But Elara didn't mind. If she had that kind of power, she'd also build a massive chain like this. First, to gather intelligence across nations. Second, to collect rare specialties and resources. Third, to build international connections. Fourth... well, to know everything happening on this continent as soon as it happened.
No matter how she thought about it, it was a win on all fronts. Especially in an ancient era with low productivity and backward thinking, the owner behind this Lianyi House must be a rare genius to pull off a transnational chain like this.
Elara pondered for a while, then casually picked up her cup and said to Dos, who was disguised as the coachman outside, "Take me to the biggest male courtesan house in the capital. I want to have a little fun."
"Yes, Princess."
Plumera Kingdom's largest male courtesan house was the Red Charm Pavilion, run by the Gregory family. It was currently the biggest brothel in the capital.
At first, the Red Charm Pavilion only had female entertainers, but ever since the original princess—who loved beautiful men—was born, the trend of male courtesans began to rise. To curry favor with the princess, the owner had collected all kinds of handsome men. Many of the low-ranking yet beautiful male attendants in the palace were brought back from here.
Today, Elara wasn't using the high-profile sedan the original princess usually traveled in, so her trip didn't attract too much attention on the road.
But once she entered the Red Charm Pavilion, the guests inside immediately recognized her.
"The Princess is here again!"
"Ah, it's Her Highness! Greetings, Princess. Here for more fun today?"
The kind of people who could afford to waste their lives in the Red Charm Pavilion were mostly high-ranking officials and nobles. Many of them had deep ties to the Gregory family, part of the same corrupt circle.
Maybe because they'd seen Lord Gregory act casually in front of Elara and even the emperor, these officials weren't afraid of her. Drunk and swaying, they came forward to recommend the newest beautiful performers.
Elara swept her gaze over them, memorizing their faces, then waved them away and looked at the approaching Manager Lao, who was hurrying over.
"Oh dear, Your Highness! You're finally back! The boys in our house missed you terribly~"
Missed her? Missed being tormented by her?
Elara sneered inwardly, ignoring the flattery. While recalling how the original used to "play" here, she copied the right expressions and gestures.
"Send in two boys who play the zither and flute. Have them change into bathrobes and go to the Jade Spring Room. That's where I want to play today."
Manager Lao quickly agreed, then hesitantly added, "Just two zither and flute boys today? Your Highness, we've got quite a few new beauties recently…"
Elara stopped and turned her head to him, then suddenly grabbed Uno, who had been silently following behind her, pulling him into her embrace. Her wide sleeves almost swallowed his slender figure.
"I've got a new beauty myself. Can your boys compare to mine?"
Uno stiffened. His long lashes trembled beneath the mask.
The princess used to whip and curse them, but she had never gotten physically close. Let alone hug them like this…
He instinctively wanted to step back, but as a shadow guard, everything about him belonged to his master. He forced himself to stay still.
His gaze dropped as he tried to compose himself. But with his waist pressed against her soft body, and given his height, it looked like she was nestled in his arms. He subconsciously held his breath, tense all over, caught off guard under his mask.
Manager Lao froze, his eyes darting back and forth over Uno's mostly covered face.
Elara frowned. Her tone turned sharp. "How dare you stare? He's mine. Not for your eyes."
Uno had never shown his face when accompanying the original princess. No one in the capital knew the terrifying secret behind her most ruthless shadow guards: every one of them was tall, graceful, and strikingly handsome.
Elara had even made Uno change into ordinary clothes in the carriage, and now, in civilian wear, his gentle and refined look hid all traces of a trained killer.
Scolded, Manager Lao flinched and dropped to his knees.
"Forgive me, Princess! I was out of line. I'll go bring Blue Rose and Black Rose to the Jade Spring Room immediately. Please come this way!"
Elara gave a low snort, still holding the stiff Uno as she walked upstairs.
The Jade Spring Room was the biggest and best suite in the Red Charm Pavilion, thanks to the natural hot spring it contained.
As soon as Elara and Uno sat down, the door was knocked. Manager Lao entered with two refined young men, one holding a zither, the other a flute.
"Princess, Blue Rose and Black Rose are our signature performers. I've saved them for you and never let anyone buy their first night. If they catch your eye, it's the fortune of several lifetimes. They'll serve you with all they've got to make sure you're satisfied."
Elara waved him off impatiently. Once it was just her, Uno, and the two musicians, she studied them both.
They were indeed stunning, but their expressions betrayed fear. Clearly, they had heard of the original princess's reputation and were terrified she might "favor" them next.
Elara chuckled inwardly, but showed an annoyed face. "Why are you standing there? Go behind the screen and start playing. We're getting impatient."
She gave Uno another theatrical snuggle, her hand brushing along his jaw and cheek like she was eager to strip him right there.
The two performers subtly sighed in relief. It was clear she just wanted a private place to enjoy herself with someone else. They likely only needed to play instruments, not endure anything worse.
They bowed and took their instruments behind the screen. Soon, soft music began to float out.
Elara waited until their silhouettes showed focused attention behind the screen, then led Uno behind the second screen toward the hot spring pool.
Once there, she let go of him and peered carefully through the screens. Only blurred shadows were visible. Satisfied, she turned and asked quietly, "Besides you, who else is here?"
Her warm breath brushed his ear. Uno hadn't fully recovered from earlier. Still, his voice was calm. "Princess, from Guard Two to Guard Ten are all here."
"Bring them out. Don't let the others see from the other side."
"Yes."
Nine masked figures appeared silently and knelt around her.
"Alright, stand up."
Elara walked among them, stopping in front of the shortest one.
"You're?"
"Princess, I'm Tres."
Though he was the shortest, he was still of average height for a man—half a head taller than her—and the closest in build.
She reached up and took off his mask.
As expected, the original princess had great taste. Tres's face was beautifully delicate.
Elara examined him from all angles, standing side by side. Although his frame was a bit broader, once they got into the pool, with water, robes, and the double screens, it should be close enough.
She decided to keep him and Dos, then sent the others back to their positions.
With just her, Uno, Dos, and Tres by the pool, Elara began to undress.
Under her large coat was a simple white undergarment.
As her coat slipped off, revealing pale shoulders and arms, the three shadow guards instantly turned their gazes away.
When she handed her coat to Tres, she noticed he wasn't even looking at her.
"What are you looking at? Snap out of it. Give me your coat."
He turned back with a soft "Yes," eyes lowered, quickly removing his coat. His hands froze a bit as he took hers.
"Hurry up."
"Yes." Tres carefully draped her sheer robe on himself, his lips tight, posture stiff.
Elara put on his coat. It was too big, so she rolled up the sleeves, then moved closer to help adjust the hems of his clothes and removed his hairpin. His long black hair cascaded down instantly.
Tres stiffened even more but didn't move.
Elara ran her fingers through his hair. The quality was surprisingly good—thick, dark, and full. No signs of hair loss here.
She had him sit by the pool, then gave him a quick and messy hairstyle to mimic her own from behind. From the back, it was passable.
Satisfied, she looked him over from the front too, then laughed softly.
"Tres, you really are good-looking."
Just by draping him in her ornate robe and letting his hair down, his delicate features suddenly looked androgynous. Change the inner clothes and pants, and no one would suspect he wasn't a noblewoman.