Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

On the night of the winter solstice, the cold air seeped into our clothes, but inside Fanlou, it was as warm as spring, without any of the bleakness of a winter night.

The five-story buildings face each other, with three pavilions connected by flying bridges and railings. Beneath the beaded curtains and embroidered lintels, thousands of candles are lit in succession, illuminating the space above and below. Even the roof tiles are filled with lotus lanterns, making it look like a fairyland from afar.

The atmosphere was filled with laughter, singing and dancing, and the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments drifted over the carved railings. The pipa and jade flute played melodiously, and there were occasional clear and melodious songs.

Gao Zhao sat by the window, listening to the singers softly singing new lyrics from the streets. He looked out at the endless street lights, the crowds of people downstairs, and the constant flow of carriages and horses. He couldn't help but sigh at how prosperous and bustling Bianliang truly was!

The prostitutes beside him sang and danced lightly, their eyes like silk, sometimes offering him wine and urging him to drink, sometimes teasing and joking, having a great time, completely ignoring Feng Sanniang standing next to him!

In the eyes of prostitutes, since customers have paid money, they should provide corresponding services. This is a matter of course and a matter of professional ethics.

As for the female companions the guests bring, that's the guests' business and has nothing to do with me. Maybe they just like that kind of thing!

Feng Sanniang was well aware of Gao Zhaode's character and knew that she had no right to be jealous or angry, since the other party was not Sun Yuan.

She might throw a little tantrum in private, but that's just a way of flirting and adding some spice to the relationship!

Shi Qian kept joking with the prostitutes beside him and occasionally raised his cup to drink with them, but his eyes remained clear and lucid, without a trace of drunkenness.

Gao Yi ignored the women completely and just kept eating.

He was the most astute of all, knowing that these prostitutes were not his kind of people at all, and that such pleasure-seeking was not the life he should lead.

If you are bewitched by them and become tainted by their extravagant habits, even a fortune won't be enough to squander!

He has money to use, to supplement the family income, to save up for his sister's dowry, and to help her get married and have children in the future. He can't afford to waste it on this!

It's always more worthwhile to eat your fill!

When you get home, you can tell your girlfriend about the taste of these delicacies, so that she can broaden her horizons and avoid being deceived in the future!

As the fine wine went down my throat, a warm feeling slowly spread throughout my body, sweeping away all the fatigue and frustration of the night.

Don't be fooled by my timid demeanor during the suburban sacrifice; here I am fearless and daring to fight and kill!

There's nothing I can do; this introverted, socially awkward little boy can only be a bully at home!

As the wine flowed freely and the night deepened, Gao Zhao, preoccupied with the special perks promised by Feng Sanniang, lost interest in continuing the second round. Seeing that everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, he called the waiter to settle the bill and prepared to leave.

Upon seeing this, the songstress quickly stepped forward, curtsied, and offered a few auspicious words as a farewell.

With a heavy heart, Gao Yi picked up one last piece of mutton with his chopsticks, stuffed it into his mouth, wiped his mouth with his hand, loosened his belt, and hurriedly followed.

Shi Qian also stopped his playful demeanor, concealing his drunken state. He stood up, straightened his clothes, and quickly scanned the corridor outside the pavilion. After a few steps, he called out, "Young Master..."

Gao Zhao turned his head and saw that his expression was strange. Knowing that he had something to say, he slowed down and gestured for Gao Yi to take Feng Sanniang first. "What is it?"

Shi Qian stepped closer and whispered, "Um... the new house is all ready, young master can move in anytime..."

"Let's get straight to the point, there's no need for us to beat around the bush!" Gao Zhao frowned, interrupting Shi Qian. The fact that he was being so cautious meant that what they were talking about in private was definitely not something as simple as renovating a house.

Shi Qian quickly changed his expression and said seriously, "Something's happened at the brothel!"

"Oh?" Gao Zhao raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and gestured for him to continue.

"Many students in Biyong Lane have been seduced by the allure of these brothels, becoming deeply entrenched and unable to extricate themselves. Some have become addicted to wine and women, while others have become obsessed with gambling. Not only have they neglected their studies, but they have also accumulated huge debts... Young Master, I think this is going to be a big problem..."

"Yes, you're right!" Gao Zhao nodded and paced back and forth a few steps. He felt that Fu Jin was really on the road to self-destruction.

To set one's sights on the students of Biyong Academy—that's a genius idea!

To be fair, the students of Biyong are indeed a unique and high-quality customer group. These days, those who can afford to take time off work to study are usually from well-off families.

Even a poor scholar like Qin Hui could have lived a decent life as a private tutor in the countryside if he had wanted to, at least much better than the old farmers who toiled in the fields.

Moreover, these young students are at an age full of energy and vigor, and after so many years of studying hard, they have never seen the wonders and prosperity of this colorful world.

How could they resist the allure of a den of iniquity?

In other words, the young scholars of the righteous sects at Biyong, before they had even completed their studies and left the mountain, encountered the temptation of the top succubus of the Hehuan Sect during a casual trip down the mountain for training.

How can they possibly withstand that?!

Putting everything else aside, a single Xiangnu could cause chaos in the Biyong Hall...

Just because of that one word, "prostitute," Xu Qing caused him so much trouble!

Fortunately, I reacted in time and with a compassionate heart, I sacrificed myself to feed the tiger and converted that demoness Xiangnu. Otherwise, who knows what kind of trouble she would have caused!

Moreover, the Biyong was a place where the imperial court nurtured scholars, all of whom were prepared to become officials in the future.

These students valued their reputation and honor. When they incurred gambling debts or romantic entanglements, they would rather sell their land or borrow from relatives and friends in private than take the matter to court, for fear that a scandal would spread and ruin their future.

It is clear that the students of Biyong were a bunch of fools who were rich, easy to fool, and easy to take advantage of. There was no easier fat sheep to fleece than them in the entire Song Dynasty!

That shows the difference between you and those other students!

Do you think that the young master's son who spends his days visiting brothels and harassing young women and wives is just a lecherous man?

wrong!

That's to demystify women!

The purpose is to cultivate a calm and ordinary mind amidst the mortal world, remaining unmoved by the eight winds, so that one can wholeheartedly serve the government and the people!

For the sake of the Song Dynasty, I, the young master, have suffered greatly!

Getting back to the main point, if this matter were to be exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable!

This is not just about money. If I were paying for it, I wouldn't simply use money to blackmail these students. Instead, I would play the long game and catch bigger fish. If a few of these people could become officials in the future, they would be a rare commodity!

As long as you have something else to hold in your hands, you can firmly control these people, integrate them, and use them for your own purposes. What power that is!

In comparison, money is not important!

If I can think of this, how could the imperial court not?

Therefore, once this matter is exposed, it will definitely be a major earthquake that shakes the government and the public!

So how can I profit from this?