Every day, numerous girls were sent to the Sanfu Troupe. Some of these girls were still young, others were already past their prime, but once they were sent here, it meant they had almost no way out for the rest of their lives. What awaited them was deep despair and a bitter end.
Today was no different.
Two fresh-faced young maids were thrown in. Among the haggard and withered women, they were like two tender green onions, creating an incongruous sense of displacement.
“I don’t think they need much preparation,” said the madam with a fleshy face, looking at the two critically. “They’re pretty and have delicate skin. Just don’t know how long they’ll last. Well, take them to the tea room.”
The two young maids were already trembling with fear. These two were none other than Yan Mei and Shui Bi, who had been ordered by Ren Wanyun to be sold to a ninth-rank brothel.
Yan Mei and Shui Bi had served Shen Qing since childhood and were considered privileged among the maids. They had never suffered much hardship. Having witnessed scenes like hell on earth all the way here, they were now so frightened they couldn’t even shed tears. The madam’s words shattered their last hope when she said, “Watch them carefully, don’t let them commit suicide.”
Unable to seek death, they could only become like those lowly prostitutes, receiving customers endlessly each day. Thinking of this, Yan Mei and Shui Bi felt the world spinning around them.
Outside Sanfu Troupe, a young man was approaching. This man appeared quite young, and his bearing didn’t look like that of a laborer. The girl greeting at the door said, “Has this young master taken a wrong turn? This is Sanfu Troupe; the towers and pavilions are above.”
The implication was that, given this young man’s status, even if he was seeking pleasure, he wouldn’t come to such a place. This was where only the poorest people came.
“What’s the fun in those places?” the young man said in a low voice. “Do you have any newly arrived girls here?”
The woman at the door was momentarily stunned, then understood. Perhaps this man had never been to a lower-class establishment and was seeking novelty. This wasn’t unusual. Wealthy people have always had various ways of entertainment. Coming to Sanfu Troupe was inexpensive; anyone could afford it. She smiled and said, “Young master has indeed come to the right place. Today, two young maids just arrived. They were servants who made mistakes in an official’s household, previously attending a young lady. They look fresh, though the price is a bit higher.”
“Take me to see them,” the man said.
The woman led the young man into the tea room.
The reason Sanfu Troupe was the most lowly brothel wasn’t just because it was frequented by laborers, but also because the girls here were very cheap. For the time it took to drink a bowl of tea, if a girl was skilled and spoke gently, she might get the customer to spend money on a plate of snacks—that would be considered an achievement.
However, generally speaking, customers who came here would only order a pot of tea. First, the girls weren’t willing to make the effort since no matter how much money was earned, they wouldn’t see any of it. Second, most customers were stingy and unwilling to spend an extra copper.
Today, this young man ordered a pot of tea and a plate of snacks, which for Sanfu Troupe was already considered a generous customer. The guide quickly had someone bring in the two young maids.
Yan Mei and Shui Bi had been forcibly changed into thin gauze clothing and came to the tea room with hearts full of humiliation. On an autumn day, they were both shivering, their clothes barely providing warmth, their hearts filled with fear.
Seeing the girls had been brought in, the guide flatteringly said to the young man, “Young master, please take your time enjoying the tea. This slave will withdraw first.” As she passed by Yan Mei and Shui Bi, she added in a threatening tone, “Serve this master well.”
After the woman left, Yan Mei hesitated, seeing that the young man still made no move, and said softly, “Master…” As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt deep humiliation. Back when they were in the Shen Mansion, they were the personal maids of the Second Household’s young lady. Not just in Caiyun Courtyard, but throughout the entire Shen Mansion, all servants would treat them with respect. Now they were to be shared by thousands, violated by strangers.
All this was due to Ren Wanyun’s doing. It was Ren Wanyun who had thrown them into this lowly brothel, turning fifteen years of master-servant loyalty to ashes in an instant, treating them worse than enemies.
“Do you want to leave this place?” the young man suddenly asked.
Yan Mei and Shui Bi were stunned, then came to their senses. Shui Bi was still somewhat suspicious, but Yan Mei excitedly immediately knelt and said, “If master can take us out of here, this slave is willing to serve by master’s side for life, and repay this kindness with every breath.”
For Yan Mei, staying here was worse than death; it was better to follow one man. At least it was better than this life of endless suffering with no hope of escape.
Reminded by Yan Mei’s words, Shui Bi also knelt: “Please, master, save our lives! Master… this slave will do anything you ask!”
