Chapter 7: First Encounter

Inside the Peony Pavilion of the Drunken Wind brothel.

"Congratulations to Brother Chang on your promotion to Imperial Guard!"

"Back when we were in the barracks together, I always said Brother Chang was destined for great things!"

"You're the only one here who knows how to butter someone up!"

"Drink up, drink up! We won't leave tonight until we're thoroughly drunk!"

The sounds of finger-guessing games, rowdy drinking, and the crisp clinking of cups filled the second and third floors of the Drunken Wind. Down below in the main lobby, the atmosphere was a mix of zither music, flirtatious laughter, and the rhythmic tapping of small waist drums accompanying the dancers’ flowing sleeves.

This was the most luxurious brothel in the capital. Chang Wei had only ever been here as an escort for powerful men, standing by the door or off to the side while the nobles drank and teased the courtesans.

Chang Wei’s gaze had often lingered on the chests and thighs of the women, only to be met with either cold glares or complaints filed by the girls themselves.

Thinking of this, Chang Wei waved a hand grandly: "Brothers, whoever catches your eye, go ahead and take them to bed—my treat today!"

Chang Wei stood up, swaying, and wiped his flushed face. The men at the table were ecstatic, showering him with endless flattery.

"I knew Brother Chang was a man of integrity! Your future is boundless! If General Wen hadn't met with disaster, you would have been a shoo-in as the Wen family's son-in-law! What a pity, though... that young lady of the Wen family was really something... Hey, why do you keep elbowing me?"

The man, having been nudged by his neighbor several times, failed to notice that Chang Wei’s expression had turned icy. Someone else tried to smooth things over: "It’s a great day, let’s not talk about that. The nine clans of the Wen family have all been executed. Our Brother Chang is now a third-rank Imperial Guard and will be serving directly under His Majesty!"

Everyone nodded in agreement. Chang Wei smiled: "I need to relieve myself. Eat well and drink well, ha-ha!"

Chang Wei stumbled out of the private room, the cold air in the hallway sobering him slightly. As he walked along the corridor, the door to the room ahead was suddenly flung open, and a soft body collided with his chest.

Following closely behind was a fat, boorish drunkard, muttering, "You courtesans, how can you claim to sell only art and not your bodies? Do you think I don't have the money?"

Chang Wei had walked these halls for many years and had seen such scenes countless times. Instinctively, he reached out to push the girl away, but heard her plead in a tearful voice, "Save me."

The lingering haze in Chang Wei’s mind was instantly shattered by that voice. Pale, delicate arms clung to his shoulders. Chang Wei’s gaze traveled from her fair skin to her face, and he felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

The woman in his arms, upon seeing his face, was also startled and immediately tried to hide, as if ashamed to be seen by him.

The drunkard was already reaching out, grabbing the woman hiding in Chang Wei’s embrace, still cursing filthily: "Let’s see if you’ll still refuse me after I’ve finished with you."

"Get lost!" Chang Wei easily kicked the drunkard away, scooped up the woman with one arm, and strode quickly to an empty, clean room. He set her on the table, but as she tried to flee, he blocked her path with his arms.

Still disbelieving, Chang Wei studied her face closely. The more he looked, the more alarmed he became. Lowering his voice, he tested the waters: "Eldest Miss?"

Hearing the familiar address, Wen Zhiyan froze for a moment, and then tears welled up in her eyes. Her lips trembled as she tried to suppress her sobs: "Do not call me that anymore."

"Why are you here, Eldest Miss? Weren't you..." Chang Wei wanted to ask if she hadn't been exiled to the frontier, but he swallowed the words. "And the Madame and the other young ladies..."

Wen Zhiyan cried even more heartrendingly, burying her face in Chang Wei’s shoulder and choking out, "Mother and my sisters have all passed away from illness, and I..."

"There, there." Chang Wei had never seen Wen Zhiyan like this. In his memory, she had always been noble, elegant, and untouchable. Feeling her warm breath against his neck, he couldn't help but swallow hard.

As Wen Zhiyan continued to sob against him, Chang Wei didn't know where to put his hands. He asked again, "Where is the Eldest Miss living now?"

"I live here," Wen Zhiyan whispered, seemingly embarrassed, before hurrying to add, "I only play a few tunes..."

Chang Wei recalled the scene from earlier and understood. Feeling a sense of relief that he hadn't pushed her away, he comforted her: "I understand."

He fished out some loose silver and pressed it into her hand. "I left in a hurry today and didn't bring much, but take this for now."

"No, no," Wen Zhiyan said, trying to return the silver. "It is already my great fortune to have Brother Chang’s help today; I cannot accept your money."

This use of "Brother Chang" and the gentle push-and-pull made Chang Wei’s heart swell with pride. He forcefully pressed the silver into her hand, his rough palm patting the back of her smooth, delicate one.

"Listen to me, take it." Chang Wei leaned in close to her face, his breath smelling of alcohol. "I’ve been transferred out of the barracks; I’m a third-rank Imperial Guard now, and my salary has increased... I... I can buy your freedom..."

Wen Zhiyan seemed shocked by his words. She looked up at him, her tear-filled eyes making Chang Wei’s heart melt.

He heard her say softly, "Zhiyan is a woman with a stained reputation. Brother Chang has a bright future ahead of you; why go to such lengths?"

"Between us, we don't need to talk about that. Which room are you staying in? I’ll take you back."

Wen Zhiyan looked fearful. "That guest from just now..."

"It’s fine. I’ll go speak to your madam in a moment. With me here, no one will dare bully you again."

This was the first time Chang Wei had the status to say such words in front of Wen Zhiyan. His sense of achievement was unprecedented, and his heart was filled with satisfaction.

Wen Zhiyan looked at him and nodded gratefully.

But the matter proved far more troublesome than Chang Wei had anticipated. The fat man turned out to be the grandson of an old official. The brothel madam dared not let Chang Wei leave, fearing the guest would wake up and cause a scene.

Chang Wei first tried threats, but while "Imperial Guard" sounded impressive, in terms of rank, he was only a fifth or sixth-grade official—hardly enough to intimidate the madam.

As for bribery, there were plenty of men who spent thousands of gold pieces a night in such places; Chang Wei’s meager salary was barely a drop in the bucket.

In the end, Chang Wei was almost forced to grovel, yet the madam remained relentless...

Li Honghui interrupted Chang Wei’s accusation here, frowning as he asked, "Is that when I ran into you at the Drunken Wind and stepped in to help?"

"Yes..." Chang Wei muttered. In the end, it was Prince Fu who stepped in to settle the matter.

Prince Fu was about to lash out, but was interrupted by Song Baiqing, who had been listening silently: "May I ask, Brother Chang, when exactly did you meet Zhiyan at the Drunken Wind?"

"A year and a half ago!"

"Are you certain it was a year and a half ago? Are you sure you haven't misremembered the time?"

"I had just been promoted then; I could never misremember that!"

Chang Wei waved a hand, wiping away a fresh trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth: "Later on, she played me for a total fool!"