Chapter 27: The Moon House

The girls at Moon House don’t embroider flowers, they run an embroidery needle business, and as the saying goes, as long as the kung fu is deep, the iron pestle sharpens into a needle, and the kung fu of these girls is thought to be pretty good. ……

Today is disguised to come to leisure, so Fan Xian and his party in one place changed a common carriage, thump when the ground to the western city of a secluded place, stopped in front of a three-story wooden building. Early in the building fellows came out to lead the horse to collect the reins, the action is very sharp, and there are freshly dressed guest will be a few people welcome in.

Fan Xian today in the eyebrow small move a little trick, but also in the left cheek according to the pattern of Si Zhe point a few small hemp, will be very clever to make their own face become a little bit dull, in a society where information is not developed, I believe that not a few people can guess that he is now Kyoto in the famous Fan Ti Si.

Holding the Moon Building was a wooden building, and in general, when a wooden building was to be repaired to more than three floors, the spacing between the floors would be compressed to ensure the stability of the wooden building, but the spacing between the floors of this Holding the Moon Building was so high, that even when standing in front of the building, one could clearly see the slice of sky at the back of the building.

Fan Xian knew that the wood of this building must be of the finest quality shipped from the north, and raised his steps toward the building, his palm seemingly unconsciously brushing against the extremely large pillar next to the door, confirming his judgment.

It was early in the morning, but the hall on the first floor was already filled with many guests, and there was a small stage about ten feet in circumference, on which a plainly dressed girl was playing the guqin, and the sound of the zither was murmuring, enough to clear the mind.

Fan Xian narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling more and more that this brothel was not simple. The three of them went up to the second floor along with the guest’s welcome, and chose a table at the back of the floor to sit down. Fan Xian sat down at the edge of the railing, and signaled Deng Ziyue and Shi Yanli with his gaze to sit down. Leaning on the railing, his eyes slightly drooped, found under the railing with green color gold paint depicting the immortal palace picture, can not help but think that this newly opened building, even the details are done so expensive, the proprietor of the financial resources are really strong. It seems that Mu Tie’s judgment can’t be wrong, there must be a relationship with those several emperors.

This moon building does have a hint of oddity, and this oddity comes from the elegant and unorthodox.

Unconformity, not the paradigm of the brothel.

There is no turtle welcome, no pimp coaxed with powder, even can not see a few breasts draped in a veil of beautiful women, a stream of fresh flavor, how also does not look like a brothel. Fan Xian has been in the capital for a year and a half, and has been to a few of these places, but this is the first time he has encountered this pattern. When he leaned on the fence and looked out, his heart was slightly moved again.

This building is adjacent to the street and stand, the place is secluded, and after the building, is a side of the lake, the lake as a long narrow shape, is the Kyoto famous thin lake.

A few people sitting on the rail, feel the lake surface gently brushed the cool autumn wind, can not say comfortable. Fan Xian couldn’t help but tap the railing, squinted his eyes – behind the building along the banks of the thin lake are many independent small courtyard, precisely hidden in the autumn trees, occasionally exposed white gray walls, extremely elegant. Just his eyes extremely sharp, early to see a small courtyard after the sewage ditch, hidden stained silk powder greasy red, will know that inside the many girls live, it seems that this hold the moon building in front of the restaurant just to welcome customers, the real happy place is in those small courtyard.

Like a visit to a famous mountain in general, need to have a fog cover in front of the mountain, in order to maximize the excitement of tourists to explore the feelings of seclusion.

The three-storey wooden building of the Moon Tower is like the clouds and mist in front of the famous mountain, hiding those small courtyards in the back, in order to maximize the excitement of the john’s idea of searching for the fragrance.

The proprietor of this brothel was indeed extremely intelligent, and if the other party was a character that could be bought, and did not have the lives of those few prostitutes on his hands, Fan Xian might really be interested in asking him to go to the inner treasury to take care of things.

However, for this kind of business in the green house, Fan Xian had always held a very pure attitude, a john is a john, a prostitute is a prostitute, one is the one who pays the money, and the other is the one who pays the meat, even if there are 300 sheets of psalms wrapped on the outside of the five-flower meat, it can’t erase the nature of this matter.