Hearing this, the young man nearly choked on his tea and turned his head away uncomfortably. This person was none other than Mo Qing, a guard from the outer court of the Shen Mansion. His visit to Sanfu Troupe today was on Shen Miao’s orders. Although he didn’t understand how a secluded young lady like Shen Miao could know so much about the capital’s brothels, he had important business today, and despite the awkwardness, he followed through.
“I can buy your contracts, and you won’t need to follow me. I’ll set you free,” he said.
Hearing this, Yan Mei and Shui Bi both stared at Mo Qing in disbelief. They didn’t understand why there would be such a person. Men who came here were naturally seeking pleasure. The young man before them didn’t look like a laborer. Yan Mei had always been cautious; she asked, “What does master want us to do?”
“It’s simple,” Mo Qing said. “I heard you two were the personal maids of the legitimate daughter of the Second Household of the General’s Mansion. How did you end up in such a situation?”
Shui Bi bit her lip and said hatefully, “We were expelled from the Shen Mansion for making mistakes. However, we didn’t do anything wrong. As servants, whatever the master says goes.”
Even now, Shui Bi did not reveal the key details, perhaps still harboring some loyalty to the Second Household. Mo Qing asked, “Do you hate them?”
The two remained silent.
Hate? Of course, they hated. If they had been given a cup of poison to end it all, that would have been one thing, but to use this method, making them live worse than death, like walking corpses existing in the world—that was another. But what wrong had they done? That night, no one knew what had happened. Shen Qing disappeared inexplicably, and somehow that became their fault as servants. Though they were heartbroken about what happened to their young lady, to place all the blame on them—only a saint could hold no grudge.
“I imagine you do hate them. Yan Mei, I’ve heard you have a younger sister working as a second-class maid in the Second Household of the Shen family. Shui Bi, you were respected in the Shen Mansion and had many friends there.”
Yan Mei and Shui Bi were shocked that this man knew their backgrounds so clearly. It was true—when Yan Mei and Shui Bi were purchased by the Shen family, they had claimed to be orphans, deliberately concealing their true backgrounds to be selected. Yan Mei’s younger sister was a second-class maid in Ren Wanyun’s courtyard, and Shui Bi, due to her lively personality, had many friends in Caiyun Courtyard.
“There are no free trades in this world. I’ll take you away, and you’ll find a way to tell me the news from the Second Household of the Shen family.”
Both raised their heads. Yan Mei exclaimed, “You want to deal with Madam!”
This man had investigated them thoroughly, yet what he wanted was information from the Second Household—he wanted to plant spies there. Yan Mei and Shui Bi certainly couldn’t return to the Second Household now, but their sisters and friends were still in Caiyun Courtyard of the Shen Mansion, and they could certainly pass messages secretly.
“What do you want to do?” Shui Bi asked.
“What does that matter to you?” Mo Qing replied. “The Second Madam of the Shen family sold you into a ninth-rank brothel, wanting you to live a life worse than death. Even enemies wouldn’t be treated so cruelly. Are you still thinking of master-servant loyalty? ‘If a man doesn’t look out for himself, heaven and earth will destroy him.’ If you want to be loyal servants, that’s your choice, but I don’t have much time to waste with you. If the deal can’t be made, so be it.” He stood up, making as if to leave.
“Master, wait!” Yan Mei suddenly called out. “This slave is willing to make this deal with the master. As long as the master can take us away from here, this slave is willing to do anything.”
“Yan Mei…” Shui Bi still seemed conflicted.
“Shui Bi, think about how you treated Madam, and how Madam treated you! This master is right—if a man doesn’t look out for himself, heaven and earth will destroy him. Do you want to stay here for the rest of your life? Like those women outside who have to serve customers even when they’re sick?”
Yan Mei spoke quickly and urgently, seemingly with a hint of viciousness. Thinking of those sickly women outside, Shui Bi couldn’t help but shudder and quickly said, “This slave is also willing to follow the master!”
“Then this deal is settled,” Mo Qing smiled with satisfaction, though inwardly he was amazed that everything had unfolded exactly as Shen Miao had predicted. Before leaving, Shen Miao had said that Ren Wanyun of the Second Household was formidable, with sophisticated methods and a knack for winning people’s hearts. The servants in Caiyun Courtyard were all very loyal. Even after being thrown into such a place, it would be somewhat difficult to get Yan Mei and Shui Bi to immediately defect. However, there was no need to worry too much; all he needed to do was remind them of the miserable state of the women in Sanfu Troupe. These two maids already had grievances about Ren Wanyun’s actions, and with their fear of this place, they would eventually agree to Mo Qing’s conditions.
“When can the master take us away from here?” Yan Mei asked urgently.
