Chapter 183 I only play the piano, I don't drink.
"Du Tingting, do you still think you're the high and mighty daughter of a minister? Now you're a member of the brothel, a lowly person! Master Zhang is doing you a favor by choosing you!"
He reached out and shoved Du Tingting, "Don't push your luck. If you spoil Mr. Zhang's fun, you'll regret it!"
After saying that, before Du Tingting could resist, the clerk grabbed her arm and dragged her upstairs.
Du Tingting struggled, but was held firmly by the clerk. The pipa was still swaying in her arms, attracting the attention of many people downstairs.
However, everyone was used to this scene, and they just shook their heads. Soon, those who wanted to drink tea drank tea, and those who wanted to watch the show watched the show.
Because in such large teahouses, there are bound to be those with special tastes who, if they take a fancy to a woman of low social status, can call her over to serve them privately as long as they can afford the money.
This situation is an open secret within the industry.
Inside a private room on the second floor, a portly middle-aged businessman was leaning back in his chair, toying with a jade thumb ring in his hand. His face was full of fat, and his greasy eyes were sweeping towards the door.
Upon seeing Du Tingting brought in, the wealthy merchant's eyes lit up. He waved for the clerk to leave, saying, "Alright, go ahead and get busy. You'll get your reward money."
The official bowed respectfully, and before leaving, he glared at Du Tingting, warning her to behave herself, before closing the door behind him.
"She is indeed a stunning beauty, worthy of being the daughter of a former high-ranking official."
The wealthy businessman stood up, walked heavily toward Du Tingting, and reached out his greasy hand to touch her face.
"Although she has fallen on hard times, her appearance and figure are far superior to those ordinary women."
"Don't touch me!" Du Tingting suddenly took a step back, holding the pipa in front of her, her eyes full of resistance and humiliation.
"Wow, that's pretty intense?"
The wealthy businessman's smile faded slightly after being rejected, but he became somewhat intrigued.
"A stronger flavor is better; a stronger flavor is more interesting. Come here obediently and play a tune for me, then have a couple of drinks with me. If I'm happy, I'll reward you with enough silver to last you half a year."
"I'll only play the piano, I won't drink with you," Du Tingting said, biting her lip, refusing to give in.
Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open. It was the same clerk who had returned, but this time, he was followed by a middle-aged man with a mustache.
It was none other than Master Liu, the manager of the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution).
As soon as Master Liu entered, he bowed and smiled obsequiously at the wealthy merchant: "Master Zhang, I'm really sorry, this girl is new to the brothel and doesn't know the rules. Please don't take offense at her."
After saying that, he turned to look at Du Tingting, his face contorted with rage: "Du Tingting! Do you still think you're some rich young lady from the Minister's mansion? What are you putting on airs for! Master Zhang specifically asked you to serve him, that's your good fortune!"
If you hadn't begged me to bring you here, you'd still be doing menial work in the brothel!
Du Tingting's tears welled up instantly: "You clearly said that as long as I perform here, you can get a doctor for my seriously ill mother! You lied to me!"
"So what if I lied to you?" Old Liu sneered, his tone extremely sarcastic.
“Your mother’s life is still in my hands! If you dare to offend Master Zhang, I’ll have your mother thrown out of the clinic immediately and let her die in the street! Do you believe me?”
"you……"
These words were like the last straw, completely shattering Du Tingting's psychological defenses.
She collapsed to the ground, looking at Master Liu with despair: "You can't do this..."
Master Liu stepped forward and kicked the pipa hard. The pipa rolled to the ground with a loud bang.
"You're being ungrateful! You'll do whatever Master Zhang tells you to do! Otherwise, not only will your mother be forced to work as a prostitute, but you'll also be in for a world of trouble!"
The wealthy merchant watched with great interest and slowly said, "Manager Liu, don't frighten the beauty. I won't make things difficult for her. As long as she obediently drinks a few cups with me and plays a tune to entertain me, I will spare her."
