Chapter 28: Qianjiao Pavilion – Perfect for Afternoon Tea…
The night was enchanting.
In Tianshui Alley, lanterns lit the streets brightly. Red lanterns hung from the entrance to the alley all the way to the end, seemingly endless.
The streets were bustling with endless streams of carriages and people. Surprisingly, it was even livelier than during the day.
Amid the noisy crowd, no one noticed a petite figure—
Yihuan had donned a sharp scholar’s outfit, complete with a folding fan partially concealing her face. Her jet-black hair was tied up with a jade crown as she strolled confidently through the alley.
Passing a stall selling ornamental hairpins, the vendor called out, “Young Master, how about buying a flower pin for your beloved?”
Yihuan smiled faintly, shook her head, and walked on.
It seemed her disguise… was working well enough.
She had snuck out without informing Ah-miao today. Every time Tianshui Alley was mentioned, Ah-miao would fret like a worried wife from a feudal society, constantly nagging.
One moment she’d worry about Yihuan’s identity being exposed, ruining her reputation; the next, she’d fear someone would discover Yihuan was a woman and lock her up in a brothel, never letting her leave…
If Ah-miao had come along, Yihuan would have surely been lectured to the point of growing calluses on her ears!
Looking at the women leaning against doorways, smiling enticingly—each one more enthusiastic than the last—Yihuan thought to herself: One day… all of you will be mine!
With this strange confidence, Yihuan made her way to the entrance of Qianjiao Pavilion.
Tianshui Alley’s many establishments had been left behind, but Qianjiao Pavilion was undoubtedly the largest brothel in the area.
Since she intended to conduct research, it only made sense to target the place with the most representative clientele. Without hesitation, she stepped through Qianjiao Pavilion’s grand doors.
Perhaps because of her petite figure and less-than-opulent attire, the “big teapot” was less than enthusiastic toward her.
Note: In brothels, a big teapot (大茶壺) refers to the male attendants who manage clients and act as security. In some regions, they’re also called turtle slaves (龜奴), a somewhat derogatory term. But I will use the word male attendants instead of Big Teapot to make it simpler to understand.
Before coming, Yihuan had made an effort to learn some of the slang used in such establishments.
She casually found a seat in the main hall, coughed lightly, and said, “Someone, call a tea-serving girl for this young master.”
The male attendant approached, giving her a peculiar look, but still asked, “What kind do you want?”
[ Note: “Tea-serving” (打茶圍) refers to hiring a girl for a casual chat over tea. It’s a less lucrative service compared to other offerings in brothels and is generally viewed as trivial by attendants.]
Yihuan raised her head confidently and said loudly, “Someone sensible and witty, who enjoys conversation about all types of topics.”
The male attendant muttered a response and left.
It was peak hours at Qianjiao Pavilion, and customers were settling at their tables. The performances in the main hall hadn’t started yet, so most people were drinking, chatting, and laughing uproariously.
Before long, the male attendant returned with a woman in tow.
The woman appeared to be about twenty-five or twenty-six—not old—but she had applied what seemed like half a pound of face powder. As she approached Yihuan, the overpowering scent of cheap perfume made Yihuan sneeze involuntarily, almost blowing off her fake mustache.
The woman frowned. She had hoped to snag a wealthy patron tonight, only to find herself paired with a mere boy barely out of his teens.
However, this young master had a striking appearance. His round, shining eyes resembled pearls, and his lips were so red they appeared painted. In fact, he was so handsome he looked almost feminine.
The male attendant said, “This is our Lianqiao—an experienced and clever girl here at Qianjiao Pavilion. She’s well-versed in serving customers.”
He emphasized the word serving, assuming a more coquettish woman would appeal to this young master’s tastes.
Yihuan felt a wave of awkwardness but forced a polite smile. “Thank you. Miss Lianqiao, please have a seat.”
Lianqiao was a bit reluctant but reasoned that serving this young master was better than sitting idle with no clients.
She perked up, swayed her hips slightly, and sat next to Yihuan, speaking in a soft voice: “I hear you enjoy chatting, Young Master. Do you prefer risqué topics, or something more refined? I can talk about both.”
[The term “risqué topics” refers to subjects or discussions that are slightly indecent, provocative, or suggestive, often touching on taboo or sensitive matters.]
Yihuan, mid-sip of tea, nearly choked on her drink. “R-Refined!”
Lianqiao glanced at Yihuan, noting his delicate features. He didn’t seem like someone coming for… that. Instead, he looked more like a scholar here to study—truly strange.
