Chapter 36 Visiting the Brothel – How Can a Matriarchal Society Not Visit Brothels?

“What’s the matter?” Qiu Shuzhi’s heart tightened, wondering what could be so important that Yue Shen would risk bypassing the Empress Dowager’s spies to find her.

“Go find contraceptive medicine.”

A flash of surprise crossed Qiu Shuzhi’s eyes: “What does Your Majesty need these for?”

“The selection of consorts will be held soon. The Empress Dowager and the King of Dian have both sent candidates, especially the Empress Dowager who clearly wants to make her candidate the Empress Consort. I cannot allow them to conceive children of the Yue bloodline before I have consolidated power.”

Yue Shen didn’t hide anything from her. Or rather, she had never been guarded against Qiu Shuzhi from the beginning. In the secluded depths of the palace, Qiu Shuzhi was the only person she could trust.

Qiu Shuzhi remained silent. The selection of consorts seemed to be merely a harem matter, but if a consort were to conceive an imperial child, Yue Shen’s position would be precarious. The Qin clan could completely remove her and install a young emperor instead.

“I understand, but contraceptive medicine has an unpleasant taste. I fear the consorts might discover it.”

Since these were people sent by the Empress Dowager and the King of Dian, they naturally knew they were tools for producing heirs and would not obediently take contraceptive medicine.

Moreover, Yue Shen had not yet grasped power. If the consorts or servants noticed, it might further displease Qin Qing towards her.

“I know,” Yue Shen said, her lips tightly pressed, her almond-shaped eyes cold and clear.

Something seemed to flash in Qiu Shuzhi’s mind, and she immediately shuddered: “Your Majesty, you’re not thinking of taking it yourself?”

“Mm.” Yue Shen raised her eyes.

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!” Qiu Shuzhi said sternly. “Contraceptive medicine is harmful to the body in every way without any benefits. Your Majesty’s dragon body is precious, you absolutely cannot take contraceptive medicine.”

The side effects of ancient contraceptive medicines were not on the same level as modern contraceptives. Taking them too much would harm one’s body, making it difficult to have children later.

Therefore, only male prostitutes in brothels or those treated as mere bedwarmers in large families would use such things. Women would not even touch them.

The Yue clan’s bloodline was already thin, with only Yue Shen as the sole daughter. If she couldn’t have children in the future, the Yue clan would truly be cut off without descendants.

“Minister Qiu-” Yue Shen’s lips quivered. “I- We know you care about Us, but Our mind is made up.”

She had just come of age, and was already almost as tall as Qiu Shuzhi. Her almond-shaped eyes held amber pupils, soft and clear, more captivating than a delicate and weak young man.

It was these harmless-looking eyes, with soft lines revealing a determination that belied her age.

“If We have children, the Qin clan will kill Us, install a young empress, and continue to manipulate the puppet ruler. Generation after generation, endlessly, the Yue clan will sit on the throne but forever remain puppets.”

“But Your Majesty, it’s still your body that will be harmed.”

“We don’t care about descendants. As long as We can overthrow the Qin clan, stabbing Ourself first is no matter.” She clenched her fists, a flash of cold intent in her eyes, her whole body radiating a shattering determination.

“I understand,” she sighed helplessly.

Yue Shen’s hatred for the Qin clan had long-standing roots. She was proud and ambitious, yet able to endure and bide her time. If not for the previous emperor indulging the Qin clan’s wild growth, ultimately leading to the erosion of imperial power and Yue Shen being marginalized, she would certainly have been a good ruler.

But where should she find this contraceptive medicine?

After dinner at home, she took off her official robes, changed into casual clothes, and went out. After turning left and right, she finally stood before the large characters “Yichun Lou” (House of Lingering Spring).

Male courtesans with half-open robes and practiced smiles waved handkerchiefs to attract customers. The entire street was filled with the scent of rouge, overflowing with amorous intent. The flirtatious banter between courtesans and customers made her blush.

Respectable families generally didn’t use contraceptive medicine. After all, it was an unorthodox prescription that proper doctors in pharmacies wouldn’t sell. Being unmarried, she couldn’t risk asking a doctor, lest she leave traces.

For matters concerning the Emperor, she dared not casually send someone else. The fewer people who knew about this, the better. So she simply came to the brothel herself.

“What a handsome customer.” A male courtesan reeking of powder grabbed her arm, his half-open collar brazenly rubbing against her arm.

“Customer, why don’t you come in and sit? Let Ting’er serve you well.” Ting’er’s eyes were seductive, his rose-scented powder alluringly intense.

Qiu Shuzhi waved her hand, hurriedly saying, “No need, no need, I’m just passing by.”

Forget it, Qiu Qiushuang disliked her lingering in such places. If she went back and he smelled the powder on her, he would surely be unhappy again.

Having failed to navigate the brothel, she decided to find a quack doctor who specialized in these things.

But Ting’er refused to let her go. He had noticed Qiu Shuzhi hiding in the corner long ago, like a plum blossom in the snow, pure and otherworldly standing in the cold corner. Though in the midst of rouge and dust, she remained elegant as an immortal.

He suppressed his pounding heart. Forced to sell himself to the brothel and submit to all kinds of women, this was the first time he had been so captivated by a woman.

“Customer, is this your first time at a brothel?” Ting’er grabbed her other hand, placing it on his snow-white chest, his breath fragrant.

Seeing her transcendent aura but simple plain clothes, he thought she might be short on money.

Ting’er had sold himself for many years and was a well-known top courtesan at Yichun Lou. Since he had to sleep with someone anyway, he’d rather accompany this beautiful young lady, even if he had to pay for it himself.

