The one shocked wasn’t just her, but Xiao Wei as well.

His body instantly sat bolt upright, his hand gripping the cup. The originally calm wine surface trembled with ripples from the force of his grip.

Spring Pear was actually Mo Chou. That Mo Chou from Wu You Pavilion, whose single smile everyone competed for. That Mo Chou whose glorious wedding procession had drawn the entire city to watch.

Before Mo Zi’s eyes, though it was still that pitiful beauty’s lovable countenance, the spiritual grace was gone, the essence of her soul was gone. Her figure was seductive, the gauze garments thin enough to reveal the skin of her arms. The high-waisted, shoulderless silk gown wasn’t meant to display nobility but to wrap and outline the soft curves of her body.

Eight or nine out of ten men’s gazes fell on her half-exposed bosom, where a golden pear blossom was painted.

Her complexion was pale to the point of transparency, and by contrast, her cherry lips were extremely vivid red. Her beautiful eyes gazed ahead—the glass lamps were so brilliant, yet they couldn’t illuminate a despairing heart.

Mo Zi couldn’t bear to watch. She waved her sleeve to take up wine and lowered her head to drink slowly. “Xiao Wei, don’t let her see you.” Fortunately, their position wasn’t conspicuous. If they remained quiet, they could avoid the risk of exposing their identities.

“How could she be here?” After Mo Zi’s reminder, Xiao Wei’s whole body shuddered. He leaned back a bit and also lowered his head. “Didn’t she marry and become an equal wife?”

He was asking her? How could she possibly know? Though she was familiar with Mo Chou’s name, she didn’t know the person at all. Even when she had saved Mo Chou’s life, the beauty’s heart had been set on a certain gentleman and she hadn’t spared Mo Zi a glance. Most likely even now, face to face, she wouldn’t recognize her. The pity was only because they were both women, and she had no grudge or enmity with Mo Chou.

Watching someone fall from extreme prosperity to extreme decline—how could one not sigh? Yet it had only been half a year. If Wu You knew that the woman she treasured like a pearl, like a sister, had fallen to such depths, how heartbroken would she be?

“Feng Shi wasn’t her good match.” Mo Zi could only say this. “You should know—she married him only to give up on you. She actually wanted to follow you.”

What had originally been quite simple became complicated because of Mo Chou’s appearance.

“I had no way to marry her. Not even as a concubine.” He had made it very clear to Mo Chou that he was only her kindred spirit.

“You could at least have helped her leave the profession and avoid bad men setting their sights on her.” Now it was too late to say anything. “Forget it. At this point, it can’t all be called your fault. Her rashness and self-debasement regarding herself are equally chilling. It’s clearly her own life, yet she insisted on putting it in someone else’s hands. How lamentable!”

“Zuo Gu, Spring Pear is the woman I’ve taken a fancy to.” Duan Geshou’s expression was grim.

“But General, women in brothels don’t belong to any particular man unless you redeem them. As far as I know, though the general has enjoyed her, you haven’t paid even a single coin. Now Spring Pear’s indenture contract is in my hands, and the Grand Marshal has personally examined it and nodded approval. I didn’t expect the general to care about her so much. Had I known, I wouldn’t have bought her.” Zuo Gu’s words were hypocritical.

Hearing this, Mo Zi realized Zuo Gu had redeemed Mo Chou from a brothel? Such a circuitous path?

“She’s just a Han woman—what’s there to care about?” Duan Geshou smiled contemptuously. “It’s only that this general hasn’t tired of playing with her yet. How can I allow someone else to steal my pleasure? Zuo Gu, I won’t waste words with you. Hand her over to me.”

Mo Chou’s singing had stopped when she heard Duan Geshou’s voice. Hearing him demand her now, her whole body shook like a sieve and she collapsed to the ground. Her eyes filled with terror as she cried out loudly.

“No!” She crawled on all fours to Zuo Gu’s table. “Master, don’t give me to him. He’s a beast, an animal. I can’t endure it anymore. I’m willing to work like an ox or horse for you, master. Please show mercy.”

