The Exclusive Bloom

Stockings… what’s wrong with them?

The question lingered for only a fleeting moment.

In an instant, the astute business empress realized the crucial detail she had overlooked.

Consumed by her desire to test and manipulate, she had completely forgotten she was wearing ice silkworm pantyhose today.

The pristine white silk, stretching all the way to her waist, tautened into a delicate, almost fragile curve as Xia Qian tugged at the stocking’s edge.

From her low vantage point, it seemed that with just a fraction more force, she could glimpse the peach blossom spring at the edge of a snowfield.

Finally realizing this, Jiang Buwei’s earlobes flushed crimson with visible speed.

Yet, as a seasoned merchant leader, she swiftly regained her composure, banishing the panic from her heart.

“Cough… Hehe, I was merely jesting!”

Jiang Buwei feigned a light cough, forcing her voice to remain steady despite a faint tremor. She halted the budding display of discomposure.

“I had thought you, having never seen such intimate attire, would be at a loss. I didn’t expect you to have some knowledge after all.”

As she offered her excuse, she pressed her legs together, her demeanor still graceful and composed, appearing utterly natural.

However, as her white-silk clad legs crossed, a fleeting glimpse of spring flashed into Xia Qian’s eyes.

Eh, black—that’s quite a contrast… Oh, wait, this era probably doesn’t have panties yet. Perhaps they’re called underpants?

While the sight was indeed pleasing, even as she silently offered her “thanks for the treat,” Xia Qian was somewhat surprised.

Logically speaking, upon arriving at the pleasure district, which female patron wouldn’t be here to indulge their desires?

Especially the wealthy and influential kind of big bosses; visiting brothels and enjoying courtesans was a common occurrence, entering the pleasure house as if returning home.

But this particular business empress showed none of the infatuated behavior she had seen from other female patrons outside.

Although her words occasionally carried a teasing undertone, at crucial moments, she would retreat, giving off a feeling of being unable to truly let loose even behind closed doors. It was quite unexpected.

However, from a universally rational perspective in modern Earth’s human society, this is likely what a young woman’s normal reaction should be…

Pondering these thoughts, Xia Qian appraised the business empress before her.

Their gazes, one high and one low, happened to meet.

They say that if strangers of the opposite s*x accidentally make eye contact, both parties immediately want to look away—Xia Qian now understood this feeling somewhat.

But before she could even pretend to look elsewhere, she heard the crisp rhythm of a jade thumb ring tapping on the table.

“Stop gawking. Get up.”

Jiang Buwei’s voice returned to the initial coolness Xia Qian had heard. She took a delicate sip of wine, her scrutinizing gaze once again sweeping over the man standing before her.

Compared to her first impression, her assessment of Xia Qian had now risen a few notches.

Nevertheless, even so, he was still just an ordinary male courtesan.

Men who entered the pleasure district were no different from goods in a market, naturally divided into different grades.

The lowest were mere playthings, plucked by anyone, serving wine and encouraging drinks, purely tools to satisfy the female guests’ carnal desires, s*ave laborers earning money for the madam of the brothel.

Those with a bit more talent and looks would learn poetry and songs to enhance their facade, recognize a few characters and paintings, flaunting the banner of ‘selling art, not body.’ This was a means to elevate their status, accompanying literati with zither and song, but in reality, it was just a tactic to demand exorbitant prices before entering the bedchamber.

And the third kind was truly unique.

These men possessed special physiques, one in a thousand.

Compared to ordinary people, they could accumulate more ‘spiritual energy,’ making them excellent aids for women practicing cultivation techniques and profound arts. Hence, they were also known as ‘Spirit Cauldrons.’

All nations and sects across the realm, without exception, regarded ‘Spirit Cauldrons’ as a resource vital to the state’s foundation, which is why pleasure districts were almost entirely managed by the government.

‘Spirit Cauldrons’ were also meticulously categorized into numerous ranks based on a man’s innate talent and aptitude.

Regardless of the type, for Jiang Buwei, as long as the price was sufficient, nothing was unobtainable.

She had plenty of money, but truly peerless ‘Spirit Treasures’ were exceedingly rare.

Even if one appeared, once word spread, it would inevitably become an object of contention for various powerful sects, potentially even sparking conflicts between nations.

To find a ‘Spirit Cauldron’ that was one in ten thousand, Jiang Buwei, as a merchant who sought out all manner of rarities, traveled extensively.

She even personally came to the pleasure district to assess each new male entrant with her own eyes—just as she was doing now.

Snapping back from her thoughts, which had drifted slightly with the incense, Jiang Buwei realized that the phoenix-patterned jade plaque at her waist had been faintly glowing for some time, like a subtle, flickering firefly in a deep pool.

This seemingly decorative jade plaque was not only a symbol of identity but also a magical artifact. It resonated with the ‘spiritual energy’ within a person or object, emitting a bright light.

Was it… from when he approached earlier?

It was entirely due to her earlier moment of agitation and loss of composure that she hadn’t noticed it immediately.

Jiang Buwei let out a soft chuckle, tinged with self-mockery, self-reflection, and a burgeoning interest.

Not just any ‘spiritual energy’ could ignite it; it had to be sufficiently accumulated and of pure, unblemished quality.

In other words, it had to be at least a magical artifact of a higher grade than the phoenix-patterned jade plaque itself, or a ‘Spirit Cauldron’ among men.

To think that even in the frigid, desolate northern borders, there could be a ‘Spirit Cauldron’ of decent talent…

With renewed interest, Jiang Buwei rose, forgetting the long boots she had taken off and placed aside. Padding softly in her white silk stockings, she circled Xia Qian several times.

Her long, soft silver hair inadvertently brushed past her side, a cool fragrance mingled with a faint scent of flower wine tantalizing her nose.

Finally, she returned to stand before her.

Their eyes met once more.

Only this time, as Xia Qian stared at her suddenly close face, she finally understood the meaning of “beauty that kills.”

The business empress’s eyes were strikingly cold, yet her lips were as vividly colored as if dipped in blood, practically writing “femme fatale” across her face.

Staring into her emerald green pupils, so close, she had the strange illusion of facing a lone wolf beneath a snowy moon.

After a long moment, Jiang Buwei turned her back.

Like a merchant who had appraised her goods and was about to give a price, just as she always did in her profession, she returned to her sandalwood chair and lightly touched her lips.

“Merely passable.”

The cold assessment drifted into Xia Qian’s ears.

Then, her tone shifted.

“—But, you might be useful.”

Her voice carried a faint, almost imperceptible hint of a smile.

Xia Qian was utterly speechless.

This business empress, first asking for service, then calling a halt, and now self-importantly critiquing her—what act was she putting on?

“…So?”

“Heh… So, from today onward, all your food, clothing, and daily necessities, even every inch of your body and skin, will be entirely taken care of by me, Jiang Buwei. In return—”

Jiang Buwei’s expression was indifferent. As she spoke, she raised a hand, her fingertips brushing at the dark gold embroidered patterns on her collar, dusting away non-existent specks of dust.

It was as if she were merely stating the most commonplace thing, or perhaps more accurately, indicating, “I’m merely informing you, not asking you.”

After a brief pause, seemingly left specifically for Xia Qian to digest her words, the business empress revealed a cold, alluring smile.

“Xia Qian, you are now the exclusive bloom I admire.”