“Today. I will arrange for you to meet with your sisters. You must have them report the news from the Second Household to me every other day. Don’t try any tricks. Even if you attempt to use this to redeem yourselves with the Second Household, they won’t believe you.” Mo Qing added a final threat: “Just as I can get you out of this place, I can also send you back, and no one will be able to save you.”
Yan Mei and Shui Bi saw the murderous intent in Mo Qing’s eyes and felt their hearts sink, finally giving up their last shred of hope. They both knelt on the ground, kowtowing to Mo Qing, saying, “This slave wouldn’t dare. We will do exactly as the master says.”
Mo Qing put down the teapot and walked out of the tea room. The madam outside, seeing him come out so quickly, thought that Yan Mei and Shui Bi hadn’t served him well and hurriedly said, “Young master, are you not satisfied? Those two little hussies just arrived today and don’t know the rules yet. They’ll be better after a few days of training. If young master prefers, we have other girls here…”
“No need,” Mo Qing said. “I’ll buy those two.”
The madam was stunned. No one had ever bought a girl from Sanfu Troupe before. It was against the rules, as most were being punished for crimes; the purpose of sending them here was to torment them. She said with difficulty, “Young master, according to our rules, the girls here are not for sale.”
“One hundred taels,” Mo Qing took out a silver note from his sleeve and waved it in front of the madam. “For the two maids.”
The madam’s eyes lit up, and she snatched the silver note from Mo Qing’s hand, as if afraid he might change his mind. With a beaming smile, she said, “Since young master likes them, it’s those two maids’ good fortune. I’ll go get their contracts right away. But the young master must remember not to let anyone recognize these two maids. If Sanfu Troupe gets into trouble, the young master will also face difficulties.”
One hundred taels of silver—even in the better brothels, the most sought-after girls might not fetch such a price. Even if Yan Mei and Shui Bi were to serve customers without eating or drinking until they died of old age, they would probably not earn back even half of this amount. The madams here were all businesswomen; how could they refuse such silver? However, she was also worried that if others found out, especially the master who had sold the two maids here, she would be in trouble. Now she would have to pretend the two maids had died.
While the madam happily went to bring out Yan Mei and Shui Bi, Mo Qing felt somewhat regretful. One hundred taels of silver was no small sum—it was obtained by pawning an entire box of Shen Miao’s jewelry through Jingzhe. Now it was spent on ransoming two maids, just to plant spies. Shen Miao’s methods seemed too extravagant to Mo Qing. He thought about it and shook his head slightly, inwardly unable to agree.
Across the street at Kuaihuo Tower, a black-clad figure appeared at the window and said, “Master, I’ve found out that the man is a guard from the outer court of the Shen Mansion. The two maids he bought were once personal attendants to the legitimate daughter of the Second Household. It seems someone wants to plant spies in the Second Household, though the person behind it remains unknown.”
The conversation between Mo Qing, Yan Mei, and Shui Bi had been heard. This person’s skills were exceptional; otherwise, even Mo Qing wouldn’t have detected someone eavesdropping.
Gao Yang narrowed his eyes: “It seems the Shen Mansion isn’t so peaceful either. The person behind this doesn’t even spare the maids—tsk, they’re quite pervasive.”
“Master, should we investigate this person?” the black-clad figure asked the youth in purple.
“No need, I know who he is,” Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow.
“You know?” Gao Yang looked at him. “Who is he?”
Who is he? Xie Jingxing smiled, his gaze growing deep. Shen Miao had found a guard with excellent martial skills. Though no match for his men, the guard was certainly capable of handling the people in the Shen Mansion. As for now, not even sparing the little maids of Sanfu Troupe, it seemed she was preparing to make her move.
However, none of this concerned him.
“Shan Lang,” Xie Jingxing said, “send a message to Yu Shu, tell him to return to the capital quickly.”
“You…” Gao Yang’s expression became serious. “Haven’t you failed to find what you’re looking for? Why are you calling them back?”
“Strike first for the advantage,” the youth said indifferently.
…
As time passed, the General’s Mansion seemed to return to its former tranquility.
Shen Miao had been confined for a long time, and during these days, she hadn’t gone to Guangwen Hall. Guyu and Jingzhe worried that she might fall behind in her studies, but she wasn’t concerned. What use was learning those useless poems and essays at Guangwen Hall? It was better to have fewer incidents in the mansion.
