Peace Order
Chapter 240 - 116: I Have Not Seen the Phoenix, But the Phoenix Has Seen Me_3

Chapter 240: Chapter 116: I Have Not Seen the Phoenix, But the Phoenix Has Seen Me_3

Zhou Liuying pulled out a silver note and slammed it on the table, laughing loudly,

"No harm, no harm, but we must attend first. I have yet to hear Miss Oiran’s tune."

Suddenly, a sneering laugh was heard, "As expected of Martial Artists, so vulgar."

Zhou Liuying raised his eyebrows and cursed loudly, "Who’s farting!"

He looked up and saw a group of lavishly dressed young men on the second floor of the flower building, the leader of whom he had seen once beside the Crown Prince. That young man, carrying an air of haughtiness, his gaze swept over Li Guanyi unapologetically and said,

"Ye Buyi, Zhou Liuying, the fathers of both of you are renowned generals under the heavens yet you willingly degrade yourselves by associating with these merchants."

He lightly shook his folding fan near his nose and said indifferently, "Stinky, unbearably stinky."

Zhou Liuying became furious, "Yan Daiqing, what nonsense are you spouting?!"

The civil and martial sides were naturally antagonistic, let alone the aristocratic families of the Crown Prince’s faction and Li Guanyi, a member of the Royal Family. These were inherently adversarial stances. Yan Daiqing said lightly, "I’m just stating the truth. Moreover, what do you think this place is? To meet an Oiran, it’s not the silver but talent that counts."

"Musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, and painting — what do you know of these?"

"All you know is how to wield swords and guns."

Zhou Liuying was so furious he almost came to blows, while Li Guanyi was indifferent. However, it was clear that Yan Daiqing did not fancy him; young and less sophisticated in the ways of the official world, facing this peer with an adversarial stance, he could hardly suppress his resentment.

If not my friend, then he is my enemy!

Yan Daiqing and Zhou Liuying battled in poetic verses, quickly outmatching Zhou.

The commotion escalated outside, even affecting the place where the Oiran resided. On learning the cause, the Oiran said it was a common occurrence. At that moment, a young man already in the Oiran’s quarters laughed, "It seems Miss Meng’s charm is indeed irresistible."

The speaking youth was dressed in magnificent brocade, holding a folding fan, with a red vertical mark between his brows and a pair of phoenix eyes gleaming brilliantly. Miss Meng sighed and delicately poured him some tea, "Young Master, you shouldn’t tease me."

"If you were willing to dress as a lady, who could resist, and all the heroes of the world would bow down."

Li Zhaowen smiled casually, pointing at the mark on her forehead then composedly said,

"I don’t need to dress as a lady to make all the heroes bow down."

The Oiran smiled coyly.

Who knows who might see this young lady in her red garb.

Yet no one knows that back in Ying Country, this second son of the Duke Mansion owns such an establishment as the Chang Feng Building here in Jiangzhou City of Chen Country. Li Zhaowen said, "Changsun Wuchou indeed has talent and resources, creating opportunities everywhere, but he established this Chang Feng Building right here in Jiangzhou City."

"Behind it are two managers, and it even has royal backing, ’a rabbit with three burrows.’"

"It’s tough for you all."

The Oiran said softly, "We were originally traded on the black market, our lives were not our own, Lord Changsun taking us in is already more than we could ask for."

Here, protected by Martial Artists, they need not sell themselves, and those men and women who were saved can choose to leave for elsewhere if they wish, or they can choose to repay the debt in one of three places; Chang Feng Building is just one option.

Lord Changsun’s only request was that they lead good lives.

If any visiting dignitaries hear interesting news, they convey it to him.

Beyond this, he teaches them Martial Arts, swordsmanship, and the basics of culture and survival. Having seen the darkest aspects of human nature, they cling desperately to this bit of light; Lord Changsun’s elegance is unparalleled, his skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting unmatched, endearing him to many women in the building.

Li Zhaowen sipped her tea, saying, "Three years from now, you can leave here for Ying Country."

"The sands are heavy outside the border, not as mild as Jiangnan, but it is freedom enough."

Gongsun Meng said softly, "I would be content to play the guqin before the Young Master."

"Your heart is even softer than Lord Changsun’s."

Li Zhaowen gave no definite response, but hearing the increasing tumult outside, she stood up, smiling, "It seems I should linger no longer, or a fight might start outside. Miss Meng, until another day."

The Oiran said, "Young Master, take care."

Li Zhaowen waved her hand as she looked out from the second story of the freestanding courtyard, but she suddenly paused.

"Hm? That is..."

She saw a young man sitting alone, Li Zhaowen smiling faintly.

Interest gleamed in her phoenix eyes.

"Pharmacist?"