"Guards, slap her! She's even trying to claim kinship with the Empress! If word gets out, I'll never be able to keep my business!"
The pimp rolled up his sleeves, ready to make a move, but the man stepped forward and said, "Wait a minute. This young lady still needs to serve me for three days. If you damage her, I'll lose interest."
The madam paused for a moment, then put on a smile. "You're right, sir. That's right, that's right."
"Hurry up and go serve the guests. I'll punish you in three days."
Jiang Jiaojiao once again experienced what it meant to be utterly helpless and desperate.
She wiped away her tears, stood up, and then fainted.
The madam instructed the pimp, "Take her upstairs. As long as she has a breath left, she has to serve her customers well."
"No need for you, Mother. You can leave this person to Grandpa."
The man bent down, scooped the person up with one hand, and carried him upstairs effortlessly, as if he were lifting a chick.
When Jiang Jiaojiao woke up again, she found herself completely naked, and the man on top of her was unusually excited, looking like he wanted to devour her alive.
"Master, please take me...take me away, I, I really am..." Jiang Jiaojiao's voice was weak and incoherent.
The man strained his waist, tilted his head back, and let out a clown laugh.
Jiang Jiaojiao's hairpin was nowhere to be found, and her hair was loose, covering half of her face.
Hearing the man's laughter, Jiang Jiaojiao felt the hairs on her body stand on end.
After a moment, the man stopped what he was doing, leaned down and pinched her chin, turning it from side to side. "Hmm, delicate skin, and a Beijing accent, like someone from Beijing."
Jiang Jiaojiao looked at the man's yellow teeth so close to her that she almost vomited.
She forced back her nausea and said, "I really am the Empress's sister. My father is the magistrate of Anlu County. If you take me away, I will give you lots and lots of silver."
Jiang Jiaojiao just wants to leave this filthy place and keeps making empty promises to the man.
"Hehe, if I can sleep with a lady from a prominent family in the capital, it's worth wasting three more days."
The man squeezed her breast hard with one hand, then leaned down and kissed her on the lips.
Jiang Jiaojiao almost fainted from the stench of his breath.
Just as she was about to plead again, the man leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I actually believe you. If I take you back to the capital, do you think the Empress will reward me or kill me?"
The man's words sent a chill down Jiang Jiaojiao's spine.
Yes, her existence only tarnishes the Empress's reputation. If she were to return to the capital and cry in front of the palace gates, the Emperor would definitely make her disappear, including the people who escorted her to the capital.
Seeing her expression, the man became even more convinced that what the woman was saying was true.
He was a rough, uncultured man who traveled the world, and he rarely had the chance to exchange a single word with a wealthy young lady.
Now that the young lady has become his plaything, how could he waste such a golden opportunity?
For three whole days, the man bought aphrodisiacs from a pimp and spent the rest of his time, except for meals, indulging in various forms of pleasure behind closed doors.
Jiang Jiaojiao failed to escape and had no hope of seeking help. In order to avoid being punished by the madam, she obediently tried to please the customers.
Three days later, the man was very satisfied with her service and pleaded with the madam, saying that he would come to see her whenever he passed by. The madam promised the man that she would not punish him.
After the man left, the madam's eyes darkened.
She was well-informed and knew that Jiang Jiaojiao, with her delicate skin, was definitely not a girl raised in a poor family.
Moreover, the woman had been drugged and sold into the business; she spoke with a strong Beijing accent. The madam shuddered at the thought.
Selling off members of the imperial family is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family.
We absolutely cannot let this woman leave here.
The madam immediately ordered someone to force-feed Jiang Jiaojiao a bowl of mute medicine.
Just to be on the safe side, the madam specifically asked an old doctor who often treated the courtesans to come and check if she was really mute.
The old doctor touched and pinched Jiang Jiaojiao's body here and there in front of the madam.
Finally, looking at the woman who was making incoherent sounds, I said, "My medicine is foolproof. She will never be able to speak a word clearly again. And there's more good news, madam. This woman has injured her body and can't have children. Hehe, she's a good prospect for entertaining customers."
Seeing the old doctor's greedy look, the madam's eyes lit up. "To be honest, Miss Jiaojiao is a fallen heiress. If you don't mind, today's consultation fee will be..."
The madam raised her eyebrows at the old doctor, who immediately understood and smiled broadly, saying, "Thank you, madam. Considering she is still a virgin, I will reluctantly accept this opportunity. The consultation fee will be waived."
Jiang Jiaojiao collapsed onto the bed, filled with regret.
At that moment, she believed in the existence of karma. What did it matter if she regretted her actions? She was destined to die a stinking death in this quagmire.
The sound of the door closing filled Jiang Jiaojiao's heart with despair. Tears streamed down her face as she lay motionless on the bed, letting the old doctor fuss over her.
The madam was very shrewd and knew how to create a buzz. Before long, all the regular customers in the area knew that there was a down-on-her-luck heiress in the brothel.
Everyone was eager to get a glimpse of her beauty, even the owner of the steamed bun shop came to satisfy his curiosity.
For a time, Jiang Jiaojiao's room was constantly filled with patrons.
Less than five years later, she died of an ailment, a news that reached the capital many years later.
...
The imperial palace cannot exist without the monarch. Xiao Jingzhao and Jiang Shuyue stayed at Yan Hui Mountain for a few days before returning to the capital.
The first thing he did upon returning was to issue an edict establishing a crown prince.
The retired emperor and the empress dowager personally participated in the ceremony for establishing the crown prince, and then escorted Sui Sui into the Eastern Palace before leaving the capital to return to Yannan.
Xiao Jingzhao bestowed wealth and honor upon Sui Sui, making him the Crown Prince's personal eunuch.
Gao Mu and Cang Yun were responsible for the safety of the Eastern Palace and often taught the Crown Prince martial arts.
Sui Sui had Fu Gui prepare a room for Shui Sheng, waiting for his return.
When the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager were about to part, they said to Xiao Jingzhao, "Father and Mother dowager are not sure when they will return to the capital. Yonghe's marriage has been arranged. After you and the Empress have finished preparing the Princess's residence, you can ask Master Huiyuan to choose an auspicious day and then inform us of your return to the capital."
"Mother, who has my younger sister chosen?"
The Empress Dowager glared at him as if he were an idiot. "You spend all your time in the Jiaofang Palace, except for official duties. You didn't even know your younger sister's marriage had been arranged!"
"I……"
Xiao Jingzhao was completely bewildered. Did his mother mean to scold him for being too engrossed in the pleasures of women?
After seeing off his father and mother, Xiao Jingzhao hurried towards the imperial study.
"emperor."
"No, from now on he should address the emperor as Yonghe's elder brother."
Outside the Imperial Study, Lin Xiangzhi saw Xiao Jingzhao walking back quickly and greeted him with a big smile.
"You... fine, well done!" Xiao Jingzhao gritted his teeth and glared fiercely at Lin Xiangzhi.
"Your Majesty, please don't do this. Your humble servant will treat Yonghe well and cherish her like a treasure from now on."
Lin Xiangzhi, feeling guilty, forced a smile and followed Xiao Jingzhao into the imperial study.
"When did you start having those thoughts?"
Xiao Jingzhao's face was so dark it could practically drip ink. He treated this guy like a brother, but he never expected the other guy to treat him like his brother-in-law.
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