When the group of three entered the Hall, the servants close to the door went to kneel or bow . As soon as the others in the room noticed, they also did the same . The courtesans who were happily chatting among themselves stopped abruptly, hurriedly got up and bowed . Sung Ming, who was at the forefront of the group raised his right hand .

"It's fine . Get up . There's no need for such courtesy among us . "

"But as the Manager of Lavender Pavilion, we must pay our respects . " A courtesan replied without looking up, seemingly the head of the group .

"It's fine . Get up, get up . Master has already ordained that the workers at the Pavilion are to be treated as friends . If Master finds out about this, I might lose my little head!" Sung Ming's raised hand started sweating . After all, the Master was right behind him! 'I really never told them to do this ah! They just always pay their respects regardless of how many times I reprimand them . I really value this little life of mine, ah! Don't make Master angry with me will you?'

He cautiously glanced behind to his right at the red-robed girl who was smiling as if without a care in the world and sighed internally as he turned back around . 'I really can't tell if Master is angry . Even after so many years or working under her, she's still so hard to read . '

At Manager Sung's behest, the women in the room slowly rose . Flashes of quickly concealed surprise could be seen among the majority of them as they more closely observed the people by the Manager's side . 'What was that girl doing beside the Manager and Sir Mu . Who was she?'

Ignoring the repeated glances at his Master and the quick questioning looks, Manager Sung retracted his raised hand and cleared his throat . "Ahem . We have a new sister joining us today . Some of you may know her as the Ministry of Justice, Minister Shen's daughter, Shen Tianyu . "

As she was introduced, Shen Tianyu stepped forward with a wide smile and waved her hands at everyone and gave a somewhat modern day work greeting from j.a.pan, "h.e.l.lo, sisters . I am Shen Tianyu, I have yet to be given a courtesan name, but I look forward to working with everyone from now on . " and bowed .

The leader of the courtesans, who was wearing a floor-length greenish-turquoise robe with varying shades of pink flowers, came forward and welcomed her . "Sister Shen, no need for such formalities . Despite our earlier greeting, the Master of Lavender Palace has ordered that everyone be treated as close to equal as possible considering our positions . We don't even necessarily need to pay respects to the Managers! Though, of course, we do need to respect our superiors . "

As she put her hands on Shen Tianyu's shoulder and helped her straighten up, the young girl asked her a question, "Elder, sister, you are?"

The woman put her delicate snow white hand over her mouth and gasped . "Oh! Silly me, where are my manners? My birth name is Ruo Mingyue, my courtesan name is Yue Luo . You can call me by my courtesan name . "

"Yue Luo, such a pretty name! Then, I'll call you Elder Sister Yue!"

Sung Ming interrupted them and continued his earlier talk . "Miss Shen here has suggested inviting everyone to eat at Nianjing Pavilion for dinner tonight as a welcome party . She wanted to ask everyone whether it'd be better to go out to eat or have the food delivered here . What does everyone think?"

Shen Tianyu and Yue Luo looked at everyone gathered there for their answer .

"I'd like to go outside during the day for once . " A courtesan replied .

"The sun's almost starting to set . It's not daytime anymore . " Another retorted her .

"It's not truly night until the sky is dark and lanterns are lit!" A cheerful maid intercepted .

"I also want to go beyond the flower district more often . " Yet another maid responded .

"What are you saying? You're able to go out more often than us . " A courtesan standing next to her, apparently her charge, pinched her cheeks .

"It looks like almost everyone wishes to eat out tonight . " A mature-looking courtesan wearing a golden yellow robe with yellow flowers and birds said, with her left sleeve over her mouth and smiling eyes peeking above the sleeve .

Shen Tianyu happily ran over to the woman . "Elder sister, what's your name?"

The woman's eyes squinted in a smile and responded "My courtesan name is Luo Hua . "

Shen Tianyu made an amazed face . "Whoa . . . The #1 beauty in the capital!"

"That's the the most famous t.i.tle they call me by outside . But you can just call me by my courtesan name . "

"s.e.xy Sister Hua!"

Luo Hua gave a mirthful giggle . "Why am I called s.e.xy and Yue Luo is called elder?"

"Because s.e.xy Sister is s.e.xy!" Shen Tianyu responded childishly .