The Empress's First Running Dog

Chapter 33: Locking in a Female Lover

Zhu Kui was stunned. At this moment, the old official with a fierce face suddenly began to feel frightened.

"Haha, I was just joking," Zhao Duan said with a smile:
"I just want to give him some trouble. We can't just let the last incident go. I have a temper, too, sir."

The tone is casual and understated.

But Zhu Kui smelled a hint of blood.

No, killing people in the temple is done without bloodshed, and there was murderous intent in Zhao Duan's words.

If you want to bring down the Zhang brothers, you must first find a breakthrough.

Although Zhang Changshuo was not very smart in his opinion, he was relatively cautious and was more clean in order to create a "gentleman" persona.

Therefore, Zhao Duan set his target on Zhang Changji, who was full of flaws.

The Baima Prison was not an intelligence agency, but Zhu Kui relied on his connections in the government office and managed to obtain information about Zhang Erlang in a very short time.

According to the description on the paper, the Zhang brothers separated after they grew up and each started a family in the city.

It is worth mentioning that his brother Zhang Changshuo originally had a wife, but after writing poems and singing praises, he was praised by the empress. He decisively found a reason to divorce his wife and returned to being single.

Even after being intercepted by Zhao Du'an, he still did not give up and has not remarried until now. He has been "staying alone in his empty room" for two years for the empress.

"He's also a ruthless person... but he thinks too much."

Zhao Duan grumbled. Although they had only been together for a short time, he had already realized:
Xu Zhenguan had no interest in keeping male favorites and was a workaholic.

From this perspective, he tacitly acknowledged the rumors about Zhao Duan, or perhaps he was using him as a shield.

Otherwise, countless ministers would have racked their brains to find ways to send men to the empress.

……

Back to topic.

Because Zhang Changji was serving in the Beijing camp, he was subject to military law and had to travel back and forth between his home and the military camp during the day.

They only go out to hang out at night or on holidays.

"Qinglian Cottage...what is this place?"

Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows. According to the information, Zhang Changji had visited this place frequently in the past six months.

Zhu Kui smiled, his expression slightly ambiguous:

"Your Excellency is a man of integrity. It's normal that you haven't heard of this name. This is the private residence of a 'talented woman' named Miss Xiaoya in the city. She is also quite famous and invites many talented scholars to party every night."

Talented woman?

Party every night?

Zhao Duan was stunned for a moment, then reacted.

Unlike the famous "red-light district" in the capital and Yanzhi Hutong where brothels are clustered, there are probably two types of business types in the ambiguous places of the Dayu Dynasty.

One is the industrial cluster type, that is, a large number of brothels are clustered together, attracting traffic from each other and increasing the brand value.

Among them, there are government-run Jiaofangsi and private brothels, which have different grades according to price.

The other is the "independent IP" operation route.

Usually, some officials committed serious crimes and were either beheaded or exiled, but their families were not implicated, leaving their wives and daughters to fend for themselves.

It’s good if they are taken in by family relatives, but if they have nowhere to go, they have no choice but to go out and make a living on their own.

Because they come from good families, are well-educated, and most of them have a foundation in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, a new model has emerged:

One or more women would set up a private banquet in their own house and hold a "literary gathering".

She also spread the word through her circle of friends, inviting many men to pay to drink tea, listen to music, discuss poetry and play songs, and also accepted some private banquets and parties.

It looks glamorous on the surface, but in the final analysis, it is still a flesh trade.

Imagine that an official fell from power, and his former superiors, colleagues, and even subordinates learned that they could attend the "literary gathering" held by his family...

Innate role-playing gameplay.

Isn’t this more interesting than the Jiaofangsi?
Naturally, the first time is new but the second time is familiar. Through word of mouth in the circle of friends, we have a stable customer flow.

Of course, in reality it is not that dirty. After the novelty wears off, most people still regard such gatherings as elegant places.

Whether or not you can be invited to stay overnight by the hostess depends on whether she is willing.

Because most of the guests are people of some status, at least scholars, the average customer spending is high and the entrance fee is expensive.

Moreover, due to its secrecy and the natural isolation of class circles, ordinary people, even wealthy businessmen, cannot find a way in without someone to introduce them.

As a result, a chain of contempt has emerged: only the country bumpkins who come to Beijing from other places are keen on hanging out in brothels, while the old guard in the Beijing circle all go to private residences for gatherings.

After Zhao Duan came to power, he was also educated on these little-known facts by his friends and went there twice.

Although the original owner was moved, he was infatuated with the empress and was afraid that the empress would find out that he was hanging around such places during the "probation period" and would dislike him and lose her favor.

So I have remained a virgin for the whole year and have not lost my virginity!
"Okay, I'm also a ruthless person..." Zhao Duan laughed at himself in his heart.

He relaxed his brows and said:
"So, Zhang Changji often goes to see this Miss Xiaoya? Tsk, a soldier likes this kind of talented woman..."

Can understand.

Zhu Kui hummed and said:
"Zhang Changji has been there for more than half a year, which means he must have a close relationship with Xiaoya. He might have told outsiders many private things that he couldn't tell his family."

That makes sense... Zhao Duan nodded secretly. In that case, he could try to find out more from this talented woman.

"Do you know where it is?"

"I don't know, but give me two hours and I will know."

Zhao Duan nodded in approval, flicked the paper with his fingers, and said:

"This is it."

……

……

Nothing happened during the whole day.

At dusk, Zhao Du'an left his servant behind as usual and took only Zhu Kui with him, traveling light.

Arrived outside the "Qinglian Cottage".

The lights are on and after nightfall, the city is brightly lit. Qinglian Cottage is located in an inconspicuous alley, surrounded by normal houses.

If there were no channels, ordinary people would never have imagined that there was something else going on here.

Zhao Duan deliberately changed into a slightly simpler long gown, dressing like a scholar. Zhu Kui also did not wear official clothes, trying to keep a low profile.

"Sir, it's inside. That's the one that's faintly hearing the piano music."

Zhu Kui stopped the carriage and asked, "Would you like me to accompany you in?"

What are you doing? Do you want to establish a friendship with me that goes beyond the relationship between superiors and subordinates? Zhao Duan complained and said lightly:

"No need, just wait outside."

After saying that, he walked towards the alley alone.

Following the sound of stringed instruments and orchestras, we arrived outside a house. Two red lanterns were hung on the tall gate.

Zhao Duan knocked on the door: "Knock, knock, knock."

After two long and one short signals, the gate creaked open.

The young doorman looked at him and was stunned. He didn't expect such a handsome man to come alone.

"But Qinglian Cottage? A friend recommended a visit."

Zhao Duan remained calm and handed over five taels of "ticket".

Seeing his demeanor, the concierge knew that he was of high status and said with a smile:

"Sir, please come in."

Zhao Duan stepped into the courtyard and went straight into the main room.

The door was separated by a curtain. The sound of piano flowed like water from inside, and human shadows could be seen crossing on the window paper.

The banquet had already started, and there were about ten people seated, all dressed like scholars, drinking and chatting.

Behind the screen, a graceful figure was reflected, and the sound of a piano came from behind. She was probably the owner of this place.

"Sir, please take your seat."

A maid came forward, then froze and blushed. The other drinkers looked up and showed surprised expressions.

What a handsome man...does he want to be a prostitute even with such good looks?
Everyone's faces changed and their hearts sank:
He is a powerful enemy!

According to the rules of this banquet, whether one can become a guest depends on the attitude of the hostess. Generally speaking, only those who are favored by Miss Xiaoya can stay overnight.

Zhao Duan put tremendous psychological pressure on the men present just by showing his face.

(End of this chapter)