Emperor's Cunning Wife

When evening came, the courtesans of Mother Shen's establishment were waiting at the entrance for a long time. Each was donned in the most alluring clothes, fine jewelleries, seductive fragrance and red rouges.

The women waved their handkerchiefs at the men. The men looked at them for a moment before looking away and started walking towards the direction of another brothel.

Ning Lou watched the men giving the courtesans a glance before walking in a different direction. Each carried curiosity, excitement and wonder on their faces.

"Wait, Mister where are you going?"

"Young gentlemen you're missing out from the fun!"

"Kind Sir, our establishment has the most beautiful ladies in the town!"

But despite their marketing, the gentlemen rejected in a roundabout way, spouting excuses to avoid hurting the beauties.

"I'll visit next time. I still have something important to do." Was the common excuse the gentlemen had responded. The courtesans would have not any doubts but almost all the men they tried to lure were turning in one direction and even the customers that would frequent their place did the same thing.

Even one was not smart, one can detect that there was something amiss!

Vierre had opened a window to observe the results of her work and as expected even if someone played one modern musical score it would still create uproar. In addition she perfectly picked one that was able to disturb one's mind. What's not to love about it!

--

"What?" Mother Shen after hearing such unexpected report slammed the table.

"We have no customers." Mother Shen's right hand flinched and immediately replied with honesty.

"That's impossible! There were still customers in the morning and afternoon!" Mother Shen exclaimed clearly in disbelief at his report.

"If Mother Shen doesn't believe, You can look for yourself."

Mother Shen pursed her lips and swayed her way out of her office wanting to confirm the truth.

The right hand followed her behind.

When the two reached the first floor, Mother Shen first checked out the musicians that had stopped playing music and was waiting at the table whilst glancing at the entrance. There were several ladies that had also worn disappointed and worried expressions on the other tables. Some had also made their way out of the room and was leaning on the wooden railings.

Ning Lou chose the right moment and swiftly followed her.

Mother Shen made her way to the front and almost got swarmed by the courtesans.

"Mother Shen, hurry! We don't know what's going but almost all gentlemen are going to the Exquisite Drunken Brothel! Mother Shen do something!"

"Mother Shen, my customers didn't come tonight."

"Mother Shen!"

"Mother Shen.."

The ladies clamoured at the front and flooded Mother Shen's ears with their questions and complain.

"Keep Quiet!" Mother Shen shouted and covered her ears.

The noise died down and everyone gave Mother Shen some extra space.

Mother Shen exhaled after getting some peace.

"Let's go!" She gave the signal her right hand and fixed her clothes first before marching towards the rival's territory.

"We must support Mother Shen!" One of the ladies suggested. However, some were quite reluctant to be at the center of attention. The most curious and eager one joined Mother's Shen tailing her at the back.

Ning Lou also joined the beauties' cavalry looking forward.

--

Meanwhile the floors of the Exquisite Drunken Brothel were jammed pack with customers. There was no vacant seat or tables and the rooms of the floor were already booked. There was even a crowd lining up the entrance hoping to hear the performance on stage.

Mother Shen's entourage was quite eye-catching so when the gentlemen saw the beautiful ladies approaching the entrance, they quickly ogled at them hoping to take advantage of the opportunity to witness the famous brothel's heavenly fairies.

Most of the ladies were quite uncomfortable with their stares and glared but the men were not threatened at all and instead found their looks quite charming.

"Maybe we should get back…" One of the ladies joining the fray tugged her friend's hand.

"We're already here, just ignore them." Her friend replied and hid her behind.

Mother Shen spun her sight around only to find out that her ladies had actually decided to tail her.

"What are you doing? Get back!" Mother Shen placed her hand on her waist and ordered.

"Mother Shen, we only wanted to see what's going on."

"Yes, Mother Shen. Just a peek."

"Do you want our brothel to be laughed at? Hurry and get back before I drag you all." She warned.

The ladies pouted earning some looks from the men.

"Mother Shen, the ladies are just curious. Why are you shooing them away?"

"Mother Shen, your temper had already gone bad. Just let them be."

The men wanted to look at the ladies longer and persuaded Mother Shen to be lenient.

"Do you think I don't know what's going on your mind? You lechers!"

The entrance had created some disturbance when Mother Shen was in a heated argument with the men and this had caught the attention of the lady boss of the establishment.

"I thought it was a monkey thrashing around, it turns out it was someone from the Fragrant Orchid Brothel." A middle age woman sashayed stood at the entrance and sent a mocking glance at Mother Shen.

"Fragrant Orchid Brothel! No wonder the ladies were very beautiful. Ah! I'm really lucky for waiting at the entrance."

"Miss, what's your name?"

"Miss, I'm called Litao."

"You resemble a beautiful fairy lost in the mortal realm. It seems that we're fated, how about exchanging our surnames?"

"Don't come near."

"Don't touch me!"

The ladies complained and swatted their hands away. They were unaccustomed to such rude conducts as the customers of the Fragrant Orchid Brothel were mostly cultured.

Mother Shen watched her precious employees being maltreated and went angry, she immediately shielded some and issued warnings.

"Some of their customers are from influential families, does anyone wants to be get their hands chopped off and get flogged."