Shadows of Fragrance

The night wind was biting and icy, cutting through the air like a blade. 

As the lanterns flickered to life, the bustling streets of Lan City contrasted sharply with the tranquility of Lan Yin Temple. Even on such a frigid night, the streets were alive with the comings and goings of people and carriages, more lively than usual. Xuan Yue looked up at the large red lanterns hanging overhead and suddenly realized that the New Year was just a few days away.

At this time last year, she was still in Chu Kingdom, living a life of indulgence—eating and sleeping without a care. Although she worried about her brother back then, she didn't feel the constant ache in her heart like she did now, as if it were being pricked by a thousand needles, a discomfort that lingered every moment.

Those were truly joyful days, and it was regrettable that both she and Lan Yi Xuan had not cherished them well. Now, they wished to treasure each moment, but time was slipping away, and even if there were time, their hearts were not in it, afraid to entertain such thoughts.

After returning from Lan Yin Temple, Xuan Yue did not immediately head back to the palace. Instead, she avoided Ya Er, Yue Ying, and the others, choosing to go alone to the most renowned brothel in Lan City, the Yanzhi Tower.

Unlike the Liyan Pavilion in An City or the Emerald Tower in Fan City, Yanzhi Tower had its own distinct atmosphere. While both were establishments for men's pleasures, Yanzhi Tower exuded a refinement that resonated with the demeanor of the men from Lan Kingdom. The courtesans here were undoubtedly talented women, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Compared to the demeaning attitudes toward women in other countries' brothels, this culturally esteemed nation appeared much more enlightened. Wealthy young masters often invited these talented women to drink and engage in poetry. After retiring, the famed courtesans of Yanzhi Tower could frequently marry into respectable families.

Of course, this place was still meant for seeking pleasure, yet it was far more discreet than brothels in other nations.

Standing at the entrance of Yanzhi Tower was not a scantily clad beauty wielding a silk handkerchief, but rather a young lad with delicate features. Before Xuan Yue could even reach the tower, the attendant spotted her from a distance and rushed over, looking at her with a hint of infatuation.

What a handsome young master! His features were exquisitely delicate, surpassing even the most charming women he had seen.

Xuan Yue smiled subtly, the vermilion at her brow glimmering alluringly in the lantern light, adding an air of languid charm.

This man was more beautiful than any woman he had encountered, and the lad couldn't help but be entranced.

"Earth to you," Xuan Yue teased, flicking his forehead lightly as she passed him and entered. Inside, the elevated platform was devoid of dancing courtesans, and the patrons below were not drooling over the performances. Although couples were embraced at the tables, displays of affection were few and far between, and the courtesans' garments showed no signs of disarray.

Among the six kingdoms, the men of Lan Kingdom were indeed the most gentlemanly.

On the second floor, the madam, illuminated by lantern light, mistook Xuan Yue for an extraordinarily beautiful young man in disguise. Upon closer inspection, however, the relaxed and carefree demeanor was certainly not something a woman would possess.

"Esteemed young master, you appear unfamiliar; is this your first visit?" 

The madam, a woman in her thirties with an elegant figure and well-maintained youthfulness, regarded Xuan Yue with keen interest.

"There will be a poetry gathering on the second floor tonight. Our Ying Ying will be performing; I wonder if the young master is interested?"

Observing him, the madam felt he was not a lecherous sort, believing she had made a thoughtful suggestion based on Xuan Yue's demeanor.

"No, thank you." 

As she spoke, Xuan Yue took a silver note from her pocket and handed it to the madam.

The madam glanced at the amount and was clearly delighted, tucking it into her sleeve without the greedy grin common among other madams upon receiving money.

"There's a small matter I'd like your assistance with; this is merely a deposit." 

Noticing the earnest expression on Xuan Yue's face, the madam surveyed the bustling crowd and leaned in closer. "Please follow me."

Xuan Yue smiled lightly, following the madam past the raucous front hall directly into the quieter back hall. Though only a few hundred meters apart, the two areas were entirely different worlds—while the front hall thrived in extravagance and revelry, the back hall offered a serene contrast with far fewer patrons.

"What can I assist you with, esteemed young master?" 

Xuan Yue smirked, knowing they were all motivated by money, yet the woman before her had a shrewdness about her.

"Prepare two quiet rooms for me, along with a sturdy man and a woman of cold disposition. And remember, they should possess strong willpower." 

The madam nodded knowingly, recognizing the peculiar request. With Yanzhi Tower's vast clientele, Xuan Yue's specifications made her seem like a guest with unique tastes.

"Very well, I'll escort you to your room now, and I'll send the others over in a quarter of an hour." 

The madam clapped her hands, and soon a young attendant appeared. The madam instructed him to lead Xuan Yue to the Tian Xiang Pavilion.