If there was anything worth rejoicing about, it was that Yan Mei and Shui Bi, whom Mo Qing had bought, had finally met with their sisters. Shui Bi was fine, but Yan Mei’s younger sister, Chun Tao, had been wanting to avenge her sister ever since she learned Yan Mei had been sold to a brothel. Unfortunately, her low status left her eager but powerless. Now, after meeting Yan Mei and learning she was safe, she readily agreed to pass information to Mo Qing without hesitation. Coincidentally, after Yan Mei and Shui Bi left, the two personal maid positions beside Shen Qing became vacant. Ren Wanyun, seeing Chun Tao’s cleverness and ingenuity, assigned her to be Shen Qing’s maid. This made keeping track of the Second Household’s movements even easier.
Now Shen Qing’s physical condition was improving, though her mental state had not fully recovered. Although much better than before, she still occasionally seemed absent-minded, and when certain words were mentioned, she would tremble with fear. It seemed she needed more time to recover.
On this day, Ren Wanyun was again losing her temper in her room, with shattered teacups all over the floor. Lately, Ren Wanyun’s temper had worsened. Previously, since everything went smoothly, she rarely had moments of displeasure. Now, however, she punished people every few days. Caiyun Courtyard was constantly gloomy.
“That heartless man!” Ren Wanyun raged. “He spends all day running to that vixen’s courtyard. Qing’er has become like this, and he’s only visited a few times. So heartless!”
She was cursing Shen Gui, and not a single servant in the room dared to breathe. Ren Wanyun’s anger at Shen Gui wasn’t truly about this. Rather, the letter she had written to the Prince of Yu, pointing out that Shen Miao and Shen Qing had switched identities that night, had been intercepted by Shen Gui. Moreover, Shen Gui had somehow ensured that even now, the Prince of Yu seemed unaware of the matter. She had hoped to use the Prince of Yu to punish Shen Miao properly, but Shen Gui had ruined her plan. Ren Wanyun was frustrated and could only vent her anger on Shen Miao.
Just as she was thinking this, a cry of alarm came from the inner room. Ren Wanyun composed herself and hurriedly went in to look. She saw Chun Tao holding a small bowl, feeding Shen Qing porridge, but somehow the porridge had spilled everywhere, and Shen Qing was bent over, vomiting.
“What happened?” Ren Wanyun shouted harshly, glaring at Chun Tao. “I told you to look after the young lady, and this is how you slack off!”
“This slave deserves death,” Chun Tao quickly knelt and said, “But the young lady has been vomiting frequently these past few days. Just now, while drinking porridge, she had another bout of nausea. This slave dares to suggest, perhaps Madam should call a physician for the young lady, in case she has stomach problems.”
These days, the physician who had been treating Shen Qing hadn’t visited often. Since Shen Qing’s external injuries had mostly healed, she just needed rest. Ren Wanyun accompanied her all day, which had gradually helped Shen Qing recover some of her faculties. Now, hearing Chun Tao’s words, she became anxious. Just as she was about to tell Cai Ju to get a card to invite the physician, she suddenly paused, as if realizing something. She looked at Chun Tao and slowly asked, “You say Qing’er has been vomiting frequently these days?”
“Yes,” Chun Tao replied, somewhat confused. “But the food is specially prepared, clean from the kitchen. Sometimes the young lady also feels dizzy.”
Ren Wanyun clutched her chest, her heart suddenly surging with shock. Chun Tao was still young and didn’t understand, but as an experienced woman, Ren Wanyun recognized these symptoms. Could Shen Qing be pregnant?
She nearly fainted, her vision darkening. Xiang Lan quickly supported her. “Madam!”
“Take my calling card and invite Physician Chen to come,” Ren Wanyun said after a moment, still holding her chest. Her gaze toward Shen Qing was filled with horror.
Chun Tao lowered her head, and no one noticed the smile in her eyes.
As Shen Qing’s maid, she certainly hadn’t just noticed Shen Qing’s vomiting today. It had been happening for some time, but the first person she told wasn’t Ren Wanyun, but Mo Qing, who received her messages. Mo Qing had instructed her that if Ren Wanyun hadn’t discovered it, she should keep the matter secret for now and reveal it later.
Chun Tao’s timing was fortunate. For so long, Ren Wanyun hadn’t noticed anything wrong with Shen Qing—until today.
Outside, Physician Chen quickly arrived under Xiang Lan’s urging. He had previously treated Shen Qing’s external injuries. He was a physician from Ren Wanyun’s maiden family, given to her when she married. Sometimes when Ren Wanyun wanted to deal with concubines or do something inconvenient, Physician Chen would help. He was Ren Wanyun’s confidant, so there was no need for reserve.
Ren Wanyun watched anxiously as Physician Chen took Shen Qing’s pulse. Shen Qing was still frightened, shrinking into Ren Wanyun’s embrace. Physician Chen released her hand with a solemn expression, glanced at Shen Qing, then shook his head at Ren Wanyun.