It was a scene that made it difficult for Mo Zi to even breathe. That story about a foolish scholar breaking his leg for Mo Chou—she had once told it as a joke, but now it was truly ironic.

“Spring Pear, I spent quite a bit of money to buy you. Even working like an ox or horse wouldn’t be enough to repay it. How about this—if tonight a guest is willing to pay over one thousand taels to buy you, I’ll let you go with him. I don’t think General Duan Ge will pay that much silver.” Zuo Gu’s eyes were merciless.

Duan Geshou laughed heartily. “Who dares compete with me for a woman I want? Unless the Grand Marshal wants her.”

Mo Zi saw the distinguished guests all avoiding Duan Geshou’s gaze. Zuo Gu should know these people feared Duan Ge—why had he still invited them to bid? What exactly was this unscrupulous merchant who sold his own aunt trying to do?

“See?” Duan Geshou came over to pull Mo Chou.

Mo Chou screamed, pushed away his hand, and desperately shrank back.

“General, let’s talk this through nicely. Don’t use force in front of so many people.” Zuo Gu deliberately sighed as if in difficulty. “How about this—a gentleman helps others achieve their goals. Five days ago, the general detained Zuo’s salt ships. If you return them to me, I’ll give Spring Pear to you.”

So that was it.

This old fox! Mo Zi cursed silently.

Duan Geshou cursed openly. “Old scoundrel, all these tricks—it was for those five ships of salt. Don’t you have connections with the Grand Marshal? Why not just tell him directly?”

“The general detained my ships—wasn’t it to get some benefit from Zuo? Spring Pear is already a ruined flower, wilted willow. When I get my salt ships back, I’ll send the general ten virgins whose looks will be no less than Spring Pear’s. How about that?” Zuo Gu had another generous gift.

Duan Geshou’s narrow eyes squinted. “Then it’s settled. However, I’m still taking Spring Pear with me.”

“As the general wishes.” Having achieved his purpose, Zuo Gu generously gave her away.

Mo Chou, as if crazed, crawled around the hall begging guests to buy her.

Xiao Wei crushed the cup in his hand. After all, he wasn’t heartless. Having listened to her zither, listened to her songs, regarding her as a kindred spirit, he didn’t look down on her—it was only due to family constraints that he truly couldn’t take her as a concubine. But he sincerely hoped she would meet a good man. Seeing this scene, grief arose from his heart.

Mo Zi also had mixed feelings. The situation didn’t allow them to help, yet emotionally they couldn’t remain unmoved.

Both were so preoccupied that they watched helplessly as Mo Chou crawled before their table.

“Guest, buy me please. One thousand taels of silver—I’ll definitely repay it. My elder sister loves me dearly. As long as I write to tell her, she’ll send money. I can’t go with that beast. If I do, I won’t live much longer. But I must live. There’s someone I must see before I die, or I can’t rest in peace.” Mo Chou suddenly widened her eyes. The one her heart loved—even if he lowered his head and didn’t look, how could she fail to recognize him? “You… Xiao—”

It seemed they couldn’t avoid this. Mo Zi abruptly stood up and pulled Mo Chou toward the center of the hall.

Mo Chou’s tears fell rapidly as she screamed, “Let me go! Let me go!”

Mo Zi whispered in her ear, “Do you want him dead? We didn’t come here to play, and right now he’s not who you think he is.

Or if you want everyone to perish together, then just go ahead and call his name.”

Mo Chou still had her reason. She immediately understood Mo Zi’s meaning, bit her lip tightly, and didn’t dare shout again.

Mo Zi breathed a sigh of relief. For now, they didn’t need to worry about their identities being exposed.

Seeing Mo Zi’s imposing attire and outstanding appearance—though male, more delicately beautiful than women—Duan Geshou couldn’t muster much fierceness. “What are you doing?”

