Chapter 30
Chapter 30—Sister, Let Me Take You To a Good Place
“Where are you taking me?” Mo Qingli said . A helpless expression merged on her face as Li Mingxiang dragged her through the dark streets, as if she wanted to cry but couldn’t produce any tears .
Why couldn’t she just get some time to her herself?!
Li Mingxiang, hearing her words, turned back to whisper mysteriously in Mo Qingli’s ears, “We haven’t met in so long . Sister, let me take you to a good place . I promise you’ll be satisfied . ”
She ignored Mo Qingli’s protests and continued dragging her down the street, furtively glancing left and right as she did so . She seemed afraid that somebody would notice them, but the action only seemed to make her look more vulgar and suspicious .
After an eternity of dragging Mo Qingli and glancing left and right, Li Mingxiang finally stopped walking .
Mo Qingli looked up and saw the two words, “Qing Lou” (卿楼, homonym for brothel [青楼]), and gave Li Mingxiang a disdainful glance . “This is the place you were talking about?”
Li Mingxiang didn’t seem to mind the unhappy expression on Mo Qingli’s face . With a vulgar smile, she walked in front of Mo Qingli, proudly saying, “What do you think, doesn’t it seem pretty good? Let me tell you, all the men here are top rate beauties . They’re better-looking than the men in the other brothels by not a small amount . ”
“You frequent these kinds of places?” Mo Qingli said, staring at Li Mingxiang with a shocked expression . This young girl seemed so upright, so normal, so why did she visit a place like this so frequently?”
“Aiyo, Elder Sister Li, there’s only the two of us here, there’s no need to pretend,” Li Mingxiang said . Suddenly, a flash of realization appeared on her face, and she turned to Mo Qingli . “Actually, back then, it was Elder Sister Li who took me here the first time . ”
She cupped her hands in respect, an expression of nostalgia on her face . “Actually, back then, I was just a naive and simple young girl . I had no idea that there was a place on Earth like this that would make me want to stay and never leave . ”
As she spoke, she smacked her lips a few times . Mo Qingli backed away, fearing that Li Mingxiang’s saliva would land on her outfit . However, Li Mingxiang didn’t notice, too lost in her reminiscing . “That was the first time I came here . That was the first time that I ever tasted the flavor of a man . That was the first time that I felt like staying in a place and never leaving . Ah… I really am so thankful for Elder Sister Li . It was you who brought me to this kind of place, who let me taste the delicacies that I had never tasted before, truly…”
“Oh?… Elder Sister Li, why are you standing so far away?” Li Mingxiang asked . She pounced towards Mo Qingli, who in turn backed away again, throwing her arms over her chest .
Mo Qingli said, “I… I’m sick . I’m scared I’ll give it to you . ”
Mo Qingli thought that this quick-witted response would be enough to ward off Li Mingxiang . Who would have thought that Li Mingxiang was completely unaffected by these words? She even grabbed Mo Qingli’s elbow again, saying, “Elder Sister Li, don’t worry! My body is healthy, so I’m not afraid of getting sick . Furthermore, even if I am infected by Elder Sister Li, that is my fortune . ”
Afterwards, she leaned against Mo Qingli’s shoulder, causing all of the passerby on the street to shoot them strange glances .
Mo Qingli coughed, then said, “Then… Li Mingxiang ah, oh… I think…”
“Call me Xiang Xiang,” Li Mingxiang pouted with displeasure, interrupting Mo Qingli’s words .
Mo Qingli blushed with shame . “Okay, okay, Xiang Xiang . We… I think it should be time to go in . ”
Standing outside this kind of building, hugging each other, really was inviting death ah!… in less than an hour, her perfect image as a jiangshi had been completely crushed by this girl!
Actually, Mo Qingli was not unfamiliar with this place at all . One of the first places she had gone to after her transmigration was this place, where she had broken ties with Mo Qingyu .
