Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Start a Brothel
"How is it?" Chu Nanli raised an eyebrow.
The woman's nose tingled slightly, "Very well, thank you, Master."
The word "Master" was uttered from the bottom of her heart.
In the end, all three of them had chosen their new names.
The woman used to be a young lady from a prominent family, but now she is called Xinlian. She hoped that after experiencing the turmoil of having her family raided and being sent off as a slave, she would still emerge unsoiled like a lotus reborn from the mud.
The first man Chu Nanli had chosen used to be a foster son in a small official's family at the Hanlin Academy and now took the name Chu Yi.
When Chu Nanli asked him why he chose this name, he was very serious.
"Since the master has granted me a new life, I dare to borrow the master's surname. Yi signifies that my loyalty to the master will always be unwavering."
Chu Nanli was genuinely surprised. Initially, he indeed felt that this man was steady and reliable, but he hadn't expected him to let go of everything from the past and quickly adapt to his new identity.
However, whether he was truly reliable still remained to be seen.
The other man had previously worked as a bodyguard, and due to his good skills, had also helped his former master train new bodyguards.
After running into a great fire to save the little daughter of his former master, his face was burned. His former master felt his disfigured appearance was an eyesore and sold him off to the slave market.
He too was a pitiable person.
Now renamed "Xiangyang," this was his original name. While working as a bodyguard for his previous master, he was "gifted" a new name and had to abandon his own.
"Guest, the three sets of clothes you requested have been purchased by me," came the eager voice of the waiter outside the private room.
Chu Yi stood up and brought the clothes in.
"Go ahead and change into the clothes," Chu Nanli told the three.
In this private room, there were several cubicles, shielded by screens, which conveniently allowed the three to change their clothes.
Soon, Xinlian and the others came from behind the screen, and Chu Nanli looked over, his eyes lighting up.
Xinlian was tall and slender. Dressed in a proper gown and with her hair tied up, her beautiful face was completely revealed. Each movement she made carried the elegance and spirit of a noblewoman.
Chu Yi, dressed in plain black attire, exuded both scholarly and masculine qualities. His well-arranged features also made him quite the handsome man.
Although Xiangyang's face was more ordinary with scars from burns, the muscles in his body strained against his clothes, giving a strong sense of security.
Chu Nanli looked at the three of them, growing more and more satisfied.
The three opposite, however, felt quite uncomfortable under his gaze.
"Master, is there something inappropriate?" Xinlian asked.
Chu Nanli's eyes and lips curved in a smile, "No, everything is very appropriate."
The three exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat puzzled.
Chu Nanli covered his mouth and coughed lightly, then said solemnly, "All right, from now on, I hope you will completely forget your past identities. Do not engage further with people or events from the past. I do not like unnecessary troubles coming our way."
The three responded solemnly.
Either they had long had no family, or their closest kin had perished in the raid that took their families, leaving them with nothing to cling to.
Chu Nanli surveyed the three, having plans for them in his mind.
"Xinlian, can you manage a brothel for me?"
"Brothel?" Xinlian paused, doubting she had heard correctly.