Chapter 36 Chapter 36 5
In Daling, joining the Jiaofangsi was considered a good thing. At least as long as you could survive the first two years, if you were favored by an official or noble, you would be allowed to be redeemed.
Even if they are not redeemed, they can generally find a way of survival that suits them, so that they will not have to endure as hardship as at the beginning.
It’s different if you go to an ordinary brothel or are sent to the army.
In Daling, the wives of criminals sent to ordinary brothels had to endure ten years before they could be redeemed. Not to mention the mixed crowds of servants. Even if someone took a fancy to them, they wouldn't be able to redeem themselves or even be cared for for for the first ten years. And men are lustful, so after ten years, how many true men would be left?
Not to mention being sent to the army, those who were lucky enough to survive were insignificant.
When Murong Bo came in, the director of the Music Bureau was already waiting at the door. Now was a chaotic period, and it was naturally difficult to offend anyone for a small fry like him. After all, the emperor was about to die, and it was hard to say which prince would take the throne.
Among them, the Sixth Prince is the most likely, and he also has to give some face to Murong Bo, the Sixth Prince's cousin from his mother's side.
According to convention, these female relatives had to be examined and selected one by one. Only those with good looks, outstanding figures, or extremely outstanding skills and no lagging behind in other aspects could be retained in the Jiaofangsi.
"Eunuch Nan, the masked girl over there helped me before, look..." Murong Bai pulled Eunuch Nan aside and took out a stack of silver bills from his pocket very tactfully.
It wasn't that he couldn't use his power to oppress others, but it was just that the devil was easy to deal with, and the little devil was hard to deal with. If he really showed his power here, after he left, these people might use their dirty tricks on the people he had greeted and protected. He was greeting people to protect them, so he couldn't let it have the opposite effect.
The head of the Music Bureau was a eunuch named Nan, known to everyone as Eunuch Nan. He was naturally handsome, even more beautiful than an ordinary woman. On the surface, he appeared to be docile and polite, and many who didn't know him felt sorry for him because he was a eunuch.
But in fact, others might not know what kind of person he was, but Murong Bo knew it. After all, the Jiaofangsi was a place he often visited, and after interacting with this eunuch Nan many times, he naturally knew what kind of person he was.
Although this person's rank is not high, he is really cruel. He bows to them on the surface, but in fact, when he turns around, no one knows what he is cursing at them in his heart!
He is devoted and servile to his superiors, but arrogant and ruthless to his subordinates. This is the eunuch Nan.
Every place has its own rules, and Murong Bai doesn't care about the money.
Eunuch Nan took a quick look at the thickness of the banknotes in his hand and hesitated a bit, but finally decided that the money was important and took it. As for offending someone, well, it wasn't something he asked for, but Murong Bo offered it to him, so it would be bad if he didn't accept it!
"Hey, what are you talking about? Since she helped you, she must be kind and good-hearted. But I don't know what you mean? How about letting her stay behind the Cloud Rest Pavilion?"
The inhabitants of Yunxi Pavilion were usually women kept by high-ranking officials. Even if a woman of a criminal like this was favored, she would not be eligible to go there for the first two years. After all, as a criminal, how could she not accept a lesson?
Today, just because of the surname "Murong" and the current situation, Eunuch Nan wanted to do Murong Bai a favor. In addition, these female relatives were escorted by Murong Bai himself. As long as they acted covertly, others would not notice it at all. Anyway, they were in the Jiaofangsi, so there was no problem at all.
It was for these reasons that he was so generous for once. Otherwise, Eunuch Nan would never have been so generous at another opportunity.
Murong Bo, however, waved his hands and refused as if his tail had been stepped on, "No need, just follow the rules of your Jiaofangsi."
In his mind, Yunxi Pavilion was not a good place. It was said that it was a place where people kept those women, but in fact, it was because men were too concerned about their reputation and were unwilling to take people from the Jiaofangsi home, and they also preferred the beauty of women, so this place gradually became like this.
Murong Bo had always scoffed at this in the past, so how could he possibly do such a thing himself now?
It was true that he loved coming here, but that was only because the music here was nice. Moreover, she always paid a large sum of money to redeem the girl with the best voice or the girl's speech that she liked, and then took her home or to another villa to serve as a maid.
Anyway, he can come and come often, but he will definitely not set foot in the deeper areas of the Jiaofangsi.
"But in this case, the girl can only follow the procedure..." Eunuch Nan probably understood his psychology, but he couldn't understand it at all.
He took the money, but didn't he have to do the work? Since he cared so much about this girl, wouldn't he have just hidden her away in Yunxi Pavilion? Why did he have to resort to this whole thing? Eunuch Nan himself had no boundaries, so he never quite understood the point of such boundaries. It was just a pretense.
