Chapter 91 Rouge
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the sound of a door opening came from downstairs, accompanied by deliberately light footsteps.
I rubbed my eyes and struggled to get up. Being pregnant, I was having frequent nighttime urination...
I rubbed and rubbed, clutching my stomach with one hand, for a long time before finally getting down. It felt like a turtle shell was pressed against my stomach, making my movements clumsy and sluggish.
After putting on my coat, I had just reached the stairwell when I saw Qingmo, Xiaoqin, and several other girls who had said they were leaving yesterday, carrying their bags, tiptoeing out the door.
"Sneaking around so early in the morning, anyone who didn't know better would think a thief had broken into our Chunfengdeyi Tower." Rouge's voice suddenly rang out, carrying a hint of shrewishness and sarcasm.
A bead of cold sweat slid down his forehead. Thief... what an endearing word...
A dim yellow light came on beside the counter.
I lowered my head slightly and saw Rouge sitting behind the counter, slowly closing the tinderbox in her hand, a half-smile on her face.
Silence fell downstairs. After a while, Qingmo turned around and said, "Sister Yanzhi, my husband is ill in bed and I have to go home to take care of him."
"Heh, I wonder if they still recognize you as a wife who's already been sold off," Rouge sneered.
Qingmo froze for a moment, then slowly lowered her head. "No matter what, I'm leaving."
With a "snap," Rouge raised her hand and tossed a small bag of coins in front of Qingmo.
Qingmo was stunned.
"It's not much money, you guys should divide it up. Keep it close to yourselves, don't be stupid enough to get swindled out of it by men, and then be sold off in a shameful way," Rouge said calmly.
"Sister Rouge... thank you." Qingmo bent down and picked up the money bag.
"Alright, let's go. You're getting annoyed." Rouge said impatiently. "And open the door for me while you're at it."
The door slowly opened, and the early spring mist seeped in. Qingmo and the others turned and walked into the mist, never looking back.
For them, this place is nothing but a pit of fire.
"Stupid woman." Downstairs, Rouge muttered under her breath, then fell silent.
I looked down in confusion and saw Rouge sitting alone behind the counter. Her face, without makeup, was exceptionally pale, and glistening tears slowly slid down her cheeks.
Stubborn on the outside but soft on the inside.
After the assessment was completed, I turned around, and my foot slipped slightly. I let out a soft "Ah!" and quickly grabbed the wall for support.
Rouge wiped away her tears and hurried upstairs.
A pair of slender hands supported me. I turned around and saw the glistening tears still in the corners of her eyes. I chuckled foolishly, "I wasn't eavesdropping..." This was clearly a case of protesting too much.
Rouge didn't say anything, she just helped me downstairs.
After all that commotion, the urge to urinate disappeared completely.
She pulled a thin felt pad over the chair and helped me sit down. She glanced at my bulging belly and said, "It's still a bit cold. Take care of yourself."
I nodded.
“When I was ten years old, my hometown was flooded. I fled to Danyang and was bought by Mingyue and became her maid.” Rouge poured me some tea and suddenly spoke.
"Huh?" I took the tea and held it in my palm, looking at her.
“…Mingyue was only sixteen years old at the time, and she was the top courtesan at Chunfeng Tower. However, at that time, she was still a virgin and a pure courtesan.” She poured herself a cup of tea, took a sip, and sat down.
"Bright moon?"
"The madam of Chunfeng Tower".
Ah? That madam? I remembered that slightly plump woman; she used to be the top courtesan at Chunfeng Tower. I shifted my position and sat up straight, feeling that Rouge was about to tell me a long story.
"The Spring Breeze Pavilion was opened by Mingyue's mother. Mingyue didn't know who her father was; perhaps he was just one of her mother's patrons. She was born in the Spring Breeze Pavilion, so it was only natural that she was listed there... She treated me very well, always hiding food for me and never letting me do any heavy work, until she turned eighteen..."
My hands tightened slightly, sensing that something bad was about to happen.
“…One day, she came to me crying, saying that someone had offered an exorbitant price to buy her virginity,” Rouge smiled and took a sip of tea. “That night, I wore Mingyue’s clothes and took Mingyue’s place on that big bed.”
I gasped. She was only twelve years old then…
"But...wasn't it discovered...?"
"Hehe," Rouge laughed, "I know how to drug people."
My heart aches a little. I was ten years old. When I was ten, I was also struggling desperately...
"You mean...you've been protecting Mingyue all this time?"
“I went in place of Mingyue for everyone who specifically asked for her, but this time, she hit me because of that man,” Rouge suddenly laughed as she turned to look at the flickering candlelight. “You know what? Actually, this time, I didn’t drug her.”
I was stunned. Was that man... conscious?
"He pinned me down tightly, and he called me... Rouge..." Rouge chuckled, her shoulders trembling slightly. "Do you think Mingyue is stupid? I feel disgusted just thinking about that man..."
"You're the idiot." I put down my teacup and said calmly.
Rouge paused for a moment and looked at me.
"Spring Breeze Pavilion is gone; the past is the past." I chuckled, trying to convince her, and also trying to convince myself.
Rouge laughed, her charm captivating. "Yes, may I ask your name?"
"Ha, how about calling me 'older sister'?" I winked and smiled.
“You? I’m much older than you,” Rouge laughed. “Call me Madam Pei.”
I shrugged, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
It was getting brighter outside. Rouge straightened her clothes, stood up, and said, "Girls, get ready to start!"
The doors to the upstairs rooms seemed to have been pre-arranged, opening one by one, and beautiful young women peeked out with smiles, saying, "Yes!"
I laughed too. They... I guess that means they've accepted my existence.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
