Chapter Five: The Crown Prince's New Taste

"Go, go, go! Is the young prince someone you lot can just gossip about?"

Seeing Zhao Ang, the madam’s face creased into a smile as layered as a blooming flower. "Young Prince, it’s been quite a while since you last visited. Come in, come in! The girls have missed you to death."

"Young Prince~ I’ve been waiting so long for you~"

Jinghong, the top courtesan, draped in thin gauze, hurried over and pressed her ample bosom firmly against Zhao Ang's arm.

"Young Prince~ Qingzhu has missed you too."

The other sisters were not to be outdone and crowded around him as well. Zhao Ang was practically pushed into the White Jade Pavilion by them. As for Fugui, his attendant, he had long been shoved into some unknown corner by the throng of women.

"Enough! I came here today to find someone."

After giving Jinghong’s abundant curves a quick squeeze, Zhao Ang finally managed to extricate himself from the pile of women. He stopped the top courtesan from pressing any closer and cast a direct look at the madam.

Upon hearing that he was here to find someone, the women finally stopped crowding him and turned in unison toward Jinghong, their eyes filled with resentment. It was always Jinghong. They couldn't understand what was so special about her that the young prince insisted on her company every single time. Were they not just as good?

Jinghong puffed out her chest with pride and coyly took Zhao Ang’s arm. "Young Prince, where shall we go today? The back garden, or my room?"

Zhao Ang realized she had misunderstood, a result of the original owner's habit of being surprisingly devoted at times. "Cough, cough. I’m not looking for you today."

Pushing Jinghong aside, Zhao Ang looked toward Fugui, who had finally squeezed back to his side. With just one glance, Fugui understood his master's intent and stepped forward.

"We heard that a girl with the strength to lift a tripod has arrived at your establishment. Our young prince is here to find her today!"

"What? The young prince is looking for Liu Yu?"

When Fugui said this, the women were stunned, and Jinghong looked particularly indignant. "Young Prince, if you don't want me, that's fine, but how can you choose that Liu Yu?"

"What’s wrong with Liu Yu? Today, I specifically want such a woman, one with the strength to lift a tripod!"

Zhao Ang hadn't forgotten why he came to this brothel; he wasn't here to lounge in a nest of women. He needed someone with that kind of raw strength to assist in his cultivation.

"Madam, call her out."

Tossing a silver ingot onto the table, Zhao Ang looked at the madam again. She didn't care who he was looking for, so she happily tucked the silver into her robes. "Xiao Cui, go call Liu Yu at once."

"No need, take him directly to the Jade Pavilion."

The Jade Pavilion was his private room in the White Jade Pavilion. He needed to focus on his cultivation and had no patience for the standard formalities. Having said this, he headed toward the Jade Pavilion. Fugui left another ingot of silver and followed close behind.

"Stay outside and keep watch. Once Liu Yu arrives, have her come straight in."

Upon entering the Jade Pavilion, Zhao Ang gave his orders and stepped inside.

Fugui stood at the door, eyes cast downward, maintaining his posture, when he was suddenly startled.

"Madam, is... is this Liu Yu?"

Fugui could hardly believe his eyes, his voice filled with confusion. The person before him was taller and broader than he was, wearing an ugly, terrifying, and twisted ghost mask—could this really be Liu Yu?

"I am indeed Liu Yu." The woman spoke, her voice soft and feminine, clashing violently with her appearance.

The madam confirmed it, flicking her handkerchief at Fugui with a mournful tone. "This was specifically requested by the young prince himself. Do you think I’d dare try to trick him with a fake? However... the young prince has never seen Liu Yu before. Perhaps you should try to persuade him to choose Jinghong instead?"

The logic held, and Fugui felt he should look out for his master’s interests. He knocked on the door, and Zhao Ang’s voice came from within.

"What is it?"

"Young Prince, this Liu Yu is a bit... perhaps you should choose Jinghong instead?"

Fugui felt sure Zhao Ang would understand his hesitation, given how many times he had accompanied him to this brothel.

"Choose who? Just have her come in!"

Zhao Ang was bewildered; he wasn't here for a romantic encounter.

"Yes, sir." Fugui nodded quickly. It seemed the young prince had developed a new taste. It was certainly a drastic change, but that wasn't his business. As long as the young prince was happy, it was fine.

"Go on in."

Fugui opened the door. As Liu Yu entered, she saw Zhao Ang, who was busy contorting his body into an unusual pose. She paused, but quickly regained her composure. She stepped forward and bowed her head submissively. "Young Prince."

"Hey... ah?" Zhao Ang looked up and was startled by the mask for a moment before he adjusted his state. He stopped his movements, stepped off the bed, and pointed to the table beside him. "Lift this table."

Liu Yu was puzzled but obediently did as she was told. With a single motion, she lifted the heavy table and held it steadily above her head with one hand.

"Young Prince, is this correct?"

"Ho, truly the strength to lift a tripod."

Though he had only asked her to lift a table, Zhao Ang could already tell the rumors were true. He told Liu Yu to put the table down and then called for Fugui.

"Fugui, have the madam send in some hot water. Make sure to sprinkle in the medicinal powder I prepared earlier."

*Already using a medicinal bath for vitality? The young prince is getting more and more intense!*

The hot water was soon brought in. Zhao Ang quickly stripped off his outer robes, leaving only his undergarments, and climbed into the wooden tub.

"Liu Yu, come here."

Liu Yu hesitated for a moment, her fists clenched, before she obediently stepped forward. "Young Prince."

She lowered her head, expecting to serve the prince, but was surprised when Zhao Ang pointed to a specific acupuncture point on his body.

"Strike here with force."

"Ah?" Liu Yu was stunned.

"What are you saying 'ah' for? Use force!"

"Oh!"

Liu Yu was completely baffled, but she would do whatever Zhao Ang asked!

"Argh!" Zhao Ang let out a pained cry. Her strength was truly immense!

"Keep going! Now here, on my left shoulder. Hard!"

Zhao Ang grit his teeth, his own hands busy with his cultivation routine. Liu Yu was very obedient; wherever Zhao Ang pointed, she would deliver a heavy, forceful blow. The force was so great that an outsider might have thought they were bitter enemies.

However, Zhao Ang was not engaging in self-torture; he was using Liu Yu’s immense strength to temper his muscles and bones, and to clear his meridians. As for being beaten to death? That was impossible, not least because he could withstand it himself. Furthermore, the medicinal bath was constantly seeping through the meridians Liu Yu was striking, entering his body and nourishing his vitality.

But, goodness, it was painful!

"Argh! Ah!"

His agonized cries could be heard throughout the entire White Jade Pavilion.

"That’s not the young prince’s usual sound. What kind of trick is he playing now?"

The patron in the next room was full of curiosity, holding Jinghong in his arms.

"What else could he be doing? He specifically requested Liu Yu!"

Jinghong’s tone was filled with resentment, and the others understood. They naturally knew that Liu Yu was an incredibly ugly woman with freakish strength.

"That Zhao Ang really has developed a bizarre taste!"

"Who's to say? I’d say with his fragile constitution, he might just get played to death by Liu Yu!"

"If you ask me, a good-for-nothing like him wouldn't be missed even if he did die!"