He just looked at the courtyard by the lake for a few moments and couldn t help but shake his head. This Soft Knife Villa, one day is only going to earn a lot ah. There is another idea but some brake the scene, he always seems to be thinking, those elegant courtyard under the soil, is not buried some soft women’s bones?

When he was slightly lost in thought, Shi Yanli had already ordered several kinds of food and wine. Hold the moon building service is very good, not a moment, two thirteen or fourteen years of age the size of the boy on the end of the food tray over, will be those very delicate porcelain plate gently rested on the table, did not make a sound, it is really well-trained.

Plate of food to do is also extremely attractive, a camellia shrimp scattered with a light fragrance, a few yellowish bright oil flowers quietly floating in a small bowl of chicken soup boiled dried silk surface, a home-style oil dipped in slices of beef smeared with a three-finger width of green and white onion shredded children, there are also a few kinds of small dishes under the influence of wine is also done very beautifully.

After the pretty boy poured wine for the three of them, Shi Yanli waved his hand and asked them to leave. Fan Xian looked at him with a smile, and in his heart he appreciated this disciple’s natural spontaneity, daring to make up his mind in front of himself.

The wooden spoon with a childish style moved slightly in the chicken soup, and the aroma that had been hiding under the surface of the soup came out with a sudden bang, even Fan Xian couldn’t help but be slightly stunned, and after receiving the bowl Shi Hanyanli handed over to him, he tasted it and couldn’t help but praise it as good!

The pseudonym Fan Xian used today was Chen Gongzi, which he took with Chen Pingping.

On top of the wine table, the three of them were just like normal friends and friends enjoying the scenery and food, drinking and chatting, only saying some interesting news in the capital. Deng Ziyue was the head of the Qinian group, worried about the safety of the Tisi, in such a place where they did not know their enemies and friends, so they had been a little bit unable to let go, a little bit restrained, but under the compulsion of the wine and Fan Xian’s awe-inspiring gaze, they finally relaxed a little bit.

After three rounds of drinking, Shi Yanli finally couldn’t help but frown and asked in a lowered voice, “Mr. Chen, what exactly are we here for today?”

Fan Xian laughed and said, “Of course I’ve come to try out the most luxurious enjoyment in Kyoto ……” After confirming that there was no one around to eavesdrop, he said softly, “Mu Tie told me about such a place, and of course he has his meaning, it’s just that seeing as he didn’t dare to state it, I thought that there must be a hidden meaning in it, so I came to take a look at it when I was occasionally moved to do so.”

Shi Yanli shook his head and smiled bitterly, “Although I also pity the women in this building, but …… a career of selling and laughing is common in the world, and the Qing law allows it, so why would your honor put yourself in jeopardy.”

Fan Xian used the tip of his chopsticks to flick a slice of thin, translucent beef into his lips, chewing slowly, smiling and saying, “This Moon House has killed four women in a month, and the ruthlessness of the hand of this gentleman is somewhat inferior, so it is considered to be here to learn a little bit.”

Shi Yanli frowned: “Criminal cases, are handled by the Kyoto prefectural magistrate, the Supervisory Yuan only Division Supervisory Yuan officials a responsibility, there is no power to intervene in this matter, the adults …… want to think of another idea.”

Deng Zi Yue drank some wine, boldness is also bigger, said: “To investigate is the crime of malfeasance of Kyoto prefectural magistrate. And ……” he glanced at Fan Xian, and after receiving permission, he lowered his voice and said, “The real proprietor of this moon building, the Supervisory Yuan has not been able to find out, so that’s why it feels more and more odd.”

Shi Yanli was shocked in his heart, thinking that the secret agents of the Supervisory Yuan were spread all over the capital, and all the princes and dukes only had nails in their houses, with many eyes and ears and astonishing strength, and that in just one month’s time, they would be able to find out the entanglements between the second prince and the Xinyang side. And hold the moon building on the surface is just a brothel tavern, the supervision courtyard actually can not find out its real proprietor!

He pondered in his heart, then there was only one possibility for this matter – the proprietor of this brothel’s backside was in league with ……

Fan Xian knew that he understood what he meant, and said with a smile, “This proprietor can actually make things tricky for the Eight Divisions, and it seems that someone in the courtyard is covering for him.”