Murong Bo had no idea what he was thinking. When he heard him say that he would follow the procedure, he nodded indifferently.
Anyway, he just needs to ensure that people are selected to stay here. As for the so-called process, isn't it just to teach these new girls the rules?
There is no order without rules, and Murong Bo didn't think there was anything wrong with it.
He didn't understand or realize what the so-called process meant at the moment, so he just casually instructed, "Teach her well here. You know my hobbies, so let her learn to sing more. If she does something stupid, don't take it too seriously."
As soon as these words were spoken, Eunuch Nan knew that the woman with the masked face might not have helped Murong Bo, but her voice must have been very pleasant.
In that case, he naturally wouldn't say anything more.
It was better to avoid taking risks if possible. After all, who would bother looking for trouble? As for whether Murong Bo knew what the so-called process was, Eunuch Nan didn't care and didn't intend to remind him again.
"Come here, bring in the masked girl, the one on the left, the fourth person in the second row, the second and third people in the third row, and Miss Bai at the back~" Eunuch Nan turned around and ordered.
Except for Ruoruo, all the others were beauties that caught his eye at first sight. Even for Ruoruo, who Murong Bo had helped to get in through the back door, Eunuch Nan could tell that as long as she didn't have any scars or birthmarks on her face, she wouldn't be that ugly.
As for Miss Bai Yunmeng, Eunuch Nan was naturally familiar with her. This young lady from the General's Mansion was quite remarkable, having long been renowned throughout the capital. Now that she had joined his Imperial Music Bureau, who knew how many people she would attract.
Even though she still seemed to have lost her arrogance, Eunuch Nan didn't care.
Anyway, anyone who falls into his hands can be trained to be obedient and charming even as a man, not to mention Bai Yunmeng, who is known as the most beautiful woman in the capital.
Eunuch Nan was never afraid of meeting arrogant people. He only needed to "teach" them carefully for a few days and they would be obedient. If the person was really stubborn, he would just let him have sex with him by force. There were many people in the capital who liked that.
As for the masked woman, since Master Murong had specifically instructed him to do so, it was not impossible for him to be lenient with her for a while, depending on the circumstances. The length of this leniency would naturally depend on who would ultimately take over the throne.
When the Sixth Prince ascended the throne, he was willing to keep this face for Murong Bo. If any other prince ascended the throne, it would be hard to say.
After the people he chose were brought in, the rest of the people still had to prepare for a talent competition. Eunuch Nan only casually paid attention to the final roster.
Murong Bai still needed to return to report. After all, it was a busy time, so sending the Bai family's women here was already unusual. Eunuch Nan, on the other hand, naturally went to see the newcomers from his Music Bureau at a leisurely pace.
Because the masked woman was someone Murong Bo had specifically asked to be taken care of, and Bai Yunmeng was a lady from a wealthy family and a very famous beauty, both of them were taken to a separate place, waiting for Eunuch Nan to decide how to treat them.
Eunuch Nan first went to meet Bai Yunmeng, who once had a very good reputation, alone before turning around and coming to Ruoruo.
To be honest, people are always curious about things they don't know. Even though Eunuch Nan has seen countless women, he still wants to see Ruoruo's face under the veil. Of course, he also wants to hear what kind of voice can make Murong Bo take such special care of her.
As for respecting her, she should be allowed to wear a veil all the time, and it is absolutely impossible for her to appear in the Jiaofangsi. How could someone who entered the Jiaofangsi have human rights? Even he had suffered countless grievances in the past to get to where he is today.
When Eunuch Nan came in, Ruoruo was sitting on a stool with a handkerchief in her hand, her eyes empty.
He had thought the woman's eyes were beautiful just now, but now, looking at them up close, he still couldn't help but sigh that these eyes were so beautiful, so sparkling, and just looking at her eyebrows made people feel pity.
Fortunately, he has long been a rootless person, otherwise he might really be soft-hearted.
"Take off your veil and let us see it." Eunuch Nan was even more expectant and smiled gently and amiably at Ruoruo.
Ruoruo covered her face with her veil, stood up and backed away like a frightened deer.
When Eunuch Nan saw her appearance, the smile on his face gradually faded and his eyes became fierce. He hated disobedient people the most.
His expression changes very quickly. Only those who know him know that he is very moody. He may be smiling one second and angry the next, and he may be smiling again the next second while being angry one second.
"As a little girl, it's better to be well-behaved, don't you think?" He pressed on, with a cold face, and reached out to pull down Ruoruo's veil.
Then he was stunned.
Because the girl in front of me is so beautiful.
He thought the face under the veil should not be ugly, but he never thought it would be so moving.
Eunuch Nan couldn't describe how beautiful she was, but she was far more beautiful than Bai Yunmeng, who was somewhat pretentious and was known as the most beautiful woman.
