Chapter Thirty-Six: The Sisters Are Born Beautiful

"What? Your Highness, you said you want to go to Moon Phoenix Pavilion!" Xiao Cui's eyes were wide as saucers; surely her ears must have deceived her! Clinging to her last shred of hope, she ventured, "Your Highness, are you sure it's Moon Phoenix Pavilion?"

Liu Ling'er nodded with absolute certainty. "Yes! Tie Wula wouldn't lie to me. He said Moon Phoenix Pavilion, and I remember that much."

Heavens! Just thinking of that place, rife with nightmares, made Xiao Cui's whole body quiver. If she could help it, she would never mention Moon Phoenix Pavilion again for the rest of her life.

Noticing Xiao Cui's fearful expression, Liu Ling'er was baffled. Why did both Xiao Cui and Tie Wula react to Moon Phoenix Pavilion as if they’d seen a monstrous flood, while Silver Wula was so eager, trailing after Bai Li Xian with a face full of anticipation?

When Xiao Cui, reluctant and pale, finally explained that Moon Phoenix Pavilion was a brothel, Liu Ling'er was speechless. So Bai Li Xian was off consorting with courtesans. Her mind roared indignantly—he had seven wives at home, one for every day of the week, and yet he still sought pleasure elsewhere?

That wasn’t even the worst of it. He actually brought his subordinates along, organizing a daytime group escapade to the brothel. Such depravity was beyond words.

She had Xiao Cui style her hair in a gentleman’s topknot and tightly bind her chest with a strip of cloth, leaving Xiao Cui bewildered. What was Her Highness doing, tormenting herself so?

Liu Ling'er then donned a set of Bai Li Xian’s clothes and wore a human-skin mask. Though the outfit was a bit large, a dashing young man stood elegantly before Xiao Cui. Had Xiao Cui not witnessed the entire transformation, she would certainly have cried out that an assassin had infiltrated the house.

Pulling along a dazed Xiao Cui, Liu Ling'er slipped out through the small gate in the rear garden, successfully sneaking away. Xiao Cui scarcely knew what possessed her, but somehow she had truly brought Liu Ling'er to Moon Phoenix Pavilion.

Standing before the pavilion, Xiao Cui was thoroughly panicked, trembling as she pleaded, "Your Highness, let's go back! If we run into His Lordship, we’ll be in real trouble."

Seeing Xiao Cui’s cowardice, Liu Ling'er half-laughed, half-sighed. "What nonsense! His Lordship visits brothels in broad daylight; we’re here to catch him in the act. We should be bold, and besides, if the sky falls, I’ll hold it up for you. Just stay behind me—I’ll protect you, no matter what."

Straightening her sleeves, Liu Ling'er led Xiao Cui into Moon Phoenix Pavilion. The large red lanterns still hung high at the entrance, their golden doors gleaming in the sunlight. Even in daylight, the pavilion was quiet and empty.

But Liu Ling'er knew that once night fell, the crowd would surge in like carp crossing a river, and those odious men would swarm like flies to filth, relentless and unending. The reputation of Moon Phoenix Pavilion as a den of gold and pleasure was well-earned.

Inside, Liu Ling'er saw a woman lounging in a grand chair, dozing with her eyes half-shut. The woman was quite attractive, her makeup exquisitely applied, elevating her appearance by several degrees. If not for the worldly air that clung to her, she would have been perfect.

The moment Liu Ling'er entered, the woman awoke, and upon seeing Liu Ling'er dressed as a man, she was slightly surprised. It wasn’t that she realized Liu Ling'er was a woman; she was simply taken aback by the unusual daytime activity—two visitors earlier, and now, not even half an hour later, another arrival.

At least the previous guest had brought a man; this time, someone had brought a woman to seek pleasure. But every customer has their own tastes, and as long as the money’s there, all is well.

With a cheerful smile, she rose to greet Liu Ling'er. "Oh! This young master’s face is unfamiliar. Is it your first time at Moon Phoenix Pavilion? Tell me what sort of lady you desire, and I assure you, our selection is unmatched—plump, slender, slim-waisted, full-hipped..."

Liu Ling'er nearly choked on her own saliva. This beautiful woman was the madam? Weren’t brothel madams supposed to have barrel waists and terrifying makeup? Perhaps the ones she’d seen in dramas were from third-rate establishments; Moon Phoenix Pavilion, a top-tier brothel operating openly in the capital, surely had powerful backing.

Recovering quickly, Liu Ling'er smiled. "You needn’t trouble yourself, Madam. I’ve heard Moon Phoenix Pavilion’s white-cut chicken is renowned throughout the capital. I came especially to taste it."

Madam Jade Fox’s expression darkened immediately—was this some kind of joke? You come to a brothel and ask for chicken, not girls? This was a house of flesh, not a restaurant.

Seeing the madam’s mood sour and about to erupt, Liu Ling'er hurriedly added, "Of course, Madam can summon the top courtesan to accompany us. Money is no object."

Truthfully, Liu Ling'er was penniless; her only reason for entering was that Bai Li Xian was here. Her goal was to reach whatever room Bai Li Xian was in—after all, a prince visiting a brothel would surely have the top courtesan at his side.

Jade Fox was troubled. The pavilion’s top courtesan, Ice Phoenix, was presently entertaining His Lordship in the premier private room. How could she summon Ice Phoenix? She replied, carefully, "Young master, what unfortunate timing. Ice Phoenix is very busy right now. Perhaps you’d care for another?"

Liu Ling'er deliberately darkened her face. "Madam, that’s not very gracious. If you can’t bring Ice Phoenix, surely you can let us dine in the vacant room beside hers?"

To keep a valuable customer, Jade Fox led Liu Ling'er to the empty chamber next to Ice Phoenix’s room on the third floor. They had barely reached the door when a woman emerged from Ice Phoenix’s suite. She wore a lotus-colored gauze blouse, her figure slender, long hair falling to her waist, dressed in snowy white. Though beautiful, her expression was stern and cold—a true ice beauty.

At first sight, Liu Ling'er knew this must be Ice Phoenix, the pavilion's star. With three quick steps, she approached, took Ice Phoenix’s hand, and exclaimed in verse, "What a lovely lady!"

Barely had the first line been uttered when those inside and outside the room were struck dumb, ears pricked, eager to hear what poetry this 'lecherous young master' would recite next.