Chapter 7: The Storm at the Gate of Yixiang Pavilion
It was late afternoon.
Unlike other streets' desolation, Moyuncheng "Yixiang Pavilion" entrance is bustling with people.
The colorful lanterns, like elves dancing in the dark room, were wrapped around several pillars in front of the Yixiang Pavilion, making the large empty space in front of the pavilion as bright as daylight.
At this moment, people are coming and going, constantly shuttling back and forth in front of and behind the gate of Yixiang Pavilion. It's worth noting that these people who enter are all some wealthy merchants with full bellies and wearing brocade long gowns; or young masters from rich families surrounded by servants, exuding an air of elegance; as well as some disheartened gamblers seeking to vent their frustrations.
However, the people who kept coming out were all dressed-up women with heavy makeup, constantly pulling and tugging at the people going in and out of the Yixiang Pavilion.
Drunken on paper, lost in splendor.
"What's going on... why won't you let me in..."
A sudden, deafeningly loud and bewilderingly intoxicating voice, like a thunderclap, suddenly rang out in front of the Yixiang Pavilion, with a hint of discontent in its tone.
Wow!
The moment the thunder-like voice fell, the originally bustling and lively entrance suddenly became extremely quiet.
For a moment, everyone's gaze at the entrance was also completely drawn over by the sound.
All eyes were on...
His greyish-yellow hair fell down his shoulders like withered seaweed, covering more than half of his face. The only visible part was also covered by a tangled beard.
He stood at one meter nine tall, with a sturdy build, and if not for the tattered clothes he wore, he might have had some intimidating presence. A large, bright red wine gourd hung from his waist, making him look rather unusual. His swaying posture showed that its owner was already slightly drunk.
"Go in?"
The little fellow, no more than 1.6 meters tall, standing at the entrance, looked up at the big man who was two heads taller than him, without any fear, and with a pair of small eyes full of disdain, "Don't you see what kind of place this is? Is this a place where your kind of beggar can enter? Do you have money?"
"Money...... money...... I have money......"
Hearing the sarcastic words of the young man in front of him, the big Han shook his head and put his right hand into his pocket. He then pulled it out and turned his palm over, placing it in front of the young man's face.
"Haha!"
"Haha!"
The young servant had not yet reacted, and some of the wealthy merchants, rich sons and their servants who were close by looked at the big man's outstretched palm and burst into loud laughter without regard for appearances.
In the palm of Da Han's overturned hand, three copper plates were placed there.
With three copper coins in hand, you want to enter the Fragrant Pavilion?
In the Yixiang Pavilion, even a pot of the lowest-grade fragrant tea costs five taels of silver. You come to the Yixiang Pavilion with only three copper coins? Do you think you're buying steamed buns from a street vendor?
"Hah!"
Looking at the three copper plates in the big Han's hand, which seemed to be mocking and ridiculing him, the small servant's ugly face suddenly turned bright red with rage, and he laughed instead of getting angry. "Don't think you're great just because you're a big shot! If you block our 'Yi Xiang Ge' from doing business again, I'll have someone come out and destroy you!"
"What's the matter, Dogzi?" Just then, a heavily made-up woman with a silk fan in her hand and dressed in a colorful outfit walked out of Yixiang Pavilion.
"Boss, this big fellow wants to enter our 'Yi Xiang Ge' without paying... I'm trying to shoo him away," the little servant said, his face suddenly changing as he spoke in a fawning tone.
This heavily made-up woman was none other than the owner of "Yi Xiang Ge".
"Ladies and gentlemen, don't be dazed, please come in quickly, the Water Girl will be out soon!"
The woman gently swayed the small fan in her hand, facing the people at the door, with a face full of powder and a smile that she thought was captivating.
"Ah, the Water Girl is coming out!"
"Hurry up!"
The woman's words seemed more effective than any language, and in a short while, there were only a few people left at the gate of Yixiang Pavilion.
Yi Xiang Ge's three top courtesans, and especially Shui Gu Niang is the most popular among people. It's not just her exceptional skill with the pipa under her jade hands, but more so the "mystery" she presents in front of everyone in her daily life.
Men are more interested in things that are mysterious, as if it has become a natural instinct.
At this time, it was heard that Shui Gu Niang would be coming out soon, and the crowd at the door rushed to go in.
"He's just a drunkard, get rid of him, kick him out!"
The woman waited until all the guests had entered, then she glanced at the drunk man with a slanted gaze, and afterwards looked at the young servant with a pair of dissatisfied eyes, scolding him in a soft voice.
Just at this time ——
Slow!
Just as the owner of Yixiang Pavilion and the little servant called Dogzi were about to turn around, a voice came from afar, causing them to stop in their tracks and turn back again.
"Master Ling!"
Under the enthusiastic hospitality of the owner of Yixiang Pavilion and the humble voice of Gouzzi, a purple-clad young man's figure slowly approached from afar.
A head of flowing long hair tied back and draped over his body, a slightly childish face with a gentle smile, the corners of his mouth always hanging with a hint of evil. The excellent purple brocade clothes on his body, the precious antique "Dragon and Phoenix Double Beads" constantly rotating in the palm of his right hand, all showed the extraordinary family background of the young man.
The newcomer was exactly Ling Qingyan.
"Mr. Li, this big fellow is my friend, so let him come in with me, okay? All his expenses will be put on my account," said Ling Qingyan with a smile after glancing at the drunk man.
"It turned out to be Young Master Ling's friend, I was just being nosy," although Boss Li was curious how a refined young man like Young Master Ling could have such a drunkard as a friend, she didn't ask.
"Master Ling, at this moment, Shui Niangzi is probably already out. You and your friend should hurry in..."
After finishing speaking, Li Lao Ban of Yixiang Pavilion waited for Ling Qingyan to bow before turning around and heading back inside.
Watching the back of the owner of Yixiang Pavilion disappear into the distance, Ling Qingyan's smile faded from his face, his eyebrows furrowed, and his sword-like eyebrows involuntarily knitted together.
Years ago, Ling Qingyan already knew that although his own Ling family was considered the top family in Moyun City, they still didn't have the qualifications to get involved in Moyun City's "entertainment" and "gambling" industries.
Ling Qingyan, who has the memories of his past life as an underground overlord, is well aware that whether it was in his previous life or this one, the industries of prostitution and gambling have always been the most profitable.
Ling Qing clearly remembers that in the previous life's gang, about 6 or 7 layers of income came from "prostitution" and "gambling", and nearly two layers came from "drugs".
A few years ago, Ling Qingyan had asked his father why their family business didn't venture into these two lucrative industries, and at that time, his father only replied with three words:
Not qualified!
Ling Qingyan only then realized that even the "entertainment" and "gambling" industries in a remote city like Moyun City were already monopolized by mid-tier families of the Great Qin Empire. As for the top families, they didn't deign to compete with these small cities' small families.
It turns out that no matter where you go, a strong fist is always the best argument!
Whether it was in the previous life or this life.
