It turns out that she came here to discuss business.

Zhou Qing was one of the wealthiest people in the area.

For him, any problem that can be solved with money is a simple problem.

"I'll give you five taels of silver first. You'll get your share after it's done. Just ask around the neighborhood. I, Zhou Qing, never go back on my word."

"I also believe in Grandpa Zhou, so let's wait and see."

In the morning, Liu Cuiming rushed off to find Zhou Wan. Zhou Wan found it strange to see Liu Cuiming there.

“Zhou Wan,” Liu Cuiming said excitedly, “we have a lead. I went to great lengths to find it. The person is at Master Zhou Qing’s residence. No wonder neither of us could find him.”

"What on earth is she doing at that old man's house?" Zhou Wan asked in surprise.

"Who knows? Just look at this and you'll see."

This was the only piece of evidence Liu Cuiming left behind when she bought and sold people.

In Liu Cuiming's hand was a bow, which looked so familiar that Zhou Wan immediately recognized it.

Whenever Zhou Wan encountered such a thorny situation, the first person she thought of was Xu Yuehuai.

"I'm going to find my mother."

"Why are you looking for a mother? The little girl's life is hanging by a thread. I heard from Master Zhou's servant that she's going to be sold to the south. The ships have already arrived. We should go over there and reason with him to calm him down."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wan felt a chill run down her spine.

"Then let's go."

Zhou Wan dared not wait any longer.

The two arrived at Grandpa Zhou's house in a great hurry.

Zhou Qing was surprised that Liu Cuiming was indeed capable, managing to deliver Zhou Wan so quickly.

Zhou Wan, unaware of what was going on, stood at the door and asked, "Where's my Qianqian? Is she here?"

“Oh, madam,” the servant bowed and scraped, “yesterday the household did indeed buy a maid, but we don’t know where she is from. The master is planning to send her to Quanzhou. So it seems she is yours.”

“Absurd,” Zhou Wan said, her voice sharp but her tone weak, the situation tense. “That’s my daughter. Quickly get her out here and tell her that Zhou’s mother is waiting at the door.”

Zhou Wan dared not enter this den of dragons and tigers.

But at this moment, the servant seemed to have already discussed it with Liu Cuiming. The servant said, "We are just the master's dogs. We do whatever the master tells us to do. If you want to speak, just ask the master."

"I don't want to go." Zhou Wan knew that she might not return.

At this moment, the servant said again, "Your daughter made a scene when she came here yesterday, cutting her wrists and banging her head. It was terrifying. You'd better come in and take a look, and say a few words of advice. My master Zhou is a kind old man. If he sees you pitiful, he might just send you away."

Zhou Wan felt something was off.

"From whom did you buy my girl?"

This is really strange. Isn't this just extortion and robbery?

The servant had already discussed it with Liu Cuiming, and the lie was flawless. "Of course, it was bought from a brokerage. We wouldn't dare take anything from someone with an illegitimate background. Madam, please don't argue with me here. It's so boring. Go away, go away. If you're not going to my mansion to chat with the master, then get lost."

Zhou Wan was worried, but she couldn't not go now.

She turned around and looked at Liu Cuiming for help.

Liu Cuiming replied, "I won't do things for nothing."

“This…” Zhou Wan paused, then asked decisively, “How many do you want?”

"It will cost at least ten taels of silver."

“I only have eight taels, it’s under my pillow. Take the money and go find my mother. Tell her the details of what happened here and tell her to come find me quickly.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Cuiming's eyes lit up with joy, and she quickly turned and left.

Zhou Wan glared at the servant, gritting her teeth.

I doubt they would dare to say anything about themselves.

She stood tall and, led by the servant, went inside.

At this moment, inside the flower hall, Liu Cuiming counted the remaining fifteen taels of silver and tossed it to Liu Cuiming.

Liu Cuiming took the silver, stood up with a smile, and said, "May your fortune be abundant, sir. I'll be taking my leave now."

"Go ahead," Zhou Qing waved his hand.

Liu Cuiming chuckled and disappeared from Zhou Qing's sight.

She was quick and arrived at the inn in one go. Sure enough, she found eight taels of silver under Zhou Wan's pillow. Liu Cuiming smiled and took the previous ten taels, the next twenty taels, and the eight taels of silver.

"I'm rich now, hahaha! I'm leaving today, let's see where you find Jiang Qianqian and Zhou Wan. They're my cash cows."

With that eerie laughter, Liu Cuiming vanished.

On the other side.

At Zhou Qing's residence.

Zhou Wan was extremely anxious and turned to ask the servant, "Where is my child? Tell her to come see me and that her mother has arrived. Take her home."

The servant left and went straight to Zhou Qing's room.

Zhou Qing laughed heartily, "Keep an eye on the front and back doors, today is another auspicious day for the master to take a concubine."

The servant smiled knowingly.

Zhou Wan waited and waited, but the servants did not come. Naturally, she became impatient and restless.

Seeing a maid bring her tea, Zhou Wan stood up. "Where is my Qianqian? Tell her to come see me, Qianqian?"

"Qianqian?" The maid glanced around and seemed to understand. This girl was a good person too. She hurriedly approached her and said, "Miss, what do you mean by Qianqian? Your aunt sold you to our master. Now the master is making preparations in full swing. Tonight you will be the master's concubine."

"Concubine?"

Zhou Wan nearly fainted as her vision went black.

"You mean," she said, her fingers trembling from severe hypoglycemia, "that I've been deceived, that I've been tricked by Liu Cuiming and your master?"

"That's exactly right, young lady, you're not getting away now. There are plenty of thugs around here..."

The girl looked reluctant.

Zhou Wan was filled with fear and turned to leave.

But at this critical moment, Zhou Qing swaggered out and said, "Hey young lady, where are you going? Your family has entrusted you to me, and tonight you'll be my bedmate."

Zhou Wan turned around.

But all I saw was this ugly face.

As she looked at it, a chill ran down her spine. She grabbed the cup and threw it away. Zhou Qing, however, found it amusing. "How ridiculous! How many of you can leave here without a care in the world? You'd better not go looking for trouble, girl. Hahaha."

Zhou Qing quickly approached, intending to live a life of dishonor.

Zhou Wan was naturally determined to die rather than submit. She smashed a bowl and immediately grabbed the sharp shards of porcelain.

The porcelain shard had already cut her skin. Zhou Wan said sternly, "I have no one to take, but I'll take your life."

"Girl, don't get so excited and nervous. It's nothing, is it really that big of a deal? If you come here, you'll live a life of luxury. It'll be good for you. What do you know?"

"Get out of here."

Zhou Wan roared.

The roar had an effect; Zhou Qing fled in panic. After all, he was worried that Zhou Wan might commit suicide in her own home without any explanation, and how would he explain it to the authorities in the future?