The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun.

Jiang Ning glanced at him.

"Brother Zhu, do you come to brothels often?"

Zhu Shou, still in a state of excitement, shook his head upon hearing this.

"This is my first time here too."

Zhu Shou said embarrassedly, "My family used to be very strict, and I had to go home before 3 PM. This is the first time I've stayed out this late."

Jiang Ning nodded upon hearing this.

Zhu Shou noticed that Jiang Ning's expression was a little indifferent, as if he had no interest in the place, so he said, "Brother Jiang, are you not interested in this place? Then we can go to other places to visit."

Jiang Ning smiled and shook his head.

"It's nothing, we can go in and take a look."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Shou no longer had any doubts and took the lead, speaking as he went.

"Brother Jiang, have you ever been to a place like this during your travels?"

Jiang Ning smiled slightly: "You've been there, haven't you?"

"Oh?"

Zhu Shou couldn't help but glance at Jiang Ning.

"Brother Jiang, do you also have such refined and literary tastes?"

Jiang Ning smiled but didn't say anything.

Zhu Shou asked curiously, "Brother Jiang, since you've been to these places, what did you think of them?"

Jiang Ning shook his head: "Not good."

Zhu Shou was taken aback, thinking that the brothels Jiang Ning had visited were not high-class and that was why his experience was not good.

The brothels here are built on the lakeside, with one brothel after another on both sides of the lake. Some literati and scholars would travel across the lake by boat, and the laughter of men and the coquettish laughter of women could be heard from the brothels on the lakeside from time to time.

Many scholars even vomited by the lake, their faces flushed and clothes disheveled, displaying a dissolute and unrestrained manner.

Zhu Shou, who had never seen such a scene before, found it all quite novel.

"I had heard before how prosperous this place was and how romantic these talented men were, and now that I see it, it is indeed true."

Zhu Shou looked around as he spoke, finally glancing at Jiang Ning.

"Brother Jiang, what do you think?"

Jiang Ning looked at the brothels with a calm expression, and after hearing Zhu Shou's words, he said softly.

"A false prosperity."

"what?"

Jiang Ning's voice was very soft, and Zhu Shou didn't hear it clearly, so he subconsciously asked.

Jiang Ning shook his head.

"It's nothing, it is indeed bustling."

Zhu Shou was not pleased to hear this, but instead looked at the scholars who were drunk by the lake.

"Some of these people are scholars from the Ming Dynasty. They are successful candidates in the provincial examinations and the imperial examinations. They will become officials of the Ming Dynasty and the cornerstone of the court in the future. They talk about morality and righteousness all the time and talk about national affairs in a grand and eloquent manner. But in reality... well."

Zhu Shou showed no joy on his face, his voice was soft, and there was a strange coldness in his tone, as if he had no goodwill towards these people.

Having traveled the martial world for many years, Jiang Ning possessed keen insight and excellent hearing. Naturally, he could hear and discern Zhu Shou's tone at this moment, and he couldn't help but glance at Zhu Shou.

Seemingly realizing he had said something he shouldn't have, Zhu Shou immediately shut up and glanced at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning remained calm, as if he hadn't heard anything.

Zhu Shou secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Too many words will be lost.

He didn't know Jiang Ning's true identity or background. If Jiang Ning was from a prominent family, and he and the people behind him recognized Zhu Shou, and his words were known to them, it would be very troublesome for him.

As Zhu Shou realized this, he was also secretly surprised that he would say these things to a stranger he had only met once.

"Brother Jiang, shall we go in and take a look?"

Arriving outside a brothel, Zhu Shou adjusted his mindset and smiled at Jiang Ning.

The brothel they came to was very large and the most bustling one. A large group of people were coming and going at the entrance, and the noise and laughter inside could be heard outside.

Jiang Ning nodded upon hearing Zhu Shou's invitation.

The two then followed the crowd into the largest brothel in the capital.

The men who had been following them at a distance turned green with rage when they saw Zhu Shou and Jiang Ning enter the brothel.

As soon as I entered, the noise inside grew even louder, and it was almost entirely filled with people.