She thought back to what she had been like back then . Thinking about it now, it really was obvious that she had been someone new to the mortal world, with all her actions too rash and wild . That night… had been filled with many surprising turn of events .
Mo Qingli pulled back her neck . Maybe that old bastard the Jade Emperor was watching her right now!
Alright, she was being too narcissistic . The Jade Emperor was so busy, so how would have time to watch after her?
In the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor sneezed . He rubbed his nose—which bastard seeking death was cursing him out right now?
The last time she had gone to Qing Lou, Mo Qingli had gone with a specific purpose . This time, it was purely to appreciate the scenery .
A variety of bewitching and graceful men were lying in the bosoms of women, entertaining them or accompanying them in drinking… within the Qing Lou establishment’s great hall was the air of extravagance and luxury .
Mo Qingli knitted her brows . She disliked being in this kind of place . . however, when she turned around and saw Li Mingxiang’s excited expression, she could only sigh—if she wanted to blame anyone, it could only be the previous owner of this body . She had been the one to introduce Li Mingxiang to this kind of place, and had inadvertently harmed the current her .
“What do you think, Elder Sister Li . Aren’t the men here excellent?” Li Mingxiang asked, anxiously seeking Mo Qingli’s approval .
Mo Qingli couldn’t bear to disappoint her . She could only nod, saying without meaning it, “Not bad . ”
“Didn’t I tell you?” Li Mingxiang patted her chest, pleased .
“Yo! These two young ladies, is it your first time coming to a place like this?” A young man wearing a bright red robe walked towards Mo Qingli . His face was covered in an exorbitant amount of makeup .
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Mo Qingli glanced over . This was not the same man she had met the first time, so it was natural that the other didn’t recognize her .
Li Mingxiang said in an imposing tone, “Bring your best, most beautiful, and most talented men to me . ”
Just by looking at Li Mingxiang and Mo Qingli’s clothing, the man could tell that they weren’t ordinary people, and not like the ordinary young ladies he frequently saw in the shop .
The last time when the Eldest Princess and Sixth Princess had come, the Eldest Princess’s eye had been stabbed . Ever since, disaster had shrouded their Qing Lou . Many of their people had mysteriously disappeared, and business had become worse and worse .
If he hadn’t worked so painstakingly to keep it afloat, perhaps Qing Lou would have long become ruins .
But now there were two important guests . He could definitely not let this opportunity slip away . He eyed the two again . It seemed business was finally taking a turn for the better .
As Wei Dao thought to this point, his mood became better and better . “Come, come, please follow me upstairs . These ordinary rouge and powder-covered men don’t suit you . I’ve arranged for people who are guaranteed to make you satisfied . ”
Li Mingxiang’s eyes lit up . If these men were called ordinary and rouge and powder-covered, then did that mean there were even better-looking beauties?”
She dragged Mo Qingli along up the stairs, where they walked to the front of a room .
Wei Dao lightly knocked on the door . “Brother Yu . ”
Li Mingxiang and Mo Qingyu felt equal amounts of surprise . This was the first time they had seen a brothel owner¹ speak so respectfully to one of their men . Invariably, a spark of curiosity rose regarding the man inside this room .
“Father², what is it?” From inside the door, a sweet, melodious voice rang out .
Hearing this voice, Li Mingxiang was filled with such excitement that she began rubbing her fingers together . She smiled and raised an eyebrow at Mo Qingli, her implication obvious—Looks like what’s inside is definitely a great beauty, hehehe…
Mo Qingli could only lift the corners of her mouth helplessly .
It was only… why did that voice sound so familiar?
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“Two noble guests have visited,” Wei Dao murmured to the person inside .
After a long pause, the person finally said, “Then invite them in!”
Hearing this, Wei Dao felt glad . Right now, it could be said that Yu Ge was the pillar of Qing Lou . If he was somehow wronged, Qing Lou would no longer be able to pass by such prosperous days .
However, this Yu Ge also saw the big picture, and was not one of those headstrong and unruly men .
