“This is my wife, Guan Xiaorou,” Jin Feng introduced first, then pointed to the others in the carriage. “These are my wife’s friends, Miss Mulan, Miss Dongdong, and my two younger sisters, Runniang and Xiao E.”
The madam let out a quiet sigh of relief upon hearing that Qing Mulan wasn’t Jin Feng’s wife, but she still shot a subtle glance at the women around her.
The women stepped back discreetly.
Having spent years in the brothel, the madam was all too familiar with the dynamics between men and women.
Even if Qing Mulan wasn’t Jin Feng’s wife, their shared carriage ride suggested a close relationship.
Best to keep their distance.
After introducing his group, Jin Feng, under the curious gazes of Guan Xiaorou and Runniang, pointed to Tang Xiao Bei. “This is Miss Xiao Bei.”
“Xiao Bei greets Madam Jin and all the sisters!” Tang Xiao Bei stepped forward, giving a slight curtsy to Guan Xiaorou and the others.
Tang Dongdong’s eyes nearly brimmed with tears at the sight, and she quickly turned her face away.
Back when the Tang family was still prosperous, Tang Xiao Bei was the family’s little tyrant, spoiled as the youngest, often causing chaos at home.
In just a few short years, that spirited girl had become so refined, a clear sign of the hardships she’d endured.
Fearing Tang Dongdong might lose control, Guan Xiaorou smiled, hopped off the carriage, and diverted attention.
“No wonder my husband kept mentioning Miss Xiao Bei after his visit. She’s truly a refined beauty,” Guan Xiaorou said, standing before Tang Xiao Bei, then turning to the madam. “It’s rare for my husband to take a liking to someone. I’d like to redeem Miss Xiao Bei. Would you be willing to part with her?”
These words, taught by Tang Dongdong, were part of the plan.
“She wants to redeem Xiao Bei?” The women’s eyes widened in shock.
The fate of brothel women was often tragic, even for the most popular ones.
Even if one became a courtesan, the glory was fleeting. When newer faces emerged, they’d still have to entertain guests at the madam’s command.
Once their looks faded, they’d be relegated to menial tasks.
Among the old women sweeping floors and emptying chamber pots at Chunfeng Tower were a former courtesan and two once-popular women.
The madam would never let go until every bit of value was extracted.
Thus, countless brothel women dreamed of being redeemed.
When a woman was successfully redeemed, the brothel would buzz with excitement for days.
If a scholar redeemed a woman, it became a romantic tale, recounted by brothel women for years.
But hearing Guan Xiaorou offer to redeem Tang Xiao Bei, the women didn’t feel envy, only pity.
Reality wasn’t a fairy tale. Redeemed women rarely found happiness.
Due to their low status, they couldn’t become legitimate wives, only concubines at best, often left to wither in loneliness as their looks faded.
Some, once their novelty wore off, were neglected, sold off by the main wife, or even killed.
Their fate was hardly better than in the brothel. The only difference was trading many men for one.
Worse still was being redeemed by a female master.
Such women were often killed soon after, few surviving beyond a year.
That’s why the women were so alarmed at Guan Xiaorou’s offer and edged further from Jin Feng.
“Thank you for your kindness, Madam, but Xiao Bei is my dearest child, still young. I’d like her to stay with me a few more years,” the madam said, bowing with a forced smile. “If Madam wants someone to serve at home, you could consider our other girls.”
She was joking, of course. Tang Xiao Bei was a top contender for this year’s courtesan, her potential earnings immeasurable. The madam would never sell her.
“What a pity,” Guan Xiaorou said, shaking her head regretfully, and said no more.
Her task was complete.
“Mr. Jin, Madam, ladies, I’ve prepared a tent. Please follow me,” the madam said, quickly leading them to the spot before retreating, fearing Guan Xiaorou might change her mind.
To curry favor with Jin Feng, the madam had gone all out. The tent’s location offered an excellent view, and it was warmly decorated with a table laden with drinks, pastries, and rare fruits from Sichuan.
In the centre of the table were brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone.
The madam had planned to have women accompany them, but seeing Jin Feng’s female companions, she didn’t dare let them in.
“Brother-in-law, can I eat?” Xiao E asked, swallowing hard as she pointed at the pastries.
“Eat if you want,” Jin Feng said, handing a pastry to Guan Xiaorou. “Xiaorou, try this.”
“Thank you, husband,” Guan Xiaorou said sweetly, taking it.
Today was the first time she called Jin Feng “husband,” and the word felt magical, stirring a flutter in her heart each time she said it.
They chatted casually for a bit until lively drumbeats sounded outside.
A massive flower boat sailed up, stopping not far from them.
The drums ceased, and the courtesan contest began.
A woman in a sheer silk dress was the first to take the stage.
She curtsied toward the shore, and the crowd erupted.
“Miss Qingluo!” “Go, Miss Qingluo!” Cheers rose, some from those who knew her, most from onlookers joining the excitement.
No one minded, as long as it was lively.
“I heard Miss Qingluo is one of Jiaofangsi’s top contenders this year, just behind Lüliu. She’s lucky to draw the first slot,” Qing Mulan commented, sipping tea.
“Why is the first slot lucky?” Runniang asked.
“At the start, everyone’s excited and more likely to buy flowers to support,” Qing Mulan explained with a smile. “Once the excitement fades, people might hesitate to spend.”
“So the last ones are unlucky?” Runniang asked.
“Not quite,” Qing Mulan continued. “Those at the end are luckier. By then, everyone knows how many flowers each woman has, and supporters can gauge how much more to spend to push their favorite ahead.”
“Then the ones in the middle are the unluckiest?”
“Yes,” Qing Mulan nodded. “But the contest has several rounds. Today’s just the first, narrowing twenty-four women to twelve for tomorrow’s round. If someone’s truly talented, they can still make the top twelve, even from the middle.”
“I see,” Runniang nodded, enlightened. “I wonder which slot Xiao Bei drew?”