Yihuan sat up straight, deliberately keeping some distance between them. “Miss Lianqiao, how about this—I ask, and you answer. Does that work?”
Lianqiao furrowed her brows. What kind of game was this? She, a seasoned veteran of the pleasure houses, had never encountered such an odd request.
Still, she maintained her professional smile and said, “Please, Young Master, go ahead.”
Yihuan cleared her throat and asked, “What do the girls here at Qianjiao Pavilion usually eat?”
Lianqiao paused for a moment before answering, “Well… we usually skip breakfast. For lunch, we eat whatever the kitchen prepares. As for dinner, it depends on what the customers order—that’s what we end up eating too.”
Yihuan was slightly taken aback. Realizing she wouldn’t get much useful information this way, she shifted the topic to Lianqiao herself.
“What about you, Miss Lianqiao? If you could choose, what would you like to eat?”
Lianqiao thought for a moment and replied, “I used to eat porridge quite often.”
Yihuan was curious. “Why porridge?”
Lianqiao smirked and said, “Back then, I had to perform on stage. To keep my movements light and my figure slender, I couldn’t eat much. So, I drank porridge and ate very lightly for a long time.”
Yihuan nodded, noting the similarity to modern performers and celebrities who maintain strict diets for appearances.
“And now? Do you still like porridge?”
Lianqiao shook her head. “Not anymore… Nowadays, it doesn’t matter what I eat.”
Yihuan sensed something unspoken but didn’t press further.
Noticing her hesitance, Lianqiao added, “Now that I’ve grown older and lost my charm, it doesn’t matter how little I eat or how well I dance—no one’s interested anymore.”
She poured herself a drink and then poured one for Yihuan. “Young Master, you’re the first guest I’ve had in nearly half a month. I’ll drink to you.”
Before Yihuan could react, Lianqiao tilted her head back and downed the drink in one go.
Yihuan, caught off guard, hurriedly took a sip. The strong liquor burned her throat, making her cough twice.
Seeing Yihuan’s awkward reaction, Lianqiao chuckled. “Young Master, you’re not used to places like this, are you?”
Yihuan nodded. “Indeed, I rarely visit.”
Lianqiao smiled knowingly. “I can tell. First-timers usually come just to chat and pass the time. Once they visit more often, they loosen up…”
Yihuan felt a bit embarrassed, scratched her nose, and asked, “So, if you no longer perform, what do you spend your time doing, Miss Lianqiao?”
Lianqiao sighed. “What is there to do…? Back when I was popular, my nights were packed, and I rested during the day. Now, I mostly help Madam Tian train newcomers, watch them dance, and give a few pointers here and there.”
Despite her hint of melancholy, Lianqiao seemed open and easy to talk to, leaving a good impression on Yihuan.
“Do the girls usually practice dancing in the afternoons?” Yihuan asked.
“Yes,” Lianqiao replied. “In the mornings, nobody here is awake.”
Yihuan nodded thoughtfully. Afternoon tea would fit perfectly, then.
As the two continued chatting, the sound of music gradually filled the hall. Yihuan turned to see a group of young women gracefully dancing on Qianjiao Pavilion’s stage.
They were dressed in vibrant, alluring outfits. With every flick of their water sleeves, the men in the hall became more enraptured, some even letting out hoots and whistles.
Lianqiao watched the performance intently and murmured, “Once… I was the one in the center.”
Lianqiao had been at Qianjiao Pavilion for years. Though she was now one of the more experienced women, her days of attracting clients were long past.
Noticing her wistful expression, Yihuan offered a comforting remark. “Miss Lianqiao, you’re still beautiful, and so young…”
Lianqiao lowered her gaze and smiled faintly. “I’m twenty-five now… In this place, there’s no future left for me.”
Her slender fingers gently tilted the handle of the wine pot, sending an elegant arc of wine into her cup. Each drop seemed to carry a trace of melancholy.
“In this line of work, beauty is the currency of survival. At my age, no matter how much care I take of myself, I can never look as fresh and radiant as a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl.”
Yihuan fell silent, a pang of sadness stirring in her heart, unsure of how to respond.
The two sat quietly for a while, watching the dancers on stage. Eventually, Yihuan stood up and said,
“Thank you, Miss Lianqiao, for keeping me company tonight. I should head back now.”
Lianqiao nodded. Her smile, for once, carried genuine warmth. Perhaps it had been too long since someone simply talked to her, and she felt a bit of affection toward this young master.
She decided to walk Yihuan out.
