As night fell, the daytime clamor faded, and Nanquan Lane sank into silence.

But one place remained as brightly lit as ever.

Willow Leaf Street, Spring Rain Tower.

Outside Spring Rain Tower, Turtle Slaves and servants, brimming with energy and wide smiles, greeted the guests who arrived from time to time.

A visit to Spring Rain Tower was not cheap; the common folk could not afford it. With few exceptions, most of its patrons were from wealthy families, including no shortage of young masters from exceptionally privileged backgrounds.

"Young Master, please come inside."

Amidst the smiling faces of the stooping Turtle Slaves and servants, Chen Ping’an walked through the main doors of Spring Rain Tower.

He was dressed much differently than usual, a complete transformation.

Dressed in brocade, holding a jade fan, with a Jade Pendant at his waist, he cut a fine figure. Combined with his handsome, youthful face, he looked for all the world like a young noble from a great house.

This entire getup was the brainchild of a few Constables from the Garrison Commandant’s Office.

According to Constable Li, if you’re going to a Brothel, you need to look the part.

And it was true. Dressed up like this, Chen Ping’an exuded an indescribable air of nobility.

Given his appearance, Chen Ping’an naturally received special attention from the Turtle Slaves and servants.

"Young Master, would you like to be in the main hall on the first floor, or a private room on the second?"

The servant leading Chen Ping’an bowed slightly and asked with a smile.

The private rooms on the second floor were reserved for major patrons with significant spending power; only they were qualified to be seated there.

He wouldn’t have bothered asking an ordinary guest.

"The second floor," Chen Ping’an said lightly.

His purpose for coming to the Spring Rain Tower this time was clear: to stir up trouble.

’Since the Garrison Commandant’s Office sent me to stir up trouble, this counts as a business expense. And if it’s on the company dime, naturally I have to choose the best.’

’Of course, it’s highly likely I’ll be getting all this for free tonight anyway.’

’Once the Garrison Commandant’s Office constables surround the place, who’s going to be in the mood to ask me for payment?’

"Right away, Young Master." The servant respectfully led Chen Ping’an to a private room on the second floor.

The Spring Rain Tower was a sizable establishment.

In the very center of the first-floor hall, there was a uniquely shaped and beautifully decorated stage, surrounded by tables.

Every night, Spring Rain Tower held talent shows on this stage. Guests could sit at the tables, sipping fine wine and eating snacks, while enjoying the performances of the girls on stage.

The view from the second floor was much better than the main hall, offering a completely different perspective on the show.

Looking down from above gave one a certain sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

Chen Ping’an sat down in the private room. The table was filled with delicate pastries, and a pair of slender, fair hands poured him fine wine and brought it straight to his lips.

Feeling the plush warmth of the woman beside him, Chen Ping’an swallowed his wine and sighed internally.

’No wonder that kid Monkey Head loves coming to the Spring Rain Tower so much. This really is the life!’

The girl beside him was named Peony. Her features were delicate and pretty, and she was not very old. She was specially arranged by the Spring Rain Tower to serve him at Chen Ping’an’s request.

Chen Ping’an’s request had been simple: a Cultured Courtesan who had not yet had her hair "combed up."

Clothes make the man. Given Chen Ping’an’s noble air, the Spring Rain Tower had taken his request very seriously.

They brought in five or six girls for him to choose from.

He had picked Peony at first glance from the line-up.

’Ever since I crossed over, I’ve lived a hard life. Now that I have the chance, I should definitely enjoy myself.’

Chen Ping’an was in a good mood.

As cups of wine and delicate pastries went down, the lively atmosphere in the Spring Rain Tower reached its peak.

The Spring Rain Tower’s routine nightly song and dance performance officially began on the high stage on the first floor.

One by one, gorgeous and enchanting women in an array of colorful dresses swayed and posed on the high stage.

Chen Ping’an leaned against the window, enjoying the performance below from his vantage point.

’Bouncing up and down... perfectly round... nice!’

"Young Master, have some fruit."

The girl serving Chen Ping’an carefully handed him a peeled lychee.

Chen Ping’an chuckled, taking a bite of the lychee and playfully catching the girl’s slender fingers in his mouth as well.

As the performance on the high stage reached its climax, it was met with a chorus of cheers from the audience.

"Great dancing, great music! Bravo!"

"Miss Mengdie’s dancing is so graceful, it was love at first sight!"

"Yu Lan’s voice is so soft and enchanting, absolutely captivating!"

"Miss Peony’s flute skills are supreme, worthy of all praise!"

"..."

Amidst the clamor and cheers, the performances on the high stage gradually came to an end. This was the time for the young masters and wealthy patrons to show off.

If they saw a girl they liked, they could simply send a servant to reward her with silver taels. Then, the girl would come over to offer a toast. If the reward was generous enough, it wasn’t impossible to spend the night in the girl’s fragrant boudoir.

Of course, for exceptionally talented and beautiful girls, there was fierce competition. Rival patrons would get jealous and try to outdo each other, showering them with rewards.

To truly win the beauty’s favor, it all came down to the size of one’s purse.

A still-charming woman walked onto the high stage; it was none other than the Madam of Spring Rain Tower, Ruchun. The servants attending the tables also started to move about.

"Young Master Wang from table seven rewards Miss Peony five hundred small coins!"

"Master Qian from table fifteen rewards Miss Yu Lan one tael of patterned silver!"

"Young Master Zhao from table twenty-one rewards Miss Mengdie eight hundred small coins!"

"..."

The voice of Madam Ruchun from the Spring Rain Tower rang out from the stage from time to time. The Spring Rain Tower was, after all, located in Nanquan Lane. It could hardly compare with the Brothels in the city proper where the truly wealthy gathered, so the reward amounts in silver coins were not that huge.

But to the common folk, these rewards of several hundred coins or a tael of silver were an absolutely exorbitant sum.

After all, back when Chen Ping’an was just a temporary constable, a Government man in the Garrison Commandant’s Office, his Monthly Allowance was a mere eight mace of silver.

With a bit of laughter and conversation, the patrons of the Spring Rain Tower were tossing around rewards worth more than Chen Ping’an’s entire Monthly Allowance.

Of the nearly twenty girls on the high stage, only three were the most sought after.

Miss Peony, Miss Yu Lan, and Miss Mengdie.

"Young Master Sun from table five rewards Miss Peony one tael of patterned silver!"

"Table twelve..."

"..."

The competition among the patrons continued.

Whoever rewarded the most silver could invite the girl over to their table.

Having one of the dazzling performers from the stage personally come to your table to pour your wine, all while you basked in the envious gazes of the crowd—the feeling was intoxicating, enough to make a man lose his head.

"Young Master, the three ladies—Peony, Yu Lan, and Mengdie—are all the tower’s top performers. It’s rare for them to perform on the same stage together. You’re quite lucky."

In the second-floor private room, Peony fanned Chen Ping’an and said in a soft, gentle voice.

"Oh? So they’re all top performers!" Chen Ping’an raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Yes, look, everyone below is going crazy competing. Even young masters in the second-floor private rooms have started making rewards."

Peony smiled, looking curiously at Chen Ping’an.

"Aren’t you interested?"

"Of course I’m interested."

A smile played on Chen Ping’an’s lips.

He waved his hand, calling over the servant waiting nearby.

’I came to the Spring Rain Tower to cause a scene! How could I possibly stay quiet at a time like this?’

"Young Master Chen in private room number three on the second floor rewards Miss Yu Lan twenty taels of patterned silver!"