Men… women… a group of people…

The world is vast, with all manner of strange things! Such activities could always be heard about.

Never mind groups of men and women, even groups of just men were something one heard about.

Daily life in Great Jing lacked entertainment options, and most people studied only to pass the imperial examinations.

Besides studying, there was only spring outings, garden visits, watching operas, and playing chess. These activities covered about eighty percent of all entertainment.

So the greatest pleasure was that thing!

A tremendous sense of absurdity washed over Xie Xian’s entire body.

Though he had wandered the world for many years, he still maintained some scholarly sensibilities. This activity might sound refined, but in practice, it was perverted!

Finding himself in this situation was truly hard to accept, especially since he had once witnessed similar activities back in the county…

Suppressing his disgust, Xie Xian asked, “Do you mean…”

“Exactly what you’re thinking!” Du Lingfeng quickly interrupted.

He couldn’t accept it either, but working for the Lu family meant living under their roof.

When the master tells you to play, refusing would be disrespectful. How could one continue working there after that?

Looking at the appetizers just served on the table, Xie Xian suddenly felt nauseated and gently set down the wine cup he had just picked up.

He said flatly, “I think I’ll pass. Why don’t you tell Young Master Lu that I won’t be attending today.”

“You can’t! You must go! Today, besides you, there are other newcomers. The Young Master wants to gather everyone. If you don’t go, he’ll lose face, and you’ll suffer later!” Du Lingfeng advised.

Xie Xian sighed helplessly, “It’s been over a month, and while I’ve observed him to be somewhat capricious, he doesn’t seem as excessive as you describe!”

“Tsk!” Du Lingfeng’s face contorted with discomfort. “That’s because you haven’t known him long enough! At first, he’s always pleasant. If you help him make money, he treats you even better!”

“But once you cause him to lose face, or if he becomes dissatisfied with you in any way, you’ll be in trouble!”

“However, as long as you keep him happy, everything else is negotiable. He’s quite generous with money!”

Du Lingfeng took a sip of tea, seemingly reminiscing, “When I first met him, he wasn’t this extreme, but over time, Young Master Lu’s appetite has grown. Ordinary activities no longer satisfy him.”

“Haven’t you noticed he even gave you a concubine? Never mind concubines—last year I made good money, and when he was pleased, he gave me his proper…”

Du Lingfeng realized he had misspoken and abruptly stopped, silently drinking his tea.

Xie Xian exclaimed in shock, “You even… Young Master Lu’s proper wife?”

“Hey! Let’s discuss what to do tonight! Forget these useless topics! Judging by your attitude, you’ll likely upset him tonight.” Du Lingfeng said.

“Why don’t I drink more and pretend to be drunk! Remember to carry me away.”

“That won’t work! If you get drunk before Young Master Lu does, he’ll have someone wake you up, and you’ll suffer needlessly.” Du Lingfeng shook his head, then looked Xie Xian up and down. “Hmm… you’ve gotten thinner lately. Why not just say you have kidney deficiency? That way he can’t do anything about it.”

Xie Xian’s face reddened in anger, “Who has kidney deficiency!? Who!”

“Just pretend!”

“No!”

Du Lingfeng drank tea to hide his embarrassment, occasionally stealing glances at him.

Such a strong reaction… perhaps he’d touched a sore spot? Better drop the subject!

Xie Xian picked at the food occasionally, trying hard to think of a solution.

This is too perverted… what if my people found out and word got back to Taoyuan County?

Wouldn’t all those old men and women on the streets spread rumors about me? How could I face anyone? What would my children think of me? Wouldn’t those two tigresses at home tear me apart?

Growing increasingly alarmed as he thought about it, Xie Xian’s face filled with worry.

Du Lingfeng consoled him, “Enough, stop thinking about it. Accept what comes! By now, your family should be arriving in Haiyuan City.”

“What if you offend Young Master Lu, and he gets drunk and throws a tantrum? What if something happens to you?”

“Old Xie, you wouldn’t want your wife to become a widow, would you…”

Xie Xian’s face twisted with conflict.

Widow? He wasn’t actually concerned about his wife being widowed. The social climate in Taoyuan County was quite different from elsewhere!

If something happened and he died away from home, before his body even cooled, Master would probably actively arrange for that woman to find a new husband.

I’m worried about not being able to show my face in public!

Xie Xian heaved a heavy sigh, his mind made up.

Fine! For the sake of the mission, I’ll sacrifice myself once more!

The two left the teahouse as the sky had already darkened.

With no pedestrians on the street, they rode their horses to the Lu mansion’s main gate, and as usual, took sedan chairs to the inner residence.

Lanterns illuminated the inner residence, with light fixtures hanging everywhere.

Following the servants’ directions, the two entered the reception hall.

The tables and chairs had been removed from the hall and replaced with six small dining tables arranged in two rows.

The evening temperature was still quite low, so small charcoal braziers had been placed in the corners of the room.

Maidservants stood ready throughout the hall, though their attire wasn’t the usual uniform but rather exceptionally revealing.

Long legs and slender waists were exposed, adding considerable allure.

As soon as Xie Xian entered, he couldn’t help but steal several glances, immediately feeling more cheerful…

Lu Renjie was sprawled barefoot on the central seat, wearing a white robe with his chest exposed.

He looked slovenly, maintaining his usual lazy demeanor.

He liked to look at people sideways, with a smile of self-satisfaction always hanging at the corners of his mouth, giving people an inexplicable sense of disgust.

“You two are late, sit down wherever,” Lu Renjie said.

With a slight wave of his hand, he pointed to two spots at the end of the hall.

Xie Xian consciously sat at the very end, while Du Lingfeng took the position farther from the door.

Seeing the two seated, Lu Renjie slowly rose.

Shaking his wide sleeves, he smiled, “Gentlemen, though we are few today, it’s a rare gathering.”

“This Young Master has specially prepared a feast to entertain you all.”

“Let me introduce everyone. This is Tao Zhong, responsible for…”

He introduced everyone in turn, ending with Xie Xian.

Clapping his hands, two maidservants entered from outside, carrying a tray covered with a red cloth.

When the maidservants stood ready in the center of the hall, Lu Renjie walked down and lifted the red cloth.

The tray was neatly stacked with gold bars!

“Last year, Tao Zhong and Liu Mo helped this Young Master earn a fortune. Today, each of you receives one hundred taels of gold!”

After Lu Renjie finished speaking, the maidservants presented the gold to the two men.

Tao Zhong and Liu Mo stood up, excitedly expressing their thanks.

Then Lu Renjie looked toward Xie Xian and the others: “Today, three of you are newcomers. As long as you serve this Young Master wholeheartedly, whether new or old, meritorious service will be rewarded!”

“Thank you, Young Master!” the six men thanked him in unison.

Xie Xian observed carefully. Lu Renjie was buying people’s hearts again, something he’d done frequently these past weeks.

But this time, the gesture was truly generous. One hundred taels of gold was no small sum!

Lu Renjie smiled, “You’ll gradually understand the rules. As long as you serve my Lu family wholeheartedly, no one will be mistreated.”

“Alright! We’re here today for enjoyment! Let’s begin!”

Lu Renjie clapped again, and another group of enchanting maidservants filed in. Some carried zithers, others held pipa lutes…