Chapter 6: Trying Everything Possible

Her body was limp, her hands were bound, and she had stumbled into a brothel; nothing could be more dangerous than today. However, the storms she had weathered over the years had long since accustomed her to remaining calm when dealing with people and matters. But on second thought, if she acted too normal, she feared it might arouse the madam's suspicion.

Her expression shifted instantly, transforming into that of a terrified and ignorant young girl. "You... who are you people?"

Looking at the woman shrinking back in fear, the madam beamed with joy. "There we go, we've caught the right person this time. Tsk tsk, look at this little face, look at this figure, look at this pitiful, delicate appearance. My dear, you were born for this trade. To tell you the truth, this place is the Yihong Pavilion."

"You... you're the madam. Why am I here? Let me go, my father and mother will be worried," Jiuqing said, suppressing the nausea in her heart and sounding even more helpless.

"Little girl, I'll say the ugly truth upfront: I bought you, so from now on, you belong to me. Why mention parents? From now on, Yihong Pavilion is your home. You've come at just the right time. With looks like yours, once you're cleaned up, you can replace Yun'er as the Courtesan Queen immediately." The more the madam looked at her, the more she liked her.

The little maid beside her said timidly, "Auntie, the lady just arrived today and doesn't know many of the rules. If she ruins things or frightens the guests, I'm afraid it might..."

"Hmph, I asked clearly when I bought her. She's as weak as a newborn and has no martial arts skills at all. When the time comes, she just needs to stand on that stage, and she'll have all the patrons fighting over her. This girl is still a pure maiden; between men and women, it's nothing more than those few things anyway. If she doesn't know how, someone will teach her.

Besides, once we lock the room, what can a mere girl like her do to resist? Not to mention, many men love this exact setup. Now, hurry up and wash her clean. It just so happens that tonight is the Courtesan Queen's Orgy Night; she's much more beautiful than Yun'er.

She will surely bring me a huge pile of banknotes when the time comes. What are you standing there for? Take her down to be dressed up. Oh, and keep a close eye on her; don't let the servants ruin her body prematurely, or I'll skin them alive."

The madam spoke viciously, startling the maid, who repeatedly agreed.

"Let me go! I don't want to be a Courtesan Queen, I want to go home..."

"Once you come here, it's no longer up to you. As long as I don't let you go, don't even dream of leaving for the rest of your life," the madam's voice drifted over. Jiuqing's body was already being carried away. Forcing people into prostitution was nothing new, but since it was happening to her, a flash of ruthlessness flickered in her lowered eyes.

As her body was being rubbed and scrubbed by Qiuhe, a strange look appeared in the maid's eyes. "Miss, the scent on your body hasn't been washed away by the water; instead, it's getting even more fragrant. It's so strange."

Jiuqing enjoyed the feeling of being served. Since there were no outsiders here, she naturally didn't need to remain tense. "I was born this way."

"If Auntie finds out, she'll probably be even happier. Legend has it that there was only one person in the world who possessed such a unique fragrance—the Empress who passed away not long ago. To think you are the same, Miss. It truly is extraordinary." When Qiuhe mentioned that name, Jiuqing's expression froze for a moment.

"She's just a dead person anyway..." She sighed, her eyes filled with a sorrow that Qiuhe could not understand.

The little maid, however, showed a look of longing. "Even though she's dead, everyone in the world knows the Empress was beautiful and virtuous, assisting the Emperor to the throne and providing relief to the poor many times. It's a pity; the Emperor didn't cherish such a good person. Sigh, in the end, all men are the same. Which of the patrons coming to the brothel isn't sneaking out from behind his wife at home?"

"Qiuhe, why are you here?" Jiuqing felt that this girl had not yet been tainted by the powder and perfume of the brothel.

"I was sold here by my father after he lost money in gambling. I'm still young, but I know that in two years, Auntie will make me start receiving guests. But I don't want to. I hate it here, yet I can't escape. Miss, we are both people with bitter fates. Here, take this." The little maid pulled a jar of ointment from her bosom.

Jiuqing was somewhat puzzled. "This?"

"The older sisters in the pavilion asked me to bring this to them. You've just arrived so you don't know, but I heard the sisters say that many patrons have special hobbies. Some girls are tossed around until they're half dead; this is the medicinal ointment used to apply on the injuries. If it hurts later, just apply some."

...

Jiuqing felt a bit of a headache. She had just said this girl hadn't been corrupted, yet she had long been stained by the ways of the world. "Girl, if I save you and take you out, would you be willing?"

A look of confusion appeared in the little maid's eyes. "Miss, you've already come in yourself, so how can we talk about going out? I tried to run away once, and when I was caught, I was beaten mercilessly. Miss, I advise you not to run. You are so beautiful; she won't hurt your body, but she will use even more insidious methods, like using needles to prick your fingernails..."

Looking at the terrified expression on her face, Jiuqing smiled slightly and said nothing more. After the little maid finished her self-talk, she also realized that the lady seemed somewhat different. When she had first woken up and looked at her, there wasn't a hint of panic in her eyes, but when the madam came, she acted perfectly frightened. Yet, when alone with her, she became calm again.

This lady was different from others; even in this situation, she could bathe with composure, without a trace of panic on her face. Qiuhe couldn't help but feel somewhat convinced by her words.

"Miss, are you really willing to take me away?" She must be crazy to believe someone she had just met.

"As long as I leave, I won't let you stay." After saying this, Jiuqing closed her eyes to rest. Although she had no martial arts, she needed to recover her strength.

"Girl, can you get me medicine to restore my body to its original state? It's very difficult for me to walk right now," she said with her eyes closed.

The little maid bit her lip. "Miss, I'll go look for it for you in a moment. Although I don't know what you intend to do, I believe you."

"Mm, don't worry. I will definitely take you away. You must get it to me before it starts; if it's too late, it will be useless." Jiuqing's eyes snapped open.

"Okay." The girl nodded heavily.

"If the madam asks you about my situation later, just say I am very afraid, that I don't dare move, and don't even dare speak much," Jiuqing instructed again. The little maid's eyes flickered slightly; perhaps this time, she really could leave.

Jiuqing said no more, merely calculating the scenarios that might unfold in her mind. In the past, she had witnessed the so-called "Courtesan Queen's Orgy," where a woman's first night was traded for profit. It had to be said, such methods were utterly despicable.

When would be the best time to escape? This thought circled in her mind.