The most powerful thing about the Supervisory Court was his professionalism and complexity into a systematic organizational composition, and it was extremely difficult for the courtyard itself to have major loopholes. The fact that there was a Zhuge in one place had shocked all those in the know, and he hadn’t expected that not two days after Zhuge’s death, someone in the Supervisory Yuan had begun to cover for the imperial princes again, which was the thing that Fan Xian was most worried about.

He was the supervisor of the Supervisory Yuan, how could he allow someone to spread wildness in his own acres and thirds of land? That’s why he must come and take a look at this Moon Embracing House for himself today, to see who is quietly sticking their chopsticks into their bowls, and in the meantime, regulate the boredom of his poor subordinates.

“Then what should the student do?” Although Shi Yanli was calm in nature, he was a scholar after all, and his expression was a bit nervous as he was doing something so thrilling and exciting for the first time.

Fan Xian said, “You have no hands, and since I’m bringing you along, it’s natural to just take a casual look.” He patted Shi Yanli’s shoulder, “The public money will treat you to a handful of treats.”

Shi Yanli froze and immediately realized what his lordship meant, and once he thought of the fact that he was still unmarried, he immediately blushed. Fan Xian was a bit surprised, and said with a smile, “How can I say that you and Hou Jichang are also talented young men in the capital, have you never visited a building before, and don’t have a few good-looking girls?”

Shi Yanli said in shame, “Student is incompetent, student is incompetent.”

Fan Xian couldn’t help but laugh and said, “In a place like this, words like incompetent can’t be said casually.”

After not much time, the sky was getting late, the sunset reflected the lake, turning into a long diagonal print, only the weather wasn’t too good, so that golden print on the water was a bit dull. Holding the moon building in the lights is fast bright up, like being cast a spell, in a very short time hanging on the countless colored lights, the whole building illuminated by the colorful, light reflection in the lake downstairs, as if the stars into the water, it is even more eye-catching than the scene of the setting sun many more.

Lights up people to, hold the moon building ushered in its day in the most lively hour, shadows can see a lot of car sedan chair parked in front of the building, down the people, although they are dressed in regular clothes, but walking still exudes a self-preservation of the official atmosphere, it seems to be some of the often come to the Beijing officials, most of the people beside the rich merchant accompanied.

Fan Xian can use the Supervisory Yuan public in the case of silver to Shi Yanli deflowering, and the six ministries of the officials are still accustomed to eating large households, both safe and face.

The edge of the railing was slightly darker, caging the three of them. Fan Xian squinted his eyes to see the darkness, but he did see a few officials that he had seen before at the banquet, only that those high officials went directly into the box, so he didn’t see clearly what kind of people were accompanying them. Not long ago, the box is probably full, the second floor of the people began to more and more, the sound of silk and bamboo and the sound of drinking mixed, lively and extraordinary. The women in bustiers, looking forward to being charming, also began to walk between the floors, and their popularity grew.

Fan Xian looked at the leftover food and cold wine on his table, thinking that if the owner of this building knew his identity, he was afraid that it would be a different story.

“You guys have a good time.” He opened his mouth and commanded.

Shi Yanli said nervously, “Sir, where are you going?”

Fan Xian responded, “I’ve come here specifically to relax, and of course to take it easy, as the saying goes, if you don’t enter the tiger’s den, how do you get the tiger’s son.”

He spoke gently and purely. Although Deng Shi two people had to believe, but there is always some strange feeling. Not entering a brothel and not getting a prostitute seemed to be the same thing.

Fan Xian said with a smile, “When you are having a good time, remember to set up a conversation, don’t need to ask about the proprietor, just ask about the daily experiences of these girls, the more trivial the better. Of course, if it is inconvenient, don’t ask, don’t let people see that we have other intentions, this is the key.”

Deng Zi Yue glanced at Lord Titus, and only then did he really believe that his lordship was here to conduct a secret investigation, and not to use the decree to visit prostitutes. However, set of words to check the root of such a small thing, it seems that it is not the turn of their own level of officials, not to mention the hall of the Lord Titus to come.

At this time downstairs lakeside those small courtyard lamps have been lit up by lamps, dozens of kumquats.

Deng Ziyue got up, waved his hand and summoned the boy, saying, “Arrange for our master.”

