The Flower Pavilion

Yi Ling decided to assign some tasks to Linyu and the Viridis, sending them back to the Medicine Pavilion to order the herbs she had decided to buy. Meanwhile, she went to grab herself some food. It was already nighttime, and it was the perfect opportunity to gather some information.

She chose to dine inside the Flower Pavilion. She had learned about such places from her mother, which made her sigh with a touch of melancholy. She missed her mother but didn't know where she was. She thought about going back to Rock Valley but remembered the lewd man there. It was wiser to handle that man first before looking for her mother.

From what she had learned, a Flower Pavilion was a place for men. She once thought it was just a restaurant with pretty sisters when she saw one in Rock Valley. She was too innocent back then. Her mother had explained that a Flower Pavilion was a place where men and pretty sisters did bad things together, and she had forbidden Yi Ling from entering such a dirty place. Yet, Yi Ling's curiosity got the better of her. Disguised as a boy, she once ventured inside and learned the hard truth.

She was caught by a young courtesan back then. At only ten years old, the courtesan had chided Yi Ling for being a naughty boy. Yi Ling never returned after that experience, having seen things no ten-year-old girl should witness. However, she also discovered that the Flower Pavilion was the best place to gather information. Alongside the sights she wished she could unsee, she overheard many secrets that didn't matter to her at the time.

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Upon entering, Yi Ling was greeted by beautiful courtesans.

"Young master! Would you like to dine in with me? I will serve you very well." A young courtesan winked at her.

"Young master! I know how to play the Guqin. I will entertain you very well." Another courtesan wrapped her arms around Yi Ling's.

"Young master!"

"Young Master!"

"Young MASTER!"

Yi Ling found herself surrounded by beautiful flowers and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Compared to the regular customers of the Flower Pavilion, Yi Ling stood out as the most dashing one. Of course, the courtesans would want to fight over her. Not only did she look dashing, but she also seemed wealthy and powerful.

Hearing the commotion, Jiang Mei came out to check what was going on. She saw a dashing young man in a white and gold robe wearing a beautiful mask, looking flustered by the crowd of courtesans. She smiled, noting his apparent shyness compared to their usual aggressive customers.

Jiang Mei cleared her throat loudly for everyone to hear. *Ehemm* The courtesans instantly gave her room to pass and distanced themselves from Yi Ling.

Yi Ling watched as a beautiful woman approached her. She was attractive in a way that could entice any male suitor, but still far from comparing to Yi Ling's natural beauty.

Jiang Mei smiled at the young man, noticing his gaze. No one could resist her charms, after all. She was the most popular courtesan in the Flower Pavilion.

She stopped in front of Yi Ling and gracefully bowed.