Chapter 34: Freeloading is an Art (2-in-1 Chapter)

East of the city, Melody Avenue.

It's not yet 7 p.m., yet the Brothel Alley is already lit with lanterns and abuzz with the sound of strings and woodwind instruments, accompanied by the laughter and chatter of courtesans.

The entrance of the alley is filled with carriages and horses, and heavily made-up madams are bustling with welcoming and sending off.

There are nobles dressed in magnificent brocade, scholars in their gowns and pleated robes, as well as martial artists with robust auras in their tight-fitting outfits…

However, here, they are all known by one title:

Customers.

Compared to the other courtesan houses and private brothels in the city, the girls of the Imperial Music Bureau are of higher quality, most having received formal training--alluring and talented, able to sing and dance.

And something else that is not found elsewhere—the female relatives of convicts.