Chapter 259

Chapter 259: Purchasing Concubines

The second floor differed from the great hall below, divided into many small rooms, seemingly the living quarters for the women of the Yao Chi Pavilion. A light fragrance lingered in the air.

The woman in the red dress led Zhou Luo to a door and knocked lightly.

"Enter!"

A lazy, enchanting feminine voice came from within, both alluring and soul-stirring, causing hearts to tremble involuntarily.

The red-dressed woman pushed open the door and brought Zhou Luo inside.

The room was small and simply furnished, containing only one set of elegant, antique-looking tables and chairs.

Near the window stood a purple incense burner, from which a thin line of white smoke drifted, lightly filling the entire space with the comforting scent of sandalwood.

A beautiful woman sat upright on a large mahogany chair, sipping tea.

Her appearance was stunningly lovely; her features were delicate and refined, her face as radiant as peach blossoms. Her eyes were clear and bright, pupil deep as cut lake water; her eyebrows arched gracefully like willow leaves.

Her nose bridge was high, lips rosy and full, corners lifted in a light, intoxicating smile.

Her hair was swept up into a tall chignon, secured with an exquisite jade hairpin studded with a dazzling gem that caught the light.

Delicate ears showed beneath golden, jade-embellished earrings. A slim golden necklace graced her snowy neck, bearing a crystalline, heart-shaped jadeite pendant.

Her attire was most tasteful: a pale red long skirt embroidered with fine peonies, paired with a close-fitting crimson silk blouse. Its collar gaped slightly, revealing snowy skin and the elegant curve of her collarbones.

This woman was excessively seductive.

If Xu Tian’s allure felt somewhat forced and deliberate,

the beauty before him possessed a natural grace utterly devoid of affectation.

She resembled a blooming rose, openly displaying her unique beauty.

Even Zhou Luo found himself stealing extra glances.

One had to admit, the Yao Chi Pavilion understood men—even those serving guests smoldered like this, stirring souls with their presence.

Yet Zhou Luo soon calmed himself with the Water Spirit Heart Method.

His gaze softened, revealing no trace of impropriety.

The beauty watched him, offering a soft, enchanting smile filled with charm; a trace of curiosity danced in her beautiful eyes.

Seeing her, the red-dressed woman quickly approached to relay Zhou Luo’s business.

After listening, the beautiful woman rose chuckling. Only then did Zhou Luo see her lower half.

She wore an ultra-sheer gauzy skirt beneath which stretched long, shapely legs—white and tender, tempting hands to reach out.

Lightly she swayed toward him, her body moving with tempting grace. Her gentle voice carried: "This concubine is the stewardess of this Yao Chi Pavilion—Hong Xiu. May I know how to address the young master?"

"Xu Changsheng."

Though Zhou Luo’s appearance appeared unchanged, he reflexively gave another man’s name.

As stewardess of Yao Chi Pavilion, she surely had remarkable connections. Faced with a woman this alluring, keeping distance felt wise.

He’d not lost himself to the point of babbling everything.

"So it is Young Master Xu. Please, sit." Hong Xiu tilted slightly aside.

The woman in red dress left, and Zhou Luo then sat down.

After seeing him sit down, Hong Xiu bent down to pour tea for him.

This scene not only let Zhou Luo smell a light fragrance lightly, but also clearly showed a flash of snowy white from her full, proud figure.

Damn! What a minx!

Zhou Luo secretly thought, thankful for the help of the Water Spirit Heart Method, otherwise even he might not have resisted it.

Do all women in Yao Chi Pavilion receive guests like this?

Under this kind of lure, could those guests really hold themselves back?

Probably, they were completely bewitched and obediently gave up their spiritual stones.

Those who run chains really weren’t ordinary.

"Young Master Xu should not be here for the first time, right?" Hong Xiu smiled with her eyes, her voice soft and charming.

She was very confident in her charm skills—with him being so calm, he must have experience and visit such places often.

Zhou Luo did not answer the question, but said plainly, "For buying concubines, do you still ask such things?"

"Of course not," Hong Xiu smiled seductively, speaking unhurriedly, "It is our honor that Young Master Xu could come to our Yao Chi Pavilion."

"Our Yao Chi Pavilion’s goal is to send every guest home satisfied."

"Unknown whether Young Master Xu has specific requirements for concubines? I can make some recommendations for you."

Upon hearing these words, Zhou Luo took the chance to state his requirements.

His requests weren’t many: he wanted spiritual roots a bit better, personality more docile, appearance and figure above average, and age not too old…

These were mainly to serve for having children.

"Young Master Xu merely wants a concubine?" Hong Xiu asked curiously.

Wives and concubines were not the same as concubines; the former needed emotion to maintain and fair treatment, or dissatisfaction might arise.

But concubines were lower than minor concubines, almost like maids, only with a nicer title to get some favor.

Zhou Luo came to Yao Chi Pavilion with utilitarian goals, not wanting involvement in feelings.

Since taking in so many wives and concubines, he gradually changed about such things.

At first, he worried over managing a large household and covering everything properly.

But now, he only felt he needed to do his best, and his emotions had dulled much.

After hearing Zhou Luo’s requirements, Hong Xiu kept smiling, then said, "Young Master Xu, please wait."

Next, she gazed at the storage ring on her fair, jade-like hand, as if searching for something.

Soon, she withdrew her gaze, waved her right hand, and five jade slips appeared on the tea table.

"Young Master Xu, five meet your conditions—you can look, and if you like one, just tell me."

Zhou Luo released his mental strength, landing on the first jade slip.

Immediately, a vivid, lifelike young lady in blue appeared in sight.

That woman was quite pretty, with a Fourth Grade spiritual root, but her eyes looked like dead fish eyes from a past life, expression numb, forcing a smile at him.

Zhou Luo gave her up without hesitation, then looked at the second jade slip.

The woman on this jade slip was also young, with fifth-grade spiritual roots, but her eyes were hollow as if unwilling.

The third jade slip had a dignified mature woman; she had a plump figure and fair face, only her eyes were dull.

Clearly, not all women in Yao Chi Pavilion came here willingly.

He did not care about their stories.

He knew that taking such women back in their states—forget giving him children—they might not even serve him, meaning he could end up having to console them.

He was here to buy concubines, not find troubles for himself.

Then, he looked at the fourth jade slip.