“Master Xie.”
Mochou cried out in pain.
Outside the door stood quite a few flower-like women watching all this. Some whispered advice, “Mother, spare Mochou,” while others sneered contemptuously, “Do whores also set up chastity arches?” In the flickering gazes, degradation seemed to become a kind of charm, yet it made hearts sink heavily.
That Scholar Xie suddenly crawled up from the ground, pulled a golden bracelet from his bosom, and held it before the old madam’s eyes, breathing heavily, “Take this.”
“This is your ancestral heirloom—you can’t give it to her! You already refuse to marry your childhood sweetheart who was betrothed to you from youth. You’re already unfilial to your ancestors…”
Mochou’s face changed, struggling desperately, trying to break free from the two burly men gripping her arms tightly to run to her lover’s side.
Scholar Xie shook his head with a smile, wiping the blood from his lips. His gaze at her was both gentle and pained, “Mochou, this mother is right—I’m a useless man. To want to marry you is already greatly improper, but since I’ve already done wrong, what harm is there in being wrong again? Otherwise, what meaning would my previous actions have? With nothing valuable at home, I brought this bracelet today intending to give it to you. I’ll surely redeem it someday.”
Tears filled Mochou’s eyes, but a smile bloomed at her lips.
The mother’s expression changed. Her gaze shifted, and she suddenly snatched the golden bracelet away, sneering, “This fake gold is worth a hundred taels? Truly laughable! You… take Mochou back inside!”
Behind them, several girls couldn’t help but cry out softly. Mochou’s eyes widened in fury, “Mother, you can’t do this! This bracelet is worth more than a hundred taels. Aren’t you afraid of breaking your other daughters’ hearts by doing this? Let go of me! Let me go!”
The mother slapped her across the face, leaving a rough red palm print on her cheek, sneering coldly, “Breaking their hearts over what? After tonight passes, I’ll naturally release you.”
Scholar Xie roared lowly and lunged to grab her, but sadly, sometimes scholars truly are useless in every way. He was quickly knocked down again by several burly men.
Mochou wept and screamed, “Master Xie, don’t fight with them! I will never betray you—even in death, I’ll never betray you!”
On the ground, Scholar Xie’s face covered in bloody mud tried to rise again. This time the guards were truly ruthless—someone aimed a kick at his chest. Suzhen saw this wouldn’t do. Though she had warned herself from earlier not to cause trouble again, she stamped her foot and still rushed to intervene. But unexpectedly, Agu had stepped forward before her, shouting lowly, “Stop!”
“You said it yourself—one hundred taels.”
She stared coldly at the mother, smoothing her garments, then suddenly seemed to remember something. Several men exchanged smiles and each handed over their money pouches.
Suzhen quietly retreated. Li Zhaoting stood quietly at the back, and she also quietly stopped beside him. He was removing the money pouch from his waist, simultaneously bringing out something else from his belt.
He quickly put the item back along with the money pouch, but she stood frozen in place.
Even though the images and sounds ahead remained clear in her eyes and ears, they didn’t affect her.
Ahead, Agu bowed to everyone, finally taking the silver Qinglong had handed over on behalf of Murong Liu. The mother naturally refused, but Mu San stepped forward with a smile, “We won’t ask who your distinguished guest is, but I and several friends happen to know the Capital Prefect. If he receives a report that your establishment harbors court fugitives or something, what do you think would happen?”
The mother had been in the pleasure quarters for years and had seen much of the world. Hearing this, she was shaken, her eyes quickly sweeping over the people before her, and she said nothing more, letting them release the captives.
Scholar Xie and Mochou looked at each other, bowing deeply to Agu and the others. That Scholar Xie, being a man with some pride, asked for Agu’s name and address so he could repay the money in the future.
Agu glanced at Murong Liu, who nodded slightly. She then smiled, saying it wasn’t necessary, and wished him success in the next imperial examinations.
Mu San laughed, “Today we’ve done nothing but scatter wealth. Please spare everyone, Agu. Shall we finally go to the wine house now?”
Agu smiled apologetically, but was suddenly pushed by someone. Stumbling, she discovered it was that thin young man, Li Huaisu.
Murong Jiu reached out to grab him, maliciously intending to pinch the youth’s arm. He held back his strength, but unexpectedly Li Huaisu used brute force and shook him off. Fortunately, when he released his grip, he pinched hard, so he didn’t suffer a loss.
This pinch truly hurt Suzhen, but this pain couldn’t compare to the sudden tide of bitterness in her heart.
In her eyes, all that remained clearly visible was what Li Zhaoting had quietly put back into his bosom just now.
That was… the jade hairpin Agu had donated earlier.
On the other side, as Agu stood stunned, the youth pushed her hard again.
“Li Huaisu, what are you causing trouble for again? Get over here!”
Murong Liu frowned, his voice becoming slightly stern for the first time that evening.
P.S. The text goes on sale tomorrow, entering new chapters like the palace examinations and national plans, sending love into the game, building emotion into cities, etc. Thank you to friends who have accompanied me this far, and thanks to all who will continue walking with me without abandoning me.
I want to share Xu Song’s song “Eternal Enemies from Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils” with everyone. I only discovered this song recently and unexpectedly found the lyrics and melody very fitting for this story, especially matching that prologue I deleted and didn’t publish. I love most the lines “When grievances are half each, how do I embrace them… When the star river in the sky turns, my fate is already set.” Today on a whim I opened the MV and even discovered a folding fan prop…