Chapter 70: Building Rapport with Wen Jun

Liu Liwa patiently taught Wen Jun that having romantic thoughts was reasonable, taking daring actions was acceptable, and that acting on desires was not a sin—finish the deed and just sleep.

However, Wen Jun firmly rejected this wisdom: “No, no. I trained in martial arts since childhood and fought battles when I grew up. I hardly have any impression of women in my mind. If you ask me to rely on imagination, I just can’t conjure anything up.”

“It’s okay, weren’t you an Imperial Guard? In the Imperial Palace, weren’t there painters who specifically drew those booklets—you know, ones with a little man and a little woman, both naked? You could use those for reference. But I have to remind you, a little self-pleasure is enjoyable, too much harms your health, and forcing it will lead to your ruin!”

“That’s even worse!” Wen Jun slammed the table and roared, “You know I can’t do it, and yet you tell me to get those ‘two little figures’ booklets? What do you mean by that?”

“Alright, alright, don’t get worked up.” Liu Liwa feared he would start breaking things again—what a waste that would be. “If you don’t want to look at two people, you could look at pictures of just one person!”

“One person?” Wen Jun said grumpily, “Those are just boring portraits of ladies! How dull!”

Wow, this guy was hard to please. It wasn’t entirely his fault; it was the stubborn painters to blame. They either drew explicit spring palace scenes or those fully dressed portraits only depicting facial features—what a waste! Couldn’t they draw some beautiful restricted-level Photorealistic Portraits or something…

Right! Liu Liwa suddenly had a bright idea—this was a path to wealth through hard work! Qin Wan’er was skilled in painting and had received professional training alongside the Imperial Palace’s spring palace artists. They could ask her to create a Photobook Series and give it to Wen Jun. He could take it back, hold the photobook, and hide in a secluded corner to pleasure himself. He would have beauties to look at, could enjoy himself without anyone knowing, and it wouldn’t damage his noble image—a win-win situation!

Liu Liwa felt incredibly excited. This idea could not only satisfy someone like Wen Jun, but also cater to those old-timers whose hearts were still young but whose strength was lacking—a huge market with limitless potential!

Before he could share this good news, Wen Jun spoke up impatiently first: “Forget it. I think from now on, I’ll just come to Intoxication Pavilion whenever I feel like it. I’ll ask for Miss Liuyun and Qin Wan’er to accompany me. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll redeem them. If they dare gossip, I’ll just kill them to silence them.”

Liu Liwa broke out in a cold sweat and quickly said, “No, no, why resort to knives and swords for such a small matter? I have a better idea…”

Liu Liwa immediately told him about the restricted-level Photorealistic Portrait plan and explained the specific content of the photobook. Wen Jun was overjoyed and said at once, “That’s a great idea! Actually, I don’t really want a girl standing in front of me—being able to look but not touch, and the girl putting on a forced smile or even frowning sadly, it just ruins my mood. But your idea, brother, is excellent! I just don’t know if it’s really as good as you say?”

“Whether it’s good or not, you’ll know when you see it!” Liu Liwa said with full confidence.

Wen Jun clapped hands with him to seal the agreement and said, “Good, I’ll trust you this once. I’m going to find the Madam and talk to her!”

The two stood up and opened the door. A breeze blew, and they realized their heads were heavy, their steps unsteady, and their stomachs churning—the pure grain liquor had a strong aftereffect. Arm in arm, supporting each other, they looked like wounded soldiers returning from battle. Outside the door, Wu Liniang, along with Qin Wan’er and Liuyun, hadn’t dared to leave, and a squad of soldiers stood guard. Wen Jun directly drew his Steel Blade, its cold tip pointing straight at Wu Liniang’s nose. In that instant, Wang Meng rushed up with a group of thugs. Qin Wan’er and Miss Liuyun were badly frightened, but Wu Liniang herself remained calm and simply waved her hand lightly to stop them.

That brief moment sobered Liu Liwa up quite a bit. Was this really a Pleasure House Madam? So composed in the face of blades? And Wang Meng and his crew were even more daring—rushing forward against seasoned regular soldiers as if they had received professional training from a terrorist organization? Liu Liwa felt like he was seeing things, or maybe Wu Liniang and her people were anything but ordinary.

Wen Jun, being drunk, paid no attention. The Steel Blade glinted coldly as he slurred, “Starting today, these two girls will follow Liu Xiaoqi’s arrangements. You will fully cooperate with his demands. Otherwise, I’ll burn this brothel to the ground!”

Then Wen Jun turned to Liu Liwa and said, “Brother, I’m counting on you for this matter. Tomorrow, I’ll come again tomorrow!”

After saying that, Wen Jun waved his hand and staggered off, carrying his Steel Blade, followed by a group of soldiers with blades. Today, he had specially brought about a hundred men, marching off like a gang going to settle a score—truly imposing.

After Wen Jun left, whether it was Wu Liniang upstairs or Wang Meng and the thugs on the stairs, everyone looked at Liu Liwa differently. Everyone knew Wen Jun was the toughest nut to crack—moody, killing without consequence. Every time he came to Intoxication Pavilion, everyone was on edge, and no girl had ever satisfied him. He had never laid a finger on any girl, yet he was arm in arm with Liu Liwa, treating him like a brother. It was unbelievable. No one could see what charm Liu Liwa had, so they could only wonder about Wen Jun’s preferences.

A breeze blew, the alcohol surged, and Liu Liwa began to feel dizzy too. With bleary eyes, he looked at Wu Liniang’s calm face and said, “Madam, I won’t stand on ceremony!”

With that, he stretched out his arms, embracing Qin Wan’er on one side and Miss Liuyun on the other. Instantly, he felt as if he were soaring through the skies—what a great achievement for a Brothel Steward to have beauties on both arms.

Both women were terrified. Wen Jun’s words, spoken while holding his blade, had easily decided their fates. They didn’t know exactly what was to be done, only that women’s lives were hard, and in a Pleasure House, they had no control over their own destinies.

It was less Liu Liwa holding the women and more the two women supporting him as they stumbled toward the Backyard. Meanwhile, Wang Meng, who usually liked to pretend to be mute, suddenly stepped forward and whispered to Wu Liniang, “Miss, Wen Jun has always been arrogant and unyielding, unresponsive to both soft and hard approaches. For so many years, we’ve tried all kinds of methods without gaining his trust. How is it that in just two hours, he’s calling this guy ‘brother’? Could there be something strange going on here?”

Wu Liniang had a charming appearance, but her demeanor was cold and stern, even carrying a fierce air. She smiled faintly and said, “Wen Jun commands a powerful army and has the deep trust of the Imperial Family—he’s a very important figure. And that Young Master Ye, his father Minister Ye holds significant influence in the military. Both are people we must win over. Since they won’t accept our offers, we’ll have to recruit this Liu Xiaoqi instead. Listen, from now on, none of you are to cause trouble for Liu Xiaoqi. Let him develop freely, but keep a close watch. We’ll reap the benefits in the end!”