Chapter 2: Swinging with the Wind

Hearing her say this, the sobbing young ladies actually stopped crying. Although they came from wealthy families, they all had some knowledge about Pleasure Houses. Especially the Madam of a Pleasure House—she was absolutely a devilish figure. Beating, scolding, and humiliation were common occurrences, particularly when dealing with “newcomers” like them. There was only cruel conquest and inhuman training.

But the person before them instead comforted them in a sorrowful tone. She spoke gently, “Dear young masters and ladies, I understand your feelings after suffering such a great disaster. But a human life is short, just a few decades, and it should be cherished even more. Whether in good times or bad, life goes on. So I hope you can face it bravely and live on with strength.”

After speaking, the woman turned silently and left gracefully, leaving behind a summary of her personal experiences. The new group of Pleasure House recruits stared blankly at her retreating back, slowly digesting and understanding her words.

Of course, most could not understand, much less accept it. This wasn’t just a change in status; it was a world of difference between being a master and being a servant. Before, as wealthy young ladies, they needed to carry lanterns daily to catch maids sneaking around with male servants. Now they themselves had to sneak around with others. It was very hard to accept all at once.

But just then, a hunched young man with lowered eyebrows and submissive eyes walked from the Backyard. His expression carried a habitual lewdness and false smile as he cupped his hands toward the crowd. “Young masters and ladies, I advise everyone to accept the situation since you’re here. Once you entered this door, your fate was sealed. Instead of crying, better save your energy for receiving customers properly tomorrow. Maybe if you serve some noble well, there’s still a chance to turn your life around… The Madam said since you’re all new, you can rest today. Training will start uniformly tomorrow. Alright, please come this way!”

The man made a gesture of invitation and led the way toward the back door. Though these young masters from wealthy families and rich young ladies were extremely unwilling, they had no choice. This treatment was still considered polite; otherwise, they’d be beaten first, then starved for a few days until they behaved themselves.

On the way, the man intentionally walked very slowly, gradually blending into the crowd of young masters like Liu Liwa. He looked at them playfully and said, “Young masters, from now on we’ll be working together. I hope for your support. Of course, since you’re new, if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me. I’m easy to talk to. Oh, by the way, I’m the Brothel Servant at Intoxication Pavilion, called Yang Xiaosi. Everyone calls me Fourth Brother!”

Liu Liwa snorted twice, thinking to himself, Luckily you’re ranked fourth. If you were ranked eighth, we’d have to call you “Parrot”…

Brothel Servant—the loyal, ruthless faction cultivated by the Madam in a Pleasure House. Others might not understand his words, but Liu Liwa knew very well. After all, he was a modern university student from the 21st century who had applied for over 300 jobs, taken 500-plus backdoors, and given gifts over 10,000 times. He understood immediately—the man was waiting for you to “take care” of him, and of course, you couldn’t lack in showing respect!

But he was a fallen young man from a family that had been raided and exterminated, possessing nothing of value. No, he did have something of value, and it wasn’t ordinary—it was quite long, but he couldn’t give it away. Especially if he took it out in front of men, he’d surely be beaten to death for being too exceptionally gifted.

He looked down at his body, wearing a light purple robe. He touched it—the feel was excellent, woven from fine silks and satins. It seemed the Imperial Court’s raid wasn’t too thorough. Besides, they’d already been sent to a Pleasure House as slaves—harsher than being wiped out completely—so no one cared about one piece of clothing.

Without thinking, he directly called out to Yang Xiaosi, “Fourth Brother, hehe, Fourth Brother…”

Yang Xiaosi was slightly stunned, feeling even his own younger brother hadn’t called him so affectionately. Moreover, Liu Liwa was taking off his clothes while calling out. Yang Xiaosi broke out in a sweat and quickly raised his hand to stop him. “Brother, calm down. Although you’ve been sent to a Pleasure House, you don’t have to sell your body!”

I’d like to sell, but would anyone buy? Liu Liwa rolled his eyes, took off his robe, and handed it over. “Fourth Brother, see, I’ll be working here from now on. Wearing such an expensive robe doesn’t match my status and affects work, right? So, could Fourth Brother find me some Coarse Hemp Clothing? As for this one, I’ll trouble Fourth Brother to keep it for me.”

He spoke indirectly, but his face was all winks and eyebrow raises… Yang Xiaosi, long in the Pleasure House, whose main job was playing indirect games with others, immediately understood. His face filled with smiles as he took the fine garment with both hands, mentally starting to appraise it. If sold to the pawnshop on East Street, it could fetch ten Silver Taels; if taken to the gambling den on West Street for betting, it could be worth twenty Silver Taels…

Seeing Liu Liwa so understanding, Yang Xiaosi felt very pleased and patted his shoulder in encouragement. “Young master, don’t worry. I’ll definitely keep your fine clothes safe. May I ask your honorable surname?”

Liu Liwa quickly cupped his hands, but he really couldn’t bring himself to say his own name. If someone with the surname Liu married someone with the surname Li, their child would be called Liu Liwa. If someone with the surname Hu married someone with the surname Li, would their child be called “Huli Jing”?

His original name, “Liu Xia,” was also troublesome. Since he’d entered a Pleasure House anyway, a humbler name would be easier to get by. Casually, he said, “I dare not, I dare not. This lowly one is Liu Xiaoqi. Please look after me, Fourth Brother!”

“Oh, Xiaoqi! Good, good, good. Calling me Fourth Brother is just right!” Yang Xiaosi laughed heartily. The two immediately became like brothers. Everyone was amazed that the sole young master of a prime minister could have such skill in swinging with the wind, able to pick up and put down easily. He was either a dragon among men, or he’d been trained in a Pleasure House before…

Almost in the blink of an eye, Liu Liwa won Yang Xiaosi’s favor, making others unable not to admire him. But these young masters and ladies still couldn’t lower their pride; deep down, they still looked down on Brothel Servants like Yang Xiaosi. No one followed his example. Yang Xiaosi had long expected this and didn’t mind, just cheerfully put his arm around Liu Liwa’s shoulder and walked toward the Backyard.

The vast Intoxication Pavilion covered an extremely large area. The front was luxurious and extravagant, while the Backyard was simple and plain. Row upon row of common houses stood closely connected, with leaky roofs and broken windows. In the yard was a well, surrounded by women’s clothes hanging everywhere—light gauzes, thin skirts, colorful and dazzling, stirring imaginations.

Yang Xiaosi turned to look at this batch of newcomers—fifteen men, twenty-seven women. He silently counted the number and pointed casually to the rooms on the left and right. “Men live on the left, women on the right. All are shared beds with bedding. Although it’s a bit hot in summer now, in winter it’s quite warm when everyone squeezes together. Go ahead now. Let me tell you something: whoever can make something of themselves, with a patron’s support, will move to a separate room on the second floor in the front. If you become a top girl, you might get to live in a big room on the third floor. If you can reach the Fourth Floor, then this lowly one will have to congratulate you… But for now, please bear with it, make do!”