The female guest said, “Young Master Sullivan, people must read books. Only by reading extensively can one understand shame and honor.”

Was she mocking Chad Sullivan again for not knowing shame?

The female guest continued, “I have been well-versed in poetry and literature since childhood, and I deeply understand how books cultivate a person.

Those who are educated have a different temperament.

You are extremely handsome, but your demeanor is very vulgar. What you lack is the refinement that comes from literature and poetry. This way, you will never become someone of high status. Even though you wear fine clothes, you still look like a servant.”

Chad Sullivan said softly, “Sister, I also read and write poetry.”

The female guest scoffed, “You can write poetry too?”

Chad Sullivan replied, “Of course.”

The female guest said, “Then use yourself as the subject and compose a poem. If you do well, I’ll reward you with five taels of silver.”

Only five taels?

Emily has spent hundreds of taels on me, at the very least.

After thinking for a moment, Chad Sullivan said, “Then listen carefully. The poem is called ‘What Should I Do If I’m Too Handsome?’”

The female guest looked even more disdainful—what a ridiculous poem title.

Chad Sullivan began to recite: “When life is going well, one must enjoy to the fullest; do not let golden goblets face the night in vain.

Heaven gave me talent for a reason; even if a thousand fortunes are spent, they will return again.

Bells and jade feasts are not worth much; I only wish to sleep long and never wake.

Since ancient times, sages and wise men have all been lonely; only those with silver leave their names behind.”

At first, the female guest was shocked and incredulous, because Chad Sullivan’s poem was full of grandeur, truly a work of genius.

But…

He was also ruining the poem.

Suddenly, she stood up and said, “You are desecrating poetry! The literary star in the heavens will strike you with lightning.”

Then, she stormed off in a huff.

She didn’t even know why she was so angry—was it because Chad Sullivan’s poetic talent far surpassed hers?

A lowly brothel courtesan, yet more talented than a young lady from a scholarly family like her?

She felt that her visit to the brothel was already a great favor to Chad Sullivan, yet Chad Sullivan was so flamboyant, not trying to please or flatter her.

Moments later, the manager of Xianyin Pavilion, Eric Thompson, stormed in angrily.

“Chad Sullivan, are you trying to drive away my customers?

Are you still waiting for that Emily Parker to come marry you?

Stop dreaming, stop your wishful thinking. She’s the sister of the prefect, and you’re just a lowly courtesan.”

Chad Sullivan smiled and said, “Manager, I was just joking with that lady. Who knew she couldn’t take a joke?”

Eric Thompson said coldly, “Know your place. You’re here to sell your smile—what right do you have to joke with customers?

Your job is to grovel before the guests. Who do you think you are?

Someone, drag Chad Sullivan out and serve him a bowl of loach noodles. Maybe then he’ll know what he really is.”

Loach noodles meant raw, uncooked loaches, alive and wriggling, forced down into the stomach.

Disgusting aside, the key was that the loaches would still be alive in the stomach, burrowing around, causing unbearable pain.

In the brothel, this was an extremely cruel punishment.

At the manager’s command, several thugs rushed in.

Just then, a loud voice came from outside.

“General Parker has arrived!”

“General Parker is here to escort Young Master Chad Sullivan home for the wedding.”

……

………

………

Note: Here’s the second update. Dear patrons, have you cast your votes?

Chapter 7: A Special Wedding Night! The Rainy Season in Yingzhou

This voice echoed throughout the entire Xianyin Pavilion.

In an instant, the whole place was stunned!

The manager Eric Thompson was dumbfounded, as if he couldn’t believe his ears. Had this General Emily Parker gone mad?

She was really going to marry a brothel courtesan?

She was the dignified deputy commander of the Yingzhou navy, the prefect’s own sister.

But in the next second, his face turned extremely obsequious, and he bowed to Chad Sullivan, saying, “Congratulations, Young Master Sullivan, congratulations!”

“Young Master Sullivan, we all congratulate you.”

“You lot, why aren’t you kneeling to congratulate Young Master Sullivan?”

The thugs who had rushed in all knelt and said, “Congratulations, Young Master Sullivan, may you be blessed.”

That face-changing speed was truly impressive.

Chad Sullivan looked at the bucket of live loaches and said awkwardly, “What about this bucket of loaches?

Since you’ve already caught them, someone has to eat them, right?”

The manager Eric Thompson was furious inside—this pretty boy really holds a grudge and always gets even.

But immediately, his face turned cold and he said, “Did you all hear?

Young Master Sullivan is bestowing the loaches upon you. Aren’t you going to thank him?

Each of you, take a few and eat them!”

At Eric Thompson’s command, the thugs present had to painfully divide up and eat the live loaches from the bucket.

These thugs had tormented the girls of Xianyin Pavilion many times before, forcing many to eat live loaches. Now it was their turn to taste it.

The scene was so grotesque, it was almost unbearable to watch.

And for some reason, he even imagined other, even more unspeakable scenes, and shuddered all over.

……

………

………

Emily Parker entered Xianyin Pavilion.

It had been exactly twenty-three days since their last meeting.

Emily Parker appeared once again, dressed in a red skirt, looking more gentle and elegant than ever before.

Behind her were dozens of warriors and more than a dozen servants, carrying a sedan chair.