Following the young boy, Xuan Yue traversed a long corridor before stopping at the spacious and impeccably clean room designated as Tian Xiang Pavilion.

After the attendant left, the madam promptly returned with a group of individuals—both men and women. The man met Xuan Yue's specifications, being notably robust, with arms thicker than a person's thigh, while the woman emanated an aura of cold pride, giving off an impression of frostiness.

"Have you encountered guests like me before?" 

Xuan Yue asked the madam standing beside her.

The madam nodded, affirming that she had indeed encountered more than one such patron.

"Choose for me. I seek not just an exterior of cold pride; they must maintain that demeanor in the bedroom as well. Do you understand?" 

The madam complied, saying, "In that case, how about Qiu Ju? She is famously cold-natured. During her first encounter, no matter how the guest tried to entice her, she showed no response. It took a while for any effect to appear even when incense was used."

Seeing Xuan Yue's directness, the madam didn't shy away from discussing her clientele. After years in this line of work, she had seen her share of sordid matters, so spoken words held little shock for her.

"Bring her to me." 

Xuan Yue gestured towards the men, selecting the most robust one.

"Qiu Ju and that man stay; the others can leave." 

As she spoke, Xuan Yue handed another silver note to the madam. She received it with a beaming smile and waved her hand, signaling the others to exit. "If you feel tired, esteemed young master, you may rest next door. I'll have a few people keep watch here and will report any developments."

Xuan Yue nodded, poured herself a small cup of water, and retrieved a small segment of light pink warming incense from her pocket, tossing it into the teacup. Then she placed the cup into the incense burner, igniting it before stepping outside.

"Qiu Ju, is it?" 

The woman named Qiu Ju glanced at Xuan Yue without responding, exuding an air of aloofness.

She must have been forced into this position against her will.

"Close the window." 

Xuan Yue fished out a silver ingot from her pocket and handed it to the burly man beside her.

"Do wealthy individuals like you enjoy engaging in such degrading acts?" 

Her cool voice mirrored her demeanor, laced with evident hatred and helplessness.

"After tonight, I will buy your freedom and help you leave this place." 

Qiu Ju turned, surprised at Xuan Yue's words. Xuan Yue offered a slight smile, tinged with guilt. "I always keep my word."

With that, she turned and exited, closing the door behind her as she returned to her own room.

Choosing to frequent a brothel such as this one was to avoid belittling others.

In this world, absolute fairness has never existed. Without people like her, how could Yanzhi Tower thrive? No matter how cold and proud she appeared, it didn't change the fact that she relied on the life of what she deemed a shameless individual.

A small hole, the size of a fist, connected both rooms. This opening wasn't empty; it utilized the principle of reflection with large mirrors in each room. Only Xuan Yue's room could observe the other's movements, while the events occurring in the adjacent room would remain completely undetected.

As Xuan Yue settled into the room arranged for her by the madam, she heard faint moans from the other side—delicate and filled with lust.

She closed her door and moved to the peephole connecting both rooms. The burly man's dark complexion was flushed under the light, his face glowing with a deep crimson—signifying something undeniable. Even without direct experience, she was no stranger to the implications.

On the other side, the woman named Qiu Ju was already hastily shedding her garments, her once-proud and cold eyes now stained with lust. How could it escalate so quickly? There was almost no struggle evident in her gaze.

The warming incense had just been diluted in water and should only have recently begun to dissolve; its effects had yet to reach their full potency. Surely, the old madam had no reason to deceive her—was the efficacy of this warming incense truly that intense? 

Lost in thought, the two figures across the way had already intertwined, and from this angle, the once-proud woman showed no sign of distress, only the pleasure of being completely subjugated by desire. 

Xuan Yue gently tapped the remaining warming incense in her hand; she had lost the desire to witness what transpired next. Sitting at the table, she could only hear the relentless moans drifting from the neighboring room, an unending sound that sent a chill creeping up her spine. 

As dawn broke, the moans gradually transformed into hurried breaths, accompanied by the woman's low gasps. 

Xuan Yue poured herself a cup of water just as the door swung open, and a delicate young boy stepped inside, halting before her. 

"Esteemed guest, the robust man you selected last night has passed away, exhausted to death." 

The softly spoken words sent a jolt through Xuan Yue's heart. 

"When we entered, Qiu Ju clung to one of the attendants, grasping his hand and refusing to let go." 

The boy cautiously glanced at Xuan Yue, puzzled over the nature of the drug she had employed. Qiu Ju was famously proud; after a whole night, shouldn't the drug have lost its potency? How could such a sturdy man simply perish like that? 

Xuan Yue's hand trembled around her cup, spilling tea across the table. Suddenly standing, she pulled a stack of silver notes from her robes: "Inform the madam to take good care of Qiu Ju and her family." 

With that, Xuan Yue tossed the silver notes aside and hurried out.