Chapter Thirty-Three: The Brothers of the Panghecao Family

Lingxuan Pavilion truly lived up to its reputation as the grandest pleasure house in the capital; its interior was breathtaking. Upon entering, one was greeted by a vast stage where scantily clad women swayed their hips in provocative dances. Yu Hualiang found his gaze glued to the spectacle, unable to look away. The audience below was entirely male, each man drinking and flirting with the beauty in his arms while shamelessly ogling the girls on stage.

So this is what it means to be wealthy! Yu Hualiang glanced at Prince Qi, but he simply could not imagine such a scene involving this dignified man.

Of course, Prince Qi would never partake in such activities. The moment he arrived, the madam of the house sashayed over with a beaming smile. “Young master, you’re here! This way, please.”

She led them up a quieter staircase, chattering as they walked. “Young master, you don’t know how much Zhilian has missed you. It’s been so long since you last visited her.”

Prince Qi smiled lightly. “I’ve been busy today. Have her come by in a while.”

The madam was delighted. She glanced at Yu Hualiang. “Oh my, this young master is truly handsome.”

Prince Qi’s eyes grew cold. Yu Hualiang laughed it off, “You flatter me. I can’t compare to my… brother here.”

He had wanted to say “brother,” but upon reflection, calling Prince Qi his sworn brother seemed inappropriate. “Brother” was more fitting.

Prince Qi cast him a sidelong glance, the smile at his lips showing he was quite pleased with the address.

The madam continued, “What kind of girls does the young master prefer?”

Yu Hualiang thought for a moment. He couldn’t very well say he wanted a well-endowed one… Instead, he replied, “Someone playful, perhaps.”

Prince Qi turned to the madam. “Call for Pingqiu.”

She nodded and led them to a room at the far end of the third floor. As they approached, a man’s loud, raucous voice drifted out. The sound was impossible to ignore. The madam, understanding Yu Hualiang’s confusion, explained, “Young master, there are many guests with such tastes. If you wish, I can arrange for a handsome young man for you as well.”

Yu Hualiang shook his head quickly. “No need, no need. I’d prefer a young lady.”

Prince Qi laughed and pulled him into the room. Inside, pink gauze drapes hung everywhere. As they parted the layers, they saw the Fourth Prince reclining with two girls in his arms, drinking with a burly man.

When he saw Prince Qi arrive, the Fourth Prince beckoned. “Zicheng, over here!”

Yu Hualiang, recognizing the Fourth Prince, kept quiet and obediently followed Prince Qi.

The Fourth Prince’s brows furrowed as he looked at Yu Hualiang, but Prince Qi put an arm around Yu Hualiang’s shoulders. “Fourth Brother, you’re early.”

The burly man raised his cup in salute. “Isn’t this the prince! Come, come, I, Cao Ruoheng, drink to you!”

Prince Qi accepted the cup and sat down. Yu Hualiang sat beside him, determined not to get too close to the Fourth Prince.

“This is fine wine…” Prince Qi remarked after drinking.

Yu Hualiang sized up the burly man before him. Dressed in brown, his broad chest bared and crisscrossed with fierce scars, his face was rugged and bearded, with thick brows and piercing eyes—a true hero out of legend. Was he a friend of Prince Qi?

As Yu Hualiang pondered, the burly man handed him a cup. In a booming voice, he said, “Drink with me!”

Prince Qi was about to intervene, but Yu Hualiang took the cup without hesitation, drained it, and wiped his mouth with a hearty laugh. “Excellent wine!”

It was potent, burning all the way down his throat. But Yu Hualiang could handle his liquor; he could down a bottle and a half of strong spirits and drink beer by the jug. He was no lightweight, and given his frequent visits to places like this, his drinking capacity was more than sufficient.

The burly man laughed. “Straightforward! Another bowl, little brother!”

Prince Qi took the next cup and downed it himself. “Ziliang is injured. I’ll drink for him.”

Yu Hualiang was touched. The Fourth Prince teased from the side, “Seventh Brother, you spoil him too much. Can’t he handle a couple of cups?”

The burly man joined in, “Exactly! I can see this little fellow can hold his liquor!”

He slapped Yu Hualiang on the back, nearly making him spit out his drink. The man’s strength was astounding.

Yu Hualiang, unable to withstand another blow, raised his cup. “To you, sir!”

After another bowl, Prince Qi asked, “Where is your younger brother?”

The burly man’s expression darkened. “My brother doesn’t like crowds. He’s out back by the pond.”

Lingxuan Pavilion, as an entertainment house, also featured quieter spots for couples to be alone—the back pond. Behind the building was a lotus pond, neither too large nor too small, surrounded by trees, perfect for lovers to sneak off… and do things best left undescribed.

The Fourth Prince said, “Since you’re here, Seventh Brother, have him join us for a bit of fun.”

After a short wait, a young man dressed in black entered. At the sight of him, Yu Hualiang glanced between him and the jovial burly man in disbelief. Were these two really brothers?

The younger brother was similar in build to Prince Qi, his expression glacial, his features handsome and refined, as pure and aloof as snow atop a high peak.

