Despite the lingering cold from the snow-covered streets, Yunshan Province remained alive with activity. While some shops had closed for the night, their wooden shutters drawn tight against the winter wind, others were still in the process of shutting down, their lanterns casting warm, flickering light onto the cobblestone roads.

  In the entertainment district, the atmosphere was entirely different. Here, the cold did little to dampen the spirits of those seeking leisure. Red and gold lanterns hung from eaves, swaying gently in the breeze, illuminating the bustling streets where performers, merchants, and night-goers mingled.

  At a teahouse, storytellers captivated small crowds, their animated voices weaving tales of great warriors and tragic romances. Scholars and poets, warmed by cups of fragrant tea, engaged in deep discussions about philosophy, politics, and the latest rumors from the imperial court.

  Nearby, in an open square, musicians played traditional instruments—flutes, pipas, and drums—while dancers moved gracefully, their silk robes swirling like rippling water. Small groups gathered to watch, clapping along with the rhythm, while vendors sold roasted chestnuts, candied fruits, and warm rice wine to ward off the cold.

  At the brothel, the merriment was at its peak. Men, from traveling merchants to well-dressed officials, lounged on embroidered cushions, drinking fine wine as they laughed heartily. The scent of incense lingered in the air, mingling with the delicate perfume of the courtesans, who moved between guests with practiced elegance, offering refills and flirtatious conversation. In a separate room, a zither’s melancholic notes drifted softly, as a well-trained courtesan performed, her voice smooth as silk, singing of distant loves and fleeting beauty.

  Inside the brothel, the air was thick with the scent of wine and incense, mingling with the sound of laughter and murmured conversations. Men sat in small groups, their cups filled with warm rice wine, discussing everything from scholarly theories to the latest rumors of war.

  At one table, a group of scholars debated poetry and philosophy, their words eloquent and refined, occasionally interrupted by bursts of laughter as they recited verses from renowned poets. Nearby, a group of merchants speculated about the Zhao family’s recent military movements, their voices low but urgent.

  "I heard the Zhao family is moving troops near the northern border," one man muttered, swirling his cup of wine thoughtfully.

  "Bah! Nonsense," another scoffed. "They wouldn't dare wage war so soon. It would ruin trade routes."

  "Then what about the Bao people?" a younger man interjected. "Rumors say they’ve been restless, and the imperial court has taken notice."

  Some nodded, weighing the possibilities, while others shrugged it off as baseless speculation. The debates carried on, shifting from politics to gossip, each man finding comfort in drink and conversation.

  In one of the brothel’s private rooms, separated from the bustling main hall by a silk curtain, a group of men sat around a low wooden table. Unlike the rowdy patrons outside, this gathering was more refined, though the atmosphere was no less relaxed.

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  At the head of the group sat Li Heng, a man of dignified bearing, his sharp features softened by the dim candlelight. The father of Li Yuntai, he was a regular patron of the brothel—not for debauchery, but for the sake of friendly discussions and a place to unwind.

  "Times are changing," one of his friends remarked, pouring wine into Li Heng's cup. "This situation with the Zhao family… do you believe they would truly act so recklessly?"

  Li Heng took a slow sip of his drink, his expression unreadable. "Reckless? Perhaps. But ambition blinds many men, and war has been started over far less."

  The others nodded in agreement, the weight of their conversation lingering even as a courtesan entered, her delicate steps barely making a sound against the wooden floor. With practiced grace, she poured more wine and refilled their cups, her presence a pleasant distraction from the growing tension outside the brothel’s walls.

  The night continued, filled with wine, whispers, and the ever-present hum of speculation.

  The flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the wooden walls as Li Heng and his companions continued their discussion. The warm aroma of wine mixed with the distant notes of a pipa being played in the main hall, but the men were engrossed in their conversation.

  "The Bao and the Zhao families have been on good terms for years," one of the men, Zhou Qi, a seasoned guard of Yunshan, remarked, setting his cup down with a soft clink. "If war were brewing between them, we'd have heard more than just whispers."

  "I agree," said Wang Hui, a small-scale merchant dealing in silk. "The Zhao family’s troop movements might have another purpose entirely. Perhaps the real war is elsewhere, and they intend to lend support."

  Li Heng took a slow sip of his drink before speaking. "That would make more sense. The empire has been restless lately—trouble at the borders, unrest in certain provinces. The Zhao family wouldn't pick a fight without reason. If anything, they may be preparing for an alliance rather than a battle."

  Zhou Qi stroked his beard thoughtfully. "That would explain the imperial court's silence. If they were truly at odds, we'd have seen envoys or decrees by now. Instead, everything is quiet—too quiet."

  The group nodded in agreement, their suspicions aligning.

  The conversation gradually moved away from politics as the men settled further into their drinks. Sun Wei, another guard of Yunshan, chuckled as he glanced at Wang Hui. "Enough about war. Tell me, Wang Hui, how is your business? Still struggling with that stubborn landlord?"

  Wang Hui sighed, shaking his head. "Don't remind me. That old fox keeps raising the rent on my shop, claiming 'market conditions' have changed. If this continues, I may have to relocate."

  "Maybe you should join the guards," Zhou Qi teased. "At least we don’t deal with landlords—just criminals and the occasional drunken scholar."

  The men laughed, and even Li Heng allowed himself a rare smirk. "Speaking of drunks," he said, glancing at Chen Tao, another merchant at the table. "How many times have you had to bail your cousin out of trouble?"

  Chen Tao groaned, rubbing his temples. "Too many. The fool thinks drinking and gambling will make him rich."

  "You should introduce him to our patrol unit," Sun Wei joked. "A few nights of standing guard in the cold might set him straight."

  The room erupted in laughter, the tension from their earlier conversation momentarily forgotten.

  .

  The men chuckled as Chen Tao shook his head in exasperation. “You should know by now that my cousin is both stubborn and lazy. Even if he were given a job, he’d only laze around and use it as an excuse to avoid real work.” He sighed dramatically before adding with a smirk, “I’m even considering getting him a parther—maybe that will scare him into responsibility.”

  Sun Wei, always quick with a joke, burst out laughing. “Are you sure he won’t run away on his wedding night and gamble his wife away instead?”

  The table erupted into laughter, their voices mixing with the lively hum of the brothel. Zhou Qi, still chuckling, turned his gaze to Li Heng and asked, “Speaking of marriage, your eldest son, Yuntai, is already of age. Why hasn’t he found a partner yet? Even your younger son, Li Xun, came of age last year. Don’t you want to see your grandchildren soon?”

  Li Heng sighed, swirling the wine in his cup before answering, “You should know Yuntai by now. He’s been stubborn since childhood—always saying he’s not ready. As for Li Xun, he’s still focused on his scholar exams. He won’t think of marriage until he’s secured a stable future.”

  Zhou Qi nodded thoughtfully. “That’s admirable, but the world moves quickly. A man cannot wait forever to start a family.”

  Li Heng let out a small chuckle. “I know, I know. But my sons will walk their own paths. When the time is right, they will make their own choices.”

  The conversation drifted back to lighter topics, the men enjoying the warmth of their wine and company, while outside, the cold night air carried the murmurs of Yunshan’s restless city.