The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 449

"Master Zhou."

When the officials of the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) learned that Zhou Chu had arrived, no matter what they were doing, even those in bed, they hurriedly dressed and ran to Zhou Chu to bow respectfully.

Officials in the Jiaofangsi generally didn't care about the opinions of other officials. After all, those who could make it in the Jiaofangsi didn't care much about their reputation. Most of them were spoiled brats from certain families, or people who had no interest in officialdom and whose families had arranged for them to work in the Jiaofangsi.

These people had virtually no ambition for officialdom. After all, having worked in the brothel, they had little hope of promotion, and other officials looked down on them.

However, most of them didn't care. They basically just loafed around in the brothel, never lacking women.

They weren't afraid of ordinary officials, but who was Zhou Chu? He was the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Let alone the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, even if a mere commander of a thousand men of the Embroidered Uniform Guard came, they would have to treat him with great respect, otherwise they would be in serious trouble.

"Everyone, disperse. Just leave one servant."

Looking at so many people, Zhou Chu waved his hand impatiently.

Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly left, leaving only the head official of the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution).

"Is there a private room?"

Zhou Chu looked at the man and said.

"Of course, I'll arrange the best private room for you right away."

The officials of this brothel didn't even dare to refer to themselves as "your humble servant" in front of Zhou Chu; they only dared to call themselves "this lowly person."

After saying this, he led the way, and Zhou Chu and Lu Wei followed him to an extremely luxurious pavilion in the backyard of the Jiaofangsi.

"My lord, this is the most luxurious private room in the brothel, which is not usually open to outsiders."

The official from the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) said respectfully.

Zhou Chu looked at the room's furnishings. Although it lacked the luxury and extravagance of later generations, it had a unique scholarly atmosphere. Anyone who didn't know better would think it was a place for studying.

The incense burning in the room was also top-grade agarwood from Southeast Asia. Zhou Chu's room was filled with the finest agarwood every day. All of that agarwood was a gift from Emperor Jiajing to Zhou Chu. Having smelled it so much, he had developed some knowledge about agarwood.

The agarwood in this room, though not as good as the kind Zhou Chu used, was still quite good, something that ordinary people couldn't afford.

"Call over the best courtesans from your brothel to keep my brother company. Oh, right, what's her name again? Liu Sisi, right? Call her over too."

Zhou Chu tried hard to recall Liu Sisi's name. If there was any impression that the courtesans in the brothel had left on Zhou Chu, it was Liu Sisi, who had been pouring wine for him every day.

"I'll arrange it right away."

The officials from the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) then withdrew.

Since Liu Sisi visited Zhou Chu's residence, the officials of the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) noticed that Lord Zhou seemed to value Liu Sisi more than the other courtesans. According to the descriptions of the other courtesans, Liu Sisi was always the one serving Lord Zhou.

Moreover, Zhou Chu rewarded each of the courtesans, including Liu Sisi, with a considerable amount of money. Because of Zhou Chu's influence, the officials of the Jiaofangsi arranged a better place for Liu Sisi to live and prevented her from showing her face in public again.

In this way, Liu Sisi only needs to do what she wants all day long, and as long as she doesn't leave the area of ​​the Jiaofangsi, no one will care about her.

For the officials of the Jiaofangsi, it didn't matter whether Zhou Chu favored Liu Sisi. What mattered was that Liu Sisi had served Lord Zhou, so she could only serve Lord Zhou and no one else could see her.

This is a matter of attitude.

As far as the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) is concerned, there are many courtesans similar to Liu Sisi. One more Liu Sisi will not make a difference, and one less will not make a difference either. So why should we do something that might offend Lord Zhou, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, just because of Liu Sisi?

Those who can become officials, especially those who can thrive in the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution), know best who they can offend and who they cannot.

So for the past six months, Liu Sisi and her maid stayed in their own residence and rarely went out.

Ever since meeting a man like Zhou Chu, Liu Sisi has become indifferent to other men. However, Liu Sisi is also aware that she is worlds apart from Lord Zhou. She doesn't have any unrealistic expectations. She is very satisfied with her current life, at least she doesn't have to do things she doesn't like every day.

In her spare time, Liu Sisi mostly reads books, all kinds of books. She just wants to try to get closer to Zhou Chu through continuous learning, although she knows that this is just wishful thinking.

However, people always need to have something to look forward to, and they always need to find something to do.

"Liu Sisi, Lord Zhou is calling for you."

As Liu Sisi was reading a story about Zhou Chu, an official from the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) came to her room and said...

Upon hearing this, Liu Sisi's eyes lit up immediately, as if she was afraid she had misheard.

"Lord Zhou? Lord Zhou, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Liu Sisi felt somewhat anxious and uncertain.

"Who else could it be but Lord Zhou? How could anyone else dare to trouble you?"

The officials of the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) said with some helplessness.

"Let me get ready, I haven't put on any makeup yet."

Upon hearing this, Liu Sisi was both delighted and flustered. She hadn't shown her face in public for the past six months, and usually didn't wear makeup in her room, at most just applying a little rouge.

"Oh my, my dear lady, that's Lord Zhou! How could you keep him waiting? You're naturally beautiful; you don't need makeup to look good. Hurry up and go."

Upon hearing this, the official from the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) immediately became anxious. He dared not even imagine what he would face if Zhou Chu became impatient.

Upon hearing this, Liu Sisi panicked and hurriedly put on a purple gauze dress before leaving the house.

The officials from the Jiaofangsi were right. Liu Sisi was naturally beautiful, and even without makeup, she had an even more delicate and charming appearance, making her look pitiful and endearing.

"It's rare to see you like this."

Zhou Chu glanced at Liu Sisi and said.

At this moment, Lu Wei was surrounded by several of the top courtesans of the Jiaofangsi. Lu Wei didn't have much experience in this area to begin with, and he was at a loss when faced with this situation. Seeing Lu Wei's novice appearance, the courtesans started to tease him.

"This young master looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time visiting the brothel?"

One of the courtesans gently brushed his fingers across Lu Wei's face while blowing on it.

"Yes...."

Lu Wei's face flushed red.

Although he had been to brothels before, he always went to see the most beautiful courtesan. He had never faced such a scene before, especially in front of Zhou Chu, so he naturally couldn't relax.

“My brother has someone he can’t forget. Whoever can help him forget that woman will be rewarded with a thousand pieces of gold.”

Zhou Chu took the wine glass from Liu Sisi's hand and drank it all in one gulp.

Upon hearing this, the courtesans' eyes lit up, and their gazes towards Lu Wei changed.