The world of film and television begins from childhood

"Then should we continue to run the teahouse?" Sun Sanniang suggested.

Zhao Pan'er thought about it for a while and said, "After we solve Ouyang Xu's problem, we can discuss it slowly."

Zhou Chen said: "If you have nothing to do now, you can go to a place with me."

"Where?"

Zhao Pan'er and the other girls looked at Zhou Chen curiously.

"You'll know when the time comes. Let's go."

The girls stood up without hesitation, following Zhou Chen. They had absolute faith in Zhou Chen. Without Zhou Chen, they would not have been able to arrive in Tokyo smoothly.

"Wait a moment, I'll go into the house and bring my Lone Moon."

Song Yinzhang was most worried about her pipa because she had to leave the inn temporarily, so she hurried back to the house to get the pipa.

There was a carriage parked outside the inn. Qin Yi was waiting next to the carriage. When he saw Zhou Chen coming, he immediately put the foot pad next to the carriage.

Zhou Chen got on the carriage first, and then said to Zhao Pan'er and the others, "Let's get on. The place we are going to is a bit far, and walking is too slow."

Zhao Pan'er then got on the carriage, and then Song Yinzhang and the others followed.

The space inside the carriage is not small, and several people can sit in it without any problem. Moreover, this carriage was modified by Zhou Chen, and it is much more comfortable than the carriages of this era.

Zhao Pan'er and her four daughters all got into the carriage, while Qin Yi and Zhou Huai sat outside the carriage, responsible for driving it.

The interior of the carriage was extremely luxurious, and the fabrics used were of the finest quality. Sun Sanniang touched here and looked there curiously.

Song Yinzhang asked in a low voice: "My Lord, where are we going?"

"You'll know when you get there." Zhou Chen kept it a secret.

Song Yinzhang added: "My Lord, I said before that I would play music for you, but I have never fulfilled my promise. When you are free, I will play a few more songs for you with Lonely Moon."

Zhou Chen smiled and said, "It's been so long, and you still remember it so clearly. You're so thoughtful."

"This is what I should do. I am so useless. I can't do anything else but play music, so this is the only way I can repay you."

"Being able to play music, and to play it well, is already a great achievement. You don't need to underestimate yourself."

Sun Sanniang looked at Song Yinzhang who took the initiative to talk to Zhou Chen, then looked at Zhao Paner who remained expressionless, and sighed in her heart.

Zhao Pan'er lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked out curiously.

“It’s so lively here.”

"This is the Imperial Street, which leads directly to the Xuande Gate of the Imperial Palace. It is one of the busiest streets in Tokyo."

Seeing Zhao Pan'er's curiosity, Zhou Chen explained, and then Song Yinzhang and Sun Sanniang also looked out curiously.

Dongjing Imperial Street is one of the main streets in Dongjing City. It starts from Xuande Gate of the Imperial Palace in the north, passes through Zhouqiao and Zhuque Gate, and goes directly to Nanxun Gate of the Outer City. It is more than ten miles long and two hundred steps wide. It is the main street for the emperor to enter and exit, showing his dignity and style.

"This is the Imperial Street. I heard someone mention it when I was at the inn. They said that the Imperial Street is the most prosperous street in Tokyo. Now that I see it, it's really true."

"Yeah, this road is too wide, it must be several dozen feet wide, right?"

"It's so beautiful."

Although Zhao Pan'er and her two daughters also lived in an inn in the inner city, they were always busy with Ouyang Xu's affairs and did not have much leisure time to wander around Tokyo.

Sitting in the carriage and looking along the way, they were all dazzled by the prosperity of the Imperial Street.

At this moment, the carriage suddenly stopped. Zhou Huai outside knocked on the carriage and then lifted the door curtain.

"My Lord, there are people patrolling the Imperial Street ahead, blocking the street."

"It's okay, just wait."

The carriage stopped by the street, and Zhao Pan'er and the other girls looked outside through the curtains.

They were all very curious about the parade on the Imperial Street and wanted to see it for themselves.

"The Oiran is here, the Oiran is here."

The people outside shouted loudly, and then swarmed around the streets, vying to look forward.

Zhou Huai said, "My Lord, this is Zhang Haohao, the courtesan of the Imperial Music Bureau. Today is the birthday of the Eighth Prince, and the Imperial Music Bureau has been ordered to perform songs and dances in the south tower of the government office. Madam Zhang sang a song called "Goose Voice", and the emperor not only rewarded her with a colorful dress, but also allowed her to parade in the Imperial Street."

Zhou Chen said in surprise: "You know what just happened today, okay, Zhou Huai."

Zhou Huai smiled embarrassedly: "My Lord, I just heard someone say this near the inn."

Song Yinzhang looked ahead and asked in surprise: "Zhang Haohao, is she a prostitute in the Jiaofang?"

