Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 456 - 236 The Invitation of the Female Master

Chapter 456: Chapter 236 The Invitation of the Female Master

Many men have their own goddess in mind, whether from their youth, growth, from movie stars, childhood sweethearts, or a striking passerby they caught a glimpse of.

For Master Jia, his goddess is undoubtedly Qing Niang, the Madame of Spring Rain Building.

Jiang Shouzhong had not expected to meet her here.

And from the looks of it, she had become a manager in Jinse Pavilion.

This surprised Jiang Shouzhong very much.

As a flesh trading venue, though Spring Rain Building was not as famous as the top three brothels in the Capital, nor could it compare with some establishments with deep heritages, it did have some reputation among common folks.

Its main patrons were ordinary families, lower-level officials, impoverished yet somewhat talented scholars, and myriad ruffians from Jianghu with wild spending habits.

After all, pleasure houses are differentiated by high-end, mid-end, and low-end.

Spring Rain Building qualified as a "boutique" amongst the mid-end.

Especially last year, when connoisseurs rated the top ten Oiran in the Capital, a signature dancer of the Spring Rain Building who excelled in the Hu Xuan dance was on the candidate list; although she did not make it into the top ten, it still attracted some sons of noble families to patronize the establishment.

A brothel of this kind must be doing good business, so why would she come here to manage another pleasure house?

Could it be to avoid some persistent admirer?

Jiang Shouzhong remembered that Master Jia had mentioned Qing Niang going away to the countryside.

Now it appeared that she had not gone to visit relatives or handle some business but had come to Qingzhou to expand her efforts, while Master Jia was still waiting for her back in the Capital.

"Please come inside, sir."

Since Jiang Shouzhong was wearing a disguise mask, Qing Niang did not recognize him and led the three of them to a superior private room.

Inside the private room, gossamer curtains draped elegantly, and light smoke wafted from the incense burners.

Several ink-and-wash paintings hung on the wall.

On the red sandalwood table, spring wine was poured into jade jugs, alongside delicately arranged pastries.

The small chamber exuded elegance and refinement, no wonder it had become the leading establishment in Qingzhou after the incident at Mengyao Pavilion.

"Eh? Have I seen you somewhere before?"

After serving the tea, Jiang Shouzhong pretended to ponder and looked at Qing Niang, "Haven’t you once been a Madame in a brothel in the Capital?"

Qing Niang startled, scrutinizing Jiang Shouzhong closely, she smiled and said, "Master does seem a bit familiar."

As a brothel Madame, she had developed the ability to remember most patrons who had visited Spring Rain Building.

Particularly someone like Jiang Shouzhong, who could afford such a luxurious room, must have been a valued guest at Spring Rain Building.

Jiang Shouzhong smiled, "My name is Jiang. I went there once with a friend a few years back when business was slow. My friend dragged me to drink, and I happened to see Qing Niang protecting a maid from the conflict with a young nobleman. It left a deep impression."

These were the details Lu Renjia had shared with him.

It could be said that Lu Renjia remembered every little thing about Qing Niang.

Qing Niang suddenly remembered, stroking her earlocks with a smile, "Now that Master Jiang has come to such a refined place, it suggests your business must have taken off. I’m truly happy for you."

"So, Qing Niang, I presume your business did not run into trouble?" Jiang Shouzhong countered.

Qing Niang couldn’t be considered extremely beautiful, but the coquettish charm accrued from years in the brothel and the grace of a mature woman were quite alluring in their own right.

Quite a few patrons of Spring Rain Building came just for her.

Although Qing Niang no longer cared for guests, it wasn’t bad to take advantage a little now and then.

The woman shook her head, "Business on the Capital’s side is actually good, I was just a bit tired, so I came here to relax and incidentally help an old friend manage her business."

"Oh, that’s how it is."

Jiang Shouzhong nodded lightly.

After some idle chat, Jiang Shouzhong casually inquired:

"By the way, the last time I came to Jinse Pavilion, I saw a person wearing a monkey mask. Do you remember him, Qing Niang?"

"Monkey mask..."

Qing Niang furrowed her brows in thought for a while then shook her head, "I haven’t seen him."

"What about a man missing the little finger on his right hand, do you recall anyone like that?"

"Neither."

Qing Niang looked at him suspiciously, "Is Master here to inquire about someone?"

Jiang Shouzhong sighed and said ambiguously, "Business is tough these days. It’s the debtors who act like lords, and I suspect that fellow, always flaunting a mask in front of me, is mocking me."

Qing Niang understood, her lips curling into a smile, "Considering our old acquaintance, I will keep an eye out for you."

"Much appreciated, Qing Niang."

Jiang Shouzhong quickly thanked her, bowing.

Qing Niang glanced at Ran Qingchen and Li Nanshuang beside the man and asked teasingly, "Master Jiang, which one of our girls would you like for company? Our girls are skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."

Jiang Shouzhong was about to respond when his left waist was pinched by a hand.

Then, the soft flesh on the right side of his waist was also grabbed.

The two women seemed to have a tacit understanding.

Jiang Shouzhong kept a straight face and smiled, "No need, I’m just here to relax and chat with my two friends. Oh, by the way, I heard someone mention a certain Liu Wuxu who’s quite impressive?"

"She’s the top card of Jinse Pavilion, Miss Liu."

Qing Niang joked, "If Master Jiang wants her company, you’d have to buy Jinse Pavilion outright."

"Just an Oiran, yet so precious?"

Ran Qingchen’s eyebrows raised.

Qing Niang understood the jealousy between women and explained in a soothing tone:

"Precious or not is for men to decide; if a man finds value in her, then she is precious, and if not, she’s worthless."

Her gaze returned to Jiang Shouzhong, as she continued:

"Since Master Jiang has been to the Capital, you must be aware of how valuable the courtesans in the top three brothels are. I dare say our Miss Liu of Jinse Pavilion is every bit as commendable as those top courtesans in the Capital."