As Yihuan made her way to the corner of the hall, she suddenly collided with a burly man.
The man was large, with a ruddy face and a brutish expression. It was obvious he’d had quite a bit to drink.
“Hey! Are you blind? How dare you bump into me!” he roared.
His spilled wine soaked part of his pants, and he glared at Yihuan with a menacing look.
Clearly, he had been the one to barge into her, but now he was making it seem like it was her fault. Yihuan winced from the pain of the collision but tried to defuse the situation.
Seeing others starting to watch, Yihuan forced a smile and said, “My apologies, sir. It was my mistake.”
She tried to leave, but the man grabbed the back of her collar. “You! You owe me for my wine!”
Yihuan hadn’t even brought up the fact that he bumped into her, yet he had the audacity to demand compensation!
As they stood at an impasse, Lianqiao stepped forward to mediate. “Sir, we’re all here to have fun. There’s no need to take this so seriously. If the wine spilled, we can just get another jug!”
She reached out to escort him away, hoping to help Yihuan escape. But the drunk man, emboldened by the alcohol, shoved Lianqiao roughly, sending her to the ground!
Yihuan, enraged, exclaimed, “You’ve gone too far!” She moved to help Lianqiao up.
Lianqiao staggered to her feet and urged, “Just go!”
Yihuan nodded reluctantly, but the drunken man blocked her path, pressing down on her shoulder. “You’re not going anywhere!”
Yihuan panicked. “Let me go! Fine, I’ll pay for your wine!”
The man, now completely belligerent, shouted, “One jug isn’t enough! I want ten!”
He was frighteningly strong, and Yihuan couldn’t break free. Just then, the male attendant entered with Madam Tian in tow.
The male attendant, thinking someone was causing trouble, had alerted Madam Tian, who arrived with several burly men in tow.
Yihuan’s heart skipped a beat.
“What’s going on!?” Madam Tian demanded, her brows furrowing as she glanced at Yihuan, the drunken man, and Lianqiao, whose expression wasn’t much better.
Madam Tian, seasoned at reading people, scanned Yihuan from head to toe and immediately understood the situation.
Taking a step forward, she positioned herself in front of Yihuan and said coldly,
“And who are you? A mere girl sneaking into my Qianjiao Pavilion—what’s your purpose here?”
Girls who entered a brothel were typically there for two reasons: to cause a scene over a lover or to spy for a rival establishment.
Yihuan forced a nervous smile and replied softly, “Madam, I was merely curious about the famous Qianjiao Pavilion. I wanted to see what it was like. I had no intention of causing any offense.”
Madam Tian eyed her suspiciously. This girl had bright eyes, flawless teeth, and a strikingly beautiful face—truly a rare gem.
A scheming thought flashed through Madam Tian’s mind. Smiling coldly, she said, “My Qianjiao Pavilion isn’t a place you can come and go as you please.”
Yihuan stiffened. “What do you intend to do?”
With a sly, mocking tone, Madam Tian replied, “Take her downstairs. I need to have a little chat with her.”
Panic rose in Yihuan’s chest. “Don’t come any closer! This is kidnapping!”
Seeing Yihuan’s plain attire, Madam Tian assumed she wasn’t from a wealthy family and decided to take advantage of the situation. “You came here on your own, little girl!”
At that moment, Yihuan caught a glimpse of a flash of red passing through the corridor. The figure was familiar—
Grasping at what seemed like her only lifeline, she shouted, “Your Highness, Liu Shizi!”
But the hall was far too noisy, and her voice was drowned out in the clamor.
A young man beside Liu Hexiao remarked, “Ah-xiao, did someone just call for you?”
The speaker was Cao Shixun, son of the Minister of War and one of Liu Hexiao’s close friends.
Before Liu Hexiao could respond, He Ye, another companion, interjected with a laugh,
“Impossible. Who else besides us would know Liu Hexiao? Maybe it’s an enemy seeking revenge—best not to get involved.”
He Ye, the son of the Commander of the Imperial Guards, was a regular at Qianjiao Pavilion and often made lighthearted remarks.
Liu Hexiao ignored him and continued walking, but then a clear voice rang out, “Liu Shizi! Liu Hexiao!”
Liu Hexiao paused. The familiar voice tugged at his memory, and he instinctively took a few steps back.
Looking toward the source, he saw a small, slender figure in the corner of the hall surrounded by people. The “young man” standing at the center was gazing at him nervously, her eyes brimming with hope.
It’s her!?
Liu Hexiao froze for a moment. Judging from the scene, she was clearly in trouble.
