“Young master, the usual?” the madam asked Ming Leng Yun at the stairs. Glancing again at Mei Siyu behind him, she thought to herself how hopeless this woman was – unable to stop her husband from visiting a brothel, following behind uselessly, only adding to her shame! Clearly a woman who didn’t understand romance.
Mei Siyu noticed the madam’s contemptuous look and glared back with her almond eyes, “Madam, you’re already so old, yet dressed so provocatively. Aren’t you ashamed?” she asked innocently.
The madam was furious but didn’t want to lose face in front of a valued customer, so she could only force a smile.
“The usual,” Ming Leng Yun held my hand and walked directly upstairs to a private room. I let him lead me, not forgetting to turn back and make faces at the madam, deliberately trying to annoy her! Why did she look at me with such eyes?
Entering the room, they were greeted by luxurious decorations and exquisite furnishings. The inner room was separated by white silk curtains, barely visible. The table was set with fresh fruits, wine, and dishes, with a serving girl present.
“Wow, I didn’t expect a brothel to have such a refined space!” Mei Siyu exclaimed sincerely. She casually picked up a fruit and ate it inelegantly, completely disregarding others’ views.
“You should tell me your name now. I’ve kept my promise, so shouldn’t you reciprocate?” Ming Leng Chen took a light sip of the wine the girl had poured.
Mei Siyu looked at his sincere face, then glanced at the serving girl, hesitating.
“You can go now, and please invite Sister Shi,” Ming Leng Chen tactfully dismissed her.
After the door was gently closed, Mei Siyu leaned in and whispered, “I’ll tell you, but you must keep it secret. Actually, I’m an imperial concubine.”
Ming Leng Yun’s hand involuntarily trembled, spilling wine on himself. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, but he never expected her to be the emperor’s woman!
[Text: 016 Visiting a Brothel 3]
Mei Siyu noticed his expression wasn’t good. “What’s wrong? Your face looks terrible.”
“You’re an imperial concubine!” Ming Leng Yun asked seriously.
“Yes, an imperial concubine with no favor from the emperor,” Mei Siyu said casually, as if talking about someone else’s story, a sunshine-like smile still on her face.
Ming Lengyu probably guessed who she was. If she were the emperor’s concubine, she would generally not be unknown, only one person! She was Mei Siyu! Rumors about her two months ago were sensational. On the night she was in the imperial bed, she was kicked out by the emperor and sent to the Cold Palace the next day. It was rumored that her strange appearance had frightened the emperor. But the woman before him was as beautiful as a fairy! This mystery puzzled him.
“Knock knock, the lady is here,” came the maidservant’s voice from outside.
“Come in,” Ming Lengyu said.
A stunning beauty walked in, moving like a willow, with graceful curves, an exquisite face, and skin as delicate as porcelain. Her hair was tied back with a jade hairpin, wearing a red floral pleated skirt, a jade pendant at her waist, holding a pipa, and slowly entering the room.
“Shishi, greetings to Master Ming and the lady,” she bowed, her face full of smiles.
Mei Siyu had just looked and thought Shishi was absolutely beautiful. Who would have thought her voice would be so crisp and pleasant, leaving an endless aftertaste? What a beautiful woman!
“Sit down quickly,” she pulled Shishi’s hand to sit. For some reason, she suddenly wanted to meet this woman named Shishi.
Shishi couldn’t refuse and sat close to Mei Siyu. “What song would you like to hear tonight, sir?” Shishi asked with a soft smile.
“Whatever,” Ming Lengyu said lightly. His mind was full of Mei Siyu’s words, spoken neither warm nor cold, concise and to the point.
[The text continues with a poetic song and further interactions between the characters, describing their complex relationships and emotions.]
It’s nothing, miss. Just a slightly dry throat that will be fine with more water.” Xiao Rou knew the miss truly cared about her, and could only say this, hoping to put her mind at ease.
She looked at Xiao Rou, who was clearly forcing herself to appear strong, with lifeless eyes and an alarmingly red face. Mei Siyu disregarded her protests and forcibly settled her on her own bed, covering her with a blanket, and said in a commanding tone: “Go to sleep quickly. If you want to sleep with me in the future, just sleep in this bed. It’s big enough for three people anyway. You can’t possibly sleep on the ground and not catch a cold.”
Xiao Rou obediently lay on the bed, her almond eyes filled with tears, emotionally saying: “Miss, you’re too good to Xiao Rou. It’s my fault that I’m useless and now you have to take care of me.” As she spoke, tears began to flow uncontrollably. Mei Siyu felt a strange sensation and unconsciously had tears on her own face as well.
Mei Siyu tucked Xiao Rou’s blanket corners, lowered the gauze curtain, and only left after confirming Xiao Rou was asleep. What endurance! Even with such a high fever, she still tried to take care of her. Despite being younger, she knew how to care for others – truly, a child from a poor family grows up fast.
”Meal for Mei Fei,” the palace maids said coldly while serving dishes to the veiled Mei Siyu. After serving, they were about to leave when Mei Siyu called out: “Could you please bring a royal physician? My maidservant is ill.”
A tall palace maid said sternly: “Reporting to Your Highness, royal physicians only attend to masters, not servants. If there’s nothing else, this servant will take her leave.” With that, they ignored Mei Siyu’s anger and walked towards the door.
”How despicable! No humanity at all, not caring about life or death. If you won’t help me call a physician, I’ll go myself!” As she spoke, she had already left the Yangfeng Hall and was heading directly to the Royal Physician’s Court.
”Who are you? Is this somewhere you can just enter?” Doctor Li said rudely.
He disliked random people entering his domain. One look at this girl’s reckless manner irritated him, as her intrusion completely disrupted his experiment, hence his impatient tone.
”I’m sorry, I was just anxious to save someone and accidentally broke your medicine hammer,” Mei Siyu apologized, knowing she was in the wrong and couldn’t speak harshly.
Doctor Li looked at her, his tone softening slightly: “Which palace are you from? Which master is unwell?” He studied her carefully, having served in the palace for decades and treated concubines for eight years, yet never seen such an attractive maidservant.
Mei Siyu blurted out without thinking: “I’m Mei Fei from Yangfeng Hall. My maidservant is ill, and I hope the physician can come to Yangfeng Hall.” She spoke casually, unaware she had removed her veil, not knowing this small oversight would change her life forever!
He looked at her again, thinking this beautiful girl must be crazy! She claims to be Mei Fei? Then he must be the Emperor! Everyone knows Mei Fei is an odd-looking woman, not like her at all. He decided to ignore this seemingly foolish Mei Siyu, having more important matters, though he admitted she was quite attractive.
”This is the Royal Physician’s Court, not a madhouse. Please leave quickly,” Doctor Li said dismissively.
She couldn’t believe she was mistaken for a madwoman. How could this be? A modern, intelligent woman and noble Mei Fei, now considered a madwoman by this old man? What a joke!
“Oh, sorry, please continue. I’m here to find the Emperor. Have you seen him?” Mei Siyu just entered the hall and saw the palace performance show. She tactfully turned her back, asking awkwardly.
