Chapter 54 – Getting Mu Nanjin Drunk

The Jinyiwei stood dumbfounded before the large signboard that read “Xiaoqing Tower”.

From what they knew, Xiaoqing Tower was a male brothel.

Kan Chaoyan and Deng Xingchao’s faces instantly darkened.

None of them had imagined that Mu Nanjin would invite them here for dinner.

Ignoring their expressions, Mu Nanjin cheerfully marched inside to find the madam and arrange the guests’ reception, leaving Kan Chaoyan and Deng Xingchao staring blankly at each other.

Tang Jingrui frowned and turned to Captain Liu. “She said she was inviting us to dinner, didn’t you ask where we were eating?”

Captain Liu rubbed his temples, clearly in pain. “We thought she meant a regular restaurant. Where else could we eat, right? Who would’ve guessed she’d be so bold as to bring us all here, to, well, hire courtesans.”

He practically choked on the last two words, barely able to say them aloud.

Tang Jingrui was fuming. “We’re all in official uniform, and there are so many civilians watching us! How are we supposed to explain this? Should we tell them we came to inspect the brothel?”

He dared not say that aloud. If they actually tried that excuse, Mu Nanjin would surely turn against them, and who knew what kind of trouble she’d cause next.

Captain Liu groaned and rubbed his face. “Why don’t we just turn back and leave?”

Tang Jingrui didn’t respond.

Kan Chaoyan disagreed. “No. That would embarrass the girl.”

Tang Jingrui snapped, “So we can’t leave, and we can’t explain ourselves, then what are we supposed to do?”

Kan Chaoyan: “……”

Deng Xingchao massaged his forehead. “If I’d known this would happen, I never would’ve agreed.”

If they really entered Xiaoqing Tower tonight, he was certain that by tomorrow morning the Censorate would have already reported it to the Emperor.

By then, the entire court would know the Jinyiwei had gone to a brothel together.

Just then, the sound of galloping hooves and rumbling wheels came from afar.

The Jinyiwei turned to look and saw dozens of carriages rolling toward them before stopping right in front of Xiaoqing Tower.

Moments later, a group of civil officials in official robes stepped down from the carriages.

The Jinyiwei squinted and realized the group was from the Ministry of Rites, followed by several officials from the Court of Judicature and the Censorate.

Even Kan Chaoyan couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well, even the Minister of Rites showed up.”

He had to admit, Mu Nanjin had some impressive tricks up her sleeve. She’d even managed to lure the notoriously proper Minister of Rites here.

The Minister of Rites stepped forward. “Lord Kan, Lord Deng, are you here on official business?”

Kan Chaoyan cast a meaningful glance toward the brothel’s sign. “We’re here to eat as well.”

The Minister of Rites blinked in surprise. “Eat… with this many people?”

It was the first time he’d ever seen so many Jinyiwei out just to have a meal.

Kan Chaoyan raised an eyebrow. “You’ve brought quite a crowd yourselves. Looks like the entire Ministry of Rites is here.”

The Minister of Rites nodded awkwardly. “Indeed, we all came.”

The Vice Minister of Rites had said he’d treat them to dinner. How could they refuse?

Of course, it wasn’t just about food. They were all deeply curious about why Mu Nanjin had requested to meet the Vice Minister.

But since he insisted on explaining only during the meal, they’d had no choice but to come along.

Kan Chaoyan grinned. “Good. With you all here, we can eat with peace of mind.”

After all, if anyone was going to face the Emperor’s wrath tomorrow, at least they wouldn’t be alone.

Deng Xingchao couldn’t help but laugh.

“Peace of mind?” The Minister of Rites looked puzzled.

Someone tugged on his sleeve. “My Lord, look.”

He turned toward the man, frowning. “Look at what?”

The man pointed at Xiaoqing Tower.

The Minister followed his gaze, and after a long pause, realization dawned.

This was a brothel.

His face immediately turned red with fury. “Vice Minister of Rites!”

The Vice Minister of Rites stiffened and reluctantly stepped forward.

Before the Minister could begin scolding him, the madam of Xiaoqing Tower bustled out, smiling brightly, with six courtesans trailing behind her.

“My lords, thank you for waiting!”

But when she saw the sea of people outside, she and the courtesans froze in place.

This morning, she’d only been told that a group of officials were coming for entertainment, not that there’d be this many!

No wonder they’d asked her to prepare food and wine for over a thousand people, and even had her recruit staff from other brothels and restaurants to help.

The Minister of Rites was about to storm off when the Vice Minister caught his sleeve and whispered in his ear,

“Mu Nanjin said that if we don’t go in, she’ll expose every scandal from the Ministry of Rites, including our private wrongdoings.”

In truth, Mu Nanjin had said nothing of the sort.

She’d simply promised him that if he could bring everyone from the Ministry to Xiaoqing Tower, he could enjoy one free night each month at any of three brothels, with all food and drink covered, though he could bring no more than three guests each time.

For an official surviving on a meager monthly salary but fond of such pleasures, it was an irresistible offer.

So he’d gritted his teeth and lured everyone here.

The Minister of Rites’ face darkened. “She dared to threaten us?”

The Vice Minister said nothing, knowing full well the Minister would still go inside, after all, the man had a secret from years ago that he’d do anything to keep buried.

Now the Minister finally understood why Kan Chaoyan had said they could “eat with peace of mind.”

He sneered. “With the Jinyiwei here, we can also eat with peace of mind.”

With a huff, he flicked his sleeves and strode into Xiaoqing Tower.

Captain Liu’s jaw dropped. “The Ministry of Rites actually went in! Should we… go too?”

Chen Liangli grinned. “If even the Ministry of Rites dares go in, how can the Jinyiwei back down?”

Captain Liu: “……”

Kan Chaoyan turned to the men. “Of course we’re going in. But once we’re inside, you all have one important task.”

Deng Xingchao asked, “What task?”

“Get Mu Nanjin drunk.”

Tang Jingrui: “……”

“With this many of us, one cup each, she’ll be down in no time. Then we can pry some information out of her.”

Deng Xingchao gave Kan Chaoyan a thumbs-up. “Truly devious. No wonder the Commander favors you most.”

Kan Chaoyan shot him a glare.

Captain Liu looked doubtful. “But her martial strength’s so high, what if she can handle a thousand cups and stay sober?”

Kan Chaoyan shrugged. “Then we’ll go with two cups each. Or three. One way or another, she’ll fall.”

Captain Liu: “……”

Now that was ruthless.

Kan Chaoyan dismounted. “Everyone, get off your horses. Time to eat.”

“Yes, sir.”

All the Jinyiwei dismounted and followed Kan Chaoyan and the others inside Xiaoqing Tower.

“Welcome, welcome, my lords! What an honor to have you grace our humble establishment!”

The madam, ever the shrewd one, knew that Mu Nanjin bringing so many high-ranking officials here was a deliberate move, to show that Xiaoqing Tower had powerful backing, and that the recent scandal involving Young Lord Liang hadn’t hurt their business.

So she raised her voice on purpose, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

Passersby froze in astonishment.

They had assumed the Jinyiwei were here to shut the brothel down.

But to their shock, the officials had come to patronize it instead, and in such a grand, united fashion.

It was a sight like no other.