Otherworldly and clear, wholly out of place in such surroundings—he reminded Yu Hualiang of those cold, ascetic masters in immortal tales.

He entered, glanced at everyone, then fixed his gaze on Yu Hualiang. Flustered, Yu Hualiang wondered if he’d offended him somehow.

Nervously, he took a sip of wine. Prince Qi invited, “Zhileng, come sit and have a drink.”

The brother sat down directly across from Yu Hualiang, his eyes neither warm nor cold, simply watching him.

Yu Hualiang, feeling awkward under the scrutiny, bowed his head and drank.

The burly man tried to pour his brother a cup, but found the jug empty.

The Fourth Prince, arms around a beauty, asked, “What good wines do you serve here?”

The beauty answered, “We have excellent Huaian wine, osmanthus wine, and Thousand-Cups-Drunk. If the prince desires it, we can procure any vintage.”

The Fourth Prince said, “But do you have Mingxiang Drunk, from their hometown?”

The burly man looked up, deeply moved. “Mingxiang Drunk…”

The beauty faltered. “That… we don’t have.”

“Haha.” The Fourth Prince lifted her chin. “Fetch it from my carriage. I brought a jug.”

The beauty left, and the burly man was moved to tears. “Your Highness, you honor us by remembering us even now!”

“It’s nothing,” the Fourth Prince replied. “You’ll be returning home tomorrow. Think of this as a farewell. I’ll have need of you both in the future.”

The burly man signaled his brother, and both knelt. “We will serve Your Highness and Prince Qi to the death.”

Prince Qi raised them up. “Enough. Drink, drink—no more of this somber talk.”

The beauty returned with the wine. Prince Qi poured bowls for the burly man and Zhileng, then for himself, raising his cup. “To you both.”

Only after seeing Prince Qi drink did the burly man laugh and down his bowl. The icy-faced Zhileng, however, refused to drink.

Prince Qi sensed the slight, and the mood grew tense. The burly man explained, “Your Highness, my brother doesn’t drink—especially not our hometown’s strong wine. One sip and he’s drunk.”

The Fourth Prince, noticing Zhileng’s unwavering gaze upon Yu Hualiang, teased, “Perhaps it’s not the prince’s toast he wants, but one from our little artist.”

At being named, Yu Hualiang looked up. Why me? Even Prince Qi’s toast was refused…

Prince Qi objected immediately. “Fourth Brother, isn’t that inappropriate?”

Lounging in his beauty’s arms, the Fourth Prince replied, “What’s inappropriate? What do you say, young artist?”

Before Yu Hualiang could answer, Zhileng had already raised his cup, awaiting Yu Hualiang’s toast.

The Fourth Prince laughed. “Look at him, Seventh Brother! Stop coddling him so much.”

With no way out, Yu Hualiang smiled. “If Brother Zhileng honors me, I am delighted!”

He poured himself a bowl, toasted Zhileng, and together they drank.

No sooner had the wine gone down than Yu Hualiang regretted it. The wine was too strong—his stomach burned, his head spun.

Prince Qi steadied him, worried. “Are you alright, Ziliang?”

“I’m fine…” Yu Hualiang forced himself to sit upright.

Zhileng said nothing, but his gaze showed concern.

The burly man, understanding his brother’s look, spoke up. “Seems the young fellow is drunk. Zhileng, why don’t you take him outside for some fresh air?”

As Zhileng moved, Prince Qi interjected, “I’ll take Ziliang outside myself. No need to trouble Brother Zhileng.”

The Fourth Prince grabbed Prince Qi. “Sit, Seventh Brother. Your little artist can’t handle his drink, and Zhileng dislikes crowds. Let them go out for a bit. We three can enjoy ourselves.”

Yu Hualiang saw through Prince Qi’s reluctance. Sitting up straight, he declared, “No need to worry, Your Highness! I’m fine—I can drink more!”

With that, he took another swig, but immediately grew dizzy and collapsed onto the table.

Prince Qi hurried to catch him. “Ziliang? Ziliang?”

The burly man roared with laughter. “To think the lad would pass out after just two drinks!”

The Fourth Prince eyed them. “Zhileng, please help our young friend to rest.”

Prince Qi stiffened, clutching Yu Hualiang tighter.

Zhileng nodded, stepping forward to help. Prince Qi’s eyes grew cold, glaring at the Fourth Prince, clearly unwilling to relinquish Yu Hualiang.

The Fourth Prince, undaunted, patted his shoulder. “Let the young artist rest. Once he sobers up, you can find him.”

Only then did Prince Qi reluctantly let go, looking at Zhileng with a forced smile. “Be gentle—he’s injured. Don’t jostle him. And he’s restless in his sleep. Be careful not to get hurt…”

“Ahem… Seventh Brother,” the Fourth Prince cut in, hearing the veiled warning in his words—a warning Zhileng couldn’t possibly miss.

Though the poisoned wine had already been drunk, turning matters hostile would only force a deadly confrontation.

Zhileng helped Yu Hualiang up. “Rest assured, Your Highness.”

Even the burly man was surprised to see his usually defiant brother so compliant.

Prince Qi’s eyes burned with barely concealed anger, but he could do nothing but watch as Zhileng led Yu Hualiang away.