Zhou Huai said: "Yes, Zhang Haohao is one of the most famous courtesans in Tokyo. She is good at vocal music and often plays at banquets for nobles. I heard that she has even been to the imperial palace."

"really?"

Song Yinzhang's face was full of envy. She was also a prostitute, but compared with Zhang Haohao, her situation seemed to be completely different.

"Here it comes." Zhou Huai suddenly shouted.

In the center of Imperial Street, a group of people were seen marching in a mighty procession. The men were arrogant and the women were beautiful. There were dozens of them, but only one of them was riding a horse. She was the courtesan Zhang Haohao, who was dressed in colorful clothes.

Zhao Pan'er and the other girls were all stunned. In their minds, prostitutes from the Jiaofangsi were of low status, always inferior to others and looked down upon.

But looking at the glorious Zhang Haohao in front of them, who was obviously just a prostitute, but was able to parade around the Imperial Street and was sought after by countless people, it completely subverted their imagination and was beyond their cognition.

However, Zhou Chen's mouth twitched when he saw those people scattering flower petals while walking. He wondered how tired the street sweepers would be.

Soon, Zhang Haohao's team passed by Zhou Chen and his team, and Zhou Huai was even more surprised.

"Hey, the one holding Zhang Haohao's horse turned out to be Mr. Liu Jiu. This is such a grand and impressive person."

Zhou Chen knew that this Mr. Liu Jiu was probably a character based on the historical Liu Sanbian. He was really a frequent visitor to the brothels in the Jiaofang, and he didn't even need to pay to visit them.

Zhou Chen was also slightly surprised when he saw Zhang Haohao riding on the horse. It happened that Zhang Haohao was indeed beautiful. She was in her twenties, which was the prime of her life.

The reason why Zhang Haohao became a great courtesan was not only because of her voice, but also because of her appearance.

Otherwise, even if you sing well, but you have a ugly face, who would still follow you?

Even after Zhang Haohao's team left, there was still a large group of spectators following behind.

"She is really so popular. In Tokyo, prostitutes can be so popular. Even the government officials would reward and praise her."

Song Yinzhang did not hide her envy and excitement. The lowly people she had always hated actually received such treatment.

Zhao Pan'er and Sun Sanniang were also shocked.

"My Lord, are all the courtesans in Tokyo so glorious?"

"Scenery?"

Zhou Chen shook his head and said seriously, "You only see her glory, but not her efforts and embarrassment behind it. Moreover, how many courtesans are there in the Jiaofangsi brothel in Tokyo? How many are there like Zhang Haohao?"

He was in Tokyo, and had never been in contact with Zhang Haohao, but he had a good impression of Zhang Haohao after watching TV dramas.

In the brothel, there are indeed very few women with the character of Zhang Haohao.

For the rest of the journey, the carriage seemed very quiet, and Zhao Pan'er and the other girls were obviously still savoring the scene they had just seen.

The carriage passed through the Imperial Street and arrived at East Street...

After more than half an hour, the carriage finally stopped.

"Master Hou, we're here."

Zhao Pan'er and the other girls got off the carriage, looked at where the carriage was parked, and asked curiously, "Where is this?"

Zhou Huai said: "This is Anyefang, close to Daxiangguo Temple, and only two streets away from our Loyal and Brave Marquis Mansion."

"Let's go,"

Zhou Chen walked towards the gate in front of him without saying a word. Zhou Huai walked quickly in front, took out the key, opened the gate, and led Zhou Chen and the others in.

"Madam Zhao, this courtyard is in a good location in Anyefang. It's very large, with more than a dozen rooms, a side hall, a garden, an artificial river, and a stone bridge..."

Listening to Zhou Huai's enthusiastic introduction of the courtyard, Zhao Paner's face became even more confused.

"Wait, Lord, what is this?"

Zhou Chen said, "Didn't you say that the cost of staying in the inn is too high? We can't stay here forever. This yard will be for you to live in from now on."

"what?"

Sun Sanniang and the other girls opened their mouths in shock. They had just taken a tour and already knew how big and nice this courtyard was. I'm afraid that looking at Tokyo City, the location and size of the courtyard were both very good.

Zhao Pan'er hastily refused, "My Lord, we cannot accept gifts without merit. We cannot live in such a nice courtyard, nor can we afford it. You have helped us so much, and we cannot take advantage of you anymore."

Zhou Chen said, "Don't be so quick to refuse. I didn't say I was giving it to you, nor did I plan to let you live here for free. You have to pay rent if you stay here. It's five strings of cash a month."

"Five strings of cash? For such a big yard, only five strings of cash a month, isn't it like living here for free?"

Sun Sanniang, who was quick to speak, blurted out the words. After she finished speaking, she realized that something was wrong and quickly covered her mouth.