“All of you, get out,” Ren Wanyun said to the servants in the room.
Xiang Lan, Cai Ju, and Chun Tao quickly withdrew.
After the servants had left, Physician Chen sighed and said to Ren Wanyun, “The young lady’s pulse is smooth as rolling beads—it’s a pregnancy pulse.”
Although she had already guessed it, when Ren Wanyun heard the physician say it aloud, she still felt the world spinning. She looked at Physician Chen, her voice involuntarily trembling, yet firmly said, “Doctor, can you help Qing’er miscarry this child? Qing’er is still young; she cannot… cannot let people find out.”
If she had only been defiled, with good concealment, there might still be a future for her. But if she had a child, it would be evidence of illicit relations. Both Shen Qing and the child in her womb would be drowned in a pond!
“The young lady’s body is already delicate, and she is still young,” Physician Chen said. “If she miscarries, it could damage her foundation. With one misstep, she might find it difficult to have children in the future…”
One blow after another fell on Ren Wanyun’s head. If Shen Qing lost the ability to be a mother, even if they found her another family in the future, Ren Wanyun knew better than anyone what fate awaited a woman who couldn’t bear children. A woman without children to support her in the inner court was like a warrior without weapons on the battlefield—destined for defeat.
“And the young lady has not fully recovered. If she miscarries now, it would be very dangerous,” Physician Chen added.
“No… she cannot miscarry.” Ren Wanyun remained frozen for a moment, then looked at Shen Qing in her arms, grief welling up: “My poor Qing’er!”
If the child were aborted, Shen Qing might lose her life. Even if she survived, she might never be able to bear children again. In any case, the pregnancy couldn’t be terminated. But if not terminated, then… what path lay ahead for Shen Qing?
It seemed there was no way out, no matter what. In Ren Wanyun’s heart, there was only deep despair.
Outside the door, Chun Tao watched the room and whispered, “Sister Xiang Lan, is the young lady… is she…”
“Shh,” Xiang Lan warned. “Say less. If Madam finds out, you’ll suffer.”
“Alas,” Cai Ju said worriedly, “what are we going to do now?” She and Xiang Lan had naturally guessed what had happened. If Shen Qing were pregnant, what would become of Caiyun Courtyard? Every step would have to be carefully weighed.
Chun Tao pouted, but there was satisfaction in her eyes.
Physician Chen left Caiyun Courtyard and the Shen Mansion, returning to his small courtyard in the northern part of the city. Just as he entered the courtyard, he saw his wife and children run out to meet him, and he wiped a bead of sweat from his brow.
Before he had gone out today, he had received a letter from an unknown sender, instructing him that when examining Shen Qing, he must say she couldn’t miscarry and find a way to persuade Ren Wanyun to help Shen Qing maintain the pregnancy. Otherwise, his entire family would be killed. The letter had included his wife’s hairpin. Physician Chen was terrified and, when examining Shen Qing, had to do as instructed.
He had been handsomely paid by Ren Wanyun’s maiden family to serve her, and now he had betrayed his master. He was naturally frightened and secretly contemplated leaving the capital. Despite this, Physician Chen was still puzzled. According to Ren Wanyun, she had only discovered Shen Qing’s morning sickness today. How had the person threatening him known about it?
In the West Court, Guyu entered and whispered a few words into the ear of Shen Miao, who was playing chess at the table. After a moment, Shen Miao smiled and said, “Well done. Has the silver been sent to Physician Chen?”
“Mo Qing has already delivered it,” Guyu replied. “Why did Miss give him such a generous amount? Since we’ve already threatened his life, silver shouldn’t be necessary.”
“That’s different,” Shen Miao put down her chess piece and smiled slightly. “People change. With just threats, Physician Chen would eventually flee the capital with his family, which would be troublesome later. But if we also give him a large sum of silver, guess what he’ll do?”
“This slave doesn’t know,” Guyu shook her head.
“He’ll think, since he’s already betrayed his master, he might as well go all the way and take more silver to justify his betrayal. He will maintain the entire lie until his master discovers the betrayal.”
Guyu was slightly stunned, unable to describe her feelings. When had her young lady become able to know what was in people’s hearts? “But,” Guyu asked, puzzled, “what’s the purpose of maintaining this lie?”
For what purpose?
Shen Miao smiled and said, “Tell Mo Qing to instruct Chun Tao to make sure she helps Elder Sister maintain her pregnancy well. The better the pregnancy progresses, the more advantageous it will be for us.”