Yes, she also wanted to know what she was doing. Her mind spun chaotically as she spoke, “That… I’m soft-hearted and can’t bear to watch this. The ancients said, ‘Cherish fragrant flowers and precious jade.’ Moreover, ‘A fair lady is a gentleman’s good match’—it’s a fine thing. Tonight is such an auspicious occasion—if it continues like this, it will truly spoil the atmosphere. I’ve heard that the children of Duan Ge excel in both civil and military arts, and their character is even better. Miss Spring Pear most likely has some misunderstanding about the general. Rather than using force, it’s better to persuade with kind words. After all, she’s a lone, powerless woman who can’t escape the general’s palm anyway.”

Duan Geshou snorted. “Why all this nonsense? Who are you?”

“I’m Member Zuo’s cousin-nephew.” Her eyes darted about as she dragged Zuo Gu into it. “Cousin-uncle, with so many guests present, Miss Spring Pear is making quite a scene. Forcing her to leave will damage your reputation. Why not let her withdraw first, rest for a few days, and when she’s calmed down, then send her to the general’s residence?”

“This way, the general won’t need to lose his temper, and the beauty will naturally throw herself into his arms. Best of both worlds, wouldn’t you say?” She could only delay. Whether they could save her or not, she couldn’t think that far.

Having become Mo Zi’s uncle, Zuo Gu couldn’t very well show displeasure. He laughed awkwardly twice. “As long as the general is willing, I have no objection.”

“No need.” These words came from Mo Chou’s mouth.

She stood up unsteadily, her eyes red and moist, her cloud-like coiffure having somehow come undone. Her long hair covered the golden pear blossom on her chest, greatly reducing her seductive air. “I’ll go with the general tonight. However, master, may I play the zither once?”

“You can play the zither too?” Zuo Gu was very pleased with her sensibility. With a wave of his hand, someone brought over an ancient zither. “Naturally, you may.”

“General, please take the seat of honor.” Mo Chou bowed again to Duan Geshou.

Mo Zi felt she seemed about to dissolve into a wisp of light smoke and supported her.

“The music scores in my room—I give them to you.” Mo Chou took the opportunity to whisper to Mo Zi, then broke free from her support and sat before the zither.

The strings moved, the sound rose, clear and pure without impurity, clean as snow.

Mo Zi returned to sit beside Xiao Wei, seeing him moved to deep emotion, his face showing sorrow.

This time, Mo Chou’s zither playing was unprecedented and incomparable. Calm as wind blowing across plains, urgent as thunder and lightning clashing, light as snow flakes, heavy as cloud peaks—suddenly, it stopped at a brilliant sun rising after galloping a thousand miles to illuminate ten thousand more.

A gold hairpin pierced through a beautiful slender neck.

Eyes closed, tears fell in pairs.

She died with a smile.

The women cried out in alarm, the guests’ expressions changed, and Zuo Gu hurriedly called people forward to check.

Duan Geshou said coldly, “What a pity. Because of her zither playing, I was thinking of treating her a bit better.” He flicked his sleeve and left.

Xiao Wei didn’t move.

Mo Zi didn’t move.

In this chaos, they seemed like unrelated outsiders, yet they were the true ones who understood. Because Mo Chou had divided her death intention, using her final words and old zither, to send to these two people.

“It’s for the best. She doesn’t have to live in degradation anymore.” Xiao Wei’s eyes reddened, his fists clenched tight, fresh blood flowing between his fingers.

“Pure she came and pure she returns. When she left, she was truly clean, truly beautiful. I admit—she was the world’s most beautiful woman.” Mo Zi watched as Mo Chou was carried away, her blood flowing into the spring water, creating a faint red mist.

Even if they could have saved her life, they couldn’t have healed her suffering. She had already been on her last breath. Now her dream was fulfilled and she had awakened—she could no longer endure humiliation and defilement.

“She mentioned the music scores in her room, saying she was giving them to me. In a moment, I’ll have Zan Jin and the others go look.” Mo Chou had recognized her too.

The banquet dispersed. Spring Pear was no more.