Night fell.
Chang'an Street was brightly lit with streetlights.
At the western end of the street, there was an ancient, elegant building, suspended over the city moat and covering a vast area. Its upturned eaves resembled a soaring bird. The building was five stories tall, a rare sight even in Chang'an. The main entrance bore a red wooden plaque with four characters: Heaven on Earth!
Heaven on Earth’s predecessor was a brothel, subordinate to the Prefecture of Music. After certain corrupt officials were raided and their properties confiscated, their female family members would be sent to the Prefecture of Music. After specialized training, they would be sold to brothels to become courtesans.
Later, the brothel was bestowed upon Ning Royal Mansion, with the condition that a portion of its annual profits be submitted. This was similar to a bid, with Ning Que managing its operation, while the true shareholder remained Emperor Feng.
Ning Que then undertook a drastic reform of the brothel.
First, he changed its name to Heaven on Earth.
He added a bathhouse and a sauna.
The second floor was dedicated to foot massages.
These services were provided by specialized women.
He also added a buffet and fine wines.
Anyone who made a purchase at Heaven on Earth could enjoy these for free. He then introduced a membership system, selling monthly, quarterly, and annual cards. Only annual card members were eligible for 'meat dishes' (a euphemism for sexual services).
Additionally, Heaven on Earth hosted daily performances. Courtesans would take to the stage, dressed in thin clothing, and dance gracefully to the music. These courtesans were professionally trained, every gesture and smile filled with allure.
In just a few short years, Heaven on Earth had become Chang'an City's most famous pleasure palace, earning so much that calling it 'raking in gold daily' was no exaggeration. Its annual members alone exceeded three thousand!
"Your Highness."
"This is the best private room."
"It's rare for you to visit us; there will be a performance shortly."
"Good wine and food will be sent up in a moment."
"Shall I have Mudan accompany you?"
The woman seemed a little nervous, her ruqun dress slightly revealing. Though a bit older, her figure was impeccable. Her ample bosom seemed almost ready to spill out. Her eyes sparkled with allure, and she carried a subtle, enchanting fragrance. Combined with the unique pink lighting, it was hard to control one's desires.
She was the manager of Heaven on Earth.
Few people knew her real name anymore.
Everyone called her Qing-furen.
Qing-furen, having been implicated in a case, was sent to the Prefecture of Music and later sold to a brothel. She stayed in the brothel for several years, gradually aging and losing her value. Just as she was about to be sold to old men, Ning Que appeared like a beacon in their world.
Ning Que felt she had experience and sufficient connections. So he appointed her as the main manager, essentially the madam. She proved herself capable, performing well over the years. Her cautious nature and smooth, diplomatic way of speaking persuaded many guests to purchase membership cards.
"No need."
Ning Que waved his hand, "Just send some wine and dishes. No need for anyone to serve. If there's nothing else, no need to send anyone to disturb us."
"Understood."
A moment later, the wine and dishes were delivered.
Qing-furen wisely led her staff away.
Wan Sanqian sat by the window.
He looked out through the window.
They were in a VIP room on the second floor.
From there, they could perfectly see the stage on the first floor.
The angle was just right.
They could clearly see the gracefully dancing courtesans.
Listening to the music, Wan Sanqian looked at the dishes.
These were far superior to the buffet downstairs, only provided to annual card VIPs. Each dish was exquisite, and the ingredients were carefully selected. For example, this braised sea cucumber with scallions was made from sea cucumbers transported from Linzi County. In Chang'an City, to eat seafood, one had to be extremely wealthy or of high status.
"Junior Brother's Heaven on Earth is quite famous."
"I even heard people mention it in Liao Country."
"Seeing it today, it truly is extraordinary."
"To transform a brothel, a place of flesh trade, into such a pleasure palace, only Junior Brother could achieve it."
"These are merely insignificant little tricks," Ning Que raised his wine cup and said softly, "Those courtesans don't have easy lives. They are the most lowly people in Chang'an City; even beggars can spit on them."
"If you were to look closely, most of them have very tragic stories. Some were implicated in cases and sent to the Prefecture of Music; others came from impoverished families and were sold to the Prefecture of Music. Once they entered a brothel, they could never hold their heads high again. So I changed some rules to allow them to live like human beings."
"Junior Brother is as kind-hearted as ever."
"It's not really kindness, is it?"
Ning Que smiled.
In fact, it had to do with the times.
He hadn't done much.
But in the eyes of the world, he was a rare good person.
The brothel still existed, and the flesh trade still existed.
However, Ning Que explicitly stipulated that no one should be harmed.
Previously, some with malicious tastes used extremely cruel methods, coming to the brothel simply to vent their inner evil. Ning Que found this infuriating, feeling that those seemingly refined guests were utterly disgusting.
They were usually high and mighty.
They spoke of pleading for the common people and quoted classics and etiquette.
But their actions were worse than those of beasts!
"Come, Senior Brother, try the dishes here."
"Let's hold the auction here in a few days."
"And partner with my Heaven on Earth."
"Those without an annual membership won't be eligible to participate."
"Hmph, you really know how to make money!" Wan Sanqian couldn't help but smile, "I remember, an annual membership here costs three thousand taels. Will they be willing to pay?"
"Don't worry, they will be willing."
Ning Que laughed.
Eight Treasures Company was renowned throughout the Divine Land.
This auction happened to coincide with the Empress Dowager's birthday.
And there were many rare treasures.
These nobles wouldn't miss this opportunity.
"Alright, I'll listen to you then."
"Come, let's drink!"
"Haha, good." Wan Sanqian smiled slightly, "This wine isn't very interesting; your immortal tea is better. Xiao Ning, you must remember me for that business."
"It's difficult..."
"How so?"
"Tea concerns the lifeline of Great Feng. After the tea-horse trade is established, we can use tea to control the barbarians," Ning Que spoke slowly, "This matter is not something I can decide. I will talk to Emperor Feng another day. Eight Treasures Company can transport the tea on behalf of the government, and you can earn a hard-earned profit without any problem."
"Haha, good!"
Wan Sanqian wasn't picky either.
He knew Ning Que's character.
Although he liked doing business, he also had a bottom line.
Especially when it came to matters of national importance, he was even more cautious.
As the two brothers chatted, a knock on the door suddenly sounded.
"Who is it?"
"Your Highness, it's me."
"Come in."
Qing-furen slowly walked in, her face troubled, "Although it might be somewhat inappropriate, I feel I must inform Your Highness about this. Just now, Lin Xianhong also came..."
"She came to Heaven on Earth?"
Ning Que frowned.
Could she be here to cause trouble?
Qing-furen nodded, whispering, "She said she came to treat someone, likely the leader of Black Tiger Gate, Hu Feng. He's not a good person... He came to Heaven on Earth before and almost harmed Mudan. After being taught a lesson, he never dared to misbehave again."
"Not only Hu Feng, but also several other lustful devils. This afternoon, I saw them talking with Gu Yuan."
"It has nothing to do with us."
Ning Que coldly flicked his sleeve.
He had already guessed what was going on.
But so what?
Lin Xianhong brought this upon herself!
Her affairs had no connection whatsoever with Ning Que!