“Young ladies, you’re welcome to enter,” Wei Dao said, inviting Mo Qingli inside the room . He glanced inside . In the room there was a large screen, behind which an alluring silhouette could be seen .
“Yu Ge, I’ll pass over everything to you,” Wei Dao said . He smiled at them . “Then I won’t disrupt you³ . ”
He closed the door and left .
Seeing that Wei Dao had left, Li Mingxiang was impatient for Yu Ge to reveal himself . However, she was stopped by Mo Qingli . “Don’t lose your head . Let’s sample the wine first . ”
Li Mingxiang looked at Mo Qingli, then looked at the screen . It was obvious that she was unresigned towards this decision, but listened to Mo Qingli’s words nevertheless .
Unwillingly, she sat down . “Nevermind . Like what Elder Sister Li said, the night is long . It would be better to taste the wine first . ”
“Hehe…” Yu Ge gently laughed . “These two young ladies seem unfamiliar . Is this your first time here?”
Li Mingxiang immediately looked towards the screen, nodding her head . “Yes, yes, we both are young women from honorable families . We don’t usually come to these places at all, not at all . ”
“This young lady is very humorous,” Yu Ge laughed, raising his hand to muffle the sound from his mouth . “May I ask what this young lady’s name is?”
“My surname is Li, and my name Mingxiang (fragrant tea),” Li Mingxiang replied with no reservations, before Mo Qingli could stop her .
Yu Ge raised a hand to stroke the qin in front of him . “My surname is Yu, and my name is Ge (song) . It’s a pleasure to meet you two . ”
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Li Mingxiang caught a glimpse of the glance that Mo Qingli shot her, and her initial enthusiasm immediately petered out . She only obediently sat down on the chair and accepted the glass of wine that Mo Qingli handed her, taking small sips from the cup with an expression of being wronged .
However, Yu Ge was not aware of this interaction . He continued, “Then I will play a song for you two young ladies . ”
As he spoke, his fingers deftly moved strummed the qin . A gentle melody rang out through the room, sometimes resounding, sometimes low and deep, continuously creating a moving sound .
Suddenly a flash of astonishment flashed through Mo Qingli’s eyes . Immediately, her lips curled up . “So it was him!”
After the song ended, Li Mingxiang became intoxicated with the sound of the music, unable to extricate herself back to reality for a long, long time .
“I’ve offered a disgraceful performance,” Yu Ge said softly . Afterwards, he slowly stepped from behind the screen .
A purple robe with embroidered green lines fluttered to his ankles, revealing two fair legs . His skin was tender and white, and his features were delicately arranged on his face . Just by looking at him, one would feel that their eyes were blinded with beauty .
Elegantly, he walked in front of Mo Qingli and Li Mingxiang . Then, crouching down, he bowed down respectfully . “Paying respects to these two young ladies . ”
Li Mingxiang hurriedly helped him stand back up . Coming here really was the right decision . She hadn’t come here for nothing . Even if she was beaten to death by her mother, it was worth it!
Li Mingxiang was intoxicated by Yu Ge . She had never met such a beautiful and talented man . If Xiaoyao Yunshang was an enchanting and alluring rose, then Yu Ge could be described as a pure, untouched lotus .
Yu Ge quietly thanked Li Mingxiang for helping him up, then turned to Mo Qingli . However, he found that he could only stare blankly at the person in front of him .
“You… you are…”
¹老保 refers to a male servant/worker in a brothel, but since this is a world where gender is flipped I translated it with the assumption that it’s the equivalent of a Madam
²Yu Ge says 爹爹, which means “father” or “daddy” ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°); essentially how prostitutes refer to a Madam as “mother”
³Wei Dao essentially says “I won’t disturb your 雅兴” . 雅 means elegant and 兴 means enjoyment, so essentially “I won’t disturb your cultured entertainment” which sounds really weird, so I just didn’t include the end at all and added it as a footnote instead .