As soon as they sat down, a man came running over, bending down to serve them tea.

"You two gentlemen look unfamiliar. Is this your first time here?"

The man poured tea as he spoke.

Zhu Shou was looking around curiously at that moment and ignored him.

Jiang Ning said, "I have only been in the capital for a short time, and this is indeed my first time here."

Upon hearing this, the man's smile widened.

"The two gentlemen are very lucky today. There will be a poetry competition later, and whoever wins will win the favor of our courtesan, Bai Ling."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Shou became interested.

He hadn't heard of it yet.

Jiang Ning, however, was not surprised at all.

He had been to many brothels, not for seeking pleasure, but he knew about these kinds of things.

There are different types of brothels. The brothel here is a high-class brothel. Generally, the top courtesans in high-class brothels sell their art but not their bodies. These courtesans are not only outstanding in appearance, but also have exceptional talents. They are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. You can't just pay money to see these courtesans. Unless you are a high-ranking official or a talented and romantic man, they will not even give you a second glance. Ordinary people can hardly ever see them.

The poetry contest that the man mentioned was an event organized by the courtesan. Her main purpose was to make those romantic and talented men compete for her affections, thus further enhancing her fame. If she was lucky enough to meet a true talent and compose a timeless masterpiece, it would be a great achievement for the courtesan herself, ensuring her lasting fame.

As for who will ultimately win her favor, those who understand the situation know the rest.

After pouring the tea, the man asked the two if they needed a few girls to come and keep them company. Zhu Shou saw that Jiang Ning didn't seem interested, and since he wasn't there to find girls, he declined.

"Brother Jiang, what's wrong? Is it too noisy here?"

After the man left, Zhu Shou was still looking around, finding it all very novel. But when he turned around, he saw that Jiang Ning's face was expressionless, as if nothing here could please him.

Zhu Shou hadn't seen Jiang Ning smile once since he came in.

"This is not."

Jiang Ning shook his head.

"What happened?"

Zhu Shou asked curiously.

Just as Jiang Ning was about to speak, a loud shout suddenly erupted from the hall, attracting the attention of the two.

Jiang Ning and Zhu Shou turned their heads and saw a beautiful woman appear on the second floor. It was this woman's appearance that made everyone make noise.

The woman was so beautiful that even Zhu Shou couldn't help but be captivated.

Jiang Ning, however, was not interested in this. He only glanced at it before turning back, but paused for a moment when he caught sight of someone in the crowd.

He actually saw the middle-aged man who had been riding a horse on the street yesterday.

This was the Lord Zhang that Chen Qingyuan had mentioned.

What a small world!

"Brother Jiang..."

After the initial amazement, Zhu Shou quickly recovered and turned to speak to Jiang Ning. However, upon seeing Jiang Ning's expression, he was surprised. Following Jiang Ning's gaze, he also saw the middle-aged man.

Upon seeing the middle-aged man, Zhu Shou's expression visibly turned cold.

Chapter 418: The Sad Zhu Shou

Both of them saw the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man, still oblivious, went up to the second floor surrounded by several people, without glancing at Jiang Ning and Zhu Shou.

"Brother Jiang, what are you thinking about?"

Zhu Shou turned around and found Jiang Ning looking around, his gaze mostly on the women, but there was no interest in them, nor any desire in a man when he saw a woman.

Upon hearing Zhu Shou's words, Jiang Ning withdrew his gaze.

"I'm wondering how many of these people are here against their will, forced into it."

Zhu Shou was taken aback.

The people Jiang Ning was referring to were easy to understand; they were the courtesans from brothels.

But it was precisely because he understood that Zhu Shou was even more puzzled.

Is this all Jiang Ning is thinking about?

"Brother Jiang, do you think they weren't there voluntarily?"

Zhu Shou asked.

Jiang Ning shook his head.

There's a reason why the brothel industry has existed since ancient times. Of course, there are many women who are willing, but he was thinking about those who were not, like the ones he encountered in Xiangyang.

Jiang Ning remained silent, but Zhu Shou was very curious. His gaze unconsciously swept over the courtesans around him, and he pointed to one of them.

"You, come here."