"Yes, yes, I'll arrange for her to play and sing for you right away."
Master Liu fawned over the wealthy merchant, then turned fierce and shouted at Du Tingting, "Didn't you hear what Master Zhang said? Hurry up! If you don't satisfy Master Zhang today, you'll be in big trouble later!"
Du Tingting had no choice but to suppress her disgust, tears mixed with humiliation, and pick up the pipa from the ground to begin playing and singing.
Her mother was still ill, and she had no choice but to let these people trample on her dignity.
"stop!"
The wealthy businessman frowned, his face darkening. "What kind of rubbish is that? Is it some kind of funeral dirge? I came out here to have fun, not to listen to you cry!"
He grabbed Du Tingting's chin and said, "Since you won't play properly, let's try something else. You feed me a drink with your mouth, and I'll give you a reward. Otherwise..."
As the wealthy merchant spoke, he picked up a wine jug and forced wine into Du Tingting's mouth.
And then, he lowered his head and pressed his lips against hers—
At that very moment.
"Bang!"
The door was kicked open from the outside, startling everyone inside.
Everyone turned around and saw two beautiful young women standing in the corridor. One had a face like a lotus flower, an air of nobility, and an extraordinary temperament. The other had a delicate face and a lively temperament, but her face was cold, as if it could drip water.
It was Xiao Lingxi and Su Xiaoyu.
Upon seeing the two of them, Du Tingting felt even more desperate.
"Cough...cough cough..."
Du Tingting finally recovered and forced a smile that looked worse than a grimace. She said in a hoarse voice, "Xiao Lingxi, Su Xiaoyu, hehe... what, did you come here specifically to laugh at me?"
"Cough cough... cough cough..."
Liu Ye, who was standing to the side, was good at reading people. Hearing this and seeing that Du Tingting seemed to know the two of them, he guessed that Xiao Lingxi's status must be quite high.
"May I ask what brings you two young ladies here...?"
Xiao Lingxi ignored Master Liu, her gaze coldly sweeping over the wealthy businessman's hand that was holding down Du Tingting, her tone brooking no argument:
"Let go!"
The wealthy merchant was taken aback at first, but when he saw that Xiao Lingxi had an extraordinary bearing and was dressed in luxurious clothes, he immediately became a little intimidated. However, he still refused to back down: "Where did this woman come from, daring to meddle in my business? You'd better watch out... Ah!"
Before he could finish speaking, the wealthy businessman suddenly screamed and his wrist slipped.
It turned out that a peanut suddenly flew out of nowhere and hit his wrist precisely, causing half of his arm to go numb.
"Who! Who dares to plot against me!"
Seeing that no one present had moved, the wealthy businessman shouted a few times into the air. As a result, as soon as he shouted, a dozen or so peanuts seemed to fly out of thin air and attacked his entire body in dense swarms.
The force wasn't great, but it was extremely tricky, causing the wealthy merchant to run away in pain, clutching his head.
"Ouch...it hurts...it hurts so much..."
Xiao Lingxi cast a satisfied glance at the hidden guards.
Seeing that the wealthy merchant had already disappeared, Xiao Lingxi raised her chin and said to Master Liu:
"How much did that person pay to reserve this private room and listen to Du Tingting sing and play instruments?"
Master Liu immediately stiffened, a fawning smile spreading across his face as he bowed and said, "Miss, it is... twenty taels of silver."
Xiao Lingxi nodded: "Very well, I will pay double the price to buy her and have her serve me for half a day, serving tea and water, playing music and singing!"
Forty taels! That's enough to buy two Du Tingtings, and you only served her for half a day?
Master Liu's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly nodded and bowed, "Yes, yes, yes! Miss, please come in. Please listen carefully, I'll be right out!"
As he spoke, Master Liu pulled the clerk along with him as he walked out.
"No! I don't agree!" Du Tingting stood up instantly like a cat with its fur standing on end, refusing without even thinking.
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