He suddenly remembered the proposal he had just made to Murong Bo, and secretly felt fortunate that Murong Bo did not agree, otherwise he would have to slap himself a few times.
Fortunately, Murong Bo did not accept it.
Eunuch Nan breathed a sigh of relief. If he had really given such a beauty to Murong Bo as a favor, he would have regretted it deeply.
The more beautiful a woman is, the more valuable she is. There are many people in the capital who are more powerful than Murong Bo. Even if he wants to please someone, there is no need to use such a beauty to please someone with little real power.
All his previous thoughts were overturned. What was the point of giving Murong Bo a favor? How much was Murong Bo's face worth? Such a beauty, he naturally had to teach her well and make the most of her.
He stepped forward and pinched Ruoruo's face. Looking at the woman's body trembling slightly with fear, he smiled very gently again.
"Your name is Ruoruo, right?" He heard Murong Bo mention it. "Which character is it? How old are you? What did you do in the general's mansion before?"
His hands were very white and slender, and his strength was very great. He pinched Ruoruo's face, making her frown involuntarily.
When he let go, there were obvious pink marks on Ruoruo's face.
Eunuch Nan made a "tsk" sound, his eyes lingering on the red mark, and he gently stroked it with the back of his fingers.
Beautiful, truly beautiful! She was so beautiful that even her timidity became an attractive quality. Eunuch Nan couldn't imagine anyone who could resist the beauty before him.
Ruoruo clutched her handkerchief and looked at him, fear evident in her eyes.
"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. Just answer my questions and I'll treat you well and hold you in high esteem."
Ruoruo remained silent.
Eunuch Nan wanted to pinch the person and ask again, but looking at the red marks on Ruoruo's face that had not disappeared for a long time, he chose to move his fingers.
When he teaches someone a lesson, he always likes to pinch their face or even their neck. He feels a comfortable sense of control when he sees that they are unable to break free.
But when facing Ruoruo, he couldn't help but want to teach her a lesson more harshly, but he was also afraid that he would really hurt the person in front of him.
"As long as you listen to us, you can get whatever you want. Isn't that good? Huh?" He whispered in Ruo Ruo's ear like a devil, with endless temptation on his beautiful face.
"You can get anything?" Ruo Ruo looked up confusedly, her voice filled with distrust, "Really?"
When Eunuch Nan heard her voice, he finally understood why Murong Bo was willing to spend so much time on her. As expected, her voice was more beautiful than anyone else's.
Even someone like him couldn't help but be intoxicated by it.
"Of course, why would I lie to you?"
Ruo Ruo hesitated, "What do you need me to do?"
Eunuch Nan's smile deepened upon hearing her say this. He looked into her eyes and said word by word, "You need to learn more 'knowledge'. Don't worry, I will teach you one by one personally."
In fact, even if Ruoruo didn't know anything, it wouldn't be a big deal just based on her face, but Eunuch Nan just said that.
"But right now, the only thing you need to do is probably change out of this outfit." He looked at Ruo Ruo's crudely made clothes with obvious disdain, "My Jiaofangsi doesn't have such coarse fabrics."
Ruo Ruo blushed when he said that, because in her memory, this dress was chosen by her. She used to feel that she was not worthy of silk and satin, and tried to reduce her presence as much as possible, so she carefully put away the clothes her father prepared for her, and chose to wear clothes like this that even servants didn't wear.
In fact, she had been feeling uncomfortable all over for a long time, but because her memory clearly showed that it was her choice, she had been holding it in and not saying anything.
After Eunuch Nan had admired Ruoruo's appearance after she changed her clothes, he slowly left. Before leaving, he reminded Ruoruo, "In the future, do not take off your veil in front of anyone without my request."
"Eunuch, Bai Yunmeng threw away all the food we sent in." A young eunuch came to complain angrily. However, he was still holding the second batch of food he was about to send in.
He knew that girls of Bai Yunmeng's level, unless they caused any major trouble, would generally not be harshly criticized in life. He came to complain just to let Eunuch Nan have an impression of this matter.
"Since she doesn't want to eat, you don't need to send her food in the future. Just send what you're carrying to Bai Ruoruo's yard first. If you have anything else, send it there first. Since Bai Yunmeng is so arrogant, let's lock her up for a few days to cool her down."
"What?" The young eunuch couldn't believe it. You know, Eunuch Nan always regarded the beauty of a beautiful woman as a treasure. He had many ways to train people, but he had more patience with this kind of girl who was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting and had no good looks. Why was she so abnormal today?
The young eunuch didn't dare to speak, thinking that Eunuch Nan might be in a bad mood. However, he didn't know that Eunuch Nan was in a very good mood. He just lost his patience with Bai Yunmeng's disturbance after meeting Ruoruo.
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