With his hands behind his back, he strolled casually toward Yihuan.
Seeing him approach, Madam Tian relaxed her grip on Yihuan and greeted him with a fawning smile.
“Ah, the Shizi has arrived! And Young Master Cao, Young Master He, welcome as well!”
Liu Hexiao ignored Madam Tian, his gaze fixed intently on Yihuan.
Her previously neat hair was now slightly disheveled, and her large, expressive eyes seemed to plead silently for help, as if the words “Save me” were written across her face.
Expressionless, Liu Hexiao asked, “And who might you be?”
Yihuan was stunned. “Your Highness… it’s me, Yihuan! Please help me!”
Liu Hexiao raised an eyebrow, his tone amused yet unhurried. “And why are you here?”
Yihuan realized he was teasing her but had no time for games. “I said I came to chat… would you believe me?”
Liu Hexiao chuckled. “Fine. Then continue.”
With that, he turned and made to leave.
Yihuan, utterly shocked, hurried after him. “Wait! Your Highness! Hold on!”
Before she could catch up, Madam Tian grabbed her wrist again. “You’re not leaving! I’m not done talking to you!”
Seeing Liu Hexiao seemingly uninterested in the girl, Madam Tian felt emboldened and tightened her grip.
“Behave yourself!” she snapped.
When Liu Hexiao glanced back, he saw Yihuan’s pale face as she struggled against Madam Tian’s grasp, gasping, “It hurts… let go of me!”
Liu Hexiao’s expression darkened. Turning abruptly, he pulled Yihuan toward him with enough force to send Madam Tian stumbling, nearly falling to the ground.
“Shizi!?” Madam Tian stammered, shocked.
Liu Hexiao lifted Yihuan’s hand and gently pushed up her sleeve, revealing a bruise forming on her delicate wrist.
His face clouded over immediately.
“You dared lay hands on my person? Are you tired of living?”
Madam Tian froze, utterly bewildered. “Your person? But earlier, didn’t you…”
She trailed off, recalling how Liu Hexiao had pretended not to know Yihuan just moments ago.
Without a hint of shame, Liu Hexiao retorted, “Earlier, I forgot who she was. Now I remember. Is that a problem?”
Madam Tian quickly switched to a servile smile. “Of course not, Shizi. Whatever makes you happy!”
But Liu Hexiao’s expression made it clear he was far from pleased.
Yihuan took the opportunity to hide behind him, her heart still racing.
Madam Tian saw that Liu Hexiao was angry, and immediately saw the wind and rudder: “Oh, it turns out that this girl is a friend of Shizi…… Misunderstandings, it’s all misunderstandings! ”
Seeing Madam Tian relent, Yihuan decided not to escalate the situation further. As the daughter of a disgraced official, any exposure could lead to serious trouble if she were recognized.
She whispered, “Your Highness, I’m fine now. Let’s go.”
But Liu Hexiao didn’t budge. “‘A misunderstanding’ and that’s it?”
Madam Tian’s face froze momentarily.
She took a deep breath, forced a smile at Yihuan, and said earnestly, “My dear, Madam Tian meant no harm. Seeing your natural beauty, I just wanted to have a word with you. Please don’t take it to heart, and I beg for both your and the Shizi’s forgiveness!”
Yihuan said nothing, but Liu Hexiao raised an eyebrow and said icily, “Trying to abduct someone right under my nose? If it happens again, don’t blame me for setting fire to your Qianjiao Pavilion!”
Cold sweat dripped down Madam Tian’s face. “Yes, yes! I wouldn’t dare again!”
At this moment, the drunken man, still dazed, staggered forward and demanded, “Who the hell are you? Pay for my wine!”
With a flick of his elbow, Liu Hexiao knocked the man out cold.
Madam Tian was shocked and hurriedly ordered the male attendant to carry the man out.
Noticing the growing crowd of onlookers, she quickly said, “Why don’t I lead the Shizi and the young masters to a private room to rest?”
Having her identity revealed, Yihuan dared not act on her own any longer and awkwardly followed Liu Hexiao, keeping her head low and trailing behind.
He Ye glanced at her curiously and asked, “What’s your name?”
Yihuan raised her eyes, which were clear and bright, and answered, “Xie Yihuan.”
He Ye, intrigued, continued, “And what’s your relationship with Ah-xiao?”
With his elegant phoenix eyes and a naturally flirtatious tone, his words carried a playful charm.
Yihuan stammered, “E-employment, I suppose?”