The boy reached out to receive the finger thickness of the gold, a slight sinking, under the great surprise to realize that the original three is actually a luxury guest, do not dare to be slow, and hurriedly notify the mouth of a good guest. Mr. Knowledge hurriedly came over, very softly and politely hinted at the previous hospitality is not good apology, then led the three people to the downstairs, all the way careful to help, all the way to the eloquence of the chat, seems to want to find out where these three luxury guests are the characters.

Fan Xian would not pay any attention to him, walking forward with his hands behind his back.

Shi Hanyan stood at the back and laughed with the guest, saying that he was a scholar from Jiangnan who had come here in admiration of the name, and that it was his first time to enter the building, but he didn’t know what kind of fun there was in the building.

Knowing the guest hem and haw laughed: “three masters, in our hold the moon building, only you can not think of, no we can not do, want to play what can be.”

As he spoke, he secretly glanced at Fan Xian’s back, of course, he could see that this Mr. Chen was the main character among these three people today, just look at this Mr. Chen’s demeanor, he was really not a mortal, he didn’t even listen to his own introduction, and didn’t bother to look at himself, so I guessed he was the son of one of Jiangnan’s great officials’ family.

Holding the moon building design is very clever, by the restaurant down a turn, will be to the lake, those who have vaguely warbling out of the courtyard will be close to the eye, the two sides of the world, that is, by the grass a few stone paths linked, do not disturb each other, do not interfere with each other.

Three people in the guest of honor to lead, into a courtyard, this is not compared to the upstairs, just into the courtyard, there are a number of beautiful people to welcome up, smiling and laughing, light veil dance, holding the arms of the three people into the room, as if welcoming the return of the husband general natural.

Indoor a warm, corner of a warm box, in this early fall weather, hard to add some of the spring warmth, a corner of the wooden table resting on a pot of fake flowers, petals all embroidered by the southern silk, exquisite exception.

A burst of greasy fragrance poured into his nose, Fan Xian frowned, then turned back with a smile and said to Shi Yanli, who was full of embarrassment on a plump woman, “Relax, there’s not a tigress at home.”

He untied the robe outside, the woman next to him took it handily, and said warmly, “Master just used the wine and food, this time is to listen to the song, or …… drink some more?”

Fan Xian sat on top of the soft couch, waved his hand and said, “Set up another table and seat, and sing the song, you first give me a pinch.”

The woman who served him showed joy and said gratefully, “Master is really considerate.” She hurriedly packed up his coat, and a small maid poured tea, carefully placing it in front of the three of them, and also brought a few plates of seasonal fruits rarely seen in Kyoto, before climbing onto the soft couch on her half-kneeling knees, and a pair of soft razors gently rested on Fan Xian’s shoulders, gently pinching them as she wished.

Fan Xian knows that the more he spends here, the more benefits the woman who serves him will get. Feeling the force on his shoulder, he thought that the service of this moon building is really good, and then glanced at the side of the still somewhat squirming Shi Hanyuli, and Deng Ziyue, who was serious as if he was still rectifying the wind, and couldn’t help but scold him for not having any talent, and seeing that it was just two young children, he really fell into the face of the Supervisory Yuan and himself.

Behind Fan Xian rubbing the shoulders of the woman more and more crouch lower and lower, two groups of warm and soft directly against the back of Fan Xian. Fan Xian suddenly thought that he hadn’t asked the girl’s name, and hadn’t even taken a serious look at the other party’s appearance, and was somehow surprised at his own calmness and ruthlessness. After a bit of silence, he asked softly, “What is the girl’s name?”

“Yan’er.”

The woman’s lavender-scented sleeves rested on Fan Xian’s chest, her soft, plump breasts rubbing against Fan Xian’s back slightly in an extremely smart manner, and the voice that returned her words was soft and charming to the extreme, ringing right in his ears, the slightly hot breath blowing into his earholes.

Fan Xian couldn’t help but laugh, reaching out to scratch his ears in an extremely fussy manner, explaining, “Afraid of tickling.”

He naturally knows that Yan’er is a fake name, just strange, he previously glanced at this woman, although the makeup is quite thick, but can see that it is really a beauty embryo, such a posture, is it in this hold the moon building is just a very common member, can be used to casually greet yourself these “no-name generation”?

The girl who sang the song had already entered the room when the colors of spring were gradually spreading in the room. When Fan Xian took a look at the girl’s face, his heart was slightly moved, and he thought to himself that even she had been snatched up by the Moon Palace.