Chapter Twenty-Two: The Drunken Immortal Pavilion

Outside the Prime Minister’s residence.

"Your Majesty, where are we heading now?" Fu Hu asked, looking at Liu Xie, who was dressed in plain clothes.

"What Majesty? Call me Young Master Xie!" Liu Xie scolded. "Do not address me as Your Majesty in front of outsiders!"

"Understood! Your Maj... Young Master Xie!" Seeing the look in Liu Xie’s eyes, which seemed ready to devour him, Fu Hu hurriedly corrected himself.

Liu Xie nodded with satisfaction and said, "We are going out to make money today!"

"Make money?" Fu Hu looked at Liu Xie, puzzled.

Liu Xie rolled his eyes at him. "If we don't make money, do you have the funds to buy those slaves for me?"

Observing Fu Hu’s blank expression, Liu Xie turned his gaze toward the bustling street, frowned slightly, and asked, "Huzi, do you know where in the capital the young noblemen like to gather?"

Fu Hu thought for a moment and replied, "There are likely quite a few at the Drunken Fairy Pavilion."

"Drunken Fairy Pavilion? What kind of place is that?"

Seeing the confused look in Liu Xie’s eyes, Fu Hu furtively glanced around before leaning in close to whisper, "It’s a tavern with... ladies."

"A brothel?!"

"It's not a brothel!" Liu Xie nearly shouted, but was quickly hushed by Fu Hu. "Shh! Your Majesty, please, don't let Eunuch Xu hear you!"

Upon hearing the name, Liu Xie was puzzled. "Who is Eunuch Xu?"

Fu Hu pulled Liu Xie a bit further away from the Prime Minister’s residence before explaining, "Young Master, Eunuch Xu is the Chief of Palace Affairs. You have been busy with state affairs these past two days, so he hasn’t had the chance to meet you yet."

"He’s just a head eunuch, what is there to fear?" Liu Xie said dismissively.

"But..." Fu Hu tried to continue, but Liu Xie cut him off.

"Forget about him. Just take me to see this Drunken Fairy Pavilion!" There is no man who isn't curious about a brothel, and Liu Xie was no exception.

Seeing the excitement on Liu Xie’s face, Fu Hu felt he had made a terrible mistake.

"Why are you dawdling? Lead the way!"

***

Hearing Liu Xie’s urging, Fu Hu had no choice but to lead the young emperor to the Drunken Fairy Pavilion. He was filled with immense regret, praying only that the Emperor would not lose himself in the lap of luxury; otherwise, the Han Dynasty would truly be finished.

If that happened, he would become a sinner through the ages.

Liu Xie was oblivious to the intense internal struggle Fu Hu was experiencing; had he known, he would likely have laughed out loud. His attention was completely captivated by the street scene.

The streets were crowded. Because the imperial court favored agriculture and suppressed commerce, such peddlers and stalls would typically be dispersed by soldiers. However, due to Emperor Ling’s lax policies, the commercial development of the capital, Luoyang, had progressed rapidly.

Small vendors were everywhere, their cries filling the air, and a fire-breathing street performer drew loud cheers from the crowd.

Liu Xie watched, mesmerized, before suddenly asking, "Huzi, what festival is today? The streets are so lively."

Fu Hu was slightly taken aback. "It isn't a festival, sir."

"This is nothing compared to how it used to be. After Dong Zhuo arrived, his soldiers raided and pillaged, leaving the people of Luoyang in misery and the streets desolate. It has only become lively again these past two days since you returned, loosened the civil administration, and stopped the soldiers from running rampant."

Hearing this, Liu Xie felt a stir in his heart and remarked, "If the whole world were like this, I would have no regrets in death!"

Fu Hu was deeply moved. With such an emperor, he felt that the revival of the Han was only a matter of time. This solidified his determination to protect the young monarch.

After walking for some time, the crowd thickened, and Liu Xie noticed the air becoming sweet and heavy. Then he heard Fu Hu say, "Young Master, we have arrived!"

Liu Xie looked up and saw that they had arrived at a tavern. A plaque above the entrance displayed the words "Drunken Fairy Pavilion" in elegant, sweeping calligraphy.

The entrance was bustling with guests, mostly wealthy young noblemen accompanied by servants. It appeared not just anyone could enter this establishment.

"Young Master, the ladies here are masters of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but they are 'pure' performers—they sell their art, not their bodies. That is what sets the Drunken Fairy Pavilion apart from other places," Fu Hu whispered in his ear. "Also, the threshold is extremely high; the cheapest wine costs one tael of gold per pot, and hiring a performer to sing a song starts at five taels of gold!"

In the Han Dynasty, gold and silver did not circulate widely. People generally used *wuzhu* coins. Silver was a precious metal used as tribute to the royal family and not considered currency in the strict sense, so gold and *wuzhu* coins were the primary media of exchange. During the chaos of the late Han warlords, gold became the hard currency among noble families and military leaders.

***

Liu Xie finally understood. No wonder everyone coming and going looked rich; this was a high-end establishment.

Liu Xie pondered for a moment and asked, "Huzi, how much gold did you bring?"

Fu Hu looked embarrassed and replied awkwardly, "Young Master, you said we were going out to make money, so I didn't bring any. Besides, the inner treasury is empty."

Liu Xie cursed the man as an idiot under his breath, then said helplessly, "Go find Wang Yun, quickly. Tell him I need to borrow some gold from the state treasury. Tell him to hurry! Go and come back as fast as you can!"

"But Your Majesty, your safety..." Fu Hu said, looking anxious.

"Then hurry up! The faster you return, the safer I am!" Liu Xie said sternly.

Seeing Liu Xie’s darkening expression, Fu Hu had no choice but to comply. "Understood!"

Watching Fu Hu dash away, Liu Xie turned, took a good look at the Drunken Fairy Pavilion, and stepped inside.

The madam of the house, who was greeting guests, noticed Liu Xie walking in alone. Although his clothes were ordinary and looked rather shabby compared to the other patrons, the innate nobility he carried told her this young man was no commoner. She immediately hurried over with a beaming smile.

Liu Xie felt a bit disoriented upon entering; it was his first time, and the noisy crowd mixed with the thick scent of rouge and powder made his head spin.

"Oh my, which family’s young master is this? Is it your first time at the Drunken Fairy Pavilion? Would you like to hear a tune from our Miss Qin?"

A cloyingly sweet voice reached Liu Xie’s ears as a gaudily dressed madam approached him, smiling.

Just as Liu Xie was about to speak, a grating voice from the side mocked him, causing his brow to furrow.

"Oh! Since when can beggars come to the Drunken Fairy Pavilion to listen to Miss Qin’s music?"