Ren Baqian took a detour around the rock garden and was finally able to see the building ahead. Outside the three-tier wooden building was a wooden veranda laid with green tiles.

And every tier had an overhanging ledge covered with ash green tiles, totally different from the typical boorish style of buildings in Dayao. On the contrary, it looked somewhat graceful.

The building was quite huge, and its lobby directly faced the rock garden. Women's tender giggles and men's loud laughter could be heard from inside.

"You don't look, familiar Sir, this must be your first time here. Please come in Sir. Would you fancy the lobby or a private cubicle?" A short and considerably pretty lady of approximately 28 years old with huge b.o.o.bs hurried forward and greeted with a bow. She was very courteous and smiled as she lightly sized up Ren Baqian. She had a very neat smile and there was no makeup on her face. Ren Baqian had imagined a female brothel keeper to be smooth with their words and extremely flirtatious, but she was totally different.

However, this had, in fact, got Ren Baqian feeling more comfortable. If they were to have that sort of a familiar face to them, like how it was in television shows, he really wouldn't know how to deal with it.

In fact, Ren Baqian wanted to go to the lobby to look around. The main purpose of this trip was to satisfy his curiosity. If not, why would he have taken the risk of coming here when he had to go back and kneel on the washboard? He would have loads of opportunities when he was back on Earth.

However, he still went ahead and asked, "Has Sir Tong, the Minister of Works arrived?"

"So you are a guest of Minister Tong. He hasn't arrived yet, but many Sirs are already here. Shall I bring you over Sir?" that lady replied.

"No hurry." Ren Baqian waved his hand. "Let's take a look at the lobby."

"Sir Deputy Prefect!" Xu Wei promptly attempted to dissuade him as he heard those words.

"No worries, I'm just going to have a look." Ren Baqian waved his hand again. "This building seems pretty elegant, I wonder how the interior will look."

He took a large stride forward before Xu Wei could stop him.

This was his aim. How could he give up on this opportunity?

There was a circle of tables in the lobby, each separated by screens.

And in the middle was a platform of about three inches tall. It was similar to the performance stages usually found in pubs.

The lounge wasn't exactly lavish, but it was very elegant. It could be seen that there was a lot of effort put in everywhere. There were bonsais in almost every corner as well.

Ren Baqian walked into the lobby, took a glance at the concept, and was slightly disappointed.

This place indeed had many young and pretty ladies coming in and out. There were a few of them accompanying their customers at a few tables, and their bell-like laughter rang out.

Those women were the same as the lady behind him. They had no makeup on their faces and portrayed a very clean and delicate look. Their smiles were also very neat and proper, without even the slightest bit of promiscuity.

However, it was far from what he had expected to see at a brothel.

To mention the shortfalls, Ren Baqian felt that it wasn't exciting enough.

It was too proper and too refined. There weren't even any flirtatious women with their cleavages revealed, and it wasn't seductive at all.

On second thoughts, Ren Baqian felt that he could have over thought the whole thing. If there were to be any action, the cubicles were just upstairs. There was no apparent reason for the people to be overly s.e.xual here in the lobby.

"Forget it, let's go. To House Yunyan," Ren Baqian turned over and instructed the lady behind.

Xu Wei heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing that Ren Baqian indeed only came to take a look. He was really frightened as he followed Ren Baqian into this place.

If anything were to happen here, he would really get into big trouble.

Xu Wei's mood dampened even further when he recalled that he heard about Ren Baqian running into a b.i.+.c.hi.

House Yunyan was behind that building. There was a pond just beside it, and a stream branched out of it, flowing past House Yunyan.

Ren Baqian was led from the side of the courtyard, directly to the second story of House Yunyan. He opened the door and saw a few people. Feng Hou, Zhe Hongbo, Zhu Yihong, and three other unknown officials were sitting inside. Every one of them had an extremely beautiful and gentle lady seated beside them, chatting and laughing happily.

Ren Baqian's eyes brightened as he witnessed this.

"Greetings everyone, I'm not late, am I?" Ren Baqian laughed as he cupped his hands.

"Deputy Prefect Ren! What time is it now, and you still say that you're not late. Three jars for you first," Zhe Hongbo replied with a huge burst of laughter, and everyone else successively nodded their heads.

Ren Baqian almost stumbled over.

I meant it as a polite greeting, and you guys actually took it seriously.

Furthermore, that penalty drink of yours goes by jars?

If I were to drink that today, I would be a fool.

"You must be joking, Junior Official Zhe. Given my standards, I can't even drink three cups, not to even mention three jars." Ren Baqian stared firmly at Zhe Hongbo.

Everyone had a fake smile and gave a weird look, making Ren Baqian's hair stand on end.

