Chapter 91: True Colors

YY was indeed satisfying, but too much of it could harm one’s health. So, before finishing a pot of lamb with essence, Liu Liwa slipped away. If he stayed any longer, those women who hadn’t eaten meat in a long time would start licking their fingers.

As he stepped outside, he saw the young masters and ladies who had arrived with him just waking up groggily. They were being herded forward by Yang Xiaosi like whipped slaves. Two of the ladies had tears in their eyes, their faces full of grievance and unwillingness. Liu Liwa walked at the back and clearly heard them saying, “This is no way for a person to live. I’d rather go to the front and entertain guests—at least I could change clothes, take a bath, sleep soundly, and have three full meals a day!”

“Change clothes, take a bath, sleep soundly, and have three full meals a day.” It rhymed and was also the most basic demand of the common folk! It showed that among this group, someone had finally reached their limit, their edges worn smooth, their arrogance and defiance stripped away, ready to bow and compromise with fate!

And among this group, there were surely many who felt the same way. After all, they were all spoiled young masters and ladies. Sleeping on damp shared beds, eating coarse buns and pickles, and never feeling full with every meal—no one could endure that for long.

The group walked to the front hall, which was in complete disarray. Overturned tables and chairs, shattered wine cups and pots, and fragments of women’s dresses were scattered everywhere, remnants of the previous day’s scramble for the celestial maiden’s clothes. The young masters and ladies began cleaning up reluctantly. One of the ladies carelessly cut her hand on a piece of broken porcelain, deepening their sense of grievance.

The lady looked at her bleeding finger and burst into tears. Yang Xiaosi ignored this and scolded, “What’s this? Trying to slack off? If this isn’t cleaned up within an hour, none of you will eat today!”

“Fine, then we won’t eat! Damn it, I’m done with this life of endless chores, being treated like an ox or a horse. I’d rather starve to death!”

“Right, it’d be better to die!”

The young masters and ladies rose in rebellion, shouting angrily, full of despair and pessimism. Liu Liwa shook his head inwardly. It hadn’t even been ten days in total, and they already lacked the patience to endure. Being treated like an ox or a horse was still better than losing one’s dignity and principles. In life, one must always have something to hold onto, even if it’s just a belief, and be willing to sacrifice for it.

However… this was easier said than done. In just a few days, Liu Liwa had befriended the Son of the Vice Minister and the Supervisory Commander, and even climbed the social ladder with Miss Zhao. He had his own room, three beauties staying with him, and Yang Xiaosi delivering food, drinks, and blankets daily. He didn’t even have to work, so of course, he had no reason to rebel.

“What’s this? What’s this? Are you rebelling?” Yang Xiaosi suddenly faced the furious crowd with some fear but bravely yelled, “Do you still think you’re the young masters and ladies who had servants at your beck and call, with clothes handed to you and food served to you? You’re nothing but disgraced traitors relegated to slavery…”

“You damned slave, I’ll take your life!” A strong young master, who seemed trained in martial arts, could no longer bear it. Adding to it, Yang Xiaosi had been directly mistreating them these past few days. In a fit of rage, he naturally targeted him.

The young master charged forward in two steps, raising his fist to strike Yang Xiaosi’s terrified face. But at that moment, a stool flew from somewhere and hit the young master squarely in the back, sending him stumbling forward. Before anyone else could react, seven or eight figures rushed in from all directions. They were all sturdy men holding wooden clubs, indiscriminately beating everyone, regardless of gender. Instantly, screams and cries filled the air, and blood splattered everywhere. The young master who had tried to attack received special attention from Wang Meng, the security manager who was as fierce as a gorilla or an ape. With a seemingly casual kick, the burly young master was sent flying into the air before crashing heavily to the ground, immediately gasping for breath and losing consciousness.

Liu Liwa had long noticed that Wang Meng was no ordinary man, and these other enforcers were also unusual. They struck ruthlessly and precisely, targeting areas that caused pain without serious harm. Moreover, when they moved, they exuded a murderous aura, like a fierce army on the battlefield.

One of the enforcers, after dealing with a girl, recklessly rushed toward Liu Liwa with a club. Without a second thought, Liu Liwa grabbed a nearby stool and hurled it at him. Liu Liwa might not excel at much, but he was an expert at fighting—especially because he was ruthless and unafraid to use weapons. However, he underestimated his opponent’s combat skills. Though the stool flew fast and hard, the enforcer easily dodged it. Still, the stool made him pause. He looked carefully at Liu Liwa, then glanced upward before turning and leaving.

Liu Liwa instinctively looked up and saw Wu Liniang, who had appeared unnoticed on the staircase, wearing a purple dress. Liu Liwa was thrilled—from this angle, he could see under her skirt. Though it was dark, he could still use his imagination!

While bloodshed and wails surrounded him, he shamelessly indulged in his voyeurism, craning his neck and watching with fascination. He knew Wu Liniang had just stopped the enforcer from attacking him, and as a reward, he took a good look.

Wu Liniang noticed his strange behavior, feeling as if a cold breeze was blowing under her skirt, making her uncomfortable. She quickly descended the stairs and glared fiercely at Liu Liwa. By then, the beating had mostly ended. The young masters and ladies lay on the ground, some bleeding heavily, others moaning in pain. All were injured to some extent, especially those who had protested the most, regardless of gender, now covered in blood.

This was the true nature of the Pleasure House—a blend of bloodshed, violence, and lewdness. The enforcers were merciless, seeing no distinction between men and women, only disobedient slaves, treating them like livestock, cold and unfeeling.

Wu Liniang stepped forward expressionlessly, ignoring the pooling blood on the floor and the rising and falling cries of pain, like an iron-willed general issuing stern orders: “Listen, all of you. The Intoxication Pavilion has its own rules. From the day you were exiled here, your lives and deaths are in the hands of the Intoxication Pavilion. Even if I were to execute you now, the authorities would commend me. However, this is a Pleasure House, not a prison. There’s no use in taking your lives. Instead, I’ll give you a chance to start anew and enjoy life. Today, I will select five ladies from among you who are willing to seize this opportunity and follow orders. I will place them here, assign them rooms, and reward them with silver. Additionally, I will choose five men to work as servants and errand runners. But these five men will be selected by Liu Xiaoqi!”