I inherited my grandfather's Tang Dynasty assets.

Chapter 45 Conflict in the Brothel

Chen Yue was taken aback, and quickly recalled this historical information in his mind.

In the fourteenth year of the Zhenguan era, after Duke Hou Junji of Chen conquered Gaochang, he was impeached by the censors for crimes such as privately taking treasures and letting his soldiers plunder.

For political reasons, Li Shimin imprisoned him in August to punish him, but released him at the end of the year, leaving him to live in retirement at home.

Hou Junji felt wronged and resentful, and eventually joined the Crown Prince's rebellion.

Based on the timeline, Hou Junji should have just been released and is currently at home fuming.

Regarding his son, historical records clearly mention only one person: Hou Zhong, the only surviving son of Hou Junji after his rebellion, who was eventually exiled along with his mother.

Later scholars believed that Hou Junji must have had other children, but Hou Zhong was probably the least capable and least liked by Hou Junji.

Only in this way could he eventually survive; that's why useless people live so long.

"Please come quickly, Second Young Master. I'll go and call Lan'er to serve you right away."

The fake mother's face was full of smiles, and she dared not disobey in the slightest. These sons of noble dukes and noble families were not people that a mere madam like her could afford to offend.

Moreover, although the other party is somewhat arrogant and domineering, they are always very generous. Lan'er is the most beautiful courtesan in Shuiyue Pavilion. Not only is she beautiful, but her soft and fragrant body is coveted by countless people.

Hou Zhong didn't even glance at the people downstairs, and walked sullenly towards the second floor.

As a top-tier young master, he naturally ate the most expensive banquet in a private room.

Chen Yue's guess was correct. Hou Junji had four sons and two daughters. He was the second son and had been hanging out with some spoiled brats since childhood. He himself was also extremely useless.

Since his father went to prison, they have all kept a low profile. He has been confined to the mansion by his elder brother Hou Ming for the past four months.

Hou Junji has now returned home, but this experience has made him irritable. He often beats and scolds the servants and the women, and he is scolded almost every day.

Now that I finally have a chance to get out and relax, I'm determined to get rid of this bad luck.

"Third Sister, do you know Wanbaolou in Chongren Ward?"

Chen Yue watched Hou Zhong go up to the second floor before turning his gaze away and casually asking a question.

"Of course I know, I've even bought things there."

As she spoke, she stretched out her left hand, revealing a silver bracelet inlaid with emerald green jade.

"This is from Wanbaolou. Isn't it beautiful, sir? It cost me a full ten thousand coins."

Her skin was fair and delicate, and she had applied something to her body that gave her a pleasant fragrance.

"I heard that the previous manager of Wanbaolou was a foreign merchant named Ang, but now it's a man named Jiang Gui. Do you know anything about Jiang Gui's background?"

Seeing that Chen Yue kept asking questions, Su San Niang was clearly getting impatient and forced a smile.

"Sir, how could I possibly know such things? I'd better call two young ladies to keep you company and help you pass the time."

"Okay, call them over."

Chen Yue stopped rambling and said he would ask Fan Tao when he had time. Today, he would experience the ancient brothel properly.

Chen Yue agreed, and Su San Niang immediately beamed with joy. She quickly arranged for several girls from the brothel to come to the table, each of them dressed in their finest attire.

They frequently flirted with Chen Yue, striking seductive poses. They were the most ordinary girls in Shuiyue Pavilion, the kind who, besides accompanying him for meals and conversation, could go to his room for some fun if they paid enough.

Eighty percent of the women at Shuiyue Pavilion are like this. Only a few have special skills or are top courtesans with great fame. These women have more autonomy in choosing which men to sleep with.

Chen Yue's gaze swept over them one by one. They were all quite good-looking. After all, a place like Shuiyue Pavilion wouldn't hire ugly women; that would ruin its reputation.

"Let's choose her."

Chen Yue pointed to the girl in the middle. In Chen Yue's opinion, he would give her an eight out of ten. She was the tallest, with a curvy figure, the kind of voluptuous girl that Chen Yue liked.

"Young master, is Yue'er the only one you want?"

Su San Niang asked with a smile.

"Why would I need so many things if I'm all alone?"

Su Sanniang smiled awkwardly, beckoned the woman to come and sit next to Chen Yue, poured him wine, and served him food.

Chen Yue held her and seemed to enjoy the feeling. After a moment, Su San Niang said goodbye to Chen Yue and left the place first.

"Master, Yue'er is available tonight. I haven't had anyone come to buy me the night for several days."

Seeing that Chen Yue's face was slightly drunk, Yue'er leaned her whole body against Chen Yue, whispering in his ear with seductive eyes.

While she was drinking with him, Chen Yue had already given her three hundred coins. She also had a good impression of Chen Yue and wanted to squeeze more money out of him.

"How much would it cost to buy you for one night?"

Chen Yue was a normal man, not a virgin. After eating and drinking his fill, he felt the urge.

Moreover, he had originally planned to stay overnight at Shuiyue Pavilion tonight.

"Eight hundred coins will suffice. Yue'er will certainly serve you well, sir."

Seeing that Chen Yue was interested, she became even more enthusiastic.

"Alright, tonight I'll buy you the night, but it's still early, have a couple more drinks with me."

Just as they were talking, a commotion suddenly broke out in the second-floor corridor. Like many others, Chen Yue immediately looked up.

One of them was Hou Zhong, whom we had just met, while the other side consisted of three equally well-dressed young men.

"Is this going to be a fight over a girl? That would be too melodramatic."

The two pushed and shoved each other, and because they were some distance apart, it was hard to hear what they were saying clearly.

But Chen Yue felt that, given Hou Zhong's status, he wouldn't get into a conflict with someone over a courtesan.

Seeing that there was something to watch, no one was in the mood for drinking and chatting. They all whispered among themselves, and many heads peeked out from other rooms to watch.

"What happened? Why did they start fighting?"

Chen Yue looked at Yue'er and asked.

"Even the moon doesn't know."

At the table next to Chen Yue sat three middle-aged men in their forties who had ordered five girls. One of them, the obese man, said something.

"That's Hou Zhong, the second young master of the Duke of Chen's mansion. Who are the other three? How dare they argue with him?"

"Manager Qu, you may not know this, but do you see that young man in the blue robe? His name is Cui Jia."

"Cui Jia? Could he be a member of the Cui family of Qinghe?"

Upon hearing this, the fat man who had spoken first was taken aback, and his face immediately showed envy and respect.

In the Tang Dynasty, the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families were still the role models of the gentry, and the Cui family of Qinghe was the head of the gentry, holding an extremely high position.

"The Cui family of Qinghe, huh? No wonder they dared to turn against Hou Zhong."

Chen Yue overheard their conversation, took a sip of wine, and thought to himself.

Although the fake mother wanted to mediate, neither side would give her face.

Hou Zhong, his face full of anger, pointed at the three people in front of him.

"How dare you humiliate my father like this? Even if you are from the Cui family of Qinghe, what can you do? Don't even think about leaving here peacefully until you give me an explanation!"

"snort!"

Cui Jia gave a cold laugh, looking at Hou Zhong with disdain.