"I…I, a humble woman, pay my respects to the princess. I didn't know you were coming to this Drunken Red Mansion. I almost offended you. Please forgive me."
Zhou Zhaonuan has never been arrogant since he was a child. At this moment, he personally pulled the person up, walked closer, and asked mysteriously.
"What's your name?"
The woman in green was stunned for a moment, but she quickly answered.
"The commoner girl Liu Qingqing."
Zhou Zhaonuan grabbed her hand and said, "Very good, Qingqing, how old are you this year?"
Liu Qingqing said without hesitation, "I am fourteen years old this year."
Nuan Nuan's expression changed immediately, and she continued to ask, "Let me ask you, among Zuihong, there is no woman as old as you."
"There were five or six others, all sold by parents who couldn't afford to raise their children. I heard there were many other girls sold along with them. To support their sons, they had no choice but to sell their daughters. I don't know what happened to the ugly ones, but anyone with a bit of beauty was taken to brothels everywhere."
Liu Qingqing heard this from a prostitute who lived in the same room with her. The girl was about the same age as her. Because she didn't dare to disobey the brothel owner and was still young, she was being robbed by those people.
After hearing these few words, Zhou Zhaonuan felt as if his heart was being cut by a knife. His fingers were clenched together so tightly that they seemed to be sinking into his palms.
Although Zhou Beichen has worked diligently to ensure that the people live a good life over the years, she has often been unable to do so. Originally, these families had lived well over the years, but this large-scale flood, coupled with the inaction and deception of officials, has ruined countless families. This is probably just the tip of the iceberg she has seen.
Zhou Zhaonuan felt a little heavy-hearted. She patted Liu Qingqing's hand, made a promise, and asked her only one question.
"If I ask you to do this with me, without knowing what you will be able to do in the future, would you be willing to come with me? If you are willing, I can redeem you now."
Liu Qingqing paused, lowered her head, and moved her eyes left and right. Zhou Zhaonuan knew that this was a major decision for Liu Qingqing, so he didn't urge her.
Ever since Zhou Zhaonuan took out the princess seal, Liu Qingqing has unconditionally believed in Zhou Zhaonuan's identity as a princess.
As for what Zhou Zhaonuan said, she thought about it carefully. She looked like neither human nor ghost now, so why should she be afraid of any more dangerous situations?
He immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Zhou Zhaonuan to express his loyalty.
"I am willing to follow the princess and will never regret it."
Zhou Zhaonuan smiled with satisfaction, pulled the person into his arms and held him.
Liu Qingqing blushed and her voice became involuntarily tender.
"Princess, what are you doing..."
Zhou Zhaonuan smiled mysteriously, took her in his arms and walked outside, whispering, "When we go out later, don't call me princess anymore, call me young master instead. Since I want to redeem you, I still have to act like this. You better act like it."
When Zhou Zhaonuan saw Liu Qingqing nestled in her arms with peace of mind, her body not tense at all like before, she felt a little uncomfortable. The image of Zhou Beichen meeting the concubines appeared in her mind. She stretched out her short arm, put it on Liu Qingqing's shoulder, and walked out with peace of mind.
Because she had just said that she didn't like to be disturbed when she was doing things, the madam had been guarding not far outside the door. Behind her stood a large group of beautifully dressed girls.
When they saw Zhou Zhaonuan coming out with Liu Qingqing in his arms, the girls all looked unhappy. Damn, they thought that the stubborn Liu Qingqing would definitely not want to be in his favor and was planning to take over, but they didn't expect that.
The madam was stunned for a moment, then smiled and walked forward twisting her body.
"Hey~ Qingqing, Mom, I didn't realize that you were unwilling to do this and that before. I didn't expect that you were waiting for this young master today."
The madam was very happy. When she saw the two of them cuddling together, and considering that they had been in there for quite a while, she became even more certain.
After receiving this customer once, she will definitely take him a second time. He is her cash cow.
"Of course, mother. Today, my young master and this young lady Qingqing have fallen in love with each other. So, I want to redeem her and make her my fifteenth concubine. I wonder if you are willing?"
As Zhou Zhaonuan spoke, she opened her folding fan. The madam avoided looking at him, with a look of embarrassment on her face.
The laws of the country stipulated that brothels could not accept girls under the age of fifteen, that is, before the age of coming of age. Now, Liu Qingqing had broken the law. Although she had secretly changed her age,...
The madam looked embarrassed, so Bilan took out a large silver note and slapped it on the madam with a "snap".
Seeing the golden light in the madam's eyes, she said, "It's OK, it's OK, it's just..."
Liu Qingqing wanted to leave here so much that she ran straight to the madam and coaxed her by calling her "Mom" all the time.
"Mom, Qingqing, I've given my body to this young master. If you don't want me to go with him, then I won't accept any other guests in the future. Don't worry, there are some things I shouldn't say, and I will never say them. But if you insist on keeping me, I'll kill myself right now."
Liu Qingqing whispered the last sentence into the madam's ear.
"Besides, after I leave, maybe I can find a way to get you more guests."
The madam then smiled and happily took the banknote. Anyway, Liu Qingqing's age had been faked, and no one would be willing to make a big fuss about investigating a prostitute, so she didn't need to worry too much.
After figuring it out, the madam glanced at the pretty Liu Qingqing and felt that she was a hot potato. She hurriedly pushed Liu Qingqing to Zhou Zhaonuan. When she got the large banknote, she looked at it carefully again and smiled even more happily.
"That's a nice gesture. I'll take the money, but please take this person away, sir."
Zhou Zhaonuan looked indifferent and nodded slightly to show his agreement. Then they walked out together.
Yuqin didn't feel relieved until she saw that short, familiar figure on the big willow tree next to the brothel. At the same time, she couldn't help but feel sad for herself. Why was it that only her own master loved to visit brothels, and more than once or twice.
When Zhou Zhaonuan and others entered the palace, Liu Qingqing walked along and saw the magnificence of the palace. She was so surprised that her mouth opened wide. She had just thought that Zhou Zhaonuan was approachable, but at this moment, she actually felt that she had a sense of intimidation.
Several people thought that since Zhou Zhaonuan was back, she must go to sleep. Unexpectedly, Zhou Zhaonuan changed into a dress that revealed her identity at a glance. She spoke directly to Biyu, Bilan, and Yuqin who was following beside her.
"Bring the people with you, let's go to the brothel."
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