He Ye looked puzzled. “What could he possibly hire you for?”
Yihuan replied earnestly, “I cook. The Shizi hired me to make afternoon desserts for the Old Madam.”
He Ye froze briefly, then exclaimed with delight, “So you’re the little chef!”
Yihuan tilted her head in confusion. “You’ve heard of me, young master?”
He Ye lightly fanned himself and said, “Ah-xiao’s been grumbling non-stop lately about how nothing tastes good anymore. So it’s you who’s spoiled his palate!”
Yihuan chuckled softly. “He’s picky by nature… A tough person to please!”
Hearing this, Liu Hexiao, who had been walking ahead, suddenly stopped and turned to look at her.
The air seemed to still for a moment. Yihuan hurriedly corrected herself, “I mean, the Shizi has exceptional taste when it comes to food. Having his appreciation is my greatest fortune!”
Satisfied, Liu Hexiao curled his lips into a faint smile and resumed walking.
He Ye laughed out loud. “You two really are cut from the same cloth—masters of saying one thing while meaning another!”
Cao Shixun also glanced at Yihuan curiously. He observed her oversized male attire, which didn’t fit well, and found himself wondering how she would look in proper women’s clothing.
Once inside the private room, Liu Hexiao, He Ye, and Cao Shixun took their seats.
He Ye cheerfully called out, “Little chef, come sit down!”
Yihuan waved her hands nervously. “Thank you, Young Master He, but I’ll just stand.”
Cao Shixun studied her intently. Noticing her ill-fitted disguise, he grew even more curious about her true appearance.
Liu Hexiao spoke up indifferently, “You’re blocking the light.”
Yihuan felt frustrated but couldn’t retort, as she’d just benefited from his intervention. Reluctantly, she sat down with a sullen expression.
At that moment, her stomach let out a loud growl.
Yihuan’s face turned crimson. She had spent the entire evening talking with Lianqiao, drinking two cups of wine but eating nothing. After all, the food at Qianjiao Pavilion was outrageously expensive!
Liu Hexiao chuckled softly at the sound, making Yihuan’s ears turn red as well. She clutched her stomach in silence, wishing she could disappear.
Just then, the door opened, and two beautifully dressed women entered, followed by a line of servants carrying dishes and wine. The food was quickly laid out on the table.
One of the women, dressed in yellow, immediately nestled into He Ye’s arms with a coquettish giggle. “Young Master He, why has it taken you so long to visit me?”
He Ye smiled faintly. “So you’d miss me more.”
The two flirted shamelessly, leaving Yihuan covered in goosebumps.
Cao Shixun chuckled and said to Yihuan, “That’s just how He Ye is—completely shameless. You’ll get used to it.”
Yihuan smiled politely, thinking to herself, Why should I get used to him…?
Meanwhile, the woman in purple gracefully poured Cao Shixun a cup of wine and said softly,
“Master Cao, have some food before drinking; it’ll be easier on your body.”
Cao Shixun nodded, glanced at her briefly, and smiled faintly.
Yihuan thought to herself, At least this pair seems normal…
At that moment, the yellow-clad woman suddenly noticed Yihuan and exclaimed,
“Oh?”
After finishing her antics with He Ye, she finally noticed the quiet young man sitting beside Liu Hexiao. His delicate features caught her attention. Could he be some nobleman sneaking out for fun?
She moved closer with feigned nonchalance and asked, “And what may I call you, young master?”
Yihuan hesitated, then glanced at Liu Hexiao before responding, “My surname is Xie.”
The woman covered her mouth and giggled coyly. “So you’re Young Master Xie! Is this your first time here?”
The girls in the brothel always found newcomers intriguing.
He Ye, noticing he was being ignored, complained, “Xinqiao, how could you abandon me so quickly?”
The yellow-clad Xinqiao replied teasingly, “What abandonment? I’m just curious about Young Master Xie since it’s his first visit. I thought I’d help him find a suitable companion…”
Yihuan forced an awkward smile. “Thank you, but… there’s no need.”
Xinqiao found it odd. Could Young Master Xie be as unyielding as Liu Shizi?
Determined, she leaned in closer. “Come on, sir, tell me—what kind of girl do you like?”
Yihuan didn’t answer, and Xinqiao grew bolder, practically draping herself over him. Yihuan, feeling cornered, turned to Liu Hexiao for help.
To her dismay, Liu Hexiao smirked, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Realizing he wasn’t going to help, Yihuan decided to turn the tables. “Why not ask the Shizi what kind of girl he likes, Xinqiao?”