"Sit here, Deputy Prefect Ren," Zhu Yihong called out to Ren Baqian. The seat was just right next to his. There was another empty seat, and Ren Baqian thought that it must be Tong Zhenye's.

If they were to sit according to their ranks, he wouldn't even have the chance to sit there no matter what.

But in actual fact, no one could let go of him.

After all, the banquet was nominally to commemorate Ren Baqian for introducing cement and sweet potatoes, and needless to say, his other ident.i.ty.

Ren Baqian found out the ident.i.ties of the other three men when he sat down. One of them was Li Ye, Junior Official of the Department of Ordnance. The other one was Tong Yan, Official of Department of Construction. The last one was Feng Lie, a.s.sistant Minister of Works.

Among them, the supervisor of Craftworks was mainly responsible for the renovation of buildings, manufacturing of official robes, and the registration of craftsmen, etc.

"Deputy Prefect Ren, I have to thank you for producing the cement. We will be able to save a lot of time when we build or renovate houses in the future." Tong Yan cupped his hands after Ren Baqian took his seat.

"It was in service of Her Majesty," Ren Baqian replied hurriedly.

Following that, everyone began chatting with each other. From time to time, they poked fun at the beautiful ladies around them as well.

Everyone had a young, beautiful, gentle and pleasant looking lady by their side. It would cause many people to drool if the photos of these ladies were circulated on Earth.

Only Ren Baqian was all alone, without any companion. He opened his eyes wide and realized a problem. Could he have fallen into a trap?

This bunch of old chaps unexpectedly invited me to a brothel, and then every one of them is hugging a lady each while I just look on.

This progression isn't right, is it?

Out of goodwill, they should at least find me a lady to talk to.

Ren Baqian was there pinching his forehead, pondering whether those people were doing it on purpose or did they pick their own ladies when, at that moment, heavy footsteps could be heard outside the door. Everyone stopped what they were doing. Tong Zhenye opened the door and said, "I am late."

"Sir Tong, you are the last person to arrive. Take three jars as a punishment," Zhu Yihong repeated what Zhe Hongbo said just now loudly.

Even though Tong Zhenye was his superior, but when it was time to run on a bank, he wouldn't show a single bit of leniency.

"Well said, well said." Tong Zhenye laughed out loud, and replied, "Why are you sitting there alone, Sir Ren?"

He turned his head and shouted loudly towards the outside, "Get Qing You and Ling Guan here."

After that, he took big strides into the room and sat beside Ren Baqian. He slapped Ren Baqian's shoulders, which almost caused him to fall through the table. "I've came late and will finish my drink as respect in a while."

"Sir Ren came late too." Zhe Hongbo added indistinctly.

Ren Baqian gave Zhe Hongbo the side-eye.

Why do you keep targeting me?

What hatred and complaints do you have against me?

Tong Zhenye burst out laughing. "Hurry up and serve the wine."

The wine was served soon after his voice sounded. Everyone had a jar in front of them, and it seemed like it was approximately half a liter of wine.

Even when the table was already filled with jars, they still kept repeatedly serving it. They left only after they had brought in twenty of those small jars to the side of the room.

In one slap, Tong Zhenye shattered the cover of the jar and handed it over to Ren Baqian. He took another jar and held it up towards everyone. "Let's have three jars first."

He then raised his head and immediately chugged it down.

Ren Baqian saw that everyone was looking at him. He was clenching his teeth in his mind.

Oh lord, just do it.

I can't possibly act terrified when I haven't even started.

He raised his head and drank a big mouthful. He followed what Tong Zhenye did and spilled out a little.

The alcohol content in this wasn't very high. It was definitely less than 20%, and that eased his mind a little.

After finis.h.i.+ng three jars, Ren Baqian's face was flushed. Even though the alcohol content was less than 20% and that he only drank half and spilled half, he had consumed about 1 liter of it and was on the brink of throwing up.

At this moment, the door was pushed open again. Two ladies walked in, and they were a few times more beautiful than the ladies who were already seated in the room. They first took a bow to everyone, and then went beside Tong Zhenye and Ren Baqian with a faint smile.

Tong Zhenye grabbed one of the ladies and dragged her into his embrace. He pushed the other lady towards Ren Baqian.

Ren Baqian was astonished.

Even though he was jealous that everyone else in the room had a pretty lady as company, but this old chap, Tong Zhenye actually pushed a girl to him?

Tong Zhenye saw the startled look on Ren Baqian's face and burst out laughing immediately. "We are just men having some drinks out here. As long as we keep mum about it, n.o.body will know. If Her Majesty found out about it and put the blame on you, I will help you shoulder the blame."

Everyone gave him the side eye after hearing what he said.

Have you forgotten how badly were you beaten up by Her Majesty? What exactly are you going to shoulder the blame with?