Inside a luxurious private room at the Drunken Creek Pavilion.
Incense smoke curled lazily in the air.
Jiang Chaoshan was lounging on a satin-covered chaise longue, attended by two Qing dressed in light gauze.
One Qing knelt by the chaise longue, holding a freshly brewed cup of fragrant tea, while the other fanned him gently with a round silk fan.
Jiang Chaoshan, bored out of his mind, opened his mouth and sipped the tea from the Qing’s hand, his gaze roving critically over the two women.
’Their features are reasonably delicate, but their skin is dark and smeared with cheap cosmetics.’
’For someone like me, who’s used to the finest delicacies, their quality is simply too poor.’
He suddenly reached out and seized the chin of the girl serving tea, forcing her to look up.
The Qing cried out in pain but dared not call for help. A flash of terror crossed her eyes as she forced a smile.
Jiang Chaoshan slid his hand into her collar and squeezed a few times.
The somewhat dry, rough texture instantly killed his interest. It felt like touching coarse, sanded cloth—a far cry from the warm, fragrant, supple flesh he was accustomed to.
"Tsk!"
He flung her hand away in disgust as if he had touched something filthy, his brow furrowed tightly. "Get lost!"
The two Qing trembled in fear, hastily setting down the teacup and fan. They bowed their heads and hurried out, afraid that a moment’s delay would earn them another scolding.
Jiang Chaoshan shot up from the chaise longue and began pacing restlessly back and forth on the thick carpet.
The sounds of string and bamboo instruments from outside grated on his ears, adding to his irritation.
The more he thought, the angrier he became. He stopped abruptly, snatched the white jade teacup the servant had just placed on the table, and, without a second glance, smashed it violently on the floor.
CRASH!
The crisp sound of shattering did not relieve his anger; it only made him more furious.
He roared at the door, "Where is Jiang Li? Tell him to get his ass over here!"
The servant waiting outside flinched, hastily acknowledging the order before running off to find the man.
A moment later, Jiang Li arrived in a hurry.
He pushed the door open and saw the shattered teacup on the floor and Jiang Chaoshan’s dark expression. His heart skipped a beat. He quickly bowed. "Young Master, you were looking for me?"
Jiang Chaoshan shot him a sidelong glance and said coolly, "Well, well, Chief Steward Jiang, you’re running this Drunken Creek Pavilion with such flair, aren’t you? I’ve been here for days, and I can’t even find a decent little toy to amuse myself with. How exactly are you doing your job?"
A cold sweat instantly beaded on Jiang Li’s brow. He was cursing his luck internally, but he could only force a placating smile and explain cautiously, "Young Master, please calm down! Please! It’s just... you know the current situation in Mirror Mountain. The common folk have fled, and the wealthy families are in decline. The pavilion... there’s really no business. The girls with even a little bit of beauty have long since found other ways out.
The courtesans sent by the Xiang Sect were all recalled to the Commandery City or transferred elsewhere some time ago. The ones left in the pavilion now are, indeed... indeed just common, plain girls, not worthy of your attention, Young Master."
"No business? Can’t keep people?"
Jiang Chaoshan slammed his hand on the table, making the fruit platter jump. "Aren’t you in charge of the Iron Alliance? Mirror Mountain is a big place. You’re telling me you can’t find a few good-looking women? I think you’re just not trying hard enough!"
Jiang Li’s face turned pale from the scolding. ’It would be better if I weren’t in charge of the Iron Alliance. Without the County Magistrate’s Office as a Kao Mountain, my thugs get thrown in jail for months over the slightest disturbance. They don’t even dare to cause trouble anymore, so what good are they? It was only because I recently managed to get on the County Magistrate’s good side by arranging for monthly tributes that things have eased up at all. Otherwise, the Iron Alliance would have probably fallen apart long ago!’
But he also knew the young master wouldn’t listen to excuses. His eyes darted around, and he suddenly lowered his voice, speaking with a fawning and tentative tone, "Young Master, actually, there is an absolute stunner in the pavilion right now. Her looks, her figure, her aura... they’re all top-notch. I guarantee she’ll satisfy you..."
"Oh?"
Just as he’d hoped, Jiang Chaoshan’s interest was piqued. He leaned forward slightly. "Who? How come I don’t know about her?"
"It’s... It’s Miss Jing Hong!"
Jiang Li carefully watched Jiang Chaoshan’s expression. "With her grace and style, she’d be considered a peerless beauty even in the State County. All the Honored Guests and Tributors of the estate are here now. If you’re interested, Young Master, with your status, getting her to warm your bed... shouldn’t be too difficult."
’Jing Hong?’
An exceptionally beautiful face instantly appeared in Jiang Chaoshan’s mind, making his heart race.
But a moment later, he shuddered as if doused with a basin of cold water.
"Bullshit!"
Jiang Chaoshan’s expression changed in an instant. Furious, he pointed at Jiang Li’s nose and started cursing, "You idiot! Is your head full of shit?
If I force myself on her and provoke retaliation from the Xiang Sect, are you going to take responsibility or am I? Do you think I’ve lived too long? All you come up with are these rotten ideas! You’re a half-wit!"
Jiang Li, having been thoroughly reamed out, dropped to his knees with a THUD and kowtowed repeatedly. "Young Master, calm your anger! Calm your anger! It’s my fault for being muddle-headed! I deserve to die! I deserve to die!"
"Useless trash!"
The more Jiang Chaoshan thought about it, the angrier he got.
He couldn’t help but remember his last visit to Mirror Mountain. Even though it was only for a few days, Chen Zhengping and Tu Sandao had arranged everything so thoughtfully and perfectly. They even set up a special experience that he still fondly recalled.
Not like this Jiang Li. Although he was from the main estate, loyal, and not weak, he was completely clueless about how to handle things.
All he did was complain about difficulties, without a single clever bone in his body.
He was the type who couldn’t be happy without women, and after being pent up for the past few days, his temper was flaring. Seeing Jiang Li in this state made his anger boil over. "I don’t want to hear your excuses, and I don’t care what difficulties you have! I’m giving you one day. Just one! If you can’t find a pretty girl with a fine figure to help me unwind, then I’ll find someone else for your Steward position and your job with the Iron Alliance."
Terrified, Jiang Li dropped to his knees with a THUD. "Mercy, Young Master, mercy! One day... This... Where am I supposed to find someone like that..."
"Get out!"
Jiang Chaoshan couldn’t be bothered to listen anymore. He kicked Jiang Li in the shoulder, sending him staggering back.
Jiang Li didn’t dare say another word and scrambled out of the private room.
Only after closing the door did he dare to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, his face a mask of misery and panic.
’Mirror Mountain is just a small county town, after all, not a big place like a State County.’
’Where am I supposed to find a woman the Young Master would approve of in one day? This is going to be the death of me.’
He walked downstairs in a daze. As he reached the turn in the staircase, he nearly collided with someone.
"Whoa! My apologies, Steward Jiang. What’s the matter? You look terrible."
The other person apologized profusely.
Jiang Li looked up and saw it was Bai San, the Tea Master whom Miss Jing Hong had brought back from who-knows-where, looking at him with a grin.
Jiang Li was already full of pent-up anger with nowhere to vent it. Seeing Bai San, he immediately glared and unleashed all his frustration on him. "Get out of my way! You useless piece of trash!"