Five strings of cash is a lot, but the problem is, this is Tokyo, and look at this yard.

It was obvious that Lord Zhou wanted them to stay, so he asked for a rent of five strings of coins. Who would be willing to rent out such a nice courtyard? Even if they did, the five strings of coins would have to be several times more.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 977 New Residence, Zhou Chen's Token

Looking at this refreshing courtyard, Zhao Pan'er refused again.

"Lord Zhou, we have received your kindness, but we really cannot take this yard."

Zhou Chen said: "Originally this yard was empty. If no one lived there, I would have to send people to clean it frequently, and I wouldn't earn any rental fees. If I rent it to you, I will save a lot of trouble."

Zhao Pan'er and the other girls looked at each other in bewilderment. How could such a great Marquis's Mansion be so short of this little money? It was nothing more than an excuse for them to have a place to live.

"Master Hou."

Seeing that Zhao Pan'er was about to speak again, Zhou Chen immediately showed dissatisfaction on his face: "This matter is settled. If you refuse again, it means you don't regard me as a friend, and I will be very sad."

"But……"

Sun Sanniang quickly stopped Zhao Pan'er who was about to say something and advised: "Pan'er, Lord Zhou means well, don't be like this. We pay rent every month. If you feel it is not enough, we can make up the rent after we settle down in Tokyo."

Song Yinzhang also advised: "Yes, Sister Pan'er, I think living here is better than living in an inn."

Seeing that both sisters agreed, Zhao Pan'er felt even more helpless when she looked at Zhou Chen with a smile on his face. However, she changed her mind and realized that she already owed Zhou Chen a lot, so even if she owed him one more debt, it seemed that too much debt would not be a burden.

"Okay, we can stay here, but you must collect the rent, otherwise we will move out immediately."

Zhou Chen said: "Of course, the rent will definitely be collected. At the end of every month, I will ask Zhou Huai to come and collect the rent. You must be ready by then."

"That's natural."

Following Zhao Pan'er's response, Sun Sanniang and Song Yinzhang, master and servant, cheered excitedly, and then ran to find their own rooms.

Zhou Chen added: "Take another look at this yard. If there is anything missing, tell Zhou Huai and he will help you make up for it. If there is any problem here in the future, tell Zhou Huai. We are the owner and you are the tenants, so it is naturally our responsibility to prepare the things."

He directly blocked what Zhao Paner was about to say.

After chatting for a while, Zhou Chen changed the subject and asked, "I have a question for you. What do you want when you bring people to make a scene in front of Ouyang Xu's house?"

Zhao Pan'er did not evade the question, but said truthfully: "I want the letter of divorce, the letter of pledge that he wants to help Yin Zhang get out of the family, and the painting of the night banquet."

"I understand the letter of withdrawal of engagement, but didn't I tell Madam Song to remove herself from the family? I can help her with it after my mourning period is over."

"Of course I know this is not a big deal for the Marquis, but we can't rely on you for everything. If there is a way, we still want to do it ourselves first."

Zhou Chen praised: "It is your nature to be ambitious, but you should have heard about the Night Banquet Painting from Gu Qianfan when you were in Yang's house, but I'm afraid you don't know the things involved behind this Night Banquet Painting, right?"

Zhao Pan'er said, "You are right. I heard Commander Gu talking about the Night Banquet Picture in Yang's Mansion. The fact that the Imperial City Department is so concerned about it means that the Night Banquet Picture must be related to something big. I want to take the Night Banquet Picture back and give it to you."

Zhou Chen laughed immediately. He really didn’t expect that Zhao Paner actually planned this way. He felt quite comforted.

It seems that his investment these days has not been in vain. At least Zhao Pan'er has become accustomed to him and has begun to consider him.

"I appreciate your kindness, but this Night Banquet painting is not as simple as you think. This painting involves the identity and chastity of the current queen. Whoever gets this painting will be in big trouble. I am not one of those people with ulterior motives, so this painting is not only useless to me, but also a trouble."

"what?"

Zhao Pan'er was confused. She thought the Night Banquet Painting was very important, so she wanted to bring it back and give it to Zhou Chen.

But no one would have thought that this Night Banquet Picture would actually involve the Queen, and it was such an important matter. No wonder Zhou Chen didn't want this picture. If everything was true, this Night Banquet Picture would indeed be a huge trouble.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up: "If someone knew that this picture was in Ouyang Xu's hands, wouldn't it cause him a lot of trouble?"

Zhou Chen said: "I advise you to give up this idea. Don't forget, this picture was given to Ouyang Xu by you. If Ouyang Xu gets into trouble because of this picture, do you think you can get away with it? In fact, the best result is to pretend that this picture does not exist. Unless you want to completely offend the Queen and move to the Queen, otherwise this picture will only cause trouble."

“Yes, this picture came from my hands.”