Chapter 55

  Three swift horses swam against the current and re-entered the City of Fallen Leaves just as the city gate was about to close.

  At night, there is a curfew, and in the evening, there are not many pedestrians on the streets. Of course, the curfew only applies to ordinary people, some wealthy families still sing and dance all night, but no one will bother them.

  No matter what era, there are always some people who are not bound by rules. Or, no matter what era, the rules only apply to a portion of the population.

  In this case, it's not difficult to find Huang's house, as there is always music and dance sounds coming from that house.

  At the gate of the Huang family home, Cheng Dairen found Lin Shaoyu lurking around.

  "Big boss, you've also come?"

  "Shh, quiet!" Cheng Dalai waved his hand and asked, "What's going on inside?"

  "Miss Liu is inside, today is Huang's birthday banquet, many wealthy families in the city have come."

  Her eyes gazed in the direction of the Huang family's residence, which was also a very large mansion.

  "How is the defensive power of the Huang family?" This sentence was asked by Mengzi Yun.

  "The Huang family has about 70 or 80 households, with over a dozen people specifically responsible for guarding the estate."

  Families like the Huangs are similar to the large corporations of Chong Dalae's previous life. They have thousands of acres of good land, long-term workers who specialize in farming, accountants who manage the household finances, stewards who oversee all aspects of household management, maids, houseboys, people responsible for feeding horses, cooking meals, planting flowers, and of course, those responsible for guarding the house and its grounds, similar to security personnel.

  After all, because there are people like Cheng Da Lei, the public security of this era is not very good.

  Now there are only four people on Cheng Dairen's side, but after going through two battles, both of which were won with fewer men, Cheng Dairen didn't feel anxious at all.

  The key is how to escape after successfully snatching people.

  "Come on, follow me and take a look at that small path."

  Tonight's Huang family is decorated with lanterns and streamers, filled with music and dance.

  The courtyard was filled with eight immortals' tables, and the guests were all familiar friends. Today is Huang Yuanwai's 50th birthday, in an era where the average age is less than 40, it's worth celebrating. Even the servants had their own seats, just in a slightly remote corner.

  The stage was filled with Huang's own band, performing songs and dances, amidst a joyful atmosphere of laughter and applause.

  Cheng Dairen has been in this world for some time, and according to his feelings, this world is very backward, with backward technology, economy, food, culture... So he thinks that in this era, everyone lives in a state of desperation, going through each day in a dull and tasteless way.

  This idea is incorrect.

  Cheng Darui is currently in contact with mostly people from the lower classes, for whom life is naturally miserable, regardless of the era. But for the nobles of this era, life is actually quite colorful and diverse.

  There are maidservants to serve, including changing clothes and eating meals, even going to the toilet. In summer, there is no air conditioning, someone fans, in winter, there is no heating, someone burns a stove, no cars or high-speed rail, naturally, someone carries a sedan chair. No internet, live streaming, at home, there are musicians performing face-to-face music and dance performances. No games, can drive dogs and eagles to go hunting outside. In addition, brothels, poetry gatherings, from the age of ten or so, have warm bed maidservants, taking care of gentle and clever ones, princess diseases, don't even think about it.

  Compared with these, eating without chili peppers, information lagging behind, and using horse-drawn carts to transport money are negligible.

  Just like today's birthday banquet at the Huang's, there is a musical performance in the courtyard, familiar scholars gathered together inside the house, with courtesans from the brothel keeping them company, occasionally composing a poem or two, and taking a few sips of wine. The women are also lively today, gathering together to discuss embroidery, cosmetics, and whose young master is the most handsome.

  Those who can enter the main hall are all important guests outside of Huang's family. Everyone sits separately, leaving a piece of empty space in between.

  Now performing a dance on the empty ground is Liu Zhi, no, she should be addressed by her stage name - Yanzhirou.

  Wearing a red dress, with silk hanging on her face, when she dances, the hem of her skirt flies up, revealing a pair of three-inch golden lotus feet.

  This is a dance from Jingzhou, and it's said that Emperor Wu of Han was particularly fond of it. As the saying goes, "those above have their preferences, and those below must follow." However, Youzhou's Luoye City is somewhat remote, and by the time this dance arrived here, it had already undergone some changes. Moreover, Liu Zhi had only recently learned this dance, and her movements were far from being proficient.

  At an age as lovely as a flower, with a face as beautiful as jade, standing still in front of you is enough to be enchanting. What's more, with hands dancing and feet tapping, the 28-year-old body unfolds naturally, adding several points of charm.

  The onlookers sipped their wine, gently tapping the table to the rhythm of the music. By this time, everyone was slightly tipsy, and their words were no longer as cautious as when they were sober.

  "Huang Yuanwai has a great face, usually wanting to see Rouge Red is not easy, today it's all thanks to Huang Yuanwai's blessing that we have the good fortune."

  "This woman's dance still has some flavor, today I invite everyone to appreciate it and taste the wine."

  "The leading lady of Huiyan Building is naturally different from those ordinary women. This pair of jade-like feet alone is worth a hundred taels of white silver."

  "If you like, Wang Ye Wai, I'll let this woman accompany you tonight."

  "Oh, I don't dare, I don't dare. A gentleman doesn't take away what others love. However, in a few days my family will be hosting a banquet, and if we can get the honor of having Huang Yuanwai's presence, we'll invite this woman to our home, and that would be a favor owed to Huang Yuanwai."

  With the music, she danced one branch after another until her toes ached and her calves were sore. After drinking another cup of wine, she was invited by Lao Mu to leave the hall and come to a small room.

  "Miss, you can rest here for a while, and after the birthday banquet is over, I'll send someone to escort you back."

  The old woman put down a piece of silver and left, which should be considered her appearance fee for tonight.

  A person sits alone in a room with rouge on their lips, outside there is faint music drifting in, the mood is hard to describe, always feeling somewhat flustered and anxious.

  The door creaked open with a sudden noise, and a young man with a stout build walked in.

  This is Huang Yuanwai's eldest son, who is currently serving in the city defense army. He has had a lot of wine and there is a smile on his face.

  "Blushing red girl, you really are pretty."

  "She was startled: 'You, what are you going to do?'"

  "Haha, what else can I do? Of course, I'll make love to the girl and be a happy husband." He closed the door behind him.

  She ran down from the bed and pulled away from the man. The man chuckled, like an eagle making a circle around the table, as if playing with chicks.

  Tonight, the lipstick is already in his pocket, he doesn't mind delaying for a while, enjoying the thrill of cat and mouse.

  In this era, there are those who fawn over actors, and those who fawn over courtesans. Some people lavish them with wealth, while others cry out in longing and become lovesick. But courtesans will always be courtesans - the lowest of the four classes of people. As the saying goes: I'll hold you like a glass cup, but once I let go, you're just shattered glass.

  Invited to perform at a wealthy household, then taken by the master, and finally just given some money to settle the matter, this kind of thing isn't even worth reporting in the news.

  At this time, the banquet outside was still going on, with laughter and music filling the air.

  Suddenly, a torch fell from the sky and landed on the stage, causing the orchestra that was playing to become chaotic.

  "The Toad King has arrived!"

  News came from outside the province, closely followed by

  Four swift horses enter the mansion, trampling the splendor.