In truth, Ji Cheng’s good fortune was not due to luck. The shrill-voiced woman simply felt that this batch of girls was too attractive, fearing that if the men guarding them stayed in the room, they might not be able to control themselves and damage the “merchandise.” Thus, she didn’t allow them to keep watch inside.
Ji Cheng quickly surveyed her surroundings. This was a woodshed, likely far from the crowd. She glanced down at another sack by her feet, her mind racing with thoughts.
Her first thought was curiosity about who else shared her misfortune. Secondly, as humans naturally possess empathy, Ji Cheng, while planning her escape, considered that if this girl woke up, they could flee together. Of course, Ji Cheng wasn’t entirely altruistic; she also thought the girl could serve as a distraction, facilitating her escape.
Ji Cheng flexed her wrists and retrieved her handkerchief, intended to gag the other girl and prevent her from alerting the guards outside if she woke up screaming.
After making these preparations, Ji Cheng laboriously removed the sack from the girl’s head. As she turned the person’s face towards her, she realized it was none other than her Fifth Sister, Shen Cui.
Ji Cheng couldn’t help but admire the Wang sisters’ audacity. To dare to kidnap even Shen Cui was truly brazen.
Shen Cui was still unconscious. Ji Cheng slapped her face forcefully, and seeing her eyelashes begin to flutter, quickly gagged her with the handkerchief and propped her up.
Shen Cui slowly opened her eyes. She had been aware of being bound before losing consciousness and was about to scream upon waking, but fortunately, Ji Cheng had gagged her.
Given the circumstances, Ji Cheng had no time for detailed explanations. She simply said, “Fifth Sister, it’s good you’re awake. Listen to me: we’ve been captured and sold to this Tianxiang House. If you don’t want to lose your virtue, don’t make a sound. Do exactly as I say. Do you understand?”
Though still dizzy, Shen Cui grasped the gravity of the situation and nodded quickly.
Ji Cheng then removed the gag from Shen Cui’s mouth. “There are guards outside. We need to lure them in.” Ji Cheng made a throat-slitting gesture, frightening Shen Cui so much her eyes bulged.
Ji Cheng couldn’t afford to waste time; the madam would surely arrive soon. She turned to the woodpile, selected a suitable piece for Shen Cui, and chose one for herself. She then positioned Shen Cui by the door, instructing, “When they come in, hit them on the head with all your might. Remember, if we don’t knock them out, we’ll be the ones violated. Do you want to be raped?”
Shen Cui shook her head vigorously.
Ji Cheng signaled for Shen Cui to raise her makeshift weapon, then called softly through the door crack, “Let me out! Let me out! Is anyone there? Let me out! I have money, lots of money. If you release me, it’s all yours.”
Sure enough, there was movement outside. The two guards exchanged glances. They certainly wanted the money, but tonight’s two fresh “catches” were exceptionally attractive. What man could resist such temptation? Even if they couldn’t partake, they at least wanted to get a feel.
“Quiet down,” said the guard named Amu.
Ji Cheng immediately pleaded, “Brother, please let me go. I beg you, Brother…” Her tearful voice was more stimulating than any aphrodisiac, and the two men outside were already struggling to contain themselves.
Hearing movement, Ji Cheng swiftly stepped aside. The door creaked open, and Ji Cheng’s club came down hard. The first man to enter collapsed instantly. As the second stepped in to investigate, Shen Cui’s club descended.
Unfortunately, the young lady was too clumsy to be of much use in this critical moment. Her hand trembled so much that Ji Cheng had to quickly deliver another blow.
Seeing blood ooze from the man’s head, Shen Cui dropped her weapon in shock and was about to scream. Ji Cheng leaped over to cover her mouth. “Do you want to die?”
Shen Cui finally grasped their predicament and asked shakily, “What now? Should we hide them?”
There was no time to hide bodies. Once the others noticed the unguarded door, they’d immediately know what had happened. Ji Cheng grabbed Shen Cui’s hand and said, “Run.”
However, the layout of Tianxiang House was a mystery. The back courtyard alone was enormous, and Ji Cheng and Shen Cui had to avoid detection. Thankfully, it was night, and Ji Cheng was agile. Even so, the others soon noticed something amiss, and lanterns suddenly illuminated the previously dark courtyard.
Ji Cheng cursed their bad luck. The complex architecture of Tianxiang House, with its numerous pavilions and towers, made it difficult to locate the main gate. Shen Cui, clutching Ji Cheng’s hand, suggested, “Can’t we call for help? If we reveal our identities, surely those seeking pleasure…”
“Who do you think will reach us first, the patrons or the pimps?” Ji Cheng retorted. “Be quiet. We’ll head towards the busiest area and look for a chance to seek help there.”
Ji Cheng had now surveyed the layout of Tianxiang House. Such a luxurious and expansive brothel would surely attract wealthy and influential clients. Perhaps they might even encounter an acquaintance who could save them.
With their pursuers closing in, Ji Cheng had no choice but to drag Shen Cui toward the tallest building in the compound.
