The King of Kings: Three Days Emperor

Chapter 02: At the Peak of Heshan

The Zhulin province was split into five districts; each designated a different type of business. Juwu was the center of the province due to its population and prosperity. To get into Juwu, one must cross the other four districts. In between those districts, there were spread of smaller bamboo forests, hills, and a few streams. Juwu was considered as one of the top five cities in the empire and was known for beautiful dancers and skilled artisans. There were many entertainment-halls that sprung up to train young girls for the purposes of sending them into the palace to work as maids, or skilled artisans. Some of them would go on to become lady-in-waitings, or any other higher positions permitted.

The most renowned entertainment-hall in Juwu, known all over the land was Million Orchids Hall. They specialized in the dance, Million Orchids, but was also known to be having the most beautiful girls. Though it was deemed a brothel, their main business was from the dance shows that they put out. Only a small section of its business was selling personal services to high-ranked officials.

"Ya Rong, I heard General Xue Hua won another battle, is he going to come see you again?" Wu jie slammed the doors opened. The moment she saw Ya Rong she sighed in disappointment, "Why are you still sitting there looking out the window and not go bath and change for the General?" It was she, herself, who wanted to see the famous General. Every time he came it was only for a brief moment. When she got wind of him coming, he was gone.

"Jie, he's not coming today." Ya Rong said with a halfhearted smile.

"What! Not coming? You two broke up?"

"No! I told you, we're not together! He is just a friend!"

"There you go again! Listen to me. Don't take it too badly for what I'm about to say. I think this husband of yours is not coming back, it has been three years! The mourning period is over, you should move on!"

"WU JIE!"

"Then, Liu Qian?" she asked again.

Ya Rong was a bit reluctant to answer anything relating to Liu Qian, "No, definitely cannot! He is my brother-in-law!"

"Hush, Liu Qian seems to be a good man. Manly, wealthy, handsome–"

"Jie! Please! Must you always come and tease me about this?"

"I only wish for you to find a good household and a man to be with. Listen, I really adore you so I'll tell you this. Living in a brothel is not good for your reputation. Being a widow is not as bad as a girl at a brothel." She sighed, taking Ya Rong's hands to hold. "Even though all these years I've try my best to make my brothel rise to the highest rank in respect for you and the girls. While focusing more on the artistic skills; I only allow personal services for the highest ranked officials, still, the people talk–"

"Wu jie, " Ya Rong patted her hands, "People will talk, but if this is the way we chose to live; then we should live happily and honestly as best as we could." Ya Rong encouraged her but Wu jie soon collapsed on her laps. The reeking of rice wine crept up Ya Rong's nose, "Really, she seems to adore this festive season for the wine the most in comparison to everything else."

Fan Ya Rong was the daughter to a once high-ranked official in Jin's imperial court. She was betrothed to Liu Wan, the older brother of Liu Qian. On the day of their wedding the Emperor sent a decree to Liu Wan to immediately send his troops out to the border of Daluzhou where rebellious troops with the backup from Luzhou was about to attack the borders' cities. He went and never came back. Even though the two never consummate, they bowed to heaven and earth and became husband and wife. Ya Rong would have to wait pass the three years mourning before she could remarry.

—

Lu Si was a precious young mistress of a very renowned mercantile family in the city of Huanhai, at the base of Mount Yizhi. Because the water from the mountain of Yizhi flowed down to the city, out to the delta, trades became the way of life. Huanhai was considered to be the city of water. Rivers –big and small– flowed from all directions. It was the third wealthiest city in Baimu Country. Lu Si had the reputation of being a troublemaker, while endearingly witty and bright that it was hard to punish her. She would run away from home occasionally depending on the weather and her mood. Though at an age for marriage, she had decided to leave home to travel the world and find wonders before turning eighteen. She had always been a very nomadic person, but her parents believed that she was running away from marriage proposals.