He softly leaned on her shoulder, his voice as tender as a warbling oriole: “Customer, why don’t you take this slave for the night? This slave is very cheap, I guarantee to serve you well.”

Qiu Shuzhi’s arm tensed, her body completely enveloped in Ting’er’s rouge fragrance. “No- no need.”

“Minister Qiu?” A surprised voice came from above her.

Qiu Shuzhi looked up to see Jiang Si standing on the upper floor of Yichun Lou, her eyes full of interest: “I never expected to meet you here.”

Qiu Shuzhi’s expression remained unchanged, but her heart was racing. This was too embarrassing.

It was as awkward as running into a colleague while checking into a hotel room.

She hurried to pull away from Ting’er, but his hands were like suction-cupped octopus tentacles, impossible to shake off.

She watched Jiang Si leisurely come down the stairs, followed by a group of people. She didn’t recognize all of them, but they were all dressed in luxurious clothing, likely young ladies from wealthy and noble families.

Although Jiang Si was a hostage sent to the capital by the King of Dian, her quality of life was no worse for it. She enjoyed the treatment and honors befitting a noble lady, and her reputation for debauchery had already spread throughout the capital, frequenting brothels and living a life of daily revelry.

“So this is the famous Minister Qiu who’s the talk of the capital?”

“She truly has a beautiful face. Not just men, even I as a woman feel my heart stirring at the sight.”

The young ladies behind whispered among themselves, occasional fragments of conversation reaching her ears.

Jiang Si walked to her side, still holding a wine cup, a smile playing on her lips as she glanced at Ting’er: “What’s the matter? Is he not to Minister Qiu’s satisfaction?”

Qiu Shuzhi shook her head: “It’s not that, I was just passing by.”

Jiang Si raised an eyebrow: “Since you’re already here, why doesn’t Minister Qiu come in and have a seat?”

“There’s no need.”

Qiu Shuzhi noticed her casual demeanor, a hint of alcohol on her breath. Years of frequenting brothels had given her eyes the look of deep pools filled with neon lights; one glance and you could smell the strong scent of alcohol.

She didn’t know whether to praise Jiang Si for her dissipation or for her self-control. With the Sword of Damocles hanging over her head, capable of taking her life at any moment, she could still remain so calm and carefree, like a leisurely noble lady uninvolved in any scheming.

Jiang Si’s lips curved slightly upward as she drained the white jade cup of wine in one gulp, then casually tossed it aside, shattering it on the ground.

Reeking of alcohol, she put her arm around her shoulder, both gentle and forceful: “Minister Qiu, since I came to the capital, I’ve been hosting guests frequently. I’ve sent invitations to your residence daily, yet you haven’t graced us with your presence even once. Only that one time on the pleasure boat, which was interrupted by the Crown Princess. Minister Qiu, do you despise me so much? Are you avoiding me?”

Qiu Shuzhi lowered her eyes slightly: “I have no intention of avoiding the Noble Lady.”

Jiang Si’s eyes held a trace of inquiry: “Then why wasn’t I invited to your housewarming feast? I was eagerly waiting and hoping, half the court went, but I alone was left out.”

She had been looking for a future wife-master for Qiu Qiushuang. Jiang Si’s flirtatious nature and complex background made her hesitate to invite her. She hadn’t expected Jiang Si to take it to heart.

“Alright, alright, this Noble Lady won’t hold it against you.” Jiang Si sighed, emboldened by the alcohol: “But since we’ve met today, you must drink a few cups with me. Otherwise, it would be disrespecting this Noble Lady’s face.”

Her voice carried the hint of drunkenness, but her attitude was somewhat forceful, with the clear intention of not letting her go unless she complied.

Qiu Shuzhi really couldn’t refuse and had to agree.

Jiang Si gave a look to Ting’er beside her, and Ting’er immediately clung to her: “Minister Qiu, this slave will accompany you.”

“Thank you for your trouble,” she nodded slightly.

Qiu Shuzhi had been to brothels a few times before and knew these male brothel workers were just putting on an act, with little true feeling involved. Refusing now would seem rather prudish.

Ting’er smiled coyly, biting his lip.

The group went up to the second floor, to a room decorated with a scholarly air. Jiang Si casually sat on a soft couch, surrounded by various beauties, with cold-looking geishas playing soft tunes.

She pulled Qiu Shuzhi to sit beside her: “Minister Qiu, this isn’t your first time at a brothel, why so reserved? Loosen up a bit. If you see one you like, tell me. I’ll ensure you have an unforgettable time.”

Qiu Shuzhi took the opportunity to ask: “There’s no need to choose men for me. I’m not yet married and don’t want to have illegitimate children before my wedding. Noble Lady, you play with these men every day. Aren’t you afraid they might harbor thoughts of using their wombs to bear your children and cling to you?”

Jiang Si sneered, her eyes made more alluring by the alcohol: “Bear my children? They don’t have the guts.”

“Once with child, they could claim status through the father. Though dangerous, it might be worth it. Is the Noble Lady truly not worried? Or do you simply not believe they can conceive your children?”

Jiang Si’s eyes snapped to her, a sudden chill sweeping over: “Doesn’t Minister Qiu know that all brothel men take lifelong contraceptives?”

Her long legs crossed powerfully under her skirt, her knee slightly pressing against Qiu Shuzhi’s side. Her voice softened, somewhere between a low laugh and careless arrogance: “Even if they did conceive, so what? A male courtesan should know his place. If they dare to dream of riding on my coattails, don’t blame me for cutting open their bellies, keeping the child but discarding the father.”