Shen Cui, panicking, yanked her hand free. “Are you mad? How can we escape if we go up?”
Ji Cheng looked back to see lantern light approaching. She quickly pulled Shen Cui into a dark corner to hide temporarily, then whispered, “This place is too big; we’ll never make it out. All the main gates are probably sealed by now. We have to go up. I see the most lavish lights there, likely where they entertain important guests. We might find someone who knows you, and then we’ll be saved. Even if we’re unlucky, we can jump from the building. It’s better than being defiled and bringing shame to our parents.”
Though Ji Cheng spoke rapidly and urgently, Shen Cui understood her reasoning. No longer resisting, she lifted her skirts and followed Ji Cheng upstairs.
“Hurry! I saw them run up. Search every room!” came a shout from below.
Ji Cheng quickly pulled Shen Cui into a room where two women dressed as Persian dancers were at their toilette. Seeing the intruders, they were about to scream, but Ji Cheng swiftly grabbed a candlestick and knocked them out. Turning to Shen Cui, she ordered, “Quick, help me hide them in the chests.”
Shen Cui was shocked by Ji Cheng’s efficiency and ruthlessness but now saw her as their only hope. Without a word, she hurried to help Ji Cheng conceal the two dancers.
Hearing footsteps approaching, Ji Cheng instructed Shen Cui, “Quickly, strip and change into their clothes. Remember to cover your face with the veil.”
Seeing Ji Cheng undress efficiently, Shen Cui hastily followed suit. Just as Ji Cheng finished changing, the door burst open, and three large men entered.
“Have you seen two girls run in here?” the leader demanded loudly.
Ji Cheng, feigning timidity, stood up and retreated to a corner, shaking her head vigorously.
The three men conducted a cursory search of the room, found no one, and hurriedly left.
Shen Cui, hiding behind a clothes rack, nearly burst into tears from fear. Fortunately, the room seemed to be a dressing area for dancers, cluttered enough to provide good hiding spots.
“What do we do now?” Shen Cui asked Ji Cheng, at a loss.
Of course, they needed to continue their escape, but fate was not on their side. Before Ji Cheng and Shen Cui could leave the room, a strong perfume wafted in. “Why aren’t you dressed yet? Hurry up, the guests have arrived.”
Luckily, Ji Cheng and Shen Cui’s faces were veiled, preventing recognition. But now they couldn’t leave and had no choice but to follow the Persian-dressed dancer who had just entered.
After a few steps, the dancer turned back to look at Ji Cheng and Shen Cui. “Wait.”
Ji Cheng’s heart leaped to her throat, her eyes darting towards the candlestick, ready to strike again if necessary.
“Ah, what am I to do with you two? Always so slow, and you’ve forgotten your flower ornaments again, haven’t you?” The dancer quickly walked back, opened a jewelry box, and with her finger, picked up a thin ruby flower ornament. Dipping it in something, she moved to place it on Ji Cheng’s navel.
Ji Cheng struggled to control her fear as the dancer attached the ornament to her navel.
Once finished, the dancer impatiently said, “Let’s go now. If you anger the noble guests, you’ll have only yourselves to blame.”
Ji Cheng hurriedly followed, while Shen Cui, terrified, didn’t know what to do. She, the Fifth Miss of the Shen family, was about to dance like a courtesan for strangers. Shen Cui wished she could die on the spot.
The Persian dance costume was barely decent. The waist of the harem pants dipped below the navel, threatening to expose half a buttock with the slightest misstep. The top was even worse, more revealing than an undershirt, barely covering the breasts and in constant danger of slipping.
Shen Cui reached for Ji Cheng’s hand. Ji Cheng gave her a reassuring look, but Shen Cui still trembled with nervousness.
Despite her anxiety causing her palms to sweat, Ji Cheng decisively wiped her hand on her clothes and gently grasped Shen Cui’s hand. Looking into Ji Cheng’s calm eyes, Shen Cui’s heart settled a bit. She believed Ji Cheng would find a way to save them.
As they entered the Ninth Lotus Hall where the noble guests were, even Shen Cui and Ji Cheng, accustomed to opulence, were dazzled.
Indeed, this was a true money pit, Ji Cheng thought. Even the Peppercorn Palace in the imperial court might not match its splendor.
The Ninth Lotus Hall was spacious, with gold-leaf lotus-patterned tiles covered by expensive Persian carpets. Nine nine-tiered candle mountain lamps hung from the ceiling, illuminating the entire hall as bright as day.
The beams and pillars were adorned with gold leaf flowers, and the air was fragrant with spices. The curtains were made of Manlianjin gauze, worth a hundred taels of silver per bolt. The lotus patterns shimmered in the lamplight, transforming this worldly splendor into a scene reminiscent of the Jade Pool in heaven.
Ji Cheng and Shen Cui, heads bowed, followed the other dancers in greeting the noble guests. As they raised their heads, they immediately spotted Shen Che seated at the place of honor.