye Li while watching downstairs.Yao Ji nodded, "I understand.
Speaking of that...
today the Prince of Li, the Seventh Prince of North Rong, and the Heir to General Nanmen came to the Fragrance Concave Pavilion."Ye Li smiled, "Fragrance Concave is too successful;they shouldn't be surprised by such visitors.
We don't need to care about them."Yao Ji giggled and said, "I now believe that the Fragrance Concave Pavilion exists solely for profit.
But this excitement will only last until everyone leaves...
Ye Li smiled, "Don’t worry, many people came but won't leave;more will come afterward.
The Fragrance Concave Pavilion needs to work hard to inform wealthy people of the benefits of settling or doing business in Yuyang City...""Yao Ji understands," said Yao Ji, walking to the window and following Ye Li's gaze outside curiously."What are you looking at?" asked Yao Ji.Ye Li pointed to a nearby stage opposite the street, "What is happening there?"Yao Ji smiled, "It’s setting up a competition.
Merchants, nobles, and martial artists have all come in great numbers these days.
The stage has been set up for two days;it seems the champion is a North Rong person.
For winning, they get a precious dagger studded with jewels that can cut through hair, for fifty taels of silver each time.
He’s made quite a bit of money over these two days."Fifty taels might not seem much compared to a dagger studded with jewels, but if no one could win, the champion wouldn't have spent anything and fifty taels would be enough to support an ordinary family for years."Is that competition so hard?" asked Ye Li.Yao Ji replied, "Archery.""Archery?" Ye Li raised her eyebrows in surprise.
It seemed this North Rong champion was very confident about his archery skills.
After all, where was Yuyang now?The Military Armies of the Mohist Family were stationed there, with half of their elite Black Cloud Cavalry camped outside the city.
Everyone could be considered a superb archer among a hundred chosen.
Yao Ji looked out and suddenly said, "Your Highness, are those your young soldiers?"Ye Li looked outside to see several young officers pushing through the crowd—Cloud Thunder and Chen Yun, who had once fought with Ye Li in the Military Armies of the Mohist Family.
It seemed their relationship was good now."Let's go;we should check it out," said Ye Li as she got up.Yao Ji smiled, "Alright, let’s join in the fun.
Your Highness, please follow."