By evening, as lanterns began to illuminate the bustling streets, carriages and horses swarmed around the Spring Breeze Pavilion. Inside, countless "literati and scholars" were greeted warmly by attendants and ushered in.
Most of them knew each other, exchanging greetings like "Brother" and "Sir" as they met. While many people entered, only a select few held the privilege of private rooms. The Spring Breeze Pavilion was highly exclusive; ordinary officials' sons simply didn't make the cut. Most guests gathered in the main hall.
The hall was vast, with hundreds of seats arranged in an intricate pattern, each positioned thoughtfully to maximize aesthetic charm. A gentle stream flowed through the center, releasing fine mist as cheers erupted. Amid the water vapor, an ethereal figure of a woman emerged, her brows delicately arched, her slender eyes filled with grace. With skillful hands, she gently plucked the strings of a qin, her music drifting like a celestial tune. She appeared like a fairy descending to earth.
But this was only the beginning.
Suddenly, a large bronze mirror in the center of the hall emitted a bright light, drawing everyone's gaze. Reflected within was another woman, lithe and dancing seductively, setting many onlookers' hearts aflame. Then, a moon shadow appeared in the flowing water, framing a woman dressed in white who softly sang...
In total, eight breathtaking women each displayed their unique talents. Some were elegant, others fiery, some modest and demure. No matter how discerning a man's taste, he could find a favorite among these eight. Judging by the cheers echoing through the hall, this was evident.
"Ancient men certainly had no shortage of ways to entertain themselves!" Nathan was astounded. He had thought that the modern information age had desensitized him to such beauty displays, but he realized now that there was always a new height to reach.
These beauties were showcased through mystical arts, indicating that the Spring Breeze Pavilion had more than one practitioner controlling everything behind the scenes, which proved its unusual nature.
"The one who appeared just now was Lady Ying, and following her was Lady Ruyan..." Sang Liu recited their names as if he knew them by heart, smiling. "These eight women are the pavilion's most prized, and countless men in the capital have coveted them."
Nathan understood. After the dazzling performances, balconies above the hall opened, and the eight courtesans appeared, playing jade flutes, lightly plucking their qin, or flirting coquettishly. They looked as if they had descended from an otherworldly paradise to the mortal realm.
Men in the hall, eyes gleaming with a wolfish light, stared intensely. Nathan could see what they were after.
"The Spring Breeze Pavilion certainly knows its marketing. First, they use enticing tricks to whet the appetite, then bring out the courtesans to drive men wild," Nathan commented, his gaze drawn to another side.
Above the eight courtesans, another balcony remained closed.
Curious, he asked, "Brother Liu, what's the story there?"
Finally, he noticed! Sang Liu sighed in relief, laughing as he replied with the lines he had carefully prepared.
"That is the one person here you absolutely cannot afford to offend," he said, enjoying Nathan's curiosity.
"In this pavilion resides Lady Xiao, whose status surpasses all the other courtesans," Liu continued. "Those who have met her are utterly captivated. But she rarely makes appearances. The Spring Breeze Pavilion has been here for years, yet the guests she's met can be counted on one hand—and they've only conversed over arts and culture, never advancing beyond that."
Nathan noticed the glint in Sang Liu's eyes and recognized it as the look of a lecherous old fox.
"So she's a 'pure courtesan'?" Nathan ventured.
"A pure courtesan may sell her skills but not her body," Liu clarified. "Lady Xiao neither sells her skills nor her body. She cares nothing for wealth, only talent. Very few have ever caught her eye."
"How does she maintain her independence in a place like this?" Nathan asked.
"That's the crux of it," Liu replied, his tone growing serious. "Many people covet her, and some have even tried to use underhanded methods, yet all who offended her met terrible fates. Her background is both mysterious and frightening. Rumor has it she's already the exclusive woman of a powerful figure. Common folk should stay away, but there are also whispers that she has connections in the palace."
"In short, she exists within the Spring Breeze Pavilion but remains detached from its worldly aspects. The only way to meet her is through exceptional talent. But even if you manage to impress her, you'll only get to meet her. As for intimacy, that's just wishful thinking. She's untouchable."
Upon hearing this, Nathan's heart surged with joy.
Finally! He'd been searching for a situation like this!
An untouchable woman with deep, mysterious connections—perfect. Nathan's eyes sparkled as he gazed at the highest balcony.
A woman like that? If I dare to make a move, I'm bound to die miserably, right?
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]