Royal Gold Magistrate

Li Yuanzhao tilted his head in thought for a while before saying hesitantly, “I think there’s the Qiyuan Festival… I snuck out of the palace and saw it a couple of years ago. It was very lively. Why do you ask?”

Qiyuan Festival?

Now that he mentioned it, Fang Zheng’s memory seemed to gradually recall hearing of such a holiday.

The Qiyuan Festival was somewhat similar to Earth’s Qixi Festival, but more straightforward without any special symbolism.

Though its origins were unclear, this day tended to be rather lively, with men and women taking to the streets and festivities like lanterns and floats.

Many men would also choose this day to propose. Essentially, it was a lovers’ holiday in Great Jing.

However, Fang Zheng had spent a long time in Taoyuan County, which seemed to lack such holidays. It was lively there every day as if it were the New Year, so the sense of occasion on normal holidays was quite diluted.

After pondering for a bit, Fang Zheng said, “Excellent! Let’s go with this festival. Your Highness wants to make quick money, right? We’ll earn a windfall during this holiday!”

Li Yuanzhao’s eyes lit up. “How will we make money?”

Fang Zheng rubbed his chin. “Of course, by selling things… But we need to come up with some novel products. I’ll send a letter back immediately after I return and have the county make a batch and send it over.”

“Also… We’ll need to find someone to help with marketing.”

“Oh right! Remember Miss Luo, the top courtesan at Hidden Fragrance Pavilion? She still owes me a night! Let’s find her!”

Hearing this, Li Yuanzhao leaned in with a suggestive expression. “Old Fang… Last time you went upstairs, nothing happened between you two?”

“What could happen? Last time, weren’t you going on about wanting to give alms to beggars? I was helping you get some pastries.” Fang Zheng narrowed his eyes at Li Yuanzhao. This brat was up to no good. What kind of person did he take me for?

I’m afraid of catching diseases! With ancient medical standards, if anything happened, would they even let a person live?

Li Yuanzhao had a look of sudden realization. He made an “OK” sign with one hand while his other hand… Then he chuckled embarrassedly, “*Pfft*! Sorry, I thought you were short, thin and fast…”

“Watch your words! Be careful, or I’ll sue you for slander!”

…………….

The next day after his shift, Fang Zheng took Li Yuanzhao directly to Hidden Fragrance Pavilion, accompanied by Zhang Biao.

The trio of troublemakers stood at the entrance of Hidden Fragrance Pavilion.

It wasn’t too late, but there was a steady stream of people going in and out of Hidden Fragrance Pavilion.

The three entered the building and sat down at a table, surveying their surroundings.

The interior of Hidden Fragrance Pavilion was very refined, with light pink gauze curtains hanging everywhere and the chatter of beautiful ladies all around.

After looking around, Fang Zheng sighed. Although Xueyue Tower had many “flower activities”, it still couldn’t compare to the high-end clubs in the capital.

Indeed, regular establishments lacked appeal.

After sitting for a while, the trio found nothing interesting to see. Fang Zheng casually waved over a serving boy.

“Is Miss Luo here?”

The serving boy quickly smiled. “Aiya, my apologies, dear guest. Our top courtesan is not entertaining today, and does not meet guests privately on normal days either.”

“Our top courtesan is a pure and chaste lady… If you come back in a few days, you’ll be able to see her.”

Fang Zheng tossed out a silver ingot. “Alright, I won’t see her. Just pass a message to Miss Luo that Fang Zheng requests an audience.”

The serving boy took the silver happily. “Okay! I’ll inform her right away, but I can’t guarantee if you’ll get to see her or not!”

“Go on then.”

Before long, the serving boy returned with a bitter expression. He said in a low voice, “I’m sorry, Master Fang, but Miss Luo said she won’t see you…”

Li Yuanzhao slammed the table and stood up. “Hey, hey, hey! What the hell! She doesn’t appreciate the opportunity. Tell her to come down, or I’ll smash your Hidden Fragrance Pavilion to bits.”

Fang Zheng glared at Li Yuanzhao, his face darkening. None of my good qualities rubbed off on him, but he learned all the bad ones…

Seeing that the gazes from all around were gathering on them, Fang Zheng quickly pulled Li Yuanzhao back down.

He turned to the ashen-faced serving boy. “Bring out your manager.”

The serving boy said pitifully, “Master… Miss Luo really can’t see anyone today. How about you come back another day?”

“Cut the crap, I don’t want to see her anymore!”

The serving boy left with a pout and soon returned with a madam wearing heavy makeup. Though her face was caked with cosmetics, she looked no older than thirty and must have been a top beauty in her youth.

Upon seeing Fang Zheng, the madam immediately put on a fawning expression. “Oh, Lord Fang, you’ve arrived. Those servants were blind and neglected you. This old woman will make amends to you.”

“Which lady has caught your eye? Just tell me.”

Fang Zheng let out a cold laugh. “My brother has taken a liking to you! What, can you take customers today?”

The madam’s expression changed but she quickly smiled again, saying coyly, “It’s not impossible… As long as it pleases you, anything goes. May I ask which of your brothers has taken a fancy to this old woman?”

“Zhang Biao, go educate her!”

“You got it!”

Zhang Biao stood up and directly took off his upper garment, revealing a muscular physique. He grinned at the madam. “Babe! Come to the room with me!”

Seeing Zhang Biao, the madam’s face fell, but upon noticing his muscles, her expression suddenly softened.

Such a strapping man was rare indeed… Forget it, this Fang Zheng mustn’t be offended!

Thus, she let out a coquettish laugh and patted Zhang Biao’s bulging pecs. “Then let’s go~”

The madam headed upstairs with Zhang Biao.

Fang Zheng calmly sipped his tea while Li Yuanzhao stared slack-jawed at Zhang Biao’s retreating figure, stammering, “Wha… What… Didn’t we come to find Miss Luo… Why are you letting him go up first?”

“Establishing connections makes things easier. Just wait,” Fang Zheng said, still looking unperturbed.

After the time it took to drink two cups of tea, Zhang Biao and the madam appeared on the second-floor corridor.

Li Yuanzhao looked at Zhang Biao and snickered. “Putting on airs of pretension! Far inferior to me! Hahahahaha…”

*Tsk*!

Fang Zheng inwardly scoffed. You truly don’t know the Star of Taoyuan at all. My Brother Biao has double A-rank strength and speed, a hexagonal warrior, a human beast. When it comes to fighting, he never fails, even if the fight moves to the bed!

Very soon, Li Yuanzhao’s expression turned dumbfounded.

The madam limped down the stairs with Zhang Biao calmly following behind her.

Suddenly, the madam lost her footing and nearly tumbled down the stairs, but fortunately, Zhang Biao reacted swiftly and grabbed her hair, yanking her back up.

After steadying herself, the madam turned and glared at Zhang Biao reproachfully. She slapped his pecs and said coquettishly, “You brute! Can’t you be gentler?”

Zhang Biao grinned sheepishly.

Li Yuanzhao was now completely stupefied…

The two arrived at Fang Zheng’s table. Fang Zheng asked, “How did it go? Can we see Miss Luo now? Oh, and I’ll pay you whatever the cost is.”

The madam smiled shyly, glancing at Zhang Biao. She said softly, “Why talk about money between family? But I can’t make the call regarding Miss Luo. I’ll go put in a word for you first…”

Zhang Biao turned to look at Li Yuanzhao, who was staring at him. He frowned. “Why do you keep looking at me?”

Li Yuanzhao gazed at Zhang Biao with a mixture of shock and suspicion. Feeling a bit guilty, he said, “Good Brother Biao.”