The madam led Yun Qingran to Hongyan's room in the backyard. Inside, Hongyan was playing the zither, her figure slender and graceful.

"Hongyan, a guest has arrived," the madam called out solicitously.

Hongyan turned her head gracefully, and saw that she had a face as white as a silver plate, red lips and white teeth, a truly beautiful woman. That old geezer, the Vice Minister of Revenue, may not be a good person, but his taste is impeccable.

"Go out, I need to talk to Miss Hongyan for a while." Yun Qingran tossed another silver ingot to the madam.

"Yes, yes, you two chat." The madam happily took the silver and went out.

"What would you like to talk about, young master?" Hongyan stood up, came to Yun Qingran, and asked in a gentle voice.

"Of course, we'll chat about some romantic and interesting things. Please sit down, Miss Hongyan." Yun Qingran took Hongyan's hand, preparing to pull her down to sit.

When she reached for her wrist, Yun Qingran raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Miss Hongyan, how long have you known Pan Yong?" Yun Qingran asked casually, pulling Hongyan down to sit.

Hongyan's body trembled slightly, then she smiled charmingly and said, "When did the Vice Minister of Revenue become so fond of romance and poetry?"

"Oh, Miss Hongyan, you even know that the Vice Minister of Revenue is named Pan Yong?" Yun Qingran teased.

"Who exactly are you, and what do you want?" Hongyan stood up abruptly, glaring angrily at Yun Qingran.

“I am just an ordinary person who stands up for justice. Miss Hongyan, to be honest, due to the snow disaster in Zhangjun, people are fleeing to the capital in droves. The Emperor has ordered the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds and grain, and the Marquis of Zhen'an is to resettle the refugees. However, the Vice Minister of Revenue has only given one thousand taels of silver. With so many refugees, how can one thousand taels be enough? I hope you can help me persuade the Vice Minister of Revenue to allocate more funds and grain,” Yun Qingran said.

"What does it have to do with me? I'm trapped in a brothel, barely able to protect myself, how could I have time to care about others?" Hongyan sneered.

“Pan Yong’s wife comes from a powerful family, is jealous, and has a bad temper. What do you think will happen to you if she finds out about you?” Yun Qingran tapped the table lightly with her folding fan. The rhythmic tapping sound was somewhat unsettling.

"Are you threatening me?" Hongyan retorted to Yun Qingran.

“You can understand it that way,” Yun Qingran nodded and said.

"Whatever. In our line of work, many have been beaten to death by the wives of our guests. I accept my fate," Hongyan said indifferently.

These girls are really stubborn! No wonder they're top performers!

"It doesn't matter if you get beaten to death, but can you bear to let the child in your belly get beaten to death too?" Yun Qingran looked at Hongyan's abdomen.

She had just felt Hongyan's pulse; the woman was already more than a month pregnant.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Hongyan was clearly flustered.

"I told you you're pregnant." Yun Qingran looked up at Hongyan with a smile.

"How did you know?" Hongyan stared intently at Yun Qingran, scrutinizing her.

No one knew about her pregnancy except herself and her personal maid. How did this person of unknown origin find out?

“You don’t need to know how I know. I’m just asking you, do you want to live? Do you want your child to live?” Yun Qingran asked her.

Hongyan lowered her eyes and reached out to touch her still-flat stomach. Deeply involved in the mortal world, she had long since disregarded life and death, but the child in her womb was innocent, and she could not be heartless towards the child.

"As long as you cooperate with me in putting on a show, I can ensure that you and your child are safe and sound, and that you can leave the brothel and live a normal life." Yun Qingran saw her hesitation and pressed her advantage by offering her terms.

“I am of low social status, and I will always be of low social status. How could I possibly live the life of an ordinary person?” Hongyan didn’t believe it and gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Once someone is registered as a lowly person, even if someone helps them redeem themselves, they will still be considered lowly and can never escape it.

"Come closer to me," Yun Qingran beckoned to Hongyan.

Hongyan hesitated for a moment, then leaned in to listen. After hearing Yun Qingran's words, she was both shocked and delighted. "Are you telling the truth?"

"Of course it's true, why would I lie to you?" Yun Qingran nodded.

Hongyan still didn't believe her. "Swear it, swear it, and show me your plan in advance."

“I swear, if I’m lying to you, may I be covered in sores on my head and oozing pus from my feet, and become a hideous monster.” Yun Qingran took two items out of her sleeve and placed them in front of Hongyan. “I’ve brought the items, take a look.”

Hongyan saw the two items on the table, quickly picked them up and examined them carefully, and they were genuine!

“If you think it’s okay, we can implement the plan first thing tomorrow morning,” Yun Qingran said.

So many refugees are still shivering in the cold wind, suffering from hunger and thirst; time waits for no one.

Hongyan bit her red lips tightly, her face hesitant and conflicted. After struggling for a while, she finally made up her mind and looked intently at Yun Qingran, "Okay, I promise you."

Yun Qingran secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, let's practice a few times now to make sure everything is perfect."

"Yes." Hongyan nodded, feeling both uneasy and hopeful about the future.

The next morning

Pan Yong returned home from court. Just as he reached his doorstep, Hong Yan suddenly rushed out and hugged him tightly, crying, "Yong Lang, Yong Lang!"

It was a crowded time, and everyone could tell from Hongyan's attire that she was a courtesan. A courtesan embracing a high-ranking official was quite a scandal, and everyone stayed to watch the spectacle.

Pan Yong looked at Hongyan, who was clinging to him, and shuddered in fright. "Where did this scoundrel come from, daring to attack an official of the imperial court? Guards, drag him away and beat him to death!"

"Yonglang, how could you do this to me? Didn't you say you loved me the most?" Hongyan looked at Pan Yong with heartbreak.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Guards! Guards! Drag him away and beat him to death!" Pan Yong was so frightened that he could barely speak.

If his wife overheard and saw him, he'd be dead. Even if she didn't know, his prostitution would still affect his career.

“Lord Pan, you are the Vice Minister of Revenue, not a prison official. You do not have the right to kill people,” Yun Qingbi stepped forward and said.

Pan Yong glared fiercely at Yun Qingbi and questioned, "This lowly commoner attacked me, and I killed him in self-defense."

"This isn't an attack, it's clearly a loving hug. Lord Pan is quite the lucky man, to have such a young and beautiful confidante." Yun Qingbi chuckled, never one to shy away from stirring things up.

"Yun Qingbi, do you want to oppose me?" Pan Yong looked at Yun Qingbi with a sinister gaze.

"Hmph, wasn't it Lord Pan who first opposed our Zhen'an Marquis's mansion?" Yun Qingbi said with her hands behind her back, a faint smile playing on her lips, her face full of cold indifference and bloodlust.

Pan Yong trembled as he looked at him. How could he forget that the father and son from the Zhen'an Marquis's mansion were not incompetent fools. They had both ability and courage. If it weren't for Yun Qingran holding them back, they would surely have a place in the court.

“I will try my best to raise whatever amount of silver the Marquis of Zhen’an needs to resettle the refugees. I only hope that Lord Yun will not get involved in this matter.” Pan Yong’s attitude softened, and he said to Yun Qingbi with a hint of pleading.

"Lord Pan, it's too late," Yun Qingbi replied with a slight smile.