Because there are too many things.

The store delivers the goods to your door.

Then Yan Xia went to buy some more grain and replenished all the seasonings, so that she wouldn't be short of anything when she stayed there later.

Bao Donghui makes pickled side dishes.

Yan Xia bought several large vats to place in the kitchen for her use.

They wandered around until noon, then the four of them randomly chose a canteen and had lunch. Just as they were about to go and buy some more clothes for them, they ran into Manager Zhu.

"Oh dear, Manager Yan, I'm so sorry, I drank too much last night."

Judging from his haggard appearance, he probably hasn't been back for long.

They hadn't even changed their clothes.

He had a stubble beard.

"Haha, I don't drink much. I woke up early this morning and asked the maid at Wan Hua Lou. I found out you were still sleeping, so I'll take my leave now."

Yan Xia responded.

"I'm glad you're alright, but..."

Manager Zhu hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

"What's wrong?"

Yan Xia found his changing expressions rather strange.

"Manager Yan, may I speak to you in private?"

The two then walked into the alley.

"Manager Yan, how was the young male servant you ordered yesterday? I heard he's a virgin. He caught the eye of Madam Chen from Yueji Restaurant, who said she'd buy his virginity for a thousand taels of silver. She's been making it public. Yueji Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Jiangnan County. Manager Chen left a few years ago, and Madam Chen took over the restaurant. I heard she has a bad temper and is very vindictive. She also has connections with the county government."

How did you know?

Yan Xia was a little annoyed. She had never slept with a man before, and before she could even experience what it felt like the first time, it was already dawn. And she ended up sleeping with someone who was already taken?

Is this a way of indirectly offending Madam Chen?

"I didn't know anything about it either. I slept until the morning, and it was the noise from the next room that woke me up. I heard your name again, so I secretly listened by the window for half an hour. When that male prostitute was dragged downstairs, I pretended to wake up, quickly paid the money with my wife, and left. Manager Yan, it's all my fault for not doing things properly and not finding out the details. What if Madam Chen holds a grudge against you? Why don't you go back to Shuangqiao Town and hide for a while?"

Manager Zhu was extremely anxious.

If Madam Chen didn't have that connection with the county government, he wouldn't be afraid. They're all businessmen; it's just a matter of who has more money.

There is no distinction between high and low.

But if it involves the government, then that won't do.

Everyone knows that Magistrate Xu is extremely protective of his own.

If Manager Yan is resented, he won't get away with it either.

I should have known better than to go to that brothel; I meant well but did something wrong.

It's also the madam's fault; why did she bring someone who's already taken up here?

Didn't you know that drinking too much can cause problems?

"Will the male prostitute be alright?"

Yan Xia didn't care about Madam Chen.

"Something must have happened. He's already been beaten once. He's incredibly stubborn; he didn't utter a sound even after being lashed several times. Losing a thousand taels of silver is a small matter, but offending Madam Chen is a big deal. He's probably going to suffer physical pain, and he might even have to resort to prostitution in the future."

Manager Zhu had been to Wan Hua Lou many times, so he was naturally quite familiar with it.

"Oh, right, this young man said he wanted to redeem himself. He had a thousand taels of silver in his account, but they wouldn't let him go at all. They said there was no way to talk to him without three thousand taels. It's really pitiful. But don't worry, Manager Yan, I gave him an extra twenty taels when I settled the bill."

"Um... I have something to do, so I'll take my leave first."

Yan Xia was somewhat absent-minded, and she didn't bother to reply.

The three servants were told to go back on their own.

Then he went to the brothel alone.

If such a handsome young man were to be reduced to working as a prostitute, how miserable would that be? Oh well, he was at least the first man in her soul, so she'll save him.

Upon arriving at Wanhualou, the doors were tightly closed; it was not open for business during the day.

Yan Xia pounded on the door.

Soon, a servant came to open the door.

"Sir, it's not time yet. Please come again tonight."

"I'm not here to play around, I'm here to find the right time."

The servant's expression changed drastically.

"Fengshi, he's locked up in the woodshed. You probably won't be able to see him. Come back in a few days."

“I can’t talk to you. Get the madam of the brothel out. I want to redeem him.”

Yan Xia was getting impatient. This servant was pulling her around like this. If she weren't in a foreign place and had no backing, she would have wanted to just barge in.

"Alright, I'll inform them for you. Please wait here."

Seeing her unpleasant expression, the servants quickly went to find her mother.

Upon hearing that someone was willing to redeem Feng Shi from his servitude, the angry male mother became interested.

"Let her in, then drag Feng Shi out."

"yes."

The servant returned to the door, opened it, and gestured for Yan Xia to come in.

Walking into the courtyard of Wanhua Tower, the male madam from yesterday was already sitting at the stone table. Without the candlelight of the night, he looked even more frightening. The wrinkles on his face revealed that he was not young. On the contrary, Feng Shi, who was being forced to kneel on the ground by two thugs, was still as handsome as ever.

There was just a faint handprint on his face.

His clothes were soaked with blood.

It seems they've already been beaten.

"I heard you're going to buy this kid's freedom?"

The male mother finally stopped choking her and her voice became much normal. Since she hadn't been cleansed, her voice was still predominantly masculine.

At this moment, he was sitting and drinking tea like a normal man, and he had put down his orchid-like fingers.

"Yes, tell me, how much silver?"

The male mother chuckled softly.

"Three thousand taels—"

Before Yan Xia could speak, Feng Shi interjected, "Don't go too far. I'm no longer a virgin. Why should I pay three thousand taels? Even if you force me to take customers, I'll just die."

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