Tian Yu learned from Mudan that there was a courtesan named Yu Niang in the mountain town who lived alone due to her advanced age. She was quite formidable in her youth, and inviting her would be ideal. Tian Yu inquired about her address, but the first two times she failed to find her. The third time, Tian Yu simply waited in front of her house all day, finally seeing her at nightfall. Sure enough, although she was older, her charm remained undiminished; she was still a stunningly beautiful middle-aged woman with remarkably well-maintained skin, looking nothing like someone nearing forty.

Seeing Tian Yu, he wasn't surprised. He ignored her, opened the door, and followed her inside. Knowing Tian Yu's purpose, he refused without hesitation. Tian Yu hurriedly explained, "All the women here are free. No one signs a contract of servitude. Whether you entertain customers or perform, it's entirely up to you. I don't charge customers any fees. If you come, the treatment will be the same, plus an extra ten taels of silver per month and a share of the profits at the end of each year."

Seeing that Yu Niang was somewhat moved, Tian Yu stepped forward and continued, "I think that since they can only end up in the brothel, they should be free and unrestrained. Would you be willing to help me?"

Yu Niang looked at Tian Yu for a while and nodded, saying, "Okay, but you can't interfere in my private life."

“I won’t ask. I’ve said that everyone is free. If you don’t want to do it or can’t do it anymore, you can receive a sum of money as compensation.”

"Alright, I'll help you, Miss Tian!"

"How did you know I was a woman?" Tian Yu smiled awkwardly. She was the first person to recognize her as a woman at a glance. It seemed her makeup skills weren't up to par, or perhaps Yu Niang had seen so many people that she no longer needed to look at faces.

"I could tell at a glance."

"Can you keep this a secret for me? I don't want anyone to know my identity right now."

"Okay, I can keep it a secret for you."

"Thank you, it's a deal then, I'll come to the store tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll go first thing tomorrow morning."

"Then I won't bother you any longer. I have to go now."

Tian Yu quickly left. This Yu Niang looked gentle and tender, and her voice was also pleasant to hear, but she always felt that she would run into your body without you noticing and see you clearly.

As expected, Yu Niang arrived at the shop early the next day. She was quite surprised to see the shop's decor and asked who designed it. Tian Yu said that she designed it herself and that she was the first person to see it besides the decorator. Yu Niang was somewhat taken aback.

After both parties signed a confidentiality agreement and terms, Yu Niang began to adapt to the job. Because she was an experienced person, she knew and was more familiar with many things than Tian Yu. Green Willow and Autumn Chrysanthemum also came to help. Knowing that Zhao Moyan had sent them, it seemed that he already knew. Tian Yu was a little sad that he hadn't come to see her for so long, but these thoughts quickly disappeared. She thought that they had no relationship, so why should she think about him? He was just Tang Yuan's father, and that was enough!

Tian Yu didn't want to trouble them, but there really weren't enough people at the moment, so she had to keep them to help with the tidying up. The five women, including Mudan, worked in the shop during the day and sang and danced together in the evenings, enjoying a wonderful time together. With their help, the shop was quickly decorated. Tian Yu asked the orphans she had taken in to help post recruitment flyers throughout the city, and the children were very helpful, distributing all the flyers in just one day.

Because of the recruitment news, many people came to report during the day. After a few days of getting to know each other, Yu Niang had basically understood Tian Yu's requirements and ideas, so the rest of the work was handed over to Yu Niang and Mudan, with Lvliu and Qiuju assisting from the side. The courtesans who had previously expressed interest also redeemed their contracts of sale one after another. As long as Tian Yu's place opened, they could come. Tian Yu could finally step back from the front lines and spend time with Tangyuan and Xiaoju.

When Tian Yu returned to the clinic, she saw Li Xingyun with a sour face. Tian Yu smiled and walked up to him, saying, "Little brother, what's wrong? Let your sister see who bullied you. Why do you look so resentful?"

"Tian Yu, be serious. I think you've been spending too much time with those brothel girls and have forgotten who you are."

"I also want to forget, being a famous courtesan would be nice, but look at me, I don't have the qualifications."

"You! Why do you insist on opening a brothel?"

"It's so profitable!"

"There are many ways to make money, why did you choose this one?"

"Money is easy to make!"

"I really don't know what you're thinking. Why didn't the Marquis stop you? He even sent two maids to help you."

"He was here?!"

"Otherwise what?"

Where are the glutinous rice balls?

"You still know to come back and see the children!"

Tian Yu ignored him and went to the backyard. Tang Yuan wasn't there, and there were fewer orphans in the yard. After listening to Li Shi's explanation, Tian Yu learned that several boys wanted to join the army, and after discussing it with Zhao Moyan, they had Li Yong take them to the military. Zhao Moyan also helped the girls who were later rescued find suitable jobs nearby, such as spinning and embroidery. So they were mostly away during the day, and some would come back to stay at night. Xiao Ju had also gone out to see patients with the old doctor Li.

After chatting with Li for a few minutes, Tian Yu went back to her room to rest. She changed into clean women's clothes and removed her makeup. Lying on the bed, she wanted to rest for a while, but thinking about all that Zhao Moyan had done for her, she wondered if she should thank him. It had been almost a month; she had visited Tangyuan a few times, but she hadn't seen Zhao Moyan since she left Hongyuan. She wondered how he was doing. Lost in thought, she eventually fell asleep, perhaps from exhaustion.

In her dream, Tian Yu saw Chen Chong in danger, being chased by Zhao Moyan. Tian Yu was frantic, wanting to run to his rescue, but no matter how fast she ran, she couldn't reach him. Just as Zhao Moyan was about to strike Chen Chong with his sword, Tian Yu screamed in terror: "No! Brother Chen!" She sat up, drenched in a cold sweat, but froze when she saw the person in front of her.

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